SINGAPORE, 25 August 2025: British Airways is boosting flights to popular long-haul destinations, leading off with upgrading Bangkok to a year-round destination starting April 2026.
The airline has been flying the London Gatwick – Bangkok route seasonally during the northern hemisphere winter timetable, from November through to March.
Starting with the summer timetable 2026, Bangkok will be upgraded to a year-round route. It will operate three times weekly during the summer season, adding nearly 60,000 additional seats. During the winter timetable (November 2025 to March 2026), it will increase frequencies to six weekly.
In addition, the airline will upgrade its flights to Miami, USA, to become a twice-daily service, and Jamaica will see an extra service added each week.
Overall, the flag carrier is set to offer nearly 60,000 additional seats for customers looking to visit Bangkok next year. With the airline’s recent resumption of a codeshare partnership with Bangkok Airways, customers can now connect to Phuket, Phnom Penh, and other destinations served by Bangkok Airways.
This follows British Airways’ recent additions to its short-haul network this winter, including Rabat in Morocco and Graz in Austria.
Jamaica
An additional weekly service to Kingston, Jamaica, from London Gatwick has been announced. British Airways will fly four flights per week for the summer 2026 season.
Miami and Dallas
British Airways will reintroduce its double-daily service from London Heathrow to Miami International Airport. Additionally, the airline will reintroduce its daily service to Dallas-Fort Worth.
Las Vegas
The airline has also increased its services from Heathrow to Las Vegas from 10 to 13 flights per week, providing customers with greater choice and flexibility via its home at Heathrow Terminal 5.
New York
New York (JFK) will now operate exclusively from London Heathrow, improving connectivity for travellers with optimal onward connection times to Europe, the US, and further afield.
The airline will now operate nine flights from Heathrow to New York, with the latest addition at Heathrow operating on its 777-200 fleet, featuring First and Club Suite (long-haul business class), offering a more premium experience for every customer travelling on its flagship route.
Middle East
British Airways has announced that it will offer a daily service from Heathrow to Bahrain, more than doubling the number of times it flies there per week, offering business and leisure travellers much more choice with dates when booking.
For travellers looking to explore the rich history of Saudi Arabia, customers can travel across even more flights, with Jeddah transitioning to five flights per week and Riyadh upgrading to 14 per week services, improving connectivity between Saudi Arabia and London.
British Airways will also now fly to Doha 14 times per week, offering greater flexibility and convenience for travel to and from Qatar.
LANGKAWI, 22 August 2025: Greater Bay Airlines, which operates out of Hong Kong, has completed two charter flights to Langkawi Island on 18 and 22 August using a Boeing 737-800 with 189 seats.
The first flight HB8211 on Monday, 18 August, delivered 165 tourists from Hong Kong to Malaysia’s premier island destinations. A second flight was scheduled to land at Langkawi’s international airport on Friday, 22 August.
Photo credit: LADA. Welcome delegation for the GBA’s August charters.
LADA Chief Executive Officer Datuk Seri Haji Iskandar bin Datuk Haji Mohd Kaus, along with representatives from the airport, Tourism Malaysia and tourism-related agencies on the island, welcomed the charter flights from Hong Kong. The charter series was managed by the travel agency You Wings Holidays to tap Hong Kong’s summer holiday season, which peaks in August.
“Together, we enhance Langkawi’s tourism sector by providing exceptional tourism services and promoting Langkawi as a premier tourism destination, in line with Visit Kedah 2025 and the nation-wide Visit Malaysia 2026 campaigns,” LADA’s CEO commented during the welcome ceremony.
BANGKOK, 22 August 2025: The Pacific Asia Travel Association confirms its annual PATA Travel Mart will head to Sarawak, Malaysia, in 2026.
Earlier this week, PATA confirmed it had nailed down the venue and host partner for the PTM, a leading Asia-Pacific B2B event, arguably the oldest in the region, having been established in the early 1980s.
Photo credit: PATA. PTM 2026 will be hosted in Kuching, the state capital of Sarawak, Malaysia.
Sarawak, Malaysia, will host the event at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) from 18 to 20 August 2026, supported by Sarawak’s Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts and hosted by the Sarawak Tourism Board, with Business Events Sarawak taking on a supporting role.
PATA CEO Noor Ahmad Hamid stated, “PTM 2026 will not only align with the Visit Malaysia 2026 campaign and PATA’s 75th Anniversary, but also mark STB’s 45th year of membership with the Association, making it a truly special occasion for Sarawak, PATA, and all participants.”
STB CEO Sharzede Datu Haji Salleh Askor said: “Hosting PATA Travel Mart 2026 is a milestone for Sarawak and a testament to our growing presence on the global tourism stage. It is our opportunity to present Sarawak’s cultural heritage, biodiversity, and business-ready infrastructure to the world, while underscoring our commitment to sustainable and regenerative tourism.”
A PATA member since 1981, STB has been a dedicated partner in advancing PATA’s initiatives in promoting destination resilience and sustainability. Sarawak was one of the Asia Pacific destinations to implement the Tourism Destination Resilience (TDR) capacity building programme, launched in collaboration with PATA in 2024. The two organisations also continue to collaborate on strategic initiatives, including carbon offset projects, joint advocacy and policy development, sustainable urban tourism, biodiversity conservation, and capacity building for green hospitality.
Registration for PTM 2026 is now open. Interested parties are invited to register by contacting the PATA Events Department at [email protected].
About PATA Travel Mart PTM 2026 is expected to welcome participants from over 60 destinations worldwide, facilitating more than 10,000 targeted business appointments during its two-day programme.
SINGAPORE, 21 August 2025: Disney Cruise Line releases its autumn 2026 and spring 2027 itineraries, offering more sailings from San Diego and Galveston to the Caribbean and the Bahamas.
Early bookings open 25 August 2025 for select Disney Cruise Line Castaway Club members, and for general bookings on 2 September 2025.
Photo credit: Disney Cruise Line. Disney Magic.
For the first time, San Diego will welcome two Disney Cruise Line ships.
The Disney Magic will set sail in California for two months with three-, four-, five-, six-, and seven-night voyages in October and November 2026, before transitioning to Texas on a 14-night journey from San Diego to Galveston featuring stops in the breathtaking Puerto Vallarta, Cartagena, and Grand Cayman.
Joining the Disney Magic for seven months in San Diego, the Disney Wonder will offer guests a spectacular view of crystal-blue waters with itineraries ranging from three to seven nights between October 2026 and April 2027, stopping at Catalina Island in California, as well as Cabo San Lucas, Ensenada and Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.
In addition, there will be five ships sailing from Florida and the return of three- and four-night cruises on the Disney Adventure from Marina Bay Cruise Centre in Singapore.
PHUKET, 22 August 2025: Analysing the glamping trend in the region, the Asia Pacific Outdoor Lodging Association (APOLA) will hold an outdoor lodging masterclass in Phuket on 31 August for existing and potential operators and a second glamping insight session on 1 September.
At the half-day event, investors, operators and others will learn from experienced practitioners such as John Roberts of Minor Hotels, Allan Michaud of Cardamom Tented Camp, Michael Sagild of Cloud Collective, Tom Butterfield of Eco Structures, and Ueli Wick of Escape Nomade.
APOLA reports that a new and diverse range of glamping options is meeting consumers’ needs for comfortable and sustainable accommodation surrounded by nature.
APOLA reports that a new and diverse range of glamping options is meeting consumers’ needs for comfortable and sustainable accommodation surrounded by nature.
Solar-powered camps, off-grid dwellings and eco-friendly construction materials have become increasingly popular across the Asia Pacific, where the outdoor lodging sector is predicted to grow 10.8% annually between 2025 and 2030, according to Grand View Research.
Demand for nature-first tented camps, cabins, yurts, treehouses, or nature pods on beaches, mountains, forests, and natural areas has increased dramatically since the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. The growth today is driven by consumers who want to immerse themselves in nature without compromising (much) on comfort. For nature lovers, the guest experience can often be superior to that of a traditional resort.
Owners, developers, investors, and financiers also like outdoor lodging. Start-up costs for ‘no walls’ accommodation are generally lower than building a traditionally constructed brick and mortar hotel or resort. Additionally, the development time is less than half that of a new build, offering greater speed to market. Growth momentum is coming from both the supply and demand sides.
“If you are looking for ideas and insights in finance, sustainability, lodge operations or guest experiences, the outdoor lodging masterclass promises to be a treasure trove of practical insights,” said Dean and Associates Principal Paul Dean, who will moderate the session.
Additional expert insights into outdoor lodging will be open to all in session 12 of PHIST 2025, Southeast Asia’s largest sustainable tourism full-day learning event, which takes place on 1 September in the exact location as the glamping masterclass.
APOLA members addressing the PHIST session will include Koko Tang, co-founder of Vinetree Tourism, which has four tented resorts and several sustainable tourism projects in China.
“APOLA believes that outdoor lodging should focus not only on guest experience and quality, but also on sustainability, which should be reflected in every detail from site selection and construction to daily operations. This is the strategic focus of APOLA,” said Tang.
Nature meets well-being
Event speakers will note that Asian glamping trends often have unique characteristics. Grand View Research’s analysis of the region says activities such as yoga, meditation, and spa treatments are increasingly popular as they contribute to personal well-being and mindfulness in a natural setting.
Family-friendly glamping options are also on the rise in Asia, with outdoor lodges offering larger accommodations, child and pet-friendly facilities. Other venues specialise in local conservation and community support projects, which guests participate in.
People who register for the APOLA outdoor lodging 31 August masterclass have a chance to win a three-day/two-night stay at the multiple award-winning Cardamom Tented Camp, a conservation ecolodge in Cambodia. The masterclass cost is THB1,500 (USD46) per person to cover learning materials and refreshments.
About Asia Pacific Outdoor Lodging Association APOLA is an industry body driven by local professionals dedicated to uniting and empowering the Asia Pacific outdoor lodging community, championing sustainable growth, innovation, and collaboration to elevate the industry’s standards. With a forward‑looking vision of embedding sustainability and cultural enrichment at the heart of outdoor hospitality across the region, APOLA aims to fuse responsible development with the rich traditions and natural beauty of Asia Pacific destinations. Visit APOLA – Asia Pacific Outdoor Lodging Association.
BANGKOK, 22 August 2025: Thailand’s capital is a city of surprises. When you think you’ve seen it all, from the labyrinth of street food stalls to glistening temple spires, a bold, green vision emerges above the skyline.
Enter the new seven-rai rooftop garden at Bangkok’s Dusit Central Park, now the largest of its kind in the country. Floating high above the historic Silom district, this urban oasis isn’t just a pretty patch of green; it’s a powerful symbol of what Bangkok could be: Liveable, breathable, and beautifully rebalanced.
Stunning vistas across 7 Rai (11,200 sqm) of rooftop space adjacent to Lumpini Park.
Set across the 4th to the 7th floors of the mixed-use development, this 11,200-sqm sanctuary opens to the public on 3 September 2025. And for those of us who’ve long lamented the city’s concrete sprawl, this is welcome news indeed.
The garden now crowns a modern skyline.
A garden with a mission
Developed by Vimarn Suriya Co, the garden is part of the ambitious THB46-billion Dusit Central Park project, an integrated retail, office, hotel and residential hub. But what sets this rooftop retreat apart is not its scale, but its soul.
The garden is planted exclusively with native Thai flora, carefully selected for high oxygen output and carbon absorption. Add to that wheelchair-friendly ramps, waterfall features, QR-coded educational zones, and shaded walkways, and you have more than a garden; you have a space designed with intention, inclusivity, and impact.
Suphajee Suthumpun, CEO of Dusit Thani Public Company Limited.
Suphajee proudly declares that the garden’s concept follows “Universal Design” principles, ensuring accessibility for all. But what struck me most was the garden’s ethos. Here, we see not just a nod to environmentalism, but a deep-rooted attempt to bring life, human, plant and cultural, back to the city centre.
Greening a greedy city
Bangkok has never been known for generous green space. At last count, the average Bangkokian had access to just 3.3 sqm of public greenery. Compare that with Singapore’s whopping 66 sqm per person, and the contrast is stark.
It wasn’t always this way. Silom, where this garden now crowns a modern skyline, was once a bustling commercial and social hub. Over the years, however, it lost ground to hipper, glossier districts like Sukhumvit and Thonglor. Office towers emptied, shoppers scattered, and the pulse of the neighbourhood dimmed. But with the new rooftop garden as its crown jewel, there’s hope that Silom’s heart might beat strong again.
Lessons from the neighbours
The visuals offer a glimpse of the design brief. I couldn’t help but think of Singapore and how its iconic Gardens by the Bay transformed not just the city’s waterfront, but its mindset. Today, the city-state is the poster child for green urbanism. Trees aren’t an afterthought; they are a design philosophy.
Closer to nature (and to my heart), the Kingdom of Bhutan offers another lesson. With over 70% of its land covered in forest, Bhutan isn’t merely protecting its landscape; it’s nurturing its identity. Recent developments in southern Bhutan have shown how even new urban areas can be planned around nature, not over it. The Kingdom of Bhutan, world-renowned for creating the concept of Gross National Happiness (GNH) and for being the first carbon-negative country, is now launching the Gelephu Mindfulness City, an interconnected bridge of sustainable development between South and Southeast Asia.
Of course, Bangkok could never reach Bhutan’s astonishing forest ratio, but that’s not the point. What we can borrow is the principle: That quality of life, not just commerce or concrete, should guide city planning.
If I were a city planner
Bangkok is my adopted home. Since arriving in 1991, I’ve watched it rise, sprawl and shift. I’ve celebrated its dynamism and, at times, sighed at its chaos. So if I were granted a day in the shoes of a city planner, I’d start with three words: Trees, water, lawns. As big and expansive as possible, like Central Park in New York or Hyde Park in London. I miss grass. To stroll, jog or play ball/exercise. I miss the smell and the softness underfoot. Imagine a city where every neighbourhood had its own pocket park or rooftop garden, where shaded walking paths and canals (our unloved klongs) linked one green space to the next, where food stalls and family-friendly playgrounds are nestled beside lotus ponds, where Bangkok’s millions didn’t have to flee to Lumpini or Chatuchak to find grass beneath their feet.
We need to think vertically, but also horizontally. Let’s create corridors of green that slice through the grey. And let’s not forget the water. Our rivers and canals, so often neglected, could be turned into vibrant urban features. Floating gardens, pedestrian-friendly embankments, or amphitheatres by the water. These are not utopian dreams. They are practical possibilities, drawn from cities that dared to rethink their relationship with space.
Planting Seeds of Change
The challenge is clear: Bangkok has more cars than residents, relentless development pressure, and a climate that demands shade, not shadeless skyscrapers.
Bangkok will soon have a model on the Dusit rooftops: a space that blends nature, accessibility, culture and calm. And we now have the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) showing increasing willingness to innovate.
The next step? Make it policy. Introduce green building incentives, mandate rooftop gardens for significant developments, and expand school and hospital gardens. Let’s make greenery not a luxury, but a civic right.
The new rooftop garden is more than a park. It is a signal that Bangkok is listening, taking account of its people, its past and its potential. It offers a high-up haven in a city that too often forgets to look up, to breathe, to rest.
If we treat it not as an isolated success but as a springboard for broader change, then perhaps we are not just planting trees. We are planting a future: One leaf, one path, one cool shady bench at a time.
About the author Andrew J Wood is a respected travel writer, hotelier, and tourism lecturer with over four decades of experience in Southeast Asia’s hospitality and tourism sectors. A former general manager of several leading hotels in Thailand, Andrew arrived here in 1991 with the Shangri-La Hotel Bangkok and has remained in Thailand ever since. He has worked with Royal Garden Resorts (now Anantara) and the Landmark Group of Hotels. He has served as General Manager at the Royal Cliff Group and Chaophya Park Hotels & Resorts. He is a past president of Skål International Asia, Thailand’s National President, and a two-time Past President of Skål International Bangkok. Andrew contributes regularly to leading regional and global travel publications and remains a passionate advocate for sustainable, people-focused tourism.
BANGKOK, 22 August 2025: The Pacific Asia Travel Association has released programme details for the PATA Travel Mart 2025 (PTM 2025), due to convene at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre (QSNCC), Bangkok, Thailand, from 26 to 28 August.
In addition to the travel mart, which will cover three days of B2B networking between 500 travel and hospitality organisations, PT will feature a one-day Knowledge Forum and the PATA Gold Awards 2025 Gala Dinner.
Photo credit: PATA.
“PATA Travel Mart is designed to bring together the heart of the Asia Pacific tourism industry, but it is only through the united efforts of industry leaders from both the private and public sectors that meaningful connections can be created — connections that inspire growth and collaboration among buyers, exhibitors, and all participants,” stated PATA CEO Noor Ahmad Hamid.
Programme key highlight
Before the official opening of the mart, PATA will organise the PATA Youth Symposium 2025 at Srinakharinwirot University on 25 August. The PATA Executive Board Meeting will also convene that afternoon, bringing together the organisation’s leading voices, followed by the full-day PATA Board Meeting on 26 August. (Both are closed-door gatherings open to just PATA’s elected officials.
PATA Knowledge Forum
Open to registered PTM delegates, the PATA Knowledge Forum with the theme “Designing Meaningful Tourism for a Changing World,” will run concurrently with the official first day of the PTM’s appointment sessions on 26 August.
At the beginning of the forum, Sharzede Datu Haji Askor, CEO of the Sarawak Tourism Board, will join the stage to officially introduce Sarawak, Malaysia, as the host destination of the PATA Travel Mart 2026.
This full-day conference will feature presentations, panel discussions, and interactive sessions on emerging markets, the perspectives of young tourism professionals, inclusivity in tourism, travel technology, and key trends shaping the travel and tourism sectors.
Forum speakers
Following the forum, the day will conclude with a Welcome Reception hosted by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT).
On 27 August, the second day of the exhibition, industry and media delegates are invited to attend the opening ceremony at 1000. The ceremony will be followed by a VIP tour of the Mart led by the PATA CEO.
On the evening of 27 August, the PATA Gold Awards 2025 Gala Dinner, sponsored by the Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO), will be held to honour 20 award winners for their outstanding achievements across two key categories: Marketing and Sustainability & Social Responsibility.
From 27 to 28 August, business and open hall sessions will provide networking and collaboration opportunities between buyers and sellers. Additionally, on the final day of PTM, trade visitors can attend the Mart. For the full programme, visit: www.pata.org/pata-travel-mart-2025
The Cvent Event App launched on 21 August, allowing PTM 2025 delegates to stay updated on the programme, schedule appointments with industry professionals, and ensure a seamless event experience.
SINGAPORE, 22 August 2025: SWISS says it is setting new benchmarks in first-class air travel with the introduction of the ‘SWISS First Grand Suite’, which combines two first-class suites into a single spacious and self-contained space that can serve as a bedroom, an office or a meeting room.
It is part of the airline’s broader new SWISS Senses cabin and service concept aimed explicitly at top premium travellers who attach high value to space, calm and privacy, be it for business or personal reasons.
Photo credit: SWISS.
The new SWISS First Grand Suite allows two adjoining first-class suites, including the aisle, to be combined into a single extensive and exclusively secluded loft to provide additional room for couples travelling together, families or business travellers. The combined private area, which also features over 1.8-metre-high walls, can be used as a workplace, a restaurant, or a bedroom, enabling its occupants to spend their flight free and undisturbed within their exclusive zone.
The SWISS First Grand Suite will make its debut on the new Airbus A350s and the gradually refurbished Airbus A330s in early 2026 on flights from Switzerland. The new first-class air travel experience will also be available on SWISS’s Boeing 777s at a later date.
It will complement the existing first-class offering of the Single Suite by the window and the middle Suite Plus, which can also be configured to accommodate two passengers travelling together.
It will be bookable solely via the exclusive SWISS First hotline with its concierge service for up to three travellers.
MANILA, 22 August 2025: Philippine Airlines (PAL) signals a green light for the 2025 Ultimate Seat Sale with fare bargains up for grabs until midnight on 31 August 2025.
Travellers save on ticket prices, with international flights going for as low as USD59 (round-trip economy base fare) and domestic flights starting at PHP189 (one-way economy base fare).
Photo credit: PAL.
“This year, through the Ultimate Seat Sale, we are offering great deals with big savings while still experiencing the comfort, reliability, and warm hospitality that define Philippine Airlines,” said PAL Vice President for Sales and Distribution Justin Warby. “Travellers can look forward to more flight options, giving them greater flexibility to plan the trips they want.”
Bookings can be made through the PAL website, the airline’s mobile app, or the PAL hotline for Philippine residents and via authorised travel agents.
PAL confirms shift to KTI airport in Phnom Penh
Meanwhile, in a recent travel advisory, the airline announced its flight operations in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, will transfer to Krong Ta Khmau Techo International Airport (KTI) effective 9 September due to the closure of all commercial aviation operations at Phnom Penh International Airport (PNH). The following flights will be shifted to Techo International Airport.
Summer timetable ending 25 October 2025
PR2621 Manila to Phnom Penh (days 2,4,5, and 6) departing MNL at 2215, arriving KTI at 0015 plus a day. PR2622 Phnom Penh to Manila (days 3,5,6, and 7) departing KTI at 0115 and arriving MNL at 0510.
Winter timetable starting 26 October 2025
PR2621 Manila to Phnom Penh (2,4,5, and 6) departing MNL at 2215 and arriving KTI at 1220 plus a day. PR2622 Phnom Penh to Manila (3,5,6, and 7) departing KTI at 0120 and arriving MNL at 0500.
Krong Ta Khmau Techo International Airport (KTI) is approximately an hour’s drive from Phnom Penh International Airport ( PNH) and 40 km south of downtown Phnom Penh. There is currently no shuttle bus service between Phnom Penh International Airport (PNH) and Krong Ta Khmau Techo International Airport (KTI). However, alternative travel options are available to passengers, such as taxi services or ride-hailing apps.
According to official announcements from airlines and civil aviation authorities, all commercial flight operations will be moved from Phnom Penh International Airport (PNH) to the new Techo International Airport (KTI) on 9 September, 2025.
Airlines that have made announcements on the shift so far include: AirAsia, Cathay Pacific, Malaysia Airlines, Vietnam Airlines, and now Philippine Airlines.
Military and private jets will continue to use the old airport (PNE). At the same time, Techo International Airport (KTI) becomes the new aviation hub for all commercial airline travel to the Cambodian capital.
DUBAI, UAE: 21 August 2025: Emirates is set to introduce a fourth daily flight between Dubai and London Gatwick from 8 February 2026.
Flight EK069/070 will be operated by the airline’s newest aircraft, the Airbus A350, offering customers the opportunity to experience its latest generation interiors, including business class and premium economy.
The fourth flight to London Gatwick brings the airline’s total London services to 12 flights across three airports, offering customers more departure time choices and greater flexibility.
Emirates flight EK069 will depart Dubai at 1705, arriving in London Gatwick at 2050. The return flight, EK070, departs London Gatwick at 2355and lands in Dubai at 1100.
The new service’s timing, as the last flight of the day between Dubai and London in both directions, caters to customers travelling directly between the two cities. For those travelling to Dubai, the service provides the ideal arrival time for customers to check in to their hotels and get a head start on their Dubai activities. Customers departing Dubai on the flight can make the most of their time in the city — finishing business meetings, enjoying extended shopping, or completing last-minute activities — before taking the evening flight to London.
Operated by an A350-900 aircraft in a three-class configuration, Emirates’ new service EK069/070 will offer customers 32 lie-flat business class seats in a 1-2-1 layout, 28 premium economy seats, and 238 economy class seats. In addition to Emirates’ signature next-generation products and award-winning service, customers can look forward to cutting-edge tech touches like wireless charging in Business Class, electric window blinds with the Emirates Ghaf tree motif when closed in premium classes, digital in-flight menus on ice screens, and more.
Connecting London to the world
Gatwick is set to become the second UK destination to receive Emirates’ new A350 aircraft after Edinburgh. The new fourth daily flight will also expand Emirates’ UK operations to 140 weekly flights to eight key gateways: London Gatwick, London Heathrow, London Stansted, Manchester, Birmingham, Newcastle, Glasgow and Edinburgh – operated with a mix of A350s, A380s and Boeing 777s.
Emirates A350.
London will join a growing list of global cities served by Emirates’ newest aircraft, including Lyon, Bologna, Dammam, Mumbai, Edinburgh, Bahrain, Colombo, Kuwait, Muscat, Tunis, Amman, Istanbul and Ahmedabad.
Customers can book tickets on emirates.com, or visit the Emirates App, Emirates Retail stores, Emirates contact centre, or via travel agents.
