SINGAPORE, 28 October 2026: Vietjet is giving travellers more reasons to plan their next getaway, with the launch of its new Hanoi–Tainan route and the resumption of direct flights between Ho Chi Minh City and Chiang Mai.
To celebrate its expanding network, the airline is offering promotional Eco tickets for flights between Singapore and Vietnam from just SGD86/one-way (including taxes and fees) for a limited time.
*New Hanoi–Tainan service and resumption of Ho Chi Minh City–Chiang Mai flights offer travellers more options to explore Asia via Vietnam.
Passengers can book the promotional Eco fares now through 1 November 2026 (GMT+8) via the airline’s website and mobile app.
The offer applies to Vietnam domestic and international flights for travel between 1 November 2026 and 31 October 2027, subject to applicable terms and conditions.
The network expansion introduces four return flights per week on the new Hanoi–Tainan route, alongside four weekly return flights on the resumed Ho Chi Minh City–Chiang Mai service. Both routes offer travellers more opportunities to discover destinations across Asia, while strengthening tourism, trade and cultural connections within the region.
For Singapore travellers, Vietjet currently operates direct flights from Singapore to four destinations in Vietnam: Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Da Nang and Phu Quoc. The airline will further strengthen its Singapore–Vietnam network by launching direct flights between Singapore and Nha Trang on 11 December 2026, operating four return flights weekly on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays.
The new services to Tainan and Chiang Mai complement Vietjet’s growing international network, which includes flights from Ho Chi Minh City to the Maldives, Cebu and Clark, as well as connections from Hanoi to Cebu, Almaty and Prague. Whether it is a beach escape, a food-focused getaway or a longer cultural adventure, travellers have more options to explore destinations beyond Vietnam.
(*) Blackout dates may apply. Please visit Vietjet’s website for more details
SINGAPORE, 28 October 2026: For years, travel followed a familiar formula — pick a destination, pack a bag and follow the itinerary.
But in 2027, that familiar formula is likely to collapse. Travellers are choosing trips designed to shock their friends, booking by mood and selecting travel companions based on their bank balance.
Photo credit: Booking.com.
The defining feature of travel in the year ahead is the element of surprise, beyond what an algorithm could ever predict, according to the 11th annual edition of Booking.com’s Travel Predictions.
Based on data from more than 28,000 travellers across 32 countries and territories, including markets across Asia Pacific, alongside
employee insights on how people search for and book travel, Booking.com has uncovered defining trends for 2027. Here, the spotlight shines on the core trends
Plot twist trip
In 2027, travellers will humble everyone who thought they had it figured out, surprising themselves with a trip nobody saw coming. Gone is “that’s not really me”, with 75% of APAC travellers interested in choosing a vacation specifically to do something completely out of character.
The reaction from others is part of the appeal, with 41% actively wanting to surprise their friends and family with their travel choices. These trips are designed to disrupt the status quo, rewrite the story everyone thought they knew, and deliver the twist nobody predicted.
Social Currency
Your travel budget isn’t just deciding where you go. It’s deciding who comes with you. In 2027, budget is becoming the most ruthless filter on the guest list — and nobody is safe. More than half of APAC travellers (56%) have reconsidered who to invite on a trip because of spending differences, while 54% have experienced tension or disagreements during a trip because people had different expectations about money.
For 43%, the solution has been even more drastic: admitting they have removed people from a travel group entirely. And for parents? The kids might not make the cut either — with 68% of parents keen to travel child-free so they can spend more on themselves. Welcome to the era of the brutally curated travel companion list. Check your bank balance. Then check the guest list.
Vibe check
More than four in five (83%) APAC travellers would use a search tool that recommends destinations based on how they feel. Unsurprisingly, Gen Z have entered their feels era and are ready to hand over their wearable data, phone metrics, and entire emotional state to find the right destination, with 81% of Gen Z travellers willing to share this information with a travel provider to help personalise their trip, compared to just 47% of boomers. Search by emotional intent has arrived. Mood ring, meet search filter.
The All-Exclusive
The all-inclusive buffet has served its last course. As medications reshape appetites, sobriety culture grows, and ‘macro-conscious’ eating becomes the norm, travellers are portion-controlling their vacations too.
The change starts with how travellers feel about themselves: 74% of APAC travellers say at least one health, body, or lifestyle change has influenced their choice of vacation destination or activities in recent years.
And travellers no longer want to pay for what they won’t consume – the open bar they’re skipping or the buffet they’re avoiding. In 2027, less is more: 66% want a package that lets them remove services they don’t expect to use. Furthermore, 66% would let their diet influence the accommodation or destination, showing that the destination now needs to fit the lifestyle. Moving forward, the most appealing travel package isn’t the one that includes everything.
Trip to the Beyond
The other side of travel is calling, and in 2027, some travellers are ready to answer. While most typical trips promise sun, sea and relaxation, a growing number are seeking something altogether more unsettling: haunted histories, paranormal encounters, and the chance to sit with questions about death, memory and what might lie beyond it. The appetite for darker, more mysterious travel is rising, with 65% of APAC travellers interested in experiences that confront the paranormal head-on.
And for those who want to go further? Just over half (51%) would seek an experience hoping to speak to someone on the “other side.” In comparison, 52% are curious to take part in experiences that confront difficult questions about the afterlife, death, or spirituality. Away from the rhythm of everyday life, travel creates a rare kind of openness: a chance to reflect, remember, and, for some, feel closer to those they have lost. Turns out the most sought-after destination in 2027 isn’t a beach. It’s the beyond.
Hotel in the Sky
The flight used to be something you survived, but in 2027 it’s where the holiday starts. Wellness culture has taken over hotels, attractions, and destination experiences – now travellers want the same from 35,000 feet in the air. With 90% of APAC travellers saying they’d take a long-haul journey if it’s guaranteed they’d arrive rested and refreshed, the pressure is on to deliver. High on the flight wish list? Food and drink menus or caffeine-timing guidance designed to support sleep (37%), lighting designed to reduce jet lag (21%), and skincare kits (21%) are the bare-minimum survival kit.
For a bold minority, wellness in the air goes even further. Nearly a quarter (23%) of travellers would go so far as to choose a designated “no-children, quiet zone” on board. The destination has always sold the trip, but in 2027 the flight becomes part of the getaway, with travellers expecting to arrive feeling as refreshed as when they left.
Sweat Synergy
Solo travel is getting a team upgrade. In 2027, the real reason solo travellers are crossing finish lines around the world isn’t the medal; it’s who’s next to them at the end. The strongest proof comes from experience: two-thirds (66%) of APAC travellers who have travelled alone say a shared physical activity or challenge has led to a lasting connection or friendship.
The sport is the excuse while the connection is the reason, as 60% would be interested in joining a community of like-minded athletes or people while travelling. Shared suffering fast-tracks friendship like nothing else: the wall at kilometre 38, the post-race debrief, the group chat that never goes quiet.
SINGAPORE, 28 October 2026: Digital travel platform Agoda and Busan Metropolitan City, South Korea, are marking the first anniversary of their strategic partnership, which has helped attract first-time international visitors to Busan, South Korea’s second-largest city.
The milestone comes as South Korea sharpens its national focus on regional tourism, with the administration describing tourism as a “core national strategic industry” and setting a target of 30 million foreign visitors annually by 2029.
Busan has emerged as an example of this shift, welcoming approximately 3.43 million international visitors through August 2026 and outlining strategic priorities centred on longer stays, higher visitor spending, and building a more sustainable tourism ecosystem.
The partnership milestone comes as Busan hosts the 2nd Global City Tourism Summit from 26 to 28 October, where Agoda Senior Director North Asia Jay Lee delivered the keynote address on the first day.
Jointly hosted and organised by Busan Metropolitan City, the Tourism Promotion Organisation for Global Cities (TPO), and the Busan Tourism Organisation (BTO), with support from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and UN Tourism, the summit brings together cities and tourism industry representatives from around the world to explore cooperation on local tourism and sustainable urban tourism development.
Agoda and Busan’s partnership, formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed in October 2025, positioned Agoda as a technology and data partner for the city’s inbound tourism goals. During the campaign period from April to August 2026, Agoda recorded a 77% increase in searches compared to the 140 days before the campaign launched. Agoda insights show that 40% of travellers who booked Busan through the campaign were first-time visitors to South Korea, while another 28% were repeat visitors discovering Busan for the first time. Taiwan, Japan, and China ranked as the top three source markets.
Lee shared: “A year into this partnership, we’re seeing more travellers discover Busan, a growing share of them visiting for the first time, and strong momentum behind Busan’s own Agoda Flagship Store. What excites us is what happens when a city’s tourism strategy and a digital platform’s capabilities point in the same direction. Our priorities now turn to keeping visitors in the city longer, growing in-destination spending, and expanding what travellers can discover across Busan’s districts. As South Korea sharpens its focus on regional tourism, we’re excited to take this model further, in Busan and beyond.”
BENGALURU, 26 October 2026: Air India Express has been recognised among India’s top four brand movers in the latest YouGov BrandIndex rankings released in October.
The monthly ranking identifies brands that show the most significant improvements across key consumer perceptions. Air India Express registered gains across five metrics: Buzz, Reputation, Recommend, Consideration, and Current Customer.
Photo credit: Air India Express. Brand recognition climbs in monthly index.
The recognition comes as Air India Express continues to strengthen its guest proposition through network expansion, fleet modernisation, and a sharper focus on customer experience. The airline has recorded a significant improvement in its Net Promoter Score (NPS), reflecting rising guest satisfaction and advocacy. At the same time, more than two-thirds of its fleet is now brand-new.
Recognition also highlighted Air India Express’s launch of its largest-ever Winter Schedule, effective 25 October 2026. The airline will expand operations to around 585 daily flights, including approximately 435 domestic and up to 150 international departures, supported by a fleet of more than 105 aircraft. The expanded schedule will further strengthen connectivity across India and key international markets in South, Southeast and West Asia, while offering guests greater choice, convenience, and seamless travel options across the network.
BANGKOK, 28 October 2026: Belavia Belarusian Airlines introduced a non-stop flight from Minsk to Bangkok on Sunday, marking the airline’s first scheduled service to Thailand following its earlier charter operations.
Tourism Authority of Thailand’s executives welcomed the new weekly service at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) on Sunday. The airline will also start a twice-weekly Minsk–Phuket service on 29 October.
Photo credit: TAT. Water cannon salute for Belavia at BKK airport.
TAT’s Executive Director for the Europe Region, Suladda Sarutilavan, welcomed the inaugural flight B2799 alongside TAT executives, airline representatives, and airport and tourism partners.
Suladda commented: “Belavia Belarusian Airlines’ move from charter flights to scheduled services creates valuable new opportunities for Thailand in the Belarusian market. With direct flights to Bangkok and Phuket, travellers can easily combine the country’s coastal attractions with cultural, wellness and nature-based experiences. Eastern Europe remains a priority market for new long-haul opportunities under TAT’s 2027 Rebalance Market Portfolio strategy, and these routes provide a strong foundation for attracting visitors who favour longer stays and varied experiences.”
Belavia Belarusian Airlines operates the Minsk–Bangkok service every Sunday using an Airbus A330-200 with 281 seats, comprising 18 business class and 263 economy class seats.
Flight schedule MSQ-BKK
B2799 departs Minsk (MSQ) at 0310 and arrives in Bangkok (BKK) at 1705. (Sunday). B2800 departs Bangkok (BKK) at 1905 and arrives in Minsk (MSQ) at 0150 (Monday).
In addition to the direct flight to Bangkok, Belavia Belarusian Airlines will also launch twice-weekly scheduled Minsk–Phuket flights on 29 October, deploying an A330-200 with 281 seats. The service adds 2,248 inbound seats per month at Phuket’s international airport.
Flight schedule MSQ-HKT
B2787 departs Minsk (MSQ) at 2200 and arrives in Phuket (HKT) at 1205. (Thursday and Sunday). B2788 departs Phuket (HKT) at 1130 and arrives in Minsk (MSQ) at 1840. (Monday and Friday).
Belarusian passport holders are eligible for Thailand’s Visa on Arrival (VOA), permitting stays of up to 15 days. This makes their average stay in Thailand 15 days, nearly twice the general overseas travel average of eight days.
Belarusian visitors generally plan winter holidays around 140 days in advance, with tour packages playing an increasingly important role. Peak travel periods are December–January, May, and September–October, while preferred destinations include Bangkok, Phuket, and Pattaya, with growing interest in beach holidays, wellness, sports, and soft adventure activities.
Belarus is an emerging long-haul source market for Thailand. In 2025, arrivals reached 32,179, up 56.48% from 2024. From 1 January to 24 October 2026, Thailand welcomed 23,769 Belarusian visitors, up 1.25% year on year, with full-year arrivals projected at 30,000–35,000.
DOHA, Qatar, 28 October 2026: Qatar Airways announced on Tuesday its latest codeshare partnership with Canadian airline WestJet to introduce seamless connectivity to cities across Canada.
Qatar’s national carrier will add its (QR) code to WestJet’s flights across Canada, opening new markets across North America.
Photo credit: Qatar Airways.
Qatar Airways passengers can now connect through Toronto (YYZ) and Montreal (YUL) to Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Halifax, Ottawa, Regina, Saskatoon, St. John’s, and Winnipeg.
WestJet passengers in Canada will also benefit from global connectivity through Qatar Airways’ network of over 170 business and leisure destinations, including New Delhi, Nairobi, Singapore and Jeddah.
This partnership complements Qatar Airways’ expansion in Canada, increasing frequencies from 12 to 14 weekly since 25 October 2026, with both Toronto and Montreal operating daily.
About WestJet Since 1996, WestJet, headquartered in Calgary, Alberta, has connected guests to destinations across North America, Europe and Asia, operating more than 600 daily flights to more than 275 destinations.
ABU DHABI, UAE, 28 October 2026: Etihad Airways, the UAE’s national airline, celebrates the arrival of its iconic Airbus A380 in Thailand, marking a major milestone as its flagship aircraft touched down in Bangkok on Monday.
The service introduces The Residence, the world’s only three-room suite in the sky, to Thailand for the first time, alongside Etihad’s First Apartments, Business lie-flat seats and economy class cabin.
Photo credit: Etihad. A380 deployed on the Abu Dhabi-Bangkok route.
The inaugural service marked the start of daily A380 operations between Abu Dhabi’s Zayed International Airport and Bangkok, bringing increased capacity and Etihad’s most celebrated onboard experiences to one of its most popular leisure destinations.
The A380’s introduction comes as the peak winter travel season begins, supporting strong demand for travel between Thailand, the Middle East, and Europe. The launch further strengthens Etihad’s premium offering across Asia, following the A380’s introduction on its daily Abu Dhabi–Tokyo service in June 2026.
A380 Inflight experience
The Residence
At the pinnacle of Etihad’s A380 is The Residence, the world’s only three-room suite in the sky. Accommodating up to two guests, the 125-square-foot private suite features a separate living room with a reclining two-seater sofa, a bedroom with a double bed, and an ensuite bathroom with a full-height shower. Guests can enjoy complimentary Wi-Fi, luxury bedding and loungewear, premium amenities, and a tailored fine-dining experience supported by dedicated cabin crew.
First
First features nine private Apartments arranged across a single aisle, each with sliding doors for greater privacy. The 39-square-foot suite includes a Poltrona Frau leather reclining lounge chair, a separate ottoman that converts into an 80.5-inch-long bed, full turndown service, luxury bedding, designer loungewear, and premium amenities. Guests can also enjoy a 24-inch touchscreen, a chilled refreshments cabinet, access to an onboard shower room, and an à la carte fine-dining experience accompanied by a premium selection of beverages and boutique wines.
Business
The upper deck offers 70 business class seats, each with direct aisle access and converting into an 80-inch lie-flat bed. Guests can adjust seat firmness, enjoy an in-seat massage function, and stay entertained on an 18.5-inch touchscreen, with Wi-Fi connectivity and charging facilities available throughout the journey.
Economy
The A380 accommodates 415 guests in economy class, with seats offering an 18.95-inch width, six-inch recline and 32-inch legroom. Every seat features Etihad’s fixed-wing adjustable headrest, an 11.1-inch touchscreen, USB charging, and Wi-Fi access.
Bangkok’s addition to Etihad’s A380 network further strengthens the airline’s premium offering between Abu Dhabi and Asia, while giving guests travelling from Thailand convenient access through Abu Dhabi to destinations across Etihad’s wider global network. Travellers can also take advantage of Etihad’s Abu Dhabi Stopover programme.
BANGKOK, 27 October 2026: Four Meliá Hotels International properties in Thailand have been included in the MICHELIN Guide Hotel Selection 2026, marking a significant milestone for the Spanish hotel group’s growing presence in Thailand and its alliance with real estate group Asset World Corp PCL.
Spanning four of Thailand’s most popular destinations and representing two Meliá Hotels International brands, the selected properties are 234-room Meliá Pattaya Hotel, Thailand; 208-room INNSiDE by Meliá Bangkok Sukhumvit; 260-room Meliá Chiang Mai; and 200-room Meliá Koh Samui.
MAI The Sky Bar, Meliá Chiang Mai
The MICHELIN Guide’s inspectors curate its hotel selection, travelling anonymously and independently to identify notable hotel experiences worldwide.
“The inclusion of these four Thailand properties in the MICHELIN Guide Hotel Selection 2026 is an incredible achievement for MHI’s partnership with AWC,” said Meliá Hotels International Managing Director Asia Pacific Ignacio Martin. “From the rich heritage of Chiang Mai and island setting of Koh Samui to the creative pulse of Bangkok and cultural energy of Pattaya, the four hotels demonstrate the breadth and depth of compelling hospitality experiences we are building in Thailand and our shared commitment with AWC to contributing to the continued evolution of the country’s unsurpassed tourism offering.”
SINGAPORE, 27 October 2026: Visa, a leader in digital payments and the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) have signed a three-year Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to strengthen Singapore’s appeal as a preferred travel destination and to unlock new growth opportunities.
The collaboration will focus on three key pillars – driving discovery of Singapore’s tourism products, especially its dining and night-time experiences; deriving insights to identify high-value tourism opportunities; and developing co-branded marketing campaigns to build brand preference for both Visa and Singapore.
Photo credit: STB. Adeline Kim (Group Country Manager, Regional Southeast Asia & SVP, Global Clients, Asia Pacific, Visa) and Melissa Ow (Chief Executive, Singapore Tourism Board).
Visa also announced that Singapore will join Visa Destinations, using the platform to introduce strategic partnerships, flagship initiatives, and experiences across Singapore’s tourism precincts and high-yield traveller segments.
Visa Destinations is a global travel programme designed to elevate how travellers discover and experience the world’s most iconic destinations. Singapore is the second Asia Pacific country to launch Visa Destinations, following Thailand, which launched in July this year. Other cities include London, New York, and Paris, reinforcing the city’s position as a leading travel hub. The programme will commence in Singapore in November this year.
“Singapore is already a world-class destination with strong global appeal. Our partnership with the Singapore Tourism Board is about converting that appeal into deeper engagement, bringing together STB’s destination expertise with Visa’s global network, travel insights and partnerships to inspire more international travellers to visit and return,” said Visa Group Country Manager, Regional Southeast Asia, & SVP, Global Clients, Asia Pacific, Adeline Kim.
“As travellers today increasingly seek more personalised and distinctive experiences, Singapore continues to evolve to inspire discoveries with every visit. This partnership combines Visa’s global reach, insights, and partner network with STB’s destination expertise to curate compelling, high-quality experiences and data-driven marketing campaigns that resonate with travellers’ interests. Through this collaboration, we aim to create more opportunities for our tourism businesses and advance STB’s Tourism 2040 priorities through impactful, high-quality tourism growth,” said Singapore Tourism Board Chief Executive Melissa Ow.
SINGAPORE, 27 October 2027: Air Astana Group continues to expand international air connectivity from Kazakhstan’s capital, Astana, by adding new destinations, increasing flights, and expanding its operational presence in Astana.
In 2026, the group has launched eight new scheduled and charter routes from Astana: Guangzhou, Bangkok, Larnaca, Dalaman, Batumi, Issyk-Kul, Salalah and Yining. Last year, the group launched seven additional routes: Sanya, Jeddah, Medina, Nha Trang, Da Nang, Alanya and Kutaisi. The group’s route network from Astana now comprises 32 destinations, including the newly announced routes.
Photo credit: Air Astana.
The expansion focuses on major business and economic centres, including Guangzhou and Bangkok, while also offering popular holiday destinations.
At the same time, Air Astana is increasing weekly flights from Astana on existing international routes from 99 to 116, including services to Beijing, Seoul, Frankfurt, Istanbul and Dubai. Compared with 2025, seat capacity has increased by 55% on the Astana–Beijing route and by 20% on routes to Seoul and Istanbul.
The group is also strengthening its operational presence in the capital. The number of aircraft based in Astana has increased from 13 in 2024 to 16 in summer 2026 and is expected to reach 22 in 2027. This expansion is also reflected in the growing workforce across the group’s technical facilities, training centres, administrative offices and passenger service operations at Astana Airport. The group’s growing presence also supports local businesses through an expanding network of partners and increased procurement of goods and services, contributing to Astana’s economic development.
For passengers, these developments mean more international destinations, more seats on popular routes, and greater flexibility when planning business and leisure travel.
The expanding route network, increased flight frequencies, and growing number of aircraft based in Astana further strengthen the capital’s position as one of Kazakhstan’s key international aviation hubs.
