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Vietnam Airlines expands network

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HO CHI MINH CITY, Vietnam, 20 July 2026: Vietnam Airlines expands its route network to three new destinations — Amsterdam in the Netherlands, Phuket, Thailand and Colombo, Sri Lanka.

Photo credit: Vietnam Airlines.

Amsterdam

Vietnam Airlines expanded direct flights in June from Hanoi to Amsterdam, adding to its existing popular European destinations — Paris, Frankfurt, and London — with three weekly flights on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday serving the route with a 304-seat A350.

Flight schedule

VN83 departs Hanoi (HAN) at 0350 and arrives in Amsterdam (AMS) at 1100 the same day (Flight time: 12 hours 10 minutes).
VN82 departs Amsterdam (AMS) at 1400 and arrives in Hanoi (HAN) at 0600. (Flight time: 11 hours). 

Phuket

Vietnam Airlines kicked off its direct service from Ho Chi Minh City on 2 July, connecting the southern Vietnamese city to Phuket Island in Thailand, doing away with the need to connect via flights from Bangkok,

The airline is offering four round-trip flights per week on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays, operated by an A321 with 184 seats. Flight duration is one hour and 50 minutes.

Flight schedule

VN621 departs Ho Chi Minh City (SGN) at 1600 and arrives in Phuket (HKT) at 1750. 
VN620 departs Phuket (HKT) at 1845 and arrives in Ho Chi Minh City (SGN) at 2055. 

Colombo

Vietnam Airlines schedules three weekly services between Ho Chi Minh City (SGN) and Colombo (CMB) starting 16 August 2026 using an A321 with a flight time of five hours.

Flight schedule

VN671 departs Ho Chi Minh City (SGN) at 1945 and arrives in Colombo (CMB) at 2335. Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday. 
VN670 departs Colombo (CMB) at 0035 and arrives in Ho Chi Minh City (SGN) at 0715. Monday, Thursday, and Saturday.

Meanwhile, Vietnam Airlines reports in a Facebook post that it is expanding its Northeast Asia network with additional flights. From Hanoi, flights to Taipei will increase to 11 per week, while the Hanoi–Osaka route will gradually expand to 14 per week from 1 December 2026. 
From Da Nang, Vietnam Airlines now operates 14 weekly flights to Seoul, 11 to Tokyo, and five to Osaka.

(Source: Vietnam Airlines)

TransNusa to fly to Phuket this September

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JAKARTA, 20 July 2026: TransNusa will launch direct flights between Bali and Phuket starting 9 September, with four weekly services, increasing to daily flights in October until the end of Phuket’s peak travel season in March 2027. 

The new route underscores TransNusa’s commitment to enhancing its international connectivity while supporting tourism, trade and cultural exchanges between Indonesia and Thailand. 

Photo credit: TransNusa. CEO Datuk Bernard Francis.

TransNusa Group Chief Executive Officer, aviation industry veteran Datuk Bernard Francis, commented: “With the launch of this new route to Phuket, TransNusa will offer four international services from Bali to Perth, Australia, Singapore, and Guangzhou in China.”

The launch comes amid growing demand for intra-regional travel as more travellers seek unique leisure experiences across Southeast Asia. The route is expected to attract holidaymakers, families, digital nomads and adventure seekers looking to experience the distinct cultures, cuisines and attractions of both destinations.

Ticket sales for the Denpasar, Bali, to Phuket service opened for bookings on the airline’s website on 3 July, priced at USD167.60 (IDR 2,799,000).

Using an A320-200 aircraft with 174 seats, the airline will operate four flights weekly on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday effective 9 September. Flight time is approximately four hours.

Flight schedule 

8B541 will depart Denpasar (DPS) at 0850 and arrive in Phuket (HKT) at 1150.
8B852 will depart Phuket (HKT) at 1350 and arrive in Denpasar (DPS) at 1850.

Last week, TransNusa announced the launch of its first direct flights from Jakarta to Bangkok, scheduled for 6 August. The airline schedules twice-daily flights on the route.

About TransNusa
TransNusa Airlines received its AOC certification on 9 September 2022 and launched its first three A320 operations on 6 October, 14 October, and 12 December, 2022. It introduced its first international flight on 14 April, 2023. The airline currently operates hubs in Jakarta and Bali.

(Source: TransNusa)

Dusit Thani Maldives unveils refurbished villas

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Your Stories
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BANGKOK, Thailand, 17 July 2026: Dusit Thani Maldives, a luxury resort on Mudhdhoo Island within the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve of Baa Atoll, has unveiled refreshed villas that build on the resort’s signature blend of Thai-inspired gracious hospitality, generous sense of space, and natural island character.

Drawing inspiration from the resort’s lush tropical setting and spectacular 360-degree house reef, the refurbishment spans several signature accommodation categories, including Beach Residences, Overwater Pool Villas, and Overwater Pavilions. 

Throughout, the refreshed interiors introduce a lighter, more contemporary aesthetic while preserving the spacious layouts and relaxed atmosphere guests have long appreciated. Updated furnishings, renewed timber ceiling finishes, and contemporary lighting combine to create a brighter, more inviting atmosphere that reinforces the resort’s connection to its tropical surroundings while reflecting a modern expression of Dusit’s Thai heritage.

Selected villas have seen layout adjustments, while others retain their familiar sense of space, ensuring returning guests can enjoy a renewed experience without losing the comfort and character they know.

“Many of our guests return to Dusit Thani Maldives year after year because they value the resort’s natural beauty, generous sense of space, and warm Thai-inspired gracious hospitality,” said Dusit International Area General Manager, Maldives, Jean-Louis Ripoche.

“These enhancements allow us to preserve everything guests already love while introducing a fresher, more contemporary expression of the resort. Whether discovering the resort for the first time or returning for another stay, guests can now enjoy an even more refined and relaxing island experience.

The villa refurbishment marks an important milestone in Dusit Thani Maldives’ wider enhancement programme, which is designed to continually elevate the guest experience while preserving the resort’s distinctive character. Further guest-focused enhancements, including updates to selected dining spaces, are planned from Q3 2026 onwards, with the wider programme scheduled for completion in Q3 2027.

Alongside the physical enhancements across the resort, Dusit Thani Maldives has also introduced a refreshed website, making it easier for guests to explore accommodation options, discover experiences, and plan personalised stays before they arrive.

“Exceptional hospitality extends well beyond a guest’s stay,” said Mr Ripoche. “From the moment they begin planning their visit to the lasting memories they take home, we want every interaction with Dusit Thani Maldives to reflect the warmth, care, and gracious hospitality that define the Dusit experience.”

Located just a short journey from Malé by seaplane, domestic flight, or speedboat, Dusit Thani Maldives offers a blend of natural beauty, wellness, dining, and meaningful island experiences. Guests can snorkel directly from the island’s house reef, explore the rich marine life of Baa Atoll, enjoy treetop wellness journeys at Devarana Wellness, and discover a variety of curated experiences across the resort.

For more information, visit dusit.com/dusitthani-maldives.

(Source: Your Stories — Dusit International)

A million passengers connect to Air India Wi-Fi

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Newsdesk
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NEW DELHI, 17 July 2026: More than 1 million users connected to the inflight Wi-Fi service aboard Air India flights, according to the latest usage tracking from June 2025 through June 2026.

Operating across a schedule of over 55 daily flights, Air India travellers enjoy seamless internet access during their flight, enabling them to catch up on emails or browse social media. Usage has grown steadily over the year, with onboard Wi-Fi consumption surging from 30% in June 2025 to 55% in June 2026. This clear upward trajectory underscores an increasing demand for inflight internet connectivity. 

Photo credit: Air India.

Nearly 89% of connected passengers choose to stream content on social media while in transit. The remaining 11% opted for web browsing, emails and messaging apps. The consistent demand for the service resulted in nearly 500 TB worth of data consumption over the year. By category, streaming services accounted for 86% of total usage, while web browsing accounted for the remaining 14%.

These numbers are currently driven by an initial fleet of 28 Wi-Fi-enabled aircraft that operate flights across the globe to cities including London, New York, Newark, Frankfurt, Melbourne, Hong Kong, Singapore, Bali, Manila and Mauritius, with more aircraft and cities to be added progressively. As the connected fleet grows, so will the opportunities for passengers to carry their digital lives with them, wherever they fly.

(Source: Air India).

Crystal Grace focuses on family spaces

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Newsdesk
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SYDNEY, 17 July 2026: Crystal released new details on Thursday for Crystal Grace, which introduces family and outdoor spaces that will elevate the guest experience aboard the brand’s newest ship set to debut in 2028.

Located on Deck 11, Crystal Grace’s dedicated youth area is a vibrant gathering place where younger guests can enjoy the freedom of open-air play, surrounded by the sea.

Photo credit: Crystal Cruises.

The space will feature a shallow pool, outdoor recreational games and comfortable areas for families to spend time together in a safe and welcoming environment. Designed to encourage active play and social interaction, this new concept reflects Crystal’s commitment to creating meaningful experiences for younger guests while maintaining the sophisticated aesthetic that defines the brand.

Also located on Deck 11, the all-new Waves Teen Centre has been significantly expanded to offer the largest teen space in Crystal’s fleet.

Created exclusively for guests ages 13 to 17, the venue features a larger entertainment lounge complete with an oversized screen for gaming, movies and group activities, card and board game areas and a music and dance space featuring a sound system and dance floor.

The teen programme will operate daily with dedicated programming and activities during peak family travel periods, including summer months and the holiday season.

Younger guests will enjoy a refreshed Fantasia Children’s Playroom, designed specifically for children ages 3 to 12.

Crystal’s family-friendly approach includes drop-off programming for younger children, supervised activities for older children and the continuation of the brand’s in-room babysitting services.

The enhanced playroom is designed to create an engaging and welcoming environment where children can learn, create and make new friends while parents enjoy the ship’s many amenities.

At the heart of Crystal Grace’s outdoor spaces is the Seahorse Pool, the largest pool in the Crystal fleet. Spanning the centre of Deck 10, the expansive pool area will feature 140 loungers between Deck 10 and 11, creating ample space for guests to relax, socialise and enjoy uninterrupted ocean views. 

A large outdoor LED screen will serve as a focal point throughout the day and evening, hosting everything from live sporting events and destination programming to movie nights under the stars.

For the first time, Crystal Grace will introduce a collection of 60 private cabanas on Deck 11, offering guests an exclusive retreat overlooking the Seahorse Pool. Designed for relaxation and privacy, each cabana accommodates two guests and provides elevated views of the pool deck and surrounding seascapes.

Crystal Grace’s inaugural voyage will embark on 11 June  2028, on an eight-night sailing from Civitavecchia (Rome) to Venice. 

(Source: Crystal Cruises)

Visa refreshes its Infinite suite

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Newsdesk
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SINGAPORE, 17 July 2026: Visa unveiled a refreshed Visa Infinite in Asia Pacific on Thursday, designed for the modern affluent and how they live, spend, and travel today. 

The refresh introduces a more flexible and personalised offering, anchored in a three-tier card suite. Alongside Visa Infinite, the portfolio includes the two newly launched tiers of Visa Infinite Privilege and Visa Infinite Private, each tailored to distinct affluent segments within a unified premium offering.

Photo credit: Visa.

Affluence in Asia Pacific continues to grow, with affluent households projected to increase at an 8% compound annual growth rate through 2030. 

The region is home to nearly 31% of the world’s ultra-high-net-worth population. At the same time, affluent consumers are redefining what premium means — less about status and more about how experiences fit into their lives. 

The enhanced Visa Infinite brings together curated experiences and a global network of partners, underpinned by Visa’s intelligent payment capabilities, to deliver a seamless and connected offering. These intelligent payment capabilities help simplify everyday payments, support higher-value spending, and enable secure card sharing with trusted delegates. 

“Visa has long helped shape premium experiences for affluent consumers across Asia Pacific,” said Visa Head of Products & Solutions, Asia Pacific, TR Ramachandran. “As expectations evolve toward more intentional and globally connected experiences, we are building on that momentum. The refreshed Visa Infinite brings together our scale, innovation and partnerships to deliver more relevant and differentiated value for today’s affluent customers.”

The refreshed Visa Infinite introduces a clear progression of benefits and access across three tiers, underpinned by intelligent payments capabilities including elevated transaction limits, smart authorisation, cross-border issuance and always-on security. 

Visa Infinite anchors the suite, delivering elevated everyday value and enhanced travel and lifestyle rewards. Visa Infinite Privilege builds on this with broader access and more curated experiences. At the top tier, Visa Infinite Private is an invitation-only offering, designed for ultra-high-net-worth individuals, with bespoke services and exclusive access to rare and highly personalised experiences.

Curated programmes 

The refreshed proposition comes to life through curated experiences built around the passions of today’s affluent, from travel and dining to wellness and entertainment.

From Infinite Tastes: Beyond the Menu, a chef-led culinary programme unlocking deeper access to the stories, craft, and culture behind Asia Pacific’s dining scene, to Visa Destinations, a global travel platform offering curated journeys and exclusive access, each programme offers more immersive, behind-the-scenes access and opportunities for deeper discovery. 

These experiences reflect the growing influence of affluent consumers, whose spending is increasing at nearly three times the rate of other cardholders, particularly across travel, entertainment, and retail. Demand for wellbeing and more personalised services is rising among affluent consumers, with around 90% seeking health-focused experiences and 84% expecting more high-touch curated experiences. 

(Source: Visa)

UA Q2 profit ahead of expectations

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Newsdesk
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SINGAPORE, 17 July 2026: United Airlines reported this week a second-quarter profit that exceeded expectations and is near the top end of guidance. 

United delivered pre-tax earnings of USD1.0 billion, with a pre-tax margin of 5.8%. Adjusted pre-tax earnings were USD843 million, with an adjusted pre-tax margin of 4.8%.

“Our results show why we have been investing in customer improvements throughout every cabin and winning brand-loyal customers,” said United CEO Scott Kirby. “United is built to thrive in every environment, and when oil prices spiked in March, we quickly and decisively acted to adjust our schedules, while simultaneously doubling down on our customer investments. Our brand-loyal customers value their travel on United, whether they are in Polaris or in economy. Our network expansions, investment in Starlink, and innovations such as Relax Row are giving customers new reasons to choose United.”

Based on oil prices as of 14 July, United expects nearly USD6 billion in added fuel expense for the full year 2026 compared to the expectation at the start of the year. 

In the second quarter, fuel expense was up USD2.3 billion, or 84% year-over-year, and the company recovered approximately half of this increase. In the third quarter, the company expects to recover approximately 80% to 90% of the increase, and 100% by the fourth quarter. Yields were up 12% during the quarter, showing strong demand for United’s product.

Diverse revenue streams all contributed to this quarter’s success and United’s ongoing resilience: Premium revenue was up 16% compared to the second quarter of 2025, basic economy revenue was up 11%, loyalty revenue was up 11%, and cargo revenue was up 23%. Close-in demand remained robust, with contracted business revenue up 27% in the quarter. The economy cabin continues to recover with unit revenue up 12%, marking two consecutive quarters of positive growth.

United is investing in customers throughout the aircraft, including the United Relax Row across a row of United economy-class seats. During the quarter, United installed Starlink on its first widebody aircraft, and Starlink is now installed on 450 United mainline and United Express aircraft. 

United remains on track to bring Starlink to its entire fleet by the end of 2027 — ahead of its major US competitors. Starlink is free for MileagePlus members.

United’s first “Born to Explore” Airbus A321XLR is expected to enter domestic service this fall and will be connecting the US to international destinations by early next year.

Key Highlights

Flew the largest domestic schedule in company history, serving 240 airports in the US and Canada.

Took delivery of United’s first A321XLR aircraft, the first narrowbody featuring United’s Elevated interior, including updated United Polaris and United Premium Plus seats, screens with Bluetooth connectivity at every seat, and a self-serve snack bar.

Increased MileagePlus credit and debit cardholder benefits, allowing cardholders to earn even more miles, get redemption discounts of at least 10% on every United award flight they book, and have special access to additional inventory of lowest-priced award tickets.

Customer Experience

Launched 27 new routes in the US and Canada, including nine new domestic routes from Chicago-O’Hare. 

Began service from New York/Newark to four new transatlantic destinations: Bari, Italy; Split, Croatia; Santiago de Compostela, Spain; and Glasgow, Scotland, and launched service between Washington/Dulles and Reykjavik, Iceland.

Began offering United customers the brand new 787-9 with an elevated interior on flights between San Francisco and Singapore and London. The new premium-configured aircraft features 99 premium seats in total, including 8 United Polaris Studio suites and 56 United Polaris seats.

United announced plans to launch service later this year to five new destinations: Caracas, Venezuela; Cartagena, Colombia; Sapporo, Japan; St Croix, US Virgin Islands; and Tuxtla Gutiérrez, Mexico.

Announced four new routes to existing destinations, including Chicago to Tokyo-Narita; Washington/Dulles to Los Cabos, Mexico; Denver to Providenciales, Turks and Caicos; and Houston to Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.

(Source: United)

Holland America ships undergo transformation

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Newsdesk
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SINGAPORE, 17 July 2026: Holland America Line confirms that the Zuiderdam is the next ship to join the Holland America Evolution programme, bringing signature Pinnacle Class experiences as part of the line’s largest fleet update in its 153-year history. 

In addition to revealing the newest ship in this fleet enhancement, Holland America Line is also releasing renderings of the new Pinnacle and Bridgeview Suites for the first time — offering an inside glimpse into this new stateroom category, a highlight of the ship transformation.

Photo credit: Holland America.

Building on the momentum of Oosterdam, Zuiderdam is the second of six ships to undergo the programme upgrade. 

The enhancements expand the ship’s accommodations with the addition of a reimagined Pinnacle Suite, two new Bridgeview Suites, 14 Vista Suites and 32 Solo Verandah staterooms, creating more options for guests while maintaining the spacious experience for which the ship is known. 

Zuiderdam: New accommodations

Photo credit: Holland America.

Bridgeview Suites: Two suites located above the bridge, offering sweeping, forward-facing views through wraparound windows, a private balcony, and distinct living and sleeping spaces designed to maximise light and scenery.

Solo Verandahs: Purpose-built staterooms for solo travellers, each featuring a private balcony and thoughtfully designed living space tailored for one guest.

Vista Suites: A guest-favourite category from Pinnacle Class ships, Vista Suites bring spacious, light-filled accommodations with a sitting area, oversized windows and a private verandah to Zuiderdam.

Reimagined Pinnacle Suite: The most expansive accommodations on board, redesigned to offer an elevated residential-style experience with generous living space, refined finishes and panoramic ocean views.

Oosterdam debuts the upgrade

Oosterdam will be the first ship to debut its Evolution transformation, marking the opening chapter of the programme as Holland America Line begins rolling out enhancements across the fleet. 

Bookings are now open for the ship’s first collection of voyages following its refurbishment, giving guests an early opportunity to experience its updated staterooms, enhanced spaces and expanded venues firsthand.

(Source: Holland America)

Klook renews MOU with KTO

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Newsdesk
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SINGAPORE, 17 July 2026: Klook, a leading pan-regional experiences platform in Asia Pacific, has signed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Korea Tourism Organisation (KTO).

Left to right: Sunghyeuck Park, President and CEO, Korea Tourism Organisation, and CS Soong, Vice President of Corporate Development, Klook

The renewed Klook-KTO partnership covers:

Digital transformation of Korean tourism products and businesses;

Promoting regional tourist destinations in Korea;

Launching innovative marketing campaigns and product promotions for free independent travellers;

Building smart tourism solutions, including traveller trend analysis and AI-based tools, to improve the visitor experience and support sustainable tourism growth.

“Korea continues to capture the imagination of travellers around the world, driven by its rich culture, vibrant cities, and diverse regional destinations,” says Korea Tourism Organisation President and

CEO, Sunghyeuck Park. “Through this partnership with Klook, we aim to make it even easier for international travellers to discover more of Korea, while supporting local tourism businesses in adapting to changing traveller needs.

While Seoul remains the top gateway city, Klook data shows that international demand is increasingly extending into regional Korea. Bookings for Busan and Jeju grew more than 50% year-on-year in the first half of 2026, faster than the national average.

In its latest mid-year Travel Pulse, Klook found that 73% of APAC travellers say they would visit a lesser-known city specifically to experience a unique local event, festival, or activity.

These findings point to a shift in how travellers plan trips: destination-led itineraries are giving way to experience-led journeys, and travellers are increasingly willing to venture beyond major cities to seek out these experiences.

Through the MoU, Klook and KTO will work together to spotlight a wider range of tourism experiences, raise international awareness of lesser-known Korean destinations, and encourage more balanced visitor flows across the country.

Klook’s traveller base for Korea extends well beyond Asia Pacific, with top origin markets including Mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Southeast Asia, Japan, the US, and Europe. 

According to Klook’s Travel Pulse, close to 80% of surveyed travellers have visited a destination and booked experiences specifically because they were trending on social media.

“Korea is already one of the most exciting destinations for international travellers, but there is still a huge opportunity to help visitors discover more of the country, from major cities to emerging regional destinations,” says Klook Vice President of Corporate Development CS Soong. “Working closely with KTO allows us to combine digital access, traveller insights, and destination storytelling to create meaningful ways for travellers to experience Korea.”

Building on three years of tourism infrastructure partnership

The MoU builds on earlier initiatives between Klook and KTO to improve travel convenience for international travellers to Korea.

In 2023, both parties signed an MoU focused on improving domestic transportation access for international tourists, which led to a real-time domestic express bus booking service developed in partnership with the Korea Express Bus Lines Association and Tmoney.

In April 2026, Klook launched a real-time rail booking service for international visitors in Korea, enabling travellers to check KORAIL schedules and seat availability, purchase tickets instantly through Klook, and board trains using digital vouchers.

(Source: Klook).

MyFlyYatra expands to worldwide destinations

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Newsdesk
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GERMANTOWN, Maryland, US, 17 July 2026: US-based MyFlyYatra is expanding its business-class flights to Australia, Africa, Japan, Europe, Dubai, Singapore, Bangkok, and New Zealand by introducing enhanced coverage for global destinations as part of its ongoing growth strategy.

With rising demand for business-class air tickets, MyFlyYatra provides bookings across major international airlines for travellers flying from the US to destinations worldwide.

The platform serves business travellers, families, and long-stay international passengers looking to fly business class to Dubai, Africa, and all global destinations for convenience.

Photo credit: MyFlyYatra.

All other forms have traditionally focused on India-bound travel; the latest expansion includes dedicated travel resources for destinations such as Johannesburg, Cape Town, Frankfurt, London, Paris, Rome, Tokyo, Sydney, Melbourne and Dubai. This move aligns with increasing global travel demand and the need for structured access to international flight options.

MyFlyYatra is developing destination-specific pages and content optimised for high-demand search queries, such as business-class flights.

“Our goal is to support a wider audience of global travellers by expanding beyond India-focused routes and offering comprehensive travel information across multiple destinations,” MyFlyYatra said in a press statement this week.

This expansion reflects MyFlyYatra’s broader vision to become a global travel discovery platform that helps users efficiently explore and compare international flight options.

(Source: MyFlyYatra)

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