Virgin Atlantic is launching new services between London Heathrow and Phuket for Winter 2026. 

The three times a week service will operate seasonally from 18tOctober 2026, capturing the growing demand for luxury winter escapes. As the only direct route from London Heathrow to Phuket, Brits will now be able to enjoy a seamless journey to one of Thailand’s most popular holiday destinations.

Flights wil be available to book from 26 November 2025. 

A partnership with Bangkok Airways as well as land and sea transfers allow easy connectivity for those travellers looking to explore beyond Phuket with options to Bangkok, Koh Samui, Krabi and beyond. 

Juha Jarvinen, Chief Commercial Officer, Virgin Atlantic, commented: “We’re thrilled to introduce our new direct service to Phuket, giving our customers a flavour of one of Southeast Asia’s most captivating destinations. “As well as making the trip more convenient, they can enjoy exploring Thailand’s unique heritage, natural beauty and delicious cuisine. We can’t wait for our customers to experience our trademark hospitality on their next unforgettable journey.”

The route will be operated by three-class Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft, equipped with 31 Upper Class seats in the front end, departing Heathrow on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.

The post Virgin Atlantic to begin seasonal Phuket route appeared first on LATTE Luxury News.

Delta Air Lines is teaming up with Chef José Andrés to bring a taste of Spain to the skies. The partnership kicks off in Delta One and Delta First from 4 November 2025, with a phased rollout planned through 2026.

With bold, comforting Spanish flavours inspired by José Andrés’ Spanish roots and restaurants, the new menu reflects the chef’s vibrant Spanish culinary vision — each dish selected for its ability to maintain flavor, texture and authenticity in the unique environment of air travel. 

Entrée items include:

• Spanish Tortilla with Pisto Manchego: A classic Spanish egg-and-potato omelet elevated with a rich vegetable stew, served at breakfast
• Braised Beef Short Rib in a Mojo Rojo BBQ Sauce: Tender and savory, with a tangy, smoky sauce and creamy polenta that’s deeply satisfying
• Stuffed Piquillo Peppers: Packed with flavour, a goat-cheese and mushroom filling drizzled with piquillo bechamel is the star of the show.
• Spanish Style Chicken: Chicken thigh with a rich sauce of sherry and dried fruit, served with celeriac-potato puree, roasted carrots and pearl onions.

These aren’t just chef-inspired dishes — they’re chef-approved. Andrés’ team worked closely with Delta’s culinary experts to tweak portion sizes, reheating methods and presentation so that every bite tastes just as good in the air as it would in a Barcelona tapas bar.

Delta’s culinary strategy isn’t just about providing sustenance — it’s about delighting customers, the airline said. By partnering with chefs like Andrés, Delta is doubling down on its identity as a premium lifestyle brand with purpose.

“Chef Andrés is not only a culinary icon — he’s also a force for good,” said Stephanie Laster, Managing Director of Onboard Dining Experience. “His people-centric approach and global influence align perfectly with Delta’s mission to deliver hospitality with heart. We couldn’t be more excited about this partnership.”

Los Angeles, is however, not included in the hubs that will offer these new dishes, so they are not available on the Australia/New Zealand routes.

Meanwhile, to enhance the elevated dining experience, Delta is launching its most exceptional Delta One wine program to date.

Debuting in October 2025 and available through September 2026, the program showcases a thoughtfully curated selection of wines. In collaboration with world-renowned Master Sommelier Andrea Robinson, Delta’s team meticulously evaluated hundreds of options to craft a wine list that is refined, well-balanced, diverse and delicious.

The post Delta partners with Chef José Andrés appeared first on LATTE Luxury News.

Celebrated chef and TV personality Luke Nguyen will host a series of exclusive dining events across the country in partnership with Singapore Airlines.

As the inaugural KrisFlyer Experiences Guest Curator, Nguyen will host five intimate dining events in Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney. The experiences are available only to members of the Singapore Airlines Group’s rewards program KrisFlyer, in collaboration with Mastercard.

Nguyen is known for showcasing Vietnamese cuisine to global audiences through his hit series Luke Nguyen’s Vietnam and Luke Nguyen’s Greater Mekong. As the owner of acclaimed restaurants in both Australia and Vietnam, Nguyen has established himself as “Australia’s Southeast Asia food and travel authority.”

The series begins on 3 December in Brisbane, where Nguyen will host an intimate culinary storytelling experience for just 45 KrisFlyer members at his newest Queensland restaurant, Fat Noodle at The Star.

“I am thrilled to be Singapore Airlines’ first KrisFlyer Experiences guest curator,” Nguyen said. “This event series is a unique opportunity to lead Australian KrisFlyer members from across the country on a culinary adventure, and share in the stories, culture and history of the food that inspires me from Australia through Southeast Asia and beyond.”

Meanwhile, Singapore Airlines’ Head of Loyalty and Strategy Australia Udhara De Silva said the collaboration captures the spirit of discovery that defines both travel and cuisine. “Luke has captivated Australia with an extraordinary ability to weave food, culture, and wanderlust into his shows, books, and restaurants,” De Silva said. “This exclusive KrisFlyer Experiences series, crafted with Luke, promises to awaken your senses and ignite an irresistible urge to explore the world – one exquisite bite at a time.”

KrisFlyer Experiences give members the chance to redeem miles for premium on-ground experiences ranging from fine dining and theatre to concerts, films and sporting events.

Tickets for the Brisbane event are available at krisflyerexperiences.com. Members can also register their interest for future events in other cities via the Singapore Airlines website.

The post SQ, Luke Nguyen launch exclusive KrisFlyer dining experiences appeared first on LATTE Luxury News.

Former Virgin Australia CEO Paul Scurrah has been appointed as the incoming Managing Director and CEO of Fiji Airways, effective 1 November 2025.

In announcing the appointment, the Fiji Airways board highlighted Scurrah’s more than two decades of experience across aviation, transport, logistics and tourism, most recently as CEO of Australian rail freight company Pacific National.

During his time at Virgin Australia, the nation’s second-largest airline, Scurrah’s “strategic leadership” was credited with steering the airline through the trials of the pandemic, described as “one of the most turbulent periods in modern aviation”.

His leadership style is described as “marked by operational discipline and a strong safety ethos,” with the board highlighting his reputation for motivating diverse teams and delivering long-term results.

The result of a comprehensive search process, the appointment sees Scurrah take the reins from outgoing Managing Director and CEO Andre Viljoen who is departing after a decade.

The Board thanked Viljoen for his his “exceptional” leadership,” under which Fiji Airways achieved significant growth, global recognition and post-pandemic recovery. Under his tenure, the airline became an APEX World Class Airline 2026, improved its SKYTRAX rating to 4 Stars, doubled its fleet from 12 to 23 aircraft, and launched the Fiji Airways Aviation Academy.

Viljoen, who is taking a role at Air Mauritius, will remain on the Fiji Airways Board of Directors.

The post Ex-Virgin Aus boss Scurrah to lead Fiji Airways appeared first on LATTE Luxury News.

American Airlines has this morning landed its new premium Boeing 787-9 in Brisbane following its maiden voyage from Dallas Fort Worth (DFW) to Australian shores.

Flying over the Australian summer, the enhanced aircraft offers passengers an elevated flight experience, with customers traveling in the 51 Flagship Suite® seats enjoying more personal storage space, a wireless charging pad, USB-C and AC power and a one-of-a-kind chaise lounge seating option with an adjustable headrest pillow.

For those opting for Premium Economy, customers will experience the redesigned seat with new headrest wings that give customers additional privacy and new calf and footrests that offer enhanced comfort. The 32 Premium Economy seats also feature a new trim and finish, wireless charging, water bottle storage and USB-C and AC power, ensuring customers have a place for everything during their travel journey.

Customers traveling in Main Cabin will enjoy an inflight experience tailored for their personal travel adventure. Each seat offers USB-C and AC power and 4K QLED screens, featuring the newest inflight entertainment technology from Thales.

“We’re excited to be introducing our new premium Boeing 787-9 aircraft on the popular Brisbane-DFW route this summer, providing customers with an even more elevated, premium experience than ever before,” said Rhonda Crawford, SVP Customer Experience Design & Strategy at American Airlines. 

“From reconfigured seats to Bluetooth connectivity and a fresh new look, our new aircraft is steeped in comfort and functionality, which our customers are increasingly looking for in long-distance flying.”

AA first launched service to Brisbane in late 2024, and this December and January, will also operate three weekly flights between BNE and Los Angeles.

“When we launched our Brisbane flight last year, our customers were thrilled to be able to fly now on American from two Australian destinations to the U.S.,” said José A. Freig, Vice President International and Inflight Dining Operations at American Airlines. “This coming December we’re excited to offer even more nonstop flying in Australia with our seasonal Brisbane-Los Angeles route, further strengthening our commitment to this beautiful country and our partnership with Qantas.”

BNE — DFW schedule

BNE – LAX schedule (running 3x weekly from Dec. 3, 2025 through Feb. 1, 2026)

See americanairlines.com.au/intl/au/index.jsp

The post American Airlines returns to Brisbane with new 787-9 appeared first on LATTE Luxury News.

The start of Qatar Airways’ services to Red Sea International Airport (RSI) this week has been heralded as a key milestone in Saudi Arabia’s tourism expansion by Red Sea Global (RSG).

As he welcomed the inaugural flight to RSI, RSG Group CEO John Pagano highlighted the new route’s role in opening up the regenerative tourism destination.

“With the opening of Shura Island last month and our second destination AMAALA welcoming guests in the coming months, enhanced international connectivity means even more people can now experience the best of Saudi culture, hospitality, and nature in one of the most picturesque places on the planet,” he said.

Operated by daa International, the new service connects The Red Sea to Doha’s Hamad International Airport (DOH) three times a week.

“We are thrilled to be welcoming our second international route to Red Sea International Airport, a connection from Doha to The Red Sea through Qatar Airways,” Red Sea International Airport CEO Andrew Tyler-Smith said. “This new service introduces an efficient gateway to a wide range of European destinations, unlocking critical access to key target source markets for the first time.”

The Red Sea route becomes Qatar Airways’ 12th destination in Saudi Arabia, joining Abha, AlUla, Dammam, Jeddah, Medina, NEOM, Qassim, Riyadh, Tabuk, Taif and Yanbu. The airline now operates more than 130 weekly flights across the Kingdom.

“The importance of the Saudi market, and our commitment to it, is proven by the growing reach of our services in the Kingdom,” Qatar Airways Group CEO Engr. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer said. “This new route – a testament to the close ties between the two countries – offers travellers seamless, world-class access to one of the Middle East’s emerging destinations onboard the World’s Best Airline.”

Located between Umluj and Al Wajh, Red Sea encompasses more than 90 islands, coral reefs and desert landscapes, with six luxury resorts already open and more underway.

The post Saudi tourism boost as Qatar Airways’ Red Sea service takes off appeared first on LATTE Luxury News.

LATAM‘s Australian passengers will soon enjoy uninterrupted connectivity in the sky with the South American airline confirming it will introduce onboard wifi on long-haul flights, including its Sydney to Santiago service.

Already used by over 13 million passengers across Latin America, LATAM’s onboard Wi-Fi will now expand to international routes, with a US$60 million investment enabling the roll-out in 2026.

“With this upgrade, Australians can work, message, stream, or share their adventures online, even thousands of kilometres from home,” the airline said.

The announcement comes as LATAM prepares to increase its Sydney–Santiago route to daily flights from November 1, 2025, just in time for the Southern Hemisphere’s peak travel season.

The upcoming connectivity upgrade is part of LATAM’s broader strategy to enhance the passenger experience, which also includes a fleet-wide cabin retrofit and the launch of new Business Suites. These initiatives aim to deliver more comfort, personalisation, and access to cutting-edge onboard technology.

LATAM’s short and medium-haul fleet already offers Wi-Fi on 251 aircraft. LATAM Pass members benefit from full browsing access, while other travellers can enjoy complimentary messaging. The service is also integrated with LATAM Play, the airline’s in-flight entertainment platform.

The post LATAM to expand onboard wifi to international routes appeared first on LATTE Luxury News.

German airline Lufthansa is expanding the presence of its Allegris first class product to operations from Frankfurt, commencing this month. Launched in May 2024 aboard new Airbus A350-900 aircraft, Allegris has, until now, only been available ex Munich.

Lufthansa is using its new Boeing Dreamliners with state-of-the-art cabins to expand its premium offering. The first Allegris flight from Frankfurt to Toronto, Canada, was operated last month. Starting with the (northern) Winter flight schedule, Rio de Janeiro, Bogotá, Hyderabad, and starting in December, Austin in Texas, will also be served from Frankfurt with Allegris.

More than half a million passengers in all classes have already experienced the new Allegris seating concept, Lufthansa says.

“Allegris has been enthusiastically received by guests who have already experienced it. We are therefore particularly proud that the new premium cabin is now also being used on other routes and above all, from our largest hub,” remare Francesco Sciortino, Hub Manager Frankfurt at Lufthansa Airlines.

With the delivery of additional Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft in the coming weeks, Lufthansa will announce further long-haul destinations for Allegris.

The post Lufthansa’s Allegris now offered ex Frankfurt appeared first on LATTE Luxury News.

United Airlines is adding four new cities across Croatia, Italy, Scotland and Spain to its (Northern) Summer 2026 schedule, bolstering its transatlantic operation to 46 cities next year, including all six new Atlantic destinations.

United will be the only U.S. airline to launch nonstop flights to four new destinations from its hub in Newark/New York to Split, Croatia; Bari, Italy; Glasgow, Scotland and Santiago de Compostela, Spain.

Services will operate thrice weekly to Split, effective 30 April; four times weekly to Bari, effective 1 May; daily to Glasgow, effective 8 May; and three times weekly to Santiago de Compostela, starting 22 May.

The airline is also adding its first service between Washington-Dulles and Reykjavik, Iceland, as a new nonstop year-round daily service from Newark/New York to Seoul, South Korea, and four additional weekly flights, for 18 total weekly flights, between Newark/New York and Tel Aviv, Israel.

“United has an unmatched international network, and we pride ourselves on connecting our customers to unique, trendsetting destinations no other U.S. airline serves,” said Patrick Quayle, Senior Vice President of Global Network Planning and Alliances.

“With the addition of these new flights and the return of all of our new routes from last year, United now flies to 46 cities across the Atlantic – more than any other airline – and is the clear flag carrier of the U.S.”

In addition to United’s new Summer 2026 destinations, United will continue to serve all nine destinations from its largest expansion ever last summer including seasonal service to Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia; Nuuk, Greenland; Palermo, Italy; Bilbao, Spain; Madeira Island, Portugal; Faro, Portugal; and continue year-round service from Dakar, Senegal; Puerto Escondido, Mexico, and Kaohsiung. These routes will commence as follows;

• laanbaatar: 30 April, 2026
• Faro: 15 May, 2026
• Madeira Island: 16 May, 2026 (three weeks earlier than in 2025)
• Palermo: 22 May, 2026
• Bilbao: 30 May, 2026
• Nuuk: 6 June, 2026 (one week earlier than in 2025)
• Kaohsiung: Operating year-round service
• Dakar: Operating year-round service
• Puerto Escondido: Operating year-round service

Lead image: Bari, Italy | Credit: Dan Rooney/Unsplash

The post United ratchets up transatlantic routes for summer appeared first on LATTE Luxury News.

The launch of Air Tahiti Nui‘s newly upgraded premium economy experience, now rebranded as Mānava Premium class, at the start of this month offers travellers additional comfort and style across its long-haul network, according to a representative for the airline.

Speaking at an Atout France media event in Sydney this week, Air Tahiti Nui Commercial Partnerships Manager Australia & New Zealand Vesna Letic highlighted the new enhancements which became effective on 1 October.

According to Letic, the changes reinforce Air Tahiti Nui’s reputation for delivering a uniquely Polynesian inflight experience aboard its fleet of Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners—“not just Dreamliners, but Tahitian Dreamliners,” as she pointed out. “The Tahitian experience begins the moment our passengers step aboard Air Tahiti Nui.”

Originally introduced in 2018, the premium economy cabin has proved popular with travellers seeking extra comfort without the cost of Business Class.

This latest round of enhancements includes: fast-track security lane access at select airports; a complimentary welcome drink; a completely redesigned meal service; a broader selection of sparkling and still wines; larger, softer cushions and reusable headphones; a new eco-friendly comfort kit; and enhanced table service with real cutlery.

The ZODIAC Aerospace Z535 seats remain the backbone of the cabin, offering generous legroom, adjustable footrests, and up to 7.8 inches of recline.

These upgrades complement the airline’s existing offerings, including its Poerava Business Class, which features 30 fully flat beds, lounge access, and premium inflight service.

Letic highlighted the airline’s role as a unique bridge between Australia and French Polynesia. “We effectively serve all Australian travellers from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and soon Adelaide and Perth,” she said. “They can reach Auckland on partner services and connect seamlessly to Air Tahiti Nui flights to Papeete.”

The airline also provides onward connections to a range of destinations from its Papeete hub. Passengers can continue on to Paris, Seattle, Los Angeles and Tokyo, making French Polynesia not just a destination, but a gateway, according to Letic.

The post Air Tahiti Nui highlights Premium Economy upgrades appeared first on LATTE Luxury News.