Finland’s national carrier, Finnair, has shared an update regarding its summer schedule for next year. The carrier has chosen seven cities across the USA, Japan and China, where it will operate extra weekly services during the summer of 2025.

In the USA, Finnair will increase the weekly flight count to Chicago up to a daily affair. To Dallas, where the airline flew five weekly services in the summer of 2024, it will operate 11 weekly services. Similarly, the airline has planned two additional weekly flights to Seattle and Los Angeles next summer.

Over To Japan. Finnair has announced four weekly services to Nagoya, up from three, during next summer. Another Japanese destination the Finnish airline has chosen is Osaka, which hosts the World Expo 2025. A daily service to Osaka has been confirmed.

Lastly, the airline will fly an additional weekly flight to Shanghai, bringing the weekly count to four next summer.

Starting October 27, 2024, Air India will begin operating direct flights to London Heathrow from Bengaluru. This service, which will be operated using a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, will replace Karnataka’s current direct connection with the English capital, Bengaluru, with London Gatwick. Also, that route operated five times weekly and joined the airline’s schedule earlier this year. The new route will be a daily affair.

The aircraft in question will boast a two-class configuration featuring 18 flatbeds in the Business Class section and 238 seats in Economy. The outbound flight—AI133—will depart from Bengaluru at 14:20 and arrive in London at 19:30. The return leg—AI134—will leave from London and land in Bengaluru at 21:05 and 12:20 the next day respectively. Once established, the new route will complement Air India’s London Heathrow connections from Mumbai and Delhi. The airline operates 31 weekly flights to London Heathrow from those two metros.

Regarding its link with London Gatwick, the carrier will continue to operate 12 weekly flights from four Indian cities – Ahmedabad, Amritsar, Goa and Kochi.

NOTE: The image above is for representational purposes only.

It isn’t a secret that Air India and Vistara will merge into one bigger, stronger airline under the new ownership. In fact, the amalgamation process is almost complete. One question that eludes the Vistara fans is what will happen to the services and experiences they’ve come to like and enjoy over the years? Well, Air India has answered.

Post-merger, Air India will operate the Vistara aircraft with a four-digit AI code beginning with ‘2’. For instance, the UK955 flight will become AI2955. This process will help travellers identify the aircraft after November 12, 2024. Air India says that the routes and schedule operated by Vistara aircraft will remain intact, along with in-flight experience, including the products and services like menu and cutlery. The same crew will serve passengers.

Lastly, the existing Club Vistara membership will be transferred to Air India’s Flying Returns program. Once completed, Flying Returns will take a new avatar—‘Maharaja Club’. And let’s not forget that the merged entity will offer a stronger worldwide network, with connections to more than 90 domestic and international destinations. The count surpasses 800 via codeshare and interline partners.

Also Read: Air India Wins Big At World Travel Awards 2024

Here’s some good news for those planning a trip to Thailand and applying for a visa in Mumbai. A new Visa Application Centre (VAC) has opened in Lower Parel, courtesy of DUDigital Global, which provides specialised services in visa processing, immigration, and global company formation.

The new facility will process visa applications, primarily focusing on Thailand. Spanning over 2,000 sq. ft., the VAC is equipped enough to process over 2,000 applications every day. A premium lounge at the premises adds to the comfort factor. Another intriguing service on offer is ‘Visa Wherever You Want’. If availed, applicants can get visa services at their doorstep. In addition to standard visa services, the VAC will also assist in applying for a Destination Thailand Visa with a five-year multi-entry provision. 

The UAE’s national airline, Etihad Airways, has announced a boost in flight frequencies to two European destinations: Dusseldorf, Germany, and Copenhagen, Denmark. From October 1, 2025, the carrier will add extra weekly flights to both cities from its hub in Abu Dhabi, making them a daily service.

Etihad currently operates three weekly to Dusseldorf. An additional four weekly services will make it a daily affair. Moreover, the carrier will operate this route year-round. Flight EY133 will depart from Abu Dhabi at 02:55 and land in Dusseldorf at 08:05. The return leg – EY134 – will leave Dusseldorf and arrive in the UAE’s capital at 10:30 and 19:00, respectively.

Similarly, an additional three weekly flights will make the Abu Dhabi-Copenhagen route a daily service. Flight EY177 will depart the UAE’s capital and land in the Danish capital at 03:15 and 08:05, respectively. Those flying the other way will board flight EY178, leaving Copenhagen at 10:40 and landing in Abu Dhabi at 19:00. All times mentioned are local.

Also Read: Etihad To Fly More Flights On The Abu Dhabi-Jaipur Route

To offer more convenient travel options for Dubai and Batumi passengers, Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) has made a combined announcement. For the city in the UAE, the airline will begin operating flights to an additional airport from next month. And for Batumi, the carrier has decided to extend its services.

On November 8, 11, 13, and 20, 2024, AZAL will launch more flights on the Baku-Dubai-Baku route. These will operate from Heydar Aliyev International Airport in Azerbaijan’s capital to Al Maktoum International Airport in Dubai. There are several hotels in the latter’s proximity. That means one won’t waste too much time travelling between the airport and the accommodation.

Over to the Baku-Batumi-Baku route. The airline has announced the extension of services until January 12, 2025. It will operate two weekly flights until then. In addition, AZAL is now accepting bookings for flights on the same route between March 14 and 28, 2025. Both measures have been devised to provide improved travel opportunities.

Also Read: AZAL Has Announced Partnership With Africa’s Largest Airline

Dubai-based Emirates has announced the name of two more destinations where it will deploy its thoroughly refurbished Boeing 777s. Starting October 27, 2024, the upgraded widebody will ferry passengers to and from Kuwait on flights EK855 and EK856. Similarly, beginning November 22, 2024, Emirates will operate a revamped 777 on the daily flights between Dubai and Dammam, Saudi Arabia. The airline operates two daily services on this route – EK823/EK824 and EK821/EK822. Once done, Dammam will become the second destination in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the third in the GCC to be served by Emirates’ upgraded aircraft.

Emirates began the retrofitting program for the Boeing 777 fleet in July this year. Six aircraft have received a complete interior overhaul and are now serving passengers en route to Geneva, Zurich, Brussels, Tokyo Haneda, and Riyadh. These aircraft boast a four-class configuration with up to eight seats in First Class, 38 in Business, 24 in Premium Economy and 256 in Economy.

The upgraded Boeing 777s will also be introduced on Emirates’ network in the western hemisphere. The six confirmed routes are Chicago, Boston, Dallas-Fort Worth, Seattle, Athens/Newark and Miami/Bogota.