Hong Kong-based Cathay Pacific has launched direct passenger flights to Riyadh. The airline will operate three weekly flights from its primary base to the capital of Saudi Arabia on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Flight CX647 will depart from Hong Kong and arrive in Riyadh at 16:25 and 21:35, respectively. Those travelling the other way will board flight CX648, which will leave Riyadh at 23:35 and land in Hong Kong at 12:30 the next day. All times mentioned are local. An Airbus A350-900, boasting a three-class cabin (Business, Premium Economy and Economy), will ferry passengers on this route.

In addition to expanding Cathay Pacific’s network, the new route deepens trade, business, and cultural ties between Hong Kong and the countries participating in the Belt and Road Initiative. Moreover, it allows Middle East passengers to connect to the Chinese mainland and beyond.

While the passenger flights have begun now, Cathay Cargo has been offering freighter services between Hong Kong and Riyadh since 2021. Those who want to travel to the Middle East from Hong Kong can also opt for the airline’s daily direct service to Dubai, UAE.

Also Read: Cathay Pacific Announces A New Route To The USA

Just before October 2024 ended, airBaltic launched flights to two new destinations for the winter season from its hub in Vilnius. The first is a direct service to Oslo Torp, Norway, which joined the airline’s network on October 28. The second is a nonstop connection to Dusseldorf, Germany, which came into action on October 31. airBaltic will operate two weekly flights on both new routes, with one-side fares starting at EUR 29 to Oslo Torp and EUR 49 to Dusseldorf.

As with all airBaltic services aboard the A220-300 aircraft, passengers will have two seating options – Economy and Business Class. One-side fares in the latter category start at EUR 179 and EUR 225 for the Norwegian and German destinations, respectively. In addition to comfier seating, Business Class passengers enjoy priority check-in and boarding, a front-of-cabin seat with a free seat for enhanced privacy, a gourmet meal, a choice of beverages, and early deboarding.

The airline will launch seven new routes from Vilnius in the summer of 2025. Around the same time, it will introduce four new routes from Riga and five from Tallinn.

At the Future Investment Initiative in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia’s newest airline, Riyadh Air, became Airbus’ latest customer. The carrier placed a firm order for 60 A321neo family aircraft. The multi-billion-dollar deal will help Saudi Arabia achieve its decarbonisation goals. Moreover, the airline aims to generate 200,000 jobs and connect to 100 destinations by the decade’s end. That’s quite a target, considering the airline’s maiden flight is scheduled for 2025.

With the latest order, Riyadh Air has 132 aircraft on order. The A321neo is the largest member of the A320neo family. It offers a 50 per cent reduction in noise and a 20 per cent decrease in fuel consumption and CO2 emissions compared to previous-gen single-aisle aircraft. That’s courtesy of its new engines and Sharklets. The aircraft is among the most popular worldwide, with Airbus receiving orders for 6,700 by over 90 operators.

Also Read: Iberia Becomes The Launch Operator Of The New Airbus Jet

In a bid to increase its presence in China, Air Canada has made an announcement regarding its routes to two destinations. First, beginning December 7, 2024, the flag carrier of Canada will increase its services to Shanghai from Vancouver to daily. Presently, the airline operates four weekly flights on the said route. The flight timings, however, will remain unchanged.

Second, starting January 15, 2025, the airline will resume its direct service to Beijing from Vancouver. The outbound flight – AC029 – will depart from Vancouver at 11:40 and arrive in Beijing at 17:00 the next day. The return service – AC030 – will leave Beijing and land in Vancouver at 18:55 and 14:05, respectively. All times mentioned are local. A Boeing 787 Dreamliner will ferry passengers to and from Shanghai and Beijing.

Also Read: There’s Now A Codeshare Agreement Between airBaltic And Air Canada

European aircraft manufacturer Airbus has delivered its first-ever A321XLR to an operator. Which one? The flag carrier of Spain, Iberia. That makes the Madrid-based airline the launch customer of Airbus’ newest single-aisle jet. The new narrowbody is powered by CFM LEAP-1A engines. It will ferry passengers on various regional routes for Iberia before taking its first commercial transatlantic flight from Madrid to Boston later this month.

The aeroplane delivered to Iberia has 182 seats in a two-class configuration. That includes lie-flat business class seats, each with direct aisle access. The twin-engined jet also boasts XL-sized overhead bins that offer 60 per cent more luggage room, in-seat connectivity and the latest lighting system.

The A321XLR (Xtra Long Range) can travel up to 4,700 nautical miles, an increase of 15 per cent over the A321LR. It burns 30 per cent less fuel per seat than the previous-gen competitor aircraft while producing less noise and CO2.

Also Read: Cebu Pacific To Strengthen Fleet With 70 New Airbus Jets

Earlier this week, British Airways marked its return to Bangkok, the capital of Thailand. Before that, the UK’s national carrier operated the London-Bangkok route in 2020. The flight that restarted service between the two capitals departed from London’s Gatwick Airport at 21:15 and landed at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport at 16:10 the next day. Both times mentioned are local.

On this route, the airline will operate three weekly services. These will increase to five per week in January and February next year. In March 2025, there will be four weekly flights on the newly reinstated route. Passengers will have a choice among three cabins – World Traveller (Economy), World Traveller Plus (Premium Economy), and Club World (Business Class). The return fares start at GBP 718.

Through British Airways’ codeshare with Bangkok Airways, travellers can find smooth connections to five holiday destinations from Bangkok. The list includes Koh Samui, Phuket and Chiang Mai in Thailand and Phnom Penh and Siem Reap in Cambodia.

Also Read: airBaltic Has Extended Its Codeshare Partnership With British Airways

Finnair has announced the completion of the interior refurbishment of an Embraer E190. The airline has twelve of these types of aircraft, which are primarily used on short-haul flights. Finland’s flag carrier uses its Embraer E190 fleet to ferry passengers across Northern and Central Europe.

The new cabin follows the same clever and clean design method the airline used on its widebody fleet. The dark blue shade, grey colours, and a touch of wooden laminate accentuate the contemporary atmosphere. The cabin features two new seat types – Business and Economy. Those spread in rows from 1 to 9 offer more comfort with enhanced cushioning and recline function. The remaining rows have seats with no recline. The count stops at 100, while the cabin’s lighting has been upgraded with LED units.

What’s more, the seats weigh less than before. Even the material used to carve out the carpet is lighter. With these tweaks, Finnair aims to reduce the aircraft’s overall weight by about 150kg. That will pay dividends in fuel economy.

Also Read: Finnair Confirms More Flights To These Cities Next Summer

UAE’s national carrier, Etihad Airways, has announced a new route to Egypt. Starting July 17, 2025, the airline will begin operating two weekly flights on Thursdays and Sundays to Al Alamein. The outbound flight – EY721 – will depart from Abu Dhabi at 09:20 and arrive in Al Alamein at 12:35. The return leg – EY722 – will leave from Al Alamein and land in the UAE’s capital at 14:15 and 19:05, respectively. All times mentioned are local. The carrier will fly a two-class Airbus A320 on the newly confirmed route, featuring eight seats in Business Class and 150 in Economy.

The direct link to Al Alamein will provide Etihad customers nonstop access to the Al Sahel region, renowned for Egypt’s most vibrant coastal retreats. The area also has beaches with clear waters and a rich historical vibe. Moreover, the historic city of Alexandria isn’t far away. All in all, everyone from leisure seekers to historians will welcome this new route from Etihad.

Also Read: Etihad Makes Changes On Two Routes In North America

German carrier Eurowings has a delicious update for its BIZclass, HON Circle Members and Senators. The airline, which already provides access to several airport lounges across Europe and the Middle East, has expanded the list by adding five more spread across four international locations.

At Palma de Mallorca, Eurowings’ BIZclass, HON and SEN status passengers can access the “VIP Lounge Mediterraneo” and “VIP Lounge Formentor”. Both lounges are located at Terminal 1 of the airport and can be accessed from 5 am to midnight. Similarly, flyers in any of the three membership levels can access the “First Class Lounge” in Cairo, the “Marhaba Lounge” in Dubai and the “Plaza Premium Lounge” in Jeddah. All three are open round the clock.

Also Read: Eurowings Unveils Several New Routes For The Winter Season