The top 3:

1. Riyadh’s ‘elite’ interior cabin design unveiled

Riyadh Air’s 787‑9 cabins span four distinct classes, seating a total of 290 guests. In the ultra‑private Business Elite section, just four suites offer 78-inch double beds, high‑walls, sliding privacy doors and 32″ 4K OLED screens. The 24‑seat Business cabin uses staggered Safran Unity seats, each 22.5″ wide with 52″-high walls, Devialet‑tuned headrest speakers, gate‑to‑gate viaSat Wi‑Fi and triple USB‑C/A charging ports.

Premium Economy’s 39 seats in a 2-3-2 layout feature 38″ pitch, 15.6″ 4K screens, privacy head‑wings, calf rests and four USB‑C ports, all dressed in a mocha‑gold palette. In Economy, 223 passengers enjoy 31″ pitch, 13.3″ touchscreens, six‑way adjustable headrests, two USB-C outlets and ambient LED lighting, all wrapped in ergonomically tufted fabrics inspired by Saudi heritage. Full story here.

2. Direct flights between Syria and Dubai, Sharjah, and UAE resume from 20 April 

On 20 April, Syrian Air inaugurated its first direct service from Damascus to Dubai since January. Under the phased relaunch, four weekly Damascus-Dubai rotations now operate on Saturdays, Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Damascus-Sharjah services will also run three times weekly (Sundays, Tuesdays, Fridays), while Damascus-Abu Dhabi maintains twice‑weekly flights (Tuesdays, Fridays). Frequencies will ramp up to daily as demand grows among tourists and Syrian expatriates in the Emirates. 

3. Qatar Airways will showcase next-gen business class and new Arabic-speaking AI assistant at ATM 2025

Qatar Airways is expected to bring its latest Qsuite Next Gen, an evolution of its award‑winning, patented Business Class product to ATM 2025. The new cabins feature fully customisable Quad Suites for groups of four and window‑aisle Companion Suites, each equipped with: 

• 4K OLED movable screens that can link adjoining suites
• Taller digitally controlled privacy dividers
• Ambient mood lighting
• Expanded dining tables
• A “Make My Bed” turn‑down service button.

Complementing its cabin innovation, Qatar Airways will be introducing an Arabic‑language version of Sama, its AI‑powered digital cabin crew persona, enabling passengers to interact in their native language for real‑time service requests, flight information and entertainment booking. 

____________________

Noteworthy highlights:

1. Turkish Airlines to promote iconic Maraş ice cream onboard

Turkish Airlines will introduce Maraş dondurma, the iconic sticky ice cream from the city of Kahramanmaraş, on its long-haul flights as part of a campaign to promote regional Turkish culture and boost tourism. Passengers will enjoy the famed goat milk-based dessert and access content showcasing the region. 

2. Global rising demand for flexibility in travel

Crowne Plaza by IHG’s latest white paper, ‘Leading the Charge in Blended Travel,’ commissioned a YouGov survey of over 12,000 respondents across the UAE, US, UK, Saudi Arabia, Germany, Singapore, Japan, Australia and India. It reveals that 70% of UAE and 65% percent of KSA travellers now see greater benefits and flexibility in blending work and leisure than five years ago. Key trends include three‑day (on average) trip extensions, wellness‑focused routines, demand for AI planning tools, value‑driven travel economies, and greater emphasis on in‑person connections.

3. UAE air fares have fallen 35% since 2011

Airfares in the UAE have fallen 35% since 2011, the IATA reports, as low‑cost carriers like Air Arabia Abu Dhabi and Wizz Air Abu Dhabi intensify price competition alongside Emirates, Etihad, flydubai, and Air Arabia. Globally, airfares have decreased by 70% over the past 50 years, making flying more affordable.

____________________

Insider insights:

• Operational Excellence Award presented to Dubai Airports from AirportLabs rat the Passenger Terminal Expo 2025. 
• Qatar Airways and Marriott Bonvoy extend partnership to spend Avios on complimentary stays.
• Qatar Airways also partners with BAA Training to deliver Multi-Crew Pilot Licenses for up to 150 cadets per year starting April 2025.
• Transavia launches Madinah flights to increase connectivity between France and Saudi Arabia from October 2025.
• Flydubai signs an agreement with Boeing to upgrade luggage compartments in 21 Boeing 737 Max aircraft.
• Emirates and flydubai doubles tier miles on flights between 1 May – 20 June 2025 (travellers must register for the offer and then book between 21 April and 4 May).