Last month, I had the envious opportunity of trialling American Airlines’ business class product on the non-stop Sydney-Los Angeles route. This was my first time flying American across the Pacific, currently operated by its Boeing 777-300ER aircraft. The oneworld aviation alliance member has been flying to Sydney for about eight years in partnership with Qantas, excluding a six-month pause last year due to aircraft availability issues, and a still recovering COVID market.

Emirates will introduce meal preordering on its London routes starting from next week. Customers flying in Business Class will be able to preselect hot main meals between 14 days and 24 hours prior to their flight, ensuring they get their preferred meal choice every time, while also helping to reduce food wastage.

Qatar Airways Privilege Club is the newest airline loyalty program member to join American Express Membership Rewards® in Australia, unlocking the ability for American Express Card Members to earn points to redeem for Avios on Qatar Airways services and with Avios partners.

Air Canada has opened its brand-new Maple Leaf Lounge at San Francisco International Airport, the airline’s 28th lounge worldwide, and its third Maple Leaf Lounge in the USA.

Hawaiian Airlines has released the first details of its new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft which will feature a new class of premium service for the airline – the Leihōkū Suites.

Emirates has launched a new City Check‑in and Travel Store in the heart of Dubai’s financial district, enabling customers to conveniently book travel, check-in for flights, drop luggage, shop for travel essentials, and save time at the airport. The facility is located in the elite ICD Brookfield Place in Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC).

Fiji Airways is set to launch new direct flights between Canberra and Nadi which will offer Canberrans and residents of the ACT, and surrounding regions, a new one-stop route to North America.

Delta Air Lines has launched a new nature-inspired oasis on the upper level of the G Concourse at Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport (MSP) in the United States. While MSP may not be a major thoroughfare for Australian travellers, the new look Delta Sky Club certainly warrants a profile.

Plaza Premium Group has launched the only international lounge at Adelaide Airport since the current terminal was opened in 2005.

Qatar Airways has unveiled newly curated onboard dining menus for its Australian flights, featuring sustainably sourced meals using local produce. The menus have been launched in phases across the airline’s Australian network for both Business and Economy Class passengers and are fully integrated into all flights.

Plaza Premium Group has opened a second lounge at Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport (FCO) in Rome, Italy. Located in Schengen Area – Terminal 1, the lounge provides a restful space complemented with a world-class in-lounge experience.

Virgin Atlantic has formally joined the global airline alliance, SkyTeam, at a signing ceremony in London. The move – confirmed in September last year – means Virgin Atlantic becomes SkyTeam’s first and only UK member airline, enhancing the alliance’s transatlantic network and services to and from Heathrow and Manchester airports.