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Right this moment: September 2026 luxurious journey information
Each final Friday of the month, you possibly can learn my information round-up of what’s occurring on the earth of luxurious journey and aviation. On this problem:
- Etihad Airways introduces a brand new First & Enterprise Class product
- Regent Lodges & Resorts will debut in French Polynesia with Regent Bora Bora
- Avianca unveils a brand new Enterprise Class product
- American Airways unveils its new Flagship Suite on the Boeing 777-300ER
- Novak Djokovic will host a wellness retreat at Amanjena
- Lindblad acquires majority stake in White Desert
- Airelles is taking up Rosewood’s Le Guanahani St. Barth
- Air France opens the most important lounge in its worldwide community
- World Airline Awards 2026: Singapore Airways takes prime spot
- The Michelin Information unveils its 2026 Michelin Key resort choice
Etihad Airways introduces a brand new First & Enterprise Class product
Etihad Airways has unveiled Past Borders, a brand new product and design idea that can form the airline’s future buyer expertise throughout plane, lounges and floor providers. Debuting at Arabian Journey Market, the idea is showcased on a brand new Airbus A330, coming into service from September 2027, with 4 personal First suites, 24 absolutely lie-flat Enterprise seats with direct aisle entry and 252 Economic system seats that includes 4K screens and charging. The brand new design, impressed by Abu Dhabi’s panorama and transformation from “sand to superstructure,” combines modern, serene interiors with distinctive Etihad particulars. Past Borders can even lengthen to the A321LR, which already presents First suites and absolutely lie-flat Enterprise seats on a single-aisle plane. Etihad is increasing its First Class providing throughout extra of its fleet whereas investing US$20 billion in new plane and buyer expertise, together with a US$1 billion retrofit programme. The airline says the initiative will create a extra constant journey encompassing cabins, lounges, eating, wellbeing, connectivity and repair.
Regent will open a resort in Bora Bora
IHG Lodges & Resorts and long-standing associate Pacific Beachcomber will rework the InterContinental Bora Bora Resort & Thalasso Spa into Regent Bora Bora, marking Regent Lodges & Resorts’ debut in French Polynesia. Closed since June 1, 2026, the resort is scheduled to reopen in late 2027 following an intensive renovation. Set on a non-public motu on Bora Bora’s japanese lagoon, the 84-villa resort will provide an completely overwater expertise, with direct lagoon entry and views of Mount Otemanu and the Pacific Ocean. The transformation will introduce Regent’s understated method to luxurious, combining intuitive, personalised service, refined design, immersive eating and experiences rooted in Polynesian tradition. Visitors can even take pleasure in Regent hallmarks reminiscent of Private Havens, Regent Expertise Brokers and considerate inclusions by way of the With Compliments idea. Sustainability will stay central, with the resort retaining its pioneering seawater air-conditioning system, which makes use of chilly deep-ocean water and has lowered the electrical energy required for cooling and refrigeration by round 90%.
Avianca unveils a brand new Enterprise Class product
Avianca, the second-largest airline group in Latin America (behind LATAM Airways Group), has unveiled a brand new evolution of INSIGNIA, its Enterprise Class expertise on Boeing 787 flights to and from Europe and New York, with upgrades spanning service, eating, leisure, relaxation and the bottom expertise. Beginning in 2027, Avianca can even introduce new suites with sliding doorways designed to supply higher privateness and luxury. The refreshed providing contains Meridian noise-canceling headphones, Maaji pajamas and slippers, and amenity kits created with Mola Sasa that includes merchandise from Loto del Sur. Eating has been enhanced with new menus by Colombian cooks Álvaro Clavijo of El Chato and Rafael Buitrago of Elvia Barichara, showcasing Latin American flavors and biodiversity, alongside new tableware and extra premium merchandise. Floor advantages embrace precedence service on the INSIGNIA Verify-In in Bogotá and VIP lounge entry. Avianca can be investing in its individuals, with greater than 850 cabin crew members finishing specialist Enterprise Class coaching centered on hospitality and etiquette. The airline continues to improve its VIP lounges, together with a deliberate renovation of the Worldwide Gold Lounge at El Salvador Worldwide Airport.
American Airways unveils its new Flagship Suite on the Boeing 777-300ER
American Airways has launched its first retrofitted Boeing 777-300ER, introducing its new Flagship Suite expertise and what the airline describes as probably the most premium seating configuration on a U.S. service. The plane options 144 premium seats, together with 70 Flagship Suite seats with privateness doorways, elevated storage and a singular chaise lounge place, alongside 44 redesigned Premium Economic system seats and 30 Primary Cabin Additional seats with further legroom. The refreshed inside builds on design components from American’s Boeing 787-9 and Airbus A321XLR, with upgraded lighting, textures and luxury options. Flagship passengers obtain precedence floor providers, lounge entry the place out there, chef-curated eating, premium facilities and enhanced bedding. Premium Economic system contains wi-fi charging and extra storage, whereas all passengers profit from free high-speed Wi-Fi sponsored by AT&T. The 20-aircraft 777-300ER fleet serves main long-haul routes together with London, Tokyo, São Paulo, Buenos Aires and Sydney. Flagship First will likely be phased out on these plane from November 19, 2026.
Novak Djokovic will host a wellness retreat at Amanjena
Novak Djokovic is bringing his Aman retreat sequence to Morocco, internet hosting “Stillness and Energy: A Novak Djokovic Retreat” at Amanjena in Marrakech from December 18–20, 2026. The three-day expertise, following his inaugural retreat at Amanyara, combines tennis masterclasses led by the 24-time Grand Slam champion with mindfulness classes guided by Amanjena’s wellness specialists, exploring how stillness, self-discipline and ritual can improve focus and efficiency. Visitors can even obtain a 60-minute Beldi Hammam and Therapeutic Argan Therapeutic massage, entry to the resort’s wellness amenities and every day menus curated by Djokovic. The setting enhances the expertise: Amanjena is situated simply outdoors Marrakech amid lush gardens, olive groves and palm bushes, with views towards the Excessive Atlas Mountains and clay tennis courts on the property. Designed within the fashion of a Moroccan palace, the secluded resort options pavilions and poolside lodging organized round a central reflecting pool, providing a tranquil retreat near the town’s historic points of interest. This system continues Djokovic’s partnership with Aman, which started in 2024 when he grew to become the model’s International Ambassador and Wellness Advisor.
Lindblad acquires majority stake in White Desert
Lindblad Expeditions Holdings, a number one expedition journey firm recognized for small-ship voyages to distant locations and its partnership with Nationwide Geographic, has acquired a 60% stake in White Desert and Echo Charlie for about US$61 million. Based in 2005 by polar explorer Patrick Woodhead, White Desert makes a speciality of luxurious expeditions to Antarctica’s distant inside, together with journeys to the Geographic South Pole and an Emperor penguin colony of greater than 20,000 birds. The partnership will assist the event of latest camps, visitor experiences and enhanced aviation and logistical capabilities whereas preserving White Desert’s unbiased, founder-led identification. Woodhead will stay Chairman of White Desert and change into CEO of Echo Charlie, a brand new journey idea constructed round a restored DC-3 plane, providing journeys to distant locations together with Colombia, Patagonia, the Faroe Islands and Greenland. He can even be part of Lindblad as Strategic Innovation Advisor. The acquisition expands Lindblad’s portfolio past expedition cruises into extremely unique land- and air-based adventures.
Airelles is taking up Rosewood’s Le Guanahani St. Barth
Rosewood Le Guanahani St. Barth will transition to administration by Airelles on October 1, 2026, reopening as Airelles Le Guanahani on November 1, 2026. Set on 18 acres of lush personal peninsula on the quieter aspect of St. Barth, the long-lasting resort overlooks Marigot Bay and Grand Cul-de-Sac and options 66 rooms, suites and signature suites, two seashores, a spa, eating places and in depth watersports and wellness amenities. Airelles is a French luxurious hospitality assortment recognized for distinctive “Maisons” in locations together with Courchevel, Saint-Tropez, Gordes and Versailles, with a concentrate on distinctive settings, French artwork de vivre, personalised service and a powerful sense of place. The gathering is increasing internationally, with Airelles Palladio in Venice additionally opening in 2026. Le Guanahani will subsequently change into Airelles’ first Caribbean property, bringing the model’s extremely individualised method to one in all St. Barth’s most established luxurious resorts.
Air France opens the most important lounge in its worldwide community
Beginning in 2027, Air France will transfer all of its New York JFK flights to the brand new Terminal One, providing clients an upgraded airport expertise. The airline can even open a spectacular new lounge spanning greater than 2,700 sq. m, making it the most important Air France lounge in its worldwide community. Designed by Air France in collaboration with MARKS Brandimage, the two-level house will accommodate greater than 400 friends and showcase the French artwork of journey by way of elegant interiors, French gastronomy and an intensive collection of French wines and champagnes. Amenities will embrace devoted areas for rest, work and wonder remedies, whereas an unique house will likely be reserved for Flying Blue Final members. The lounge will welcome La Première and Enterprise clients, Flying Blue Elite Plus members and eligible KLM and SkyTeam passengers. La Première travellers will take pleasure in an particularly personalised expertise, together with an unique space with a eating idea created by a famend French chef, complementing the premium amenities and know-how of the brand new Terminal One.
World Airline Awards 2026: Singapore Airways takes prime spot
The 2026 World Airline Awards (the “Oscars” within the aviation business), introduced by Skytrax at London’s Langham Resort on September 18, have named Singapore Airways the World’s Greatest Airline, marking its sixth victory within the prime class. Qatar Airways ranked second, adopted by Cathay Pacific, ANA and Turkish Airways. Singapore Airways additionally received Greatest Economic system Class and Greatest Economic system Class Onboard Catering, whereas Qatar Airways took Greatest Enterprise Class for the thirteenth time and Greatest Onboard Wi-Fi. Air France received Greatest First Class, Greatest First Class Lounge Eating and Greatest First Class Consolation Facilities, whereas Cathay Pacific acquired Greatest Cabin Crew. Different notable winners included EVA Air for Greatest Premium Economic system and Most Household Pleasant Airline, STARLUX for Greatest Cleanest Airline, AirAsia for Greatest Low-Value Airline and oneworld for Greatest Airline Alliance. The awards are based mostly on buyer surveys overlaying greater than 300 airways, with Skytrax describing the method as unbiased and neutral.
The Michelin Information unveils its 2026 Michelin Key resort choice
The Michelin Information has unveiled its 2026 resort choice, including 470 new accommodations throughout 79 locations and bringing its international choice to greater than 9,400 accommodations, together with 2,832 Michelin Key properties. The highest distinction, the Three Michelin Keys, welcomes 18 new accommodations this 12 months, spanning six in Asia, eight in Europe, two in Oceania, one in Africa and one within the Americas. Highlights embrace Borgo Santandrea on Italy’s Amalfi Coast, Southern Ocean Lodge in Australia, Delaire Graff Property in South Africa and Soneva Secret within the Maldives. In complete, 155 accommodations now maintain Three Keys, alongside 657 Two-Key and a pair of,020 One-Key properties. The 2026 choice additionally expands into 10 new locations, together with Botswana, Rwanda, Zimbabwe, Mongolia and Armenia, whereas 4 Particular Awards acknowledge excellent achievements in structure and design, wellness, new openings and connection to put.
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