Welcome to this week’s Orbit Travel Brief.
Your snapshot of the latest travel advisories, airline updates and key developments across the travel industry, helping you stay informed and in control of your travel programme.
Digital passenger declaration cards will be introduced at all Australian capital city international airports before the end of the year, following successful trials with Qantas.
Backed by a $56.1 million Federal Government investment, the new system is designed to streamline arrival processing, improve data collection and strengthen Australia’s ability to respond to public health and biosecurity events.
Initially available via a secure web form, the digital cards are expected to make arriving in Australia faster and more convenient for international travellers.
Virgin Australia has launched Fly Ahead, giving eligible travellers on Economy Flex fares the option to move to an earlier domestic flight on the same day at no extra cost, subject to availability.
The new benefit offers greater flexibility for business travellers when meetings finish early or travel plans change, with no change fees or fare difference.
To mark the launch, Virgin Australia Business Flyer is also offering Double Points on eligible Economy Flex fares booked and flown between 13 July and 21 August 2026, giving businesses an added opportunity to earn Business Flyer Points while maintaining greater flexibility.
Taiwan’s premium carrier, Starlux Airlines, has announced plans to launch flights between Taipei and Sydney from next year, with Auckland also set to join its network.
The airline is expected to begin with four to five flights per week, gradually increasing to a daily service using Airbus A330neo aircraft.
For business travellers, the new route will provide another premium travel option between Australia and Asia, with Starlux offering flatbed Business Class seating and convenient onward connections throughout Asia.
Qatar Airways will increase its Sydney services to three flights per day from 8 December, with the additional service operated in partnership with Virgin Australia.
The expanded schedule will provide travellers with greater flexibility when flying between Sydney and Doha, while also improving connections to Qatar Airways’ global network across Europe, the Middle East and Africa. It also offers more opportunities to earn and redeem points through the Virgin Australia partnership.
From 1 July 2026, Air India will introduce an upgraded Boeing 777 on its Melbourne to Delhi service, improving onward connections to key European cities including London, Paris, Amsterdam, Frankfurt and Zurich.
The enhanced aircraft will also offer an upgraded First Class cabin between Melbourne and Delhi, along with a redesigned Business Class experience for travellers seeking greater comfort on long-haul journeys.
Air New Zealand has returned its entire Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner fleet to service for the first time since the global Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engine shortages impacted operations.
The additional aircraft capacity will support growth across the airline’s international network, including recently announced services from Christchurch to Singapore, Tokyo and Perth.
For travellers, the milestone is expected to improve schedule reliability, increase network flexibility and strengthen connectivity across Air New Zealand’s long-haul routes.
Singapore Airlines continues to strengthen its ultra long-haul network, with its Airbus A350 fleet now operating some of the world’s longest scheduled flights.
The airline’s network includes non-stop services from Singapore to New York and Newark, with flight times exceeding 19 hours, alongside long-haul routes to Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, London, Manchester and Johannesburg. Services to Madrid are also set to resume later this year.
For travellers, the expanded network provides more one-stop connection options between Australia and destinations across North America and Europe via Singapore, one of the region’s leading international hubs.
Adelaide Airport has completed its Remote Apron Expansion, delivering two new aircraft parking bays and upgrading an existing stand to support future growth.
The project increases aircraft parking capacity, improves operational flexibility during peak travel periods and provides additional overnight parking for early morning departures.
Built using recycled asphalt and energy-efficient LED lighting, the expansion supports Adelaide Airport’s long-term growth while improving day-to-day airside operations.
Emirates has introduced its next generation airport lounge concept in Munich and Frankfurt, as part of an ongoing investment in enhancing the premium travel experience.
The redesigned lounges feature dedicated spaces for dining, relaxation, work and socialising, along with upgraded seating, wireless charging and expanded food and beverage options.
Additional lounges are set to open in Manchester, Mauritius and Istanbul later this year, with new features including quiet zones and upgraded shower facilities, providing eligible travellers with an even more comfortable pre-flight experience.
Delta Air Lines has expanded its premium lounge facilities at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), opening the first phase of a new Delta One Lounge in Terminal 2.
The new space features dining service, a premium bar, shower facilities and dedicated work areas for eligible travellers.
The opening forms part of Delta’s broader investment in its premium ground experience, with a full renovation of the Terminal 2 lounge planned by 2028 and a new Delta Sky Club set to open in 2027. By 2028, Delta expects to operate four dedicated lounge spaces at Los Angeles Airport.
Auckland Airport is expanding its dining offering at the international terminal, introducing a range of new cafés, quick service outlets and casual dining options.
The new venues will feature a mix of local and international brands, giving travellers more choice before departure, while several existing food and beverage outlets will also be upgraded.
The expanded dining precinct will open progressively throughout the year as part of Auckland Airport’s ongoing terminal redevelopment programme.
Brisbane Airport has become the first in Australia with dedicated infrastructure to store, blend and deliver Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) directly into its existing jet fuel supply system.
Developed by Viva Energy with support from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA), the new facility marks an important milestone in reducing aviation emissions and expanding the use of lower emissions fuel in Australia.
SAF is a lower-emissions alternative to traditional jet fuel, produced from renewable feedstocks such as used cooking oil. It can significantly reduce lifecycle carbon emissions compared to conventional aviation fuel.
While SAF is still in the early stages of adoption, infrastructure like this makes it easier for airlines to incorporate lower-emissions fuel into their operations.
The project also lays the foundation for greater SAF adoption across Australia and supports the long-term development of a domestic sustainable aviation fuel industry.
As more airlines begin using Sustainable Aviation Fuel, organisations will have greater opportunities to reduce the emissions associated with business travel.
With mandatory climate reporting now in effect for many Australian organisations, measuring and managing travel emissions is becoming an increasingly important part of corporate travel programmes.
While SAF alone won’t solve aviation’s emissions challenge, investments like this, combined with accurate emissions reporting and informed travel decisions, will help organisations reduce the environmental impact of business travel over time.
If you’d like to better understand your organisation’s travel emissions or explore ways to support your sustainability goals, speak with your Orbit Client Partnership Manager or contact our team at cl************@*********el.au.
There’s never been a better time to plan a luxury river cruise with Uniworld Boutique River Cruises.
For a limited time, guests booking a select 2026 or 2027 sailing can receive up to $3,000 per person air credit, making it even easier to experience some of Europe’s most iconic waterways.
Planning ahead? Selected 2027 departures also include a complimentary luxury land package, giving travellers more time to explore destinations before or after their cruise.
From the castles of the Rhine and the vineyards of the Douro to the Danube, Burgundy & Provence, Venice and even Egypt’s River Nile, Uniworld’s boutique ships combine luxury accommodation, exceptional dining and immersive experiences in every destination.
Find out more about these limited-time offers or speak with a By Invitation Luxury Travel Advisor to find the perfect itinerary.
Whether you’re planning your next trip or reviewing your corporate travel programme, our team is here to help.
1800 067 819
