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.
Smartraveller has raised its advice for Saudi Arabia and Oman to Level 3: Reconsider your need to travel due to the unpredictable security situation across the region. Recent military strikes and reprisal attacks have targeted locations in both countries, including Abha International Airport in Saudi Arabia. Travellers should expect the possibility of airspace closures, flight cancellations, movement restrictions and other disruptions at short notice, and should closely monitor official advice and airline updates.
Australia’s Smartraveller has raised its advice for Laos to Level 2: Exercise a high degree of caution. The update reflects ongoing concerns around crime, methanol poisoning from contaminated alcohol and the transparency of the local legal system following the 2024 poisoning tragedy.
Qantas has been named Australia’s most on-time airline for the eighth consecutive year, with more than 81% of domestic and regional flights departing on time during the 2025–26 financial year. The airline also recorded its strongest punctuality performance in seven years, providing greater reliability for business travellers and helping reduce disruption across domestic travel.
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 enjoying greater travel flexibility.
Velocity Frequent Flyer has launched the Velocity Store, bringing together its Rewards Store and e-Store into one online shopping platform. Members can now earn and redeem Velocity Points across more than 300 brands and thousands of products, with the flexibility to pay using points, cash or a combination of both.
China Airlines will increase its Sydney to Taipei service from five flights a week to daily from 25 October, making Sydney the only airport in Oceania with daily China Airlines services.
United Airlines has revised its 2026-27 Australian summer schedule, shortening the seasonal Adelaide to San Francisco service, which will now operate from December 2026 to February 2027. The airline will also temporarily reduce Brisbane to San Francisco services from daily to five flights per week for a two-week period due to aircraft availability.
Emirates is rolling out a new adjustable U-Dream Headrest across its fleet, designed to provide greater head and neck support for Economy passengers.
The feature is being introduced on new Airbus A350 aircraft this year, before expanding to Boeing 777X aircraft and retrofitted A380s and Boeing 777s from 2027.
Qatar Airways has launched Fast Pass at Hamad International Airport, allowing eligible passengers to move from check-in to boarding using facial recognition technology instead of a boarding pass. The optional service is designed to streamline the airport experience while maintaining secure data protection, with airport staff available to assist travellers throughout their journey.
British Airways will introduce daily year-round flights between Melbourne and London Heathrow via Kuala Lumpur from 11 January 2027. Operated by the Boeing 787-9, the new service offers travellers a choice of four cabin classes, providing greater flexibility and increased capacity on one of Australia’s most popular long-haul routes.
Air Niugini will resume direct flights between Auckland and Port Moresby from 17 November 2026, restoring the first non-stop service between New Zealand and Papua New Guinea in almost 30 years.
The three-times-weekly service will remove the need to transit via Australia or other regional hubs, reducing travel times for both business and leisure travellers.
Travellers flying through Western Sydney International Airport (WSI) from its opening on 25 October will have access to five major car rental providers: Hertz, Avis, Budget, Europcar and Redspot. Together, the operators represent up to nine international rental brands, with both pre-booked and walk-up services available from the terminal.
Brisbane Airport has officially opened Fellowship Place, a purpose-built plane spotting area created to celebrate the airport’s centenary. The new precinct features an elevated viewing platform, shaded seating, accessible pathways and the restored tail of a retired Fokker F28 Fellowship aircraft, offering visitors one of the airport’s best vantage points to watch aircraft arrive and depart.
Sydney Airport will welcome Mecca and Victoria’s Secret duty free stores from mid-2027 as part of a broader retail redevelopment.
The project also includes a major refresh of the airport’s beauty, wine, spirits, tobacco and confectionery offerings, enhancing the international departure experience.
Rome Fiumicino Airport has been named Europe’s best airport in the over 40 million passenger category for the fifth consecutive year. Recognised by Airports Council International (ACI Europe), the award highlights the airport’s continued investment in customer experience, digital innovation and sustainability, reinforcing its reputation as one of Europe’s leading international hubs.
The European Commission has proposed extending its emissions trading scheme to cover some international flights departing Europe from 2029. If approved, airlines on affected routes would face additional carbon costs, which industry bodies say could lead to higher airfares for travellers. The proposal is currently under consultation and has drawn opposition from both the aviation industry and international regulators.
Why it matters for your travel programme: While there are no immediate changes, organisations with regular travel to and from Europe should be aware that the proposal could increase travel costs in the years ahead. We’ll continue to monitor developments and keep clients informed as the legislation progresses.
Delta Air Lines has announced a long-term partnership with Shell Aviation to expand the availability of sustainable aviation fuel across several major US airports.
The collaboration will also strengthen the infrastructure needed to produce, blend and distribute SAF, supporting Delta’s long-term sustainability ambitions and the wider transition to lower-emissions aviation.
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