Here are the latest snippets of global travel news for Wise Traveller members.
Singapore Airlines is increasing its services to London Gatwick. Less than a year after the route's launch, the current five-weekly operation will increase to daily Singapore flights starting March 31 2025.
Mohamed Rafi Mar, Singapore Airlines General Manager UK & Ireland, said: "There's no greater testament to the success of our London Gatwick service than the expansion of our schedule within its first year.
"With 40 direct weekly services between the UK and Singapore, we offer more flights than any other carrier to the region."
Passengers travelling through Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen International Airport can now enjoy unlimited free internet access. Previously limited to an hour, the airport's complimentary Wi-Fi service will now provide unrestricted usage starting today.
The airport operator, ISG, announced the change: "Unlimited mobile internet is now available free of charge at Sabiha Gokcen. The time limit on our Wi-Fi service has been completely removed."
Thailand's plan to legalize gambling with integrated casino resorts is being backed publicly. A public consultation exercise saw 80% of the 70,000 respondents in favour of a draft bill to make casino gambling legal.
The Thai government wants to boost tax revenues and tourism through Las Vegas-style integrated casino resorts.
Qantas' ultra-long-haul flights, dubbed Project Sunrise, could start as early as 2027.
CEO Vanessa Hudson said the first of 12 adapted Airbus A350-1000 aircraft will be delivered at the end of next year. These are designed for nonstop flights to London and New York of more than 20 hours.
"We will need three aircraft to have a daily service, either from Sydney to New York or Sydney to London. Then as the other aircraft come on, we'll be able to fill out the network," commented Hudson.
British Airways will restart non-stop flights to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, from April 1, as reported by Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB).
MAHB's Senior General Manager of Strategy, Megat Ardian Wira Mohd Aminuddin, said: "We had a good discussion with the British Airways team. They are also very excited about this relaunch".
British Airways hasn't independently confirmed the launch date yet, although it previously said it expected to resume KL flights from April 1. The route was stopped in 2021 due to the pandemic, and relaunches have been put back due to Dreamliner air engine issues.
Orient Express Sailing Yachts has opened reservations for its first vessel, Orient Express Corinthian, said to be the largest sailing yacht in the world. It will set sail on its maiden Mediterranean season from May to October 2026.
Corinthian will offer sailings from two to eight nights or combined into longer voyages. The vessel will call at Monte-Carlo, Portofino and Saint-Tropez, plus smaller harbours.
The ship features 54 suites and will have multiple restaurants under the culinary direction of Michelin-starred chef Yannick Alléno, as well as several bars and lounges, including an Art Deco-inspired speakeasy. The ship will house a 115-seat cabaret, recording studio, two pools, and a watersports marina.
According to a new report, half of the most turbulent flight routes in the world departed from Argentina in 2024.
Turbli, a turbulence tracking company, found the most turbulent flight route is from Argentina's Mendoza International Airport to Chile's Santiago International Airport. In fact, Mendoza was the departure site for three of the top four most turbulent flight routes.
The second most turbulent flight route also landed in Santiago. The latter's departure was from Ingeniero Aeronáutico Ambrosio L.V. Taravella International Airport (COR) in Cordoba, Argentina.
Andy Probert is an independent journalist who writes about global travel news, airlines, airports, and business. His work has appeared globally on the BBC, and in many national newspapers and magazines.
