Activities & latest news in Tokyo

Air Travel: New Paths Unveiled : New Routes, New Adventures, and Plenty of Legroom (Well, Maybe)

As global air travel continues to recover in 2024, airlines around the world are pulling out all the stops, launching new routes to connect us to far-flung corners of the globe. Whether you’re itching for a quick getaway to a tropical paradise or plotting a sneaky business trip somewhere exotic (we see you!), these airlines have got you covered. Let’s dive into the latest flight paths that’ll get you soaring—literally—from Jetstar’s Perth to Bangkok to Airlink’s brand-new Cape Town to Gaborone service.

Jetstar’s New Perth to Bangkok Route: Bringing Pad Thai Closer

It’s been love-hate relationship with  Jetstar, a budget carrier famous for taking you from point A to point B with a toll that is not exorbitant, because in the year 2024, things are changing. On September 6, the Australian carrier will start operations between Perth and Bangkok, offering up to four flights per week. That means, you might be chomping on some street food in the meandering lanes of Bangkok, yet retaining the “breakfast toastie” from the airline inside you. There is room for adventure!

Why Perth to Bangkok, You Ask?

After family trips to Sydney and Perth, Bangkok is the it destination for anyone who loves crazy streets and markets and fancy temples and has a nightlife that makes your average weekend look like a PTA meeting. Also, with this route being launched, the demand for direct Australia-Southeastern Asia route flights is fulfilled. It is part of a larger scheme to position Perth as a Jetstar operational centre for the Asia Pacific, in addition to their already busy routes of Singapore and Phuket. So if you love low prices on tickets and even more reasons to fly, then Jetstar is the airline for you.

And with a new pilot base covering four Airbus A321LR at Perth Airport, Jetstar is now on a beauty parade with Western Australia. For those who think a tiki souvenir is a bit too much or those who plan a rather spontaneous fly to Bangkok today (or rather relish snacks offered by in-flight managers), would do it now!

Airlink’s Cape Town to Gaborone Route: Diamonds and Table Mountain, Anyone?

Not to be outdone, South Africa’s very own Airlink is giving us something new to look forward to, too. Come 1st April 2025 (and nope not an April fools joke), you will be able to explore direct flight services between Cape Town, South Africa and Gaborone, Botswana, thanks to the South African government and cease-fire. The only thing that gets better than doing away with a layover at an airport? Recognising the fact that the person sitting next to you probably doesn’t even know that either of the two cities on the layover is on the map—bragging rights galore!

Why Fly Cape Town to Gaborone?

If you have ever wanted to shift your base from a wine growing region to one housing diamond mines gradually then this is the time for you. Gaborone is the political center of Botswana and is known to attract lots of business tycoons particularly in the mineral and financial sectors. As for Cape Town, famous for the Table Mountain, more than just beaches and art galleries to safaris, introduction is superfluous. This route works well for both body in suits and ones in pursuit of unhindered sunsets for camera clicks.

Airlink’s Rodger Foster summed it up best: “Cape Town and Gaborone? Dream team.” (Okay, we may have paraphrased a bit there). Expect the airline’s comfy Embraer E140 to zip you across southern Africa with ease—44 seats, no turbulence (we hope), and zero layover drama.

Air Arabia Connects Sharjah to Warsaw: The UAE Meets Pierogi

Even Air Arabia is in a hurry and announces a new service connecting the two cities – Sharjah and Warsaw beginning December 2024. So for those who want dunes and the capital of Poland it’s a Win Win. Operating 5 flights a week means that you could be relaxing in a cafe in Warsaw one day and the next day be immersing yourself in the culture of Sharjah.

This is Air Arabia’s second entry into the Polish market after Krakow. So take your handbag with you as well as the one for the pierogi and extend your gratitude towards Air Arabia for making the East and the West not very far from one another. “Two cities known for their rich history and culture are going to be connected now,” so came the Group CEO of the company, Adel Al Ali, who is pretty stoked about the new route. This translates into: This flight is a must!

Not Every Flight Soars: Transavia France Pulls the Plug on Paris Orly to Pau

Within the ongoing expansion of network after network, however, not all off routes proved useful. Transavia France has chosen to withdraw its service Paris Orly to Pau – for winter 2024, they will take a short break. Let’s be frank, it’s hard to lose some flights, some of them will have to sink and at times, people are just not interested no matter how any endeavors are made.

Ready for Liftoff? Here’s the September 2024 Lineup

If all this travel talk has you itching to book a flight, check out Air Travel: New Paths Unveiled and some of the newest routes for 2024:

Qatar Airways Winter Schedule Expansion

Hold onto your seatbelts and grab your passports—Qatar Airways, recently crowned the World’s Best Airline by Skytrax for 2024, is about to make your travel dreams even grander. For the 2024-2025 winter season, this award-winning airline is ramping up its flight frequencies to some of the globe’s hottest destinations. Whether you're eyeing a snow-covered London, a tropical Maldives escape, a vibrant Miami trip, or a cultural journey to Tokyo, Qatar Airways has got you covered!

Soaring to New Heights in London

From October 27th 2024 on there will be an eighth Doha-London (LHR) flight operated by Qatar Airways bringing its total weekly frequency up to 56 flights. This means Qatar Airways now become the Gulf carrier with largest number of departures for London and securing its presence in the UK market. Due to partnering with British Airways, today’s travellers have an opportunity to enjoy direct flights between Doha and London LHR plus choose among up to ten daily departure times in each direction every week.

Here’s the new daily schedule:

• Doha (DOH) -> London (LHR) – Flight QR109: Departure: 09:30; Arrival: 14:05
• London (LHR) –> Doha(DOH) – Flight QR110: Departure at 15:30; Arrival at 01:10

More Maldives Bliss with Extra Flights

Qatar airways will increase it's service from Male (MLE) in the Maldives from twenty one per week starting December 13th ,2024. Just in time for the holiday season, this expansion means even more opportunities to bask in those idyllic beaches and luxury resorts. The new schedule will be a boon for holidaymakers from Germany, Italy, and the UK.

Check out the new daily timings:

• Doha (DOH) -> Male (MLE) – Flight QR672: Departure at 01:35; Arrival at 08:15
• Male (MLE) -> Doha(DOH) – Flight QR673: Departure at 20:15; Arrival at 23:10

Miami’s Magic Just Got More Accessible

From December 16th onwards, Qatar Airways will be serving Miami (MIA) with two additional weekly flights making a total of twelve flights per week. Additional flights for transiting through Thailand, Indonesia and Philippines or visiting Miami depending on your preference.

New flight schedule:

• Doha (DOH) -> Miami (MIA) – Flight QR781: Departure at 01:20; Arrival at 09:50
• Miami (MIA) -> Doha(DOH) – Flight QR782: Departure at 23:30; Arrival at 21:05 +1

Tokyo, Here We Come!

Starting February 14th 2025 , Qatar Airways will increase its weekly frequency to Tokyo(NRT), which will rise from seven to eleven. This move reflects increasing interest in Japan’s mix of traditional and modern culture while giving holidaymakers many more opportunities to enjoy their rich cultural heritage as well as breathtaking natural scenery.

New flight details:

• Doha (DOH) to Tokyo (NRT) – Flight QR808: Departing at 20:15 and arriving at 11:55 (operating on Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday)
• Tokyo (NRT) to Doha (DOH) – Flight QR809: Leaving at 16:25 and coming in by 23:10 (operating on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday)

Privilege Club Benefits

This expansion of flights also means that the people who have Qatar Airways Privilege Club membership will have even more chances of accruing Avios. Redeem your Avios for discounts or full fare payments or treat yourself with some shopping at Qatar Duty Free shops or buy Qatar Airways Holidays packages.

Qatar Airways Winter Schedule Expansion

Qatar Airlines is reshaping international travel through its expanded network. The extra flights to London, Male, Miami and Tokyo not only express the commitment of the airline in making wonderful travelling moments but also highlight its global air transport dominance.

Always wanted to travel to Qatar? Now is you chance. Our fabulous DMC in Qatar can help you plan your next trip!

Emirates  Dubai to Tokyo, Geneva, and Brussels Flights - 

Emirates has announced the addition of its latest Boeing 777 cabin interiors to flights between Dubai and Tokyo Haneda, Geneva and Brussels. For the first time, these flights will include Emirates' signature Premium Economy as well as the next-generation Business Class seats in a new 1-2-1 configuration.

Adnan Kazim, Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer for Emirates Airlines said: “By adding newly retrofitted Boeing 777s into our fleet mix, we are also providing ourselves with opportunities to bring in popular offerings such as Premium Economy to more cities served by this aircraft type within our network already and introducing more seat options across four classes.”

“Inspired by our flagship A380 in every cabin, our revamped Boeing 777 with enhanced interiors offers the best possible customer comfort. The redesigned Business Class cabin features additional privacy for customers along with sleek design touches and signature cabin finishes. Our investment ensures a consistent experience on all of them - both Boeing 777s and A380s.”

From July 1st, the first Emirates Boeing 777 will undergo a complete nose-to-tail refurbishment of its interior that will take approximately two weeks per aircraft. This includes refreshing the First Class cabin whilst installing upgraded seating options consisting of 38 new Business Class seats in a modernised 1-2-1 configuration, along with 24 Premium Economy seats and 256 Economy Class seats.

The new Business Class seats have been designed for optimal personal space and privacy which convert into fully flat beds whilst being each up to 20.7 inches wide with an average pitch of up to 44 inches apart. The staggered seating arrangement provides aisle access from each seat. Other features include touch screen seat controls, personal mini bars , large tables, storage areas for personal devices plus charging points; while there will also be a small bar area in the Business Class cabin for mid-flight snacks and drinks.

A total of 81 Boeing 777s are planned to be retrofitted by Emirates as part of its extensive programme. Further destinations will be announced over the coming months. The airline is investing over US$3 billion in revamping 191 aircraft across its fleet.

Currently, Emirates operates refurbished A380 aircraft fitted with Premium Economy on several routes including New York JFK, Los Angeles, London Heathrow, Sydney, Singapore, Mumbai and Tokyo Narita. By February 2025, Emirates plans to offer Premium Economy to over 36 cities with the A350 joining its fleet from September this year and more refurbished A380s and Boeing 777s entering service.

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