Emirates is set to expand its service to Barcelona with the introduction of a third daily flight starting October 26, 2025, responding to rising demand and enhancing connectivity between Dubai and the Catalonian capital. This new service will increase Emirates’ weekly flights to Barcelona to 21, providing greater flexibility and capacity for both business and leisure travelers.

The new flight will be operated primarily with Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, featuring 354 to 360 seats, and will join the existing daily flights operated by Airbus A380 and Boeing 777 aircraft. The three daily departures from Dubai International Airport (DXB) are scheduled at 3:45 AM, 8:15 AM, and 2:00 PM, arriving at Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN) in the morning and early evening.

 Return flights from Barcelona will depart at 3:10 PM, 3:30 PM, and 8:25 PM, allowing for smooth connections to Emirates’ extensive global network.

Barcelona is renowned for its stunning architecture, vibrant food scene, and beautiful beaches, making it a popular destination. The increased flight frequency will also facilitate easier onward travel to key destinations in Asia and the Indian Ocean region, including the Maldives, Bangkok, Bali, Hong Kong, and Singapore.

Emirates aims to optimize the new schedule to reduce layover times in Dubai, enabling passengers to connect efficiently to onward flights, such as afternoon departures to the Maldives arriving the same evening.
Emirates currently operates 28 weekly flights to Spain, split evenly between Madrid and Barcelona, with seven Barcelona flights extending to Mexico City, offering convenient transatlantic connections.

The third daily flight will mark the largest seat capacity ever offered on the Dubai-Barcelona route since Emirates launched the service.

Passengers can book tickets through emirates.com, the Emirates App, authorized travel agents, and Emirates retail stores. Emirates releases its tickets continually, up to 340 days before departure, so travelers looking to secure the best fares or reward seats should book early to maximize availability and savings.

In addition to expanding flight services, Emirates has recently partnered with Uber to enhance the travel experience. Frequent Uber riders in select markets can earn Emirates Skywards miles, which can be redeemed for discounted flights and other benefits. Conversely, Emirates customers booking flights may receive Uber ride vouchers, facilitating smoother and more affordable airport transfers.

This partnership aims to create a seamless journey from doorstep to destination, rewarding customers both on the ground and in the air[Memory].

Overall, the new third daily flight to Barcelona strengthens Emirates’ position as a key connector between Spain and the Middle East, Asia, and beyond, catering to increasing travel demand and offering passengers enhanced convenience and choice.

Emirates is set to expand its service to Barcelona with the introduction of a third daily flight starting October 26, 2025, responding to rising demand and enhancing connectivity between Dubai and the Catalonian capital. This new service will increase Emirates’ weekly flights to Barcelona to 21, providing greater flexibility and capacity for both business and leisure travelers.

The new flight will be operated primarily with Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, featuring 354 to 360 seats, and will join the existing daily flights operated by Airbus A380 and Boeing 777 aircraft. The three daily departures from Dubai International Airport (DXB) are scheduled at 3:45 AM, 8:15 AM, and 2:00 PM, arriving at Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN) in the morning and early evening.

 Return flights from Barcelona will depart at 3:10 PM, 3:30 PM, and 8:25 PM, allowing for smooth connections to Emirates’ extensive global network.

Barcelona is renowned for its stunning architecture, vibrant food scene, and beautiful beaches, making it a popular destination. The increased flight frequency will also facilitate easier onward travel to key destinations in Asia and the Indian Ocean region, including the Maldives, Bangkok, Bali, Hong Kong, and Singapore.

Emirates aims to optimize the new schedule to reduce layover times in Dubai, enabling passengers to connect efficiently to onward flights, such as afternoon departures to the Maldives arriving the same evening.
Emirates currently operates 28 weekly flights to Spain, split evenly between Madrid and Barcelona, with seven Barcelona flights extending to Mexico City, offering convenient transatlantic connections.

The third daily flight will mark the largest seat capacity ever offered on the Dubai-Barcelona route since Emirates launched the service.

Passengers can book tickets through emirates.com, the Emirates App, authorized travel agents, and Emirates retail stores. Emirates releases its tickets continually, up to 340 days before departure, so travelers looking to secure the best fares or reward seats should book early to maximize availability and savings.

In addition to expanding flight services, Emirates has recently partnered with Uber to enhance the travel experience. Frequent Uber riders in select markets can earn Emirates Skywards miles, which can be redeemed for discounted flights and other benefits. Conversely, Emirates customers booking flights may receive Uber ride vouchers, facilitating smoother and more affordable airport transfers.

This partnership aims to create a seamless journey from doorstep to destination, rewarding customers both on the ground and in the air[Memory].

Overall, the new third daily flight to Barcelona strengthens Emirates’ position as a key connector between Spain and the Middle East, Asia, and beyond, catering to increasing travel demand and offering passengers enhanced convenience and choice.

Finnair has suspended all flights to Doha from June 19 to June 23, 2025, with flight AY1982 on June 24 also cancelled, as a direct response to heightened security risks in the Middle East. The airline’s decision follows a comprehensive risk assessment of regional airspace, particularly over Iraq, Iran, Syria, and Israel.

 This comes after Finnair had already begun rerouting flights to avoid these areas, which increased flight times by about an hour and ultimately contributed to the suspension of the route.

Approximately 2,700 passengers are affected by the disruption, which impacts Finnair’s daily Helsinki-Doha service a key route for connections to Asia, Africa, and Oceania through its partnership with Qatar Airways. Finnair has assured customers that all affected passengers are being contacted directly via SMS and email. The airline is offering rebooking on alternative flights or refunds, though it warns that limited availability may mean rebooking takes longer than usual.

The suspension reflects a broader trend among international carriers to avoid airspace deemed high risk, especially as the situation in the Middle East has deteriorated in recent weeks. The escalation of hostilities, including strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities and retaliatory missile launches, has led to widespread airspace closures and forced airlines to adapt quickly to evolving threats.

Finnair is also avoiding Israeli and Iranian airspace until further notice and has suspended operations in Ukrainian airspace, highlighting the widespread impact of geopolitical instability on its network.

This latest disruption follows a series of operational challenges for Finnair in 2025, including significant flight cancellations in late May and early June due to strikes by ground handling staff. These labor disputes have compounded the airline’s operational difficulties, resulting in the highest proportion of flight cancellations among European carriers so far this year.

Finnair’s strategic cooperation with Qatar Airways, established in 2022, has already undergone changes, with the suspension of routes between Stockholm, Copenhagen, and Doha earlier in 2025. The current suspension leaves only the Helsinki-Doha flights operated by Finnair, further underscoring the fragility of international air links amid ongoing regional and operational challenges.

The airline has stated that it will reassess the situation after Midsummer, on June 23, and continues to closely monitor developments, working with authorities and partners to determine when flights can safely resume. Finnair emphasizes that passenger safety and operational security remain its highest priorities as it navigates these unprecedented disruptions.

American Airlines has suspended its daily nonstop service between Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) and Doha Hamad International Airport (DOH), its only route to the Middle East, due to escalating hostilities in the region.

The suspension began after Flight AA120, scheduled to depart from Philadelphia to Doha on Wednesday, June 18, was canceled, and the last outbound flight from Doha to Philadelphia took off early Thursday morning, June 19. All flights on this route are grounded at least through Sunday, June 22, with the airline warning that further cancellations are possible as the situation evolves.

This decision follows a security advisory from the U.S. Embassy in Qatar, which instructed Americans in Doha to remain vigilant, avoid large gatherings, and keep a low profile. The embassy also temporarily restricted access to Al Udeid Air Base, a major U.S. military installation in Qatar, as a precautionary measure.

The advisory was prompted by intensifying conflict between Israel and Iran, including Israeli airstrikes on Iranian nuclear and military targets and retaliatory missile attacks by Iran. The resulting closure of airspace over Israel, Jordan, Iran, and Iraq has led to widespread flight disruptions across the region.

American’s PHL-DOH route, operated with a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, was primarily designed to connect U.S. travelers to Qatar Airways’ vast network, leveraging the strategic partnership between the two oneworld alliance members. The route’s suspension marks the first time American Airlines has halted service to the Middle East for security reasons, and it follows similar actions by United Airlines, which has paused its Newark-Dubai flights, and Delta Air Lines, which has suspended service to Tel Aviv.

The heightened caution is also influenced by Qatar’s complex geopolitical position. The country shares ownership of the world’s largest natural gas field (North Dome/South Pars) with Iran and has been scrutinized for its support of groups such as Hamas and the Muslim Brotherhood, even as it hosts the U.S. military’s Al Udeid Air Base.

These factors, combined with the symbolic visibility of U.S.-flagged airlines, have contributed to the decision to suspend flights despite no immediate threat to the airport itself.

American Airlines has stated it will continue to monitor the situation closely, prioritizing the safety of passengers and crew, and will make further operational adjustments as needed. Travelers are advised to check with their airlines for the latest updates, as the security environment in the region remains highly volatile.

Etihad Airways is set to elevate the travel experience between Sydney and Abu Dhabi with the introduction of its Airbus A350-1000 aircraft on select flights starting October 1, 2025. These aircraft feature one of the airline’s most luxurious business class cabins, offering 44 private suites designed to provide the comfort and exclusivity of first class within a business class setting.

Each business suite is equipped with sliding privacy doors, fully flat beds, and advanced in-flight entertainment systems, ensuring passengers can relax and arrive refreshed after the long-haul journey. The A350-1000’s cutting-edge design also contributes to a quieter, more comfortable cabin atmosphere, with features such as larger windows and improved air filtration.

Technologically advanced and environmentally efficient, the A350-1000 is constructed from lightweight carbon polymer materials and powered by Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines. This combination reduces fuel consumption by approximately 25% and lowers carbon emissions, making it one of the most eco-friendly aircraft in operation.

Initially, the A350 will complement the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner on the Sydney-Abu Dhabi route, with both aircraft offering the premium business suites. From January 31, 2026, all ten weekly Etihad flights from Sydney will be operated exclusively by the A350, while Melbourne flights will continue daily on the 787-9.

Passengers traveling through Abu Dhabi will benefit from the recently opened Zayed International Airport, which has been acclaimed as the world’s most beautiful airport. The $4.8 billion facility incorporates advanced AI technologies, including facial recognition and smart passenger processing systems, allowing travelers to move swiftly from curbside to gate in as little as 12 minutes.

With this upgrade, Etihad Airways promises Australian travelers a seamless blend of luxury, innovation, and sustainability, ensuring that their journey is as exceptional as their destination.

Vietnam Airlines will inaugurate a direct flight service between Hanoi and Milan, Italy, starting July 1, 2025, marking the first time a Vietnamese carrier offers nonstop flights to Italy. The new route will operate three times weekly on Tuesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays using Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft, enhancing connectivity between Vietnam and Europe.

This milestone expands Vietnam Airlines’ European network to nine direct routes, including existing flights from Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to Paris, Frankfurt, London, and soon Munich. The airline also plans to launch a direct Ho Chi Minh City–Milan service after 2025, further strengthening ties between the two countries.

Milan, Italy’s second-largest city and a global fashion and cultural hub, attracts millions of tourists, especially during summer months. Italy is a popular destination for Vietnamese travelers, and visitor numbers from Italy to Vietnam have surged by 155% in 2024, according to the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism.

The new direct route is expected to boost tourism and facilitate economic, social, and political exchanges between Vietnam and Italy, with ongoing negotiations for a visa waiver for Vietnamese tour groups.

Tickets are now available on Vietnam Airlines’ website and official channels, with promotional fares starting at around USD 810 for round-trip economy tickets in July 2025. Flight VN73 departs Hanoi at 00:45, arriving in Milan at 07:40; the return flight VN72 leaves Milan at 12:45, arriving in Hanoi at 04:35 the next day.

Vietnam Airlines currently operates a modern fleet including Boeing 787 and Airbus A350, A321, and A320neo aircraft, and continues to expand its international services with plans to launch or revive 15 new routes this year.

This new Hanoi-Milan service represents a strategic expansion of Vietnam Airlines’ global network, offering greater travel flexibility and fostering stronger international ties between Vietnam, Italy, and Europe.