With heritage woven into every seam, the Emirates cabin crew uniform has become one of the most recognisable symbols in global aviation. Since the airline’s founding in 1985, the look has evolved with precision and purpose, reflecting the glamour of air travel and the spirit of the world’s largest international airline. Four decades on, the uniform remains an enduring emblem of sophistication and the “Fly Better” promise.

Throughout its evolution, Emirates has stayed true to its signature colour palette of beige and red — a combination that has come to represent timeless elegance and understated luxury. Crafted from nano-coated fabrics designed to resist stains and creases, the uniform is engineered for long-haul performance, ensuring crew members maintain a flawless appearance from take-off to landing.

Rejecting the fast fashion cycle, Emirates has consistently favoured quality, durability, and craftsmanship over fleeting trends, allowing the uniform to remain as classic as the airline itself.

When Emirates first launched in 1985, just 80 cabin crew wore the original design — a warm beige jacket with red piping, paired with a cream blouse, a red hat, and a white chiffon scarf. The scarf featured seven pleats, symbolising the seven Emirates of the UAE, and the overall look subtly echoed the golden hues of the desert sands. Together, these elements captured both cultural pride and the emerging identity of Dubai as a global hub of sophistication.

In the years that followed, the uniform underwent tasteful refinements. By 1987, the design featured a double-breasted beige jacket with gold buttons and a longer skirt for a more refined silhouette. A lighter “Summer Safari” dress was introduced for warmer climates, balancing practicality with elegance. Female crew in First Class added a distinctly local touch by wearing a traditional Arabic Thoub while serving Arabic coffee and dates, blending hospitality with cultural authenticity.

A decade later, in 1997, Emirates turned to Spanish fashion designer Paco Rabanne to reimagine the uniform for a new era of modernity. The updated design maintained the classic beige and red tones but introduced sleeker cuts and a contemporary fit, creating a look that reflected both confidence and global appeal.

Male crew wore navy jackets with beige trousers, while female crew sported refined mandarin-collared jackets and elegantly tailored skirts. By then, Emirates had grown into a major international carrier, and its uniform projected the same level of ambition and sophistication.

As the airline prepared to introduce the Airbus A380 in 2008, the uniform was refreshed once again. Developed by Emirates’ in-house design team in collaboration with Simon Jersey, the look featured subtle pinstripes, red accents, and redesigned hats. The addition of kick pleats in the skirt revealed flashes of Emirates red, reinforcing the brand’s identity while keeping the look polished and professional.

Male crew transitioned to rich chocolate-brown pinstripe suits complemented by cream shirts and striped ties in shades of gold, brown, and red — colours that conveyed both warmth and luxury.

More recently, Emirates has focused on personalisation and comfort without compromising its iconic aesthetic. In 2023, the airline introduced a new range of handcrafted Spanish leather shoes, offering female crew members 15 styles to choose from, ensuring both comfort and individuality. The latest accessories — including handbags, belts, and shoes — feature a brighter, more vibrant shade of red that ties together the heritage and modernity of the Emirates brand.

Now, in 2025, as more than 25,000 cabin crew members represent Emirates across 140 destinations worldwide, the uniform continues to embody elegance, endurance, and excellence. Designed for comfort, practicality, and unmistakable style, it remains an enduring statement of Emirates’ commitment to quality and its reputation for world-class hospitality — a look that will forever be runway ready, both in the skies and beyond.

Qatar Airways has cautioned passengers that refund processing times may be extended due to ongoing operational pressures, while emphasizing that teams are actively working to handle requests as efficiently as possible.

The airline confirmed that travelers holding confirmed bookings with departure dates between February 28 and April 30, 2026, can opt either to request a full refund or modify their travel dates without penalty.

According to the carrier, refunds returned to the original method of payment could take as long as 28 working days to complete. Passengers are advised to monitor their email for updates after submitting a request, as this will provide the latest status of their application.

Qatar Airways noted that reimbursement amounts will reflect the unused portion of the ticket. Any additional services purchased, such as seat selection, will be processed and refunded separately.

Customers looking for further information or support with their bookings are encouraged to consult the airline’s official travel updates portal for the most recent guidance.

Source: Zawya

India is set to abolish temporary limits on domestic airfares from Monday, according to a government directive reviewed by Reuters, as the aviation sector shows signs of recovery and carriers face mounting cost pressures.

The fare restrictions were introduced in December after widespread flight cancellations by leading airline IndiGo led to a spike in ticket prices across the market. The government intervened to stabilise fares during a period of reduced capacity.

In its latest order, the civil aviation ministry said operating conditions have improved, pointing to restored flight capacity and a return to more stable operations. The directive, dated Friday and examined by Reuters on Saturday, has not been officially released. Officials from the ministry did not respond to requests for comment.

Airlines had called for the removal of the caps, saying the controls were contributing to substantial revenue losses while operating expenses continued to rise. Higher jet fuel prices, partly driven by the conflict involving Iran, have added to the financial strain.

Although airlines have not disclosed specific loss figures, analysts at HSBC estimate that a $1 per barrel increase in fuel prices could raise IndiGo’s annual fuel costs by roughly 3 billion rupees.

Under the temporary rules, fares for flights up to 500 kilometres were capped at 7,500 rupees ($80.07), while routes between 1,000 and 1,500 kilometres—including New Delhi to Mumbai—had a maximum fare of 15,000 rupees.

Despite lifting the caps, the government has directed airlines to keep ticket prices fair and transparent, ensuring they reflect market conditions without harming passenger interests.

Source: Khaleej Times

Singapore Airlines (SIA) has announced plans to begin non-stop services between Singapore and Riyadh from June 2026, marking a significant step in its Middle East network expansion. The airline intends to operate the route four times a week using its Airbus A350-900 medium-haul aircraft.

The aircraft will be configured with 303 seats, including 40 in Business Class and 263 in Economy Class, offering passengers a two-cabin travel option.

Pending regulatory approval, flight SQ498 will depart Singapore at 18:20 local time on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays, arriving in Riyadh at 21:45. The return service, SQ499, is scheduled to leave Riyadh at 23:00 on the same days, landing in Singapore at 12:15 the following day.

From 25 October 2026, minor schedule adjustments will take effect. Departures from Singapore will shift to 17:40, arriving in Riyadh at 21:35, while return flights will depart Riyadh at 22:50 and arrive in Singapore at 11:50 the next day.

Lee Lik Hsin, Chief Commercial Officer of Singapore Airlines, said the move reflects Riyadh’s growing economic significance. He noted that the Saudi capital’s rapid development and strong business environment position it as a key destination in the region. He added that the new route could also enhance collaboration with partner airlines, providing customers with broader travel options across the Middle East.

Riyadh will become the second Saudi destination served by the SIA Group, complementing Scoot’s existing four-times weekly flights to Jeddah.

As the capital and financial hub of Saudi Arabia, Riyadh offers a mix of cultural and modern attractions. Visitors can explore historic landmarks such as Diriyah and Masmak Fortress, alongside museums, high-end hotels, and diverse retail and dining experiences.

Ticket sales for the new service will be introduced gradually through Singapore Airlines’ distribution channels, subject to final approvals.

Philippine Airlines has suspended all flights between Manila and the Gulf hubs of Dubai and Doha until April 30, leaving thousands of overseas Filipinos and other travellers rushing to adjust their plans.

The flag carrier’s decision, driven by heightened security risks and airspace uncertainties in parts of the Middle East, extends an earlier series of short-term cancellations and effectively wipes out PAL’s Dubai (PR 658/659) and Doha (PR 684/685) services for the rest of April.

For affected passengers, PAL is offering a range of options. Travellers can rebook to a later date once services resume, with the airline waiving rebooking fees in line with its current advisories. Those who no longer wish to push through with their trip may opt to convert the value of their ticket into a travel credit for future use, or request a refund subject to the fare conditions.

Passengers are urged to first check if their flight falls within the suspension period using PAL’s online manage booking facility or by contacting the carrier’s customer service channels. From there, they can decide whether to secure the earliest possible rebooked flight after April 30, bank their ticket value for a later trip, or cancel altogether.

Travel agents and community groups in the Gulf are also advising Filipino workers and residents to consider alternative routings on other airlines while PAL’s Middle East operations are on hold, especially for those with urgent travel needs such as contract changes, medical emergencies or planned vacations.

With the situation in the region still fluid, Philippine Airlines has encouraged passengers to monitor its official advisories regularly, noting that any further extensions, resumptions, or special flights will be announced through its website and social media channels.

Saudia announced an increase of 20 flights connecting Riyadh and Jeddah with the Red Sea destination during the Eid Al-Fitr holiday. Carried out in coordination with the Saudi Tourism Authority (STA) and the Red Sea destination, the move raises the total number of round-trip services on these routes to 44.

The expanded schedule is part of a broader partnership between Saudia and the STA designed to promote Saudi tourist sites and support the tourism sector’s development. Officials said the collaboration focuses on offering travelers more convenient flight options and enhancing the onboard experience.

The initiative aligns with Saudi Arabia’s wider tourism ambitions, which include a target to welcome 150 million visitors by 2030.