Turkish Airlines (TK) is seriously evaluating the reintroduction of a premium economy cabin on long-haul routes, potentially marking the return of its former Comfort Class product after a 12-year hiatus. The decision comes as global demand grows for a middle-ground upgrade between standard economy and business class.

Turkish Airlines was an early adopter of the premium economy concept, launching its Comfort Class around 15 years ago on Boeing 777-300ER aircraft. The cabin featured wider recliner seats arranged in a 2-3-2 layout, offering more comfort than standard economy and at a lower price than business class. This move provided passengers with a cost-effective upgrade for long-haul travel.

However, in 2013, the airline discontinued Comfort Class, citing insufficient demand. Industry experts speculated that the real issue was internal competition—the cabin’s strong value proposition diverted passengers from higher-yielding business class seats, especially when business class fares were much higher.

Ahmet Bolat, Chairman of Turkish Airlines, explained in a 2024 interview with Skift that the discontinuation was also due to more accessible business class pricing, which lessened the demand for a separate premium economy product.

Since then, premium economy has become one of the fastest-growing cabin classes across the airline industry, with many carriers now using it as an effective way to upsell economy passengers without diluting business class demand.

Travelers who are restricted by corporate policies or personal budgets but still desire more space, improved dining, and a more refined onboard experience typically opt for premium economy, making it a highly profitable segment.

To gauge passenger interest, Turkish Airlines conducted a detailed survey in late 2025 among Miles&Smiles members, focusing on premium economy preferences. The survey explored aspects such as seat comfort, dining expectations, and willingness to pay more for premium seating on short, medium, and long-haul flights.

The results suggest that Turkish Airlines is actively exploring how a reimagined premium economy product could fit into its broader service offering.

While premium economy is already available on some Airbus A350-900 aircraft previously operated by Aeroflot, which Turkish Airlines now operates, fleet consistency remains a challenge.

During the Comfort Class era, only a small number of Boeing 777-300ERs featured premium economy, causing operational disruptions during aircraft swaps. A future rollout would likely require broader fleet integration to ensure a smoother experience and avoid passenger downgrades.

As Turkish Airlines continues to expand its ultra-long-haul network, including the possibility of nonstop flights to Australia, the need for a premium economy cabin becomes more pronounced. Long-duration flights naturally drive demand for a comfort-focused mid-tier product that can improve passenger satisfaction and revenue performance on long-haul routes.

Turkish Airlines appears to be revisiting premium economy as part of its evolving strategy for long-haul travel. With market trends, passenger feedback, and network expansion all pointing toward a strong business case for its return, the airline is well-positioned to bring back this popular product in the near future.

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.