Stay up to date with the latest in the travel and hospitality industry, from airline launches and route expansions to new trends and transportation developments shaping the way we explore the world.
This is the June 2026 edition of Airline and Travel News.
DAO BY DORSETT MAKES ITS MALAYSIAN DEBUT IN JOHOR’S PUTERI HARBOUR
Dorsett Hospitality International has officially introduced its Dao by Dorsett brand to Malaysia with the soft opening of Dao by Dorsett Puteri Cove (DDPC), a new waterfront property located in the heart of Puteri Harbour, Iskandar Puteri, Johor.
Opening its doors on May 15, 2026, the property marks the first Dao by Dorsett development in Malaysia and represents an important milestone for the hospitality group as it expands its presence in one of the country’s fastest-growing tourism and lifestyle destinations.
Situated along the scenic Puteri Harbour waterfront, the property offers guests convenient access to a range of attractions in Iskandar Puteri, including the marina precinct, family-oriented attractions, shopping destinations, and Singapore via the nearby Second Link crossing. The area has steadily evolved into one of Johor’s most appealing waterfront communities, attracting both leisure and business travellers.
Dao by Dorsett is built around the concept of “Live your way, anywhere,” blending the comfort and flexibility of modern serviced living with the facilities and service standards of a contemporary hotel. The brand has established a presence in several regional markets and is designed to cater to travellers seeking a more personalised and home-like stay experience.
The opening was made particularly memorable by the arrival of the property’s first guests, a family whose stay symbolised the beginning of the hotel’s journey.
“We are truly excited to officially open Dao by Dorsett Puteri Cove here in Puteri Harbour,” said General Manager Gerard Chan. “Welcoming our first guests as a family is a special moment for us, marking the beginning of many memorable stays ahead.”
With its waterfront location, contemporary design, and focus on flexible hospitality, Dao by Dorsett Puteri Cove adds another accommodation option to Johor’s growing tourism landscape while introducing the Dao by Dorsett concept to Malaysian travellers for the first time.
To learn more, visit dorsetthospitality.com.
MALAYSIA AIRLINES TAKES DELIVERY OF 18TH BOEING 737-8
Malaysia Airlines has welcomed another addition to its growing fleet with the arrival of its 18th Boeing 737-8, which touched down at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) on May 24.
Registered as 9M-MVR, the aircraft is the latest delivery under Malaysia Aviation Group’s long-term fleet renewal programme. It is also the fourth Boeing 737-8 to join the airline this year, forming part of a wider order for 55 aircraft scheduled for delivery through 2030.
For passengers, the Boeing 737-8 brings a more modern and efficient travel experience. The aircraft is configured with 12 Business Class seats and 162 Economy Class seats, while offering improved fuel efficiency, lower emissions, and a quieter cabin compared to the older Boeing 737-800s it is gradually replacing.
One noticeable difference is the absence of traditional seatback entertainment screens. Instead, passengers can access Malaysia Airlines’ MHStudio wireless entertainment platform through their own devices, streaming movies, television programmes, music, and flight information directly via onboard connectivity.
The airline currently deploys its Boeing 737-8 fleet on a mix of domestic and regional routes. International destinations include Singapore, Jakarta, Perth, Seoul, and Mumbai, while within Malaysia the aircraft regularly serves key routes such as Penang, Kota Kinabalu, and Kuching. Flight tracking data indicates that 9M-MVR initially entered service on the Kuala Lumpur–Kuching sector.
The delivery also marks a significant milestone as Malaysia Airlines’ 200th Boeing aircraft.
The fleet expansion comes amid improving fortunes for the national carrier. Malaysia Airlines reported a net profit of RM137 million in 2025, more than doubling the RM54 million recorded the previous year. The airline has also enjoyed rising recognition internationally, climbing 20 places in the Skytrax World Airline Rankings and returning to the World’s Top 10 Cabin Crew list after a 12-year absence. Operational performance has likewise improved, with on-time performance increasing substantially in recent years as the carrier continues its efforts to strengthen both service quality and reliability.
For more information, or to book your flight, visit malaysiaairlines.com.
HYATT’S NEW AWARD CHART MAKES POINTS REDEMPTIONS MORE EXPENSIVE
World of Hyatt members received some unwelcome news in May when the hotel group’s revised award chart officially took effect, introducing a new five-tier pricing system that has made many points redemptions significantly more expensive.
For years, Hyatt has been widely regarded as one of the most rewarding hotel loyalty programmes in the industry, thanks largely to its relatively generous award chart and predictable redemption rates. Unlike many competitors that have shifted almost entirely to dynamic pricing, Hyatt had maintained a straightforward structure with off-peak, standard, and peak redemption levels.
That changed on May 20, when the company introduced a new five-tier framework consisting of Lowest, Low, Moderate, Upper, and Top pricing levels.
The good news is that Hyatt stopped short of adopting fully dynamic pricing, which many frequent travellers feared. In fact, some lower-category properties can now be booked for fewer points than before, with Categories 1, 2, 3, 5, and 6 all offering redemption rates below the previous off-peak pricing at the new “Lowest” tier.
Unfortunately, those savings are likely to be overshadowed by increases elsewhere.
Industry analysts estimate that redemption rates at the new Moderate tier – effectively the new baseline pricing level – are roughly 25% higher on average than previous standard rates. The increases become even more pronounced at the luxury end of the spectrum, with some Category 8 properties seeing redemption costs rise by nearly 40%.
The most dramatic changes occur during peak travel periods. Top-tier redemption pricing for Hyatt’s most desirable hotels and resorts can now be as much as 67% higher than previous peak rates, making aspirational properties considerably harder to book using points.
The changes also extend to Hyatt’s all-inclusive portfolio, where award costs have similarly increased, particularly during high-demand periods.
While Hyatt continues to offer strong value compared to some competing loyalty programmes, the latest changes serve as another reminder that airline and hotel loyalty currencies tend to lose value over time. For frequent travellers and points enthusiasts, the lesson remains unchanged: earn points strategically, but don’t wait too long to use them. Today’s sweet spots rarely last forever.
For a complete breakdown of all the new awards charts, check out this article.
SAUDIA TOPS GLOBAL ON-TIME PERFORMANCE RANKINGS FOR MAY 2026
Saudia has been ranked the world’s most punctual airline for May 2026, according to aviation analytics firm Cirium.
The Saudi national carrier achieved an on-time departure rate of 92.30% and an on-time arrival rate of 90.12%, operating 13,669 flights across a network spanning more than 100 destinations on four continents.
The performance is particularly notable given that it occurred during one of the airline’s busiest operational periods. Alongside its regular schedule, Saudia was managing the arrival phase of the 2026 Hajj season, transporting pilgrims from around the world, while also handling increased demand associated with the Eid Al-Adha holiday period.
Saudia attributed the results to integrated planning across its operational teams, supported by advanced digital systems and AI-enabled tools designed to improve efficiency, readiness, and decision-making. The airline also highlighted the role of coordination across its business units and collaboration with aviation partners throughout the broader travel ecosystem.
On-time performance is widely regarded as one of the aviation industry’s most important service metrics, directly affecting passenger convenience, connections, and overall travel experience. The latest ranking reinforces Saudia’s growing reputation for operational reliability as Saudi Arabia continues its broader push to strengthen its position as a global aviation hub.
For more information, visit saudia.com.
PHILIPPINE AIRLINES SET TO JOIN ONEWORLD ALLIANCE
Philippine Airlines (PAL) has accepted an invitation to join the oneworld alliance, becoming its 16th member carrier and significantly strengthening the alliance’s presence in Southeast Asia.
The announcement was made during the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Annual General Meeting in Rio de Janeiro on June 6, with PAL expected to formally join the alliance within the next year.
The addition will bring 31 new destinations into the oneworld network, many of which have not previously been accessible through the alliance’s frequent flyer programmes. PAL’s extensive domestic network includes popular destinations such as Caticlan, the gateway to Boracay, as well as Puerto Princesa and Tawi-Tawi.
For oneworld, the move fills a longstanding gap in the Philippines, one of Asia’s fastest-growing travel markets. PAL’s route network complements rather than duplicates those of existing alliance members, particularly across Southeast Asia, Australia, and North America.
Once integration is complete, members of programmes such as American Airlines AAdvantage, Qantas Frequent Flyer, and British Airways Executive Club will gain direct access to PAL flights and redemption opportunities. PAL’s Mabuhay Miles members, meanwhile, will enjoy benefits including lounge access, priority services, and mileage earning and redemption across oneworld’s global network of nearly 1,000 destinations.
The development follows several years of growing cooperation between PAL and oneworld carriers, including partnerships with American Airlines, Alaska Airlines, Qatar Airways, and Qantas. While joining the alliance, PAL will continue to maintain selected partnerships with non-oneworld airlines, including existing agreements with ANA and Turkish Airlines.
For travellers, the move promises improved connectivity throughout the Philippines and a smoother experience when travelling across the broader oneworld network.
For bookings and information, visit philippineairlines.com.
DELTA AIR LINES RETURNS TO LOS ANGELES–HONG KONG ROUTE AFTER EIGHT YEARS
Delta Air Lines has resumed nonstop flights between Los Angeles and Hong Kong, marking its return to the competitive long-haul route after an eight-year absence. The inaugural Hong Kong departure took place on June 8, re-establishing the carrier’s presence on one of the busiest transpacific corridors from the US West Coast.
The daily service is operated by an Airbus A350-900, offering passengers a non-stop alternative to the traditional one-stop connections via Tokyo or Seoul. Flight DL88 departs Hong Kong at 9:25am, arriving in Los Angeles at 7:55am the same day, while the return flight DL89 leaves LAX at 11:05pm and lands in Hong Kong at 5:05am.
For travellers originating in Malaysia and the wider region, the reinstated route provides another convenient one-stop option to reach the US West Coast via Hong Kong, before connecting onward to more than 30 destinations across North and South America through Delta’s expanding Los Angeles hub.
Onboard, the A350-900 is configured with 40 Delta One Suites, 40 Premium Select seats, 36 Comfort seats, and 159 Main Cabin seats. Delta One features lie-flat seating with sliding doors, premium bedding, and multi-course dining designed by the airline’s culinary team.
Premium passengers also gain access to Delta’s flagship Delta One Lounge at LAX, a nearly 200-seat space featuring a rotating chef-led menu, a year-round sushi bar, wellness rooms, and full-body massage chairs. The premium ground experience is further enhanced by dedicated check-in, private security screening, and concierge-style assistance from kerb to gate.
This route revival comes after multiple previous attempts by Delta to sustain a Hong Kong presence, including services from Seattle in 2018 and earlier operations from both Detroit and Los Angeles in the 1990s. The airline last operated the LAX–Hong Kong route between 1991 and 1995, initially routing via Anchorage before switching to nonstop flights.
The return places Delta into a highly competitive market dominated by United Airlines, which operates twice-daily flights, and Cathay Pacific, which runs three daily services between the two cities. With six daily nonstop flights now in operation, Delta is banking on its upgraded A350 product, strengthened LAX hub, and its role as official airline of Team USA ahead of the LA28 Olympics to carve out space in the premium transpacific segment.
For more information, visit delta.com.
