Riyadh Air, the ambitious new Saudi Arabian carrier, has officially revealed the interior cabin designs for its upcoming Boeing 787-9 aircraft, setting a new benchmark in luxury and innovation for Middle Eastern aviation. The airline’s 290-seat widebody jets will feature a meticulously crafted four-class layout, designed to deliver exceptional comfort, privacy, and cutting-edge technology to passengers across all travel classes.

At the forefront is the exclusive “Business Elite” cabin, which boasts 10 private suites arranged in a spacious 1-2-1 configuration. These suites are equipped with Safran Unity seats that fully recline into flat beds and include sliding privacy doors and adjustable dividers, allowing travelers to customize their personal space.

Notably, the center two seats can be combined to form a double bed, catering especially to couples or those seeking extra room during long-haul flights.

In addition to the Business Elite suites, the business class section offers 24 seats also arranged in a 1-2-1 layout, featuring the same flat-bed seating to ensure maximum comfort. The premium economy cabin is thoughtfully designed with 39 seats in a 2-3-2 arrangement, incorporating privacy-enhancing head wings, ample storage options, and multiple USB-C charging ports to meet the needs of modern travelers.

Economy class comprises 223 seats in a 3-3-3 layout, each with a generous 31-inch seat pitch, adjustable six-way headrests, and USB-C ports, aiming to provide a comfortable journey even for budget-conscious flyers.

The cabin interiors reflect a sophisticated blend of modern aesthetics and cultural heritage, inspired by Riyadh’s rich history and landscape. The color scheme features deep purples, mocha gold tones, and veined stone textures, evoking the natural beauty and elegance of the Saudi capital. A distinctive “canopy twist” design element, inspired by traditional Arabic tents, adds a unique architectural flair to the cabin environment, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere.

Riyadh Air has partnered with Panasonic Avionics to integrate the latest Modular Interactive in-flight entertainment system, offering passengers a highly personalized experience with real-time content updates. Screen sizes vary from 13.3 inches in economy to an impressive 32 inches in the Business Elite suites, all utilizing 4K OLED displays to ensure crystal-clear visuals.

Connectivity is a key focus for Riyadh Air, with free high-speed Wi-Fi provided by Viasat available to all passengers enrolled in the airline’s loyalty program. This service enables uninterrupted streaming, browsing, and live television access throughout the flight, catering to the digital needs of today’s travelers. Riyadh Air recently secured its air operator’s certificate and is preparing to launch operations later this year.

The airline has ambitious expansion plans, intending to grow its fleet to over 130 aircraft, including a mix of Boeing 787-9s and Airbus A321neos, to serve both long-haul and regional routes.

CEO Tony Douglas highlighted that every detail of the cabin—from the ergonomic seat fabrics designed to reduce fatigue, to the state-of-the-art entertainment and connectivity systems—has been carefully curated to provide a “relaxing luxury” experience that sets Riyadh Air apart in a competitive market.

The airline aims to position itself as a digital-native carrier that seamlessly integrates advanced technology with authentic Saudi culture, offering passengers a premium travel experience that is both innovative and deeply rooted in the region’s heritage. With these new cabin designs, Riyadh Air is poised to become a leading player in global aviation, promising travelers an unparalleled blend of comfort, style, and technological sophistication.

Qatar Airways has extended its suspension of flights between Doha and several cities in Pakistan and India as regional tensions continue to disrupt air travel. The airline announced on its official channels that operational changes have been implemented, affecting routes to and from Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, Multan, Peshawar, and Sialkot in Pakistan, as well as Amritsar in India, with all flights scheduled for May 10, 11, and 12 now cancelled.

This decision follows the closure of Pakistani airspace by national aviation authorities until midday on May 11, 2025, and similar operational restrictions in India, leading to widespread cancellations and disruptions for both domestic and international carriers.

Qatar Airways emphasized that passenger safety and security remain its top priority. Affected passengers are advised to check the latest travel updates and rebooking options, as the airline is permitting changes within 21 days of the original travel date for those impacted by the suspension.

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As tensions between India and Pakistan reach a boiling point, major Indian airlines including Air India and IndiGo have issued urgent advisories for passengers to arrive at airports at least three hours before departure due to intensified security measures.

The advisories follow a wave of aerial threats from Pakistan, including drone and missile attacks targeting Jammu and several military installations along the western frontier. Although India’s air defence systems successfully intercepted the strikes, the fallout has caused widespread disruptions across northern and western India.

Air India, in a post on social media platform X, cited a directive from the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) and urged travelers to brace for stringent checks. “Passengers across India are advised to arrive at their respective airports at least three hours prior to scheduled departure to ensure smooth check-in and boarding,” the post read. The airline also reminded flyers that check-in closes 75 minutes before departure.

IndiGo echoed the message, asking customers to account for extra time due to “extraordinary circumstances” and enhanced airport protocols. “We appreciate your understanding and cooperation,” the airline said, while urging patience amid longer queues and potential delays.

The security clampdown comes in the wake of emergency blackouts and sirens triggered in Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab, and Rajasthan, following the attempted strikes. Authorities have activated emergency protocols and advised residents to remain indoors and alert.

The aviation sector is feeling the heat. Around 430 domestic flights—nearly 3% of India’s daily schedule—were cancelled on Thursday, with 27 airports shut down until May 10. Affected airports include key hubs such as Srinagar, Jammu, Amritsar, Leh, Chandigarh, and Jodhpur, among others. More airports have reportedly been added to the restricted list as tensions escalate.

On Wednesday, over 300 flights were grounded and operations at 21 airports were suspended, indicating a worsening scenario for air travel in the region.

Air India also acknowledged the strain on customer service, noting high call volumes at its contact centres, and expressed solidarity with the nation’s defence forces. “We are grateful for the selfless service and dedication of our military and defence personnel,” the airline posted.

 With air travel caught in the crossfire of regional conflict, passengers are urged to stay updated, prepare for delays, and show cooperation as national security takes precedence.

Tensions flared dramatically between India and Pakistan on Thursday following a barrage of Pakistani missile and drone attacks targeting key Indian military and civilian infrastructure. The Jammu airstrip became a focal point of the assault, with one drone breaching defences and striking the airport despite India’s state-of-the-art S-400 air defence system intercepting eight missiles and three drones. Additional aerial threats were neutralised near Jaisalmer and Pathankot.

This fresh flare-up comes just 24 hours after India’s successful execution of Operation Sindoor, a powerful cross-border offensive targeting terror camps across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Indian intelligence sources reported nearly 100 militants eliminated in the precision strike, which appears to have triggered Thursday’s retaliatory escalation.

In response to the rapidly intensifying conflict and rising security risks, the Indian government has enacted sweeping airspace restrictions, temporarily halting operations at 24 airports across northern and western India. Major facilities affected include:

• Jammu & Kashmir: Srinagar, Jammu, Leh

• Punjab: Amritsar, Ludhiana, Patiala, Bathinda, Halwara

• Himachal Pradesh: Shimla, Kangra-Gaggal, Bhuntar

• Rajasthan: Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Bikaner, Kishengarh

• Gujarat: Mundra, Jamnagar, Hirasar, Porbandar, Keshod, Kandla, Bhuj

• Chandigarh

• Pathankot (Punjab)

The nationwide air travel landscape is now under strain, prompting emergency advisories from major carriers:

• Air India urged passengers to arrive at least three hours before departure, with check-in counters closing 75 minutes prior.

• IndiGo echoed the alert, requesting fliers to budget extra time due to "extraordinary" security protocols.

• Akasa Air advised passengers via X to carry valid ID and arrive well ahead of time for a “seamless experience.”

• SpiceJet also emphasized the importance of early arrival to navigate intensified checks and ensure timely boarding.

With defence forces on high alert and the aviation sector in flux, citizens are bracing for what may come next in this escalating regional standoff.

Qatar Airways has temporarily suspended all flights to Pakistan following the closure of Pakistani airspace, a move prompted by escalating tensions and recent military actions in the region.

The airline made the announcement via its official social media channels, emphasizing that the safety and security of its passengers and crew remain the highest priority. Passengers are advised to check the latest flight information on the Qatar Airways website or contact the airline’s customer service for updates and assistance.

The closure of Pakistani airspace was enacted for an initial 48-hour period after Indian airstrikes targeted alleged militant sites within Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir, marking one of the most serious escalations between the two nuclear-armed neighbors in over two decades.

The Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority confirmed that all flights at Islamabad and Lahore airports have been suspended until further notice, with the possibility of extended disruptions depending on how the situation develops.

The impact of this airspace closure has been far-reaching, causing a wave of flight cancellations and diversions across Asia, the Middle East, and Europe as airlines reroute aircraft to avoid the affected airspace. Major Gulf carriers such as Emirates, Etihad Airways, and Flydubai have also suspended or adjusted flights to Pakistani cities including Lahore, Islamabad, Sialkot, and Karachi.

Emirates has suspended all flight operations to Pakistan until at least May 10, while Etihad Airways has canceled selected flights and is assisting impacted passengers with alternative travel arrangements. Other international airlines, including KLM, Singapore Airlines, Thai Airways, and Korean Air, have rerouted or canceled long-haul flights to Europe, resulting in longer flight times and increased operational costs.

Indian airlines have also been significantly affected, with major carriers like Air India, IndiGo, and SpiceJet suspending services to northern cities and rerouting international flights, leading to increased fuel consumption and potential fare hikes. The closure of Pakistani airspace has forced these airlines to take longer detours, sometimes adding two to three hours to flight durations, and has resulted in the cancellation of certain routes altogether.

Travelers are urged to remain vigilant, monitor airline communications, and check official travel advisories. The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has updated its guidance, advising against all travel within 10 kilometers of the India-Pakistan border and to Pakistan-administered Kashmir. The situation remains fluid, and further updates are expected as authorities and airlines continue to monitor developments closely.

 In a dramatic ripple effect of escalating geopolitical tensions between India and Pakistan, several major international airlines—including Lufthansa, Air France, and British Airways—have begun rerouting flights to avoid Pakistani airspace, triggering longer travel times, increased fuel costs, and the prospect of rising ticket prices.

The shift in flight paths follows a deadly terrorist attack in Kashmir in April 2025, which further inflamed the already fraught relationship between the two nuclear-armed neighbors. In response to the fallout, Germany’s Lufthansa Group announced it is “avoiding Pakistani airspace until further notice,” a decision that’s stretching certain routes by nearly an hour. Lufthansa flights from Frankfurt to New Delhi, for instance, are now charting longer detours over the Arabian Sea.

Flight tracking data shows a similar trend across the skies. British Airways, Swiss International Airlines, Emirates, and others are skirting Pakistani territory entirely, opting instead to head south before veering northward into India and other Asian destinations.

France’s flagship carrier, Air France, has also suspended flights over Pakistan, citing the “evolution of tensions” in the region. The airline is recalibrating schedules and routes, leading to operational hiccups and elongated journey times across several of its Asia-bound services.

These detours aren’t just inconvenient—they’re costly. The Jerusalem Post reports that extended flight durations are burning more fuel and inflating operational costs, which could soon be passed on to passengers through higher fares. Independent aviation analyst Brendan Sobie warns of a deeper economic blow: “It could have a significant impact on some foreign airlines who rely heavily on Pakistan airspace, as well as Pakistan, given the loss of overflight revenues.”

The airspace reshuffling follows a tit-for-tat response: India barred Pakistani carriers from its skies, prompting Pakistan to retaliate by banning Indian-owned and operated airlines, suspending trade, and freezing visa issuance for Indian nationals—though it continues to allow international carriers flying out of India to use its airspace.

With no signs of de-escalation on the horizon, the skies over South Asia are becoming increasingly crowded—and complicated—as global carriers navigate the high-stakes turbulence of geopolitics.