Travel News: This Month (September 2026) in Luxury Travel

Friday newsletters always feature travel contests, tips, or news.

Today: September 2026 luxury travel news

Every last Friday of the month, you can read my news round-up of what’s happening in the world of luxury travel and aviation. In this issue:

Etihad Airways introduces a new First & Business Class product
Regent Hotels & Resorts will debut in French Polynesia with Regent Bora Bora
Avianca unveils a new Business Class product
American Airlines unveils its new Flagship Suite on the Boeing 777-300ER
Novak Djokovic will host a wellness retreat at Amanjena
Lindblad acquires majority stake in White Desert
Airelles is taking over Rosewood’s Le Guanahani St. Barth
Air France opens the largest lounge in its international network
World Airline Awards 2026: Singapore Airlines takes top spot
The Michelin Guide unveils its 2026 Michelin Key hotel selection

Etihad Airways introduces a new First & Business Class product

Etihad Airways has unveiled Beyond Borders, a new product and design concept that will shape the airline’s future customer experience across aircraft, lounges and ground services. Debuting at Arabian Travel Market, the concept is showcased on a new Airbus A330, entering service from September 2027, with four private First suites, 24 fully lie-flat Business seats with direct aisle access and 252 Economy seats featuring 4K screens and charging. The new design, inspired by Abu Dhabi’s landscape and transformation from “sand to superstructure,” combines contemporary, serene interiors with distinctive Etihad details. Beyond Borders will also extend to the A321LR, which already offers First suites and fully lie-flat Business seats on a single-aisle aircraft. Etihad is expanding its First Class offering across more of its fleet while investing US$20 billion in new aircraft and customer experience, including a US$1 billion retrofit programme. The airline says the initiative will create a more consistent journey encompassing cabins, lounges, dining, wellbeing, connectivity and service.

Regent will open a hotel in Bora Bora

IHG Hotels & Resorts and long-standing partner Pacific Beachcomber will transform the InterContinental Bora Bora Resort & Thalasso Spa into Regent Bora Bora, marking Regent Hotels & Resorts’ debut in French Polynesia. Closed since June 1, 2026, the resort is scheduled to reopen in late 2027 following an extensive renovation. Set on a private motu on Bora Bora’s eastern lagoon, the 84-villa resort will offer an exclusively overwater experience, with direct lagoon access and views of Mount Otemanu and the Pacific Ocean. The transformation will introduce Regent’s understated approach to luxury, combining intuitive, personalised service, refined design, immersive dining and experiences rooted in Polynesian culture. Guests will also enjoy Regent hallmarks such as Personal Havens, Regent Experience Agents and thoughtful inclusions through the With Compliments concept. Sustainability will remain central, with the resort retaining its pioneering seawater air-conditioning system, which uses cold deep-ocean water and has reduced the electricity required for cooling and refrigeration by around 90%.

Avianca unveils a new Business Class product

Avianca, the second-largest airline group in Latin America (behind LATAM Airlines Group), has unveiled a new evolution of INSIGNIA, its Business Class experience on Boeing 787 flights to and from Europe and New York, with upgrades spanning service, dining, entertainment, rest and the ground experience. Starting in 2027, Avianca will also introduce new suites with sliding doors designed to provide greater privacy and comfort. The refreshed offering includes Meridian noise-canceling headphones, Maaji pajamas and slippers, and amenity kits created with Mola Sasa featuring products from Loto del Sur. Dining has been enhanced with new menus by Colombian chefs Álvaro Clavijo of El Chato and Rafael Buitrago of Elvia Barichara, showcasing Latin American flavors and biodiversity, alongside new tableware and additional premium products. Ground benefits include priority service at the INSIGNIA Check-In in Bogotá and VIP lounge access. Avianca is also investing in its people, with more than 850 cabin crew members completing specialist Business Class training focused on hospitality and etiquette. The airline continues to upgrade its VIP lounges, including a planned renovation of the International Gold Lounge at El Salvador International Airport.

American Airlines unveils its new Flagship Suite on the Boeing 777-300ER

American Airlines has launched its first retrofitted Boeing 777-300ER, introducing its new Flagship Suite experience and what the airline describes as the most premium seating configuration on a U.S. carrier. The aircraft features 144 premium seats, including 70 Flagship Suite seats with privacy doors, increased storage and a unique chaise lounge position, alongside 44 redesigned Premium Economy seats and 30 Main Cabin Extra seats with additional legroom. The refreshed interior builds on design elements from American’s Boeing 787-9 and Airbus A321XLR, with upgraded lighting, textures and comfort features. Flagship passengers receive priority ground services, lounge access where available, chef-curated dining, premium amenities and enhanced bedding. Premium Economy includes wireless charging and additional storage, while all passengers benefit from free high-speed Wi-Fi sponsored by AT&T. The 20-aircraft 777-300ER fleet serves major long-haul routes including London, Tokyo, São Paulo, Buenos Aires and Sydney. Flagship First will be phased out on these aircraft from November 19, 2026.

Novak Djokovic will host a wellness retreat at Amanjena

Novak Djokovic is bringing his Aman retreat series to Morocco, hosting “Stillness and Strength: A Novak Djokovic Retreat” at Amanjena in Marrakech from December 18–20, 2026. The three-day experience, following his inaugural retreat at Amanyara, combines tennis masterclasses led by the 24-time Grand Slam champion with mindfulness sessions guided by Amanjena’s wellness specialists, exploring how stillness, discipline and ritual can enhance focus and performance. Guests will also receive a 60-minute Beldi Hammam and Therapeutic Argan Massage, access to the resort’s wellness facilities and daily menus curated by Djokovic. The setting complements the experience: Amanjena is located just outside Marrakech amid lush gardens, olive groves and palm trees, with views toward the High Atlas Mountains and clay tennis courts on the property. Designed in the style of a Moroccan palace, the secluded resort features pavilions and poolside accommodation arranged around a central reflecting pool, offering a tranquil retreat close to the city’s historic attractions. The program continues Djokovic’s partnership with Aman, which began in 2024 when he became the brand’s Global Ambassador and Wellness Advisor.

Lindblad acquires majority stake in White Desert

Lindblad Expeditions Holdings, a leading expedition travel company known for small-ship voyages to remote destinations and its partnership with National Geographic, has acquired a 60% stake in White Desert and Echo Charlie for approximately US$61 million. Founded in 2005 by polar explorer Patrick Woodhead, White Desert specializes in luxury expeditions to Antarctica’s remote interior, including journeys to the Geographic South Pole and an Emperor penguin colony of more than 20,000 birds. The partnership will support the development of new camps, guest experiences and enhanced aviation and logistical capabilities while preserving White Desert’s independent, founder-led identity. Woodhead will remain Chairman of White Desert and become CEO of Echo Charlie, a new adventure concept built around a restored DC-3 aircraft, offering journeys to remote destinations including Colombia, Patagonia, the Faroe Islands and Greenland. He will also join Lindblad as Strategic Innovation Advisor. The acquisition expands Lindblad’s portfolio beyond expedition cruises into highly exclusive land- and air-based adventures.

Airelles is taking over Rosewood’s Le Guanahani St. Barth

Rosewood Le Guanahani St. Barth will transition to management by Airelles on October 1, 2026, reopening as Airelles Le Guanahani on November 1, 2026. Set on 18 acres of lush private peninsula on the quieter side of St. Barth, the iconic resort overlooks Marigot Bay and Grand Cul-de-Sac and features 66 rooms, suites and signature suites, two beaches, a spa, restaurants and extensive watersports and wellness facilities. Airelles is a French luxury hospitality collection known for distinctive “Maisons” in destinations including Courchevel, Saint-Tropez, Gordes and Versailles, with a focus on exceptional settings, French art de vivre, personalised service and a strong sense of place. The collection is expanding internationally, with Airelles Palladio in Venice also opening in 2026. Le Guanahani will therefore become Airelles’ first Caribbean property, bringing the brand’s highly individualised approach to one of St. Barth’s most established luxury resorts.

Air France opens the largest lounge in its international network

Starting in 2027, Air France will move all of its New York JFK flights to the new Terminal One, offering customers an upgraded airport experience. The airline will also open a spectacular new lounge spanning more than 2,700 sq. m, making it the largest Air France lounge in its international network. Designed by Air France in collaboration with MARKS Brandimage, the two-level space will accommodate more than 400 guests and showcase the French art of travel through elegant interiors, French gastronomy and an extensive selection of French wines and champagnes. Facilities will include dedicated areas for relaxation, work and beauty treatments, while an exclusive space will be reserved for Flying Blue Ultimate members. The lounge will welcome La Première and Business customers, Flying Blue Elite Plus members and eligible KLM and SkyTeam passengers. La Première travellers will enjoy an especially personalised experience, including an exclusive area with a dining concept created by a renowned French chef, complementing the premium facilities and technology of the new Terminal One.

World Airline Awards 2026: Singapore Airlines takes top spot

The 2026 World Airline Awards (the “Oscars” in the aviation industry), presented by Skytrax at London’s Langham Hotel on September 18, have named Singapore Airlines the World’s Best Airline, marking its sixth victory in the top category. Qatar Airways ranked second, followed by Cathay Pacific, ANA and Turkish Airlines. Singapore Airlines also won Best Economy Class and Best Economy Class Onboard Catering, while Qatar Airways took Best Business Class for the 13th time and Best Onboard Wi-Fi. Air France won Best First Class, Best First Class Lounge Dining and Best First Class Comfort Amenities, while Cathay Pacific received Best Cabin Crew. Other notable winners included EVA Air for Best Premium Economy and Most Family Friendly Airline, STARLUX for Best Cleanest Airline, AirAsia for Best Low-Cost Airline and oneworld for Best Airline Alliance. The awards are based on customer surveys covering more than 300 airlines, with Skytrax describing the process as independent and impartial.

The Michelin Guide unveils its 2026 Michelin Key hotel selection

The Michelin Guide has unveiled its 2026 hotel selection, adding 470 new hotels across 79 destinations and bringing its global selection to more than 9,400 hotels, including 2,832 Michelin Key properties. The top distinction, the Three Michelin Keys, welcomes 18 new hotels this year, spanning six in Asia, eight in Europe, two in Oceania, one in Africa and one in the Americas. Highlights include Borgo Santandrea on Italy’s Amalfi Coast, Southern Ocean Lodge in Australia, Delaire Graff Estate in South Africa and Soneva Secret in the Maldives. In total, 155 hotels now hold Three Keys, alongside 657 Two-Key and 2,020 One-Key properties. The 2026 selection also expands into 10 new destinations, including Botswana, Rwanda, Zimbabwe, Mongolia and Armenia, while four Special Awards recognize outstanding achievements in architecture and design, wellness, new openings and connection to place.