New York to Bahrain Is Back, British Airways Unveils a New Premium Economy, and Other News You Might’ve Missed

In this week’s airline news roundup, we cover everything from new cabins, planes, and routes to the reopening of an international United Club lounge, an update to the best-selling aircraft in history, and more.

Let’s take a look.

British Airways’ Surprise New Premium Economy

British Airways‘ new premium economy reveal is a rare example of when a surprise means something (mostly) positive in the airline world.

Whether or not this was the airline’s official plan, the updates to the cabin were revealed in a LinkedIn post, rather than an official press release. Images show BA’s remodeled premium economy seats to boast fixed wings on either side of the headrest, which should increase the feeling of privacy while providing better support as you find a comfortable position to sleep.

The seats also feature increased stowage space, thanks to a deep storage pocket. As the outdated IFE screens don’t appear to have been replaced, there’s not a whole lot more to get excited about.

BA’s newest premium economy seats will debut onboard the airline’s retrofitted Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners that are finally being fitted out with BA’s Club Suite business class seat. We can expect to see these aircraft operating services to and from the U.S. sometime in 2026.

Could British Airways have spent more time and money on innovation? Definitely. This is especially true when compared with Emirates’ premium economy, which is even dubbed by some as a business class “lite.”

United Reopens Lounge in Hong Kong, Starts New Routes This Month

After being shuttered during the pandemic, followed by undergoing a multi-year refurbishment, United Airlines‘ United Club at Hong Kong (HKG) has just reopened its doors.

To find the lounge, which is open from 6 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. daily, take the escalator close to Gate 61 up to Level 7.

The lounge’s opening is timely, as United will soon operate an additional 2 flights from Hong Kong, in addition to its existing nonstop flights from Los Angeles (LAX) and San Francisco (SFO). Rather than adding new routes from the U.S. to Hong Kong, United will add intra-Asian services to Bangkok (BKK) in Thailand and Ho Chi Minh City (SGN) in Vietnam.

Routes like this, which do not include a departure or arrival airport in the airline’s home country, are known as fifth-freedom flights. Each destination will tag onto United’s Hong Kong services from Los Angeles.

Gulf Air Reconnects New York With Bahrain

Once again, New York and Bahrain in the Middle East are connected by a nonstop flight.

On October 5, Bahrain’s national carrier, Gulf Air, operated the first flight between New York’s JFK and Bahrain (BAH) in 28 years.

Round-trip flights are scheduled 3x weekly on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays, with the following timings:

• Depart Bahrain (BAH) at 4 a.m. and arrive in New York (JFK) at 10:55 a.m.
• Depart New York (JFK) at 3 p.m. and arrive in Bahrain at 10:35 a.m. (+1)

Gulf Air’s Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft operate the route. The planes feature 26 Falcon Gold business class suites in a staggered 1-2-1 configuration and 256 standard economy seats.

Oman is now the only remaining country in the GCC without a nonstop flight to New York.

SWISS Takes Delivery of First Airbus A350

A new era of flying is about to start for SWISS International Airlines. The flag carrier of Switzerland took delivery of the first of an order of 10 Airbus A350 aircraft, which it hopes will revolutionize the flying experience for its passengers in all cabins.

“This aircraft represents everything we aim to be moving forward: efficient, advanced, and clearly positioned as a premium airline, from Switzerland and for Switzerland,” said Jens Fehlinger, CEO of SWISS.

The plane is equipped with its all-new SWISS Senses cabins, which boast enhancements for passengers from the front in first class to the very last row of economy.

The first Airbus A350 flight with paying passengers will be from Zurich (ZRH) to Palma de Mallorca, Spain (PMI), on October 25. For the complete SWISS Senses long-haul experience, including the soft product that has already been rolled out, you’ll have to wait for the aircraft’s first flight to Boston (BOS) on November 20.

Air Transat Adds New International Routes

Canadian leisure airline Air Transat will add more routes to its ever-expanding international route network next year.

From Spring 2026, the carrier will start flying from Quebec City (YQB) to Marseille, France (MRS) and from Canada‘s capital, Ottawa (YOW), to London Gatwick (LGW). Additionally, Air Transat will extend its Toronto (YYZ) to Cartagena, Colombia (CTG) service to make its final stop in Medellin (MDE).

Air Transat’s Airbus A321neo, the most modern and fuel-efficient jet in its fleet, will operate both transatlantic routes.

The jet features Air Transat’s premium cabin, Club Class, which features wider seats with extra recline, similar to what you’ll find on domestic first class in the U.S.

Flights to these destinations are seasonal and will only operate once or twice weekly.

The Title of Best-Selling Aircraft Now Belongs to Airbus

With Airbus and Boeing owning 96% of the aircraft manufacturing industry’s market share, it’s pretty much a duopoly.

After long reigning as the most popular aircraft, the Boeing 737 has just been knocked off the top spot as the most ordered aircraft. When Saudi Arabian carrier Flynas took delivery of its latest Airbus A320neo this week, Airbus’ aircraft became the most delivered plane in history.

The last few years have been significantly turbulent for Boeing. Technical issues with Dreamliner engines, delivery delays for the Boeing 777X, and a number of fatal Boeing 737 MAX incidents likely contributed to airlines losing trust in the troubled manufacturer.

As more airlines take delivery of Airbus A321neos with ultra-long range capability, Boeing’s 737 MAX could struggle to regain its crown.

Final Thoughts

That’s the end of another busy week in aviation. Will British Airways’ premium economy updates be too little, too late? We’ll have to wait and see.

What we can be sure of, though, is that SWISS Senses on the Airbus A350 promises to be a huge step up from SWISS’ current offering. As for Air Transat’s new international routes, the reopening of the United Club in Hong Kong, and the return of Gulf Air to New York, these are things we love to hear about.