Emirates has once again strengthened its status as a global aviation leader after winning two prestigious accolades at the 2026 Airline Passenger Experience Association (APEX) Global Passenger Choice Awards. The Dubai-based carrier was honored with the titles of  World Class Airline 2026 and Best Global Entertainment, reflecting its continuous efforts to deliver exceptional customer service, cutting-edge products, and innovative passenger experiences across its network.

The results were announced during the APEX/IFSA Global EXPO held in Long Beach, California, one of the airline industry’s most anticipated annual gatherings.

The World Class Airline recognition is considered one of the highest distinctions in commercial aviation, reserved for airlines that excel in areas such as passenger safety, sustainability, health and well-being measures, service consistency, and global operations. The award is based on a comprehensive evaluation conducted by industry experts in collaboration with Yates and Partners, as well as verified passenger feedback collected through professional auditing of traveler reviews. This recognition places Emirates among the top global carriers that set benchmarks for excellence in airline standards.

In addition, Emirates’ victory in the category of Best Global Entertainment further underscores its long dominance in inflight entertainment. The airline’s award-winning ice system, regarded as one of the most advanced in the world, offers more than 6,500 channels of movies, TV shows, documentaries, music, podcasts, games, and even live sports broadcasts.

Available in multiple languages and updated regularly, the entertainment system has become a defining feature of the Emirates travel experience and a major differentiator for the brand. Passengers also benefit from high-speed Wi-Fi connectivity onboard, allowing them to stay connected throughout their journey, a feature increasingly demanded by today’s travelers.

The APEX Global Passenger Choice Awards are especially noteworthy in the aviation industry as they are based on real passenger experiences and independently audited evaluations rather than solely subjective jury decisions. Millions of travelers worldwide share ratings on nearly 600 airlines each year through TripIt®, feeding into the data that determines winners.

This combination of passenger feedback and independent verification ensures that the accolades reflect genuinely outstanding performance and consistency in airline operations.

For Emirates, these awards come at a time when the airline is actively expanding and modernizing its fleet while also upgrading its services in line with evolving customer expectations. Over the past year, Emirates has introduced retrofitted aircraft with refreshed cabins, including its latest Premium Economy class, offering a new level of comfort.

The airline has also expanded its culinary offerings, elevated beverage services across cabins, redesigned lounges, and strengthened its renowned multicultural crew training programs to deliver more personalized care on board.

Sir Tim Clark, President of Emirates Airline, welcomed the honors, describing them as a testament to the carrier’s unwavering focus on delivering an unmatched customer journey from ground to sky. He highlighted the airline’s commitment not only to luxury and service innovation but also to sustainable aviation, noting Emirates’ steps toward investing in modern, fuel-efficient aircraft, testing alternative fuels, and integrating environmentally conscious features in its products and ground operations.

The recognition also positions Emirates strongly against its global competitors, such as Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, and Cathay Pacific, all of which are known for high service standards and premium offerings. By maintaining excellence in both overall travel experience and in-flight entertainment, Emirates consolidates its place as a benchmark airline for premium international travelers seeking comfort, reliability, and consistency.

Looking ahead, Emirates will continue to enhance its global connectivity as it expands into new destinations throughout 2026, with routes planned in markets across Asia, Africa, and the Americas. The airline is also preparing to welcome next-generation aircraft such as the Airbus A350 and Boeing 777-9, both of which will introduce new levels of efficiency and customer experience to its long-haul journeys. These developments are expected to further strengthen Emirates’ position as a leader in passenger satisfaction and an airline that continuously invests in the future of travel.

Air Cambodia is poised to expand its fleet with up to 20 Chinese-made C909 regional jets, marking Cambodia’s entry into a growing roster of Southeast Asian customers for China’s state-owned aircraft manufacturer, COMAC. The move was confirmed through a memorandum of understanding signed on Tuesday in China, guaranteeing 10 firm orders with an option to acquire 10 more.

COMAC, aiming to challenge aviation giants Airbus and Boeing, is developing commercial jets to increase its global footprint. While its larger narrow-body jet, the C919, competes with popular models like the Airbus A320neo and Boeing 737 MAX, it remains operated exclusively by Chinese airlines. Conversely, the smaller C909 regional jet has gained traction in Southeast Asia, already in service with carriers in Indonesia, Vietnam, and Laos, and with orders placed by an airline in Brunei.

Recently, Lao Airlines received its second C909 and began cross-border flights to Bangkok, signaling successful regional deployment. COMAC has also shown interest in expanding its influence by proposing a majority stake acquisition in Laos’ national carrier, which is facing debt challenges.

Cambodia maintains strong ties with China, underscored by King Norodom Sihamoni’s attendance at China’s largest-ever military parade last week. COMAC emphasized that it will work closely with Air Cambodia on aircraft delivery, operational support, and industry development as part of the partnership.

The C909, formerly known as the ARJ21, seats up to 90 passengers and represents China’s first jet-powered commercial plane to reach production, having entered service in 2016. Details on the delivery timeline of the jets to Air Cambodia have yet to be announced.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued a renewed safety alert warning airlines about the ongoing risks posed by lithium batteries carried onboard by passengers and crew. These batteries, found in common devices such as cell phones, laptops, portable power banks, e-cigarettes, and hearing aids, carry the potential to malfunction and ignite fires through a phenomenon known as "thermal runaway."

According to the FAA, lithium batteries stored in passenger overhead bins or inside carry-on bags are particularly hazardous because they can be hidden, hard to access, and difficult to monitor. This obscurity can delay the detection of overheating or fire, increasing danger during flight. The alert warns that firefighting efforts may also be hampered if the battery is not easily reachable.

The warning follows a recent on-camera demonstration for CNN by the FAA, showing how quickly a thermal runaway in a battery power pack stowed in a seat-back pocket can erupt, showering sparks and igniting flames. While Halon fire extinguishers can temporarily suppress flames, they do not stop the dangerous runaway reaction, which requires large volumes of water to cool and extinguish effectively.

Through August 2025, the FAA has documented 50 verified incidents involving battery-related fires or malfunctions on aircraft, highlighting the persistent nature of this threat. Airlines are urged to rethink how lithium batteries are stored, especially discouraging their placement in areas that are not visible or easy to reach during the flight, such as overhead bins or packed carry-on compartments.

Among major U.S. carriers, Southwest Airlines stands out for its policy requiring portable chargers and power banks to remain in plain sight when in use onboard to help mitigate risks.

Passenger safety guidelines continue to prohibit spare lithium batteries in checked luggage altogether, signaling the FAA's commitment to reducing fire hazards linked to these powerful but potentially dangerous power sources.
As air travel grows busier and device use more prevalent, this FAA safety alert serves as a crucial reminder for airlines and passengers alike to remain vigilant about the risks of lithium batteries in the skies.

Air India Express has announced special support measures for passengers traveling to or from Nepal amid escalating protests triggered by a social media ban and corruption concerns. Passengers with bookings until September 17, 2025, can reschedule their trips free of charge or cancel to receive a full refund. This initiative aims to ensure passenger safety and convenience during the ongoing unrest in Kathmandu and other major Nepalese cities.

The airline’s spokesperson stated that affected travelers can access this support easily through Air India Express’s AI-powered chat assistant, Tia, available on the airline’s website, WhatsApp, and mobile app by typing "NepalTravel." The airline confirmed that operations to and from Nepal remain unaffected beyond September 17 but emphasized monitoring the situation closely.

The protests began on September 8 after the Nepalese government imposed a ban on more than 20 major social media platforms, citing tax revenue and cybersecurity reasons. Protests quickly escalated, with demonstrators demanding an end to institutionalized corruption, favoritism, and insisting on more accountable governance. At least 19 people were killed and 500 injured in violent clashes between security forces and protestors, prompting curfews in several cities, including Kathmandu.

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli resigned amid growing unrest, and Nepal’s Tribhuvan International Airport was temporarily closed due to security concerns before reopening after 24 hours. The airport closure led to cancellations of flights by multiple Indian airlines like Air India and IndiGo, leaving hundreds of passengers stranded. Airlines have since resumed operations, with added flights to assist stranded passengers.

The social media ban was later lifted, but protests continued as broader calls for political reforms and transparency intensified. The crisis remains a significant challenge to Nepal’s political stability and highlights the deep frustrations among its youth and citizens over corruption and governance issues.

Starting in January 2026, American Airlines will offer complimentary inflight Wi-Fi on approximately 90% of its fleet, making it the largest domestic carrier in the U.S. to provide free internet access on more planes than any other airline. This service will be available exclusively to members of its AAdvantage loyalty program, which is free to join. The move comes as part of a partnership with telecommunications giant AT&T, which will sponsor the Wi-Fi service.

The complimentary Wi-Fi will be offered on aircraft equipped with high-speed satellite systems from Viasat and Intelsat. American Airlines has already tested the free Wi-Fi on select routes, with performance exceeding expectations. The airline is also upgrading over 500 regional aircraft to satellite-based high-speed connectivity by the end of 2025 to ensure widespread access when the service launches.

Before this change, passengers paid for Wi-Fi access with prices ranging from $10 for a single flight to monthly or yearly passes. Now, loyalty members will get this benefit at no extra cost, which will enhance connectivity for work, communication, social media, and entertainment during flights. However, some older wide-body jets using different satellite technology may not have the free Wi-Fi feature, and passengers on those flights might still need to pay for internet access.

This rollout follows similar offerings by other U.S. airlines, like Delta, which introduced free Wi-Fi for frequent flyers in 2023, and United, which is partnering with Starlink for future connectivity upgrades. JetBlue has offered free inflight Wi-Fi for years.

Heather Garboden, American Airlines’ Chief Customer Officer, said, “Our customers greatly value staying connected while in the air, whether communicating with friends, getting work done, checking in on social media, or streaming their favorite subscription services. We’re proud to offer those services at no cost to our most loyal customers.”

The partnership between American Airlines and AT&T highlights a trend in the aviation industry toward improving passenger experience through enhanced digital connectivity, aiming to make flights more enjoyable and productive.

A viral video from Nepal has captured senior government officials clinging to ropes tied to an emergency military helicopter as they made a desperate escape from an enraged mob of protesters. The extraordinary footage powerfully illustrates the country’s escalating political crisis and social unrest. The officials, accused by crowds of entrenched corruption, mismanagement, and nepotism, were unable to make their way through the throngs demanding accountability, forcing them to hang from the helicopter’s rescue slings as it lifted off.

The demonstrations erupted following a government ban on 26 social media platforms, which fueled widespread anger among mainly young protesters—often referred to as the Generation Z protests—who were already frustrated by soaring inflation, lack of job opportunities, and the flaunting of wealth by politicians’ families. The protests quickly escalated into violent confrontations, with government buildings vandalized and homes of officials targeted. The massive unrest led to Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli and several ministers resigning and fleeing the country.

The political crisis has deep roots, with many Nepalis disillusioned by years of instability; since the abolition of the monarchy in 2008, Nepal has seen frequent government changes and struggles with corruption and economic hardship. The pro-monarchy movement has grown alongside these protests, with demands to restore the Hindu kingdom as an alternative to the current federal republic system.

In response to the chaos, the military was deployed to restore order, patrolling Kathmandu and enforcing curfews amid rising death tolls and injuries. The helicopter evacuations of officials and their families symbolize the desperation of a political elite trying to evade public outrage and justice. The turmoil marks Nepal’s worst unrest in decades and underscores significant challenges in governance, economic development, and political stability.

The protests and government upheaval have drawn international attention, with regional powers like India and China closely monitoring the situation given Nepal’s strategic importance.

This shocking episode reflects deep-seated grievances among Nepal’s youth and citizens, whose demands for transparency, accountability, and change continue to shape the nation’s turbulent political landscape.