Year of the Horse is a time that brings families together in the spirit of gratitude, abundance, and fresh beginnings. Rooted in meaningful traditions, the season is celebrated with festive meals, symbolic rituals, and lively performances that welcome the new lunar year with hope and happiness.

Phulay Bay, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, Krabi, is preparing to mark the occasion with a refined oceanfront celebration that reflects the true essence of the festival. On 16 February, guests can gather at the Pool Lawn from 7:00 to 10:00 p.m. for a special Reunion BBQ Dinner set under the stars.

The evening unfolds in a beautiful alfresco setting overlooking the ocean. A wide selection of live cooking stations will serve both hot and cold appetisers, wok-fried noodles, hearty soups, and freshly grilled specialities. The menu features jasmine tea-smoked BBQ pork ribs, whole grilled fish, crispy pork belly, flavourful side dishes, and festive desserts, offering a generous spread inspired by Chinese culinary traditions.

Adding to the festive mood, guests will enjoy a dramatic dragon dance and fire show, while a live band performs from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m., creating a lively and joyful atmosphere for families and friends.

The celebrations continue on 17 February with a specially curated Chinese New Year breakfast. The morning begins with traditional prayers and meaningful rituals, followed by a vibrant lion dance, symbolising luck, strength, and prosperity. Together, these experiences set a positive and auspicious tone for the year ahead.

With the ocean as its backdrop and time-honoured traditions at its heart, the Year of the Horse celebrations at Phulay Bay promise moments of reflection, reunion, and renewal, welcoming the new lunar year in a setting filled with beauty and warmth.

Emirates has signed an interline agreement with Loong Air, strengthening its presence in China and offering passengers access to more cities beyond its existing gateways.

With immediate effect, Emirates customers can now connect to 22 destinations across China operated by Loong Air through Hangzhou, Shenzhen and Hong Kong. These cities cover key regions across East, Northeast, South, Central and Southwest China, making domestic travel more convenient for both leisure and business travellers.

Under the partnership, passengers can book multi-airline itineraries under a single fare. The agreement also ensures one seamless baggage policy and consistent fare conditions throughout the journey, making the travel experience smoother. The expanded network opens up access to important domestic hubs such as Zhengzhou, Changchun, Haikou, Xiangyang and Dazhou.

Tickets are available on www.emirates.com, Online Travel Agencies (OTA’s) and through all major GDS’ via travel agents. Customers booking through Emirates’ official website can also use online payment options including WeChat Pay and Alipay.

The agreement with Loong Air reflects Emirates’ continued commitment to the Chinese market. Last year, the airline introduced services to Shenzhen and Hangzhou and enhanced its onboard offering by deploying its Premium Economy on these routes. It also reinstated its A380 aircraft on Shanghai services.

Emirates has been operating in mainland China since 2004. The airline currently serves five major cities, Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen and Hangzhou with 49 weekly flights using a mix of A380s, A350s and Boeing 777s.

Along with Loong Air, Emirates has partnerships with Air China, China Southern Airlines and Sichuan Airlines. Through these collaborations, customers can access more than 110 points in China beyond Emirates’ own network via its five gateways.

Air Canada has announced the next phase of its fleet modernization strategy with a firm order for eight Airbus A350-1000 aircraft, along with rights to purchase eight additional units. Deliveries of the new widebody jets are expected to begin in the second half of 2030.

The addition of the A350-1000 marks a significant step in strengthening the airline’s long-haul capabilities. With enhanced range, payload capacity and improved operating economics, the aircraft is expected to unlock new opportunities across Air Canada’s international network while complementing its existing widebody fleet.

Mark Galardo, Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer, and President of Cargo at Air Canada, described the acquisition as a move that will reinforce the airline’s position as a leading global carrier. He noted that the aircraft’s performance and flexibility will support a diversified and resilient network strategy, connecting Canadian hubs more efficiently with global destinations.

John Di Bert, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, added that the investment supports Air Canada’s long-term cost efficiency objectives. The aircraft’s lighter composite materials and advanced engines are expected to deliver meaningful fuel-burn improvements compared to the previous generation aircraft they will replace. The airline aims to maintain capital investments at or below 12 per cent of revenues as part of its disciplined financial strategy.

Powered by the XWB97 engine from Rolls-Royce, the A350-1000 is estimated by Airbus to provide up to 25 per cent lower fuel consumption compared to earlier generation aircraft. The jet offers a potential range of approximately 9,000 nautical miles, enabling ultra-long-haul operations.

From a passenger perspective, Airbus states the A350-1000 features the quietest twin-aisle cabin in service. Designed to be pressurized to the equivalent of 6,000 feet, the cabin aims to reduce fatigue and jet lag. Air Canada’s aircraft will feature its next-generation cabin design, including upgraded in-flight entertainment screens, enhanced connectivity and new interior standards set to debut later this year.

The A350-1000 order builds on Air Canada’s broader fleet renewal programme. The airline is preparing to introduce 14 Boeing 787-10 Dreamliners later this year and will soon take delivery of its first Airbus A321XLR. It also continues to receive Canadian-assembled Airbus A220 aircraft, with 23 remaining from its firm order of 65. Additionally, five leased Boeing 737 MAX aircraft are scheduled to enter service in 2026.

Together, these investments signal a new era in Air Canada’s long-haul growth strategy, focused on efficiency, sustainability and an enhanced customer experience.