Spirit Airlines has earned a top-three ranking among North America’s largest airlines for on-time performance, according to aviation analytics firm Cirium. The achievement reflects a significant improvement in operational reliability, with the airline moving up from its previous position and outperforming several major and legacy carriers.

Based on Cirium’s analysis, Spirit Airlines successfully operated a strong percentage of its flights on time over the year. Cirium defines an on-time flight as one that arrives within 15 minutes of its scheduled gate arrival. The ranking places Spirit among the most reliable airlines in the region, despite operating a high-utilisation network.

Commenting on the achievement, John Bendoraitis, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at Spirit Airlines, said the airline is entering the new year with a strong focus on delivering a reliable and elevated guest experience. He credited the performance to the dedication of Spirit’s team members and their continued commitment to taking care of guests.

Mike Malik, Chief Marketing Officer at Cirium, noted that achieving a top-three position is a meaningful operational milestone, particularly for an airline with a tightly coordinated and high-frequency network. He added that Spirit’s results reflect improved schedule integrity, efficient turn execution, and disciplined network management measured over a full year.

Alongside its operational success, Spirit Airlines has also recorded its highest-ever net promoter score, a key indicator of guest satisfaction. The airline reported a significant increase in the score compared to the previous year, driven by the introduction of more comfortable seating options and enhanced premium offerings.

Spirit’s growing range of premium experiences allows travellers to enjoy added comfort and benefits at a more affordable price compared to traditional legacy carriers. The airline’s Spirit First offering includes the Big Front Seat, complimentary snacks and beverages, priority check-in and boarding, reserved overhead bin space, fast Wi-Fi streaming access, and flexible ticket options with no change or cancellation fees.

In addition, Spirit’s Premium Economy option provides extra legroom or a blocked middle seat, along with priority boarding, reserved overhead bin space, one carry-on bag, and flexible booking benefits. These enhancements reflect Spirit Airlines’ continued focus on combining reliability, affordability, and improved guest experience.

Etihad Airways has announced the launch of direct flights to Luxembourg, marking a historic milestone as the first airline from the Middle East to operate services to the country. Scheduled to commence operations in October 2026, the new route will also make Etihad the only airline offering nonstop connectivity between Luxembourg and Abu Dhabi, establishing a direct link between two key European and Middle Eastern hubs.

The service will operate three times a week to Luxembourg Airport, responding to growing demand from travellers across Luxembourg, the wider Benelux region, as well as neighbouring France and Germany. The route enhances access to Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, known for its cultural landmarks, world-class hospitality, and year-round leisure appeal.

Flights will be operated using Etihad’s state-of-the-art Airbus A321LR aircraft, offering a premium three-class travel experience. The aircraft features First Suites and lie-flat Business Class seats with direct aisle access, alongside next-generation Economy seating with generous legroom, 4K touchscreen entertainment, Bluetooth connectivity, and high-speed Wi-Fi throughout the cabin.

The introduction of this route is expected to strengthen economic, cultural, and tourism ties between Europe and the UAE. Luxembourg’s strategic position also makes it a gateway market for neighbouring European countries, further reinforcing Etihad’s growing footprint across the continent.

Commenting on the announcement, Antonoaldo Neves, Chief Executive Officer of Etihad Airways, said the new route represents a significant step in expanding the airline’s global network. He noted that the A321LR enables Etihad to deliver a premium experience on routes that were previously underserved, while opening new opportunities for business and leisure travel between Europe and Abu Dhabi.

The service is well-positioned to cater to both corporate and leisure travellers. Business passengers benefit from direct access between Luxembourg, a major financial centre, and the UAE’s capital, while leisure travellers can explore Abu Dhabi’s cultural and entertainment attractions, including renowned museums, heritage landmarks, entertainment destinations, beaches, and desert experiences.

Passengers travelling via Abu Dhabi will also enjoy seamless onward connections through Zayed International Airport to Etihad’s expanding global network, covering key destinations across Asia, including India, Thailand, Singapore, Japan, South Korea, and Indonesia.

At the same time, travellers from the UAE and Etihad’s global network will gain convenient access to Luxembourg, known for its historic Old Town, fairytale castles, scenic valleys, and blend of heritage and modern European charm.

Flight Schedule (All Times Local)

The Luxembourg service becomes the latest addition to Etihad Airways’ expanding European network, reinforcing the airline’s long-term growth strategy and commitment to connecting key global markets.

London’s Mayfair is set to welcome a new boutique address with the upcoming opening of The Shepherd Mayfair, a thoughtfully designed hotel located in the heart of the historic Shepherd Market. The property will join the Elegant Hotel Collection and aims to offer a refined stay rooted in storytelling, heritage, and understated luxury.

The project is led by Timothy Shepherd, who initiated the development during his time at Buckley Gray Yeoman and later carried it forward through his own practice, Shepherd&. Drawing inspiration from Mayfair’s eighteenth and early nineteenth century mansions, the hotel reinterprets classic architectural language for a modern audience, balancing tradition with contemporary comfort.

Spanning around 33,600 square feet, The Shepherd Mayfair will house 82 guest rooms and suites across six floors. Each room is individually planned to reflect the building’s townhouse origins, with layouts shaped by the proportions of the original structure. Interiors feature warm timber finishes, soft curves, lighter tonal palettes, blue accents, and red velvet curtains, creating spaces that feel elegant yet lived-in.

Guest rooms are designed with a travel-focused mindset. Desks can transform into dressing tables or chess tables, storage is seamlessly integrated, and concealed lighting helps set a calm, intimate mood. Every room includes a window seat overlooking Mayfair, along with classic touches such as a banker’s lamp. Bathrooms are finished in marble, with select rooms offering bathtubs and separate seating areas.

Public spaces across the hotel carry strong narrative elements connected to the local area. Subtle references to historic figures like Desmond Sautter, Lord Sandwich, and Tiddy Doll are woven into the design, along with discreet braille and morse details that nod to the area’s wartime intelligence past and the nearby Down Street station. Corridors adopt a darker, moodier tone and showcase curated artworks by British photographer Jack English and fine art photographer George McLeod.

The Shepherd Mayfair will introduce three distinct food and beverage concepts. Fayre, a modern all-day dining space, takes inspiration from the historic fair that once occupied Mayfair’s open fields. The 75-cover brasserie features dark timber panelling, banquette seating, and a rich berry-toned colour palette. Urban artist Adam Ellis brings the space to life with wall artworks that reinterpret scenes from historic fairs through a contemporary lens.

At street level, The Lounge is designed as a relaxed café-style space that naturally shifts into a bar as the day progresses. With indoor seating and a generous outdoor terrace, it welcomes both hotel guests and local residents. The interiors are warm and inviting, with forest green velvet upholstery, natural timber finishes, and illustrated artworks by British artist John Broadley.

Located on the lower ground floor, Teddy’s is conceived as a hidden late-night cocktail bar inspired by Mayfair’s original drinking rooms of the 1960s. Named after Edward Shepherd, the architect behind Shepherd Market, the bar reflects the layered history of the neighbourhood. With 72 covers, deep green and blue interiors, Liberty archive fabrics, and commissioned murals, Teddy’s aims to be both intimate and lively, accessed through discreet entrances that add to its sense of discovery.

Lighting across the hotel is supplied by Apparatus, the New York-based studio with a London presence, continuing a long-standing creative relationship with Shepherd&. Throughout the property, materials, textures, and bespoke detailing are carefully chosen to reflect classic design and private heritage, interpreted through a modern lens.

Positioned as a gateway between Mayfair and Shepherd Market, The Shepherd Mayfair is designed to feel quietly confident, offering a boutique experience that respects its surroundings while introducing a fresh chapter to one of London’s most storied neighbourhoods.