Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan has unveiled a sustainability-led refresh of its luxury suite accommodations and dining spaces, marking a new chapter for the iconic riverside retreat. The redesign celebrates Balinese culture and craftsmanship while introducing contemporary comforts and environmentally conscious features.

Renowned for its striking architecture, the resort’s suspended rice bowl-inspired design remains as groundbreaking today as when it first opened nearly three decades ago. Building on that legacy, the resort has collaborated with global hospitality design firm Hirsch Bedner Associates (HBA) to reimagine selected guest suites and public spaces through a design philosophy centred on harmony with nature, refined aesthetics, and modern functionality.

The refresh will debut in July 2026 and will include seven upgraded suites: five Premier Duplex Suites and two Family Premier Suites. The redesign also extends to the resort’s signature dining venues, Ayung Terrace and Jati Bar, which overlook the lush jungle valley and the Ayung River.

Inspired by Craftsmanship and Culture

The refreshed interiors combine the resort’s original architectural elements with Balinese textiles, locally crafted décor, and contemporary design accents. Earthy fabrics inspired by Ubud’s rice paddies are paired with dark stained wood and handcrafted materials, creating a warm yet modern atmosphere.

The new design honours the resort’s original concept while introducing updated features for today’s travellers. Smart technologies such as LUTRON lighting systems allow guests to easily control lighting and ambience within the suites, blending convenience with luxury.

The Premier Duplex Suite, a two-level retreat designed for couples, features a spacious dining area with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the river and a sun terrace that immerses guests in the surrounding natural landscape. Meanwhile, the Family Premier Suite offers a comfortable one-bedroom layout with a specially designed children’s room, spacious living areas, and serene river valley views, making it ideal for families seeking a tranquil getaway.

Sustainability at the Core

Sustainability plays a central role in the redesign. Energy-efficient LED lighting has been installed throughout the upgraded suites, along with new air-conditioning systems that use environmentally friendly refrigerants.

Where possible, the renovation prioritises reusing and refurbishing existing structures and materials, reducing the need for new construction resources. Any newly introduced materials have been carefully selected for durability and, wherever feasible, sourced locally.

Revitalised Dining Experiences

The redesign also enhances the resort’s dining spaces. Perched above the lush jungle valley, Ayung Terrace now features plush grey sofas, elegant wooden chairs, and marble-topped tables that complement the surrounding scenery while adding a contemporary touch.

At Jati Bar, redesigned seating in natural green and grey tones creates a relaxed yet sophisticated setting for guests to enjoy creative cocktails, light bites, and panoramic river views.

Commenting on the transformation, Tim Churchmack, Resort Manager, said the refreshed spaces celebrate both the resort’s architectural legacy and its extraordinary natural environment.

He noted that the redesign pays homage to the property’s heritage while introducing intuitive modern features that enhance comfort and guest experience, marking an exciting new phase for the resort.

The update follows several recent accolades for the riverside property, including receiving an inaugural Michelin Key in 2025 for exceptional guest experiences. In the same year, the resort’s Sacred River Spa earned a Four-Star rating from Forbes Travel Guide, while Ayung Terrace secured the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence in 2024 for its distinctive wine programme.

With this sustainability-driven redesign, Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan continues to reinforce its reputation as one of Bali’s most innovative luxury destinations while remaining deeply connected to the island’s culture, environment, and craftsmanship.

Air India has announced the launch of two new international routes as it continues to strengthen its presence across Asia. The airline will introduce non-stop flights between Delhi and Hanoi from 01 May 2026 and start direct services between Mumbai and Tokyo (Haneda) from 15 June 2026.

With the addition of Hanoi, Air India expands its footprint in Vietnam, making it the airline’s second destination in the country after Ho Chi Minh City. The Delhi - Hanoi route will operate five times a week and will complement the existing daily services to Ho Chi Minh City. This will give travellers greater flexibility, especially those planning open jaw itineraries, where they can enter Vietnam through Hanoi and depart from Ho Chi Minh City, or the other way around.

Air India will deploy its A320neo aircraft on the Delhi - Hanoi route. The aircraft offers cabin options across Business Class, Premium Economy, and Economy Class. The new route is expected to add around 7,028 seats every month between India and Vietnam. Passengers travelling on these flights will also benefit from convenient onward connections across Air India’s domestic network as well as international routes, including destinations in the United Kingdom and Europe.

Strengthening connectivity with Japan, the airline will also launch non-stop flights between Mumbai and Tokyo (Haneda). The service will operate four times a week using Air India’s Boeing 787-8 aircraft. The new Mumbai route will complement the airline’s existing Delhi - Tokyo (Haneda) flights.

Recently, Air India increased the frequency on the Delhi - Tokyo route from four weekly flights to daily services. From 14 February 2026, the airline also upgraded the route with its Boeing 787-9 aircraft, introducing Premium Economy for the first time along with enhanced cabin interiors and onboard experience.

Passengers travelling to Japan can now enjoy upgraded inflight entertainment systems, WiFi connectivity, and refreshed meal and beverage selections. Air India also maintains a codeshare partnership with fellow Star Alliance member airline All Nippon Airways (ANA), offering onward connections from Tokyo Haneda to cities such as Fukuoka, Hiroshima, Nagoya, Okinawa, Osaka, and Sapporo.

Speaking about the expansion, Nipun Aggarwal, Chief Commercial Officer, Air India, said: “Since Air India’s privatisation, we have significantly grown our network across Southeast Asia and the Far East, having added several new routes, optimised flight schedules to enable convenient cross-continent connections, forged new partnerships with other carriers, and deploying upgraded cabin products progressively.”

He added: “Japan and Vietnam have both emerged as fast-growing destinations for Indian travellers, while India’s economic and commercial ties with both nations continue to deepen and present more opportunities for business and trade on both sides. The launch of these new routes supports this growth and strengthens our presence in the region.”

According to the Japan National Tourism Organisation, more than 3,15,000 Indian travellers visited Japan in 2025, marking a 35% increase compared to 2024 and nearly 80% growth from pre-pandemic levels. Vietnam is also gaining popularity among leisure travellers and corporate groups, particularly for tourism and MICE activities, with the country welcoming over 20 million visitors in 2025.

The Delhi - Hanoi flights will begin from 01 May 2026 and the Mumbai - Tokyo (Haneda) services will start from 15 June 2026. Bookings will gradually open across all channels, including Air India’s official website, mobile app, and travel agents.

Emirates has begun gradually restoring its flight operations following the partial reopening of regional airspace. For now, the airline is running a reduced schedule while working towards bringing its entire network back to normal operations over the coming days, depending on airspace availability and operational requirements.

Safety remains the airline’s top priority as it continues to manage the situation while ensuring the wellbeing of passengers and staff. Despite the temporary adjustments, Emirates has maintained steady operations and connectivity across several international destinations.

On 6 March, the airline carried close to 30,000 passengers departing from Dubai. By 7 March, Emirates expects to operate 106 return flights daily to 83 destinations, which represents nearly 60 percent of its global route network.

The airline has also increased capacity in a few high-demand regions. In the United Kingdom, Emirates will run 11 daily flights across five airports by 7 March, reflecting strong travel demand between the UAE and the UK.

India remains a key market for the airline, with Emirates expanding its services to 22 daily flights by 7 March. These flights will connect all nine of its Indian gateways, helping maintain steady connectivity between India and Dubai.

In the United States, Emirates continues to operate flights to seven of its American gateways, ensuring that passengers travelling between the US and the UAE still have reliable options during this period.

Flights to these destinations are currently operating, and customers can check availability and make bookings through the airline’s official website. Emirates has also stated that passengers with earlier bookings will be given priority during this period. Customers are advised to travel to the airport only if they hold a confirmed booking.

The airline is closely monitoring developments and will continue to adjust its operations as required. Passengers are encouraged to regularly check emirates.com and the airline’s official social media channels for the latest updates.