Flight Buzz
Singapore Airlines deepens commercial cooperation with Garuda Indonesia
Singapore Airlines has deepened commercial cooperation with Garuda Indonesia with the launch of joint sales of fare products, additional codeshare destinations, and reciprocal lounge access.
From August 2025, customers can book flights operated by both airlines for services between Singapore and Indonesia within a single itinerary, offering greater convenience, and a wider range of fare options for travellers.
The two carriers are also expanding their codeshare arrangement in August 2025 to offer customers more travel options between Indonesia and Singapore, and beyond. Garuda Indonesia customers will gain access to four additional SIA destinations – Bengaluru, Kolkata, and Delhi in India, as well as Male in the Maldives. SIA customers can connect to popular Garuda Indonesia flights from Denpasar to Labuan Bajo, as well as Jakarta to Labuan Bajo, Lombok, and Manado.
Customers continue to enjoy existing codeshare options on flights operated by both carriers between Singapore and Denpasar, Jakarta, and Surabaya in Indonesia, as well as SIA operated flights to London (Heathrow), the United Kingdom, and Mumbai, India.
From mid-August 2025, members of GarudaMiles and KrisFlyer frequent flyer programmes can enjoy reciprocal lounge access when travelling between Singapore and Denpasar, Jakarta, and Surabaya. This covers the Garuda Executive, KrisFlyer Gold, and the Business Class SilverKris lounges in Singapore and those destinations. Members can also earn and redeem miles on the new codeshare routes, under the frequent flyer partnership that was launched in February 2025.
SIA increased its flight frequency between Singapore and Jakarta to nine daily services in May 2025, up from eight. Subject to regulatory approval and operational considerations, Garuda Indonesia boosts its flight frequency between Jakarta and Singapore to seven daily flights in the fourth quarter of 2025, up from six, with plans to further increase its frequencies in the coming months.
“Garuda Indonesia is delighted with this strengthening of our partnership with Singapore Airlines, which reflects our shared commitment to delivering an enhanced and seamless travel experience for our customers,” Garuda Indonesia CEO and president, Wamildan Tsani, said.
“With broader connectivity and integrated services, this collaboration also serves as a platform to support stronger bilateral relations between Indonesia and Singapore.”
“This enhancement of our partnership with Garuda Indonesia offers tangible benefits to our customers through joint sales of fare products, additional codeshare destinations, and improved frequent flyer offerings,” Singapore Airlines chief executive officer, Goh Choon Phong, said.
“By working together, we are leveraging our combined strengths to enhance the customer experience and support the growth of air travel between Singapore and Indonesia, and beyond.”
A travel expert has revealed which plane seats are ‘baby magnets’.
Look, kids are great. They’re lovely, they’re cute and they can be a laugh. But when you’re travelling childless to go on holiday, it’s likely you don’t exactly hope to end up next to some screaming kids.
There are always those controversial comments being bandied about that there should be ‘child-free flights’ or that parents with children should be banned from business or first class.
And while that feels a bit extreme, there’s no denying that it can be tough to get some shut eye in the skies, hear the flight attendants or to properly enjoy your little mini bottle of alcohol when some kid is crying their eyes out nearby.
So, it could be worth taking on some of these tips to make your travels a little smoother if you want to try and get away from the kid zones.
I’d be fed up too. (Getty Stock)
According to the co-director of Cheap Deals Away, Dawn Morwood, it’s those seats right up front that are ‘baby magnets’.
I mean, let’s be honest, that’s an instant shame because those are the lovely extra legroom spots. But that extra space is also were airlines can install the little cots on the bulkhead wall, making them favoured real estate for passengers with babies.
“Bulkhead seats are where airlines place bassinets, so families with babies get priority booking for these rows,” Morwood explained to Femail.
“If you want peace and quiet, avoid the front section entirely.”
This differs from the usual tips to get seats near the front in order to be one of the first to get off the plane when it lands. So, I guess you’ve got to figure out your priorities on that one.
You can also avoid this trouble zone by checking out the more detailed seat maps before booking your preferred seats.
Some plane seats are located by walls for cots. (Getty Stock)
“Look for baby icons or bassinet symbols on the seat map – they’re your early warning system,” the travel expert pointed out.
“Some airlines even flag which rows have bassinets installed, so you can steer clear from the start.”
And just like you might have prioritised booking near the front, families often do the same for convenience meaning the seats nearer the back apparently tend to be quieter.
Morwood also recommends taking flights at more unusual hours as parents tend to ‘avoid flying with babies during antisocial hours’.
She added: “An 11pm departure or 6am red eye dramatically reduces your chances of sharing the cabin with crying infants.”
Well, enjoy your quiet flights lads.
Key Points
- Filling a reusable water bottle with ice before airport security is a TSA-approved hack that keeps water cold and avoids buying pricey bottled water.
- Once past security, you can fill your bottle at a water station, helping you stay refreshed and hydrated in-flight.
- Drinking plenty of water while flying supports circulation, reduces fatigue and jet lag, and minimized dehydration from the dry cabin.
If there’s one thing I never travel without, it’s a refillable water bottle. There is truly nothing I love more than ice cold water. There’s also nothing I hate more than having to buy water—especially in the airport where it’s particularly overpriced. (I’d rather spend my money on a cocktail at my destination!) While you can’t bring a bottle full of water through TSA airport security, as liquids are capped at 3.4 ounces, anything frozen solid passes through screening with ease. This means you can bring ice, which is why I always fill up my bottle with ice before heading to the airport.
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Why I Always Fill My Water Bottle With Ice
I only discovered you could take ice through TSA security a few years ago, and I haven’t left for the airport without first filling my YETI water bottle with ice (which keeps it frozen for hours) since. For me, this small hack makes a big difference in helping keep me hydrated on the go—particularly when flying.
Maybe I’m too much of a water critic, but I often find that lukewarm water from some refill stations can often taste a bit funky and just isn’t quite refreshing enough. When it’s extra cold though, it doesn’t seem to taste odd and quenches my thirst better. This helps me drink more water to keep up my hydration in the air.
Once you’re past the checkpoint, all you have to do is fill your bottle up at one of the many filtered water stations and breeze straight to your gate. Not only does traveling with a refillable bottle help keep you hydrated and feeling good in-flight, but it also saves you from spending $5 on a bottle from the newsstand and is more environmental and health-friendly as it helps cut down on drinking out of single-use plastic.
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Why Is Hydration Important When Flying?
Traveling with a reusable water bottle—whether filled with ice or not—is the best travel tip for staying hydrated when traveling. If you want to arrive at your destination feeling fresh and ready to take on your trip, staying hydrated during your travels (especially in the air) is key. It not only helps prevent dehydration in the drier environment of an airplane cabin, but is also beneficial for circulation when sitting for a long time and reducing fatigue, especially on longer flights.
What TSA Says About Frozen Carry-On Items
Any frozen liquids are allowed though security which could apply to more than plain ice…even grandma’s homemade soup. According to tsa.gov: “Frozen liquid items are allowed through the checkpoint as long as they are frozen solid when presented for screening. If frozen liquid items are partially melted, slushy, or have any liquid at the bottom of the container, they must meet 3-1-1 liquids requirements.”
Sunday, August 3, 2025
Havana, Cuba – Cuba’s regional air travel is getting a boost as Aerogaviota has resumed its full schedule of domestic flights. This is a big step forward in the island’s tourism comeback. Travelers, both local and international, can now reach Cuba’s famed attractions more easily thanks to improved air links to the country’s most popular hot spots.
Founded in 1994, Aerogaviota has been a dependable choice for flying within Cuba. As a member of the Gaviota Group, the island’s largest tourism and hotel management company, the airline keeps tourists and business visitors moving smoothly between cities. It operates a fleet of ATR 42-500 aircraft designed for short hops, linking Havana with regional cities and beach destinations.
Improving Connectivity to Top Tourist Destinations
With scheduled flights back on track, visitors can hop between Cuba’s hottest spots without hassle. New connections between Havana, Cayo Coco, Santiago de Cuba, and Manzanillo make it simple to explore the island’s vibrant culture and breathtaking nature, all in a single trip.
Havana – Cuba’s lively capital city is famous for its colorful colonial buildings, UNESCO World Heritage spots, and infectious street life. It is still the top draw for international visitors. With flights back on the schedule, getting to Havana is now faster. Travelers can dive straight into the city’s historic gems like Old Havana, the grand El Capitolio, and the breezy Malecon.
Cayo Coco – This small paradise is all about shimmering white sands and turquoise waters surrounded by all-inclusive resorts. Nature lovers flock here for the coral reefs and flamingos. Regular flights from Havana and other Cuban cities now make posting up on the beach even easier for those itching for a sun getaway.
Santiago de Cuba – The city where the Cuban revolution was born also dances to the beat of Afro-Cuban culture. Travelers who want to connect with the island’s deeper roots now benefit from resumed flights and can experience the lively music scene, historic fortresses, and colorful street life all in one trip.
Manzanillo – Tucked away in eastern Cuba, Manzanillo is perfect for those who want to step off the tourist trail. The new flight schedule opens the door to untouched beaches, stunning landscapes, and a slower pace. Visitors can discover Cuba’s wilder, less-commercialized side in a single, easy trip.
Aerogaviota is bringing resumed flights back to Cuba. This move helps you explore Cuba’s art, music, and history with fewer travel hurdles. By connecting island cities and must-see sites, Aerogaviota strengthens the tourism sector and helps regional economies that count on visitors to flourish.
Aerogaviota’s Fleet and Services
The airline flies a fleet of ATR 42-500 planes, perfect for short hops between Cuban cities. With roomy cabins and dependable performance, these planes keep you comfortable from takeoff to landing. Thanks to their ability to land at smaller airports, the ATR 42-500 fits right into Cuba’s map of regional air strips.
Beyond the main cities, Aerogaviota works to make your journey smoother. Here’s what you can expect:
- Fast Wi-Fi to keep business travelers and remote workers connected
- Espresso machines that brew a hot cup just when you need it
- Flexible workspaces that double as meeting rooms in the sky
- Urban Apothecary toiletries that add a hotel-like touch
These features blend speed, comfort, and practicality, whether you’re a visitor or a local. Aerogaviota’s focus on dependable service and on-time flights has made it a go-to choice for anyone traveling to and around Cuba.
Helping Cuba’s Tourism Come Back Stronger
Start-up airline routes are just one step in Cuba’s larger plan to bring back its tourism industry after COVID-19. The island’s white-sand beaches, colonial squares, lively music, and tropical forests have always drawn visitors, and now better flight schedules let travelers land and hop between its wonders with ease. Aerogaviota’s growing network connects Havana with smaller airports, making it a real partner in getting Cuba back onto travelers’ wish lists.
Building Tourism That Lasts
Cuba knows a vibrant tourism recovery must be smart. That’s why the government and industry leaders like Aerogaviota put sustainability front and center. New programs focus on valuing rainforests, backing local crafts, and protecting the island’s unique history. The goal is a tourism model that delivers visitors unforgettable experiences while making sure tomorrow’s travelers enjoy the same beauty and culture.
How to Book and Travel with Aerogaviota
If you want to discover Cuba’s best spots, booking with Aerogaviota is easy. You can secure your ticket through the airline’s official site or at any authorized travel agency. Aerogaviota lets you choose the booking method that suits you and keeps its flight schedules up-to-date online. Whether you’re a domestic traveler or visiting from abroad, Aerogaviota flights are now at your service. Look out for special promos encouraging people to explore Cuba even more.
To stay in the loop about new routes, ticket prices, and any deals, check the Aerogaviota website or get in touch with your local Cuban Ministry of Tourism office.
Conclusion: A Bright Future for Cuban Tourism
The return of Aerogaviota’s regular flights is a big boost for Cuban tourism. By linking airports across the island, the airline makes it easier for everyone tourists and locals alike to hop from one must see place to another. With a young fleet, budget-friendly prices, and a mission to show off Cuba’s charm, Aerogaviota is a key player in the island’s tourism comeback.
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