{"id":276751,"date":"2026-09-05T12:00:53","date_gmt":"2026-09-05T12:00:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/?p=276751\/"},"modified":"2026-09-05T05:51:31","modified_gmt":"2026-09-05T05:51:31","slug":"travel-news-roundup-new-emirates-premium-economy-uniteds-upgraded-app-aeroplan-sweepstakes-and-more","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/news\/travel-news-roundup-september-5-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"Travel News Roundup: New Emirates Premium Economy, United’s Upgraded App, Aeroplan Sweepstakes, and More"},"content":{"rendered":"

We're officially in September, which means this week has been full of travel news. In the past few days, we've covered a ton of breaking news: Rove adding Copa Airlines as a transfer partner<\/a>, Carnival Cruise Line launching a new loyalty program<\/a>, and Southwest launching a new partnership with LOT Polish Airlines<\/a>\u00a0and announcing its first lounges<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Amongst all this exciting news, you might've missed other developments from the week. Here's everything you should know, from new partnerships to retired aircraft and everything in between.<\/p>\n

Emirates Announces New Premium Economy Seat<\/span><\/h2>\n

On September 3, Emirates unveiled its brand-new premium economy seat<\/a>, and we're impressed. According to the airline, it will be the world's first electrically powered premium economy seat with a full-height adjustable privacy screen between each seat.<\/p>\n

The new seats will debut on Emirates' new A350s, and will be configured in a 2-3-2 pattern with 28 seats in the cabin. While that means there will still be a middle seat, the privacy screens should help mitigate that annoyance as much as possible.<\/p>\n

Seats will be 20 inches wide with up to 39 inches of pitch. And perhaps the most exciting feature is that the seats will recline into a cradle position without impacting the row behind. This makes working, sleeping, or watching a movie a lot more comfortable.<\/p>\n

The seats will also feature the U-Dream headrest for additional neck and head support, a footrest, wireless charging (in addition to USB-C charging), a tray table with an integrated phone holder, 13.3-inch 4K HDR screens with enhanced aircraft camera views, and more.<\/p>\n

\"Emirates'
Credit: Emirates<\/em><\/enter><\/figure>\n

IHG \/ Air India Launch Partnership<\/span><\/h2>\n

IHG One Rewards<\/a> recently launched a partnership with Air India Maharaja Club<\/a>. You'll now be able to earn 2 Maharaja points per $1 spent at IHG Hotels worldwide. Air India joins an already long list of IHG partners, including major airlines from Delta to Emirates.<\/p>\n

Under this partnership, you'll also be able to convert 1,000 IHG One Rewards points into 200 Maharaja points. However, we don't recommend doing so. A 5:1 transfer ratio is generally not the best way to get value from your hotel rewards.<\/p>\n

\"IHG
Screenshot of IHG<\/em><\/enter><\/figure>\n

Earn 100,000 Bonus Aeroplan Points With Starbucks<\/span><\/h2>\n

How would you like to win 100,000 bonus Air Canada Aeroplan points<\/a>? Unfortunately, this promotion is limited to our friends in Canada. However, if you are a Canadian resident, you can participate in the Starbucks and Air Canada Sip-Tember to Remember promotion<\/a>.<\/p>\n

First, link your Starbucks and Aeroplan accounts to join the promotion. If you don't already have a Starbucks account, you can create one while linking to earn 500 bonus Aeroplan points after your first purchase within seven days.<\/p>\n

Then, each week of September, you can complete tasks to earn bonus Aeroplan points and an entry into the sweepstakes:<\/p>\n