FLYING HIGH: AirAsia tops order books at Paris Air Show.  © Tim Martin

According to Airbus, AirAsia has ordered a total of 375 A320-series aircraft, including 89 already in service. The AirAsia deal was closely followed by Indian low-cost carrier IndiGo's order for 180 A320 and A320neo planes.

Cebu Pacific, Garuda Indonesia and Go Airlines also made commitments for another 127 A320-family planes during the air show. Airbus orders during the show topped 730 for all Airbus aircraft types, including the A330, A350 and A380.

Boeing reported orders for 142 aircraft across the Boeing family including the next generation 737, 767, 777, 787 and 747-8s. Customers include Malaysian Airlines, which placed and order for 10 737-800s at the show. Bombardier — the third-biggest aircraft manufacturer — also announced an order from Korean Air for up to 30 of its new CSeries aircraft.

Skytrax has named Qatar Airways as the World's Best Airline at its 2011 World Airline Awards in a ceremony held at the French Air and Space Museum, as part of the Paris Air Show. Singapore Airlines came second, followed by Asiana Airlines, Cathay Pacific and Thai Airways International. Over 18.8 million airline passengers voted in the World Airline Awards, which look at customer satisfaction levels across 38 different items of airline front-line products and services. Other award winners included AirAsia, named World's Best Low-Cost Airline and Dragonair for World's Best Regional Airline. All Nippon Airways collected the awards for the World's Best Airline Ground Services and the Staff Service Excellence Award for Asia.

Continental Airlines is to resume regular services between Sendai (SDJ) and Guam (GUM). Subject to government approval, twice-weekly flights are scheduled to start Oct. 2. Sendai Airport was damaged by Japan's March earthquake and tsunami and reopened on April 13. In partnership with the American Red Cross, United Continental Holdings is supporting the victims of the disaster. To date, cash donations from more than 23,000 customers and employees exceed USD 2.5 million; loyalty program members have donated more than 63 million air miles. United Airlines and Continental Airlines together operate 169 weekly flights to nine destinations in Japan.

Korean Air has launched a twice-weekly service between Seoul (INC) and Irkutsk (IKT) in Eastern Siberia. The carrier is using a two-class Boeing 737-800 aircraft seating 145 passengers. Situated at the border of Russia and Mongolia, Irkutsk is the largest city in Eastern Siberia and the economic and cultural centre of the Irkutsk Oblast region. Korean Air now serves five destinations in the Commonwealth of Independent States region including Moscow (SVO), Vladivostok (VVO), St. Petersburg (PIE) and Tashkent (TAS) in Uzbekistan.

Vietnam Airlines has confirmed it will commence direct flights to the United Kingdom in December. The airline said the first direct air link between the U.K. and Vietnam would be between London's Gatwick Airport (LGW) and either Hanoi (HAN) or Ho Chi Minh City (SGN). Vietnam Airlines currently flies to three European destinations — Paris (CDG), Frankfurt (FRA) and Moscow (SVO). Last year Vietnam Airlines became the first Southeast Asian airline to join the SkyTeam global airline alliance.

Air China has announced it will upgrade its business-class facilities on 16 Airbus A330-200s in the next few years. The revamp includes upgrading the seats to a 180-degree flat bed and improving the entertainment system. A Star Alliance member and China's national carrier, Air China's fleet of 280 Airbus and Boeing passenger aircraft currently service 276 routes and 6,900 flights with over 1.1 million seats every week.

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Accor is celebrating 20 years in Australia with a 20 percent room discount and prizes for guests who share their memories from the last 20 years. Accor has set up a website featuring a video of people sharing their happiest, saddest and most life changing moments over the past 20 years from the comfort of an Accor bed. Guests are invited to contribute to the blog. Those who share their reminiscences will receive an AUD 20 voucher to use during their next stay at an Accor hotel and will be entered into a lucky draw to win an additional AUD 200 Accor gift voucher. The anniversary rate is valid for stays from July 3 through Oct 4.

Leading restaurants and bistros are participating in the first Hong Kong Restaurant Week, July 11–17. The restaurant week concept launched in New York in 1998 and has since extended globally to become the world's biggest dining event — generating 300,000 reservations at over 2,000 participating restaurants. The event debuted in Shanghai and Singapore last year. Organised by DiningCity, Hong Kong Restaurant Week offers great-value-for-money three-course menus (HKD 158 for lunch and HKD 298 for dinner) at participating venues. Michelin-star restaurants will add HKD 100 for each star, so dinner at a 1-star restaurant will cost HKD 398. To make a reservation visit Restaurant Week Hong Kong.

Evason Phuket & Bon Island has a limited number of Phuket Raceweek packages available to spectators and competitors at special rates this July. Six Senses Phuket Raceweek is four days of international-standard yacht racing for a wide range of yachts — from the highly competitive top racers all the way to live-aboard cruisers and charter boats. Based at the Evason Phuket & Bon Island (part of the Six Senses group), Phuket Raceweek runs July 20–24.

Rhombus Hotels is running special promotions at its Hong Kong properties throughout the summer. At Hotel Panorama by Rhombus, rates start at HKD 1,398 for a superior gold room through to HKD 2,138 for an executive club room with a harbour view. Summer rates include a choice of complimentary buffet breakfast or lunch for one person and a daily dining voucher worth HKD 100. Across the harbour, Hotel LKF by Rhombus has a summer deal starting at HKD 2,088 for a G500 superior room through to HKD 2,388 for a G600 superior room. Rates include continental breakfast plus evening cocktails and hors d'oeuvres in Azure Restaurant Slash Bar.

The St. Regis Bangkok has launched a promotion that pairs an acclaimed Champagne with the award-winning new hotel. The St. Regis Bangkok Perfect Pairings by Krug promotion includes a minimum two nights' accommodation in any of the hotel's spectacular suites. Chose from the St. Regis Suite, Caroline Astor Suite or the John Jacob Suite. Upon arrival, guests will receive a complimentary bottle of Krug Grand Cuvée Champagne. Available through Dec. 31, rates for the St Regis Bangkok Perfect Pairings start from THB 29,000.