2PAXfly
WEEKLY REVIEW: Sunday 26 July, 2026
Hello travellers, Greetings from Sydney! I’ve had a very comforting week at home. The first few instalments of the Oh Canada! Trip reports have started dropping, including my experience checking in at the Qantas First Counter in Sydney and my flight on a Dreamliner to Vancouver. What happened last week? Qantas has...
2PAXfly
QANTAS: Project Sunrise A350 reaches Melbourne Australia after 19-hour test flight
Qantas’ Project Sunrise aircraft has touched Australian soil for the first time, completing a marathon non-stop test flight from Toulouse to Melbourne. The specially modified Airbus A350-1000ULR landed at Melbourne Airport at about 10.46am on Friday, 24 July, after spending 19 hours and 13 minutes in the air. The aircraft...
Wild About Travel
Fargo: Wide, Weird, and Way Better Than You Think
I came expecting a dull, drive-through prairie city. I was wrong. Most visitors know “Fargo” from the 1996 movie and TV series about crime and weirdness. I also need to add that I watched a second, much less well-known 2014 movie, Kumiko, the Treasure Hunter, very loosely based on a...
2PAXfly
ALTURA AIRLINES: Majority Indigenous-owned carrier launches from Perth
Australia has another airline name in its skies. You won’t find Altura Airlines appearing beside Qantas or Virgin Australia when searching for your next Perth flight. The new majority Indigenous-owned carrier commenced operations from Perth on Tuesday, 21 July 2026. Its initial focus is charter flying for mining, energy, infrastructure...
Also on BoardingArea
Frequent Miler
Last Chance Deals: 4 transfer bonuses, increased Hilton card offers, many Amex Offers, & more
Welcome to our weekly list of what’s ending this week as well as a collection of some other deals that are due to end soon. Friday is the last day of the month, so there are lots of deals ending this week. That includes transfer bonuses to Virgin Atlantic, Frontier, IHG,...
Points With a Crew
I may have found the worst Priority Pass lounge in the United States
A lounge with literally NO food options at all? I think that makes it the worst Priority Pass lounge in the United States, and maybe even the world...
The Gate with Brian Cohen
What Is Wrong With This Photograph? Part 363
Smyrna Inn in Georgia is currently an independent form of lodging that used to be part of the Knights Inn brand, which was once part of Wyndham Hotels before it was sold to Red Lion Hotels Corporation for approximately $27 million, which then became a part of Sonesta International Hotels Corporation on...
2PAXfly
WEEKLY REVIEW: Sunday 26 July, 2026
Hello travellers, Greetings from Sydney! I’ve had a very comforting week at home. The first few instalments of the Oh Canada! Trip reports have started dropping, including my experience checking in at the Qantas First Counter in Sydney and my flight on a Dreamliner to Vancouver. What happened last week? Qantas has...
The Bulkhead Seat
2026 Weekly Review: July 25th
Greetings from Chicago! I spent some time in Boston this week and am back…
Frequent Miler
How to pack for travel in “modest” cultures (A Carrie commentary)
There are many parts of the world where dressing “modestly” feels most comfortable (for me anyway) for both trying to be respectful of cultural norms but also for just existing more comfortably without attracting excess attention. Especially in places where foreigners are still quite a spectacle, I do what I...
Your Mileage May Vary
Ever Notice How Many U.S. Hotels Are Owned By Indian-Americans? Here’s Why.
If you’ve traveled around the United States for any length of time, you’ve probably noticed something. A surprising number of hotels and motels—especially smaller properties and roadside inns—are owned by…
View from the Wing
Amex Told Investors Platinum Is Its Fastest-Growing U.S. Card — But Benefit Costs Ballooned 50%
American Express told investors that Platinum is now its fastest-growing U.S. consumer card, helping drive spending growth even as the annual fee rises to $895. But the earnings call also showed how expensive that success has become, with cardmember services costs surging 50% as Amex pours money into credits, lounges,...
One Mile at a Time
Weekly Review: July 25, 2026
I hope everyone is having a nice weekend so far! We’ve just wrapping up a cruise on Four Seasons Yachts, which has been quite the experience, so I’ll have some initial impressions on that shortly. After that, I continue my journey to Saudi Arabia, flying Saudia and Riyadh Air, which...
Points With a Crew
Don’t you DARE try to check in at 6 pm
Oh yeah? You're going to try to check in at 6pm? Not on MY watch mister!
Your Mileage May Vary
This Is (One Of) Our Most Favorite Thing(s) In New Orleans
There are plenty of places in New Orleans where you can hear live music. Preservation Hall is different. Sitting inside that small room, only a few feet from the musicians,…
Economy Class & Beyond
Last Week at Econony Class and Beyond (25th July)
It’s that time of the week again – we’ve hit the end of the week and almost the end of July. But it’s time to look back at a week at Economy Class and Beyond. Even after in passing, Ozzy Ozborne can’t be held down. Celebrating the first Ozzy Day,...
Miles To Memories
Look Beyond Loyalty Programs – Those Other Ways I Save While Traveling
Using loyalty program points is the primary method many use to save while traveling, but so many other options exist.
View from the Wing
American Airlines Finally Lets Customers Choose Refunds During Cancellation, But Still Nudges Them Toward Credits
American Airlines now lets customers choose a cash refund during the cancellation flow for refundable tickets, instead of canceling first and requesting money back separately. But the airline still pitches instant travel credits, which can expire, as the faster option.
The Bulkhead Seat
Airplane Seat-Swapping Etiquette: Why Cursing Someone Out Is the Fastest Way to Lose
One Mile at a Time shared tips on airplane seat-swapping etiquette this morning and…
Your Mileage May Vary
Flying With Medication? How To Avoid Airport Security Problems In The U.S. & Abroad
Most travelers know about airport security’s famous liquids rule. In the United States, it’s TSA’s 3-1-1 rule. Many other countries have similar restrictions, limiting how much liquid you can bring…
Paddle Your Own Kanoo
Keep it Classy, American Airlines: Flight Attendants Use Scraps of Paper to Stop Sunshine Blazing Through Windows After Dreamliner Malfunction
American Airlines is developing a bit of a reputation for the state some of its planes have been allowed to get into: Nothing dangerous, of course, but cosmetic issues like broken tray tables, seats that won’t recline, non-functioning in-flight entertainment, and worn-out cabins do little to convince passengers that American...
Miles To Memories
Chase Shutdown Wave, Amex Drops Removes OG Card For Sign Ups & Hawaiian Airlines Is Getting A Glow Up
In our Around the Web series we take a look at interesting articles that cover miles, points, travel and personal finance.
Points With a Crew
17 Tech and Travel Deals at Amazon For This Weekend
Some decent Amazon weekend deals on travel and tech gear going on this weekend, including headphones, luggage, locks, packing cubes and supplies, travel books and ...
Live and Let’s Fly
United Taunts Delta Over Its Costly Pacific Expansion And Struggling Hong Kong Flight
Delta Air Lines is rebuilding its Pacific network, but early financial data suggests the expansion may be expensive. A United Airlines executive is already taunting Delta over weak fares and empty seats, though declaring victory after one quarter would be very premature. United Taunts Delta Over Costly Pacific Expansion, But...
Point Me to the Plane
Take Virtual Tours of These Spectacular Libraries
Some of the most beautiful architecture in the world is found in libraries. Even if you can't see them in person, you can enjoy them through virtual tours.
One Mile at a Time
Airplane Seat Change Etiquette & Tips: What’s Appropriate, How Do You Ask?
Airplane seating arrangements can be complicated, especially when you’re traveling with others — some airlines charge to assign seats, some airlines don’t assign seats in advance, some people may book last minute and not be able to reserve seats together, etc.
Your Mileage May Vary
Which Frequent Flyer Program Has the Most Airline Partners?
Most frequent flyer programs let you redeem miles on their own airline, the other members of their alliance and perhaps a handful of additional partners. Aeroplan goes much further. Air…
View from the Wing
American Airlines Passengers Hit With $793 Surprise After Toddler Turns 2 Mid-Trip
A family says American Airlines forced them to buy a $793 walk-up ticket after their child turned two during the trip. The rule is real: once a child reaches their second birthday, they legally need their own seat. But there's nuance to this!
2PAXfly
TRIP REVIEW: Qantas B787-9 Dreamliner, QF75 Sydney to Vancouver in Business Class. Oh Canada!
This is the next post in my Oh Canada! Trip Report. I’ve covered the reason for this trip in the introductory post, as well as my check-in experience and the Qantas First Lounge pre-boarding experience. Now its time for the actual flight. This is my first time (I think) on...
2PAXfly
EMIRATES: A better headrest may be as good as Economy seat innovation gets
Emirates has unveiled a new Economy Class headrest designed to stop passengers’ heads rolling sideways while they attempt the unlikely feat of sleeping upright. Called the U-Dream, the adjustable headrest folds around the passenger’s head and neck, rather like a built-in travel pillow. It may prove genuinely useful. It also...
2PAXfly
WESTERN SYDNEY AIRPORT: First international passenger flights 100 days away
Western Sydney International Airport (WSI) will welcome its first overseas passenger flight on Monday, 26 October 2026, when an Air New Zealand Airbus arrives from Auckland. The same aircraft will then operate the first scheduled international passenger departure from the new airport, returning across the Tasman later that morning. Western...
Wild About Travel
Why Working From Cafés Around the World Reveals So Much About Culture
I just spent two hours in a café in Đà Nẵng, Vietnam, and ended up observing how differently cafés work here compared to other places. People were happily shouting to each other across the room, kids running and dancing and playing games or videos on their phones. One group took...
2PAXfly
WEEKLY REVIEW: Sunday 19 July, 2026
Hello travellers, Greetings from Adelaide! I’m here visiting family and friends. It’s the second of two short domestic trips this week. The previous one was to Canberra to view the Arthur Boyd tapestries at the National Gallery of Australia, where I also sampled the Virgin Australia Lounge. What happened last...
2PAXfly
CATHAY PACIFIC: Adelaide to Hong Kong flights return for summer
Cathay Pacific will return to Adelaide for another Southern Hemisphere summer season, this time offering up to five weekly non-stop flights to Hong Kong during the busiest holiday months. The service will operate from 10 November 2026 until 27 March 2027. There will be three flights each week during November...
2PAXfly
LOUNGE REVIEW: Canberra Virgin Australia Lounge
I just had my first experience of the Canberra Virgin Australia Lounge. Yesterday, I spent time in Canberra seeing the Arthur Boyd tapestries at the National Gallery of Australia and the John Brack and Noel McKenna exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery. I had one of those lingering credits with...
2PAXfly
UNITED AIRLINES: WTF! Adds European Business class rows to 321XLRs
Oddly, that is not how United Airlines is promoting this ‘innovation’. They are adding the curse of European Business Class blocked-off centre seats. British Airways call this arrangement ‘Club Europe’. United is promoting it as ‘Economy Plus Seats with Extra Elbow Room. They should hang their heads in shame! A321XLR...