2PAXfly
QANTAS: Adds Economy Plus to Project Sunrise, but other seats will be Economy Minus
Qantas has previously promised to provide Economy passengers with greater legroom befitting these ultra-long Project Sunrise flights. Like the politicians it seeks to influence through its invitation, Chairman’s Lounge makes promises it doesn’t keep. A standard 33-inch pitch in Economy is one of those. Forthcoming non-stop flights from Sydney to...
2PAXfly
VIRGIN AUSTRALIA: New Canberra direct to Bali flights
These flights began on 22 July, so Canberrans can choose not to drive to Sydney Airport to make the domestic connection. Instead, they can fly direct from Canberra Airport to Denpasar in Bali. The new service is a meaningful win for travellers across the ACT, including residents of Batemans Bay,...
2PAXfly
QANTAS: Routes for Project Sunrise A350 before it heads to London
Qantas’ first Project Sunrise Airbus A350-1000ULR is due to arrive in April 2027, but the airline will be flying it around on domestic and short-haul international routes before that. Might be a chance to get a partial experience without the 20% premium on the Sydney to London route. ET is...
2PAXfly
QANTAS: A380 retirement to be brought forward?
Qantas may be preparing to bring forward the retirement of its Airbus A380 fleet, despite only completing the expensive restoration of all ten surviving superjumbos late last year. That is the central claim in a Rampart report by Joe Aston (paywall article), written after last week’s Qantas investor and media...
Also on BoardingArea
Economy Class & Beyond
Travelling by rail in the UK this week? Might not be the best of ideas
With it turning more Scorchio in the United Kingdom than not, Network Rail has put out travel advice for the next few days, with Rail passengers travelling to, from, or within extreme heat zones urged to only travel if absolutely necessary during the record heatwave. It is going to be...
Traveling For Miles
United flew its first Starlink-equipped transatlantic flight last night
United operated its first widebody transatlantic flight with Starlink Wi-Fi on board last night, when flight UA14 departed Newark for London on a Boeing 777-200. It was the first of United's widebody aircraft fitted with the satellite system to cross the Atlantic carrying paying passengers.
The Travel Sisters
Best Amazon Prime Day Travel & Luggage Deals
Looking for travel deals for Amazon Prime Day? We have put together our list of our favorite travel products which are currently on sale.
One Mile at a Time
How To Redeem Bilt Rewards Points For Best Value: Are They Worth Collecting?
Bilt is the rewards platform that potentially helps people earn rewards on their housing payments, whether paying rent or a mortgage. While a lot has changed about Bilt in recent times, there’s still value to be had for many, especially thanks to the Bilt rewards points currency. In this post,...
Frequent Miler
Amazon Prime Day gift card deals: Save 15%-20% on Amtrak, Hotels.com, Walgreens, PetSmart, & more
Amazon Prime Day kicked off today and is running through Friday. As always, it’s offering a 15%-20% discount on a wide range of gift card brands. While the selection isn’t quite as lucrative as some previous years, you can still get a good discount on gift cards for brands including...
Travel Codex
Portal Lounge at MSP: Finally, an Airport Lounge That Isn’t Boring
Airport lounges all too often follow the same tired formula: grab a snack, sip a drink, scroll your phone, repeat. Oh and probably answer an email or five. Portal Lounge at Minneapolis–Saint Paul (MSP) flips that script entirely and finally brings us a hybrid lounge with real activities, but also...
Live and Let’s Fly
Turkish Airlines Confirms Premium Economy Comeback, Reviving “Comfort Class” Era
UPDATE: Turkish Airlines has now confirmed that premium economy is coming back. Speaking to Skift, Turkish Airlines chairman Murat Şeker said, “We are going to have premium economy,” adding that the carrier is targeting the beginning of 2028 for the new cabin, with the product initially expected on Airbus A350...
Frequent Miler
Newegg: Buy $500 Southwest gift cards for $450 with promo code FTTF6927
Newegg is running another sale on Southwest gift cards, this time selling $500 denominations for $450 when using promo code FTTF6927. The Deal Buy $500 Southwest gift cards for $450 from Newegg when using promo code FTTF6927. Direct link to offer. Key Terms Expires June 23, 2026. Limit 2. Quick...
View from the Wing
Airlines Say State Sick Leave Laws For Flight Crews Could Delay Your Flight — The Supreme Court May Have To Settle It
Airlines are fighting state sick leave laws that apply to flight crews, arguing they can disrupt staffing, delay flights, and interfere with federally regulated airline service. A Michigan case is moving forward, courts are split around the country, and the fight over whether states can layer labor rules onto airline...
TravelUpdate
$0 Intro Annual Fee, Earn 100,000 Points & $100: Hilton Honors Card Review
With this limited time offer on the Hilton Honors card, you'll pay no intro annual fee, but also also earn 100,000 points and a $100 credit.
Traveling For Miles
Ending: Buy Marriott Bonvoy Points with a 30% discount (0.875 cents per point)
Since the last week of April, Marriott Bonvoy has been is running a points sale promotion in which it's offering members a 30% discount on the regular price of points for all purchases of just 2,000 points or more, so this could be a good opportunity to top up an account...
One Mile at a Time
Russia’s S7 Airlines Implements Strange Rule For Pilots Due To Too Many Hard Landings
S7 Airlines, one of Russia’s largest airlines, has just banned its first officers from landing planes at most airports, instead leaving that duty exclusively to captains. The issue seems to come down to too many hard landings, which are causing damage to aircraft. I can’t figure out if this is...
Points Miles and Bling
Asiana Airlines Leaving Star Alliance on December 16, 2026
Back in December 2025, we first learned that the long-anticipated merger between Asiana Airlines and Korean Air was moving toward…
Economy Class & Beyond
Asiana Airlines to exit Star Alliance in December 2026
With the merger between Korean Air and Asiana Airlines drawing closer to its conclusion, Asiana’s membership in Star Alliance will come to an end. Asiana Airlines will formally leave Star Alliance on December 16, 2026, 23:59 Korea Standard Time. The airline joined the Star Alliance in 2003, providing access to...
Eye of the Flyer
Ink Business Cash — Earn $1,000, No Annual Fee (Best Offer Yet)
The no-annual-fee Ink Business Cash just posted its biggest welcome offer ever — $1,000 back, or 100,000 Chase points. We break down the earning, the catch, and whether it's worth the $8,000 spend.
Traveling For Miles
Earn 8,000 Hyatt bonus points in 8 weeks. Hyatt’s dullest promotion ever? [Targeted?]
The World of Hyatt has launched a new promotion which may be targeted and which may be the most boring and unrewarding promotion the program has ever published.
Live and Let’s Fly
Qatar Airways Makes Avios More Secure, But Far Less Flexible
UPDATE: Qatar Airways’ new My List restrictions are now live. Privilege Club members can now create a personalized list of up to four other Privilege Club members for whom they may redeem Avios for award flights. Those members must be adults, must accept the invitation, and must remain on the...
One Mile at a Time
United Airlines’ Amazing Free Starlink Wi-Fi Rollout: 1,000 Planes By End Of 2026
United Airlines is making incredible progress introducing free Starlink Wi-Fi for MileagePlus members throughout its fleet. The airline has just shared an update regarding the rollout of this service, and the expectation is that 1,000 planes will have the service by the end of the year. To say that United...
2PAXfly
QANTAS: Adds Economy Plus to Project Sunrise, but other seats will be Economy Minus
Qantas has previously promised to provide Economy passengers with greater legroom befitting these ultra-long Project Sunrise flights. Like the politicians it seeks to influence through its invitation, Chairman’s Lounge makes promises it doesn’t keep. A standard 33-inch pitch in Economy is one of those. Forthcoming non-stop flights from Sydney to...
Live from a Lounge
Get 100% bonus on IHG points purchases
An IHG bonus points purchase promotion has been launched. Here are some examples of how booking hotels on points can save up to 50% on the cost of the stay.
Bald Thoughts
Asiana Airlines Leaving Star Alliance
If you’re a frequent flyer who’s been earning or burning miles through Star Alliance, here’s a heads-up worth bookmarking: Asiana Airlines is officially leaving the alliance on December 16, 2026. The Korean carrier announced it will formally depart Star Alliance at 23:59 Korea Standard Time on that date, ending a...
2PAXfly
VIRGIN AUSTRALIA: New Canberra direct to Bali flights
These flights began on 22 July, so Canberrans can choose not to drive to Sydney Airport to make the domestic connection. Instead, they can fly direct from Canberra Airport to Denpasar in Bali. The new service is a meaningful win for travellers across the ACT, including residents of Batemans Bay,...
One Mile at a Time
World Of Hyatt Summer 2026 Global Promo: Earn Up To 8K Bonus Points
World of Hyatt has has just opened registration for its newest global promotion, offering 2,000 bonus points after every two nights, for a total of up to 8,000 bonus points, but only starting with the second stay. On the plus side, we weren’t expecting a global promotion in summer, so...
The Bulkhead Seat
Alaska Airlines Drops Four Mexican Routes Ahead of Winter Season
Alaska Airlines is trimming its international network with four routes not set to return…
2PAXfly
WEEKLY REVIEW: Sunday 22 June, 2026
Greetings from Sydney! I’m back after three weeks in Canada. I’ve crossed the country from Vancouver on the west coast to St John’s in Newfoundland, I think the most easterly point. Unfortunately, it was a bit of a city visit rather than time spent in nature. Cities visited in no...
2PAXfly
VIRGIN AUSTRALIA: Extends COVID credits usage, but redemption date stays 30 June 2026
Virgin Australia has made a late concession on its COVID-era travel credits, extending the travel period for eligible credits issued between 21 April 2020 and 31 July 2022. Passengers still need to book by 30 June 2026, but they can now travel up to 27 May 2027. That is a...
2PAXfly
MIDDLE EAST: Australia eases travel warnings for key Gulf transit hubs
Australian travellers heading to Europe, the UK or Africa via the Middle East have been handed some qualified good news. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and the Smartraveller advice website have lowered advice for Bahrain, Israel, Kuwait, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates from Level 4, “Do...
2PAXfly
QANTAS: Project Sunrise announces first route, Sydney to London non-stop. Surprise, surprise!
CEO Vanessa Hudson just travelled to Airbus’ Toulouse headquarters to announce that London, from Sydney, would be the first Project Sunrise route, followed by New York. Is that really news? We knew it had to be an east coast departure, so that’s Sydney or Melbourne (Brisbane doesn’t have a First...
2PAXfly
TURKISH AIRLINES: Non-stop Australia flights delayed until 2027
Turkish Airlines’ promised non-stop flights between Istanbul and Australia have slipped again, with Sydney now expected by the end of 2027 and Melbourne pushed into 2028. That is the bad news. Turkish Airlines plans to fly a specially configured Airbus A350-1000, heavy on premium seats, fitted with the airline’s new...
2PAXfly
VIRGIN AUSTRALIA: biggest Boeing 737 is coming — eventually
Virgin Australia has put a date, of sorts, on the next stage of its fleet renewal. It expects to receive its first Boeing 737-10 in late 2027. That’s like more than 12 months away. The PR department must have been light on for stories to report for this to be...
2PAXfly
BOEING: Bird strikes, smoke and the cabin air problem that won’t go away
There are bird strikes. There are fume events. And then there are bird strikes that lead to smoke or oil mist entering the cockpit and/or cabin. That is the issue now ruffling feathers around Boeing’s 737 MAX, its LEAP-1B engines, and the regulators charged with deciding whether this is a...
2PAXfly
WEEKLY REVIEW: Sunday 14 June, 2026
Greetings from Canada (I’m still here)! I’ve actually spanned the continent and just spent some delightful days enduring the cold of Newfoundland. I’ve also seen puffins at Gull Island and whales out of Bay Bulls Harbour. Both of which were wonderful experiences. Arrival at Montreal, not so much, but they...