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...
2PAXfly
QANTAS: introduces confirmed upgrades with cash
Qantas has added a new way to upgrade your seat that takes the element of chance out. Confirmed Upgrades is a fixed-price cash upgrade offer for selected passengers on selected Qantas flights, with confirmation (or not) within half a day. This becomes the third form of upgrade you can use...
2PAXfly
WESTERN SYDNEY AIRPORT: Finally an opening date, and Jetstar gets first dibs
Western Sydney International Airport will welcome its first paying passengers on Sunday, 25 October 2026, with Jetstar being the first commercial passenger carrier off the tarmac. The inaugural flight from Western Sydney International, officially the Nancy-Bird Walton Airport and known by the code WSI, will be a Jetstar flight, JQ362,...
Also on BoardingArea
Paddle Your Own Kanoo
What Were They Thinking? TSA Discovers Replica Pipe Bomb in Passenger’s Carry-On Luggage
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) stopped a passenger from taking a replica pipe bomb on an airplane earlier this week after the person packed the “realistic” looking replica in their carry-on bag at the Rickenbacker International Airport in Columbus on June 8. As the carry-on bag went through the X-ray...
One Mile at a Time
Clueless American Vlogger Vows To Boycott “Third World” Spain Over Volotea Boarding Pass Fee
It’s really sad when I’m siding with an ultra low cost carrier that has a bunch of punitive fees over a traveler, but that’s exactly how I feel here. I don’t get why people can’t understand that laws and social norms differ around the globe… especially from an experienced traveler...
View from the Wing
Airlines Aren’t Ignoring A Faster Way To Board Planes. They’ve Tested It, And It Fails
Airlines have tested the internet’s favorite “faster” airplane boarding methods, but they break down in the real world. Families, late arrivals, overhead bin battles, credit card economics, and passengers getting back into the aisle all ruin the math.
Paddle Your Own Kanoo
JetBlue Passenger Captures Video of Rodent Stowaway Scurrying Inside Light Bar in Overhead Bin
A JetBlue passenger was in for a nasty surprise during a recent flight when she looked up to see the shadow of a rat scurrying inside the light fixture running along the bottom of the overhead bin. “You can’t make this s**t up! Our first class [flight] with JetBlue had a rat....
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...
Live and Let’s Fly
Saudi Arabia Blinked On Its Giga-Tourism Projects
Saudi Arabia is pulling back government money from NEOM and its Red Sea resorts, redirecting Vision 2030 toward AI. The tourism moonshot is being scaled down.
One Mile at a Time
Eek: Rat Hitches Ride In JetBlue Mint, Puts On Show In Overhead Lighting
While this is no doubt an unpleasant discovery, stuff like this does happen…
One Mile at a Time
Kudos: United MileagePlus’ Miles Pooling Feature Gets Even Better
In 2024, the United MileagePlus program introduced a great feature, letting members pool their miles. This initially came with some major restrictions, and we’ve just seen the most limiting of those lifted. That’s something to be excited about.
One Mile at a Time
Uh Oh: Amex Resy Credit Changes Coming To Gold & Platinum Card?
This could be a major devaluation, or it could have limited implications… we’ll find out soon.
PointsMath
Buy Lufthansa Miles & More Miles with a 50% Bonus [1.39¢/Mile]
Lufthansa is a member of the Star Alliance. Its frequent flyer program is Miles & More. Although its miles are among the most difficult to earn worldwide, one of the easiest ways to earn them is to purchase Lufthansa Miles now with a 50% bonus; however, this promotion is available...
Frequent Miler
Last Chance Deals: 3 airline shopping portal promos, 2X Southwest points, Carnival Amex Offer, & 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. There are deals ending nearly every day this week. That includes three different airline shopping portal promotions that can earn you up to 1,750 bonus miles/points...
Points With a Crew
Which Delta American Express card Is Best? (New Welcome Offers Up to 125,000 SkyMiles)
5 of the Delta American Express cards are all all offering increased sign-up bonuses, including some of the highest that I've ever seen! You can get up to 95,000 Skymiles as a welcome offer by ...
The Bulkhead Seat
2026 Weekly Review: June 13th
Greetings from 35,000 feet! I’m flying from Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) to Tampa…
The Gate with Brian Cohen
What Is Wrong With This Photograph? Part 357
This photograph was taken while I was in the elevator at the Spark by Hilton Montreal Midtown Québec Canada hotel property, of which you can read about my experience in this article. For this edition of this popular game, can you guess what...
Frequent Miler
Hidden gem island destinations that lack crowds but still have things to do (A Carrie commentary)
In our recent Ask Us Anything, someone asked about “virtually undiscovered islands”. That word “undiscovered” tripped us up a bit, but the questioner’s qualifications were much more approachable. What they really wanted to know was which island destinations we would recommend that “lack the crowds but still have things to...
Your Mileage May Vary
How To Get From JFK Airport to Manhattan Via AirTrain & Subway
Taking the subway from JFK Airport to Manhattan is by far the most economical option available. It’s reliable, relatively straightforward, and avoids the unpredictable traffic that often plagues taxis and…
The Bulkhead Seat
EU Updates Air Passenger Rights, Leaves Compensation Intact
After years of debate, negotiations, and lobbying from both airlines and passenger advocacy groups,…
Eye of the Flyer
San Diego to Dubai Status Run — Earn $4,428 Delta MQD for ~$2,265
A KLM Premium Economy run from San Diego to Dubai is producing an estimated $4,428 Delta MQD for around $2,265 — nearly 2X return on your airfare investment, with Million Miler miles on top. There's a mixed-cabin wrinkle on the domestic legs worth understanding before you book.
View from the Wing
Jose Canseco Calls Amex Platinum A Scam. Closing The Card Can Cost You All Your Points
Jose Canseco says the American Express Platinum Card is a scam after closing his account, but the bigger warning is what can happen to Membership Rewards points. In most states, closing your last Membership Rewards card can mean losing all remaining points immediately.
One Mile at a Time
Weekly Review: June 13, 2026
I hope everyone is having a nice weekend so far! As you can tell, it was a very quiet day here at OMAAT. We just flew to Europe with both of our sons for the first time, which was quite the adventure. On the plus side, our kids did so...
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...
Your Mileage May Vary
Almost Every U.S. Airport Is Government-Owned—Except One
Most travelers probably assume airports are privately owned. After all, they’re packed with airlines, restaurants, shops, parking garages, and enough economic activity to rival a small city. But in the…
Miles To Memories
End of an Era? An Amex Card Terms Change to Monitor Moving Forward
Certain Delta Gold American Express card terms have recently changed, and it may be a clue to Amex's possible future plans.
The Gate with Brian Cohen
Tru by Hilton Oshawa. Hotel Review.
We stopped for the night at Tru by Hilton Oshawa on our way from Ottawa to Niagara Falls. This hotel property opened to guests in October of 2025, as it was constructed from the ground up as a new building. The hotel property is comprised of 79 rooms. I compared...
Wild About Travel
draft Kalogorlei ourback tnwn
I almost came to Kalgoorlie decades ago but never made it. I have travelled across Western Australia’s 2,527,013 square kilometres (975,685 sq mi), from Esperance in the south to Wyndham in the north, and through many towns, beaches, deserts, and mountain ranges in between. I love the state. Kalgoorlie remained...
2PAXfly
RIYADH AIR: New aviation deal with Saudi Arabia puts passennger flight on Australia’s horizon
Saudi Arabia has signed a new aviation agreement with Australia, opening the way for direct flights into Avalon in Victoria and Toowoomba Wellcamp in Queensland. The first flights are likely to be freight, chilled meat, seafood and dairy and not business class suites. But this raises the possiblity that Riyadh...
2PAXfly
RIYADH AIR: Initial destinations and flight schedule
We finally have the launch schedules and first five destinations for the long-awaited launch of Saudi Arabia’s Riyadh Air. Launch pricing is intriguing rather than sensational, but at least any travellers on these flights will get the full Riyadh experience in Riyadh Air’s fully kitted-out cabins. But don’t expect an...
2PAXfly
INDONESIA: Bali giveth to Australians, and taketh away from influencers
Bali is preparing to make holidays cheaper for Australians by restoring visa-free entry. At the same time, Indonesian immigration authorities are making life more complicated for influencers, content creators and assorted digital nomads by requiring them to obtain work visas. No longer will they be able to treat a tourist...
2PAXfly
QANTAS: Taj hotel discounts for frequent flyers, with future status match
OneWorld executives have been busy. Qantas frequent flyers can now receive discounts at more than 630 Taj and Indian Hotels Company properties, under a new partnership linking the Oneworld airline alliance with the Taj InnerCircle–NeuPass loyalty program. The agreement stretches beyond Taj’s grand palaces and luxury hotels to include everything...
2PAXfly
ONEWORLD: Philippine Airlines is joining, and that’s good news for Australian travellers
Philippine Airlines (PAL) is preparing to join the oneworld alliance, bringing a Southeast Asian carrier into the same airline family as Qantas. The Philippine flag carrier has signed a Memorandum of Understanding to become oneworld’s 16th member, following an invitation from the alliance’s governing board. The announcement was made at...
2PAXfly
QANTAS: Looking at Superjumbo A380 replacement
Qantas is reportedly considering an order for about 20 additional widebody aircraft, potentially setting up another contest between Airbus and Boeing for a large slice of the airline’s international fleet. According to Reuters aviation correspondent Tim Hepher, Qantas is discussing either additional Boeing 787 Dreamliners or the Airbus A350-900 with...
2PAXfly
WEEKLY REVIEW: Sunday 7 June, 2027
Greetings again from Canada! I’ve spent just shy of a week in the Canadian capital, Ottawa. I’ve also had my first experience of Air Canada, and its Express and Rouge brands. I’m impressed on the whole with their Business Class. Less so by their lounges. What happened last week? Don’t...