2PAXfly
QANTAS: Does Project Sunrise indicate a more premium, lower-volume international strategy, as Joe Aston says?
In an Australian Financial Review opinion piece over the weekend, Joe Aston, author of The Chairman’s Lounge: The inside story of how Qantas sold us out, argues that Qantas is changing its international strategy. His core argument is that Project Sunrise is not simply a new pair of ultra-long-haul routes:...
2PAXfly
WEEKLY REVIEW: SUNDAY 5 JULY, 2026
Hello travellers, We are finally home, although we have spent most of the week besieged by builders completing various aspects of our repairs and renovation. The dust has mainly settled and been cleaned away. As with all building work, there are still a few issues and complications to resolve. That...
2PAXfly
RIYADH AIR: What are reviewers’ first impressions
Saudi Arabia’s new flag carrier, Riyadh Air, has now carried its first paying passengers in its own Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners. The early verdict from critics is fairly consistent. Riyadh Air looks exceptionally good. It is serving food, drinks and attention at a level many established airlines would struggle to match....
2PAXfly
INDONESIA/WEST PAPUA: Pilot killed and aircraft burned in remote highlands attack
An American pilot flying one of the small aircraft that keep Indonesia’s remote Papuan highlands connected has been killed after his Pilatus PC-6 Porter was attacked and burned at an isolated airstrip. This tragedy highlights the perils of flying into disputed areas, amid political turmoil. Captain Nicholas F. Gosselin was...
Also on BoardingArea
One Mile at a Time
Delta Unbundles All Fares, And Basic Business Class Isn’t Called Delta One
Over time, we’ve seen the concept of ”basic economy” become pretty widespread, whereby the cheapest economy fares include the fewest perks. The purpose of this is twofold — to expand a carrier’s potential customer base, and to get existing customers to ”buy up” to a higher fare, in order to...
Paddle Your Own Kanoo
Air Canada Angers Francophones as it Appoints Non-Native French-Speaking Chief Executive
Air Canada has set itself on a collision course with proud Canadian francophones after the airline, based in the French-speaking city of Montreal in Quebec, announced that it was appointing another non-French speaker as its next chief executive. For context, Air Canada has been on the hunt for a new...
TravelUpdate
Review: SAS A320 Business Class (Intra-Europe)
Background & Booking During my last Europe Trip as part of one Premium Economy (SAS Plus) Ticket, my…
Miles To Memories
Delta Tells First Class Passengers – Ya Basic! 40% Off Southwest Flights & inKind Blocks Another Sweet Spot
In our Around the Web series we take a look at interesting articles that cover miles, points, travel and personal finance.
View from the Wing
British Airways Crew’s Barbados Drinking Bender Cancels Flight, Passengers Owed $165,000
British Airways canceled a Barbados–London flight after crew reportedly got drunk during their layover, leaving the airline short of legal staffing. Passengers are owed about $165,000 in UK261 compensation, plus meals and hotels.
The Gate with Brian Cohen
As Low As $344.93 to Iceland. Round Trip.
You could travel as a passenger between the United States and Iceland for as low as $344.93 round trip starting as soon as next month — if you act fast, as the deal was still available at the time this article was written, as members of Thrifty Traveler found out... ...but keep...
Traveling For Miles
Airlines status is more valuable now than it has been for years
As I've been considering my elite status plans for 2027 and thinking about how much I actually need a high level airline elite status (as opposed to how much I want that status), I've been paying especially close attention to what my Oneworld elite status gives me. A little surprisingly,...
Frequent Miler
$100 inKind gift card for $64.99 at Costco.com
Costco is once again offering a $100 inKind gift card for a discount, though this time around the price has dropped to $64.99. This could be a good deal if you have upcoming plans to dine at an inKind restaurant. You can also get 20% back on all food and beverage,...
Miles To Memories
Cheap Date Night! Save 35% on inKind Gift Cards at Costco
inKind is one of my favorite apps for savings at restaurants and with this inKind Costco gift card sale you can save 35% on your next meal.
One Mile at a Time
Wow: SAS CEO Anko Van Der Werff Quits, Will Become Next Air Canada CEO
Several weeks ago, we learned how Air Canada CEO Michael Rousseau would be ”retiring.” This followed the Air Canada accident at LaGuardia, where Rousseau was under fire in Quebec for his inability to speak French, a consistent theme of his tenure.
View from the Wing
Delta Just Made Business Class More Like Basic Economy With Fewer Perks, Same High Fares
Delta has rolled out Basic Business, Basic First, and Basic Premium Economy: cheaper-looking premium fares that strip away lounge access, seat assignments, flexibility, bags, and mileage earning without meaningfully lowering prices.
Live from a Lounge
American Express India brings back Spend-based Offers, with up to INR 30,000 worth of rewards on offer
Amex has rolled out new spend-based offers today. Valid for 45 days. Here is what you should know.
Frequent Miler
Newegg: Buy $500 Southwest gift card & get $50 Southwest gift card free
Newegg is running another sale on Southwest gift cards, this time giving $50 Southwest gift cards free when buying $500 Southwest gift cards. The Deal Buy $500 Southwest gift cards from Newegg & get $50 Southwest gift cards free. Direct link to offer. Key Terms Expires July 8, 2026. Limit...
One Mile at a Time
Apply For Chase Business Card With Sole Proprietorship: What To Know
Chase is known for its excellent business cards, which are among the most lucrative credit cards out there, in terms of their overall value proposition. The cards have excellent welcome bonuses, a great return on spending, and give you access to the Ultimate Rewards ecosystem.
Live and Let’s Fly
A Fresh Sandwich On SWISS (And Chocolate!)
For all the complaining we used to do about the free snacks and meals that airlines served in economy class, there are some things I certainly miss, like the sandwiches on SWISS shorthaul flights. Delicious Sandwich On SWSS Sometimes we don’t miss things until they are gone. For this week’s...
Paddle Your Own Kanoo
Yet Another British Airways Flight is Cancelled After the Cabin Crew Got So Drunk On a Luxury Layover, They Ended Up Being Suspended
A British Airways flight from Barbados to London Heathrow had to be cancelled at the last minute on Saturday afternoon after the airline rushed to stand down the entire crew of up to 10 flight attendants after staff at their luxury layover hotel complained of serious inappropriate and drunken behavior....
View from the Wing
One Emirates First Class Award Can Get You Two Suites, A Shower, And A Free Dubai Hotel
Emirates Skywards can let you combine the 777 “Game Changer” first class suite with the A380 shower suite on one award, adding a second long flight for fewer extra miles—and even a free Dubai hotel overnight.
TravelUpdate
New Hilton Property Offers Stunning Waterfront Views
This Hilton hotel also operates year-round, unlike many heavily seasonal Greek island resorts, limiting options outside peak summer months.
TravelUpdate
Amex Tightens Centurion Lounge Access Further: Changes Now Live
In response to some recent trends, American Express has further tightened rules that grant access to their Centurion Lounges globally
Traveling For Miles
Hilton is now taking bookings for the Hilton Key West Resort & Marina (reward nights from 72,000 points)
Hilton has opened up bookings for the Hilton Key West Resort & Marina on Stock Island, its twelfth property in the Florida Keys and its first "Hilton Resort" property in Key West. This is not a new build. This is the former independently run Ocean's Edge Resort & Marina, now...
Live and Let’s Fly
Boeing 737 Missing After Rapid Plunge Into Arabian Sea
A K2 Airways Boeing 737-400 freighter operating from Sharjah to Karachi has disappeared over the Arabian Sea after reporting a navigation problem, then making a series of violent altitude changes before radar contact was lost. Five crew members were onboard. K2 Airways Boeing 737 Freighter Missing After Plunging Into Arabian...
No Work All Travel
Hotel Review: Tokyo Bay Shiomi Prince Hotel
One Mile at a Time
Ugh: Boeing 737 Crashes In Arabian Sea, Plunges 35,000 Feet In Two Minutes
Late on Tuesday night, a Boeing 737 crashed into the Arabian Sea. There’s no such thing as a straightforward aviation accident, and the circumstances surrounding this are particularly strange — the pilots reported navigation issues, and moments later the plane start descending rapidly, only to then climb rapidly, before finally...
One Mile at a Time
Marriott Bonvoy Points Devaluation: Widespread Increase In Award Costs
In recent days, Marriott Bonvoy seems to have implemented a relatively mild but widespread devaluation of points, whereby we’ve seen the cost of award nights at a large percentage of properties increase. The devaluation is significant enough so that it’s probably meaningful for Marriott, but minimal enough so that the...
2PAXfly
VIRGIN AUSTRALIA: EconomyFlex fares gain free same-day Fly Ahead feature
For those whose business meetings end early and want to get back home sooner, Virgin Australia is extending its Fly Ahead feature to eligible domestic Economy Flex passengers. This allows them to move to an earlier flight on the same day without paying a change fee or fare difference. It...
2PAXfly
EMIRATES: New-generation lounges roll out globally, but Sydney is still waiting
Emirates is rolling out a new ‘signature’ lounge concept across its global network, beginning with Munich and Frankfurt and continuing to Manchester, Mauritius and Istanbul later this year. The airline says it will spend more than AED50 million (AU$20 million) on each next-generation lounge. That is a substantial sum. Passengers...
2PAXfly
QANTAS: COVID credit class action means more than a million customers will receive payout notices
More than one million Qantas customers are set to receive notices explaining how to claim compensation. These customers were issued flight credits, rather than refunds, for cancelled flights during the COVID-19 pandemic. Law firm Echo Law began contacting eligible customers on Monday, 29 June. This follows Qantas’ March settlement of...
2PAXfly
QANTAS: Flooding closes LAX First Lounge, premium dining moves next door
Qantas’ Los Angeles First Lounge has been temporarily closed by flooding, according to the Qantas Lounge page. That means the closure of one of the best overseas lounge experiences for premium passengers on the long trek to Australia. The airline has not set a reopening date on its lounge website....
2PAXfly
VIETJET: launching Australian airline to rival Qantas and Virgin
Vietnamese low-cost carrier VietJet is reportedly seeking the approvals needed to launch an Australian subsidiary, in a move that could create a new domestic competitor for Qantas, Jetstar and Virgin Australia. According to reporting by Ayesha de Kretser in the Australian Financial Review, VietJet has approached the Civil Aviation Safety...
2PAXfly
QANTAS: No First Lounge for London. Premier dining room instead
The original plan was to have a new First Class Lounge at London’s Terminal 3. It was to be ready for the debut of the Project Sunrise flights. Qantas has quietly shelved those plans, to the indignation of premium frequent flyers and passengers. Instead, the airline will refurbish and enlarge...
2PAXfly
CHINA AIRLINES: More flights to Australia from October, 2026
Taiwan’s China Airlines is increasing flights to Australia from late October, giving travellers more non-stop choices between Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Taipei. The headline act is Sydney, where China Airlines will lift its Taipei service to daily from 25 October 2026. Melbourne follows on 28 October with a fifth weekly...
2PAXfly
QANTAS: Lounge pass rules change from 1 July 2026
From Wednesday 1 July, Qantas will tighten the rules governing Complimentary Lounge Invitations, ending the long-standing ability to transfer a pass to any other Frequent Flyer member, regardless of whether they are travelling with you. If you have a stash of passes, you only have days to give them away!...