2PAXfly
WEEKLY REVIEW: Sunday, 15 February, 2026
Hope your weekend and Valentine’s Day celebrations have been as satisfying as mine. Below is a summary of the stories that appeared in the 2PAXfly blog over the last week. ETHIOPIAN AIRLINES: Launches flights to Melbourne, Australia in 2028 By 2paxfly on 14 Feb 2026 11:00 amEthiopian Airlines, a Star...
2PAXfly
ETHIOPIAN AIRLINES: Launches flights to Melbourne, Australia in 2028
Ethiopian Airlines, Star Alliance member and Africa’s largest airline, is reported as having confirmed it is targeting 2028 for its Australian debut. Group CEO Mesfin Tasew says the carrier will need roughly two years to secure the wide-body aircraft required for the ultra-long-haul mission to Australia’s east coast. “We will...
Wild About Travel
Chasing Frequent Flyer Status in a Stacked System
For context: I’m a frequent flyer who maintains status across multiple programs: primarily Virgin Australia Platinum, Qantas Platinum, and Star Alliance Gold. This isn’t unique. Many frequent flyers play multiple programs to maximise coverage and benefits. Are you one of them? Virgin Australia has been one of my “main homes”...
2PAXfly
WESTERN SYDNEY INTERNATIONAL: Preparing of passenger takeoff in October 2026
After years of construction, political debate and plenty of scepticism, Western Sydney International (WSI) is preparing to open for passengers later this year. Cargo flights are expected to commence mid-year The airport, built at Badgerys Creek and designed to operate 24 hours a day without a curfew, is positioning itself...
Also on BoardingArea
a man with a nose ring and a black book
BoardingArea
‘I got scammed’: Man applies for a passport. But he’s going to Alaska?
man shares passport application process (l) US passport on hand (r)
PointsMath
Promotion Weekly February 2026 Second Edition
Here are the latest promotion weekly for the February 2026 Second Edition, covering airline miles and hotel points promotions, including opportunities to buy miles and points with bonuses & discount, book award flights for fewer miles, earn bonus miles and points, save on stays at major hotel chains, earn points...
PointsMath
Buy Flying Blue Miles with up to 45% discount [1.68¢/Mile]
Flying Blue is the miles currency of Air France and KLM, a SkyTeam Alliance member. If you’re short of miles, buying them can make sense. Buying Flying Blue Miles until 5 March 2026 can get you up to a 45% discount. These miles can also be used to book flying...
PointsMath
Virgin Atlantic Status Match Promotion for British Airways Members
Virgin Atlantic has a regular status match year-round and has now launched the “Save your tiers” promotion for British Airways elite members. Virgin Atlantic Status Match Promotion for British Airways Members Until 23 February, members of The British Airways Club can level up with an enhanced status match: However, at...
Live and Let’s Fly
United Airlines Adds Laurent-Perrier Rosé Champagne…But Only For One Day
Update: If You’re flying United Airlines in Polaris Business Class today, you can once again enjoy Laurent-Perrier Rosé Champagne in honor of Valentine’s Day. It’s nice to see United bring this back in 2026. Last year, United introduced Laurent-Perrier La Cuvée Champagne onboard its Polaris business class cabins, representing a...
Plane ‘n Simple
Delta Returns to Boeing Widebodies: Orders Up to 60 Dreamliners in Fleet Transformation
Delta Air Lines announced a major fleet expansion this week, placing its first ever direct order for Boeing 787 Dreamliners a strategic move that marks the airline’s return to Boeing for widebody aircraft after nearly two decades. Order Details: 30 Firm, 30 Options On January 13, 2026, Delta formalized an...
Frequent Miler
Last Chance Deals: Wyndham points sale, 50% off CardPointers, & 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. It’s a quieter time for expiring deals coming up this week, with only five offers due to end. That includes the latest sale on Wyndham points,...
Points With a Crew
Chase Ink Business Preferred® vs. Chase Ink Business Unlimited® – $750 or 90,000 points
The Chase Ink Preferred and Chase Ink Unlimited are two of Chase's business credit cards and they can both be great options to boost your Ultimate Rewards points balance. Deciding which one is best can depend on ...
The Bulkhead Seat
2026 Weekly Review: February 14th
Happy Valentine’s Day! Greetings from the St. Regis Cap Cana Resort. The property just… The post 2026 Weekly Review: February 14th appeared first on The Bulkhead Seat.
You Are Travel
Aer Lingus Launching Direct Service to Barbados
​tl;dr – Another route between the ‘Americas’ and Europe. ​Aer Lingus recently launched direct service to Barbados. The… The post Aer Lingus Launching Direct Service to Barbados appeared first on You Are Travel.
The Gate with Brian Cohen
What Is Wrong With This Photograph? Part 340
Peace Love and Pizza is a local chain of pizzerias that has eight locations in the northern suburbs of the greater Atlanta metropolitan area. Its theme was born out of love for everything cool and for “Rockin’ family experiences.” I enjoy their pizzas, as they are reminiscent of the pizzas...
One Mile at a Time
Malaysia Airlines’ Three-Hour Lounge Access Rule, With Puzzling Enforcement
I just had an interesting experience trying to access the Malaysia Airlines Golden Lounge at Kuala Lumpur International Airport, and I’m not sure what exactly to make of it, as I found the enforcement to be a bit odd.
Frequent Miler
LGA’s Capital One Landing Lounge, best and worst airlines for long hauls, take-home pillows on Qatar Airways business class, and trip-worthy food favorites (Saturday Selection)
Throughout the week, our team shares articles they’ve stumbled upon that may interest our readers, even if they might not otherwise merit a full post. Here are some of the posts we found interesting this week: LGA’s Capital One Landing Lounge, best and worst airlines for long hauls, take-home pillows...
Your Mileage May Vary
Why Some Planes Turn Red on FlightRadar24
Those red aircraft you occasionally see on FlightRadar24 usually signal an emergency squawk — here’s what that actually means. Flightradar24 is a Swedish internet-based service that shows real-time aircraft flight…
The Bulkhead Seat
Hotel Review: Hotel Effie Sandestin, Autograph Collection
We went to visit friends who have a winter home in Santa Rosa Beach,… The post Hotel Review: Hotel Effie Sandestin, Autograph Collection appeared first on The Bulkhead Seat.
One Mile at a Time
Malaysia Airlines’ Private Terminal Transfers: Delightfully Unnecessary
Malaysia Airlines offers what’s possibly the most unnecessary yet simultaneously lovely ground service to its premium passengers. I can’t make sense of why it’s offered, but I’m certainly not complaining! Let me first share some background, and then I’ll talk about my experience.
View from the Wing
Marriott Says No Elite Benefits On Third-Party Bookings—But I Got Them Anyway (Here’s How)
Marriott explicitly says you don't get elite perks or points when booking through third-party sites—but my recent stay proved reality isn't always that simple. Without even pushing, I casually asked if they had my Platinum number, and suddenly I had full lounge access, elite benefits, and points on a deeply...
The Gate with Brian Cohen
The Prawnster in Brisbane in Australia. Restaurant Review.
When I first learned about The Prawnster in Brisbane, it reminded me of a similar concept at which I dined in Cairns called Prawn Star after spending the day snorkeling out on the Great Barrier Reef. Differences do exist between the two dining concepts, which... The post The Prawnster in Brisbane...
One Mile at a Time
Weekly Review: February 14, 2026
I hope everyone is having a nice weekend so far, and happy Valentine’s Day to those who celebrate (and a happy Singles Awareness Day in advance to those who don’t). I’m in the middle of a review trip, so stay tuned for more live updates, as I’m doing a lot...
Economy Class & Beyond
Last Week at Economy Class and Beyond (14th February)
It’s the 14th February. For some, it’s time to bust out the credit card for flowers, chocolates and dinners. For here, it’s Saturday, the end of a week and a half. It must be time for Last Week at Economy Class and Beyond. My Heart Belongs in Birmingham by Jack...
Points With a Crew
The 8 most romantic cities in the world
Sure, Rome and Paris make the list of the most romantic cities in the world, but you'll be surprised to learn why lovers visit Prague on May 1st? Europe...
Your Mileage May Vary
Do You Need a Measles (MMR) Booster Before International Travel?
Before the measles vaccine was introduced in the 1960s, it’s estimated that 3 to 4 million people in the U.S. contracted the disease every year. Among reported cases, 400 to…
The Bulkhead Seat
Man Who Allegedly Crashed His Car Through Detroit Airport Has Now Been Arrested for Stalking
Last month, I wrote about a dramatic incident at Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport… The post Man Who Allegedly Crashed His Car Through Detroit Airport Has Now Been Arrested for Stalking appeared first on The Bulkhead Seat.
Miles To Memories
Yo, This New Disney Credit Card Doesn’t Suck
I took a look at the Chase Disney Inspire card even though I can't obtain it. But Disney fans who are eligible may want pick it up ASAP. The post Yo, This New Disney Credit Card Doesn’t Suck appeared first on Miles to Memories.
Wild About Travel
Terrific Turku, Finland’s Historical Capital. All You Need to Know
Turku is a low-key river city known for its university life and as a gateway to medieval Finland and the beautiful Turku Archipelago. Turku has tens of thousands of students across multiple universities and this creates a fun, youthful atmosphere. Quality‑of‑life index scores Turku slightly higher than Helsinki overall (Turku...
2PAXfly
QANTAS: I know when the next double status promotion is going to start.
Let’s start by confessing that the headline is a lie. No one knows when the promo will drop, except a small group within the Qantas promo team! What I am about to present is just speculation, some of which is my own, and some is drawn from the knowledge and...
2PAXfly
AUSTRALIA: Airlines claim passenger protections ‘unworkable’. Surprise!
Australia’s airlines are pushing back hard against the federal government’s proposed aviation consumer protections, warning the reforms are “unworkable”, confusing, and will push up airfares. Not very imaginative arguments, and ones that every consumer protection initiative has faced. What’s the government proposing? The government, led by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese,...
Wild About Travel
A Moomin Pilgrimage Through 80 Years of Finnish Magic
I just spent two amazing weeks in Finland, which remains one of my favourite countries in the world. This trip: Helsinki, Rovaniemi, and Turku. I’m still processing everything I experienced. The timber architecture of Rovaniemi, the frozen Baltic where ships should be, and now this: my Moomin pilgrimage across 80...
2PAXfly
WEEKLY REVIEW: Sunday, 8 February 2026
Hope your weekend has been as good as mine. Below is a summary of stories that appeared in the blog over the last week. QANTAS: Gets A321XLR configuration very wrong. Too few loos. By 2paxfly on 06 Feb 2026 12:17 pmWhen Qantas began introducing its new Airbus A321XLRs, the focus...
2PAXfly
QANTAS: Gets A321XLR configuration very wrong. Too few loos.
When Qantas began introducing its new Airbus A321XLRs, the focus was on longer range, larger overhead bins, and a more modern onboard experience. Instead, they got one incredibly basic thing wrong. It has become the talking point amongst passengers. That is, not enough toilets, or colloquially, ‘too few loos’. For...
2PAXfly
QANTAS: Refreshing 7 regional lounges after closure
If you rely on Qantas’ regional lounges for a quiet coffee, a power point and a bit of pre-flight calm, there’s good and bad news. Your lounge is likely being refreshed and may be closed for a few weeks. Qantas has been active on the lounge front, with the most...
2PAXfly
EUROPE: Carry on bags to become free on low-cost carriers
Budget carriers like easyJet, Ryanair and Wizz Air have built their ultra-low headline fares on optional extras, especially baggage fees. But now the European Parliament has taken a strong stance in favour of passengers being allowed to bring more on board for free — and it has triggered a fierce...