2PAXfly
VIRGIN AUSTRALIA: We had Economy X first, so there!
Yesterday, I wrote a post about the launch of Qantas’ new Economy Plus seats. Today, I write a post where Virgin Australia gives a less-than-subtle middle finger to the Qantas initiative, rightly claiming that they did it first with their Economy X seats. To top if off, they are offering...
2PAXfly
QANTAS: ‘Economy Plus’ now launched
Qantas has now launched its newest cabin product, and as of today, Monday 2 February, it’s available for booking. Economy Plus was first announced back in November 2025. The product, which provides four extra inches, increases the seat pitch at the front of the economy section from 30 to 34...
Wild About Travel
The Surreal Magic of Walking Where Ships Should Be: Helsinki in Winter
My Strava doesn’t lie. It shows me walking 300 metres across the water from Helsinki’s shoreline, just near Kaivopuisto in southern Helsinki, to the island of Harakka. In winter, Helsinki can spend weeks below zero Celsius, which means vast areas of the sea freeze into thick ice. The 7 metres...
2PAXfly
WEEKLY REVIEW: Sunday, 1 February 2026
Hope you are having a great weekend. Below is a summary of stories that appeared in the blog over the last week. QANTAS: Sydney to Sapporo, Japan flights doubled for next ski season By 2paxfly on 31 Jan 2026 12:35 pmThe international arm of Qantas has never been afraid of...
Also on BoardingArea
TravelUpdate
Qantas Launches Economy Plus
Qantas launches Economy Plus, their new extra legroom seat product in February 2026, aimed at giving flyers more…
Frequent Miler
Southwest offering limited-time Companion Pass once again
Southwest has once again returned with an opportunity for Rapid Rewards members to earn a limited-time Companion Pass. As is usually the case with these types of promotions, there are three key sets of dates to be aware of. The Deal Earn a limited-time Southwest Companion Pass by: Registering for...
The Bulkhead Seat
Porter Airlines Expands With New Flights to Boston, Miami, Nashville, and Phoenix
As I wrote about last week, Canada’s Porter Airlines is continuing its US expansion… The post Porter Airlines Expands With New Flights to Boston, Miami, Nashville, and Phoenix appeared first on The Bulkhead Seat.
PointsMath
Hyatt Bonus Journeys Offer: Earn up to 28K Points
Every year, Hyatt launches a global offer in February 2026, “Bonus Journeys”. All the World of Hyatt members can earn up to 21000 Bonus Points with the “Hyatt Bonus Journeys Offer”. For stays at Hyatt Place or Hyatt Select hotels, you can earn up to 7K Bonus Points. Here are...
One Mile at a Time
Book Aisle & Window Seat, Hope For Empty Middle: Smart, Rude, Or Both?
The single most in-demand ”asset” on an airplane is personal space, and there are all kinds of methods people use to try to maximize the amount of space they have. That includes trying to use strategies to maximize the odds of having an empty seat next to you.
Live and Let’s Fly
Alaska Airlines Bumped Paid First Class Passenger To Coach On 8-Hour Flight So Pilot Could Take His Seat
When airlines start bumping confirmed first class passengers on long flights, there is usually more to the story than a simple seat swap. But should a deadheading pilot be able to bump a first class passenger out of his seat, an incident that recently played out on Alaska Airlines? Alaska...
Points Miles and Bling
Elevated Offer – Earn up to 110k points with Marriott Bonvoy American Express cards (Canada)
A staple in every Canadian wallet, Marriott Bonvoy American Express cards now offer elevated welcome bonuses and a higher referral… The post Elevated Offer – Earn up to 110k points with Marriott Bonvoy American Express cards (Canada) appeared first on Points Miles and Bling.
Frequent Miler
(Update) Citi is still allowing product changes between AAdvantage and ThankYou point cards
Update 2/3/26: Last year, we started getting reports that it might no longer be possible to product change American Airlines credit cards issued by Citi to ThankYou points-earning cards. Although that might still be the case in some situations, it’s definitely not a hard and fast rule. Greg was able...
One Mile at a Time
Marriott Selling Bonvoy Points With 40% Bonus (0.89 Cents Each): Worth It?
Marriott Bonvoy has just launched its newest promotion on purchased points, which is also the program’s first such offer of the year. While it’s not for everyone, it has the potential to represent a good deal, so let’s go over the details.
Pointalize
Etihad Guest: The Complete Guide
With Amex devaluing Emirates transfers in 2026, Etihad Guest is your best 1:1 alternative. Learn the sweet spots, the critical 18-month expiry rule, and how to book.
Live and Let’s Fly
American Airlines CEO Says Flight Attendants Sleeping On Airport Floors “Comes With The Kind Of Business We Run,” Claims They’re Still Better Off Than United Employees
Speaking at an employee event last Thursday, American Airlines CEO Robert Isom acknowledged the operational meltdown AA experienced thanks to Winter Storm Fern, but seemed complacent with the fact that so many flight attendants had to sleep on airport floors and argued that they were still better off than United...
View from the Wing
American Airlines Sued Over Fatal 2025 Midair Collision — Even Though Government Admits It Was Their Fault
American Airlines is being sued over the deadly January 2025 midair collision near Reagan National Airport, despite the U.S. government already admitting liability for the crash involving an Army helicopter and an American Eagle regional jet. Plaintiffs argue the airline shares responsibility, even though American complied fully with federal safety...
The Gate with Brian Cohen
Save 15% on Airfares With Ethiopian Airlines
You can save 15% on airfares with Ethiopian Airlines to all destinations that are served by the airline on almost all international fares in both the economy class cabin and in the business class cabin for travel through Sunday, May 31, 2026... ...but you must... The post Save 15% on Airfares With...
Monkey Miles
2 new Hyatt Promotions – bonus journeys + extended stay
Hyatt is back with a spring 2024 promo The post 2 new Hyatt Promotions – bonus journeys + extended stay appeared first on Monkey Miles.
Pointalize
Amex FHR vs. Chase Luxury Hotel Collection
Amex FHR vs. Chase "The Edit" 2026 review: We compare the new $600 Amex credit vs. Chase's $750 stack, guaranteed late checkout, and elite perks.
One Mile at a Time
Wild: Passengers Trade Blows On Airport Tarmac, As Pilot Films In Disbelief
Unfortunately it’s not unusual to see airline passengers get into altercations with one another, and sometimes it even gets physical. However, I’ve never seen anything quite like this before, as reported by AEROIN (thanks to Carlos for flagging this)…
Frequent Miler
Hyatt promo: Earn 3K bonus points every 3 nights + 1K bonus points for select brands
World of Hyatt has launched a new Bonus Journeys promotion. This latest iteration awards 3,000 bonus points for every three nights you stay through April 15, with an additional 1,000 bonus points available for every three nights at Hyatt Place and Hyatt Select locations. The Deal Register for World of...
Paddle Your Own Kanoo
Southwest Airlines Passengers Are Just Discovering There’s a Locked Overhead Bin Just For Crew And They Are Furious
Southwest Airlines is facing a barrage of complaints from disgruntled passengers who have earned the right sit up front. But even though they are amongst the first to board, they are discovering there’s already no room left in the overhead bins above their seats… or, for that matter, even remotely...
Travel Codex
Atlas Ocean Voyages Unveils ‘Atlas Adventurer”
Atlas Ocean Voyages has confirmed plans for a major leap forward with Atlas Adventurer, a newbuild expedition sailing yacht set to debut in late 2028. Ordered by parent company Mystic Invest Holding and currently under construction in China, the ship will become the world’s largest expedition sailing yacht. Atlas wants...
The Alviator
Review: No. 170 VIP Lounge, Shanghai Pudong T2 (PVG)
A review of the No. 170 lounge at Shanghai PVG Airport, a Plaza Premium-affiliated lounge open to AmEx Platinum and Priority Pass cardholders. The post Review: No. 170 VIP Lounge, Shanghai Pudong T2 (PVG) appeared first on The Alviator.
Live from a Lounge
Deal: Buy Finnair Plus Avios with a 50% Bonus
Finnair has announced a new promotion where they are offering customers of their frequent flyer program an opportunity to buy points with a 50% bonus for a fortnight. The post Deal: Buy Finnair Plus Avios with a 50% Bonus appeared first on Live From A Lounge.
The Points of Life
Priority Pass Lounge Athens: People Are Peeved
I always say that a lounge is better than no lounge. But tell that to the people in the Priority Pass Lounge in Athens. People were deeply upset that there was no place to sit and that there was not enough food. Getting up from your chair meant losing your...
Traveling For Miles
Flash Deal: Buy Finnair Avios with a bonus of up to 50%
Finnair Plus is now running an Avios sale in which it's offering bonuses of up to 50% for Avios purchases made through 5 February 2026 (THURSDAY) and you'll find that the price you're asked to pay per Avios will vary depending on how many Avios you buy. The post Flash Deal:...
Economy Class & Beyond
LNER unveils interiors for its new Class 897 Intercity Trains sets – Welcome Serenza
LNER – the intercity operator which operates trains on the East Coast Main Line, has unveiled interior mockups of its new trains. The new fleet is to be known as the Serenza – or, for those of us who collect numbers, the Class 897. According to LNER, the name is...
2PAXfly
QANTAS: Sydney to Sapporo, Japan flights doubled for next ski season
The international arm of Qantas has never been afraid of exploiting a trend. This time it’s eyeing off winter escape to Hokkaido, Japan for the 2026/2027 snow season. Qantas will significantly increase capacity on its Sydney–Sapporo route next ski season, lifting services from three flights per week to as many...
Wild About Travel
Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth): A City That Has Lost Its Way.
I rode by minibus along the Garden Route after a week exploring wineries, hikes, whales, coffee, food and South African hospitality. We arrived in Port Elizabeth in a different world. Load shedding had struck, the streets were dark, traffic lights blank or flashing, and pools of water from generators showed...
Wild About Travel
Rovaniemi, Finland – Santa, snow, and Arctic light
Rovaniemi is a small Arctic city that sells hard on Santa and northern lights, but underneath the Christmas branding there is a real Lapland hub for winter activities and slow tundra days. It works best if you accept the tourist kitsch, time your visit for snow or autumn colours, and...
2PAXfly
AIRLINES: What is a codeshare agreement and why they matter
If you’ve ever booked a flight on Qantas, only to discover you’re actually flying on an Emirates or Cathay Pacific aircraft, you’ve already encountered a codeshare agreement . Although you may not have realised it when you booked. Codesharing allows airlines to dramatically expand their networks without buying more planes...
2PAXfly
VIRGIN AUSTRALIA: Starts Canberra to Bali direct route
Canberra has few direct international connections. Maybe Doha and Fiji, which also, fortunately, function as launch pads for additional international destinations. You can now add Bali to that list, with Virgin Australia launching its first-ever international service from the nation’s capital, from 22 June 2026. Canberrans will no longer need...
Wild About Travel
Cape Town: Beautiful and Complicated
I came to Cape Town hoping to like it and ended up loving it. I want to encourage other visitors to look beyond the surface here. It’s a complex and fascinating place. Introducing the CityThe road from the modern Cape Town airport passes through the sprawling townships of Langa, Nyanga...
Wild About Travel
Seventeen Mega Groups: How Airline Consolidation could rewire the World
In my last post, I showed how the airline industry has consolidated significantly, with most European and US airlines falling into just three mega-groups that control a significant share of the world’s seats. But the consolidation appears nowhere near over. The airline industry is genuinely hard to forecast. Hub airports,...
2PAXfly
AIRLINES: What is an interline agreement and why they matter
Most travellers would have no idea what an airline interline agreement is. But if you’ve ever checked a bag through to your final destination on two different airlines, been rebooked after a delay, or stitched together a multi-airline itinerary, you’ve probably almost certainly the beneficiary of one. Put simply, an...