Wild About Travel
copy an dre doBeautiful Bold Brightline -The Best way to Ride
Birghtline is superb. What blows me away is that the Brightline experience has been created to attract and keep people who have never ridden a train before. And it works. Background First, a bit of history. In 2018, Brightline did the unthinkable and opened a new private rail service in...
2PAXfly
QANTAS: A380 caught in global wing-crack inspection order
One Qantas Airbus A380 is among 16 superjumbos worldwide caught up in an urgent inspection program. Inspections were called for after cracks were found in a critical internal wing structure, as reported by the SMH. Europe’s aviation safety regulator, EASA (European Union Aviation Safety Agency), issued an Emergency Airworthiness Directive...
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,...
Also on BoardingArea
Frequent Miler
Bilt Palladium Review: 6 month checkpoint | Frequent Miler on the Air Ep364 | 6-26-26
In today’s episode, we’ll talk about Qatar’s crazy new rules if you want to redeem rewards for friends & family, how Wyndham is going to devalue (but it might not be so bad), and we’ll take a look back at the first 6 months of Bilt 2.0: The good, the...
View from the Wing
Denver Officials Tried To Fake Safety Excuse Blocking ICE Deportation Airline — $90 Million In Grants At Risk
Denver denied Key Lime Air airport space because the carrier had operated ICE deportation flights, even though federally funded airports must provide access without unjust discrimination. Now a memo says city officials tried to build a post-hoc safety excuse for the decision — putting $90 million in federal airport grants...
The Bulkhead Seat
Delta Takes Aim at United With New Route Between Newark and Los Angeles
Delta Air Lines is making a bold move into one of United Airlines’ strongest…
Your Mileage May Vary
Remember When A Hotel Brand Actually Meant Something?
There was a time when the name on a hotel sign told you almost everything you needed to know. If you pulled off the highway and saw a Holiday Inn,…
Frequent Miler
Caesars brings back free show tickets for Diamond and Seven Stars members
Years ago, one of the many Caesars Diamond benefits was the chance to get two free show tickets per month at Caesars properties. Over the years, the value of that benefit really dwindled as the selection of shows dropped off. I went to see the Bodies Exhibit at Horseshoe several...
Miles To Memories
Wynn’s Insane New Resort, Golden Girls Hit Vegas, & Hard Rock Takes Shape!
Wynn's insane new resort, Evel Knivel Experience opening, Guitar Tower update and tram plus a look back at the Dunes Golf Course and what replaced it.
View from the Wing
United Flight Attendant Ranted To First Class Passengers About Coworker’s Safety Demo — Then Showed Them Her Complaint
A United lead flight attendant reportedly complained to first class passengers about a coworker’s life vest demo, showed them the complaint she planned to send, and turned a routine safety briefing into cabin drama. The passenger who reported it said the demo looked normal — and that pulling customers into...
Points With a Crew
Kickstarter: SpinTi Rotating Tritium Keychain (Back By Saturday)
The SpinTi Rotating Tritium Keychain promises a 25-year glow, allowing you to get a glow that never fades. It's on Kickstarter, but only for a few more ...
Your Mileage May Vary
Priority Pass Just Announced These Airport Lounge Changes For July
Founded in 1992, Priority Pass is a program that provides members with access to a network of 1,900+ airport lounges and travel experiences in over 725 airports in 145 countries.…
Paddle Your Own Kanoo
Delta Air Lines Plans to Take On United and JetBlue With New Non-Stop Flights Between Newark and Los Angeles
Delta Air Lines plans to go head-to-head with JetBlue and United Airlines after it announced plans on Friday to launch new non-stop flights between Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) beginning on April 12, 2027. Delta already serves the New York area with up to...
Frequent Miler
10X / 10% back on Dell via Rakuten
Rakuten is currently offering 10 points per dollar or 10% back on purchases made at Dell. That can be particularly useful for anybody with a card that features statement credits for Dell purchases and/or anyone looking to stack with a card-linked offer for Dell. The Deal Shopping portal Rakuten is...
Miles To Memories
Wyndham Rewards Will Add New 45K Redemption Tier in September
Wyndham Rewards is making changes to its hotel award chart later this year, introducing a new top redemption tier.
The Gate with Brian Cohen
Save 15% On Award Stays at New Hotel Properties With IHG One Rewards
You can save 15% on award stays at new hotel properties with IHG One Rewards when you stay at your choice of 51 participating new or recently renovated hotel and resort properties of many of the brands of InterContinental Hotels Group worldwide through Monday, November 30, 2026... ...but you must...
Live and Let’s Fly
Great Coffee In Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA)
Seattle has a great coffee culture and there is no dearth of options at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA), including several airline lounges. Best Coffee In Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) During my layover in Seattle, I hunted down the best airport coffee and was pleased with where I ended up. SeaTac...
View from the Wing
Delta Is Going After United’s $384 Million Newark–Los Angeles Cash Cow — But Without Lie-Flat Seats
Delta is adding Newark–Los Angeles flights, taking a run at one of United’s most lucrative routes and a market where United has hubs on both ends. But Delta will start with just two daily A321neo flights and no lie-flat seats, making this less a Newark offensive than another piece of...
The Bulkhead Seat
Delta Expands CES 2027 Flights With New Asia Nonstops and More Las Vegas Service
I attended the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) for 19 years. These days, I no…
Your Mileage May Vary
A Black Forest Day Trip: Lake Titisee, Triberg & One Very Scenic Drive
Our drive to Triberg ended up being one of the better travel days of our Black Forest trip, not because of one single stop, but because the route had a…
Miles To Memories
Paze Promo Keeps Changing, But There Are Still Some Options Left
Chase and Paze both have two promotions going on, and they clearly didn't think them through at launch.
Economy Class & Beyond
TRIP REPORT: The Hamburg Airport Lounge, and another dose of the European Entry/Exit System – More Innovations in Hamburg
The Hamburg Airport Lounge, and another dose of the European Entry/Exit System TRIP REPORT: More Innovations in Hamburg In this week of passenger experience fun: Back to Hamburg Again. And yes, keeping it simple To Heathrow Airport with FlixBus and Terminal 5 British Airways Galleries South, Terminal 5 BA964 London...
Frequent Miler
Paze credits posted on some accounts, not posted on others
A couple of days ago, Doctor of Credit reported that statement credits are starting to show up for Paze transactions based on the $10 back on a purchase of $10 or more promotion that launched last week. Many folks made purchases within the first couple of days in order to...
One Mile at a Time
How Grim: Small Plane Crashes Into Beijing’s Tallest Skyscraper
A small plane has just crashed into Beijing’s tallest skyscraper. It’s hard to imagine this was an accident, which is of course a chilling reality.
Wild About Travel
copy an dre doBeautiful Bold Brightline -The Best way to Ride
Birghtline is superb. What blows me away is that the Brightline experience has been created to attract and keep people who have never ridden a train before. And it works. Background First, a bit of history. In 2018, Brightline did the unthinkable and opened a new private rail service in...
One Mile at a Time
Chase Ink Business Credit Cards: Bonuses, Benefits & Application Tips
While there are lots of excellent business credit cards out there, I’d argue that Chase’s portfolio of business cards — including the Ink Business Preferred Credit Card, Ink Business Cash Credit Card, Ink Business Unlimited Credit Card, and Sapphire Reserve for Business — are among the most compelling. The cards have exceptional...
Miles To Memories
Kroger Expands Rewards Program With New Grocery Discount Option
Kroger has made a major change to its long-running Fuel Points program by giving shoppers a new way to redeem their rewards.
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...
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...