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...
Also on BoardingArea
One Mile at a Time
American Flight Attendant Union Issues Historic Vote Of No Confidence In CEO
American Airlines CEO Robert Isom is facing a lot of backlash from employees, over the company’s poor performance. A couple of weeks ago, American’s flight attendant union demanded management change, following the company reporting its lackluster 2025 earnings. The union is now stepping up its rhetoric a bit, and isn’t...
One Mile at a Time
United Boeing 787s With New Polaris Seats, Ultra-Premium Configuration
In May 2025, United Airlines unveiled all-new cabins for long haul aircraft, a project that the airline is branding as United Elevate. While I’ve covered the details of the new cabins, there’s an exciting update — the first of these planes is being delivered today, and an impressive number of...
Your Mileage May Vary
After Assigned Seating Went Live, Southwest’s Activist Investor Quietly Trimmed Its Stake
Southwest finally flipped the switch on the last of its “this is how we’ve always done it” policies. Assigned seating went live in late January, which means Southwest’s transformation is…
Frequent Flyer Bonuses
Top 5 Car Rental Bonus Mile and Point offers for February 2026
Here are our Top Car Rental Bonuses for this month. Many of these offers go beyond this month so don’t count them out for rentals you need to book further down the road! Keep in mind sometimes the rates paid for some of these offers may cost more than other...
Frequent Miler
3x Hyatt points on DoorDash restaurant orders through 4/22/26, 50% off one order (max $10)
World of Hyatt and DoorDash are out with a promotion with two overlapping promotions for World of Hyatt cardholders to get bonus points on orders as well as a discount for one eligible order through April 22,2026.   The Deal World of Hyatt and DoorDash are offering a promotion whereby...
One Mile at a Time
EgyptAir Adds Airbus A350-900 To Fleet, 16 To Be Delivered By 2033
At the Dubai Airshow in November 2023, EgyptAir placed a firm order for 10 Airbus A350-900s. Then in June 2025, EgyptAir increased that order to 16 jets. There’s now an exciting update (well, if you’re interested in EgyptAir), as the airline has taken delivery of its first of these modern...
Miles To Memories
I Bought Discounted Gift Cards & Got a Free Year of Target Circle 360
A free Target Circle 360 subscription wasn't exactly a high priority for me. But I couldn't turn down this easy opportunity. Who's with me? The post I Bought Discounted Gift Cards & Got a Free Year of Target Circle 360 appeared first on Miles to Memories.
View from the Wing
Chase Is Charging Resort Fees That Hyatt’s Most Loyal Guests Don’t Owe—Here’s How to Get Your Money Back
Chase's travel portal is charging Hyatt’s most loyal guests resort fees they aren't supposed to pay—but there's an easy way to get your money back. Here's exactly what you need to do.
The Alviator
The Two Common Aircraft I’ve Never Flown Before: Time To Change This
There are two plane types that I've never flown before, and I'm keen to change this. File this in "aviation nerd" category. The post The Two Common Aircraft I’ve Never Flown Before: Time To Change This appeared first on The Alviator.
The Bulkhead Seat
Spirit Airlines Reveals Top Searched Spring Break 2026 Beach Destinations
This winter has been awful. It’s even freezing in Florida. Spirit Airlines travelers are… The post Spirit Airlines Reveals Top Searched Spring Break 2026 Beach Destinations appeared first on The Bulkhead Seat.
Frequent Miler
(Last chance) Get 5,000 Frontier Miles for free
Update 2/9/26: There are now only ~2.5 million miles remaining (of 70 million), so you’ll want to get your claims in ASAP if you’re interested in this promotion and haven’t done that yet. ~ Frontier has a new promotion called “The Big Redemption,” which gives members up to 5,000 miles...
Live and Let’s Fly
United Starlink Wi-Fi Super Bowl Ad Highlights Rapid Inflight Connectivity Rollout
United Airlines took to one of the biggest advertising stages in the world this weekend to highlight something far more practical than celebrity cameos or slapstick humor. United Flexes Starlink Wi-Fi Advantage In Super Bowl Spotlight During the Super Bowl, United aired a 30-second commercial focused squarely on its rollout...
Points With a Crew
The best and cheapest way to get from Manhattan to JFK International Airport
You can go from New York City to JFK by train, taxi, Uber or bus, but the cheapest and best way from NYC / Manhattan to JFK airport is ...
Your Mileage May Vary
Why It’s Still Worth Calling Your Hotel After You Book Online
Most hotel reservations never require a phone call—but a few specific requests are still best handled by speaking to someone directly. While most hotel reservations can be handled entirely online,…
Frequent Flyer Bonuses
Top 5 Hotel Bonus Points offers for February 2026
Here are our Top Hotel Stay Bonuses for this month! These are for stays that you credit to a hotel frequent guest program. Many of these offers go beyond this month so don’t count them out for stays you’re booking past this month. If none of the offers listed below...
One Mile at a Time
American Teases 10 New International Routes, Including Cape Town: Realistic?
While we’ll see if anything comes of this, American Airlines has hinted at some possible new international routes it could add, and some are certainly quite ”out there.”
Frequent Miler
$100 InKind gift card for $69.99 at BJ’s Wholesale
BJ’s Wholesale is offering a $100 InKind GIft Card for $69.99. While Costco members can buy an InKind card for $64.99, this can nonetheless be a good deal if you have a BJ’s Wholesale Membership (and not a Costco membership), and you have upcoming plans to dine at an inKind...
Miles To Memories
New Casino Opening Date, Hard Rock Grows Again & HUGE Circus Circus Improvement!
Another new Hard Rock, Super Bowl in Vegas, Circus Circus' new rooms & newest Vegas casino opening date. The post New Casino Opening Date, Hard Rock Grows Again & HUGE Circus Circus Improvement! appeared first on Miles to Memories.
Paddle Your Own Kanoo
United Airlines Eagerly Awaits Its First Boeing 787 Dreamliner With Next-Generation Polaris Suites At Washington Dulles
United Airlines is eagerly awaiting the arrival of its first ultra-premium Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner with the carrier’s next-generation Polaris Studio Business Class suites. And there’s not long to wait now… According to a flight plan filed on Monday, the aircraft is due to arrive at Washington Dulles this evening. The...
One Mile at a Time
Buy Avianca Lifemiles With 155% Bonus: Worth It For 1.29 Cents Each?
Buying miles & points strategically can represent a great value, especially for first and business class travel.The avianca lifemiles program has just launched its newest promotion on purchased miles (the program has offers more often than not), and it has the potential to be a good deal.
Miles To Memories
Lots of New Capital One Offers for Sam’s Club, Lowe’s, Walmart & More
Capital One is offering big discounts of points boosts for select cardholders for purchases at popular merchants such as Sam's Club, Lowe's, Walmart and many more.  The post Lots of New Capital One Offers for Sam’s Club, Lowe’s, Walmart & More appeared first on Miles to Memories.
ATX Jetsetter
Airlines Suspend Service to Cuba due to Jet Fuel Shortage
Airlines are suspending and rescheduling flights to Cuba as the Caribbean nation faces a jet fuel shortage. The post Airlines Suspend Service to Cuba due to Jet Fuel Shortage appeared first on ATX Jetsetter.
The Gate with Brian Cohen
Earn 25,000 Bonus Points For Your First Stay With Homes & Villas by Marriott Bonvoy
You can earn 25,000 bonus Marriott Bonvoy points for your first stay with a minimum of two consecutive nights at your choice of greater than 140,000 participating Homes & Villas by Marriott Bonvoy properties worldwide now through Tuesday, September 1, 2026 in addition to the typical five points per dollar...
One Mile at a Time
Lufthansa Plans “Real” Business Class Seats On Some Airbus A320s
While nothing has been formally announced, it sounds like Lufthansa intends to introduce proper business class seats on some of its narrow body aircraft, rather than just the typical economy seats with a blocked middle (thanks to Chris and Klaus for flagging this)…
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...
2PAXfly
ETIHAD: Brings its best Business Class to Sydney and Melbourne
Etihad Airways has now rolled out its latest-generation Business Class suites on all services from Sydney and Melbourne to its base in Abu Dhabi. That consistency of product will be welcomed by Australian travellers. In practical terms, that means no more ‘pot luck’ draw of older cabins. Book Business Class...
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...
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...