2PAXfly
CHINESE AIRLINES: Cut Australian flights, increasing flights to Europe
Chinese airlines are quietly pulling capacity out of Australia and redeploying those aircraft to Europe. They are chasing stronger demand and higher yields as global travel patterns shift. Due to the current Middle East conflict between the US/Israel, and Iran. There are some real consequences for Australian travellers. Fewer flights...
2PAXfly
QANTAS: Cuts thousands of flight across network
It’s only been a week since I reported that Qantas was boosting its flights to Europe by swapping to larger aircraft and tinkering with schedules. Now, in reaction to further uncertainty about the Straits of Hormuz due to the US/Israeli conflict with Iran, Qantas has quietly cut thousands of flights...
Wild About Travel
Surviving Sakura Cherry Blossom – 12 survival tips
I always said I’d never visit Japan in peak sakura season.Too busy, too expensive, too intense.And then I did. I described my 12 marvellous days yesterday. It was beautiful.It was also crowded, overloaded, and at times exhausting.Here are a few things I did that helped, and that I’d do again....
2PAXfly
QANTAS: First Project Sunrise A350-100ULR jet rolls out
After years of hype, delays and plenty of scepticism, Qantas, or more accurately, Airbus, has rolled out its first ultra-long-haul Airbus A350-1000ULR from the factory in Toulouse, marking a major milestone for Project Sunrise. It’s a timely occurrence, with the current Middle East trauma, that this aircraft could fundamentally change...
Also on BoardingArea
Eye of the Flyer
Delta Cuts Summer Routes, Two LAX Near-Misses in One Night, and Pilots Are Meowing on the Emergency Radio
Delta Air Lines is suspending several routes this summer as jet fuel prices soar, (there’s a “sore” pun somewhere in there, drop yours in the Comments section), LAX had not one but two runway near-misses in a single evening, JetBlue’s own founder is warning the airline might go bankrupt, and...
View from the Wing
Delta Passenger Starts Hitting Herself And Falls To The Floor — The Agent Is Unfazed
A frustrated Delta Air Lines passenger beats herself up at the gate of flight to Chicago O'Hare. She hits herself, punches herself and even knocks herself to the ground. Then she asks, "why are you doing this to me?" Delta's employee at the gate is completely unfazed by...
Frequent Miler
A final countdown, the most complicated breakfast benefit, a great $95 card lineup and more [Week in Review]
Queue up the music: as I publish this week in review, the final countdown is on to transfer Citi Thank You points to Choice Privileges at a 1:2 transfer ratio or Preferred Hotels I Prefer at 1:4. Today, April 18, 2025, is the final day before those ratios are reduced....
Live and Let’s Fly
American Flight Attendants Want More Pay On London Flights…But The Case Is Weak
American Airlines flight attendants are demanding more pay for working flights to London, citing increased workload tied to an ongoing catering mess at Heathrow. I understand the frustration…but this feels like the wrong hill to die on. American Flight Attendants Want More Pay For London Flights… American has been dealing...
One Mile at a Time
American “Rejects” Merger With United, But Drops Interesting Hint Of Its Own
Is it just me, or is this a very strange several weeks for the airline industry? I never thought I’d write the first part of the above headline, because the concept is just so outlandish.
Points With a Crew
Get An Easy $50 From Rakuten (Deal Extended!)
If you don't have a Rakuten account, sign up and get an easy $50 by signing up and spending at least $50 (including on gift cards to many retailers!) in the first 90 days.
Miles To Memories
Sphere Tickets Hit $35, Le Cirque Is Closing & Hard Rock Glitches Out
Sphere price crash, Vegas playoff bound, $33 Alaskan Chowder & how to get one over on the casinos.
The Gate with Brian Cohen
Why New Premium Class Seats Do Not Interest Me. Usually, Anyway.
Whenever an official announcement from an airline contains news that they will retrofit airplanes with new seats in the premium class cabin, I am simply not interested. The reason that I am not interested is because...
Frequent Miler
Best ways to get to cities in the US and Canada using miles (2026)
If you want to travel within the US and Canada using airline miles, your first impulse might be to use miles from one of the major North American airlines like American, Delta or United. In some cases, that will indeed be your best bet. However, it’s sometimes possible to leverage...
The Bulkhead Seat
Promo: American is Giving Illinois Residents 1,000 Free Miles and 1,000 Free Loyalty Points
I’m happy to be a resident of Illinois this evening. American Airlines has a…
Paddle Your Own Kanoo
American Airlines Says it’s ‘Not Interested’ in Merger With United After Unsolicited Takeover Proposal Goes Viral
American Airlines has publicly gone on the record to say it’s not interested in a potential mega merger with United Airlines after Scott Kirby, United’s chief executive, allegedly approached senior Trump administration officials to broach the idea of acquiring its rival. News of Kirby’s alleged interest in American Airlines first...
The Bulkhead Seat
Thanks, But No Thanks: American Airlines Rejects United Merger Rumors
American Airlines has firmly dismissed speculation about a potential merger with United Airlines and…
One Mile at a Time
Spirit Airlines Asks Trump For Huge Emergency Bailout To Avoid Liquidation
It was recently reported that Spirit Airlines might be on the verge of liquidation, and that it could happen within days. The airline is in Chapter 11 bankruptcy (for the second time in two years), and while the company was hoping to emerge from bankruptcy by early summer, that strategy...
Frequent Miler
Wells Fargo journeys forward | Frequent Miler on the Air Ep354 | 4-17-26
In today’s podcast episode, we’ll watch as Capital One ventures into business, discuss the best-of-the-best award search tools, and talk about how Wells Fargo is on the upswing. Wells Fargo journeys forward Watch the full episode below, or listen on your favorite podcast platform. You can click the timestamps below...
View from the Wing
American Airlines Denies United Merger Talks — But Leaves Room For Other Deals
American Airlines says it is not in merger talks with United, but its carefully worded response does more than just shut down one specific rumor. By backing broader airline consolidation while ruling out a United deal, American appears to be drawing a line against the merger it cannot survive politically...
Frequent Miler
Up to $900 bonus with a new Chase checking account (no savings needed)
Chase has been offering a consistent $900 bonus for opening up a new Total Checking Account alongside a Total Savings account, then completing qualifying activities in both. Now, there’s a different version that offers the same $900 cap but only requires opening a checking account, setting up direct deposit, and...
View from the Wing
Spirit Airlines Is Asking The Trump Administration For A Taxpayer Bailout To Avoid Shutting Down
Spirit Airlines is asking the Trump administration for a taxpayer bailout as the airline fights to avoid liquidation in its second bankruptcy in a year. The request is extraordinary not just because Spirit already took hundreds of millions in pandemic aid, but because there is no obvious legal path for...
View from the Wing
American Airlines Keeps Finding New Ways To Break Basic Technology [Roundup]
American Airlines IT keeps finding new ways to fail in public, plus a useful inKind referral boost, the bizarre question of whether anyone has their spouse unpack them after a trip, Siete cookies coming to Southwest, and more.
Frequent Miler
Win 100,000 American AAdvantage Miles (no purchase needed)
In honor of its 100th anniversary, American Airlines is giving away 100,000 AAdvantage miles to 100 lucky folks through its “Centennial Sweepstakes” promotion. In addition, if you book an American Airlines flight within the entry period for the sweepstakes, you get 100 additional entries, up to a maximum of four...
Points With a Crew
Manila Terminal 3 Marhaba Lounge Review – MNL Priority Pass Lounge International
If you're at Manila Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), you'll want to read my Marhaba Lounge Priority Pass MNL Terminal lounge review, for information on wifi, food, amenities and ...
Frequent Miler
Rakuten offering up to $75 when applying for Chase Freedom Unlimited® card
For a limited time last year, Rakuten offered bonus cashback when applying for select Chase credit cards. Although the offer isn’t quite as generous as back then, you can again earn additional rewards when applying through Rakuten and getting approved for the Chase Freedom Unlimited® card. Note that this time,...
Live and Let’s Fly
False Alarm: United Free Wi-Fi “Rollout” Was Just A Glitch
UPDATE: United tells Live And Let’s Fly, “We haven’t made any changes to our current Wi-Fi policy.” Prices remain $8 for MileagePlus members and $10 for non-members on U.S. domestic and short- haul international flights. Live And Let’s Fly has learned there was a minor technical issue yesterday that briefly...
Miles To Memories
Save $200 on Your Next Norwegian Cruise with Amex Cards
American Express cardholders can take advantage of a new Amex Offer to save $200 on their next Norwegian Cruise Line booking.
The Gate with Brian Cohen
New Apartment Collection by Hilton Brand Now Available to Book Reservations
Apartment Collection by Hilton became brand number 26 of the portfolio of Hilton in January of 2026; and you can book reservations at two of its properties effective immediately. This new lodging category...
Wild About Travel
Marvellous 12 days in Japan
It is a bit of a grim world right now, so I thought I would share a positive, beautiful, and delicious 1000-mile journey through one of my favourite countries in Sakura (Cherry blossom). Despite it being insanely busy, I enjoyed the landscapes, food, museums, shopping, temples, parks, and, of course,...
Wild About Travel
Gulf Aviation After the Ceasefire: What Travellers Need to Know Now
A two-week ceasefire for Iran was announced on 7th April. On 9th April, several Gulf governments reported a full day without any new missiles or drones. The UAE’s defence ministry said the country was “free of any air threats” that day, after weeks of intercepting ballistic and cruise missiles and...
2PAXfly
TURKISH AIRLINES: Leadership shake-up. Why?
A recent leadership overhaul at Turkish Airlines has sparked industry attention. Here’s a clear breakdown of what we know as fact and what is informed speculation. The interest in this story stems from Turkish Airlines’ recent commencement of non-stop flights to Istanbul from Australia. A flight I recently took, and...
2PAXfly
THAILAND: Travel insurance for tourists may become compulsory
Thai authorities are moving toward making travel insurance mandatory for all foreign visitors, as hospitals struggle with rising unpaid medical bills from tourists. It’s not law yet, but according to the Bangkok Post, the direction for travellers is clear, so Australians should take note. Why Thailand is cracking down The...
2PAXfly
NEW ZEALAND: Top of the South Island, what we did and ate in Picton, Havelock and Blenheim
We had three nights/four days at the Picton Waterfront Apartments, and were mainly interested in rest and relaxation. We also did a little sightseeing, and winery wining and dining. This post is a short summary of some of those activities. Hope it gives you an idea of what you can...
Wild About Travel
Sendai: The City of Trees
A 90-minute hop from Tokyo on Japan’s fastest train, the Hayabusa Shinkansen, brings you to Sendai, the city of trees! My critique of many Japanese cities is that they have a lot of concrete and asphalt, and not much green space. In the 19th century, Sendai’s local ruler encouraged tree...
2PAXfly
EUROPE: New EES entry system for Australians
From April 10, a major overhaul of border control across much of Europe comes into full effect, replacing the familiar passport stamp with biometric data, digital records. I experienced this when entering the Czech Republic at Prague Airport in March, and it was surprisingly efficient. It’s called the Entry/Exit System...
2PAXfly
LOYALTY: Airline programs now worth billions. Qantas in top 10
If you’ve ever wondered why airlines seem more interested in selling points than seats, a new global report puts some serious numbers behind that suspicion. According to the latest On Point Loyalty Top 100 report, airline loyalty programs have evolved into multi-billion-dollar businesses, and for Australian travellers, that shift is...