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
Live from a Lounge
Marriott’s First Global Promotion of 2026: Earn 2,500 Bonus Points + 1 Elite Night Credit per Brand
Marriott has just announced their first promotion for 2026, where you get elite qualifying nights beyond just the bonus points. Here are the details. Register now. The post Marriott’s First Global Promotion of 2026: Earn 2,500 Bonus Points + 1 Elite Night Credit per Brand appeared first on Live From...
The Alviator
My Favourite Aircraft To Fly: Here Are The Airplanes I Get Excited About
I'm hugely excited when I get on any plane, though there are a few planes I get particularly excited about flying. Here's why. The post My Favourite Aircraft To Fly: Here Are The Airplanes I Get Excited About appeared first on The Alviator.
One Mile at a Time
Huge Amex Business Platinum Card 200K Points Welcome Offer: Worth It?
Link: Learn more about The Business Platinum Card from American Express
No Work All Travel
App Review: GPSmyCity
Disclaimer: I was invited to try out a subscription to GPSmyCity in exchange for this review. As a Silicon Valley tech alum, Jim Zhu has been a big-time traveler. Whenever he went somewhere new, he’d take a tour, be that one of those frequently stopping buses, or on a walk...
View from the Wing
Former American Airlines VP Says Unions Know CEO Is On His Way Out—That’s Why They’re Calling For His Ouster [Roundup]
A former American Airlines VP suggests the airline's unions expect CEO Robert Isom will soon be replaced—and that's why they're publicly calling for his ouster now, to appear influential when the inevitable leadership change happens. Plus, why no one talks about Singapore anymore and how Starbucks' loyalty program is getting...
TravelUpdate
Why I decided to renew the Amex Platinum Card for another year
It was time to make a decision once my annual fee posted, here's why I decided to renew the Amex Platinum Card for another year.
Monkey Miles
Starting today at 12pm EST – Exclusive World Cup tickets for Chase Sapphire cardholders ( buy up to 4 )
If you hold one of the following cards: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card Chase Sapphire Reserve® Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business℠ JP Morgan Reserve You’ll be eligible on 2/10/26 at 12pm EST to purchase up to 4 tickets, per match, across all of the following US host cities from June 12, 2026...
Economy Class & Beyond
Air France throws capacity to New York, as well as at film festivals
It seems Air France is preparing for an aggressive summer, with the airline planning add frequency between Paris and New York. Air France quotes 11 daily flights  – but let’s break that down a little, as there is always a lot to look at in the details Paris CDG –...
Eye of the Flyer
Air France A350-900 Business Class New Seats Review Mexico City to Paris MEX-CDG
Introduction: My First Atlantic Crossing on the Norwegian NCL Viva Prima Class Ship Emptying my Delta SkyMiles Accounts to get Value Flying to Lisbon Portugal The Comfort Inn South Bend SBN Airport Review via Delta Stays – How Very Disappointing Checking Bags on Two Separate Delta Tickets (Interlining) – How...
View from the Wing
20-Year Queens Rap Feud Combusts In Delta Business Class Cabin, Ends In Pillow Fight And Ejection
Uncle Murda and Tony Yayo found themselves on a Delta flight from San Francisco to New York JFK with Ja Rule. They're sworn enemies for more than two decades. And they were thrown together inside a plane.
Live and Let’s Fly
American Airlines Signals European Growth With New Route Wishlist, But Asia Remains Absent
American Airlines is signaling that its network ambitions may extend well beyond its current footprint, but the question is  whether any of these “dream” routes are realistic in the near future under current market conditions. It’s also telling what regions are not on the list… American Teases Potential New International...
You Are Travel
Haircuts Far and Wide: Seeking Out Taper Fades All Over the World 
This post first was first featured as a guest piece on Lesbifriends Travel – a community centered travel… The post Haircuts Far and Wide: Seeking Out Taper Fades All Over the World  appeared first on You Are Travel.
The Alviator
Cities That Are Served By 2+ Airports: In Which Cases Do These Airports Compete?
London, Paris, Tokyo, Seoul, Milan, and Beijing are examples of cities that are served by multiple airports. But do these airports compete? The post Cities That Are Served By 2+ Airports: In Which Cases Do These Airports Compete? appeared first on The Alviator.
One Mile at a Time
Marriott Bonvoy Promo: 2,500 Bonus Points Per Stay, Plus Bonus Elite Nights
Marriott Bonvoy has just announced and opened registration for its newest global promotion, which is the program’s first of the year. Marriott’s Q1 promotion tends to be the most generous of the year, and I suspect this year will be no different.
Paddle Your Own Kanoo
Frontier Sues American Airlines For $100,000+ After Collision At Miami International Airport Badly Damaged Plane
Frontier Airlines has filed a lawsuit against American Airlines in a Florida district court seeking damages in excess of $100,000 after one of its planes was so badly damaged during a ground collision at Miami International Airport (MIA) that it had to be taken out of service for six months...
The Bulkhead Seat
Marriott Unveils First Global Promotion of 2026 With Bonus Points and Elite Night Credits
Marriott Bonvoy® has officially announced its first global systemwide promotion for 2026. It gives… The post Marriott Unveils First Global Promotion of 2026 With Bonus Points and Elite Night Credits appeared first on The Bulkhead Seat.
Economy Class & Beyond
TRIP REPORT: A Quick Return to Changi Terminal 1 and the Marhaba Lounge – Growing Old in Style
A Quick Return to Singapore Changi Terminal 1 and the Marhaba Lounge Growing Old In Style It’s time to head towards home in some kind of eastward direction. First stop, Changi and the Marhaba Lounge.  In this mammoth trip report (note, headings subject to change) Yes. I’m that old. Next....
Frequent Flyer Bonuses
Marriott Bonvoy Global Promotion: 2,500 bonus points per stay + 1 elite night credit for stays at each different brand
Marriott has finally revealed their first global systemwide promotion for 2026 and it offers 2,500 bonus points per stay plus 1 elite night credit for stays at each different brand. This promotion is perfect for all those single night travelers or for any one who is willing to break up...
Frequent Miler
Marriott Bonvoy Complete Guide (2026)
Marriott’s rewards program, named “Marriott Bonvoy,” offers better-than-average rewards for paid stays, a mediocre elite program, a huge selection of hotels that run from very low-end to ultra-luxury, and credit cards that offer good value for their annual free nights but relatively poor value for credit card spend. This post...
One Mile at a Time
SFO ATC Clears Two United Planes To Take Off At Same Time, Then Denies It
An air traffic controller accidentally cleared two planes to take off on parallel runways around the same time, putting them on a course dangerously close to one another. Perhaps what’s most noteworthy here is how the air traffic controller then acted confused about how this happened…
Points With a Crew
Get An Easy $50 From Rakuten
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.
The Gate with Brian Cohen
The Great Continental Divide at Wolf Creek Pass in Colorado
At an elevation of 10,857 feet, the great Continental Divide at Wolf Creek Pass in Colorado is located in the Rio Grande National Forest and the San Juan National Forest — and it is only one of many locations at which one can stand on the ridge which divides the...
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...
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...