2PAXfly
QATAR & ETIHAD: A380s retreat from Australia as the superjumbo shuffle continues
Qatar Airways is cutting back planned A380 service to Australia and China, with the superjumbo now concentrated on a much smaller number of routes as the airline rebuilds its network after disruption in the Middle East. AeroRoutes schedule filings show Qatar’s regular A380 operations from 16 June to 15 September...
2PAXfly
QANTAS: Project Sunrise slips again due to ‘supply chain’ delay, now aiming for April 2027
The first Airbus A350-1000ULR for Project Sunrise, the aircraft Qantas is banking on to finally make non-stop Sydney and Melbourne flights to London and New York a commercial reality, will now join the fleet in April 2027 according to reports in the SMH. That is later than previously announced, when...
2PAXfly
WEEKLY REVIEW: Sunday 24 May, 2026
Greetings from Sydney. Back at home for a week or so before I head out on my next trip. Later this week, I’m heading eastward to the Americas. Precise location and cities to visit will be revealed as the trip progresses. These will all be totally new destinations for me,...
2PAXfly
WEBJET: Travel agent squeezed as Virgin Australia cuts commissions
Webjet is warning investors that trading conditions remain “fluid and challenging” after Virgin Australia cut the commissions it pays the online travel agent, according to an article in the SMH. For travellers, that could mean fewer sharp Webjet airfare deals on Virgin flights. For Webjet, it is another revenue hit...
Also on BoardingArea
TravelUpdate
It’s cute that British Airways marked my 20th anniversary as a frequent flyer!
Airlines sometimes send interesting little things to make you feel loved. For example, in Aegean’s Miles+Bonus, you get…
One Mile at a Time
Review: Thai Airways Business Class Airbus A321neo (BKK-CEI)
For the next portion ofmy two-part birthday trip to the Golden Triangle, we flew Thai Airways’ Airbus A321neo business class on the 65-minute flight from Bangkok (BKK) to Chiang Rai (CEI).
View from the Wing
Even A Nobel Economist Got Stumped By Airport Self-Check-In — Travelers Still Need A Human [Roundup]
Even a Nobel economist once got stumped by airport self-check-in, which says a lot about why travelers still want a human being to confirm they’re actually good to go. Also: Cathay turbulence sent passengers and crew to the hospital, Singapore Airlines is restricting business class award seat selection, and VPN...
TravelUpdate
Limited Time American Express Transfer Bonus Ending Soon!
This limited time points transfer bonus from American Express is about to end soon. Here's how you can make the most of these offers for now.
View from the Wing
United Captain Gives Passenger 30 Seconds To Turn Off Antisemitic Wi-Fi Hotspot Name — Or Police Would Inspect Everyone’s Phones
A United Airlines captain reportedly gave one passenger 30 seconds to disable an antisemitic Wi-Fi hotspot name or face law enforcement when the Newark–Miami flight landed. The hotspot was not a bomb threat, but just an offensive slogan. However it could provoke confrontations with passengers which make it a...
Eye of the Flyer
Are Southwest’s Extra Legroom Seats Worth It? My First Flights
Southwest killed open seating and free bags — but the new Extra Legroom seats? I flew two of them and walked away genuinely impressed. More room than Delta Comfort+, dedicated bin space the FAs actually enforce, and a few ways to land one without paying the eye-watering upgrade fee. Here's...
The Alviator
Review: Kyra Lounge Gate 40, Hong Kong (HKG)
A review of Kyra Lounge's second lounge at HKG (the former Chase Sapphire lounge). How does it compare with other Priority Pass lounges?
Economy Class & Beyond
Saudia takes delivery of its first Airbus A321XLR
Saudia is continuing its fleet expansion, with the airline taking delivery of its first Airbus A321XLR. It marks the first delivery of the Airbus A321XLR to an operator in the Middle East and Africa. The aircraft, powered by CFM International LEAP-1A engines, is the first of 15 A321XLRs on order...
Live and Let’s Fly
United Airlines Pilot Threatens To Call FBI Over Antisemitic Wi-Fi Hotspot
A United Airlines pilot reportedly threatened to call the FBI after passengers noticed an antisemitic Wi-Fi hotspot name onboard. The hotspot name was vile, but I’m not convinced this was the sort of security threat that justified escalating the matter into warning that law enforcement would meet the aircraft. United...
Paddle Your Own Kanoo
Italian Regulators Investigate EasyJet Over Deceptive Checked Luggage Pricing
Italian competition regulators have opened an investigation into alleged deceptive checked luggage pricing by the European low-cost airline EasyJet, the Autorità Garante della Concorrenza e del Mercato (AGCM) announced on Tuesday. According to the AGCM, EasyJet has been displaying the combined cost to check a bag into the hold for...
Frequent Miler
Miraval Austin: Bottom Line Review
Miraval is Hyatt’s “wellness” brand, with three locations in the US and one in the Middle East. Each property has an extensive array of classes, ranging from pilates to yoga, axe-throwing to tarot card reading. Most of them are included in the room rate, whether booking with cash or points,...
The Bulkhead Seat
United Newark to Athens Flight Cancelled After Reported Six-Hour Tarmac Delay
Passengers  on board United Airlines flight UA 124 from Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)…
Points With a Crew
Should you sign up for the Capital One Venture or Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card?
Chase and Capital One both offer great mid-tier credit cards for travel points and miles. Which card is better?
The Bulkhead Seat
Bad Manners: Deplaning Passenger Demands to Pass Others and Threatens Assault
Cutting in front of other passengers while deplaning is one of the fastest ways…
The Gate with Brian Cohen
In Memoriam: Dovster
Memorial articles for members of FlyerTalk have quietly ceased here at The Gate With Brian Cohen — but this article about Dovster is the second of two exceptions to that policy for Memorial Day 2026, with the first exception that was published in an article earlier today pertaining to the...
Your Mileage May Vary
Fidelity Rewards Visa Signature Card Review: A Boring 2% Cash Back Card That Keeps Getting Better
Some credit cards get all the attention. The ones with airport lounge access. The ones with giant welcome bonuses. The ones with monthly credits that require a spreadsheet, a reminder…
Frequent Miler
60K Choice Privileges points with no annual fee with new Choice Mastercard offer
The Choice Privileges Mastercard is currently featuring an increased introductory offer of 60,000 Choice Privileges points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 90 days. That’s a solid offer for the no-annual-fee version of the card (in fact, it matches the offer for the $95-annual-fee Choice Privileges Mastercard Select...
View from the Wing
An Austin Permit Points Southwest Airlines Completing An Airport Lounge By March
Southwest Airlines has never had airport lounges, but a new Austin permit suggests that is about to change sooner than expected. A 20,000-square-foot “Project Oasis” lounge buildout appears tied to Southwest and targets completion by March.
Points With a Crew
Would you take $1000 for a 9 hour delay?
What's your time worth? We could have had nearly $1000 to take a bump on Southwest, but it would have gotten us to our destination 9 hours later. What would you do?
Your Mileage May Vary
The Real Reason Hotels Have Free Ice Machines
Hotel ice machines are one of those things most travelers completely take for granted. But there’s actually a surprisingly specific reason they became a standard feature in American hotels. Regardless…
Travel Codex
Sri Lanka Drops Visa Fees for 40 Countries
Sri Lanka is a wonderful place to visit with amazing beaches, food, and history.  Now, it’s even more attractive to visit as they are making it easier to visit for nationals of 40 countries. The Electronic travel authorization is here to stay, but it now costs $0 to apply. As...
Frequent Miler
Targeted Hyatt promos: 2K every 2 nights up to 20K; 3X points on stays 2+ nights, more
World of Hyatt is out with some targeted promotions to earn bonus points on stays. The details vary from person to person, but my wife got an offer of 2,000 bonus points for every two nights up to 20 nights / 20K bonus points, while Stephen’s wife got an offer...
The Gate with Brian Cohen
Save Up to 35% On Stays With Radisson Rewards
You can save up to 35% on stays with Radisson Rewards membership program at participating resort properties in Europe, Asia Pacific, the Middle East, and Africa regions between Wednesday, July 1, 2026 to Thursday, September 10, 2026 — breakfast is included — and you can also earn 3,000 Radisson Rewards...
View from the Wing
Hyatt Now Lets Park Hyatt Sydney And Tokyo Pretend They’re Resorts To Dodge Elite Late Checkout
Park Hyatt Sydney and Park Hyatt Tokyo are classic city hotels, but Hyatt now lets them classify themselves as resorts — a designation that can let them dodge guaranteed 4 p.m. late checkout for Globalists. That turns one of World of Hyatt’s most valuable elite benefits into something properties can...
2PAXfly
UNITED STATES: Trump administration floats airport squeeze on ‘sanctuary cities’
I have refrained largely from reporting on USA affairs. That’s partly because I don’t want to besmirch my reputation if I decide to travel to the USA again. However, there are just some things that need to be reported in the interests of Australians travelling to the USA. The Trump...
Wild About Travel
Dubrovnik. Dragons, Demons,
Dubrovnik looks almost unreal at first glance. Terracotta roofs stacked above polished limestone streets, all wrapped in thick medieval walls with the Adriatic on three sides. It is indeed a real‑world city. It became King’s Landing in Game of Thrones. Many key scenes were filmed in and around its medieval...
Wild About Travel
Berlin: Cities I Love #2
I have been coming to Berlin since the Wall fell. I have watched it change beyond recognition and yet remain, stubbornly, itself. It is a city that has survived everything history has thrown at it, and it wears that history openly, without flinching. There is nowhere else like it. 01...
2PAXfly
AIR NEW ZEALAND: How to book the new Economy Skynest sleep pods
Air New Zealand’s much-hyped Economy Skynest is finally going on sale. Yep, those at the bunk beds you can rent by the four hour period. From this week (18 May 2026), passengers booked in Economy or Premium Economy will be able to add a four-hour lie-flat sleep session on selected...
2PAXfly
THAILAND: Visa-free stays for Australians cut back to 30 days
The Thai government has approved changes that would end the current 60-day visa-free stay for Australians and visitors from more than 90 other countries. That generous 60-day exemption only arrived in July 2024, when Thailand was still trying to goose its post-pandemic tourism economy. It applied to passport holders from...
2PAXfly
AIR NEW ZEALAND: Koru program replaces Airpoints
Air New Zealand has officially launched its refreshed loyalty programme, Koru, replacing the long-running Airpoints brand and shifting more than five million members into a new tier structure from 22 April 2026. Existing Airpoints and Status Points carry across, so members are not starting again from scratch. The less thrilling...
2PAXfly
AIR SERVICES AGREEMENTS: Direct flights to Maldives from Melbourne, and Western Sydney Airport to get Gulf carriers
The Australian government has signed four new or updated aviation agreements, opening the door to more flights and more codeshares. Although, as ever with aviation bilaterals, permission to fly is not the same thing as an airline actually putting metal in the sky. The Albanese Government says it has negotiated...
Wild About Travel
Navigating the world’s best airport: a flawless experience.
Changi, Singapore. Everything you need to know. Stunning takeoff out of Singapore Changi (SIN) after a transit between my flight from Sydney and to Asia. I have been through this airport 82 times flawlessly. There are few airports where anyone can say that about. The others that follow it in...