2PAXfly
VIRGIN AUSTRALIA: Digital upgrade — faster check-in, smarter app, and priority bag drops
Virgin has announced a major upgrade to its mobile app and domestic airport check-in experience. It promises a 50% redution in check-in times across 10 Australian domestic airports. The rollout starts this month, May 2026, and should rbe complete before the end of the year. What this actually means is...
2PAXfly
GOVERNMENT: Budget grounds taxpayer-funded Qantas Club memberships
The Australian Federal Government has cottoned on to the public service’s travel habit of taxpayer-funded airline lounge memberships. Finance Minister Katy Gallagher has banned Commonwealth agencies from charging taxpayers for Qantas Club, Virgin Australia lounge and similar airline memberships. The directive emerged from the 2026 budget papers. Lounge bill The...
2PAXfly
NEW ZEALAND: Flight from Blenheim to Wellington on Air New Zealand
Our return to Wellington was from Blenheim Airport (BHE). It’s a tiny airport adjacent to a New Zealand Air Force facility. No lounge, and not much of anything else except a big waiting room with two ‘gates’, one at either end. The Airport Facilities are minimal, no lounge, for example,...
2PAXfly
WEEKLY REVIEW: Sunday 10 May, 2026
Greetings from Sydney. As you will find out below, I have been battling an awful case of jet lag. It has filled me with brain fog, sleep deprivation, irritability, and a general lack of thought capability. I’ve written a post about what I should have done to combat it. What...
Also on BoardingArea
One Mile at a Time
Allegiant & Sun Country Merge, As Two Leisure Airlines Seek Synergies
In January 2026, the latest merger in the US airline industry was announced, and it wasn’t particularly surprising. There’s now an update, as this deal has officially closed. However, among airline mergers, this has to be one of the ones with the fewest implications for customers… at least for now.
Frequent Miler
The best card for Priority Pass lounges, experiences, and restaurants
Many credit cards include Priority Pass membership as a perk. Many airport lounges across the world accept Priority Pass for free entry. But Priority Pass offers more than just lounges. Some Priority Pass memberships also include free access to experiences (airport massage chairs, gaming rooms, etc.) and restaurants (free meals...
Travel With Grant
My Online Passport Renewal Only Took 2 Weeks (Full Timeline & Process)
I recently renewed my U.S. passport online and was surprised by how fast and simple the process was. From application to delivery, it only took about 2 weeks with no paperwork or mailing required. I’ve shared the full timeline, what I needed to prepare, and one unexpected issue I ran...
2PAXfly
VIRGIN AUSTRALIA: Digital upgrade — faster check-in, smarter app, and priority bag drops
Virgin has announced a major upgrade to its mobile app and domestic airport check-in experience. It promises a 50% redution in check-in times across 10 Australian domestic airports. The rollout starts this month, May 2026, and should rbe complete before the end of the year. What this actually means is...
2PAXfly
GOVERNMENT: Budget grounds taxpayer-funded Qantas Club memberships
The Australian Federal Government has cottoned on to the public service’s travel habit of taxpayer-funded airline lounge memberships. Finance Minister Katy Gallagher has banned Commonwealth agencies from charging taxpayers for Qantas Club, Virgin Australia lounge and similar airline memberships. The directive emerged from the 2026 budget papers. Lounge bill The...
View from the Wing
Mastercard’s New Airport Lounges Serve Sit-Down Meals — And Some Surprising Cards Get Free Access
Mastercard is opening its own airport sit down dining lounges for "World Legend" cardmembers.
Points With a Crew
Which Marriott credit card is the best? (5 Free Night Offer ENDS TONIGHT!)
There are 5 different Marriott credit cards - each with their own set of perks and benefits. Let's take a look at the pros and cons and decide which Marriott card is best
The Gate with Brian Cohen
Toll Roads Slowly Spread in Canadian Maritime Provinces
If you have been wanting to travel to visit the Maritime Provinces in Canada, know that the advent of toll roads are slowly spreading there, as one province becomes the latest to introduce the concept on its highways. The province is...
View from the Wing
Nashville Airport Board Packet Reveals New American Airlines Lounge Layout — And $12.6M Loan To Build It
American Airlines already announced a much larger Nashville Admirals Club, but the airport’s finance committee packet reveals the real news: the lounge layout, outdoor terraces, and a $17.8 million buildout where Nashville airport covers $5.1 million and lends American another $12.6 million to finish the job.
Your Mileage May Vary
The Airport Hotel That Saved Our Trip After A United Cancellation
Normally, I wouldn’t go out of my way to write a review of an airport hotel where we spent less than nine hours. But sometimes a hotel deserves recognition not…
Hawaii Calling
Mega Lounges Coming to Honolulu Airport: Hawaiian, Southwest & Delta Compared
If you’ve flown through Daniel K. Inouye International Airport recently, you’ve probably noticed something: the lounge situation hasn’t exactly kept up with the rest of the travel experience. That’s starting to change — and in a big way. Across multiple terminals, three major airlines are now investing in new or...
Frequent Miler
Easy money: $200 bonus with $1K deposit into first-time Ally Invest account (for existing Ally Bank customers)
If you are an Ally Bank customer and have never tried Ally Invest, their self-directed brokerage account type, there’s an opportunity to earn an easy $200 bonus by depositing $1,000 in cash or transferring $1,000 in investments from another institution and holding the money there for 90 days. That’s a...
The Bulkhead Seat
Air India Suspends International Flights to Chicago, Newark, and More as Fuel Prices Soar
Air India is making significant cuts to its international network this summer as soaring…
The Bulkhead Seat
Allegiant Completes Acquisition of Sun Country Airlines
Allegiant Air announced today that it has officially completed its acquisition of Sun Country…
Miles To Memories
No Doubt Arrives, New Vegas Reality Show, Battleship Casino Games & Pizza Rankings Shift!
No Doubt's successful debut at Sphere, a new Vegas reality show, pizza rankings shift and Paris hotel review.
View from the Wing
Delta’s Internal Summer Plan To Stop Cancellations Snowballing: More Pilots, Fewer Flights
When disruptions hit, pilot availability, crew scheduling, fleet readiness, and a too-tight schedule can turn delays into waves of cancellations — so Delta is adding reserves, trimming flights, and rebuilding operational slack.
Cancun Mexico (l) woman shares vacation issue (c) Priceline booking app (r)
BoardingArea
Newlyweds Book Cancun Honeymoon With Priceline, And Realize They Got Played When Their Trip Ends Too Early: ‘We Have Nowhere To Go’
“We had to talk to the AI bot for so long."
Points With a Crew
What does “See Agent” mean on a boarding pass?
Recently I had "See Agent" on my boarding pass for my United flight, and I wasn't sure what that was going to actually mean. Thankfully, I was able to get it all straightened out by ...
Your Mileage May Vary
Some Travelers Are Using Hidden Disability Programs To Skip Airport Lines
Some travelers have discovered a new way to score airport perks — and it’s already causing controversy. Remember when one of the biggest complaints about Southwest Airlines, back when it…
One Mile at a Time
American Sells Flagship Business Plus Fare, Refuses Perks, Gaslights Customer
I know American Airlines is trying to become premium, but sometimes the airline is just really bad at taking money from customers and delivering even the most basic services that it promises.
Frequent Miler
$50 Shell gift card for $45 at BestBuy.com (free shipping)
Bestbuy.com is currently offering a physical $50 Shell gas gift card for $45. That may be of particular interest to those who have a Citi Strata Elite card and have chosen Best Buy for their splurge credits, since a purchase like this should qualify. The Deal Best Buy is offering...
The Points of Life
Travel Lesson: Don’t Forget Your Duty Free
Yesterday I wrote about how much I learn from traveling (see Fun Facts: Anguilla). Cultural learning is separate from Travel Lessons, where I chronicle mistakes I make that can derail my trip. The latest lesson is remembering your duty-free purchases. At The Gate Some airports deliver your duty-free purchases to...
The Gate with Brian Cohen
Big Summer Sale With LOT Polish Airlines
Take advantage of the Big Summer Sale with LOT Polish Airlines with which you can fly between the United States and Europe for as low as $605.00 round trip with your choice of no fewer than three different fare classes... ...but you must...
Frequent Flyer Bonuses
Air Canada Aeroplan: Receive 2x points on transfers from Coast Hotels Coast Rewards (May 13 Bonus Offer Highlight)
Today's bonus offer highlight is the annual transfer bonus from Coast Hotels to Air Canada where members can get 2x Aeroplan points on all transfers. Check out all of the new bonuses added today:
2PAXfly
JET LAG: I have been suffering the worst jet-lag of my life. Here is what I should have done
About a week ago, I returned from London to Sydney via Istanbul and Singapore. My flights were mostly with Turkish Airlines, with the last leg on a wet-leased Finnair A330 on a Qantas ticket. It’s been a week, and I am still desperately sleep deprived, irritable, brain fogged, and useless....
2PAXfly
VIRGIN AUSTRALIA: Double Status Credits in ‘Pick your bonus’ promo. A longer runway than Qantas
Virgin Australia has responded to Qantas’ latest double rewards offer with its own ‘Pick Your Bonus‘ 2026 promotion, giving Velocity Frequent Flyer members the choice of double Status Credits or double Velocity Points on eligible flights. Qantas’ current offer is limited to flights between 12 May and 31 August 2026....
2PAXfly
QANTAS: Double Status Credits surprise, but only for Australia and New Zealand
Qantas has launched a short, sharp ‘double rewards’ offer for Frequent Flyer members. You can choose between double Status Credits or double Qantas Points on eligible flights within Australia and across the Tasman. The booking window is tight. You need to register and book between 12.01 am AEST on 5...
2PAXfly
WEEKLY REVIEW: Sunday 3 May, 2026
Greetings from Sydney. My month-long stay in the UK has come to an end, and I’m back home to enjoy the dwindling warmth of Autumn. It was a great time catching up with friends, seeing way too much theatre, and adding to my long list of galleries, museums, and artworks...
2PAXfly
QANTAS: More cuts to domestic flights but flights to Paris and Rome extended
Qantas has confirmed it will extend its 5% reduction in domestic capacity through to September, stretching what was initially a short-term cut from May–June into a full winter slowdown. Its low-cost sibling Jetstar is following suit, with both airlines also trimming flights across the Tasman and within New Zealand. For...
2PAXfly
VIRGIN AUSTRALIA: Restarting Doha flights with Qatar Airways from June
Although Qatar Airways has resumed some of its Australian network flights as of 1 May, Virgin Australia’s wet-leased flights using Qatar Airways aircraft are not returning until June The return to the wet lease agreement is cautious because of the Middle East conflict. Virgin Australia has confirmed its Doha flights...
2PAXfly
QATAR AIRWAYS: Network begins to rebound restoring Australian flights
Qatar Airways is ramping up flights to Australia, restoring capacity after months of disruption caused by Middle East airspace closures. From May, the Doha-based carrier is progressively returning to a full schedule across Sydney, Melbourne and Perth, with daily flights reinstated after a period of reduced services. Australian routes return...
2PAXfly
INTERNATIONAL FLYING: Middle East conflict and fuel crisis cuts one in four flights
Almost a quarter of international flights from Australia were cancelled in April. That’s according to the AFR, as airlines scrambled to deal with soaring fuel prices and widespread airspace disruptions. The trigger is the escalating conflict involving Iran, which has effectively shut down large parts of Gulf airspace since late...