2PAXfly
INDONESIA/WEST PAPUA: Pilot killed and aircraft burned in remote highlands attack
An American pilot flying one of the small aircraft that keep Indonesia’s remote Papuan highlands connected has been killed after his Pilatus PC-6 Porter was attacked and burned at an isolated airstrip. This tragedy highlights the perils of flying into disputed areas, amid political turmoil. Captain Nicholas F. Gosselin was...
2PAXfly
VIRGIN AUSTRALIA: EconomyFlex fares gain free same-day Fly Ahead feature
For those whose business meetings end early and want to get back home sooner, Virgin Australia is extending its Fly Ahead feature to eligible domestic Economy Flex passengers. This allows them to move to an earlier flight on the same day without paying a change fee or fare difference. It...
2PAXfly
EMIRATES: New-generation lounges roll out globally, but Sydney is still waiting
Emirates is rolling out a new ‘signature’ lounge concept across its global network, beginning with Munich and Frankfurt and continuing to Manchester, Mauritius and Istanbul later this year. The airline says it will spend more than AED50 million (AU$20 million) on each next-generation lounge. That is a substantial sum. Passengers...
2PAXfly
QANTAS: COVID credit class action means more than a million customers will receive payout notices
More than one million Qantas customers are set to receive notices explaining how to claim compensation. These customers were issued flight credits, rather than refunds, for cancelled flights during the COVID-19 pandemic. Law firm Echo Law began contacting eligible customers on Monday, 29 June. This follows Qantas’ March settlement of...
Also on BoardingArea
One Mile at a Time
The Surprising Frontrunner For The Air Canada CEO Job (Non-French Speaker!)
Several weeks ago, we learned how Air Canada CEO Michael Rousseau would be ”retiring.” This followed the Air Canada accident at LaGuardia, where Rousseau was under fire in Quebec for his inability to speak French, a consistent theme of his tenure.
One Mile at a Time
Lufthansa First Class Awards With Partner Miles: I Assume It’s The End
As of June 1, 2026, Lufthansa completely stopped releasing first class award space to partner frequent flyer programs. This wasn’t the first time that had happened on a temporary basis, but as I noted, this time around definitely felt different. This ”outage” has also lasted longer than we’ve ever seen...
The Bulkhead Seat
Europe’s Airports and Airlines Urge EU to Suspend Entry/Exit System This Summer
We just returned from the UK and France. Thankfully, we flew in and out…
Frequent Miler
Which hotel credit card is the most rewarding for spending?
Co-branded credit cards, and hotel cards specifically, are often frowned upon as a place to put regular spending, especially compared to bank cards with transferable currencies and sexy bonus categories. That said, hotel cards can be both rewarding and fun in the right circumstances. The reason is that they tend...
Points With a Crew
Save Up to 50% on Amazon with Amex Rewards Dollars (Targeted)
We’ve written about this deal before but it appears to be back! It appears to be targeted but if so, it seems widely targeted. Save 30% on Amazon, up to $30 in savings (offers vary), when you you purchase eligible products and use at least 1 cent in Amex Reward...
The Gate with Brian Cohen
Why Red and Green Lights Are On Wings of Commercial Airplanes
You may have been a passenger aboard an airplane who sat at a seat next to the window in hopes of nice views to enjoy throughout the duration of your flight — only to find that a huge wing is blocking much of your view — and while you might...
Frequent Miler
Current hotel promotions for July 2026
All major hotel brands dangle various carrots in front of customers to incentivize their patronage. Bonuses for for elite status, loyalty program membership and credit card spending all serve as sweeteners that make rewards-earning a little faster and more fruitful. Promotions are another significant way that hotel loyalty programs try...
2PAXfly
INDONESIA/WEST PAPUA: Pilot killed and aircraft burned in remote highlands attack
An American pilot flying one of the small aircraft that keep Indonesia’s remote Papuan highlands connected has been killed after his Pilatus PC-6 Porter was attacked and burned at an isolated airstrip. This tragedy highlights the perils of flying into disputed areas, amid political turmoil. Captain Nicholas F. Gosselin was...
Your Mileage May Vary
The Cruise Ship Ice Cream Party Myth Just Won’t Go Away. Here’s The Truth.
A surprise ice cream party sounds like one of the more enjoyable perks of cruising. Unless, of course, you’ve heard one of the internet’s longest-running cruise myths. According to the…
Frequent Miler
Amex Delta Business Card Upgrade Offers: Up to 60,000 SkyMiles (targeted)
Some Delta business cardholders are eligible for spending offers to encourage them to upgrade their Delta Business Gold and Delta Business Platinum cards. Usually, there is some degree of targeting associated with these sorts of upgrade offers, even though the links are publicly available. However, with the Delta cards, it’s...
Miles To Memories
Hyatt’s Category Chaos, Wyndham’s NEW $395 Card & Chase Nickel and Dimes Again!
Why hotel categories don't matter anymore, Wyndham's surprising new premium card, Chase makes even more cuts & America turns 250!
View from the Wing
American Airlines Refunded $900,000 For Overcharging Taxes On Children’s Award Tickets. DOT Took 11 Years To Act
American Airlines has refunded more than $900,000 to AAdvantage members after overcharging taxes on children’s award tickets to 14 jurisdictions. The refunds trace back to a complaint filed by frequent flyer Mike Borsetti in 2015, but DOT took 11 years to act and ultimately declined enforcement because too much time...
Points With a Crew
Kickstarter: GUOER K2 Smart Cooing and Warming Bag
The GUOER K2 Smart Bag has cooling and warming modes, 2-layer storage, and flexible power for car or power-bank use. It's on Kickstarter, but only for a few more ...
Your Mileage May Vary
Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business Amex Review: Is It Worth Keeping?
Delta offers several co-branded credit cards through its partnership with American Express, but not every Delta flyer needs a premium card with a big annual fee. If you’re not chasing…
Frequent Miler
Rakuten offering up to $275 / 27,500 Bilt points on select Bank of America credit cards
Update 7/2: The Rakuten bonus for the Customized Cash Rewards card is now up to $200; a much better proposition for a card that will appeal to many folks, thanks to the 6% cash-back categories it also offers for the first year. ~~~ Last year, Rakuten started offering bonus rewards when...
Live and Let’s Fly
The More I Travel The World, The More I Appreciate Traveling In America
The more I travel internationally, the more I appreciate traveling within the United States. That wasn’t the outcome I expected when I started spending so much time overseas, but it has become increasingly obvious over the years. Travel has a funny way of highlighting things that I once took for granted....
View from the Wing
Korean-American Doctor Was Greeted With “Konnichiwa” As He Got Off A United Flight, And He Wants Answers
A Korean-American doctor says he was greeted with “Konnichiwa” while deplaning a United flight, then confronted the man and asked whether he worked for the airline. The incident upset him and even reduced him to the wrong Asian stereotype.
Frequent Flyer Bonuses
GHA DISCOVERY: Earn 2x D$ on stays in Asia, Africa, and Oceania (July 2 Bonus Offer Highlight)
Today’s bonus offer highlight is the next big regional bonus from GHA DISCOVERY who are offering 2x D$ in Asia, Africa, and Oceania. Check out all of the new bonuses added today:
Miles To Memories
Get 3 Months of Audible for Free, Plus Get $20 Credit
Audible has a promotion for 4th of July weekend, offering a free three month trial plus a $20 credit. The offer is for Prime members only, but there's a similar deal for others as well.
The Gate with Brian Cohen
Exclusive Summer Promotion For Top Tier Elite Members of Marriott Bonvoy and United Airlines MileagePlus
An exclusive summer promotion for top tier elite members of the Marriott Bonvoy and United Airlines MileagePlus membership programs is currently under way through which qualified members can earn 2,000 bonus Marriott Bonvoy points on eligible flights that are operated by United Airlines and 1,500 bonus United Airlines MileagePlus miles...
View from the Wing
American Airlines CEO Robert Isom Was On The Ropes. Now The Pilots Union Has Moved On To Complaining About Uber Black
A few months ago, American Airlines CEO Robert Isom was under pressure from unions, operational failures, takeover chatter, and questions about whether he would survive. Now the pilots union is still unhappy, but the complaints have shifted to more ordinary contract-positioning issues: lost internal tools, layover hotels, and whether pilots...
Points Miles and Bling
Status Match to OneWorld Sapphire, SkyTeam Elite Plus, and More
Status Match has rolled out a slew of new offers, with the highlight being the ability to status your way…
Your Mileage May Vary
15 More Buc-ee’s Are Coming. Is Your State On The List?
Buc-ee’s has developed something of a cult following over the years. For more than three decades, the beloved travel center chain was found only in Texas. But since expanding beyond…
Frequent Flyer Bonuses
Strawberry Hotels: Earn 2x Elite Qualifying Nights at select hotels between July 3 & August 24
Strawberry Hotels are offering members a boost towards earning or re-qualifying for status with stays at select Scandinavian properties this summer. The 2x Qualifying Nights offer: Earn 2x Elite Qualifying Nights on eligible stays at participating Strawberry Hotels in Scandinavia. Register and book by Jul 31 for stays Jul 3...
2PAXfly
QANTAS: Flooding closes LAX First Lounge, premium dining moves next door
Qantas’ Los Angeles First Lounge has been temporarily closed by flooding, according to the Qantas Lounge page. That means the closure of one of the best overseas lounge experiences for premium passengers on the long trek to Australia. The airline has not set a reopening date on its lounge website....
2PAXfly
VIETJET: launching Australian airline to rival Qantas and Virgin
Vietnamese low-cost carrier VietJet is reportedly seeking the approvals needed to launch an Australian subsidiary, in a move that could create a new domestic competitor for Qantas, Jetstar and Virgin Australia. According to reporting by Ayesha de Kretser in the Australian Financial Review, VietJet has approached the Civil Aviation Safety...
2PAXfly
QANTAS: No First Lounge for London. Premier dining room instead
The original plan was to have a new First Class Lounge at London’s Terminal 3. It was to be ready for the debut of the Project Sunrise flights. Qantas has quietly shelved those plans, to the indignation of premium frequent flyers and passengers. Instead, the airline will refurbish and enlarge...
2PAXfly
CHINA AIRLINES: More flights to Australia from October, 2026
Taiwan’s China Airlines is increasing flights to Australia from late October, giving travellers more non-stop choices between Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Taipei. The headline act is Sydney, where China Airlines will lift its Taipei service to daily from 25 October 2026. Melbourne follows on 28 October with a fifth weekly...
2PAXfly
QANTAS: Lounge pass rules change from 1 July 2026
From Wednesday 1 July, Qantas will tighten the rules governing Complimentary Lounge Invitations, ending the long-standing ability to transfer a pass to any other Frequent Flyer member, regardless of whether they are travelling with you. If you have a stash of passes, you only have days to give them away!...
Wild About Travel
concordes at last
She was the most beautiful aircraft ever created. She was the fastest passenger aircraft ever to fly. She was created through the cooperation of two countries, and the technology that came with her is still being used, with the breakthroughs she sparked continuing to impact aviation today. One fatal crash...
2PAXfly
WEEKLY REVIEW: Sunday 28 June, 2026
Hello travellers, Well, I’m in Sydney, but not quite home yet. If you have ever had a renovation done, you will understand. I have spent the last week at a Meriton Suites in central Sydney. It’s been a mixed experience. Living in central Sydney has some great advantages, especially on...
Wild About Travel
copy an dre doBeautiful Bold Brightline -The Best way to Ride
Birghtline is superb. What blows me away is that the Brightline experience has been created to attract and keep people who have never ridden a train before. And it works. Background First, a bit of history. In 2018, Brightline did the unthinkable and opened a new private rail service in...