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
Economy Class & Beyond
AIX26: ZIPAIR Completes Fleetwide Deployment of MacBook Pro Inflight Server Platform
We’ve seen a lot of different flight servers – but could an off-the-shelf laptop be a server? ZIPAIR Tokyo thinks so, and has completed a Fleetwide Deployment This is alongside the airline’s transition to Starlink’s low-Earth-orbit (LEO) connectivity. With MacBook Pro, ZIPAIR can develop and deploy new in-flight services faster...
The Bulkhead Seat
Allegiant Moves Closer to Sun Country Acquisition After DOT Approval
As I first wrote about back in January, Allegiant is working to acquire Sun…
One Mile at a Time
Korean Air Unveils New First Class Lounge Incheon, And It’s… Private
In recent times, Korean Air has been investing in its passenger experience. The airline has done this both in anticipation of its merger with Asiana (where it wants to create a harmonized experience), and also because Korean Air has kind of been second rate compared to some of its rivals...
Live and Let’s Fly
Report: Spirit Airlines On Brink Of Liquidation As Fuel Costs Exacerbate Broken Business Model
While rumors of its death may be greatly exaggerated, Spirit Airlines is once again at the center of media reports warning of imminent shutdown and liquidation. Such rumors are not definitive, but must be taken seriously now more than ever as the bankrupt carrier struggles in a new environment of...
Economy Class & Beyond
AIX26: Delta Air Lines select Airbus for A350-1000 inflght connectivity soultion with Hughes
Airbus has been selected by Delta Air Lines to equip its 20 A350-1000s on order, with Airbus’ HBCplus. In doing so, the airline became Airbus’s first North American customer of its linefit offering. Airbus will work with Delta and Hughes to equip Delta’s A350-1000s with the multi-orbit in-flight connectivity (IFC) solution,...
View from the Wing
Spirit Airlines Could Stop Flying This Week And Sell Off Its Assets
Spirit Airlines could stop flying as soon as this week and begin selling off assets, according to a new report, a scenario that would turn a fragile bankruptcy into a full shutdown. Even if creditors are still talking, the mere prospect of liquidation makes the airline harder to save by...
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...
Economy Class & Beyond
AIX26: Air Canada commences flying with Panasonic Astrova
Some good news for Panasonic Avionics, as its IFE solution – Astrova – has entered service with Air Canada. The flag carrier of Canada is retro-fitting Astrova on 19 A321 aircraft, with the IFE solution also being installed on an additional 67 of the carrier’s fleet across a number of aircraft...
Frequent Miler
Which award search tool is best?
It’s possible to fly domestic economy class for as few as 4,500 miles, or fly premium economy to Europe for as few as 10,500 miles, or fly business class to South Africa for 75,000 miles. It’s easy to dream about enjoying flights like these, but it’s often very difficult to find...
The Bulkhead Seat
Whoa: Spirit Airlines Faces Possible Liquidation as Financial Pressures Mount
Spirit Airlines is facing a critical moment in its history. Reports indicate that the…
One Mile at a Time
Report: Spirit Airlines On Verge Of Liquidation, Could Happen Within Days
I can’t say that I’m surprised to hear this, though it certainly counters the narrative we’ve heard in recent weeks.
Points With a Crew
Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card Review (130K Points AND Free Night Offer ENDS WEDNESDAY!)
The American Express Hilton Honors Surpass card has outstanding benefits and a hefty welcome offer. If you're looking for a new card to earn Hilton points, make sure you ...
The Gate with Brian Cohen
Do Not Forget That Today is Tax Day in the United States.
Do not forget that today is tax day in the United States, as Wednesday, April 15, 2026 is winding down — and I thought that we could look back at some articles that were published at The Gate With Brian Cohen with which taxes were part of the topic. Without further...
Frequent Miler
Capital One Shopping: Spend $330+ on Preferred Hotels booking & get $100 back
If you’re interested in taking advantage of the new Preferred Hotels Amex Offer, keep an eye out on your emails for a targeted offer from Capital One Shopping giving $100 back. The Deal Spend $330 or more on a Preferred Hotels & Resorts stay and get $100 back from Capital...
Live and Let’s Fly
JetBlue Founder Says Airline Is In Deep Trouble And Even United Doesn’t Want It
JetBlue’s future just got a very blunt reality check from one of the smartest CEOs in the business…who also happens to be the founder of JetBlue. Even United Does Not Want JetBlue, Per David Neeleman Many have wondered whether the maneuvering by United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby at the White...
Hawaii Calling
Hawaiian Airlines’ Biggest Change Yet Starts April 22 — What You Need to Know
April 22, 2026 marks the biggest milestone yet in the Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines merger (I mean buyout)—and from a traveler’s perspective, this is where everything finally comes together. …and for most of you, not soon enough. With Hawaiian Airlines officially joining the Oneworld alliance and fully integrating into...
One Mile at a Time
JetBlue Founder Predicts Bankruptcy For Struggling Airline In Leaked Recording
It goes without saying that a lot of people have a lot of opinions about JetBlue’s future, and whether the carrier could be acquired, whether it may eventually have to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, or what. We recently learned that JetBlue is looking for a merger partner, and we...
The Bulkhead Seat
United Limits Polaris Lounge Access, Cuts Entry for Many Star Alliance Passengers
United Airlines has implemented new restrictions on access to its Polaris Lounges and quietly…
Frequent Miler
Get $100 back on a $500+ Omni Hotels & Resorts stay with targeted Amex Offer
There’s a new Omni Hotels & Resorts Amex Offer available on a targeted basis that’s giving a $100 statement credit when spending $500 or more on room rate and room charges at properties in the US and Canada. The Deal Spend $500 or more on room rate and room charges...
Altitude Yes
Delta’s New Business Class Seats and the Premium Cabin Arms Race
Delta will allocate about 50% of its new A350-1000s for premium seating, including 53 Delta One suites. The post Delta’s New Business Class Seats and the Premium Cabin Arms Race first appeared on Altitude Yes.
Miles To Memories
Luxor Isn’t Sinking, Another NBA Arena, Vanderpump Emerges & Room Rates Softening?
Vanderpump Hotel emerges, 7th Vegas NBA arena proposed, JW Marriott rebrands & the Vegas microwave hack.
The Gate with Brian Cohen
Szalonej Środy With LOT Polish Airlines Means Crazy Wednesday Sale
LOT Polish Airlines has a promotion that occurs on many Wednesdays because Szalonej Środy translates from Polish into English as Crazy Wednesday, which is in effect only on Wednesdays — typically for the Polish market, as airports in Poland are usually the origination airports of the deals. As today...
View from the Wing
JetBlue Founder Warns The Airline May Go Bankrupt This Year — And Says Nobody Will Buy It
JetBlue founder David Neeleman says the airline could be pushed into bankruptcy this year if fuel prices stay elevated, and he does not think any major U.S. carrier wants to take on its debt.
Points With a Crew
Kickstarter: ISOLA26 Waterproof Adventure Jacket (Back By Thursday)
The ISOLA26 waterproof adventure jacket features 58 pockets, a Smart GPS system, and the SecureVault pocket system. It's on Kickstarter, but only for a few more ...
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...