2PAXfly
WEEKLY REVIEW: SundAY 19 April, 2026
Greetings from London! I’m here in Spring, soaking up culture with visits to multiple galleries and exhibitions, I’m also enjoying a lot of theatre performances, and catch-ups with friends. New Museums and Galleries is my guideline, and to that end, I visited Leighton House, with its mad Arabic rooms, seen...
2PAXfly
AIR NEW ZEALAND: Skynest to cost AU$400. Soon bookable
Finally, Air New Zealand is about to offer a solution to the problem of sleeping in Economy. After years of delays, it’s finally becoming a reality, with bookings open from 18 May 2026. Years in the making Air New Zealand first revealed the concept in 2020, pitching it as a...
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...
Also on BoardingArea
The Bulkhead Seat
EL AL Announces Nonstop Buenos Aires Service to Return to South America
EL AL will return to South America with the launch of a new 2x…
View from the Wing
Pilot Sues To Stop Florida From Renaming Palm Beach Airport For Trump
A pilot in Palm Beach County has sued to stop Florida from renaming Palm Beach International Airport for President Trump, arguing the state has no business forcing a local airport to rebrand itself for political reasons. The case is a long shot, focused on how far the state can go...
Altitude Yes
The Altitude Weekend: A Weekly Recap of the Airline Business, April 19, 2026
This week, Delta rolled out new interiors, the industry saw more chatter on consolidation, and American celebrated its 100th anniversary. The post The Altitude Weekend: A Weekly Recap of the Airline Business, April 19, 2026 first appeared on Altitude Yes.
Points With a Crew
What Exactly Is Air Passenger Duty, Anyway?
Flights from the UK often have an additional fee that no other airports charge. What is Air Passenger Duty and how can you avoid it?
Miles To Memories
Luxury At Scale – Grand Wailea Maui Highlights
After a 15-year break, we returned to the Grand Wailea Maui. How would this trip measure up to the last one?
Economy Class & Beyond
Airplane Art – Virgin Atlantic Airbus A350-1000 loading at London Heathrow Airport
It’s Sunday again, so it must be time for some more Airplane Art.  This week, we have a Virgin Atlantic Airbus A350-1000 being loaded at its home of London Heathrow Terminal 3 as it is prepared for its next long-haul flight. Virgin Atlantic operates a fleet of 12 Airbus A350-1000 aircraft in its fleet....
View from the Wing
Chicago O’Hare Has Its Own Rap For Taxiing Aircraft Now – And It’s Awesome [Roundup]
Chicago O’Hare now has its own rap for taxiing aircraft, plus a monkey taking over a hotel room in Mexico, Marriott promising China members notice before Bonvoy gets worse, a coolAeroplan redemption for Epcot fireworks, and more.
The Gate with Brian Cohen
Mavi Waterfront Bar & Grill in Jacksonville Beach in Florida. Restaurant Review.
Mavi Waterfront Bar & Grill is located on United States Highway 90 in the city of Jacksonville Beach in Florida; but note that it is actually approximately two miles west of the actual beach itself — not that that was a problem. We walked into the restaurant and were seated...
View from the Wing
Court Ruling Makes It Harder For TSA To Reinstate Shoe Removal Or Mandate Face Scans
A court ruling has put real limits on how far TSA can go in changing airport screening without going through formal rulemaking. If the agency wants to bring back shoe removal, make facial recognition mandatory, or impose other broad new checkpoint rules, it may no longer be enough to do...
Miles To Memories
(Ends Soon) IHG Business Card, 200K Signup Bonus Is Back!
Chase and IHG have launched a new offer for the IHG One Rewards Premier Business Credit Card. This 200,000 offer matches the highest ever bonus for this card.
Live and Let’s Fly
Alaska Launches Rome, British Airways Restores St. Louis
Alaska Airlines crosses the Atlantic for the first time April 28. Meanwhile, nine days earlier, British Airways restores a UK nonstop to St. Louis, the first since 2003. The Route Nobody’s Covering The travel blogosphere is busy writing about Alaska Airlines’ April 28 Seattle-Rome launch. It is, fairly, a milestone...
Frequent Miler
Office Depot/OfficeMax: Buy $300+ Visa Gift Cards, Save $15
Office Depot and OfficeMax stores have returned with their profitable gift card deal on Visa gift cards through 4/25/26. The Deal Buy $300+ Visa gift cards at Office Depot/OfficeMax & get $15 off instantly. Key Terms Valid April 19, 2026 – April 25, 2026. Limit 10 per household/business (different stores...
Frequent Miler
How to use AwardTool to search for award flights (Video)
AwardTool is an award search tool that has a lot of flexibility, especially if you have the Pro version. In this video, we’ll show you what you can do with AwardTool Pro. (00:00) – Get $20 off your first year by using code FREQUENTMILER20. Use our link here. (00:30) –...
Points With a Crew
Here’s One Big Reason Why Planes Don’t Fly Over Antarctica
In many cases, flying a "Great Circle" route over the southern pole could cut hundreds or even thousands of miles off a trip. But there's one specific reason why ...
Miles To Memories
Amex Credit Card Refresh Coming? 100,000 AA Miles Up For Grabs & Spirit Could Liquidate This Week
In our Around the Web series we take a look at interesting articles that cover miles, points, travel and personal finance.
Your Mileage May Vary
The Simplest Hack Ever For A Hotel Air Conditioner
When a hotel AC wouldn’t stay on, one simple change solved the problem for the entire stay. For many summers, Joe and I stayed at one of our favorite hotels…
View from the Wing
Europe Could Ban Carry-On Bag Fees — Makes Overhead Bin Space A Human Right
Europe is now much closer to banning airlines from charging extra for a standard carry-on bag, with a decisive round of negotiations starting Monday Supporters say this would stop confusing bag rules and protect passengers, but the real effect would be to force airlines to bundle more into the base...
Miles To Memories
Current Retention Offer: Amex, BOA, Capital One, Chase & Citi Retention Offer Data Points
Retention offers are a massive part of this hobby. Here are data points on a current retention offer Amex, Chase & Citi have offered to credit card users.
Live and Let’s Fly
The Case That Supports A United-American Airlines Merger
Statements from United Airlines CEO, Scott Kirby this week about a merger with American Airlines caused significant uproar but there is a case that supports the tie-up.  Kirby’s Outlandish Proposal United isn’t just posturing anymore. The idea of a merger or outright acquisition of American Airlines is being floated, and...
View from the Wing
Air France Cancelled A Valid Business Class Ticket, Said They Could Fix It — Then Demanded $1,800 More To Travel Anyway
Air France canceled a valid last-minute business class ticket after issuing it and charging the card, then told the customer he had 24 hours to call if he wanted to keep the itinerary. He called within hours, did exactly what the airline instructed, and was still told the only way...
The Gate with Brian Cohen
Foggy Highway 35 in Alabama. Sunday Morning Photograph.
I was driving eastbound one cool and foggy autumn morning on Alabama State Highway 35 south between Woodville and Scottsboro; and I pulled over and stopped for a moment to take a photograph. The highway...
The Bulkhead Seat
Edelweiss Air to Cut Denver and Seattle Routes as Fuel Costs Rise
Edelweiss Air has announced it will discontinue two of its long-haul US routes (citing…
One Mile at a Time
Marriott Bonvoy Promises To Give Notice Of Negative Changes… If You’re In China
It’s always frustrating to see loyalty program devaluations, especially those without notice. So here’s an interesting update, as Marriott is now committing to providing advance notice of negative changes, but only to select members, as flagged by LoyaltyLobby.
Miles To Memories
(Ends Soon) Highest Ever 80,000 Points Bonus for World of Hyatt Business Card
The World of Hyatt Business Card now has a new welcome offer of 80,000 points, which is the highest ever bonus offered for this card.
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...
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...