2PAXfly
CONSUMER LAW: What to do when your flight is cancelled
Flight cancellations are a fact of life in peak travel periods, when airports and airlines are handling record numbers of passengers. When your travel plans suddenly unravel, whether it’s because of weather, airline issues or some other reason, you need to know what your rights are, what you can claim...
2PAXfly
SYDNEY AIRPORT: Air Traffic Control stinks! Sewage smell overwhelms control tower
Air traffic controllers at Sydney Airport were forced to work through overpowering sewage odours during the peak 2024–25 holiday travel period. Some staff were reportedly dry heaving at their desks while managing aircraft movements according to a story in the Sydney Morning Herald. Incident logs from Airservices Australia show the...
2PAXfly
HOTEL REVIEW: Bring boltcutters? Picton Waterfront Apartments, New Zealand
Our New Zealand holiday continued once we arrived in Picton and alighted from the Interisland ferry, picked up our hire car and made our way to the Waterfront Apartments, ready for our four-night stay, with a view straight down Picton harbour. Car Hire Just a note, that another visitor, who...
Wild About Travel
Johannesburg: First encounter with the City of Gold
Firstly, three fascinating facts about Johannesburg for your next Trivia Pursuit Competition: I flew to Johannesburg expecting not to like it, but there is something about its youthfulness, energy, hustling, humour and beauty that got to me. I rate all the cities I have visited or lived in, and Johannesburg...
Also on BoardingArea
ATX Jetsetter
Allegiant Announces Merger With Sun Country
Allegiant and Sun Country are merging in a $1.5 billion deal with Allegiant emerging as the combined carrier. The post Allegiant Announces Merger With Sun Country appeared first on ATX Jetsetter.
Frequent Miler
A weekend in Birmingham, England: German Christmas market, Peaky Blinders experiences, canal cruise, & more
My in-laws came to visit us in the UK for a couple of weeks over Christmas and New Year. A month or two beforehand we discovered that they were interested in visiting some European Christmas markets at some point in the future. We tried to make that happen this trip...
Points With a Crew
Chase Ink Business Unlimited® vs. Chase Ink Business Cash® – $750 with no annual fee
The Chase Ink Unlimited and Chase Ink Cash are two of Chase's no-fee business credit cards. They both come with a great welcome offer and ...
2PAXfly
CONSUMER LAW: What to do when your flight is cancelled
Flight cancellations are a fact of life in peak travel periods, when airports and airlines are handling record numbers of passengers. When your travel plans suddenly unravel, whether it’s because of weather, airline issues or some other reason, you need to know what your rights are, what you can claim...
The Gate with Brian Cohen
Short-Term Cash Versus Long-Term Loyalty
“Short-term cash versus long-term loyalty is very much the MO currently at American” is what Edward Pizzarello of Pizza in Motion wrote in this article pertaining to American Airlines offering Platinum Pro — what was then its new elite level status in the AAdvantage membership program — for sale. Let us...
You Are Travel
Allegiant and Sun Country Airlines Set to Merge – Could Be Very Interesting
​tl;dr – This link-up could, low-key create some interesting routes. ​Minnesota-based Sun Country Airlines and Nevada (Las Vegas)-based… The post Allegiant and Sun Country Airlines Set to Merge – Could Be Very Interesting appeared first on You Are Travel.
Frequent Miler
Which elite status would you prefer, American or Alaska? | Ask Us Anything Ep82 | 1-7-26
If you have to pick, which elite status would you prefer, American or Alaska? How does this new edit credit work? We answered these and many other questions on the Ask Us Anything hosted live on January 7th of 2026. Watch here: Or you can listen here: (04:25) – ​​Curious...
Your Mileage May Vary
How to Avoid Orlando’s Rental Car Toll Fees (and the Surprise Charges That Come With Them)
When you rent a car, there are almost always costs not included in the advertised price. Sales tax. Vehicle license recovery fee. Customer facility charge. Concession recovery fee. Parking surcharge.…
One Mile at a Time
Wow: Allegiant & Sun Country Merging, As Two Leisure Airlines Seek Synergies
There’s more consolidation coming to the US airline industry, and I can’t say this merger is particularly surprising.
The Bulkhead Seat
Breaking: Allegiant to Acquire Sun Country in $1.5 Billion Deal
Allegiant and Sun Country Airlines have announced a definitive merger agreement that will unite… The post Breaking: Allegiant to Acquire Sun Country in $1.5 Billion Deal appeared first on The Bulkhead Seat.
View from the Wing
Allegiant Buys Sun Country for $1.5 Billion — The Growth Story Is Easy. The Integration Risk Is the Problem.
Allegiant is buying Sun Country for $1.5 billion, betting it can sell across both airlines’ route networks and smooth out the seasonality that whipsaws leisure demand. The logic is simple—but integrating fleets, work groups, and operations is where mergers get expensive and blow up. Continue reading Allegiant Buys Sun Country for...
Travel Codex
Breaking: Allegiant Moves To Buy Sun Country In $1.5B Deal
Allegiant plans to acquire Sun Country in a $1.5B cash-and-stock deal. Approval may hinge on politics, timing, and the fragile ULCC landscape. A Leisure Airline Deal That Changes The Chessboard After years of airline mergers grinding to a halt under aggressive antitrust enforcement, a new deal has landed that will...
Frequent Miler
More Easy Rewards: Fee-free Visa Gift Cards at Staples
Staples is again offering fee-free fixed $200 Visa Gift Cards from Sunday, January 11th, through January 17, 2026. The limit is nine per customer per day (although some stores may allow more). Different stores appear to have different policies regarding the variable-load cards that some Staples now sell. Some folks...
Points With a Crew
5 myths about credit and your credit score
Building and maintaining good credit is one of the most important things you can do and a MUST before using credit cards for travel. Here are 5 myths about credit and 6 ways to check and improve...
Your Mileage May Vary
My Favorite Seat On A Plane
I love to fly in fancy airline seats. There’s nothing like flying in a lie-flat seat and getting to recline back and catch a few ZZZs at 35,000 feet. It’s…
One Mile at a Time
Atmos Rewards Summit Card 25K & 100K Global Companion Award Basics
Link: Learn more about theAtmos Rewards Summit Visa InfiniteCredit Card
Economy Class & Beyond
Airplane Art – Malaysia Airlines Boeing 737-8 taxiing at Kuala Lumpur International Airport
It’s Sunday again, so it must be time for some more Airplane Art.  This week, we have a Malaysia Airlines Boeing 737-8 taxiing around Kuala Lumpur International Airport as it prepares to depart its home base on a mission in Asia. Malaysia Airlines currently has 14 Boeing 737-8 aircraft in its short...
The Gate with Brian Cohen
Northern Lights in Sweden. Aurora Borealis.
The main part of the itinerary to most of the Nordic countries was to view the northern lights in Sweden, Finland, Norway, and Iceland, as we had never personally witnessed this phenomenon before the trip — but Aurora Borealis might not have appeared due to weather and other factors. The first...
View from the Wing
Two Coach Passengers Refused to Leave First Class on American Airlines in Miami — Police Removed Them in Cuffs
Two coach passengers reportedly sat down in first class on an American Airlines flight departing Miami and refused to move. Airport police were called, and the women were escorted out of the gate area in cuffs—caught on video. Continue reading Two Coach Passengers Refused to Leave First Class on American Airlines...
Your Mileage May Vary
Which Cruise Lines Still Allow Topless Sunbathing? Here’s the Rundown
I don’t know if you’re aware, but there is a Facebook Page maintained by John Heald, the Brand Ambassador and senior cruise director of Carnival Cruise Lines and a blogger…
Your Mileage May Vary
Which Cruise Lines Still Allow Topless Sunbathing? Here’s the Rundown
I don’t know if you’re aware, but there is a Facebook Page maintained by John Heald, the Brand Ambassador and senior cruise director of Carnival Cruise Lines and a blogger…
Miles To Memories
Chase Sapphire or Ink Business Preferred? Why My Upgrade Decision’s Easy
In order to unlock travel partner transfers, would you upgrade to the Chase Sapphire or Ink Business Preferred? My decision's quite simple. The post Chase Sapphire or Ink Business Preferred? Why My Upgrade Decision’s Easy appeared first on Miles to Memories.
View from the Wing
Amex Platinum vs Sapphire Reserve vs Venture X vs Strata Elite: Which Premium Card Is Best For You?
Four premium cards dominate the space right now: Amex Platinum, Chase Sapphire Reserve, Capital One Venture X, and Citi Strata Elite. Let's break down lounges, credits, earn rates, and transfer partners—then show which card (or pair) actually makes sense for how you travel and spend. Continue reading Amex Platinum vs Sapphire...
Live and Let’s Fly
I Tried Status Free Airline, Hotel Free Agency And Hated It
After years of frustration with loyalty programs I proudly freed myself of the elite status grind. I hated it and came crawling back to both airline and hotel status.  Why Chasing Status Had Run Its Course Every year the requirements get higher, the benefits are fewer – what’s the point...
2PAXfly
TURKISH AIRLINES: To reverse decision on Premium Economy?
Turkish Airlines could be seriously exploring the return of premium economy to its aircraft cabins. That would fit with the carrier plans to operate some of the longest flights in its history, including nonstop services between Istanbul and Sydney. That’s a development worth the attention of Australian travellers. Premium Economy...
2PAXfly
QANTAS: New Year, means time to plan for the next Qantas Double Status Credits & Points promotion
Each year since at least 2018, Qantas has offered a Double Status and Points promotion in February or March. Sure, it has offered similar promotions on other dates, but February/March are the most consistent and reliable. To that end, with the second week of the new year coming to a...
2PAXfly
CATHAY PACIFIC: Anniversary marks 2026 as 80 years in the air
Cathay Pacific has launched its 80th-anniversary celebrations for 2026, marking eight decades since the airline’s founding in 1946. The anniversary program is being rolled out under the theme ’80 Years Together’. The biggest indicator is an aircraft painted in retro livery. The birthday celebrations were formally launched at a Hong...
2PAXfly
STARLUX: Takes delivery of first A350-1000
Starlux Airlines has taken delivery of its first Airbus A350-1000, becoming the first Taiwanese airline to operate Airbus’ largest long-range twin-engine aircraft, a fleet milestone that has implications for Australian travellers flying long haul via Asia. The aircraft, registered B-58551, was handed over at Airbus’ Toulouse headquarters before operating a...
2PAXfly
2026: What’s new in the sky for Australian travellers
There are some interesting changes in aviation for 2026. It’s mainly about longer flights, that get you there moe quickly. It’s also about flying quieter and more comfortably for those uninterrupted very long hours. Most of these innovations have already been announced, but I thought at the beginning of 2026,...
2PAXfly
VENEZUELA: The effect of the USA military action on aviation for Australians
The U.S. military operation in Venezuela in early January 2026 has had a direct impact on aviation in the Americas, with flow-on effects for Australian travellers transiting through the United States, the Caribbean and parts of Latin America. While Venezuela itself is not a common destination for Australians, changes to...
Wild About Travel
Grounded for Good: The Airlines That Didn’t Survive 2025
For over a decade, I’ve been keeping note of which airlines go out of business each year. Do you recognise any of these? Air BelgiumBelgium. Founded: 2016. Commenced: 2018. Passenger operations ceased: 2024 (bankruptcy). Passenger flying had already stopped following the 2024 insolvency. After that, it was limited to wet‑lease...
Wild About Travel
Very Frequent Flying: My best and worst of 2025
One hundred and one flights in 2025, bringing me to 1782 lifetime flights. Flew to or from twenty-seven countries. Five continents. From the midnight sun grazing Helsinki’s summer sky to the crisp air of Hobart’s harbour, 2025 took me 213,054 kilometres (132,386 miles) around our planet. Roughly five times over....