2PAXfly
QANTAS: Project Sunrise, test flights start, certification and other delays
On the day Qantas celebrates the successful maiden test flight of the first Project Sunrise Airbus A350-1000ULR, I thought it might be timely to look more closely at the project. Below, I examine publicly available information and other possible reasons for the delay in the aircraft and project launches. The...
2PAXfly
VIRGIN AUSTRALIA: Last chance to claim Travel Credits from COVID-19 period
If you still have a Virgin Australia COVID-era travel credit sitting unloved in your digital bottom drawer, it’s your final boarding call. Credits issued for cancelled flights between 21 April 2020 and 31 July 2022 expire on 30 June 2026. And here is the kicker, Virgin says you don’t just...
2PAXfly
QANTAS: Trialing automated gates in Sydney at T3
“Computer says no” is coming to a Qantas departure gate near you. The airline is trialling automated boarding gates at Sydney Airport’s domestic Terminal 3, with the machines set to do what gate agents have been trying to do for years: enforce Group Boarding without having to smile through clenched...
Wild About Travel
Daftv hotek rules
From five stars in Singapore to a rickety bed and breakfast in Blackpool, a tree house in Zimbabwe, a 747 parked at Stockholm airport, a draughty youth hostel in Nirehn, Scotland, and everything in between means I have slept in a lot of hotel beds. A friend of mine scored...
Also on BoardingArea
Eye of the Flyer
American Suspends Six Routes — Four of Them Out of LAX
American just hit pause on six routes, and LAX flyers are taking most of the hit. Here's which nonstops are disappearing this summer, why, and what to do if you're booked on one.
One Mile at a Time
Alaska & Korean Air Plan Codeshare Partnership: A Delta Betrayal?
I must say, I’m a bit surprised that Delta didn’t compel Korean Air not to go in this direction, given competitive dynamics…
Miles To Memories
Alaska Airlines Making Several Negative Changes to Awards & Saver Fares
Atmos Rewards is making a few changes that include higher fees on partner award tickets and reduced earning on Saver fares.
The Gate with Brian Cohen
Earn Up to 15,000 Bonus Wyndham Rewards Points This Summer…
You can earn up to 15,000 bonus Wyndham Rewards points this summer when you complete a qualified stay at any of your choice of 8,414 participating hotel and resort properties worldwide through Wednesday, September 30, 2026; and you can earn up to 30,000 bonus Wyndham Rewards points if you are...
Frequent Miler
Earn 10X Wyndham points on Applebee’s deliveries + 2,500 bonus points on first order
Wyndham Rewards and Applebee’s have teamed up to offer Wyndham points and free delivery when ordering Applebee’s while staying at a Wyndham property. In addition to earning points on all eligible orders, you’ll also earn 2,500 bonus points on your first order. The Deals Earn 10X Wyndham points on Applebee’s...
One Mile at a Time
Best Credit Cards Right Now: 6 Cards I Actually Spend On
I have roughly two dozen credit cards (as one does), though only a handful actually see meaningful spending each month. Some sit in a drawer purely for the ongoing perks and statement credits that justify their annual fees, while others rotate through my wallet because they earn the best return...
View from the Wing
FAA Wants To Centrally Plan Airline Competition — Starting With Spirit’s $87 Million LaGuardia Slots
The FAA says Spirit’s valuable LaGuardia slots should go to a low-cost airline or be retired entirely, not simply sold to whoever values them most. That is the same central-planning impulse airline regulators keep falling into: trying to engineer competition from Washington instead of using prices to allocate scarce airport...
Your Mileage May Vary
Hilton Brings Back More Nights, More Points For Summer 2026
Hilton Honors has launched its new summer promotion, and this time it’s bringing back another familiar name: More Nights, More Points. That follows the Points Unlimited promotion Hilton offered earlier…
Miles To Memories
TSA Is Testing Remote Security Screening
The TSA has officially launched a new pilot program that allows some travelers to complete airport security screening before they even arrive at Boston Logan International Airport.
View from the Wing
Don’t Sleep On The Chase 100,000 Point Ink Business Preferred Bonus
Chase has brought back a 100,000-point bonus on the Ink Business Preferred, giving small-business owners and those of you with a side hustle one of the strongest bank card offers available right now. The card’s $95 annual fee is low for a bonus this large, and the points can be...
Points Miles and Bling
What $15 Billion in Unused Points Says About Loyalty Programs
A new study by Scene+ and Bond Brand Loyalty produced quite interesting results, almost in contradiction to what we in…
Frequent Miler
Get waived purchase fees on cards from MastercardGiftCard, VanillaGift, TheGiftCardShop, & AmexGiftCard
No sooner did the graduation-related waived purchase fee promotions end at MastercardGiftCard.com, VanillaGift.com, TheGiftCardShop.com, and AmexGiftCard.com, than new ones began that are all Father’s Day related. The Deals Incomm-run sites are offering the following deals: MastercardGiftCard.com – Get 100% off purchase fees of Mastercard gift cards with promo code DAD26...
You Are Travel
Marriott to Open Its First ‘All-Electric’ Hotel, And The Location Probably Isn’t a Surprise
​tl;dr – Are you thinking ‘green’? ​Later this year, Marriott will welcome The Sugar House Hotel to its…
You Are Travel
Marriott To Bring Its Lifestyle Brand to the Slopes in Hokkaido
​tl;dr – The hotel will open right in the heart of Niseko Village. ​Marriott recently announced the upcoming…
Miles To Memories
Save 20% at Fontainebleau Las Vegas with New Amex Offer
American Express cardholders can save up to 20% on their next stay at Fontainebleau Las Vegas with a new Amex Offer. This offer is targeted, but seems to be widely available for most consumer and business cardholders.
One Mile at a Time
BermudAir’s Huge, Random Expansion: Hello St. Petersburg To Belize City!
You know, Ive gotta say, this might just be the strangest expansion weve ever seen from a real airline (not to be confused with fake airlines). Im not sure if theyre just grasping at straws because other markets arent working, or what.
Frequent Miler
Negative Alaska Airlines changes: Increased partner award fees & no points or status points on saver fares
Alaska Airlines announced a few negative changes to its Atmos Rewards program yesterday. It’ll be increasing partner award fees, increasing call center booking charges, and eliminating Atmos Rewards points earning and Status Points earning on Saver fares. Increased fees There are two types of fees that’ll be increasing: Call center...
Frequent Flyer Bonuses
Miles & More: Earn up to 10 miles per Euro spent on Sixt Car Rentals (June 3 Bonus Offer Highlight)
Today’s bonus offer highlight is an excellent Miles & More bonus for Sixt car rentals around the World where the better Germany does in the World Cup, the more miles you earn! Check out all of the new bonuses added today:
Points With a Crew
Do Citi Strata Elite Admirals Club Passes Count As “One-Day Passes”?
I recently tried to use one of my 4 Admiral's Club passes that come with the Citi Strata Elite card when one-day passes were not being accepted at the lounge. When I got inside, I found ...
Live and Let’s Fly
Review: SWISS A330-300 Economy Class Zurich To Chicago
SWISS offers a solid economy class product on its A330-300 with excellent onboard dining and a comfortable seat, though there are some drawbacks as well. SWISS A330-300 Economy Class (ZRH-ORD) My children and I flew from Zurich to Chicago on a SWISS A330-300, which was our first longhaul flight in...
Your Mileage May Vary
Remember The Passenger Who Found A Used Condom In His Seat? There’s Now More To The Story.
Viral travel stories usually have a short shelf life. Something strange happens, social media gets angry for a few days, and then everyone moves on to the next outrage. But…
Frequent Flyer Bonuses
Air Canada Aeroplan: Earn up to 3.5x points on select flights worldwide including Australia, Europe & more (New bonuses added on June 2!)
Air Canada has released a new batch of Aeroplan bonus points offers for travelling on a selection of the airline’s routes in economy and business class for the most of 2026! With this latest set of offer you need to book by June 15th or June 30th to earn the...
View from the Wing
American Airlines Dropped From The Dow Transportation Average After Long-Term Decline
American Airlines has now been dropped from the Dow Jones Transportation Average, two years after being kicked out of the S&P 500. Its stock price had fallen so far that it carried less than 0.5% weight in the price-weighted index — while Delta, United, Southwest, and even Alaska remain.
One Mile at a Time
150-Seat United Airbus A321XLR Joins Fleet, With New Polaris Seats, Snack Bar
In December 2019, United Airlines placed an order for 50 A321XLRs, which is Airbus’ new ultra long range and fuel efficient evolution of the A321. The plane entered commercial service in late 2024, with Iberia and Aer Lingus being the launch customers.
2PAXfly
BORDER FORCE: Melbourne Airport pilots digital Australia Travel Declaration form with Qantas
Why is it so difficult for Australia to digitise its Travel Declaration card? I certainly don’t know. But apparently, given this is at least the third try, it is. The Australian Border Force is piloting (again) the Australia Travel Declaration (ATD) form, you know that yellow form we all have...
Wild About Travel
Drafyh Bergen: Norway’s Fjord-Framed Gem
There are some cities I like, some I love, and some that just smack you in the face with their wow factor. Hence the language in my headline’ Surrounded by seven mountains and nestled beside deep blue waters, Bergen’s scenery is more than spectacular. Founded in 1070, Bergen is Norway’s...
2PAXfly
WEEKLY REVIEW: Sunday 31 May, 2026
Greetings from Canada! I’m here crossing the continent over the next few weeks. It’s my first time in this part of North America. I flew with Qantas to Vancouver, stayed overnight at the airport before meeting up with my husband, and then proceeded to our next Canadian destination. What happened...
2PAXfly
QANTAS: Expands points redemptions on Philippine Airlines
Qantas Frequent Flyers can now use points to book Classic Reward seats across the full Philippine Airlines (PAL) network, opening up 15 new island and regional destinations via Manila. Qantas Points can now take you beyond Manila to places like Boracay, Cebu and Palawan with their suspiciously perfect beaches and...
2PAXfly
JETSTAR: Consumer protections threaten airline’s existence
In an article in the SMH, Jetstar chief executive Stephanie Tully warns that the proposed new aviation consumer protections could “undermine Jetstar’s existence”. Quite a phrase from a low-cost airline owned by the Qantas Group. The comments were made to a Senate committee examining the federal government’s planned Aviation Consumer...
Wild About Travel
Drfat Perth
OverviewWhen you hear the name “Perth,” it’s worth noting that there are actually three places that share the name: Perth in Scotland, Perth in Tasmania, and the vibrant capital of Western Australia, which I’m reviewing here. Perth, WA, is known for its vast open spaces, stunning coastlines, and year-round sunshine....
2PAXfly
STARLUX: Taiwan’s ‘luxury’ airline to fly to Sydney and Auckland
Sydney looks set to gain a new Taiwanese contender in 2027, with STARLUX, the Taiwan-based airline, having confirmed (ET) plans to launch direct flights between Taipei and Sydney, with Auckland added as a trans-Tasman tag flight. That means Australians could soon have another way to reach Taiwan, North Asia, North...
2PAXfly
QATAR & ETIHAD: A380s retreat from Australia as the superjumbo shuffle continues
Qatar Airways is cutting back planned A380 service to Australia and China, with the superjumbo now concentrated on a much smaller number of routes as the airline rebuilds its network after disruption in the Middle East. AeroRoutes schedule filings show Qatar’s regular A380 operations from 16 June to 15 September...