2PAXfly
QANTAS: Does Project Sunrise indicate a more premium, lower-volume international strategy, as Joe Aston says?
In an Australian Financial Review opinion piece over the weekend, Joe Aston, author of The Chairman’s Lounge: The inside story of how Qantas sold us out, argues that Qantas is changing its international strategy. His core argument is that Project Sunrise is not simply a new pair of ultra-long-haul routes:...
2PAXfly
WEEKLY REVIEW: SUNDAY 5 JULY, 2026
Hello travellers, We are finally home, although we have spent most of the week besieged by builders completing various aspects of our repairs and renovation. The dust has mainly settled and been cleaned away. As with all building work, there are still a few issues and complications to resolve. That...
2PAXfly
RIYADH AIR: What are reviewers’ first impressions
Saudi Arabia’s new flag carrier, Riyadh Air, has now carried its first paying passengers in its own Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners. The early verdict from critics is fairly consistent. Riyadh Air looks exceptionally good. It is serving food, drinks and attention at a level many established airlines would struggle to match....
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...
Also on BoardingArea
One Mile at a Time
Copa Airlines’ Starlink Wi-Fi Goes Live… But It’s Not Free For Most Passengers?!?
Copa Airlines is a bit of a powerhouse in Latin America, connecting the region via its hub in Panama (PTY). The airline is incredibly efficient, operating an all-Boeing 737 fleet, and is known for its attractive fares, good schedule, and operational reliability.
The Alviator
SriLankan’s A330 Business Class: Comfortable, But Second Rate
I flew SriLankan's A330 business class from Paris to Colombo. It was okay, though definitely not the best Oneworld redemption out there.
Frequent Miler
What are hotel free night certificates worth?
Many hotel credit cards offer free night certificates as anniversary bonuses to incentivize you to keep a card, as “big spend bonuses” to entice you to spend more on the card, or even as part of a welcome offer to make it more attractive to apply for the card in...
The Bulkhead Seat
Hotel Review: Hyatt Centric Faneuil Hall Boston
A business dinner had me in Boston for a night last month. It had…
Points With a Crew
Chase Ink Business Preferred® vs. Chase Ink Business Unlimited® – $1,000 or 100,000 points
The Chase Ink Preferred and Chase Ink Unlimited are two of Chase's business credit cards and they can both be great options to boost your Ultimate Rewards points balance. Deciding which one is best can depend on ...
The Gate with Brian Cohen
This Pass Really Helps Me With Road Trips.
This pass really helps me with road trips, as one of the more mundane parts of a road trip is getting to the point where it should begin — especially in states that are far away from where I am based. The pass to which I am referring is...
View from the Wing
Starlink Wi-Fi Has Always Been Free On Planes. Copa Airlines Is About To Change That
Starlink Wi-Fi has always launched as free internet on airlines, but Copa appears set to become the first carrier to charge most passengers for access. Premium cabin flyers, elite members, and Starlink residential or roaming customers will get it included, while everyone else may have to pay. It looks like...
Your Mileage May Vary
Why I’m Looking At The Chase Sapphire Preferred Differently Now
For years, the Chase Sapphire Preferred was one of the easiest travel credit cards to explain. It was the entry point for people just getting into transferable points at a…
Altitude Yes
Why American Will Take Over JAL’s Chicago – Tokyo Narita Service
American's ability to serve Narita's afternoon/evening bank on both legs of its Chicago - Narita flights will offer better connections for Southeast Asia. The post Why American Will Take Over JAL’s Chicago – Tokyo Narita Service first appeared on Altitude Yes.
Frequent Miler
Capital One Offers: Earn 10X miles on Lyft rides (stack with other partnerships)
If you have any Capital One cards and you need to take Lyft rides in the near future, check your Capital One Offers as there’s a (possibly targeted) offer giving 10X miles on Lyft rides when paying with your Capital One card. The Deal Earn 10X miles from Capital One...
Points With a Crew
Should you buy Hilton points with (up to) a 100% bonus?
Buying points can be a great way to boost your balance, but only if makes sense financially! Does the new Hilton promotion fit that criteria?
Your Mileage May Vary
TSA’s Family Security Lane Turns 1. Has It Been A Success?
Going through a TSA checkpoint can be stressful enough. Add a stroller, diaper bag, car seat, snacks, stuffed animals and one or two young children into the mix, and things…
Miles To Memories
(It’s Back) Earn $150 with New Varo Money Account, Plus $150 for Referrals
Varo Money is offering an increased signup bonus of $150. The offer is available through referral links, with both parties earning the bonus.
The Bulkhead Seat
Jeff Mauro Shares Secrets Behind United’s New Patty Melt in Impromptu Reddit AMA
Jeff Mauro won the seventh season of the Food Network Star competition and his…
Frequent Miler
Hyatt Under Canvas Chase Offer: Get 15% back on $450-467 spend
In addition to the Chase Offer for Hyatt’s Inclusive Collection properties, there’s a Chase Offer for a different Hyatt brand—Under Canvas—that’s giving 15% back as a statement credit when spending $450 or more. The Deal Get 15% back as a statement credit when spending $450+ at Hyatt’s Under Canvas properties...
Miles To Memories
Rakuten Offering Extra $100 for Chase Ink Business Unlimited Applications
Rakuten has launched a new promotion that lets applicants earn an extra $100 cash back (or 10,000 Bilt Points) when they're approved for the Chase Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card.
The Gate with Brian Cohen
Save Up to 60% at Select Iberostar Beachfront Resorts With IHG One Rewards
You can enjoy some time relaxing at the beach and spend less money, as you can save up to 60% at select Iberostar Beachfront Resorts with IHG One Rewards at 27 participating resort properties in the United States, Mexico, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Brazil, and Aruba between today, Friday, July 3,...
View from the Wing
IHG One Rewards Kills Email Support. Members Can Still Argue With AI Or Send A Fax
IHG One Rewards has eliminated email customer service, even for Ambassador members, pushing customers to phone support, chat, web forms, or fax instead. That may save staffing costs and reduce complaints, but email is still the best channel for complex loyalty problems because it is asynchronous, creates a paper trail,...
Your Mileage May Vary
I Was Ready To Ignore The Amex Resy Credit. Now, If I Didn’t Have It, I’d Miss It
When American Express started adding Resy credits to its cards, I understood why. Amex owns the restaurant-booking platform Resy, so encouraging cardholders to use it makes perfect sense. But I didn’t expect…
Miles To Memories
Alaska Restores Wallet Funds for Companion Fare Bookings
When Alaska transitioned to its new Atmos Rewards platform, the airline removed the ability to apply Wallet funds toward Companion Fare reservations.
View from the Wing
The Biggest Rewards Credit Cards In A Nutshell: What They’re Actually Good For, And Where They Fall Short
The biggest rewards credit cards are easier to understand when you strip them down to what they actually do best. Sapphire Reserve, Amex Platinum, Venture X, Citi Strata Elite, Bilt Palladium, Bilt Blue, United Explorer, and Citi AAdvantage Business all have real strengths, but each one also has limits. The...
Points Miles and Bling
Amex Offers: Marriott Bonvoy and Toronto Pearson Dining
American Express Canada has rolled out a few very good Amex Offers that are very much worth your time and…
Frequent Miler
Accor promo: Earn 1,000-7,500 bonus points in Europe, Africa, Middle East, & Asia
ALL Accor is running a new promotion that’s awarding 1,000-7,500 bonus points when staying at properties in Europe, Africa, Middle East, and Asia. The Deal Accor is running the following promotion on stays in Europe, Africa, Middle East, & Asia: Stay 2-4 nights Earn 1,000 bonus points Earn 1,500 bonus...
Live from a Lounge
Air India launches “Priceless Journey Sale” with Business Class fares from INR 15,000 and Economy from INR 1,499
Air India is back with another limited-period fare sale, this time offering discounts across its domestic and international network in Economy, Premium Economy and Business Class. Dubbed the Priceless Journey Sale, the promotion brings one-way fares starting at INR 1,499 and could be a good opportunity for those planning travel...
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...
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!...