2PAXfly
VIRGIN AUSTRALIA: We had Economy X first, so there!
Yesterday, I wrote a post about the launch of Qantas’ new Economy Plus seats. Today, I write a post where Virgin Australia gives a less-than-subtle middle finger to the Qantas initiative, rightly claiming that they did it first with their Economy X seats. To top if off, they are offering...
2PAXfly
QANTAS: ‘Economy Plus’ now launched
Qantas has now launched its newest cabin product, and as of today, Monday 2 February, it’s available for booking. Economy Plus was first announced back in November 2025. The product, which provides four extra inches, increases the seat pitch at the front of the economy section from 30 to 34...
Wild About Travel
The Surreal Magic of Walking Where Ships Should Be: Helsinki in Winter
My Strava doesn’t lie. It shows me walking 300 metres across the water from Helsinki’s shoreline, just near Kaivopuisto in southern Helsinki, to the island of Harakka. In winter, Helsinki can spend weeks below zero Celsius, which means vast areas of the sea freeze into thick ice. The 7 metres...
2PAXfly
WEEKLY REVIEW: Sunday, 1 February 2026
Hope you are having a great weekend. Below is a summary of stories that appeared in the blog over the last week. QANTAS: Sydney to Sapporo, Japan flights doubled for next ski season By 2paxfly on 31 Jan 2026 12:35 pmThe international arm of Qantas has never been afraid of...
Also on BoardingArea
Frequent Miler
Using Buying Groups to Increase Credit Card Spend (2026)
There are many reasons that you might want to increase credit card spending. You may need to meet minimum spend requirements on new credit cards in order to earn big welcome offers. Perhaps you want to earn high-level elite status or other big spend bonuses, as Greg did with Delta. Maybe...
Frequent Flyer Bonuses
World of Hyatt Bonus Journeys: Earn up to 28,000 bonus points on stays worldwide
World of Hyatt’s Bonus Journeys is back! The chain’s first systemwide global promotion for 2026 provides members with the opportunity to earn up to 28,000 bonus points. This offer is available until April 15, 2026 Members can earn 3,000 bonus points for every 3 eligible nights completed at participating hotels...
The Bulkhead Seat
Virgin Atlantic Increases Manchester to Orlando Frequency After Aer Lingus Dropped the Route
Last week, I wrote about Aer Lingus pulling the plug on its long-haul operations… The post Virgin Atlantic Increases Manchester to Orlando Frequency After Aer Lingus Dropped the Route appeared first on The Bulkhead Seat.
Points With a Crew
Should you sign up for the Capital One Venture or Venture X Card? (Hot new $1,000 offer)
The Capital One Venture and Venture X cards are 2 cards that earn super valuable Venture miles. But which of these two powerhouse cards is the best? Let's look at ...
The Gate with Brian Cohen
16 Tips on How to Use and Leave a Lavatory Aboard an Airplane
Lavatories have the unfortunate combination of the worst of a public washroom in a space seemingly less than half the size of a typical private bathroom in your home. When nature calls, dozens of people have no choice but to answer — and answer they do, in ways where you...
2PAXfly
VIRGIN AUSTRALIA: We had Economy X first, so there!
Yesterday, I wrote a post about the launch of Qantas’ new Economy Plus seats. Today, I write a post where Virgin Australia gives a less-than-subtle middle finger to the Qantas initiative, rightly claiming that they did it first with their Economy X seats. To top if off, they are offering...
The Travel Sisters
Best Valentine’s Day Travel Themed Gifts
Looking for unique travel gift ideas for your husband, wife or significant other for Valentine's Day? Check out these romantic Valentine's Day gifts for travelers. The post Best Valentine’s Day Travel Themed Gifts appeared first on The Travel Sisters.
View from the Wing
I Pay $2,680 In Premium Card Fees To Keep Amex Platinum, Sapphire Reserve, Venture X And Citi Strata Elite
Four premium cards, all with $600+ annual fees, might sound crazy — but they more than pay for themselves. Between stacked credits, lounge access, and reward strategies, here’s exactly how I turn those fees into profit every year.
One Mile at a Time
Buy Finnair Plus Avios With A 50% Bonus (1.65 Cents Each): Worth It?
Strategically buying points for premium travel can be a great value. Finnair Plus has just launched its newest promotion on purchased Avios, offering up to a 50% bonus. While this isn’t the best price we’ve seen on purchased Avios, there’s still potentially value to be had, with a short term...
Frequent Miler
Current Hotel Promotions for February 2026
All major hotel brands dangle various carrots in front of customers to incentivize their patronage. Bonuses for for elite status, loyalty program membership and credit card spending all serve as sweeteners that make rewards-earning a little faster and more fruitful. Promotions are another significant way that hotel loyalty programs try...
The Bulkhead Seat
Some United MileagePlus Premier 1K® Members Are Getting Their Elite Status Extended for Free
The highest published elite status that United Airlines offers through its MileagePlus loyalty program… The post Some United MileagePlus Premier 1K® Members Are Getting Their Elite Status Extended for Free appeared first on The Bulkhead Seat.
One Mile at a Time
Best Alaska Atmos Rewards Credit Card: Which Of The Three Is Right For You?
Link: Learn more about the Atmos Rewards Summit Visa Infinite Credit Card, Atmos Rewards Ascent Visa Signature credit card, or Atmos Rewards Visa Signature Business Card 
Your Mileage May Vary
Transferring Capital One Miles vs Booking Through Capital One Travel
If you earn miles with Capital One cards, you usually have two ways to book flights: Transfer Capital One miles to an airline partner and book an award ticket Book…
Frequent Miler
Atmos Ascent card: New offer for 85K miles + Companion Fare
The Atmos™ Rewards Ascent Visa Signature® Card is out with a newly-inreased introductory bonus that’s good for 85,000 Atmos Rewards points and a companion fare ticket after $4,500 in purchases within the first 90 days. That can be a very valuable offer, maybe even giving you enough points for a...
Miles To Memories
Marcus Offering Up to $1,500 Savings Bonus
Marcus by Goldman Sachs has a promotion that can earn you a bonus of up to $1,500 for new deposits. The bonus is valid for new and existing customers and is available nationwide. The post Marcus Offering Up to $1,500 Savings Bonus appeared first on Miles to Memories.
View from the Wing
Influencer Goes Shirtless in Emirates Business Class — And It’s a Legitimate Hygiene Problem
An influencer recently went shirtless in Emirates business class, sparking debate about what's acceptable behavior onboard premium flights. While some have dismissed this as harmless, the issue goes beyond etiquette—it's a genuine hygiene concern, raising questions about whether passengers should be putting bare skin directly on seats others will soon...
View from the Wing
Hyatt’s “Bonus Journeys” Promo Returns — Earn Up To 28,000 Extra Points For Stays Through April 15
Hyatt's latest "Bonus Journeys 26" promotion is live, offering 3,000 bonus points every three nights stayed through April 15, plus an extra 1,000 points at Hyatt Place and Hyatt Select properties. With up to 28,000 total bonus points available, it’s worth registering—even if you aren't planning Hyatt stays yet. Just...
Frequent Miler
Current point transfer bonuses for February 2026
The best points rewards programs, in our opinion, are those that allow points to be transferred to many different airline and hotel loyalty programs. In this way, it’s often possible to get outsized value from your points. For example, suppose you want to fly lie-flat business class to Europe. Prices...
Points With a Crew
Should you buy Alaska Miles With (up to) a 100% Bonus?
Alaska is back with another offer on buying bonus miles, offering a big bonus on miles when you buy at least...
Your Mileage May Vary
AI Invented a Hot Spring. Tourists Actually Went Looking for It
AI is still in its infancy and is well known to make mistakes. It lies. It makes stuff up. It hallucinates. And sometimes it just does stuff that’s wrong –…
Frequent Miler
Barclays Aviator to Citi transition April 2026: What we know and what we don’t
We now have a clearer picture as to the details regarding the transition of Barclays Aviator and Aviator Silver cardholders to Citi accounts. The accounts will be moving to Citi in April 2026, and Barclays cardholders will get a bit of a “best of both worlds” in terms of having...
Miles To Memories
inKind Doubles Referral Bonus, Earn $50 For Every Invite
inKind is one of my favorite apps for savings at bars, restaurants and cafés. New York City has plenty of options, as do many other major cities. The post inKind Doubles Referral Bonus, Earn $50 For Every Invite appeared first on Miles to Memories.
ATX Jetsetter
Delta is Launching Service Between Austin and Asheville This Summer
In its latest expansion in Austin, Delta Air Lines is launching Saturday-only, summer seasonal, service to Asheville, NC. The post Delta is Launching Service Between Austin and Asheville This Summer appeared first on ATX Jetsetter.
One Mile at a Time
Waldorf Astoria New York: Historic, Grand, Friendly, Spacious, Pricey Hotel
I just spent a night at the 375-key Waldorf Astoria New York, which reopened in mid-2025, after a transformative eight-year renovation. Ive been intrigued by this hotel, given what an icon it is, and also how much it changed since pre-renovation (when it had 1,400+ rooms).
2PAXfly
QANTAS: Sydney to Sapporo, Japan flights doubled for next ski season
The international arm of Qantas has never been afraid of exploiting a trend. This time it’s eyeing off winter escape to Hokkaido, Japan for the 2026/2027 snow season. Qantas will significantly increase capacity on its Sydney–Sapporo route next ski season, lifting services from three flights per week to as many...
Wild About Travel
Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth): A City That Has Lost Its Way.
I rode by minibus along the Garden Route after a week exploring wineries, hikes, whales, coffee, food and South African hospitality. We arrived in Port Elizabeth in a different world. Load shedding had struck, the streets were dark, traffic lights blank or flashing, and pools of water from generators showed...
Wild About Travel
Rovaniemi, Finland – Santa, snow, and Arctic light
Rovaniemi is a small Arctic city that sells hard on Santa and northern lights, but underneath the Christmas branding there is a real Lapland hub for winter activities and slow tundra days. It works best if you accept the tourist kitsch, time your visit for snow or autumn colours, and...
2PAXfly
AIRLINES: What is a codeshare agreement and why they matter
If you’ve ever booked a flight on Qantas, only to discover you’re actually flying on an Emirates or Cathay Pacific aircraft, you’ve already encountered a codeshare agreement . Although you may not have realised it when you booked. Codesharing allows airlines to dramatically expand their networks without buying more planes...
2PAXfly
VIRGIN AUSTRALIA: Starts Canberra to Bali direct route
Canberra has few direct international connections. Maybe Doha and Fiji, which also, fortunately, function as launch pads for additional international destinations. You can now add Bali to that list, with Virgin Australia launching its first-ever international service from the nation’s capital, from 22 June 2026. Canberrans will no longer need...
Wild About Travel
Cape Town: Beautiful and Complicated
I came to Cape Town hoping to like it and ended up loving it. I want to encourage other visitors to look beyond the surface here. It’s a complex and fascinating place. Introducing the CityThe road from the modern Cape Town airport passes through the sprawling townships of Langa, Nyanga...
Wild About Travel
Seventeen Mega Groups: How Airline Consolidation could rewire the World
In my last post, I showed how the airline industry has consolidated significantly, with most European and US airlines falling into just three mega-groups that control a significant share of the world’s seats. But the consolidation appears nowhere near over. The airline industry is genuinely hard to forecast. Hub airports,...
2PAXfly
AIRLINES: What is an interline agreement and why they matter
Most travellers would have no idea what an airline interline agreement is. But if you’ve ever checked a bag through to your final destination on two different airlines, been rebooked after a delay, or stitched together a multi-airline itinerary, you’ve probably almost certainly the beneficiary of one. Put simply, an...