Wild About Travel
A Moomin Pilgrimage Through 80 Years of Finnish Magic
I just spent two amazing weeks in Finland, which remains one of my favourite countries in the world. This trip: Helsinki, Rovaniemi, and Turku. I’m still processing everything I experienced. The timber architecture of Rovaniemi, the frozen Baltic where ships should be, and now this: my Moomin pilgrimage across 80...
2PAXfly
WEEKLY REVIEW: Sunday, 8 February 2026
Hope your weekend has been as good as mine. Below is a summary of stories that appeared in the blog over the last week. QANTAS: Gets A321XLR configuration very wrong. Too few loos. By 2paxfly on 06 Feb 2026 12:17 pmWhen Qantas began introducing its new Airbus A321XLRs, the focus...
2PAXfly
QANTAS: Gets A321XLR configuration very wrong. Too few loos.
When Qantas began introducing its new Airbus A321XLRs, the focus was on longer range, larger overhead bins, and a more modern onboard experience. Instead, they got one incredibly basic thing wrong. It has become the talking point amongst passengers. That is, not enough toilets, or colloquially, ‘too few loos’. For...
2PAXfly
QANTAS: Refreshing 7 regional lounges after closure
If you rely on Qantas’ regional lounges for a quiet coffee, a power point and a bit of pre-flight calm, there’s good and bad news. Your lounge is likely being refreshed and may be closed for a few weeks. Qantas has been active on the lounge front, with the most...
Also on BoardingArea
Economy Class & Beyond
EgyptAir takes delivery of its first Airbus A350-900
It’s time for another Airbus A350-900 customer to take their first delivery of a new aircraft – step forward, EgyptAir.  EgyptAir has taken delivery of its first of 16 Airbus A350‑900 on order, becoming the launch operator for the type in North Africa. The A350 will support the airline’s long‑haul...
Points Miles and Bling
A Guide to the British Airways Companion Voucher
As a companion piece to our guide to airline companion vouchers in Canada, let’s take a look at the British… The post A Guide to the British Airways Companion Voucher appeared first on Points Miles and Bling.
PointsMath
Qatar Airways Avios & Accor Promotion: Bonus on Conversion
Accor has many Airline Partners, and with a few of them, it has special partnerships. A few of these are airlines that have Avios as a miles currency. Five airlines use Avios as their miles currency: Aer Lingus, British Airways, Iberia, Finnair & Qatar Airways. Of these, Iberia, Finnair & Qatar Airways...
The Bulkhead Seat
Air France Bets Big on NYC With Up to 11x Daily Flights Connecting Paris This Summer
Air France is strengthening its transatlantic schedule for summer 2026 by offering travelers even… The post Air France Bets Big on NYC With Up to 11x Daily Flights Connecting Paris This Summer appeared first on The Bulkhead Seat.
The Alviator
BOOKED: ANA Premium Economy, Air New Zealand Premium Economy, And More!
I booked a few flights that I'll be reviewing, including Air New Zealand and ANA premium economy, Cathay Pacific economy class, and more. The post BOOKED: ANA Premium Economy, Air New Zealand Premium Economy, And More! appeared first on The Alviator.
TravelUpdate
New Luxury Hotel Review: Rosewood Amsterdam
Background The Rosewood Amsterdam opened in May of 2025, which was timed perfectly for my Amsterdam trip in…
View from the Wing
Delta ‘Comfort Basic’ Fares Are So Bad, They’re Designed for You NOT to Buy Them [Roundup]
Delta's latest fare category, "Comfort Basic," offers extra legroom but is intentionally designed with heavy restrictions and guaranteed middle seats. It seems bizarre—until you realize the airline doesn't actually want you booking it.
The Gate with Brian Cohen
Earn 500 Bonus Atmos Miles by Shopping for Valentine’s Day
Effective through Wednesday, February 11, 2026 at 11:59:59 in the evening Eastern Standard Time, you can earn bonus Atmos miles by shopping for Valentine’s Day — in addition to the standard Atmos miles earned — during the Winter Bonus Offer campaign at the Alaska Airlines Atmos Shopping portal by spending...
Paddle Your Own Kanoo
American Airlines Flight Attendants ‘Blast’ CEO Robert Isom In New Vote Of No Confidence
Representing more than 28,000 crew members at American Airlines, the Association of Professional Flight Attendants (APFA) on Monday issued a unanimous vote of no confidence in the Texas-based carrier’s embattled chief executive, Robert Isom, saying that the “time for excuses” is over. In a statement, the union said it had...
From The Tray Table
Delta’s SkyMiles chief says upgrades aren’t dead — and explains what’s next
Ask Delta’s chief of SkyMiles what he hears most from members, and the answer comes in two parts.… The post Delta’s SkyMiles chief says upgrades aren’t dead — and explains what’s next appeared first on From the Tray Table.
Live and Let’s Fly
United Airlines To Expand Meal Preorders With More Entrees On More Flights
United Airlines is celebrating the success of its meal pre-order program and preparing to expand it even further. United Expands Meal Pre-Orders As It Claims 40% Satisfaction Boost And Less Food Waste A memo to flight attendants shared with Live And Let’s Fly counts up what a cornerstone meal pre-orders...
Frequent Miler
Staples.com is selling $200 digital Visa gift cards with no purchase fee
In addition to waiving the purchase fee on Visa gift cards bought in-store this week, Staples is also waiving purchase fees for digital Visa gift cards sold online. The Deal Buy $200 virtual Visa gift cards with no purchase fee at Staples.com. Direct link to offer. Key Terms Limit 4....
The Points of Life
Iberia Business: Athens Back To Lisbon Via Madrid
It was very difficult to find a flight from Lisbon to Athens (see SWISS Business: Why Am I Leaving Lisbon for Geneva?). It was even more difficult to find a flight back. To make it work, I had to book a business-class flight on Iberia, then a coach flight on TAP....
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, February 8th, through February 14, 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...
TravelUpdate
1 Million Points Gone in Minutes, Wiping Out Years of Rewards
By the time this person got on the phone to make amends, realization hit that 1 Million Points had already been taken out of the account.
View from the Wing
American Airlines Reveals Surprising Potential New Routes to Employees—Mallorca, Casablanca, and Cape Town
At an internal leadership event last week, American Airlines revealed a surprising shortlist of potential new international routes—including Mallorca, Casablanca, and even Cape Town.
TravelUpdate
Earn 125,000 Miles! Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card Review
With this limited time offer by American Express, you can earn up to 125,000 bonus miles from just once credit card welcome bonus offer!
Miles For Family
My Latest Credit Card Approval
It’s been 2 months since my last credit card approval, but I’ve already hit the required spending to earn the welcome bonus on my Citi Strata Elite (see this post). So, I’m open to another new credit card that will help reduce the cost of my family’s future vacations. (See...
Economy Class & Beyond
Birmingham Airport dangles route aid to re-launch services to New York
Whilst Birmingham is the UK’s second city (depending on the metric you’re using), it lacks a direct service to New York. Well, the airport has announced a targeted financial support package on offer to airlines that looks to attract direct connectivity between Birmingham and New York. Or as the rest...
Eye of the Flyer
Special Southwest Credit Card Offer: Earn a Companion Pass Through FEBRUARY *2027*!!
If you and a companion plan to travel extensively over the next year and want free airfare, you're in luck!  All three of the Southwest Rapid Rewards® personal/consumer credit cards feature a limited-time offer that allows you to earn a Southwest Companion Pass through February 28, 2027, and some bonus points, just for fun. The post...
Live and Let’s Fly
Review: Thai Airways Royal Orchid Prestige Lounge Bangkok (BKK)
The final stop on my Star Alliance Lounge tour in Bangkok (BKK) was the Thai Royal Orchid Prestige Lounge in the main terminal of the international departures area, the flagship Thai Airways Lounge. Thai Airways Royal Orchid Prestige Lounge Bangkok Review – Main Terminal (BKK) This is a very central...
One Mile at a Time
Earn Rewards On Housing Payments With Bilt Credit Card: How Does It Work?
Link: Apply for a Bilt credit card, with three options to choose from
One Mile at a Time
Lufthansa Lounge Access With Amex Platinum Card: A Little-Known Perk
The American Express Platinum Card (review) and The Business Platinum Card from American Express (review) both participate in Amexs Global Lounge Collection, which includes access to Amex Centurion Lounges, Delta Sky Club Lounges, Priority Pass Lounges, Escape Lounges, and more. (Enrollment is required for select benefits)
Paddle Your Own Kanoo
United Airlines Flight Attendant Stops Service to Hug Crying Passenger in Heartwarming Viral Video
Good really does lead the way, as one United Airlines flight attendant showed in a small but truly meaningful interaction with an upset passenger who had just discovered she was going to miss her international connection during a flight from Chicago O’Hare to San Francisco on Saturday morning. Working his...
2PAXfly
EUROPE: Carry on bags to become free on low-cost carriers
Budget carriers like easyJet, Ryanair and Wizz Air have built their ultra-low headline fares on optional extras, especially baggage fees. But now the European Parliament has taken a strong stance in favour of passengers being allowed to bring more on board for free — and it has triggered a fierce...
2PAXfly
ETIHAD: Brings its best Business Class to Sydney and Melbourne
Etihad Airways has now rolled out its latest-generation Business Class suites on all services from Sydney and Melbourne to its base in Abu Dhabi. That consistency of product will be welcomed by Australian travellers. In practical terms, that means no more ‘pot luck’ draw of older cabins. Book Business Class...
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...
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...