2PAXfly
QANTAS: I know when the next double status promotion is going to start.
Let’s start by confessing that the headline is a lie. No one knows when the promo will drop, except a small group within the Qantas promo team! What I am about to present is just speculation, some of which is my own, and some is drawn from the knowledge and...
2PAXfly
AUSTRALIA: Airlines claim passenger protections ‘unworkable’. Surprise!
Australia’s airlines are pushing back hard against the federal government’s proposed aviation consumer protections, warning the reforms are “unworkable”, confusing, and will push up airfares. Not very imaginative arguments, and ones that every consumer protection initiative has faced. What’s the government proposing? The government, led by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese,...
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...
Also on BoardingArea
Monkey Miles
New Southwest Credit Card bring back Companion Pass Offer + bonus points
We illustrate how you can use the Chase Southwest Credit Cards to help you get the Companion Pass The post New Southwest Credit Card bring back Companion Pass Offer + bonus points appeared first on Monkey Miles.
Economy Class & Beyond
Virgin Atlantic rejoins the status boost and match party for BA Club Members
It appears that the final major player has joined the status match party to attract passengers awayfrom  British Airways. And, in no surprise, Virgin Atlantic is offering a limited-time status boost and match.   Until 23 February 2026, members of The British Airways Club can level up with an enhanced...
View from the Wing
Amex Suddenly Ends Popular Delta Card Loophole That Turned Hotel Credits Into Cash—Now Clawing Back Refunds
American Express just slammed shut a popular loophole that let Delta cardholders easily turn hotel booking credits into cash—and has started reversing statement credits for cardmembers who try it.
The Gate with Brian Cohen
Save Up to 20% With Marriott Bonvoy
You can save up to 20% with Marriott Bonvoy off of the guest room standard rate when you stay at your choice of participating hotel and resort properties worldwide with its Escapes promotion, which offers exclusive savings every other Thursday through Sunday across select destinations... ...but you must... The post Save Up...
Traveling For Miles
A hugely generous Virgin Atlantic status match for British Airways elites
A little predictably, given that a large number of British Airways elites are soon to be a lot less "important" than they have been in previous years, Virgin Atlantic has published the most generous status match that I've ever seen it offer, and if you're a British Airways Club member, this...
Frequent Miler
(Targeted) Upgrade United credit card to earn 15K bonus miles or $150 statement credit
United is targeting some cardholders with an upgrade offer awarding either 15,000 bonus miles or a $150 statement credit. Some of these offers require only a single purchase after upgrading, while others require $1,500 of spend on their card within three months of upgrading. The Deals There are several different...
Live and Let’s Fly
FAA Halts El Paso Flights Citing “Cartel Drone” Activity, Reopens Hours Later
In a curious move that briefly shut down commercial aviation in a major U.S. border city, the Federal Aviation Administration halted flights in and out of El Paso International Airport before reversing course just hours later. FAA Abruptly Halts El Paso Flights For “Special Security Reasons,” Then Quickly Reverses Late...
The Bulkhead Seat
Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines Launch Fresh Spring Menus
Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines are welcoming spring with new seasonal in-flight menus that… The post Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines Launch Fresh Spring Menus appeared first on The Bulkhead Seat.
The Points of Life
Ritz-Carlton Amelia Island: You Call This Luxury?
I’m still waiting to be blown away by a Ritz-Carlton. My first RItz experience was in Kazakhstan (see This Is Kazakhstan?). My second was in Tenerife (see We’ll Make It Better, The Second Time Around). Both were good, but fell short of that epic luxury experience that one would expect...
Miles For Family
Earn Southwest Companion Pass with One Credit Card Approval
One of the best deals in travel is the Southwest Airlines Companion Pass. This pass allows you to bring a companion along with you for free (well, mostly free, after paying taxes of $5.60 for domestic one-way flights), regardless if you booked with points or cash. Now, the three Southwest...
{Tech} for Travel
RENPHO Mini Thermal Massage Gun Review: Warm Recovery Anywhere
RENPHO Mini Thermal Massage Gun Review: A compact heated massage gun built for travel, offering deep tissue relief, quiet performance, and fast heat-up. The post RENPHO Mini Thermal Massage Gun Review: Warm Recovery Anywhere appeared first on {Tech} for Travel.
No Work All Travel
Review: Tokyo Wide Pass from JR East
Disclaimer: In exchange for a review, I received one Tokyo Wide Pass from JR East. Tokyo’s a cool place, no doubt, but it’s also good to get away from the maddening crowds. Fortunately, JR East (Japan Railways East), one of seven companies that make up Japan Railways Group, has a...
Economy Class & Beyond
Alstom unveils the first refurbished Voyager Trainset
Alstom has been working away and has unveiled the first refurbished Voyager Trainset for CrossCountry Trains. The works are part of a£60 million contract to deliver a brighter, more comfortable experience for passengers across Great Britain. The first train to go through the process is a Class 220 Voyager, Number...
View from the Wing
American Airlines Flight Delayed Over Missing ‘No Smoking’ Sticker Above One Row—These Rules Are Absurd [Roundup]
An American Airlines flight was delayed due to a missing 'no smoking' sticker above one row—highlighting just how absurd airline regulations can be. Plus, why Americans stopped talking about Singapore, the TSA secretly monitoring your cash, and DOT's strange obsession with architecture.
TravelUpdate
American Express Clawing Back Credits for Cancelled Bookings
As per new reports, American Express is now clawing back these statement credits for bookings that were eventually cancelled.
From The Tray Table
First look: Cathay Pacific’s stunning Boeing 747 retro lettuce leaf livery
Cathay Pacific just unveiled its hotly anticipated retro Boeing 747 “lettuce leaf sandwich” livery, and it looks even… The post First look: Cathay Pacific’s stunning Boeing 747 retro lettuce leaf livery appeared first on From the Tray Table.
You Are Travel
Popular Airports I Go Out of My Way to Avoid
​tl;dr – Thanks, but no thanks. ​Every frequent traveler has an airport (or airports) they enjoy visiting and… The post Popular Airports I Go Out of My Way to Avoid appeared first on You Are Travel.
One Mile at a Time
El Paso Airport Mysteriously Closes For 10 Days For “Special Security Reasons”
We live in strange times, but this is especially odd, even in an era where I feel like we’re desensitized to most things. El Paso Airport (ELP) is closed for the next 10 days, and we don’t know why (and don’t worry, I’ll save you the Vasu Raja jokes… IYKYK).
Eye of the Flyer
Air France A321 Euro Business Class Review With Blocked Middle Seats
Introduction: My First Atlantic Crossing on the Norwegian NCL Viva Prima Class Ship Emptying my Delta SkyMiles Accounts to get Value Flying to Lisbon Portugal The Comfort Inn South Bend SBN Airport Review via Delta Stays – How Very Disappointing Checking Bags on Two Separate Delta Tickets (Interlining) – How...
View from the Wing
American Is Turning Chicago O’Hare’s Worst Airline Lounge Into A Stunning New Club—Ramping Up Its Fight With United
American Airlines is transforming O'Hare's worst airline-operated lounge—a cramped, outdated space near the L gates—into a stunning, 10,000-square-foot Admirals Club. This upgrade isn't just about aesthetics; it's a bold statement in American's renewed commitment to Chicago and a direct response to United Airlines' aggressive dominance at the airport.
Traveling For Miles
New Marriott Bonvoy promotion – earn bonus points & bonus elite night credits
Marriott Bonvoy has finally launched its first global promotion in 2026 and it's a slightly different promotion to to the one we normally see Marriott launching around this time of year. Yes, bonus point and bonus elite night credits are still on offer, but the way the promotion is structured...
One Mile at a Time
Which Airlines Have The Best Inflight Entertainment? Here Are My Picks
When traveling by air, there are lots of things that can contribute to a great travel experience. One of those things is inflight entertainment, since it’s otherwise easy to get bored when flying. In this post, I thought it would be fun to take a look at the airlines that...
Frequent Miler
My EU261 compensation claim for a Finnair flight booked with Alaska Atmos rewards
In December, my family’s trip from Rovaniemi, Finland, to Frankfurt, Germany (via Helsinki) was disrupted when a delay on the flight from Rovaniemi to Helsinki caused a missed connection and forced an overnight stay in Helsinki. I previously wrote about how Finnair handled the delay, noting that they seemed to...
Live and Let’s Fly
American Airlines Unveils New Admirals Club At Chicago O’Hare Amid Battle With United
American Airlines is investing in its premium customer experience at Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) with plans for a significantly expanded Admirals Club lounge in Concourse L. American Plans New 10,000-Square-Foot Admirals Club Lounge At Chicago O’Hare American Airlines announced that construction is underway on a new, larger Admirals Club...
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...
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...