2PAXfly
BORDERS: Visa Waiver Program to require social media, phone numbers and IP history from Australians
Australian travellers who want to head to New York at Christmas, or Coachella in spring, or to trek through the Grand Canyon may soon face a very different pre-departure checklist. It could soon include handing over five years of social media accounts, five years of phone numbers, and 10 years...
2PAXfly
QANTAS: A380 wing panel peels on first flight out of mothballs
Qantas’ big, shiny, triumphantly returned Airbus A380 has been unceremoniously benched in Los Angeles after part of its left wing peeled apart on its first commercial flight back in service. This happened after news releases only a few days ago with Qantas chest-beating about the superjumbo’s grand return after a...
2PAXfly
QATAR AIRWAYS: Surprise CEO dumping without explanation. Why?
In a surprise move a few days ago, Qatar Airways has replaced its chief executive with immediate effect. This is the second leadership change in just a couple of years after Akbar Al Baker relinquished his 27-year reign. The Gulf carrier appointed Hamad Ali Al-Khater as its new Group CEO...
2PAXfly
QANTAS: International flights return to the Gold Coast (OOL). Fly direct to New Zealand 3 times a week
In a win for Gold Coast travellers, Qantas is bringing back overseas flights from the Gold Coast (formerly Coolangatta) Airport for the first time in almost five years. Qantas will launch Gold Coast to Auckland services from 16 June 2026. This will reconnect Queensland’s beach capital with New Zealand three...
Also on BoardingArea
Frequent Miler
The best card for Priority Pass lounges, experiences, and restaurants
The Ritz-Carlton card used to be the hands-down best way to get Priority Pass for yourself and your whole family. The equation changed a bit when Chase dropped restaurant access from their Priority Pass offerings, and again when Chase announced that the card would no longer support unlimited free guests...
One Mile at a Time
TSA Sharing Passenger Lists With ICE, Facilitating Airport Deportation Arrests
I don’t think anyone will be surprised to learn this, but there’s a new level of cooperation between government agencies in the United States, which could lead to more airport arrests, including of domestic travelers.
Live and Let’s Fly
Ick: Giant Rat Found Onboard KLM Flight Across Atlantic Leaves Hundreds Stranded
A longhaul KLM flight across the Atlantic turned into a logistical mess after a large rat was discovered onboard, an incident that ultimately left hundreds of passengers stranded in the Caribbean. Giant Rat Found Onboard KLM Flight Across Atlantic Leaves Passengers Stranded The incident occurred on a KLM Airbus A330...
View from the Wing
71% Of United Flight Attendants Rejected Their Contract — Now Algorithm-Assigned Work Schedules Are Back On The Table
United flight attendants haven’t had a raise in five years, and 71% voted down a union-backed contract many saw as inadequate. Now, as talks resume, United is putting a major flashpoint back on the table: algorithm-assigned work schedules that replace traditional trip picking with “preference bidding,” a system crews say...
Travel Points Playbook
The Unexpected Issue with Southwest’s New Free WiFi
Starting in late October, Southwest made WiFi free for all Rapid Rewards members on every flight. Free WiFi… The post The Unexpected Issue with Southwest’s New Free WiFi appeared first on Travel Points Playbook.
The Bulkhead Seat
Gay, Catholic Flight Attendant Settles Suit With United Airlines
I first wrote about this situation back in November 2024 and again when a… The post Gay, Catholic Flight Attendant Settles Suit With United Airlines appeared first on The Bulkhead Seat.
One Mile at a Time
Giant Rat Hitches Ride On KLM Flight Across Atlantic, Stranding Hundreds
As someone with a phobia of just about anything that crawls (well, other than babies) or slithers, I sure am happy I wasn’t on this flight…
Economondo
Are Aegean Really That Good? Birmingham to Athens on an A320neo
Come with me as I fly on one of Europe's best airlines on a flight from Birmingham to Athens
You Are Travel
Seats.aero Drops Spotify-Style ’Wrapped’ EOY ‘Retro’ – My 2025 Travel Search Stats
​tl;dr – I was caught red-handed searching for one route in particular. If you’re a seats.aero user, you… The post Seats.aero Drops Spotify-Style ’Wrapped’ EOY ‘Retro’ – My 2025 Travel Search Stats appeared first on You Are Travel.
One Mile at a Time
Singapore Airlines Passenger Furious Over Free Birthday Cake Denial
I think this falls in the category of ”no good deed goes unpunished.” Or perhaps it just reflects what a high quality operation Singapore Airline runs, if this is all that people have to complain about…
View from the Wing
Gay Catholic Flight Attendant Fired By United After Questioning Pride Month—Abandoned By His Union—Wins Settlement
A gay Catholic United Airlines flight attendant was fired for his tweets online. He argued he was singled out and treated separately due to his specific viewpoints. His union agreed, but refused to defend him - also, he says, because they disagreed with his views. Tiwtter funded...
Pointshogger
[INTERVIEW] From Flights to Food – Skip and WestJet Team Up
Skip (a.k.a Skip the Dishes) and WestJet have taken a step towards linking their loyalty programs together. Today, we have the opportunity to learn more from Rachel MacAdam, VP of Marketing at Skip regarding this new partnership. Thank you for taking the time to answer our questions Rachel! The post [INTERVIEW]...
One Mile at a Time
Receive 100 Free American AAdvantage Miles, With Ability To Earn More
While hardly the most exciting promotion ever, here’s an easy opportunity to pick up some free miles, which extends the expiration of any balance you may have, if nothing else.
You Are Travel
Deals I’m Booking That You Should Too (Vol. 9) – How Little Can I Spend to Book Japan Airlines Business Class?
​tl;dr – How about $1300? –‘Deals I’m Booking That You Should Too’ is a recurring series featuring a… The post Deals I’m Booking That You Should Too (Vol. 9) – How Little Can I Spend to Book Japan Airlines Business Class? appeared first on You Are Travel.
Economy Class & Beyond
TRIP REPORT: The Way Old Friends Do – New Aircraft, Old Friends
The Way Old Friends Do New Aircraft, Old Friends Times of Joy and Times of Sorrow – We will always see them through.  In this Trip Report: Well, this year has been a pile of toilet so far Take the National Express, when your life is a mess, it will...
One Mile at a Time
Finally: Hawaiian Airlines Joining Oneworld Alliance On April 22, 2026
In September 2024, Alaska Airlines’ takeover of Hawaiian Airlines officially closed. While Hawaiian Airlines is now part of Alaska Air Group, the integration is a gradual process. For example, in October 2025, we saw the airlines move onto a single operating certificate.
Eye of the Flyer
Delta Schedule Changes, Medallion® Offers, Disney Crime, and Explosive Battery Ideas
Greetings from poolside in gorgeous Southern California! We’re wearing shorts, ran the air conditioner for a while, and sent mean messages to our friends and family in cold climates. Our above-average temperatures will be here at least another week or so. C’mon out! I hope this great weather extends through...
TravelUpdate
What Might Happen to Your Spirit Points and Travel Plans If Spirit Airlines Stops Flying
With Spirit Airlines facing a potential shutdown amid ongoing bankruptcy proceedings, travelers may be wondering what happens to Free Spirit points and upcoming flights. Here’s what past airline bankruptcies and abrupt shutdowns can tell us about loyalty programs, travel plans, and what to do next.
View from the Wing
Rove Miles Deal Through December 19: 2,500–5,000 First-Booking Bonus Plus 40% Extra Miles On Loyalty-Eligible Hotels
Rove Miles is offering first-time hotel booking bonuses through December 19: earn 2,500 miles after $500 in spend or 5,000 miles after $1,000, using the promo codes. On top of that, both new and existing members can earn a 40% bonus on “Loyalty Eligible” hotel bookings—stacking Rove miles while still...
Frequent Miler
Altitude Reserve descending, year-end moves we’re making, and more [Week in Review]
I’ve just wrapped up about two weeks in Europe, with more than a week of that time spent shopping the Christmas Markets of Cologne, Germany, and Strasbourg, France. We wanted to buy everything we saw, and if you saw our luggage by the end of the trip, you might have...
Live and Let’s Fly
Immigration Agents Are Using Domestic Flight Passenger Data To Aid Deportations
A quiet but consequential shift is underway in how the U.S. government uses airline passenger data. The Transportation Security Administration has begun sharing information about domestic airline travelers with immigration authorities, expanding how routine travel data can be used for enforcement purposes. TSA Quietly Sharing Passenger Travel Data With Immigration...
You Are Travel
Which Countries Have the Worst Traffic in the World?
​tl;dr – The US ranked 32. Which country claimed the top spot? ​Numbeo released a 2025 Mid-year Traffic… The post Which Countries Have the Worst Traffic in the World? appeared first on You Are Travel.
Paddle Your Own Kanoo
United Airlines Revives Controversial AI Scheduling Plan for Flight Attendants Months Crew Thought They Had Killed It Off
Flight attendants at United Airlines were left stunned on Thursday evening when the Chicago-based carrier revealed that it was once again pushing to let artificial intelligence dictate their working schedules. The announcement was surprising, given that United had been forced to abandon its AI scheduling system in April following a...
Paddle Your Own Kanoo
Spirit Airlines Desperately Tries To Reassure Worried Travelers That It’s Not About To Go Under… This Weekend
Beleaguered budget carrier Spirit Airlines is desperately trying to reassure worried travelers that it is not about to cease operations this weekend, as it reaches a critical date in its Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings to unlock vital new funding. Rumors of Spirit’s imminent demise started to circulate on Friday after...
2PAXfly
QANTAS: New Auckland International Lounge opens in New Zealand
Qantas is scheduled to open its new Auckland International Lounge on 17 December 2025, just in time for the Christmas rush. Unlike the old space (which was in desperate need of attention), the new lounge features a 60% larger footprint and can accommodate more than 370 passengers. Qantas has combined...
2PAXfly
HEATHROW: A car park robbery turns into a full-blown airport emergency
If you’ve ever felt that Heathrow’s Terminal 3 car park was a little too chaotic on a normal day, Sunday morning took things to an entirely new level. A woman was robbed of her suitcase inside a lift at Heathrow’s Terminal 3 car park. The attackers deployed what police believe...
2PAXfly
DELTA AIRLINES: Starts Melbourne to LAX flights from today
Starting today, Saturday 6 December 2025, Melbourne’s long-haul travellers have a new way to cross the Pacific. Delta Air Lines has officially launched flights between Melbourne and Los Angeles. That makes the route a three-horse race alongside Qantas and United Airlines. It’s the first time an Airbus A350 has flown...
2PAXfly
QANTAS: Melbourne to Honolulu flights stop from 31 January 2026
Well, that didn’t last long. Qantas’ much-touted return to the Melbourne–Honolulu route is ending after just nine months, with the final flight set for January 31, 2026. The official explanation? “Soft demand” both ways across the Pacific, according to ET. This comes after the airline quietly slipped the route into...
2PAXfly
QANTAS: Final A380 returns, back in the air 1 January 2026
Just in time for the Christmas travel crush, Qantas has wheeled its tenth and final Airbus A380 out of long-term storage and back onto the Sydney tarmac, nearly 2,000 days since it last touched Australian soil. Yes, the superjumbo Paul McGinness (named for one of the airline’s founders) is back,...
2PAXfly
QANTAS: ‘Champagne for Lulu.’ You can now get Bollinger in First Class
Qantas is rolling out a fresh wave of upgrades to its A380, and currently only First Class cabins. From December, First passengers will have a new dining program, brand-new Aesop amenity kits, redesigned pyjamas, upgraded Champagne with Bollinger, and dine-on-demand, dressed up as ‘wellness. The retrofit is part of Qantas’...
2PAXfly
AIRBUS: A320 software glitch triggers chaos at Australian airports and internationally
If you turned up at an airport this morning expecting a routine Jetstar hop to Melbourne, Hobart or Adelaide, chances are you walked straight into a scene that looked more like the chaos of Boxing Day sales. Airports were filled with long queues, cancelled flights, confused announcements, and a whole...
2PAXfly
INDIA: Qantas and Jetstar plan sub-continental expansion with new jets
Australia’s fast-growing demand for travel to India is about to be met with renewed enthusiasm from Qantas and Jetstar. As both airlines usher in new long-range aircraft, they’re preparing to expand their presence on routes to the subcontinent significantly. For travellers, this means more nonstop flights, more modern cabins, and...