2PAXfly
NEW ROUTES 2026 #4: Delta Airlines East Coast to Los Angeles on A350 with Delta One Business Class
Delta began operating its new A350 aircraft to Melbourne late last year, giving travellers a third option, alongside Qantas and United, for direct flights to Los Angeles. The airline now flies from Melbourne and Brisbane three times a week, and daily from Sydney. Its Delta One Business Class seat has...
2PAXfly
WEEKLY REVIEW: Sunday 8 March, 2026 — International Women’s Day
I’m in Adelaide for the annual Adelaide Arts Festival, catching up with friends, and sucking up the cultural events. Today is International Women’s Day. To celebrate, Qantas have more than 2,500 customers flying on Jetstar and Qantas flights operated by all-female crews. Virgin Australia is celebrating with the Future Aviators...
Wild About Travel
Pretoria (Tshwane): The Capital That Surprised Me
I arrived in Pretoria with low expectations. South Africa had been a mixed bag. The delights of the Garden Route, a superb Johannesburg, falling in love with Cape Town and almost getting mugged there, wonderful stops in Hermanus and Durban. And then the disappointments: Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth) and Mossel Bay...
2PAXfly
NEW ROUTES 2026 #5: Singapore Airlines with new A350 business class with doors — late 2026
After years of speculation, Singapore Airlines is refreshing its long-haul Airbus A350 business class with privacy doors. The rollout begins in the first half of 2026, with retrofits phased across selected long-haul A350 aircraft. When do we see these refreshed cabins in Australia? Background I’m doing a series of posts...
Also on BoardingArea
One Mile at a Time
Guide To American AAdvantage Lifetime Million Miler Status
Many travel loyalty programs offer the ability to earn lifetime elite status. Ordinarily elite status has to be earned on an annual basis, so it sure is nice to be able to not worry about requalifying for status anymore.
Paddle Your Own Kanoo
Southwest Airlines Employees Up in Arms After Flight Attendants Secure Jumpseats For Aircrew Only
Southwest Airlines employees are said to be up in arms after the Dallas-based carrier banned anyone apart from flight attendants and pilots from using a jumpseat on any of its flights. Free or deeply discounted flights are one of the best perks of working for an airline, but non-revving, as...
View from the Wing
American Airlines Extends Doha and Tel Aviv Suspensions — As Iran’s Attacks Keep Middle East Skies Largely Closed
American Airlines has extended its Middle East suspensions again, pushing Philadelphia–Doha out to May 7 and delaying New York JFK–Tel Aviv until April 23, as Iran’s attacks keep much of the region’s airspace largely unusable.
Live from a Lounge
Axis Bank’s Airtel Credit Card Devalued: Lounge Access Removed, Cashback Structure Reworked from April 2026
The Airtel Axis Bank Credit Card has been sharply restructured, because all the benefits now depend on how much you spend on the card. Here are the details. The post Axis Bank’s Airtel Credit Card Devalued: Lounge Access Removed, Cashback Structure Reworked from April 2026 appeared first on Live From...
Live from a Lounge
Now collect Marriott Bonvoy points on your Swiggy purchases
You can now earn Marriott Bonvoy points from your Swiggy orders. A new collaboration that started today. The post Now collect Marriott Bonvoy points on your Swiggy purchases appeared first on Live From A Lounge.
The Bulkhead Seat
Lufthansa Plans Special Anniversary Flights to Celebrate 100 Years of Flying
I’ve written about the gorgeous 100th anniversary liveries that Lufthansa is releasing this year.…
The Bulkhead Seat
Know Before You Go: Check TSA Wait Times Before Heading to the Airport
This weekend, I wrote about the extreme waits that travelers were facing at airports…
Frequent Miler
Hilton Honors Complete Guide (2026)
Hilton Honors is the loyalty program for Hilton hotels & resorts and their many brands worldwide. Hilton has gotten a bit of a bad rap in the frequent-traveler community recently: its points have dropped ~15-20% in value, the maximum price for award nights has more than doubled, and there is...
The Alviator
Review: Japan Airlines A350 Premium Economy (HND-CDG)
A review of Japan Airlines' flagship A350 premium economy class from Tokyo to Paris, detailing the seat, catering, service, and more.
Points With a Crew
The New Capital One Venture Rewards Card Offer Is Worth At Least $1,000
Learn how signing up for the Capital One Venture Rewards credit card can supercharge your travel with 75,000 miles, $250 AND benefits that include ...
The Gate with Brian Cohen
Why Was the Toilet in the Lavatory Filled With Ice?
“The other day I noticed that one of the toilets was filled with ice just before a long flight. Maybe this is part of the cleaning procedure. I pointed this out to the flight attendants and they made sure that it was fixed. Thankfully I noticed it before someone had...
TravelUpdate
I was going to miss my connecting flight… but this happened!
One thing to be avoided when flying is a separately booked connecting flight. While you can potentially save…
Frequent Miler
Select gift cards (incl Apple) on sale at Citi Thank You Rewards (3/9 only)
Citi ThankYou Rewards is currently offering some gift cards for 10-15% fewer points than normal. Doctor of Credit reports that this sale is available today (3/9/26) only. Gift cards still represent poor value at a bit less than 1.2c per point even with this sale, but if you’re flush with...
You Are Travel
Cambodia Opens New $2 Billion Airport in Hopes of Winning Over Tourists
​tl;dr – This is the Southeast Asian country’s second big airport opening in the last 3 years. ​Last…
Your Mileage May Vary
Flying Blue Simplifies Mileage Expiration Rules
Air France–KLM’s Flying Blue program is making a change that should make life much easier for members: mileage expiration is getting simpler. For years, Flying Blue miles have had one…
Live and Let’s Fly
Why Flying Basic Economy Feels Like Dating An Abusive Boyfriend
Airlines will happily sell you a basic economy ticket, but they really wish you wouldn’t buy one. That tension sits at the heart of a thoughtful new Washington Post story examining why airlines keep making their cheapest fares less appealing. The latest example: removing even the token mileage earning that...
You Are Travel
Capella Hotels Welcomes New President with a Ton of Luxury Street Cred
​tl;dr – The leadership change comes on the heels of the luxury hotel chain recently opening the doors…
Altitude Yes
Earn Benefits With the American Airlines and Hyatt Partnership
Learn about how elite status members of AAdvantage or World of Hyatt can receive perks through this partnership. The post Earn Benefits With the American Airlines and Hyatt Partnership first appeared on Altitude Yes.
Miles To Memories
Up To 20% Off Google Play, PetSmart, Red Robin, Dave & Buster’s, Hotels.com, Subway & More
There are over 20 different Amazon gift card deals today worth up to a 20% discount on many popular brands.
View from the Wing
MAGA Influencers Turn on United CEO Scott Kirby — Is the Airline Scrubbing the Receipts?
United spent the Biden years leaning hard into the corporate-left script — pronouns, DEI signaling, and even vaccine mandates — and now Scott Kirby is adopting the Trump-era posture with public defenses of tariffs and other priorities that track the new power center. The pivot is so obvious that the...
Frequent Miler
Indirect Amex Platinum Card® benefits: Free burgers, Champions League soccer, Best Western, Radisson & Sixt status, & more
American Express Platinum Cards® and Business American Express Platinum Cards® come with a large suite of benefits, from hotel status to airport lounge access to entertainment subscription credits to savings at Saks and Dell to a Walmart+ membership and more. All those benefits are pretty well known, but there’s also...
Points Miles and Bling
Stranded in Qatar During Missile Strikes: My Unexpected Escape Through Saudi Arabia
In early January, my daughter, currently working in France, mentioned she had a week off in late February. Never one…
Points With a Crew
Kickstarter: CamCast Smart Camera System (Back By Tuesday)
The CamCast camera system is a smart, connected system that has Multi-Screen Monitoring, low latency and USB-C camera control. It's on Kickstarter, but only for a few more ...
Your Mileage May Vary
Important Thing to Know About Europe’s Self-Cleaning Public Bathrooms
Self-cleaning public bathrooms have been common across Europe for years. Sometimes you have to pay to use them, and sometimes they’re free. Either way, they usually look the same: a…
2PAXfly
MIDDLE EAST: Advice for Australians caught in flight chaos
Airspace is closed across parts of the Middle East due to attacks by Israel and the USA and consequent retaliation from Iran. This has left thousands of Australian travellers stranded or scrambling to rearrange flights. If you’re travelling through the region in the coming days or stuck there right now,...
2PAXfly
DISRUPTION: Middle East carriers and airports in chaos. What to do if you are travelling soon
What follows is practical advice for those travelling by air via the Middle East who will be affected by the conflict generated by the attacks on Iran. Background Escalating conflict in the Middle East has triggered major airspace closures and cascading flight chaos. Gulf hubs including Doha, Dubai and Abu...
Wild About Travel
Flying via the Middle East right now. Practical tips, not panic, for travellers.
Are you about to fly internationally? With a Middle Eastern airline or to, through or over the Middle East? Many airlines and transit hubs are affected, with flights paused, rerouted or heavily delayed across the region. Check your specific airline and route for the latest status before you travel. Before...
2PAXfly
WEEKLY REVIEW: Sunday 1 March, 2026
It’s been a big week in Australian aviation, especially with the announcement of Qantas’ half-year results, a direct route from Brisbane to Las Vegas, and surprising changes to their loyalty scheme.  A lot of posts to catch up on in this Review, so read on: QANTAS: First International A321XLR route...
2PAXfly
QANTAS: First International A321XLR route announced — Brisbane to Manila
According to a story on ET, the first international A321XLR route will be Brisbane to Manila, commencing on 25 October 2026. But don’t get too excited, because there won’t be any flat beds, just domestic Business Class recliners. So, aside from a newer, quieter, more highly pressured plane, it’s a...
Wild About Travel
Qantas’ “New Era” For Status
Qantas has just made it more expensive to stay loyal. Funny how that works. The airline is calling it a ‘new era’ for its Frequent Flyer program. I’d call it a quiet price hike dressed up in marketing language. This is a change I’ve been waiting on for months. After...
2PAXfly
QANTAS: MASSIVE overhaul of Qantas Frequent Flyer program. The good and the bad
Qantas is making it easier to earn Status Credits without setting foot on a plane, but there are positives and negatives. As part of its sweeping overhaul of the loyalty program, the airline will lift the annual threshold required to retain status, even as it introduces rollover credits and more...
Wild About Travel
Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth): A City That Feels Lost.
I had just had an amazing week on the Garden Route, exploring wineries, seeing whales, and enjoying hikes, coffee, food, and South African hospitality. Enjoy some of the photos! When my Baz Bus minibus (great service by the way) reached Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth, we arrived in a very different world....