2PAXfly
LOUNGE REVIEW: Qantas First check-in and Lounge, Sydney
This is the second instalment of my Oh Canada! Trip Report. I’m lucky that many of my international trips start at Sydney Airport at the Qantas First Check-in facility. And that is closely followed by a visit to the Qantas First Lounge. That was the case this day, with my...
Wild About Travel
My ATM Rules to Keep You and Your Money Safe
At an ATM, distraction is all it takes. Last week, I was coming out of a metro station, when I noticed two European backpackers staring at an ATM. As I rode down the long escalator behind them, I could see they were squinting at the screen, unsure about fees or...
2PAXfly
AUSTRALIA: Goodbye orange arrival card. Digital passenger declarations go national
That mid-flight scramble for a pen, finding your flight number, address in Australia, and other details will soon be over. Wondering if you need to declare that wooden statue/shell necklace you bought in Bali/Fiji (you do). Not to mention declaring that jar of home-grown honey your aunt gave you in...
2PAXfly
TRIP REPORT: Oh Canada! Introduction
This is my most recent trip, completed in June 2026. It’s my first time in Canada, and we crossed the country from Vancouver on the West Coast to St John’s on the East Coast. The trip lasted about three weeks. This trip was in paid Business Class on Qantas and...
Also on BoardingArea
The Gate with Brian Cohen
Save 10 Percent on Select Rentals With Homes & Villas By Marriott Bonvoy
You can save ten percent on select rentals with Homes & Villas By Marriott Bonvoy with stays of a minimum of two consecutive nights at participating properties — which includes a unique collection of beachfront bungalows, sprawling villas, grand chateaus, cozy cabins, ski chalets, and characterful townhouses, flats, apartments, penthouses,...
Traveling For Miles
Sapphire Reserve cardholders can get Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status (for a limited time)
Chase and Marriott have brought back a promotion that we've seen before and this is one that gives Sapphire Reserve cardholders complimentary three months of Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status and gives them a path to keep it through February 2028. The usefulness of this offer is debatable, but here...
One Mile at a Time
Frontier Airlines Will Introduce Starlink Wi-Fi, With One (Major) Potential Catch
Ultra low cost carrier Frontier is the latest airline to commit to Starlink Wi-Fi, with plans to launch the service as of early 2027. However, a big question remains — will Starlink be free, or why are we seeing the sudden new reality of airlines charging for Starlink?
View from the Wing
Frontier Airlines Leapfrogs Delta In Customer Experience As It Rolls Out Starlink Wifi Across Its Fleet
Frontier will begin installing Starlink across its entire fleet next year, transforming from an airline with no Wi-Fi into one offering the best gate-to-gate connectivity in the sky. That puts it years ahead of Delta, which won’t begin installing Amazon Leo until 2028—and initially plans to equip only half its...
Frequent Miler
Southwest & United shopping portal promos: Earn up to 2,500 points/miles with each
The Southwest and United shopping portals each have three-tiered promotions at the moment that are offering the opportunity to earn up to 2,500 bonus points/miles when hitting spending thresholds. The Deals Southwest shopping portal: Spend $100 & earn 500 bonus Rapid Rewards points Spend $250 & earn 1,000 bonus Rapid...
One Mile at a Time
United Blocking Two Seats On New A321XLR Jets: That’s Probably Bad News
I commend United Airlines for all of its innovation as of late, particularly when it comes to the passenger experience. Along those lines, the airline recently took delivery of its first Airbus A321XLR, which is the new long range, narrow body jet that’s becoming increasingly popular with airlines.
Miles To Memories
(Final Day) Earn $150 with New Varo Money Account, Plus $150 for Referrals
Varo Money is offering an increased signup bonus of $150. The offer is available through referral links, with both parties earning the bonus.
Traveling For Miles
Amex Platinum card holders must re-enroll for Hertz benefit (or possibly all car rental benefits)
Holders of the Platinum Card® from American Express get quite a few benefits in exchange for the card's high annual fee and some of these benefits require a card holder to enroll. Well, if you're a card holder and have enrolled for the Hertz car rental benefit (or possibly any...
View from the Wing
United Turns Coach Middle Seats Into Tables—Selling Extra Elbow Room And Staffing Fewer Flight Attendants
United’s new A321XLRs will offer Economy Plus pairs with the middle seat covered by a shared table—essentially European business class seating without premium catering or lounge access. By holding capacity at 150 passengers, United can sell extra elbow room while avoiding a fifth required flight attendant.
TravelUpdate
Pay No Annual Fee, Earn 100,000 Points & $100: Hilton Honors Card Review
With this limited time offer on the Hilton Honors card by American Express, you'll not only earn 100,000 points but also a credit of $100.
Live and Let’s Fly
United Airlines Threatened To Remove Passenger Over “Bombing Kids Is Not Self Defense” Shirt
A United Airlines passenger says he was ordered to remove a T-shirt declaring that “bombing kids is not self defense” after a flight attendant found the message offensive. United has every right to enforce its dress code, but this shirt should never have crossed that line. United Passenger Ordered To...
The Bulkhead Seat
Marriott Bonvoy® and Japan Airlines Launch Loyalty Partnership With Reciprocal Elite Status
Marriott Bonvoy® and Japan Airlines (JAL) have introduced a new strategic partnership that brings…
One Mile at a Time
Review: Miramonti Boutique Hotel (SLH), South Tyrol (Stellar Mountain Retreat!)
We recently took a family trip to South Tyrol, the gorgeous autonomous region in the Dolomites, in northern Italy. In this post, I’d like to review the 47-key, family owned Miramonti Boutique Hotel, part of Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH), also part of the Hilton Honors collaboration.
The Bulkhead Seat
United Introduces Economy Plus® Seats With Open Middle Seats on New Airbus A321XLR
United Airlines is introducing another industry-first seating concept, this time for Economy Class travelers.…
Economondo
Sampling an Aer Lingus Regional ATR 72 from Belfast City to Leeds Bradford
Flying onboard an Emerald Airlines UK ATR 72 from Belfast City to Leeds Bradford
View from the Wing
Airline Pilots Rarely Talk To Passengers But One United Captain Shows How Much Loyalty Airlines Leave On The Table
A United captain stepped into the cabin to brief passengers on weather, and a loyal flyer called it the kind of service that made the airline number one. Pilots can build trust in minutes—and airlines should make that interaction normal.
BoardingArea
Review : United Club  – Houston (IAH), Terminal E
The former Continental Flagship needs to be refreshed The summary When catching a United flight out of Houston, and you do not have access to the Polaris lounge, it probably makes the most sense to visit the United Club lounge that is nearest your departure gate. That’s how I found...
The Bulkhead Seat
Alaska Airlines Adds New Nonstop Flights to Hawaii From Boise and Spokane
Alaska Airlines is expanding its Hawaii network this winter with the launch of two…
The Bulkhead Seat
American Airlines is Adding Five New Mystery International Routes
United Airlines always does a fabulous job of teasing new routes and at times…
One Mile at a Time
Hyatt’s Globalist Breakfast Benefit Explained: Best In The Business?
There are pros and cons to each major hotel loyalty program, especially when it comes to elite perks. Personally, World of Hyatt Globalist status is my favorite hotel loyalty status that I have, and that goes beyond Hyatt having the best suite upgrade policy for Globalist members.
Eye of the Flyer
Sisters Check Into a San Diego Airbnb and Find Themselves — Literally — Framed on the Wall
Well, this is some nightmare fuel. Two girls posted a video of themselves after apparently checking into a San Diego Airbnb and spotting an interesting picture on the wall: a shot of their own family on the beach. TikTokker Aubrey Birrell and her sister, Libby, narrate the autobiographical clip of...
Traveling For Miles
Ending: Chase is offering a 30% bonus for transfers to Virgin Atlantic
Through the middle of July, Chase is offering a 30% bonus to anyone who converts at least 1,000 Ultimate Rewards Points into Virgin Atlantic Flying Club points, and while this is the most commonly bonus that we see Chase offer when it comes to Virgin Atlantic Flying Club, this is...
Live and Let’s Fly
American Airlines Gives Agents A Script For Passengers Upset Over Trump Airport Renaming
American Airlines is preparing its employees for passenger complaints after West Palm Beach’s airport was renamed for President Donald Trump, even providing agents with a script explaining why the carrier is using the new name. American Airlines Gives Employees A Script To Explain Trump Airport Renaming As flagged by View...
One Mile at a Time
How To Earn Bilt Points With Rakuten For Online Shopping, And Is It Worth It?
Rakuten is my favorite online shopping portal, and it lets you earn bonus rewards for purchases you make online. Historically, Rakuten has offered the ability to earn cash back or Amex Membership Rewards points for online shopping, with the latter being a more compelling option (at least for those good...
Wild About Travel
I Finally Did It: All 50 US States
My first trip to the USA was my second time overseas as a (very young adult). I boarded a Continental Airlines flight for Honolulu. I had no idea that I would return many, many times to the USA and end up visiting every state. For a long time, I thought...
2PAXfly
WEEKLY REVIEW: Sunday 12 July, 2026
Hello travellers, Well, the dust has largely settled on our renovations, but as always, there is a bit here and a bit there still to do. We are back in our regular bedroom with its new floor, and using our repaired and renewed bathroom. All of that confirms what Dorothy...
2PAXfly
QANTAS: A380s to get WiFi by 2027
But you will have to wait until early 2027. The A380s are scheduled to have their repeatedly delayed WiFi upgrade by then, but it’s slow Viasat not peppy Starlink. At least usage is free across classes. Qantas has now installed satellite internet across its Boeing 787 Dreamliner fleet and most...
2PAXfly
QANTAS: World’s most punctual airline in June 2026!
That’s according to aviation data company OAG, as reported in the AFR. They note that 87.16% of Qantas flights arrived on time during the month. That placed the Flying Kangaroo just ahead of Colombia’s Avianca, which recorded an on-time arrival rate of 87%. Subcontinental airline Indigo came in third with...
Wild About Travel
drat Budpaets
September 8, 2024, by Martin J CowlingLeave A Comment OverviewBudapest has long been one of my favorite cities, and this winter visit marks my tenth time here. My first visit was back in 1990, when the city was still shaking off the remnants of communism and transitioning to capitalism. Nearly...
2PAXfly
HOTEL REVIEW: Museum Apartment Hotel, Independent Collection by EVT, Wellington
This hotel has a split personality. Although they share public spaces, the two buildings in this accommodation are marketed as two different hotels, even though they share a lot of the same DNA. Yes, it’s confusing. I stayed at the other half of the hotel a few years ago, marketed...
2PAXfly
QANTAS: Does Project Sunrise indicate a more premium, lower-volume international strategy, as Joe Aston says?
In an Australian Financial Review opinion piece over the weekend, Joe Aston, author of The Chairman’s Lounge: The inside story of how Qantas sold us out, argues that Qantas is changing its international strategy. His core argument is that Project Sunrise is not simply a new pair of ultra-long-haul routes:...
2PAXfly
WEEKLY REVIEW: SUNDAY 5 JULY, 2026
Hello travellers, We are finally home, although we have spent most of the week besieged by builders completing various aspects of our repairs and renovation. The dust has mainly settled and been cleaned away. As with all building work, there are still a few issues and complications to resolve. That...