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...
Wild About Travel
Rovaniemi, Finland – Santa, snow, and Arctic light
Rovaniemi is a small Arctic city that sells hard on Santa and northern lights, but underneath the Christmas branding there is a real Lapland hub for winter activities and slow tundra days. It works best if you accept the tourist kitsch, time your visit for snow or autumn colours, and...
2PAXfly
AIRLINES: What is a codeshare agreement and why they matter
If you’ve ever booked a flight on Qantas, only to discover you’re actually flying on an Emirates or Cathay Pacific aircraft, you’ve already encountered a codeshare agreement . Although you may not have realised it when you booked. Codesharing allows airlines to dramatically expand their networks without buying more planes...
Also on BoardingArea
Frequent Miler
Join Nick and Greg at Points Travel Festival Toronto, April 18, 2026
If you are interested in meeting up with Greg and me and spending a weekend chatting points and miles with our Canadian friends, registration is open for Points Travel Festival Toronto, which will be happening on April 18, 2026 (with an optional add-on party the night before). Super Early Bird...
Miles To Memories
The Road Ahead – Where We’re At and Going with New Amex Cards
We've got the slimmest card profile in recent memory, so where are we headed next with new Amex cards? Here's this year's plan. The post The Road Ahead – Where We’re At and Going with New Amex Cards appeared first on Miles to Memories.
View from the Wing
Leaked Employee Meeting: American Airlines Will Expand Free Wi-Fi to All Widebodies — Lounges and Food Partnerships Next
American’s free Wi-Fi rollout is about to go from “most planes” to the long-haul fleet too. In a leaked recording from an employee meeting after earnings, the airline says it has free Wi-Fi on 90%+ of aircraft now and plans to add it to the remaining widebodies over the next...
Your Mileage May Vary
Why Airlines (With These Few Exceptions) Won’t Let You Change Names on a Ticket
One of the frustrations one might have with airlines is that you’re not allowed to change the name on a plane ticket. It doesn’t matter if it turns out you…
One Mile at a Time
“Flagship” Delta Airbus A350-1000s Join Fleet In 2027: What Should We Expect?
In early 2024, Delta Air Lines placed an order for the Airbus A350-1000, after years of rumors. While there has been a delay in these deliveries, we’re potentially just over a year from the first of these planes being delivered. In light of all the developments that we’ve seen since...
View from the Wing
Readers Report Strong Approval Experiences For Citi Strata Elite 100,000 Points And Over $2500 In First-Year Value
Citi’s new Strata Elite card is handing out approvals fast — and for good reason. With a 100,000-point bonus, stacked travel and retail credits, and easy eligibility rules, it delivers first-year value few premium cards can match.
One Mile at a Time
Are Hotel Bathrooms Getting Worse? The Design Choices That Grind My Gears
I’ve written broadly about my hotel pet peeves, as we all have our own preferences when staying at hotels. Regardless of whether we’re talking about luxury or limited service hotels, I appreciate a functional and well designed bathroom. There are certain hotel bathroom design choices that drive me bonkers, and...
Frequent Miler
How to find amazing award flights with Seats.Aero (Video)
Seats.aero is a tool for the real points and miles nerds that gives you the ability to find award flights across a whole year at a time, particularly useful for sweet spot awards. How to find amazing award flights with Seats.Aero (01:10) – Virgin Atlantic Premium Economy (06:48) – Results...
Points With a Crew
The Unexpected Reason Airplane Windows Have Those Tiny Holes
You might have seen the tiny holes at the bottom of airplane windows. But did you ever wonder why they're there and what they do? There's an interesting reason that ...
Economy Class & Beyond
TRIP REPORT: Exploring Singapore in Bite-sized Bits… Whilst Not Getting Soaked – Growing Old in Style
Exploring Singapore in Bite-sized Bits… Whilst Not Getting Soaked Growing Old In Style For tourism beyond food, Singapore has a lot to offer. Or you can engage in rampant consumerism, too – that’s fine, too.  In this mammoth trip report (note, headings subject to change) Yes. I’m that old. Next....
Live and Let’s Fly
Review: Starlux A321neo Business Class (Lie-Flat Luxury On A Short Flight)
I enjoyed a short but sweet flight on Starlux from Taipei to Bangkok on the A321neo in business class. While not as luxe as the A350-900, it was nevertheless a very nice flight with great food and excellent service. Starlux A321neo Business Class Review (TPE-BKK) Recall that I paid 85,000...
Point Me to the Plane
Cartagena, Columbia Looses An Iconic Attraction
It's sad when tradition gives way to “modernization” in a way that eliminates old world charm. That's what happening in Cartagena, Columbia.
Your Mileage May Vary
How to Use the Hilton Surpass $50 Credit When You’re Not Staying at a Hilton
If you have the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card, one of the most valuable perks is also one of the easiest to waste: the up to $200 Hilton Statement…
The Gate with Brian Cohen
Dining on Sheepshead For the First Time.
I recently had the opportunity of dining on sheepshead for the first time, which to me meant something as a person who was born and raised in Brooklyn. I have been to... The post Dining on Sheepshead For the First Time. appeared first on The Gate.
Paddle Your Own Kanoo
Airbus Facing Yet Another Lawsuit From Flight Attendant Over It’s Toxic ‘Dirty Little Secret’
European aircraft manufacturer Airbus is facing yet another lawsuit from a flight attendant who claims to now suffer from a debilitating chronic illness after she breathed in ‘toxic’ fumes while working on one of the company’s popular A320-series single-aisle jets. Airbus has been accused of knowing about a defect with...
Miles To Memories
Citi Reveals Conversion Details and Timeline for Barclays AAdvantage Cards
On April 24, 2026, Barclays AAdvantage Aviator credit card accounts will be automatically transferred to Citi and AAdvantage Aviator cards will be converted to a Citi® / AAdvantage® credit cards. The post Citi Reveals Conversion Details and Timeline for Barclays AAdvantage Cards appeared first on Miles to Memories.
View from the Wing
Inside American’s Post-Earnings Employee Meeting — United Is the “Common Enemy,” Chicago Is the Existential Fight
American has been spending real money on “premium” — new suites, new lounges, better champagne, better policies — but the company has lacked anything resembling a mission that connects it all. In a leaked recording from a post-earnings employee meeting, that finally changes: leadership frames Chicago as an existential fight...
One Mile at a Time
United Regional Jet Pilot Blames Go Around On 777, Gets Schooled By ATC
While go arounds happen all the time, here’s an interaction you don’t often hear…
Pointalize
Introduction to Pointalize App
Stop losing money on unused credit card perks. Pointalize tracks monthly credits, signup bonuses, and reward values automatically. Download now.
Sam Chui
GeminiJets Airplane Models – December 25 New Release + Discounts
I have been collecting GeminiJets airplane models since they launched 20 years ago! Video Special Offer This is a sponsored post to showcase the latest GeminiJets airplane model releases. Hope you find something you like. To purchase GeminiJets, go to DiecastJets.com and use code SAMCHUI at checkout for up to 25% off and free shipping in the US....
View from the Wing
United Airlines Is Going Dark for 2–3 Hours Next Week — Flights Are Already Pre-Canceled
United is planning a controlled overnight cutover next week that will take its key systems offline for roughly 2–3 hours — and it has already pre-canceled most departures during the window. While flights already in the air will keep moving, everything that depends on the reservation stack effectively freezes: schedules,...
TravelUpdate
What is Icelandair’s new A321neo Saga Premium business class like?
Icelandair have two different seats in Saga Premium business class. Most aircraft feature the Aviointeriors Andromeda seat, which…
One Mile at a Time
FAA Extends Cockpit Voice Recorder Rule To 25 Hours, Despite Pilot Pusback
For a few years now, regulators in the United States have been proposing a common sense change that would make it easier to investigate aircraft incidents and accidents (and in turn, make flying safer). While there has been quite a bit of pushback from pilots, there’s some good news, as...
The Bulkhead Seat
Flight Review: Breeze Airways Airbus A220-300 Ascent Class – TPA-PNS
We’re visiting friends in Santa Rosa Beach this weekend and found the easiest way… The post Flight Review: Breeze Airways Airbus A220-300 Ascent Class – TPA-PNS appeared first on The Bulkhead Seat.
2PAXfly
VIRGIN AUSTRALIA: Starts Canberra to Bali direct route
Canberra has few direct international connections. Maybe Doha and Fiji, which also, fortunately, function as launch pads for additional international destinations. You can now add Bali to that list, with Virgin Australia launching its first-ever international service from the nation’s capital, from 22 June 2026. Canberrans will no longer need...
Wild About Travel
Cape Town: Beautiful and Complicated
I came to Cape Town hoping to like it and ended up loving it. I want to encourage other visitors to look beyond the surface here. It’s a complex and fascinating place. Introducing the CityThe road from the modern Cape Town airport passes through the sprawling townships of Langa, Nyanga...
Wild About Travel
Seventeen Mega Groups: How Airline Consolidation could rewire the World
In my last post, I showed how the airline industry has consolidated significantly, with most European and US airlines falling into just three mega-groups that control a significant share of the world’s seats. But the consolidation appears nowhere near over. The airline industry is genuinely hard to forecast. Hub airports,...
2PAXfly
AIRLINES: What is an interline agreement and why they matter
Most travellers would have no idea what an airline interline agreement is. But if you’ve ever checked a bag through to your final destination on two different airlines, been rebooked after a delay, or stitched together a multi-airline itinerary, you’ve probably almost certainly the beneficiary of one. Put simply, an...
2PAXfly
UNITED KINGDOM: New entry rules a costly trap for Australian dual citizens
Australians who also hold British citizenship are facing a rude shock with new UK border rules coming into force later this year. From February 25, 2026, anyone holding British or Irish citizenship will be required to enter the United Kingdom with a valid UK or Irish passport or a Certificate...
2PAXfly
WEEKLY REVIEW: Sunday, 25 January, 2026
Hello travellers, Greetings from a very warm Sydney. I’m enjoying Summer, and making plans to escape to Europe in our Autumn.  Most people in Australia have completed their Summer holidays and are back at work. This post-holiday period is a good time to monitor airfares for specials, and to plan...
Wild About Travel
Are You Really Choosing Your Airline? Three Groups Control Our World.
The post Are You Really Choosing Your Airline? Three Groups Control Our World. appeared first on Wild About Travel.
2PAXfly
GULFSTREAM 800: New Murdoch aircraft the first of its type to land in Sydney
Joe Aston’s (authority on Alan Joyce’s leadership at Qantas) website and newsletter Rampart is reporting that Lauchlan’s new toy plane, a Gulfstream 800, has recently arrived in Sydney. It’s the first of this new version of the businessman’s plaything to land in Sydney. The aircraft departed Gulfstream’s Savannah base on...