2PAXfly
EMIRATES: New-generation lounges roll out globally, but Sydney is still waiting
Emirates is rolling out a new ‘signature’ lounge concept across its global network, beginning with Munich and Frankfurt and continuing to Manchester, Mauritius and Istanbul later this year. The airline says it will spend more than AED50 million (AU$20 million) on each next-generation lounge. That is a substantial sum. Passengers...
2PAXfly
QANTAS: COVID credit class action means more than a million customers will receive payout notices
More than one million Qantas customers are set to receive notices explaining how to claim compensation. These customers were issued flight credits, rather than refunds, for cancelled flights during the COVID-19 pandemic. Law firm Echo Law began contacting eligible customers on Monday, 29 June. This follows Qantas’ March settlement of...
2PAXfly
QANTAS: Flooding closes LAX First Lounge, premium dining moves next door
Qantas’ Los Angeles First Lounge has been temporarily closed by flooding, according to the Qantas Lounge page. That means the closure of one of the best overseas lounge experiences for premium passengers on the long trek to Australia. The airline has not set a reopening date on its lounge website....
2PAXfly
VIETJET: launching Australian airline to rival Qantas and Virgin
Vietnamese low-cost carrier VietJet is reportedly seeking the approvals needed to launch an Australian subsidiary, in a move that could create a new domestic competitor for Qantas, Jetstar and Virgin Australia. According to reporting by Ayesha de Kretser in the Australian Financial Review, VietJet has approached the Civil Aviation Safety...
Also on BoardingArea
Frequent Miler
Flying Blue Promo Rewards for July 2026: 25% off awards to/from Europe in economy, premium economy, & business class
It’s a new month which means a new batch of Flying Blue Promo Rewards have been released. As always, you’ll get a 25% discount on standard award pricing between a range of US cities and all of Europe for flights through the end of the year. In addition to many...
Paddle Your Own Kanoo
Germany’s Next Top Model is a Flight Attendant for a Budget Carrier, but She’s Already Secured Her First Magazine Front Cover… The On Board Airline Magazine
The newly crowned winner of Germany’s Next Top Model has been revealed to be a flight attendant for Eurowings, the low-cost subsidiary of German flag carrier Lufthansa. And she’s already secured her first cover girl photoshoot… for the airline’s in-house on-board magazine. Germany’s Next Top Model, based on America’s Next...
Traveling For Miles
Save $250 on Delta bookings made through Amex Travel [Targeted – Platinum & Centurion]
It's the start of a new month so a number of new Amex offers have dropped and one is offering targeted cardholders a $250 statement in exchange for Delta bookings made through Amex Travel. The catch here is that it looks like the offer is being targeted to Platinum and...
Miles To Memories
Rakuten 2026 Big Deal Reveal, Increased Earning Rates at Popular Merchants
Rakuten has announced its 2026 Big Deal Reveal promotion with boosted Cash Back at popular merchants.
The Bulkhead Seat
Promo: Marriott Bonvoy® and United Bring Back Promotion That Earns Both Points and Miles
Marriott Bonvoy® and United Airlines have revived a popular joint promotion that gives eligible…
One Mile at a Time
American Airlines Adds Chicago To Tokyo Narita Route: Cool But Sort Of Boring
American Airlines has revealed plans to launch a new daily flight between Chicago and Tokyo, which is a route resumption, and also represents American’s return of Asia flying out of Chicago. I’m delighted to see American adding new long haul service, though this is also about as boring as it...
Frequent Miler
Get a 30% bonus transferring Amex Membership Rewards to Virgin Atlantic
American Express launched a couple of new transfer bonuses last week, but then promptly pulled them as they were released prematurely. Those two bonuses are now officially live. The better of the two is a 30% bonus when transferring Membership Rewards points to Virgin Atlantic Flying Club. The Deal American...
Points With a Crew
Chase Freedom Q3 2026 5% Bonus Categories (Time To Spend!)
Finally, it's time to activate your Chase Freedom Q3 2026 Bonus categories, and there are some good ones. You must activate before earning 5% cash back and ...
Live and Let’s Fly
American Airlines Adds 3 New Chicago Routes, Including Return To Tokyo
American Airlines is adding three routes from Chicago O’Hare, including a return to Tokyo Narita after a seven year pause. American Airlines Returns To Chicago–Tokyo With 787-9 Narita Flight American Airlines is adding three new routes from Chicago O’Hare, including a long-awaited return to Tokyo Narita. The new routes were...
Point Me to the Plane
Tombs, Trees, and Petra, Oh My!
Feeling ancient? Dwelling on the past too much? Then you'll be fascinated by a few sites and ancient virtual tours I’ve taken.
Your Mileage May Vary
One Airport Employee Turned A Routine Announcement Into Comedy Gold
When people go through the TSA security area, they, of course, have to put everything they’re carrying into bins. It may sound surprising, but it happens more often than you’d…
Miles To Memories
Rakuten Offers Up To 9,000 Bilt Points ($90) Bonus For Chase Freedom Unlimited
There is a new Rakuten Offer for Chase Freedom Unlimited card sign ups that could net you up to $90, or 9,000 Bilt Rewards points.
The Bulkhead Seat
JetBlue Unveils Patriotic “250” Aircraft to Celebrate America’s 250th Anniversary
It seems like just about every US airline has designed a custom livery for…
View from the Wing
Southwest Airlines Gets Roasted For Telling Passengers Not To Stand Up When The Seat Belt Sign Turns Off
Southwest Airlines told passengers not to stand up when the seat belt sign turns off, and the internet promptly explained why that makes no sense. Getting up when permitted helps speed deplaning, gives middle seat passengers more room, and supports the quick turns Southwest built its business around, as long...
Frequent Flyer Bonuses
Air France KLM Flying Blue Promo Rewards: Save 25% on select reward flights (July 2026 edition)
The newest set of Air France KLM’s Promo Rewards are now available. This month there are 36 cities in total, all of which are 25% off their standard minimum redemption amount for economy, premium economy and business class redemptions (fare class varies by route). For this set of Promo Rewards,...
Frequent Miler
Get a 30% bonus when transferring Capital One miles to EVA Air Infinity MileageLands (almost 1:1 ratio)
Capital One launched a new transfer bonus today, this time giving a 30% bonus when transferring miles to your EVA Air Infinity MileageLands account. Given the usual transfer ratio between the two programs, even with the bonus you’re not quite getting a 1:1 transfer ratio, but it could provide good...
Economy Class & Beyond
Emirates SkyCargo inducts its first Boeing 777-300ERSF into service… Wait… ERSF?
Emirates SkyCargo (the cargo arm of the airline) has grown its cargo fleet, with the addition of a Boeing 777-300ERSF. For those who need help with the letter soup, Boeing 777-300 Extended Range Special Freighter. This aircraft has been converted from a passenger aircraft to a freighter. It has deployed...
Miles To Memories
Pay Yourself Back Less! Chase Keeps Hacking Away
Chase just executed another Pay Yourself Back devaluation. It's a smaller change than the previous one but speaks volumes.
Traveling For Miles
American Airlines opens a new grab-and-go lounge at JFK (do we need these?)
American Airlines has opened a Provisions by Admirals Club space at JFK Terminal 8, a grab-and-go concept which, we're told, is designed for passengers who want quick access to food and drinks without sitting down in a traditional lounge. This the second Provisions space American has opened, following the original version...
Frequent Miler
(Update) The Southwest debit card is live & it’s actually mildly interesting
Update 7/1/26: The Southwest debit card is offering 1,000 bonus Rapid Rewards points to new cardholders when receiving a qualifying direct deposit of $250 or more by September 30, 2026. Those 1,000 bonus points are in addition to the 2,500 point welcome bonus you get with two recurring deposits and...
Live and Let’s Fly
United Airlines Paid A Passenger 98,000 Miles To Take A Later Flight
A United Airlines passenger scored 98,000 MileagePlus miles for taking a later flight, and offers a useful reminder: if you are flexible, do not wait until the gate to volunteer. United Passenger Scores 98,000 Miles For Taking A Later Flight A United Airlines passenger hit the oversold-flight jackpot this week,...
One Mile at a Time
Marriott Bonvoy & United MileagePlus Dual Accrual Promotion (Complex)
Marriott Bonvoy and United MileagePlus have a partnership, offering some reciprocal perks and opportunities. The two programs have just launched a new promotion that incentivizes summer travel, available to select elite members of both programs.
Miles To Memories
(New Offers) Targeted Chase Spending Offers: Earn Up To 7x More Points
The targeted Chase My Bonus quarterly spending offers are back with the new quarter. We have a way to check to see if you're targeted.
One Mile at a Time
Marriott Makes The Switch To Coca-Cola, After 34 Years Of Pepsi Exclusivity
Several weeks ago, we learned how Marriott would be making the switch from Coke to Pepsi across its properties globally. The timeline wasn’t clear at the time, so there’s now an update, as we should start seeing this phased rollout immediately. I imagine most people will be happy to hear...
2PAXfly
QANTAS: No First Lounge for London. Premier dining room instead
The original plan was to have a new First Class Lounge at London’s Terminal 3. It was to be ready for the debut of the Project Sunrise flights. Qantas has quietly shelved those plans, to the indignation of premium frequent flyers and passengers. Instead, the airline will refurbish and enlarge...
2PAXfly
CHINA AIRLINES: More flights to Australia from October, 2026
Taiwan’s China Airlines is increasing flights to Australia from late October, giving travellers more non-stop choices between Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Taipei. The headline act is Sydney, where China Airlines will lift its Taipei service to daily from 25 October 2026. Melbourne follows on 28 October with a fifth weekly...
2PAXfly
QANTAS: Lounge pass rules change from 1 July 2026
From Wednesday 1 July, Qantas will tighten the rules governing Complimentary Lounge Invitations, ending the long-standing ability to transfer a pass to any other Frequent Flyer member, regardless of whether they are travelling with you. If you have a stash of passes, you only have days to give them away!...
Wild About Travel
concordes at last
She was the most beautiful aircraft ever created. She was the fastest passenger aircraft ever to fly. She was created through the cooperation of two countries, and the technology that came with her is still being used, with the breakthroughs she sparked continuing to impact aviation today. One fatal crash...
2PAXfly
WEEKLY REVIEW: Sunday 28 June, 2026
Hello travellers, Well, I’m in Sydney, but not quite home yet. If you have ever had a renovation done, you will understand. I have spent the last week at a Meriton Suites in central Sydney. It’s been a mixed experience. Living in central Sydney has some great advantages, especially on...
Wild About Travel
copy an dre doBeautiful Bold Brightline -The Best way to Ride
Birghtline is superb. What blows me away is that the Brightline experience has been created to attract and keep people who have never ridden a train before. And it works. Background First, a bit of history. In 2018, Brightline did the unthinkable and opened a new private rail service in...
2PAXfly
QANTAS: A380 caught in global wing-crack inspection order
One Qantas Airbus A380 is among 16 superjumbos worldwide caught up in an urgent inspection program. Inspections were called for after cracks were found in a critical internal wing structure, as reported by the SMH. Europe’s aviation safety regulator, EASA (European Union Aviation Safety Agency), issued an Emergency Airworthiness Directive...
2PAXfly
QANTAS: Adds Economy Plus to Project Sunrise, but other seats will be Economy Minus
Qantas has previously promised to provide Economy passengers with greater legroom befitting these ultra-long Project Sunrise flights. Like the politicians it seeks to influence through its invitation, Chairman’s Lounge makes promises it doesn’t keep. A standard 33-inch pitch in Economy is one of those. Forthcoming non-stop flights from Sydney to...