2PAXfly
ETHIOPIAN AIRLINES: Launches flights to Melbourne, Australia in 2028
Ethiopian Airlines, Star Alliance member and Africa’s largest airline, is reported as having confirmed it is targeting 2028 for its Australian debut. Group CEO Mesfin Tasew says the carrier will need roughly two years to secure the wide-body aircraft required for the ultra-long-haul mission to Australia’s east coast. “We will...
Wild About Travel
Chasing Frequent Flyer Status in a Stacked System
For context: I’m a frequent flyer who maintains status across multiple programs: primarily Virgin Australia Platinum, Qantas Platinum, and Star Alliance Gold. This isn’t unique. Many frequent flyers play multiple programs to maximise coverage and benefits. Are you one of them? Virgin Australia has been one of my “main homes”...
2PAXfly
WESTERN SYDNEY INTERNATIONAL: Preparing of passenger takeoff in October 2026
After years of construction, political debate and plenty of scepticism, Western Sydney International (WSI) is preparing to open for passengers later this year. Cargo flights are expected to commence mid-year The airport, built at Badgerys Creek and designed to operate 24 hours a day without a curfew, is positioning itself...
Wild About Travel
Terrific Turku, Finland’s Historical Capital. All You Need to Know
Turku is a low-key river city known for its university life and as a gateway to medieval Finland and the beautiful Turku Archipelago. Turku has tens of thousands of students across multiple universities and this creates a fun, youthful atmosphere. Quality‑of‑life index scores Turku slightly higher than Helsinki overall (Turku...
Also on BoardingArea
2PAXfly
ETHIOPIAN AIRLINES: Launches flights to Melbourne, Australia in 2028
Ethiopian Airlines, Star Alliance member and Africa’s largest airline, is reported as having confirmed it is targeting 2028 for its Australian debut. Group CEO Mesfin Tasew says the carrier will need roughly two years to secure the wide-body aircraft required for the ultra-long-haul mission to Australia’s east coast. “We will...
Frequent Miler
Private Island ultra-all-inclusive barefoot luxury: $2,500 rebate | Frequent Miler on the Air Ep345 | 2-13-26
In today’s podcast, we’ll talk about why you might not want to toss out that United credit card mailer, how Bilt has led us to coin a new term, and how Calala Island wants to pay you to book with points! Private Island ultra-all-inclusive barefoot luxury: $2,500 rebate Watch the...
Your Mileage May Vary
Why Planes Aren’t Allowed to Stop on Airport Bridges
There are plenty of airport signs you can ignore without consequence. And then there are the ones that make you do a double-take… even when you’re sitting in seat 18C…
Frequent Miler
Chase Sapphire Reserve® cardholders can get a free Calm Premium annual subscription
Have you ever wanted Matthew McConaughey to softly read you a story while you drift off to sleep? Now you can make that dream a reality. In addition to a credit good toward a full-year WHOOP Life membership, Chase Sapphire Reserve® cardholders can also receive 100% back on an annual...
One Mile at a Time
Hong Kong Airlines A330 Business Class: Second-Rate But Good Enough
Hello from Japan, as I just flew Hong Kong Airlines’ Airbus A330-300 business class on the 3hr30min flight from Hong Kong (HKG) to Tokyo Narita (NRT). My goal was to get to Japan, but with the Chinese New Year holiday period, flights on All Nippon Airways, Cathay Pacific, and Japan...
View from the Wing
Influencer’s Mid-Flight Flirt Disaster Goes Viral—Oblivious Guy Needs Multiple Notes To Realize What’s Happening
An influencer’s mid-flight attempt at romance hilariously misfired when the oblivious guy across the aisle completely missed her subtle (and then not-so-subtle) hints. Her awkward efforts—and his total confusion—quickly went viral, turning an everyday Sydney-Melbourne flight into comedy gold.
Frequent Miler
Bilt cards being frozen, 5x not being honored. (Update: Bilt investigating case-by-case)
Update 2/13:26: Yesterday, Bilt sent an email to members saying that cardholders who were affected by any of the problems with the 5x promo listed below (frozen cards, offer not attached, late-arriving cards) should file a claim for review: If you believe you qualified for the 5X for 5 Days Promotional...
Points With a Crew
Kickstarter: Zaylli LYRÖ Ultra-Natural Hi-Fi Headphones (Back By Saturday)
The Zaylli LYRÖ headphones are the world’s 1st open-back headphone with a rotary sound-curve switch. Perfect for audiophiles, it's on Kickstarter, but only for a few more ...
Your Mileage May Vary
Everyday American “Luxuries” Europeans Say They’re Jealous Of
People often assume that life in the U.S. and Europe looks broadly similar, especially in countries with comparable wealth and infrastructure. But when Reddit asked Europeans what Americans have every…
Frequent Miler
Chase Sapphire Reserve® cardholders can get a free year of WHOOP (fitness wearable)
WHOOP is a wearable fitness tracker, kind of a cross between Oura Rings and Fitbit. The American Express Platinum Card® offers a $200 annual credit toward Oura Ring purchases, and now Chase is responding in kind by offering an almost free year of WHOOP’s “Life” membership to Sapphire Reserve® cardholders....
One Mile at a Time
Upper House Hong Kong: An Excellent, Unconventional, Simple, Luxury Hotel
When we visited Hong Kong, there were two hotels I was most hoping to stay — the Rosewood Hong Kong, which is located in Kowloon, and the Upper House Hong Kong, located on Hong Kong Island.
The Gate with Brian Cohen
$50 New Member Referral Bonus With Rakuten
This is your chance to cash in on a $50 new member referral bonus when you sign up as a new member of Rakuten; and you will receive a bonus of $50.00 via referral when you spend a minimum of $50.00 within the first 90 days of your new membership, which is...
Paddle Your Own Kanoo
Sean Duffy Orders Airlines to Halt DEI Pilot Hiring Or Face Enforcement Action
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has ordered commercial airlines across the United States to halt DEI hiring for pilots or face federal investigation and potential enforcement action. Duffy said on Friday that the order, sent to airlines by the Federal Aviation Administration in the form of a mandatory ‘Operations Specification’ or...
The Bulkhead Seat
Taste Test: Charcuterie Plate on American Airlines
For my return flight from Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) to Tampa International… The post Taste Test: Charcuterie Plate on American Airlines appeared first on The Bulkhead Seat.
Frequent Miler
Singapore Airlines: Premium economy between Asia and US starting at 55K
Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer has released its latest list of “Spontaneous Escapes,” discounted award redemptions valid only for travel in the following calendar month. There are several routes available to/from North America this month, though be aware that Spontaneous Escapes bookings are completely inflexible and cannot be changed or cancelled. The...
View from the Wing
Southwest Flight Attendants Furious After Airline Moves Their Bags To Back Of Plane: “Passengers Will Steal Them!”
Southwest Airlines flight attendants are furious after the airline decided to relocate their reserved overhead bin space from the front to the back of the aircraft—sparking fears their belongings could be stolen. The change, meant to solve chaotic boarding issues following the airline’s switch to assigned seating, has triggered immediate...
The Bulkhead Seat
Alila Mayakoba Opens as Hyatt’s First Alila Resort in Latin America
Hyatt announced the official opening of Alila Mayakoba yesterday. The nature-rooted luxury retreat on… The post Alila Mayakoba Opens as Hyatt’s First Alila Resort in Latin America appeared first on The Bulkhead Seat.
Your Mileage May Vary
Why a “Double Bed” in Europe Isn’t What Americans Think
When you book a hotel room in the U.S., you probably don’t think too hard about the bed description. King. Queen. Double. Two Queens. Those words usually mean something specific…
Miles To Memories
Chase Slate Card Offers 0% Intro APR for 21 Months on Purchases and Balance Transfers
The main feature of the Chase Slate card is an introductory offer of 0% APR for the first 21 months for purchases and balance transfers. The post Chase Slate Card Offers 0% Intro APR for 21 Months on Purchases and Balance Transfers appeared first on Miles to Memories.
One Mile at a Time
China Plans To Sell Waldorf Astoria New York At A Loss, After Huge Renovation
In 2025, the Waldorf Astoria New York reopened after an eight-year renovation (I recently stayed, and shared my thoughts), which ran five years behind schedule and more than $1 billion over budget. Now the property’s owners are looking to sell, almost certainly at a significant loss.
Miles To Memories
Wrestlemania Woes. Bingo Arrives On The Strip, Durango Phase 3 & Strange Union Incoming?!
Strange Vegas union, Durango phase 3, Wrestlemania may be struggling and bingo arrives on the Vegas Strip! The post Wrestlemania Woes. Bingo Arrives On The Strip, Durango Phase 3 & Strange Union Incoming?! appeared first on Miles to Memories.
The Bulkhead Seat
Sky High: British Airways Crew Hospitalized After Accidentally Eating Marijuana Gummies
A routine gesture of appreciation turned into a frightening ordeal for several British Airways… The post Sky High: British Airways Crew Hospitalized After Accidentally Eating Marijuana Gummies appeared first on The Bulkhead Seat.
Frequent Miler
Today only: Rakuten American Express card welcome offer increased to $200 (aka 20K points)
For today (February 13th) only, Rakuten has increased the welcome offer on its new American Express credit card to $200 after $2,000 spend in the first 90 days. The Offer & Key Card Details Quick Thoughts When the Rakuten American Express card launched, the welcome offer was a meager $50....
Monkey Miles
Bilt doing a “Make Good” on the 5x The Points Guy Promo but you need to file a form
An an advisor of Bilt I was at the 2.0 launch event in NYC. A few hours after launch I was told about the 5x promo and quickly changed my links since it was the best available offer. It lasted for about 24 hours and there has been a ton...
2PAXfly
QANTAS: I know when the next double status promotion is going to start.
Let’s start by confessing that the headline is a lie. No one knows when the promo will drop, except a small group within the Qantas promo team! What I am about to present is just speculation, some of which is my own, and some is drawn from the knowledge and...
2PAXfly
AUSTRALIA: Airlines claim passenger protections ‘unworkable’. Surprise!
Australia’s airlines are pushing back hard against the federal government’s proposed aviation consumer protections, warning the reforms are “unworkable”, confusing, and will push up airfares. Not very imaginative arguments, and ones that every consumer protection initiative has faced. What’s the government proposing? The government, led by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese,...
Wild About Travel
A Moomin Pilgrimage Through 80 Years of Finnish Magic
I just spent two amazing weeks in Finland, which remains one of my favourite countries in the world. This trip: Helsinki, Rovaniemi, and Turku. I’m still processing everything I experienced. The timber architecture of Rovaniemi, the frozen Baltic where ships should be, and now this: my Moomin pilgrimage across 80...
2PAXfly
WEEKLY REVIEW: Sunday, 8 February 2026
Hope your weekend has been as good as mine. Below is a summary of stories that appeared in the blog over the last week. QANTAS: Gets A321XLR configuration very wrong. Too few loos. By 2paxfly on 06 Feb 2026 12:17 pmWhen Qantas began introducing its new Airbus A321XLRs, the focus...
2PAXfly
QANTAS: Gets A321XLR configuration very wrong. Too few loos.
When Qantas began introducing its new Airbus A321XLRs, the focus was on longer range, larger overhead bins, and a more modern onboard experience. Instead, they got one incredibly basic thing wrong. It has become the talking point amongst passengers. That is, not enough toilets, or colloquially, ‘too few loos’. For...
2PAXfly
QANTAS: Refreshing 7 regional lounges after closure
If you rely on Qantas’ regional lounges for a quiet coffee, a power point and a bit of pre-flight calm, there’s good and bad news. Your lounge is likely being refreshed and may be closed for a few weeks. Qantas has been active on the lounge front, with the most...
2PAXfly
EUROPE: Carry on bags to become free on low-cost carriers
Budget carriers like easyJet, Ryanair and Wizz Air have built their ultra-low headline fares on optional extras, especially baggage fees. But now the European Parliament has taken a strong stance in favour of passengers being allowed to bring more on board for free — and it has triggered a fierce...
2PAXfly
ETIHAD: Brings its best Business Class to Sydney and Melbourne
Etihad Airways has now rolled out its latest-generation Business Class suites on all services from Sydney and Melbourne to its base in Abu Dhabi. That consistency of product will be welcomed by Australian travellers. In practical terms, that means no more ‘pot luck’ draw of older cabins. Book Business Class...