2PAXfly
WEEKLY REVIEW: Sunday 31 May, 2026
Greetings from Canada! I’m here crossing the continent over the next few weeks. It’s my first time in this part of North America. I flew with Qantas to Vancouver, stayed overnight at the airport before meeting up with my husband, and then proceeded to our next Canadian destination. What happened...
2PAXfly
QANTAS: Expands points redemptions on Philippine Airlines
Qantas Frequent Flyers can now use points to book Classic Reward seats across the full Philippine Airlines (PAL) network, opening up 15 new island and regional destinations via Manila. Qantas Points can now take you beyond Manila to places like Boracay, Cebu and Palawan with their suspiciously perfect beaches and...
2PAXfly
JETSTAR: Consumer protections threaten airline’s existence
In an article in the SMH, Jetstar chief executive Stephanie Tully warns that the proposed new aviation consumer protections could “undermine Jetstar’s existence”. Quite a phrase from a low-cost airline owned by the Qantas Group. The comments were made to a Senate committee examining the federal government’s planned Aviation Consumer...
Wild About Travel
Drfat Perth
OverviewWhen you hear the name “Perth,” it’s worth noting that there are actually three places that share the name: Perth in Scotland, Perth in Tasmania, and the vibrant capital of Western Australia, which I’m reviewing here. Perth, WA, is known for its vast open spaces, stunning coastlines, and year-round sunshine....
Also on BoardingArea
Your Mileage May Vary
Cruise Line Left Family Of 9 Behind After Cruise-Sponsored Excursion
One of the biggest selling points of cruise-line-sponsored excursions is peace of mind. Pay a little extra, and if something goes wrong getting back to the ship, you’re supposedly protected.…
2PAXfly
WEEKLY REVIEW: Sunday 31 May, 2026
Greetings from Canada! I’m here crossing the continent over the next few weeks. It’s my first time in this part of North America. I flew with Qantas to Vancouver, stayed overnight at the airport before meeting up with my husband, and then proceeded to our next Canadian destination. What happened...
The Bulkhead Seat
2026 Weekly Review: May 30th
Greetings from Tampa! I spent this past week in Toronto and Cincinnati. It’s good…
View from the Wing
Man Drove To Detroit Airport To Meet Tom Cruise — Then Crashed His Cadillac Into Terminal
A 67-year-old man reportedly drove to Detroit Metro Airport saying he was there to meet Tom Cruise and save his dad — then crashed his black Cadillac SUV through the Evans Terminal doors. Police say he appeared disoriented, no weapons were found, and no one was seriously hurt, but this...
The Bulkhead Seat
Alaska Airlines Unveils Toy Story 5 Aircraft Livery Ahead of 45th Anniversary
Alaska Airlines has a brand-new Disney and Pixar-themed aircraft to celebrate the upcoming release…
One Mile at a Time
Weekly Review: May 30, 2026
I hope everyone is having a nice weekend so far, and that summer (well, at least post-Memorial Day) travels are going smoothly! I have a little over a week left at home, before we embark on a long time trip to Europe with the entire family. On the points &...
Points With a Crew
Kickstarter: MUITAVY Gen2 300W Charging Hub (Back By Sunday)
The MUITAVY Gen2 300W charging hub lets you charge 7 devices at once, and provides 3-zone smart distribution. It's on Kickstarter, but only for a few more ...
View from the Wing
Spirit Airlines Lost $327 Million In Its Final Full Month — A $500 Million Bailout Wouldn’t Have Saved It
Spirit Airlines’ final bankruptcy filing makes the blame game look beside the point: in its last full month, the airline lost $327 million and had just $72 million left in unrestricted cash. Even the proposed $500 million taxpayer bailout would not have saved it for long, because Spirit had not...
Your Mileage May Vary
Star Alliance Programs To Consider For Award Flights To Asia
When it comes to booking award flights to Asia, Star Alliance offers plenty of options. Airlines including ANA, EVA Air, Singapore Airlines, Air China and Thai Airways provide extensive service…
Miles To Memories
Who’s With Me?! Get a Load of My 2026 Travel Grievances
Later than expected, I've returned with my fourth annual edition! Do you agree with my 2026 travel grievances, or am I way off?
View from the Wing
American Airlines Will Make You Put Laptops Away 15 Minutes Earlier — For Injuries That Occur Once Every 3 Million Flights
American Airlines is moving the end-of-flight shutdown earlier, which means laptops away sooner, seats upright sooner, and cabin service ending higher in the descent. The reason is flight attendant turbulence safety — but data suggests the injury risk this targets is extraordinarily rare.
The Gate with Brian Cohen
Krýsuvík Geothermal Area in Iceland
Still on my first day in Iceland after having arrived from the United States earlier that morning and visited such sites as the bridge between the North American and Eurasian continental plates at Miðlína, the Brimketill lava rock pool, the ruins at the oldest lighthouse in Iceland known as Reykjanesviti, I ventured on to Krýsuvík geothermal area. Although a...
Paddle Your Own Kanoo
Workaholic Frequent Flyers Are Losing Up to 15 Minutes of Work Time as Airlines Tighten Landing Rules
Frequent flyers who use an airplane like a sky-high office are in for a nasty shock as more and more airlines introduce new rules that will mean less time to be productive, all while the plane is still very much in the air. On Saturday, it emerged that American Airlines...
Your Mileage May Vary
Airport Baggage Handler: Don’t Tie Ribbons to Your Luggage
Most travelers spend their time worrying about what goes inside their luggage. It turns out there may be things attached to the outside of your suitcase that can cause problems…
View from the Wing
American Airlines Passenger Finds Used Condom At Seat — Customer Service Shrugs
An American Airlines million-miler says he boarded a Phoenix–El Paso flight and found a used condom at his seat — then got a customer service response that read like he had complained about crumbs. Airlines are not just selling transportation from A to B. They are selling basic sanitary...
Live and Let’s Fly
Hawaiian Airlines Ends Free Economy Class Meals On Most Mainland Flights
Hawaiian Airlines will end complimentary meals in economy class on most mainland flights, marking the end of an era for the last U.S. carrier still offering free meals in the back of the aircraft. The replacement menu looks genuinely better, but passengers will now have to pay for it and...
Miles To Memories
(Ending) Young Travelers Can Save $20 on TSA PreCheck This Month
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has launched a limited-time “$20 Take Off” promotion for new TSA PreCheck® applicants age 30 and under.
Points With a Crew
19 Tech and Travel Deals at Amazon This Weekend
Some decent Amazon weekend deals on travel and tech gear going on this weekend, including headphones, luggage, locks, packing cubes and supplies, travel books and ...
One Mile at a Time
Capital One Venture Business Bonus: Two Ways To Earn Up To 150K Miles
Capital One has two Venture-branded business cards. The Capital One Venture X Business is Capital One’s most lucrative business card. The card continues to offer an excellent welcome bonus, so if you’re eligible, it’s a great time to apply.
One Mile at a Time
Capital One Venture Business Bonus: Two Ways To Earn Up To 150K Miles
Capital One has two Venture-branded business cards. The Capital One Venture X Business is Capital Ones most lucrative business card. The card continues to offer an excellent welcome bonus, so if youre eligible, its a great time to apply.
Point Me to the Plane
Review: Park Hyatt Auckland, New Zealand [2026]
I wondered if the Park Hyatt Auckland would rank up there with other Park Hyatts, so I went to find out!
Your Mileage May Vary
JetBlue’s EvenMore Seats: What You Get And Who Can Access Them Free
When JetBlue replaced Even More Space with EvenMore in early 2025, the change initially looked like a fairly simple rebranding exercise. The airline still offered extra-legroom seats, but added a…
Live and Let’s Fly
DHS Threatens To Shut Down Customs At Newark, Putting United Airlines’ Global Hub At Risk
DHS is reportedly warning United Airlines to prepare for the potential shutdown of Customs processing at Newark Liberty International Airport, a move that would create aviation chaos in order to score political points. This is another foolish idea from an administration that is rapidly losing public trust and confidence, even...
TravelUpdate
Wow! How cheap is business class on Batik Air from Hong Kong to Sydney?!
It’s always fun when you see a cheap business class flight on Google flights. What is even more…
2PAXfly
STARLUX: Taiwan’s ‘luxury’ airline to fly to Sydney and Auckland
Sydney looks set to gain a new Taiwanese contender in 2027, with STARLUX, the Taiwan-based airline, having confirmed (ET) plans to launch direct flights between Taipei and Sydney, with Auckland added as a trans-Tasman tag flight. That means Australians could soon have another way to reach Taiwan, North Asia, North...
2PAXfly
QATAR & ETIHAD: A380s retreat from Australia as the superjumbo shuffle continues
Qatar Airways is cutting back planned A380 service to Australia and China, with the superjumbo now concentrated on a much smaller number of routes as the airline rebuilds its network after disruption in the Middle East. AeroRoutes schedule filings show Qatar’s regular A380 operations from 16 June to 15 September...
2PAXfly
QANTAS: Project Sunrise slips again due to ‘supply chain’ delay, now aiming for April 2027
The first Airbus A350-1000ULR for Project Sunrise, the aircraft Qantas is banking on to finally make non-stop Sydney and Melbourne flights to London and New York a commercial reality, will now join the fleet in April 2027 according to reports in the SMH. That is later than previously announced, when...
2PAXfly
WEEKLY REVIEW: Sunday 24 May, 2026
Greetings from Sydney. Back at home for a week or so before I head out on my next trip. Later this week, I’m heading eastward to the Americas. Precise location and cities to visit will be revealed as the trip progresses. These will all be totally new destinations for me,...
2PAXfly
WEBJET: Travel agent squeezed as Virgin Australia cuts commissions
Webjet is warning investors that trading conditions remain “fluid and challenging” after Virgin Australia cut the commissions it pays the online travel agent, according to an article in the SMH. For travellers, that could mean fewer sharp Webjet airfare deals on Virgin flights. For Webjet, it is another revenue hit...
2PAXfly
UNITED STATES: Trump administration floats airport squeeze on ‘sanctuary cities’
I have refrained largely from reporting on USA affairs. That’s partly because I don’t want to besmirch my reputation if I decide to travel to the USA again. However, there are just some things that need to be reported in the interests of Australians travelling to the USA. The Trump...
Wild About Travel
Dubrovnik. Dragons, Demons,
Dubrovnik looks almost unreal at first glance. Terracotta roofs stacked above polished limestone streets, all wrapped in thick medieval walls with the Adriatic on three sides. It is indeed a real‑world city. It became King’s Landing in Game of Thrones. Many key scenes were filmed in and around its medieval...
Wild About Travel
Berlin: Cities I Love #2
I have been coming to Berlin since the Wall fell. I have watched it change beyond recognition and yet remain, stubbornly, itself. It is a city that has survived everything history has thrown at it, and it wears that history openly, without flinching. There is nowhere else like it. 01...