2PAXfly
QANTAS: Cuts thousands of flight across network
It’s only been a week since I reported that Qantas was boosting its flights to Europe by swapping to larger aircraft and tinkering with schedules. Now, in reaction to further uncertainty about the Straits of Hormuz due to the US/Israeli conflict with Iran, Qantas has quietly cut thousands of flights...
Wild About Travel
Surviving Sakura Cherry Blossom – 12 survival tips
I always said I’d never visit Japan in peak sakura season.Too busy, too expensive, too intense.And then I did. I described my 12 marvellous days yesterday. It was beautiful.It was also crowded, overloaded, and at times exhausting.Here are a few things I did that helped, and that I’d do again....
2PAXfly
QANTAS: First Project Sunrise A350-100ULR jet rolls out
After years of hype, delays and plenty of scepticism, Qantas, or more accurately, Airbus, has rolled out its first ultra-long-haul Airbus A350-1000ULR from the factory in Toulouse, marking a major milestone for Project Sunrise. It’s a timely occurrence, with the current Middle East trauma, that this aircraft could fundamentally change...
Wild About Travel
Marvellous 12 days in Japan
It is a bit of a grim world right now, so I thought I would share a positive, beautiful, and delicious 1000-mile journey through one of my favourite countries in Sakura (Cherry blossom). Despite it being insanely busy, I enjoyed the landscapes, food, museums, shopping, temples, parks, and, of course,...
Also on BoardingArea
Paddle Your Own Kanoo
Italy’s National Flag Carrier Admits it Has More Pressing Issues Than Resurrecting the Failed Alitalia Brand
Italy’s national flag carrier, which was reborn as ITA Airways in October 2021 following the collapse of the iconic but chronically mismanaged Alitalia brand, has admitted that it has more pressing issues to deal with than resurrecting its old name. ITA Airways was created in a clever deal between the...
Economy Class & Beyond
AIX26: Collins Aerospace secures three launch customers for the Helix Main Cabin Seat
Hot off its Skynook win last night at the Crystal Cabin Awards, Collins Aerospace has announced it has managed to secure three airline launch customers for its Helix Main Cabin Seat. The three “international airlines have selected the Helix Seat for upcoming narrowbody aircraft deliveries. With installations confirmed across Airbus A320...
Paddle Your Own Kanoo
Crippling Strikes at German Flag Carrier Lufthansa Are Extended Through Friday As Pilots Announce New Walkout
Crippling strike action by pilots and flight attendants at the German flag carrier Lufthansa, which has grounded thousands of flights since Monday and left tens of thousands of passengers stranded, has now been extended through to the end of Friday after the pilots’ union announced two more strike dates. Pilots...
Economy Class & Beyond
AIX26: Thinkom Secures SES Open Orbits Type Approval for ThinAir Ka2517 Antenna
ThinKom Solutions and SES have announced the approval of the ThinAir Ka2517 terminal on the SES Open Orbits network satellite fleet. The Type Certification comes following rigorous on-ground and in-flight testing. The certified terminal is part of an integration package from RAVE Aerospace. It includes a RAVE Aerospace ModMan with...
Economy Class & Beyond
AIX26: Viasat enters Technical Evaluation Process with Boeing to Qualify Viasat AERA
Let’s kick off the morning news cycle with Viasat announcing that it has a Technical Evaluation Process with Boeing to qualify Viasat AERA for 737 MAX, 777X, and 787 Aircraft. AERA is Viasat’s company’s next-generation electronically steered antenna (ESA) terminal. It’s qualiciation will allow it to be installed across all...
Frequent Miler
How to add two Southwest companions to a single reservation
A couple of months ago, a reader had reached out to report a negative development from Southwest: the reader reported that both Player 1 and Player 2 were Southwest Companion Pass holders but were unable to add both of their companions to the same reservation. This is a bit of...
Economy Class & Beyond
Air New Zealand opens bookings for Economy SkyNest
Well, Air New Zealand has teased about it for a few years – but it’s fast becoming a reality with Skynest being ready to be placed on sale. Economy Skynest will be available to book from 18th May, 2026. It will operate on board the airline’s new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner...
The Bulkhead Seat
Allegiant Launches Tax Day Promotion Offering Bonus Points for Summer Travel
Allegiant is turning tax season into a travel opportunity with a limited-time promotion designed…
Points With a Crew
These Are The Most Unacceptable Things You Can Do On An Airplane
A recent poll ranked 37 things you can do on an airplane, from acceptable to not. Leading the way was letting children play in the aisle, followed by ...
The Gate with Brian Cohen
British Airways to Allow Inflight Calls. Why I Still Oppose This Policy.
British Airways will allow telephone calls during flights aboard airplanes as the latest technology in accessing Wi-Fi eventually expands across its fleet of airplanes — and this article also discusses the reasons why I still oppose this policy. The technology that allows each person to...
Frequent Miler
Save on Turo rides with Amex Offers, Chase Offers, & Citi Offers
There are currently several card-linked offers available through different banks that can save you money when booking car rentals through Turo. The Deals Save on Turo rides through the following targeted spending offers: Amex Offer – Get 20% back on up to $150 spend Chase Offer – Spend $150+ &...
Economy Class & Beyond
Crystal Cabin Awards – The 2026 winners annouced
It’s been an exciting evening in Hamburg, as the aviation industry gathered to celebrate the winners of the Crystal Cabin Awards. Eight categories were contested this year – but who walked away with the awards, and for what? Accessibility Winner: Diehl Aviation: AURS, The Adaptive User Routing System AURS, the...
The Bulkhead Seat
Norse Atlantic Airways Cancels All Los Angeles Routes Amid Rising Fuel Costs
Norse Atlantic Airways is pulling back from the US West Coast and will cancel…
View from the Wing
Chase Cut Sapphire Reserve Rewards For Airbnb And Expedia — Now Adds Plum Guide To Chase Travel
Chase cut Sapphire Reserve rewards for Airbnb and Expedia bookings when it overhauled the card last year, pushing cardmembers toward direct bookings and Chase Travel instead. Now it is filling one of the biggest gaps in its own platform by adding Plum Guide vacation rentals, giving Sapphire cardholders a new...
Frequent Miler
JetBlue Polishes its Premium Premier Mastercard | Coffee Break Ep101 | 4-14-26
JetBlue has announced some big changes to its Premier Mastercard, which was previously a real bummer of a card. So when these changes come in “the spring”, will they make the card better, and worth that $499 annual fee? JetBlue Polishes its Premium Premier Mastercard Watch the full episode below,...
The Bulkhead Seat
Mythology-Inspired Hyatt Resort Set to Open on Greece’s Paros Island in September
A new luxury escape rooted in ancient Greek history is set to debut this…
Miles To Memories
Phone Calls on Planes, Hotel Points = DEBT and a Wild United-American Merger Idea
One airline allowing phone calls, how hotel points are big IOUs, AA busses and will United and American merge?
Your Mileage May Vary
Delta Pilot Tried To Honor 102-Year-Old WWII Vet With Water Salute…ATC Shut It Down
A Delta crew wanted to honor a 102-year-old WWII veteran with a water salute—but Pittsburgh ATC had to shut it down. Here’s what happened and why. We don’t have much…
woman shares a day in the job (l) flight attendant helping out passenger (r)
BoardingArea
Detroit Flight Attendant Waits On 19-Year-Old. Then He Has To Be Restrained Mid-Flight. Then She Learns The Shocking Reason Why
“He’s having a breakdown because..."
Frequent Miler
Accor promo: Earn 2X points on stays in USA, Canada, Mexico, Caribbean, Panama, & Brazil
Accor has launched a new promotion that’s offering double points for stays of two or more nights in the US, Canada, Mexico, Caribbean, Panama, & Brazil. That’ll be welcome news for those who were disappointed that their separate 2X promotion excluded these countries. The Deal Earn 2X Accor points when...
View from the Wing
American Airlines Says Turnstiles Will Improve Boarding — They May Just Make Flying Worse
American Airlines is installing electronic boarding gates at new DFW gates and pitching them as a way to make boarding smoother, more consistent, and less congested. But these turnstiles do not solve the real causes of boarding delays—and they may leave passengers with less flexibility, less human help, and one...
The Alviator
Review: Vienna Lounge, Vienna (VIE) – My Favourite Priority Pass Lounge Yet?
A review of the Vienna Lounge, a Priority Pass lounge also open to British Airways elites, among others (spoiler – it's surprisingly great!)
One Mile at a Time
Is Booking A Ritz-Carlton Cruise Worth It? My Experience & Thought Process
For so long, I’ve almost exclusively covered airlines and hotels when it comes to the travel front. In recent times, I’ve been warming up more to the concept of cruising.
Points With a Crew
Booking “IHG Rewards Eligible” Hotels via Chase Travel: Sure Feels Like a Scam
Chase Travel has an option where certain hotels are listed as "IHG One Rewards eligible", promising elite benefits even if you book 3rd party. But it didn't turn out quite that way ...
Wild About Travel
Gulf Aviation After the Ceasefire: What Travellers Need to Know Now
A two-week ceasefire for Iran was announced on 7th April. On 9th April, several Gulf governments reported a full day without any new missiles or drones. The UAE’s defence ministry said the country was “free of any air threats” that day, after weeks of intercepting ballistic and cruise missiles and...
2PAXfly
TURKISH AIRLINES: Leadership shake-up. Why?
A recent leadership overhaul at Turkish Airlines has sparked industry attention. Here’s a clear breakdown of what we know as fact and what is informed speculation. The interest in this story stems from Turkish Airlines’ recent commencement of non-stop flights to Istanbul from Australia. A flight I recently took, and...
2PAXfly
THAILAND: Travel insurance for tourists may become compulsory
Thai authorities are moving toward making travel insurance mandatory for all foreign visitors, as hospitals struggle with rising unpaid medical bills from tourists. It’s not law yet, but according to the Bangkok Post, the direction for travellers is clear, so Australians should take note. Why Thailand is cracking down The...
2PAXfly
NEW ZEALAND: Top of the South Island, what we did and ate in Picton, Havelock and Blenheim
We had three nights/four days at the Picton Waterfront Apartments, and were mainly interested in rest and relaxation. We also did a little sightseeing, and winery wining and dining. This post is a short summary of some of those activities. Hope it gives you an idea of what you can...
Wild About Travel
Sendai: The City of Trees
A 90-minute hop from Tokyo on Japan’s fastest train, the Hayabusa Shinkansen, brings you to Sendai, the city of trees! My critique of many Japanese cities is that they have a lot of concrete and asphalt, and not much green space. In the 19th century, Sendai’s local ruler encouraged tree...
2PAXfly
EUROPE: New EES entry system for Australians
From April 10, a major overhaul of border control across much of Europe comes into full effect, replacing the familiar passport stamp with biometric data, digital records. I experienced this when entering the Czech Republic at Prague Airport in March, and it was surprisingly efficient. It’s called the Entry/Exit System...
2PAXfly
LOYALTY: Airline programs now worth billions. Qantas in top 10
If you’ve ever wondered why airlines seem more interested in selling points than seats, a new global report puts some serious numbers behind that suspicion. According to the latest On Point Loyalty Top 100 report, airline loyalty programs have evolved into multi-billion-dollar businesses, and for Australian travellers, that shift is...
2PAXfly
VIRGIN AUSTRALIA: Launch of new reward seats search tool
Earning points is easy. Finding a decent reward seat, especially in business class, is where things usually fall apart. Virgin Australia is promising to fix that, with a new calendar-based Reward Seat search tool rolling out across its website and app. The airline is calling a ‘step change’ in how...