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...
2PAXfly
VIRGIN AUSTRALIA: New Canberra direct to Bali flights
These flights began on 22 July, so Canberrans can choose not to drive to Sydney Airport to make the domestic connection. Instead, they can fly direct from Canberra Airport to Denpasar in Bali. The new service is a meaningful win for travellers across the ACT, including residents of Batemans Bay,...
2PAXfly
QANTAS: Routes for Project Sunrise A350 before it heads to London
Qantas’ first Project Sunrise Airbus A350-1000ULR is due to arrive in April 2027, but the airline will be flying it around on domestic and short-haul international routes before that. Might be a chance to get a partial experience without the 20% premium on the Sydney to London route. ET is...
Also on BoardingArea
One Mile at a Time
Why United CEO Scott Kirby Constantly Flies American, Despite His Trash Talking
United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby used to be the president of American Airlines, before essentially being told that he wouldn’t be picked as the next CEO. At that point he moved to United, where it seems like one of his top priorities has been to do everything possible to destroy...
Frequent Miler
Rebuilding my prestige-less credit card collection
When Citi closed my accounts, I lost my most treasured collectible credit card: Citi Prestige. Goodbye unlimited 5X dining. Farewell, unlimited Priority Pass restaurant visits. So long 4th Night Free. I’m a card-carrying credit card nerd. I love cards that unlock superpowers like those mentioned above. And, I especially love...
Points With a Crew
Which No-Fee Chase Business Credit Card Is Best? (New $1,000 Welcome Offers)
Chase has two different business credit cards with no annual fee and very good welcome offers. But which one is best? Let's take a look at ...
The Gate with Brian Cohen
Research the Hours of the Border Crossing You Intend to Use Before Traveling to It.
I am currently on another road trip in the United States and Canada; and if you plan to visit both countries by motor vehicle, be sure to research the hours of the border crossing you intend to use before traveling to it. Every time I have crossed the border between the...
Frequent Miler
Oura Ring 4 sale: Get for $44.30 net cost after $200 credit (& before tax)
Oura is running a limited time sale on the Oura Ring 4 which drops the price to $244.30 before taxes and also includes free shipping. This might be of interest as the personal American Express Platinum card® has an up to $200 Oura credit, so this is a great way...
Your Mileage May Vary
Euronet ATMs Have A New Look. They’re Still A Trap For Travelers.
Euronet ATMs have a new look. Unfortunately, they still seem designed to separate travelers from more of their money than necessary. I’ve written before about why travelers should be careful…
Frequent Miler
It looks like those Amex transfer bonuses were launched prematurely
American Express launched a couple of new transfer bonuses yesterday—a 30% bonus to Virgin Atlantic and a 20% bonus to Hilton. That was a little surprising as it meant that there were five Membership Rewards transfer bonuses running concurrently which is far more than they’ve had in a long time....
Miles To Memories
Monte Carlo Vegas Turns 30, A Casino Sells For Millions Less & The NBA Billionaire Battle Ramps Up!
The NBA owner battle commences, Monte Carlo turns 30, a historic Vegas casino sold for half and Sigma Derby is home.
View from the Wing
United CEO Scott Kirby Wants To Crush American Airlines. So Why Does He Keep Flying Them?
United CEO Scott Kirby loves needling American Airlines, the carrier that fired him, and has even floated buying it. Yet he keeps getting spotted flying American — because he still lives in Dallas, American has the better schedule there, and his old severance deal includes lifetime travel privileges.
Points With a Crew
Amazon Prime Day 2026 Day 2 Deals – 37+ Deals On Tech, Travel, Luggage, Household, and more
Amazon Prime Day 2026 Deals continue with some great Day 2 deals - technology, luggage, travel, headphones, and household items on sale at steep discounts
Your Mileage May Vary
33 Cruise Passengers Were Left Behind. What Happened Next Was Unexpected.
When you’re on a cruise and in port for the day, making sure that you’re back when you’re supposed to be back is serious business. That’s why cruise lines will…
Miles To Memories
Amazon Prime Day 2.0: Our Second Day Master List Of The Best Deals
Here is the Prime Day 2026 Day 2 master list to make sure you don't miss any of the best deals on the second day of shopping.
Frequent Miler
Expedia One Key program is living up to its name: You’ll only earn 1% without status
It’s been almost three years since the Expedia group massively devalued the Hotels.com Rewards loyalty program, replacing it with One Key—a new program that’s applicable not only for Hotels.com bookings, but for those through Expedia and Vrbo too. As a reminder, Hotels.com Rewards historically offered 10% back in rewards based...
One Mile at a Time
Big Alaska Atmos Rewards Summit Card Offer: 100K Points, 25K Award, 50% Off (Offer Ends June 30)
In August 2025, we saw the launch of the new $395 annual fee Atmos Rewards Summit Visa Infinite Credit Card, one of the most lucrative airline credit cards on the market. This is a card I have, and it’s one where I think it’s really hard to go wrong.
The Gate with Brian Cohen
Earn Double Points in Europe and the United States With Homes & Villas by Marriott Bonvoy
You can earn double points in Europe and the United States at Homes & Villas by Marriott Bonvoy with every stay of a minimum of four consecutive nights at participating properties worldwide through Sunday, July 12, 2026 — you must check out on that date — which means that you...
One Mile at a Time
Review: Lufthansa First Class Lounge Frankfurt Airport (FRA)
To finish offmy two-part birthday trip to the Golden Triangle, my dad and I flew Lufthansa’s A340 first class from Frankfurt (FRA) to New York (JFK), which was also my first flight featuring Lufthansa’s new first class soft product.
Points Miles and Bling
Five Days in São Paulo: First Impressions from a First-Timer
I recently spent five days in São Paulo, which was my first time in Brazil, and my first time anywhere…
Live and Let’s Fly
Passenger Snuck Dog On JetBlue Flight. Then It Pooped In The Cabin.
A JetBlue passenger allegedly snuck a dog onboard, then the dog defecated in the cabin. Incidents like this are exactly why airlines need to enforce pet rules before the aircraft door closes…and have the freedom to ban dogs altogether on flights. JetBlue Passenger Allegedly Snuck Dog Onboard, Then Dog Defecated...
One Mile at a Time
Citi Strata Premier Vs. Chase Sapphire Preferred: Which Is Better?
The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card (learn more) and Citi Strata Premier Card (learn more) are two of my favorite cards with annual fees of under $100. In this post, I’d like to compare the two cards, since I know many people try to figure out which of these two cards makes the...
View from the Wing
Delta Flight Flooded On Approach To San Francisco — Passengers Told To Hold Bags In Their Laps For Landing
A Delta flight from Los Angeles to San Francisco reportedly flooded on approach, leaving passengers to “slosh” through water while deplaning. The strangest detail: passengers say flight attendants told them to hold bags in their laps for landing, even though carry-ons are supposed to be stowed.
Economondo
Review: Ryanair Boeing 737 MAX 8-200 – London Stansted to Copenhagen
Flying on a Boeing 737 MAX 8 from London to Copenhagen with Ryanair
Your Mileage May Vary
Before You Check Out On Prime Day, Check Your Credit Card Offers
Amazon Prime Day is when everyone starts hunting for the best deals. But before you click “Buy Now,” there’s another place worth checking: your credit card offers. There are plenty…
Miles To Memories
American Airlines Award Sale for US, Caribbean, Mexico and Europe
American Airlines has launched a new AAdvantage award sale featuring discounted redemptions across the U.S., Caribbean, Mexico and Europe.
Economy Class & Beyond
TRIP REPORT: Escape from the Messe and Back to Hamburg Airport – More Innovations in Hamburg
Escape from the Messe and Back to Hamburg Airport TRIP REPORT: More Innovations in Hamburg In this week of passenger experience fun: Back to Hamburg Again. And yes, keeping it simple To Heathrow Airport with FlixBus and Terminal 5 British Airways Galleries South, Terminal 5 BA964 London Heathrow to Hamburg...
2PAXfly
QANTAS: A380 retirement to be brought forward?
Qantas may be preparing to bring forward the retirement of its Airbus A380 fleet, despite only completing the expensive restoration of all ten surviving superjumbos late last year. That is the central claim in a Rampart report by Joe Aston (paywall article), written after last week’s Qantas investor and media...
2PAXfly
WEEKLY REVIEW: Sunday 22 June, 2026
Greetings from Sydney! I’m back after three weeks in Canada. I’ve crossed the country from Vancouver on the west coast to St John’s in Newfoundland, I think the most easterly point. Unfortunately, it was a bit of a city visit rather than time spent in nature. Cities visited in no...
2PAXfly
VIRGIN AUSTRALIA: Extends COVID credits usage, but redemption date stays 30 June 2026
Virgin Australia has made a late concession on its COVID-era travel credits, extending the travel period for eligible credits issued between 21 April 2020 and 31 July 2022. Passengers still need to book by 30 June 2026, but they can now travel up to 27 May 2027. That is a...
2PAXfly
MIDDLE EAST: Australia eases travel warnings for key Gulf transit hubs
Australian travellers heading to Europe, the UK or Africa via the Middle East have been handed some qualified good news. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and the Smartraveller advice website have lowered advice for Bahrain, Israel, Kuwait, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates from Level 4, “Do...
2PAXfly
QANTAS: Project Sunrise announces first route, Sydney to London non-stop. Surprise, surprise!
CEO Vanessa Hudson just travelled to Airbus’ Toulouse headquarters to announce that London, from Sydney, would be the first Project Sunrise route, followed by New York. Is that really news? We knew it had to be an east coast departure, so that’s Sydney or Melbourne (Brisbane doesn’t have a First...
2PAXfly
TURKISH AIRLINES: Non-stop Australia flights delayed until 2027
Turkish Airlines’ promised non-stop flights between Istanbul and Australia have slipped again, with Sydney now expected by the end of 2027 and Melbourne pushed into 2028. That is the bad news. Turkish Airlines plans to fly a specially configured Airbus A350-1000, heavy on premium seats, fitted with the airline’s new...
2PAXfly
VIRGIN AUSTRALIA: biggest Boeing 737 is coming — eventually
Virgin Australia has put a date, of sorts, on the next stage of its fleet renewal. It expects to receive its first Boeing 737-10 in late 2027. That’s like more than 12 months away. The PR department must have been light on for stories to report for this to be...
2PAXfly
BOEING: Bird strikes, smoke and the cabin air problem that won’t go away
There are bird strikes. There are fume events. And then there are bird strikes that lead to smoke or oil mist entering the cockpit and/or cabin. That is the issue now ruffling feathers around Boeing’s 737 MAX, its LEAP-1B engines, and the regulators charged with deciding whether this is a...