2PAXfly
WEEKLY REVIEW: Sunday 15 March, 2026
I’m back in Sydney after spending nearly a week at the Adelaide Festival and catching up with friends and relatives. I also got to experience the new Economy Plus seats in row 5 on a Qantas B737, with extra legroom. It’s good.  I’m now putting the final touches to my...
2PAXfly
NEW ROUTES 2026 #6: Malaysia Airlines’ A330neo one of the smartest ways to Europe
There was a time when booking Malaysia Airlines to Europe felt like choosing price over style. The airline did the job, but it rarely turned heads. That view may have changed with the arrival of the Airbus A330neo across Australian routes. Commencing its rollout in 2025, with full deployment by...
2PAXfly
QANTAS: Settles COVID flight cancellation class action for AU$105 million
Qantas has agreed to pay $105 million to settle a class action brought by passengers whose flights were cancelled during the pandemic, potentially delivering compensation to hundreds of thousands of customers. The settlement relates to flights scheduled between 1 January 2020 and 1 November 2022, when global travel collapsed due...
2PAXfly
QANTAS: A380 and First Class dropped from Melbourne to LAX, also 787 changes
Melbourne is losing its Qantas Airbus A380 to Los Angeles. From 25 October 2026, the airline will remove the superjumbo from the route, switching the service to a daily Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner instead. Currently, the QF93/QF94 Melbourne–Los Angeles flights operate with a mix of aircraft. The Airbus A380 runs twice...
Also on BoardingArea
Points With a Crew
The Unexpected TSA Check That Happens Before You Even Set Foot In An Airport
Every time you head to an airport, the TSA is already doing one thing that might surprise you, and it happens even before you even set foot in the ...
PointsMath
Buy Lufthansa Miles & More Miles with a 50% Bonus [1.39¢/Mile]
Lufthansa is a member of the Star Alliance. Its frequent flyer program is Miles & More. Although its miles are among the most difficult to earn worldwide, one of the easiest ways to obtain them is to purchase Lufthansa Miles now with a 50% bonus. Current Lufthansa Miles & More...
Your Mileage May Vary
What To Do If You’re About To Miss Your Connecting Flight
You get to the airport early, breeze through security, and even have time to grab a coffee before your flight. Everything’s going smoothly—until you glance at the departures board and…
Miles To Memories
Caesars Rewards Amex Offer for Las Vegas, Reno, Lake Tahoe & Atlantic City
American Express cardholders can save $40 on their next stay at Caesars Rewards properties in Las Vegas, Reno, Lake Tahoe & Atlantic City.
View from the Wing
Singapore Airlines Just Cut Award Prices 30% For April — Including New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco And Seattle
Singapore Airlines has opened its latest batch of 30% off KrisFlyer awards for April travel, and this month’s deals are especially useful for U.S.-based travelers. The discounted routes include flights touching New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Seattle — and not just to Singapore, but also to Europe and...
The Bulkhead Seat
Airfares Surge as Iran War Sends Oil and Jet Fuel Prices Soaring
Air travelers may soon face significantly higher ticket prices as the ongoing conflict involving…
Live from a Lounge
Akasa Air’s new fuel surcharges start today
Akasa has started charging a new fuel surcharge on domestic and international flights in the coming days. Existing bookings are not affected.
One Mile at a Time
Uh Oh: Did Alaska Atmos Rewards Just Massively Increase Award Pricing?
We’ll mark this as ”developing” for now, as it remains to be seen whether this is a massive devaluation, or just a glitch.
Live and Let’s Fly
Virtuoso Survey: Partners Are Bullish On 2026
Virtuoso's latest pulse survey shows travel suppliers and advisors heading into 2026 with rising confidence, strong pipelines, and only 3% pessimism on the partner side.
One Mile at a Time
Aegean Scraps Airbus A321XLR Plans Over Seat Certification Issues
It’s an interesting time for Greece’s Aegean Airlines, as the airline has plans to start flying (sort of) long haul. However, unfortunately we’re going to have to wait longer than expected for that to happen at the Star Alliance carrier, though I’m not sure the airline is sharing the full...
Miles To Memories
CNB Shut Down Story, More Affordable Etihad The Residence Review & Best Night Market In The US
In our Around the Web we take a look at interesting articles that cover miles, points, travel and personal finance.
View from the Wing
American Airlines Offered $4,000 To Give Up A Seat To Aspen — The Flight Diverted Anyway
American Airlines was reportedly offering passengers as much as $4,000 each to volunteer off an oversold flight to Aspen, a stunning number for a carrier that usually avoids paying much to solve these problems. The twist is that saying yes may have been the best deal in the cabin, because...
The Gate with Brian Cohen
Thunderstorm Over South China Sea in Vietnam. Sunday Morning Photograph.
A thunderstorm poured torrential rain over a small area of the South China Sea near Đà Nẵng in Vietnam. What is popularly known as the giant...
Paddle Your Own Kanoo
Why Airlines Are Really Obssessed With Net Promoter Scores… How it Can Help Them Save Money
It would be hard not to have noticed the absolute obsession that companies across the board have with asking consumers how satisfied they were with the product or service they bought… Emails flood your inbox asking you to rate how happy you were with your purchase or how much you’d...
PointsMath
Cathay Pacific Increases Fuel Surcharge Starting 18 March 2026
Cathay Pacific had a moderate fuel surcharge on award flights. However, they are almost doubling these fuel surcharges starting 18 March 2026 due to the situation in the Middle East. You still have time till 17 March 2026 to book award flights at a lower fuel surcharge. New Cathay Pacific...
One Mile at a Time
Southwest Airlines Ends Chicago O’Hare Flights, And That’s Not Surprising
Southwest Airlines is pulling out of one of the United States’ busiest airport, and if anything, I’m surprised the airline tried to fly there in the first place.
View from the Wing
United Flight Attendants Havent Had A Raise In 5.5 Years — But Their Union Dues Are Still Going Up [Roundup]
United flight attendants still have not gotten a real new contract after 5.5 years, but their union dues are rising anyway. Alaska passengers stuck on the tarmac during a snowball fight, Citi killing ThankYou point sharing, American’s denser new cabin without seatback screens, and more airline absurdity.
View from the Wing
People Are Walking Into Hotels For Free Breakfast — No One Checks If They’re Guests
Hotel breakfast is supposed to be a perk for paying guests, but in many properties it appears to be operating on little more than the honor system. Social media videos showing people walking into hotels, grabbing the free breakfast, and leaving without ever checking in are getting millions of views.
TravelUpdate
Massive 175,000 Points Offer, But Who Qualifies & Who Doesn’t?
This card is offering a massive welcome bonus of 175,000, points but figuring out if you qualify for this bonus can be really confusing.
Eye of the Flyer
Delta Companion Certificate Holiday Strategy, Southwest Companion Pass Offer Expiring, and a Live Delta Flight Map
A Delta Companion Certificate strategies for holiday travel, a fascinating live map showing Delta flights currently in the air, and how credit cards can help you earn the valuable Southwest Companion Pass. Plus, a cruise story that took an unexpected turn when an emergency dentist visit became necessary in the...
Economondo
Spotting Report: Seoul Incheon Airport
Join me as I spend a couple of summer afternoons on the perimeter of Korea's largest airport
Live and Let’s Fly
Net Migration Is Negative, But Read The Fine Print
Headlines say Americans are fleeing in droves. The actual numbers tell a far more nuanced story about who is really leaving and why.
PointsMath
IHG Award Night Discount at 119 New and Refreshed Hotels
IHG continues to open new hotels globally, with more properties in the pipeline. At select new and refreshed IHG hotels, award nights are periodically offered at a discounted points rate compared to standard pricing. The IHG award discount promotion is now available at 117 new & refreshed hotels for stays...
Paddle Your Own Kanoo
Australian Government Warns Citizens: Do Not Travel Through Dubai Even If You’re Only Connecting Onto Another Flight
In the last few decades, Dubai International Airport has transformed itself into the world’s busiest international travel hub, connecting East and West through its powerhouse hometown airline, Emirates. The city has become an important transit destination for Australian citizens traveling between Australia and Europe, but that status was upended on...
2PAXfly
NEW ROUTES 2026 #4: Delta Airlines East Coast to Los Angeles on A350 with Delta One Business Class
Delta began operating its new A350 aircraft to Melbourne late last year, giving travellers a third option, alongside Qantas and United, for direct flights to Los Angeles. The airline now flies from Melbourne and Brisbane three times a week, and daily from Sydney. Its Delta One Business Class seat has...
2PAXfly
WEEKLY REVIEW: Sunday 8 March, 2026 — International Women’s Day
I’m in Adelaide for the annual Adelaide Arts Festival, catching up with friends, and sucking up the cultural events. Today is International Women’s Day. To celebrate, Qantas have more than 2,500 customers flying on Jetstar and Qantas flights operated by all-female crews. Virgin Australia is celebrating with the Future Aviators...
Wild About Travel
Pretoria (Tshwane): The Capital That Surprised Me
I arrived in Pretoria with low expectations. South Africa had been a mixed bag. The delights of the Garden Route, a superb Johannesburg, falling in love with Cape Town and almost getting mugged there, wonderful stops in Hermanus and Durban. And then the disappointments: Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth) and Mossel Bay...
2PAXfly
NEW ROUTES 2026 #5: Singapore Airlines with new A350 business class with doors — late 2026
After years of speculation, Singapore Airlines is refreshing its long-haul Airbus A350 business class with privacy doors. The rollout begins in the first half of 2026, with retrofits phased across selected long-haul A350 aircraft. When do we see these refreshed cabins in Australia? Background I’m doing a series of posts...
2PAXfly
MIDDLE EAST: Advice for Australians caught in flight chaos
Airspace is closed across parts of the Middle East due to attacks by Israel and the USA and consequent retaliation from Iran. This has left thousands of Australian travellers stranded or scrambling to rearrange flights. If you’re travelling through the region in the coming days or stuck there right now,...
2PAXfly
DISRUPTION: Middle East carriers and airports in chaos. What to do if you are travelling soon
What follows is practical advice for those travelling by air via the Middle East who will be affected by the conflict generated by the attacks on Iran. Background Escalating conflict in the Middle East has triggered major airspace closures and cascading flight chaos. Gulf hubs including Doha, Dubai and Abu...
Wild About Travel
Flying via the Middle East right now. Practical tips, not panic, for travellers.
Are you about to fly internationally? With a Middle Eastern airline or to, through or over the Middle East? Many airlines and transit hubs are affected, with flights paused, rerouted or heavily delayed across the region. Check your specific airline and route for the latest status before you travel. Before...
2PAXfly
WEEKLY REVIEW: Sunday 1 March, 2026
It’s been a big week in Australian aviation, especially with the announcement of Qantas’ half-year results, a direct route from Brisbane to Las Vegas, and surprising changes to their loyalty scheme.  A lot of posts to catch up on in this Review, so read on: QANTAS: First International A321XLR route...