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...
Also on BoardingArea
View from the Wing
Iran Hits Dubai Airport Again — Flights Suspended, Then Resumed as Tehran Signals De-Escalation
Dubai International briefly suspended flights again after another Iran-linked incident near the airport, prompting diversions to Al Maktoum before Emirates resumed operations shortly afterward. In a notable shift, Tehran is now publicly signaling de-escalation, apologizing to neighboring states and saying these cross-border strikes will stop unless Iran itself is attacked—after...
Paddle Your Own Kanoo
Emirates Continues to Fly Despite Iranian Drone Exploding Next to Terminal Building at Dubai International Airport
Dubai International Airport has confirmed that all flights were temporarily grounded once again after footage of what appears to be an Iranian kamikaze drone exploded right next to one of the terminal buildings late on Saturday morning. Operations at the airport had already been severely disrupted on Saturday after a...
Paddle Your Own Kanoo
Passengers at Dubai International Airport Told to ‘Shelter in Place’ And Planes Enter Holding Patterns But UAE Authorities Deny Any Incident
Officials in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) moved to quash reports of an incident at Dubai International Airport on Saturday morning after passengers were ordered to ‘shelter in place’ on three seperate occasions and planes were forced into holding patterns over the desert. Dubai Airport faced repeated disruption on Saturday...
Live from a Lounge
Noida International Airport (Jewar) receives aerodrome licence; prepares for launch
Noida International Airport at Jewar has received its approval from the DGCA to commence operations. We should now see the airport get operationalised soon. The post Noida International Airport (Jewar) receives aerodrome licence; prepares for launch appeared first on Live From A Lounge.
Frequent Miler
Emirates makes overnight changes to partner award chart…for the better?
You don’t have to spend much time in the world of points and miles to learn that award prices go in one direction: up. Each year, the devaluation drumbeat beats regularly across both hotel and airline programs. We expect it. So, when Emirates Skywards made unannounced changes to its partner...
Paddle Your Own Kanoo
Man Admits to “Agressively Trying to Open” Cabin Door of Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 After Suspected Drug Overdose
A man has admitted to trying to open the emergency exit for an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 while the plane was mid-flight after reaching a plea agreement with prosecutors in which he has pleaded guilty to interference with the flight crew. Kassian William Fredericks is yet to be sentenced after...
Points With a Crew
Which Hilton credit card is the best? (New Higher Offers)
There are 4 different Hilton credit cards - each with their own set of perks and benefits. Let's take a look at the pros and cons and decide which Hilton card is best
The Gate with Brian Cohen
Why Airplanes Fly North Just to Head Back South
The airplane aboard which I was a passenger was flying at 36,002 feet over Sand Point in the Aleutian Islands of Alaska as I wrote this article. Have you ever wondered why would airplanes fly north just to head back south? During a recent flight from Seattle to Taiwan, the flight...
Paddle Your Own Kanoo
Airport Worker Hospitalized After United Airlines 737 Collies With Deicing Truck at Denver International Airport
An airport worker at Denver International Airport was hospitalized on Friday morning after a United Airlines Boeing 737 collided with a deicing truck during a spell of bad winter weather, toppling the truck over onto its side. The accident occurred as United flight UA-605 from Denver to Nashville was preparing...
Frequent Miler
Tools we use to win the points & miles game | Frequent Miler on the Air Ep348 | 3-6-26
In this episode, we’ll talk about the tools that can help you earn more rewards, organize your points & rewards, and spend your points wisely. Tools we use to win the points & miles game Watch the full episode below, or listen on your favorite podcast platform. You can click...
View from the Wing
American Airlines Long Haul Plans for Next Winter Are Out — The New Airbus A321XLR Lets Them Extend Europe Flying in the Slow Season
American’s long-haul schedule plans for next winter show exactly what the new Airbus A321XLR is for: keeping marginal transatlantic routes viable when winter demand collapses by right-sizing capacity and leaning premium-heavy. The result is fewer widebody winter losses and more “extended season” Europe flying out of hubs like Philadelphia and...
One Mile at a Time
Southwest Rapid Rewards Selling Points For 50% Off (1.5 Cents Each): Worth It?
Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards has introduced its latest promotion on purchased points. While there has long been value in strategically buying points, the concept of a revenue based frequent flyer program selling points has always been strange to me, especially for an airline like Southwest. Still, let’s go over the...
The Bulkhead Seat
GOL Launches First Long-Haul Route With Nonstop Flights From Rio de Janeiro to New York
Earlier today, I wrote about GOL Linhas Aéreas preparing to enter the long-haul market… The post GOL Launches First Long-Haul Route With Nonstop Flights From Rio de Janeiro to New York appeared first on The Bulkhead Seat.
Your Mileage May Vary
There’s A Bilt 2.0 Problem People Are Just Starting To Notice
The Bilt 2.0 rollout hasn’t been smooth. There’s already been confusion around the transition away from Wells Fargo and the move to the new Cardless platform. But one complaint has…
Paddle Your Own Kanoo
After Nearly Six Years, United Airlines is Getting Close to Reaching a Contract Deal With Flight Attendants
After nearly six years, United Airlines is becoming increasingly confident that it can lock down a new contract deal with tens of thousands of flight attendants after the latest round of mediated negotiations concluded with the Association of Flight Attendants (AFA-CWA) in Chicago on Friday. The crew union shared the...
View from the Wing
United Flight Attendants Postpone Protests — Deal Is Close That Makes Them ‘Best Paid in the Industry’ After 5.5 Years Without a Raise
United flight attendants haven’t had a raise in 5.5 years, and inflation has quietly taken a big bite out of what their pay is worth—so the tone shift this week is notable. The union says a final agreement is now close enough that it’s postponing a planned protest day, while...
Frequent Miler
Dell Amex Offers: 5%-13% back (stack with Dell credits)
There are two new Amex Offers out, offering either 5% or 13% back when shopping at Dell.com. Either one can stack this with the Amex Business Platinum® Card’s $150 Dell credit and any available shopping portal rewards. I only have the 5% version of this offer, but it’s on all...
Travel With Grant
Redeeming Wells Fargo Rewards Points: My Plan of Attack
Explore how I'm strategizing to maximize the value of my 62,320 Wells Fargo Rewards Points, focusing on the ideal transfer partners and unique features that can enhance their redemption potential. Discover the best ways to leverage these points for travel and more. The post Redeeming Wells Fargo Rewards Points: My Plan...
Paddle Your Own Kanoo
One Week After Airspace Was Closed Across the Middle East, Flights Are Finally Restarting in Qatar
Exactly a week to the day that airspace was shuttered across the Middle East after the United States and Israel launched coordinated air strikes against Iran, the skies above the tiny but incredibly wealthy Persian Gulf state of Qatar are reopening its airspace with very “limited operational capacity.” The news...
Miles To Memories
Caesars Could Be SOLD?! + Another Implosion & The QR Code Slot That Makes You Gamble More!
Bombshell Caesars sale rumor, another Vegas implosion is over, true cashless slots are coming & they will make you gamble more plus was there gold in Mirage's glass? The post Caesars Could Be SOLD?! + Another Implosion & The QR Code Slot That Makes You Gamble More! appeared first on Miles...
View from the Wing
Video Shows Sheraton Manager Deny a Room Over a Service Dog — Police Have to Explain “No Pets” Doesn’t Apply
A viral check-in video from a Sheraton in suburban Atlanta shows a manager refusing to honor a guest’s reservation because she arrived with a dog she says is a service animal. When police arrive, the hotel keeps repeating “no pets,” and the officer has to explain the basic point: service...
Frequent Miler
Robinhood Platinum Credit Card Review: All the coupons, none of the fun
In points-and-miles circles, the investment platform Robinhood is primarily known for offering a credit card that earns 3% everywhere (if you can get it) and for generous, periodic bonuses for moving investments from other services to the company. Now, it’s announced the upcoming launch of the “real” Platinum card, a...
Points With a Crew
Kickstarter: KeyGo Gen2 Ultra-Thin Folding Keyboard (Back By Saturday)
The KeyGo Gen2 is an ultra-thin 180 degree folding keyboard, perfect for anyone on the go. It has a a larger 4K touch display and is on Kickstarter, but only for a few more...
Points With a Crew
Kickstarter: OUTZAC Pico Air Pump
The OUTZAC pump is a ultralight 5kPa low-noise air pump designed for outdoor adventures. It's on Kickstarter, but only for a few more ...
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...
2PAXfly
QANTAS: First International A321XLR route announced — Brisbane to Manila
According to a story on ET, the first international A321XLR route will be Brisbane to Manila, commencing on 25 October 2026. But don’t get too excited, because there won’t be any flat beds, just domestic Business Class recliners. So, aside from a newer, quieter, more highly pressured plane, it’s a...
Wild About Travel
Qantas’ “New Era” For Status
Qantas has just made it more expensive to stay loyal. Funny how that works. The airline is calling it a ‘new era’ for its Frequent Flyer program. I’d call it a quiet price hike dressed up in marketing language. This is a change I’ve been waiting on for months. After...
2PAXfly
QANTAS: MASSIVE overhaul of Qantas Frequent Flyer program. The good and the bad
Qantas is making it easier to earn Status Credits without setting foot on a plane, but there are positives and negatives. As part of its sweeping overhaul of the loyalty program, the airline will lift the annual threshold required to retain status, even as it introduces rollover credits and more...
Wild About Travel
Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth): A City That Feels Lost.
I had just had an amazing week on the Garden Route, exploring wineries, seeing whales, and enjoying hikes, coffee, food, and South African hospitality. Enjoy some of the photos! When my Baz Bus minibus (great service by the way) reached Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth, we arrived in a very different world....
2PAXfly
QANTAS: New search tool allows region-to-region Classic Rewards search across partner airlines
Qantas is promising to roll out a major upgrade to how members search for Classic Reward seats in March 2026. It could dramatically improve your chances of finding low-points Classic Rewards redemptions. Over at ET they have seen a preview, and this is what they found. Region-to-Region search The new...
2PAXfly
QANTAS: Frequent Flyer changes evaluated, and when they roll out
Qantas is billing these largely status-related changes as a ‘new era’ for Frequent Flyers. Here’s what’s coming, what I think of it, and when it will arrive. Read on to find out what it means if you’re chasing Silver, protecting Gold or sitting comfortably at Platinum. March 2026: A better...