2PAXfly
SYDNEY AIRPORT: Air Traffic Control stinks! Sewage smell overwhelms control tower
Air traffic controllers at Sydney Airport were forced to work through overpowering sewage odours during the peak 2024–25 holiday travel period. Some staff were reportedly dry heaving at their desks while managing aircraft movements according to a story in the Sydney Morning Herald. Incident logs from Airservices Australia show the...
2PAXfly
HOTEL REVIEW: Bring boltcutters? Picton Waterfront Apartments, New Zealand
Our New Zealand holiday continued once we arrived in Picton and alighted from the Interisland ferry, picked up our hire car and made our way to the Waterfront Apartments, ready for our four-night stay, with a view straight down Picton harbour. Car Hire Just a note, that another visitor, who...
Wild About Travel
Johannesburg: First encounter with the City of Gold
Firstly, three fascinating facts about Johannesburg for your next Trivia Pursuit Competition: I flew to Johannesburg expecting not to like it, but there is something about its youthfulness, energy, hustling, humour and beauty that got to me. I rate all the cities I have visited or lived in, and Johannesburg...
2PAXfly
TURKISH AIRLINES: To reverse decision on Premium Economy?
Turkish Airlines could be seriously exploring the return of premium economy to its aircraft cabins. That would fit with the carrier plans to operate some of the longest flights in its history, including nonstop services between Istanbul and Sydney. That’s a development worth the attention of Australian travellers. Premium Economy...
Also on BoardingArea
Live and Let’s Fly
I Tried Status Free Airline, Hotel Free Agency And Hated It
After years of frustration with loyalty programs I proudly freed myself of the elite status grind. I hated it and came crawling back to both airline and hotel status.  Why Chasing Status Had Run Its Course Every year the requirements get higher, the benefits are fewer – what’s the point...
One Mile at a Time
Gorgeous New Addis Ababa Airport To Open In 2030, Biggest In Africa
Over the past several years, we’ve heard about plans for a new international airport in Ethiopia, which is supposed to be a game changer not only for Ethiopian Airlines, but also for the region. There’s now an exciting update, as ground has been broken on the project, so the facility...
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 ...
ATX Jetsetter
The Best Tools for Tracking Flights
When it comes to tracking commercial and private flights, there are a few tools which I find provide the most value. The post The Best Tools for Tracking Flights appeared first on ATX Jetsetter.
Your Mileage May Vary
How To Find Your American Airlines Flight Information After Booking An Avios Award Ticket
British Airways Avios can be a great way to book American Airlines flights — especially on shorter routes where the Avios cost can be reasonable, and the taxes are low.…
Your Mileage May Vary
How To Find Your American Airlines Flight Information After Booking An Avios Award Ticket
British Airways Avios can be a great way to book American Airlines flights — especially on shorter routes where the Avios cost can be reasonable, and the taxes are low.…
Miles To Memories
World of Hyatt Elite Status Offer for 2026 (Select Companies)
Hyatt has brought back a status challenge for World of Hyatt members who are employees of select companies. These are usually large companies such as Amazon, IBM, American Airlines and many others. The post World of Hyatt Elite Status Offer for 2026 (Select Companies) appeared first on Miles to Memories.
Miles To Memories
World of Hyatt Elite Status Offer for 2026 (Select Companies)
Hyatt has brought back a status challenge for World of Hyatt members who are employees of select companies. These are usually large companies such as Amazon, IBM, American Airlines and many others. The post World of Hyatt Elite Status Offer for 2026 (Select Companies) appeared first on Miles to Memories.
View from the Wing
Southwest Assigned Seating Starts January 27—And It Ends Seat-Saving Games and Wheelchair Preboarding Abuse
Southwest’s open seating has always invited games—saving rows, blocking middle seats, and all sorts of “someone’s sitting here” theatrics to keep extra space. That all changes January 27 when assigned seating begins, which should end a lot of the passenger scheming (and even the wheelchair-preboarding miracles) while also stripping away...
Altitude Yes
Review: Japan Airlines Diamond Premier Lounge, Tokyo Haneda (HND)
Though the food options are minimal, it's still nice to have something apart from the main waiting area near the gates. The post Review: Japan Airlines Diamond Premier Lounge, Tokyo Haneda (HND) first appeared on Altitude Yes.
One Mile at a Time
Hotels Lying About Toiletry Brands: How Common Is It, And Does It Matter?
I have to say, I really find it disappointing that hotels play these kinds of games, especially over longer periods of time…
Live and Let’s Fly
Mocked For Hyatt–Rosewood Take, Now Marriott Circles
I was roasted for suggesting Rosewood should sell to Hyatt. Now leaked documents point to a Marriott-Rosewood tie-up. [Alleged] Marriott Legal Email Screenshot Leaks Rosewood Acquisition Plans Over the past few days a rumor has been making the rounds that Marriott International is positioning itself to buy Rosewood Hotel Group....
The Bulkhead Seat
Delta Becomes Official Airline of Las Vegas Sphere and Opens Delta SKY360° Club Lounge
Delta Air Lines has been named the official airline of the Sphere in Las… The post Delta Becomes Official Airline of Las Vegas Sphere and Opens Delta SKY360° Club Lounge appeared first on The Bulkhead Seat.
Rapid Travel Chai
Announcing Points Travel Festival Toronto 2026!
Points Travel Festival Toronto is April 18, 2026. Join Canada and global points travel experts for learning and partying. The post Announcing Points Travel Festival Toronto 2026! appeared first on Rapid Travel Chai.
View from the Wing
Marriott Hotels Already Ignored Requests—Now They Won’t Even Let You Type Them In
Marriott has quietly removed the freeform “special requests” text box from its website bookings, leaving only a handful of preset checkboxes. Hotels may have ignored many notes anyway, but eliminating the field doesn’t eliminate guest needs—it just pushes everything into last-minute phone calls and check-in friction, with no easy way...
The Gate with Brian Cohen
Penguin on Barrientos Island Still Angry. Sunday Morning Photograph.
I did not realize that I had additional photographs which continued the saga of the angry penguin on Barrientos Island in the South Shetland Islands off the coast of Antarctica confronting a pair of south polar skuas. Where we last left off in this gripping tale, a gentoo penguin successfully scared...
From The Tray Table
Is Alaska Airlines’ first class the best recliner in the US?
Being based in New York, I don’t often have the opportunity to fly with Alaska Airlines. The airline… The post Is Alaska Airlines’ first class the best recliner in the US? appeared first on From the Tray Table.
One Mile at a Time
Huge Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Card Five Free Night Award Welcome Offer
Link: Learn more about theMarriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card
Pointalize
Chase Pay Yourself Back Q1 categories
Chase Pay Yourself Back categories for Q1 2026 revealed. See the full list for Sapphire Reserve, Preferred, and Ink cards, plus the 1.5¢ redemption math.
One Mile at a Time
Japan Airlines’ Unique Problem? Young Locals Aren’t Traveling Internationally
Here in the United States, international travel is all the rage, including for young people. In many ways that might not even be a good thing due to the affordability problem that exists, so many young people dont even view buying a house as realistic, so they dont bother...
View from the Wing
AT&T Customer Hit With a $19,500 Roaming Bill After Two Days of Data Use [Roundup]
An AT&T customer says two days of accidental roaming data use triggered a staggering $19,500 bill. Plus in today’s roundup: United’s CEO reportedly skipping his own catering, Wyndham bringing back status matches, United pouring a prestige cabernet in Polaris, another hotels-and-ICE twist, a filthy American cabin photo, and new Bilt...
Eye of the Flyer
An End to Dual Citizenship, Fire on Asiana Flight, ICE Raids Carnival Cruise, Oceania Goes Adults Only, Best Airline Water and more Travel News!
Here are this week’s travel and cruise headlines and news from around the web and interweb: ‘Grab what you can:’ The global rush for second passports Passenger injured in fire sparked by power bank on Incheon-Hong Kong flight ICE Burst Into His Cruise Stateroom at 6:45 AM — All Because...
One Mile at a Time
Trump Plans To Cap Credit Card Interest Rates At 10%: Impact On Rewards?
Credit card issuers make money in three primary ways — through interchange fees, through interest charges, and through annual fees. Along those lines, President Trump is suggesting he’s going to be majorly regulating this, and it could have implications for consumers, both positive and negative.
Live and Let’s Fly
Aer Lingus Is Pulling Long-Haul Out Of Manchester
If you were hoping Aer Lingus’ base in Manchester would help claw back long-haul relevance, you may want to sit down. Aer Lingus is set to stop selling long-haul flights from Manchester beyond March 31, 2026, specifically the Manchester to New York, Orlando, and Barbados services.  Coverage elsewhere frames it...
2PAXfly
QANTAS: New Year, means time to plan for the next Qantas Double Status Credits & Points promotion
Each year since at least 2018, Qantas has offered a Double Status and Points promotion in February or March. Sure, it has offered similar promotions on other dates, but February/March are the most consistent and reliable. To that end, with the second week of the new year coming to a...
2PAXfly
CATHAY PACIFIC: Anniversary marks 2026 as 80 years in the air
Cathay Pacific has launched its 80th-anniversary celebrations for 2026, marking eight decades since the airline’s founding in 1946. The anniversary program is being rolled out under the theme ’80 Years Together’. The biggest indicator is an aircraft painted in retro livery. The birthday celebrations were formally launched at a Hong...
2PAXfly
STARLUX: Takes delivery of first A350-1000
Starlux Airlines has taken delivery of its first Airbus A350-1000, becoming the first Taiwanese airline to operate Airbus’ largest long-range twin-engine aircraft, a fleet milestone that has implications for Australian travellers flying long haul via Asia. The aircraft, registered B-58551, was handed over at Airbus’ Toulouse headquarters before operating a...
2PAXfly
2026: What’s new in the sky for Australian travellers
There are some interesting changes in aviation for 2026. It’s mainly about longer flights, that get you there moe quickly. It’s also about flying quieter and more comfortably for those uninterrupted very long hours. Most of these innovations have already been announced, but I thought at the beginning of 2026,...
2PAXfly
VENEZUELA: The effect of the USA military action on aviation for Australians
The U.S. military operation in Venezuela in early January 2026 has had a direct impact on aviation in the Americas, with flow-on effects for Australian travellers transiting through the United States, the Caribbean and parts of Latin America. While Venezuela itself is not a common destination for Australians, changes to...
Wild About Travel
Grounded for Good: The Airlines That Didn’t Survive 2025
For over a decade, I’ve been keeping note of which airlines go out of business each year. Do you recognise any of these? Air BelgiumBelgium. Founded: 2016. Commenced: 2018. Passenger operations ceased: 2024 (bankruptcy). Passenger flying had already stopped following the 2024 insolvency. After that, it was limited to wet‑lease...
Wild About Travel
Very Frequent Flying: My best and worst of 2025
One hundred and one flights in 2025, bringing me to 1782 lifetime flights. Flew to or from twenty-seven countries. Five continents. From the midnight sun grazing Helsinki’s summer sky to the crisp air of Hobart’s harbour, 2025 took me 213,054 kilometres (132,386 miles) around our planet. Roughly five times over....
Wild About Travel
Rating a city: From First Crush to Favourites
How do you rate a city? A good memory? The food? Its beauty? The first time I landed in Paris, I fell hard. I loved the art, the tree‑lined streets, the river, the metro, the food and markets, and even the people (yes, I mean Parisians). Twenty‑three visits later, I...