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...
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...
Also on BoardingArea
View from the Wing
Holiday Inn Cut Hot Breakfast Months Ago — But Some Hotels Are Pulling A Bait-and-Switch [Roundup]
Holiday Inns no longer offer hot breakfast. Some still list it as an option for purchase on their website. And guests who booked months ago assume it's going to be an option. Meanwhile, GHA Discovery has an interesting status match offer (and looks to be gaining one of the better...
TravelUpdate
Marriott Bonvoy’s Latest Change: Is This a Net Win For Members?
Marriott Bonvoy announced a change to their program yesterday, I viewed it as win initially. However, is it a net negative or positive?
One Mile at a Time
Should You Tip Hotel Housekeeping? If So, How Much?
The topic of tipping hotel housekeeping can be surprisingly controversial. You have some people who believe housekeeping should be tipped, others who believe housekeeping shouldn’t be tipped, and plenty of people who just aren’t sure what’s expected.
Frequent Miler
Family-friendly Leading Hotels of the World
Until recently, I associated the Leading Hotels of the World loyalty program with words like “boutique” and “luxury”. Especially in Europe, where most hotels limit occupancy to just two guests per room, I never would have associated this Citi ThankYou transfer partner with “family travel”. Imagine my surprise when I...
Eye of the Flyer
Emergency Dentist in the Dominican Republic: Leaving Norwegian Viva for Urgent Dental Care
Introduction: My First Atlantic Crossing on the Norwegian NCL Viva Prima Class Ship Emptying my Delta SkyMiles Accounts to get Value Flying to Lisbon Portugal The Comfort Inn South Bend SBN Airport Review via Delta Stays – How Very Disappointing Checking Bags on Two Separate Delta Tickets (Interlining) – How...
One Mile at a Time
World Of Hyatt Business Card 80K Bonus Points Limited Time Offer
Link: World of Hyatt Business Card
View from the Wing
Hyatt Business Card Hits A Record 80,000 Points — The Fastest Way To Spend Toward Status
The World of Hyatt Business Credit Card now has its biggest-ever welcome bonus: 80,000 points after $10,000 in spending in the first three months, up from the previous 60,000-point offer. The bigger reason to care is that Hyatt makes this its fastest card for spending your way toward elite status.
Live and Let’s Fly
Sunny Naqvi’s 43-Hour Chicago O’Hare Detention Story Is Falling Apart
The story of a Chicago-area woman who claimed she was detained for 43 hours after arriving at Chicago O’Hare International Airport has taken another dramatic turn. Federal authorities have now released surveillance images and doubled down on their claim that the entire story is false. DHS Says Sunny Naqvi Was...
Paddle Your Own Kanoo
Heavily Intoxicated ‘Passenger From Hell’ Who Repeatedly Bit Flight Attendant Swerves Jail Sentence
A heavily intoxicated ‘passenger from hell’ who repeatedly bit a flight attendant on the hand and continuously disrupted a JetBlue flight from New York JFK to Detroit Metro International Airport has avoided a jail sentence after pleading guilty to interference with crew members – a crime that can carry a...
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...
Live from a Lounge
Marriott Bonvoy increases Free Night Award top-up limit to 25,000 points (enhancing the HDFC Bank Marriott Bonvoy Card in India too!)
Marriott Bonvoy made a smooth move last night, enhancing the top-up value of the Free Night Awards they issue. Here are the details.
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...
Frequent Flyer Bonuses
Top 5 Flight Bonus Miles and Points Offers for March 2026
Here are our Top 5 Flight Bonus Mile/Point Offers for this month. This post is of course for bonuses for flying this month however many of these offers go beyond so don’t count them out for flights you need to book past this month. If none of the offers listed...
View from the Wing
[Last Chance] 175,000 Point IHG Offer — The Best Bonus I’ve Seen On This Card
Chase has a huge bonus on the IHG One Rewards Premier Card: 175,000 points after $5,000 in spend in three months. The $99 card is also a long-term keeper thanks to the annual free night (with top-off), 4th night free on award stays and Platinum status.
Points With a Crew
Save Up to 50% on Amazon with Amex Rewards Dollars (Targeted)
We’ve written about this deal before but it appears to be back! It appears to be targeted but if so, it seems widely targeted. Save 30% on Amazon, up to $30 in savings (offers vary), when you you purchase eligible products and use at least 1 cent in Amex Reward...
The Gate with Brian Cohen
Bleary Passengers Versus Tireless Children Overnight at an Airport
Whether by choice or faced with no other choice, there are passengers who wind up spending their time overnight at an airport while waiting to catch their next flight. Sometimes a hotel is not feasible for many reasons — distance, cost, too little time between flights, avoiding having to go...
Frequent Miler
20% off Singapore Airlines economy and some premium economy awards
Earlier this week, Singapore Airlines Krisflyer launched an award sale, with most economy-class awards available at a promotional price of 20% off the usual award cost. Premium Economy is also on sale for some flights between the US and Singapore. The travel window for this promotion extends from May 1st...
Economy Class & Beyond
Qatar Airways adds further travel corridor flights – Travel Updates
Updated Thursday 12th March, 23:45 It’s time to take a look and see what changes airlines in the Middle Eastern Region are making, and how they’re trying to re-establish networks under trying conditions. Qatar Airways https://www.qatarairways.com/en-gb/travel-alerts.html With Qatar Airways scheduled flight operations still temporarily suspended due to the closure of...
View from the Wing
[Last Chance] Credit Card Bonus Offer Includes A Flight Companion Pass Through Feb. 2027
Southwest’s Companion Pass is still the best domestic perk: your companion flies for just taxes (from $5.60 each way), even on award tickets, as long as there’s an open seat. Last week my family used two passes on one trip. And right now you can get Companion Pass through Feb....
Frequent Miler
Finnair sours Hawaii sweet spot, raising Alaska / Hawaiian awards by up to 100%
Aloha can be confusing for some folks, as it’s used as either a greeting or a farewell. In Finnair’s case, it definitely means goodbye. Without any notice that I know of, the airline has raised its award prices for Alaska Air flights between Hawai’i and the West Coast/Midwest by ~45%,...
The Alviator
What Is Departure Immigration? Do All Countries Do It?
If you're from a country that normally does immigration upon departure, you might be surprised to learn that not all countries do this.
Your Mileage May Vary
A Toronto Airport Just Added A Major Travel Shortcut to the U.S.
Clearing immigration after an international flight can turn an otherwise smooth trip into a slog — long lines, crowded corridors, and the constant worry about missing a connection. But a…
Live and Let’s Fly
Spare Some Change? Denver Airport Asking Travelers To Donate Gas And Grocery Gift Cards To Unpaid TSA Agents
Denver International Airport is asking travelers to donate grocery and gas gift cards to help Transportation Security Administration officers who are working without pay during the Department of Homeland Security shutdown. It is a sad situation and a reminder that political dysfunction in Washington often lands squarely on the shoulders...
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...
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...