2PAXfly
HOTEL REVIEW: Museum Apartment Hotel, Independent Collection by EVT, Wellington
This hotel has a split personality. Although they share public spaces, the two buildings in this accommodation are marketed as two different hotels, even though they share a lot of the same DNA. Yes, it’s confusing. I stayed at the other half of the hotel a few years ago, marketed...
2PAXfly
QANTAS: Does Project Sunrise indicate a more premium, lower-volume international strategy, as Joe Aston says?
In an Australian Financial Review opinion piece over the weekend, Joe Aston, author of The Chairman’s Lounge: The inside story of how Qantas sold us out, argues that Qantas is changing its international strategy. His core argument is that Project Sunrise is not simply a new pair of ultra-long-haul routes:...
2PAXfly
WEEKLY REVIEW: SUNDAY 5 JULY, 2026
Hello travellers, We are finally home, although we have spent most of the week besieged by builders completing various aspects of our repairs and renovation. The dust has mainly settled and been cleaned away. As with all building work, there are still a few issues and complications to resolve. That...
2PAXfly
RIYADH AIR: What are reviewers’ first impressions
Saudi Arabia’s new flag carrier, Riyadh Air, has now carried its first paying passengers in its own Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners. The early verdict from critics is fairly consistent. Riyadh Air looks exceptionally good. It is serving food, drinks and attention at a level many established airlines would struggle to match....
Also on BoardingArea
Points Miles and Bling
Emirates Flying A380 to Delhi, Adds Premium Economy to Six Indian Cities
Emirates continues to invest heavily in India, announcing two notable upgrades to its network beginning on October 25, 2026. The…
One Mile at a Time
My 6 Favorite Commercial Airplanes, From Regional Jets To Jumbo Jets
Us avgeeks can often have pretty strong aircraft preferences. Sometimes our picks are rational (like based on a plane’s capabilities, passenger comfort, etc.), while other times we just like the way a plane looks or sounds. In this post, I’d like to share my favorite aircraft, and then I’d love...
Live and Let’s Fly
Review: Delta Air Lines A220-100 Economy Class
For our short connection to Burbank I was pleased that instead of a regional jet we were booked on an Airbus A220-100, which is a spacious and comfortable aircraft that is nicely-sized for lower-volume routes. Delta Air Lines A220-100 Economy Class Review (SLC-BUR) Our connection in Salt Lake City could...
Dots, Lines, & Destinations
DLD 595: North Country
Fozz is off on a grand adventure this week, headed to the far north of Canada.
Miles To Memories
Citi Merchant Offers, Save $50 on Your AT&T Bill
Citi has a new Merchant Offer that can get you a $50 discount on your AT&T bill. You can find these offers in your Citi app, or your account online.
View from the Wing
American Airlines Business Account Promo Code Gives 25,000 Free AAdvantage Miles Instantly
American Airlines AAdvantage Business accounts can claim 25,000 free miles instantly with promo code JOINA7. Even existing members can add the code now.
Frequent Miler
Capital One Shopping/Offers: Earn up to 16.5X on Trip.com
There’s another travel-themed one-day boosted rate deal available through Capital One Shopping and Capital One Offers today. This time it’s for Trip.com, with up to 16.5% cashback (or possibly more) available through Capital One Shopping or up to 16X transferable miles through Capital One Offers. The Deal Get boosted rates...
Paddle Your Own Kanoo
Passenger Claimed Emotional Distress After Airline Ran Out of Chicken Entrees. He Has Now Been Declared a ‘Vexatious Litigant’
A serial litigator who has filed lawsuits against a slew of international airlines 27 times in less than two years has been declared a ‘vexatious litigant’ by a U.S. District Judge in Northern California. The ruling followed a lawsuit in which the passenger claimed he suffered emotional distress after flight...
Frequent Flyer Bonuses
Iberia Club: Up to a 30% discount on select award flights worldwide
The next set of Iberia Club discounted award flight offers are now available.  Members can get up to 30% off the Avios required on select routes within Europe and to Africa. The up to 30% Avios discount Save up to 30% in Avios when redeeming for award flights on select...
Traveling For Miles
Review: The Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card (175,000 bonus points & Diamond Elite status)
The Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card is the only freely available credit card that offers very valuable elite status in one of the world's largest hotel loyalty programs and when placed in the right hands, it's a card that can more than cover its annual fee thanks to the...
woman shares cruise room service experience (l) Royal Caribbean cruise (r)
BoardingArea
Georgia Woman Orders Room Service On Royal Caribbean. Then She Takes The Lid Off Her Food: ‘Do Better’
"Pay too much money for this type of service."
View from the Wing
Palm Beach Airport May Now Be Named For Trump, But Airline Apps Are Still Split Between PBI And DJT
Palm Beach airport has officially been renamed for President Trump, with its code changing from PBI to DJT by the FAA (but not by IATA until next month). Airline systems are updating unevenly, leaving passengers seeing both codes during the transition - or still just PBI.
Live from a Lounge
Buy Flying Blue Miles with up to 80% Bonus on purchased miles
KLM and Air France's loyalty program, Flying Blue, is offering one of its best-ever promotions on purchasing miles. You get a 80% Bonus on the miles bought through July 28, 2026.
Frequent Miler
Newegg: Buy $1,000 Delta gift card for $900
Newegg has another travel-related gift card deal out, this time offering a $100 discount on a $1,000 Delta gift card. The Deal Buy a $1,000 Delta gift card for $900 on Newegg with promo code BUDF77. Direct link to offer Key Terms Limit 1. Quick Thoughts Saving 10% is a...
Live and Let’s Fly
Delta Brings Basic Economy Logic To Business Class, And Calls It Choice
Delta Air Lines has expanded “Basic” fares into premium cabins, including Delta First, Delta Premium Select, and even Delta One. The airline frames this as more choice, but I see it as the next stage of premium cabin unbundling, and a reminder that fares won’t go down…you’ll just get than...
View from the Wing
No Ticket, No ID, Passport Pages Ripped Out: Bodycam Shows Arrest At DFW TSA Checkpoint
Bodycam footage shows a man at DFW trying to get through TSA with no ticket, no ID, and a passport missing its identification pages. Police detained him after he tried to walk away.
The Gate with Brian Cohen
Hilton Sails Into Partnership With Explora Journeys
Hilton sails into a new partnership with Explora Journeys — which is the ultra-elegant ocean travel brand of the MSC Group — and that means that members of the Hilton Honors membership program have new ways to earn and redeem points starting next week. Members of Hilton Honors now can enjoy...
TravelUpdate
Limited Time Offers Ending Soon! Earn Up To 125,000 Delta SkyMiles
These limited time offers are about to end soon. With these offers, you can earn up to 125,000 Delta SkyMiles for just one card bonus offer.
Miles For Family
Quick Getaway to Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort and Spa
Last week, my husband and I took a last-minute kid-free getaway to Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort and Spa just north of Albuquerque, New Mexico. I booked flights from DFW to ABQ on American Airlines using Alaska Airlines miles. We splurged on First Class seats since they were only 9000 miles...
One Mile at a Time
Marriott Guest Redeems 212K Points, Ends Up In 8 Square Meter Room: “Did I Get Scammed?”
An Instagram post about a guest checking into a Marriott affiliated property is getting quite a bit of attention, as the Bonvoy member redeemed 212,000 points for a stay, only to end up in a room so small that he couldnt even open his suitcase.
Economy Class & Beyond
Emirates to expand its Airbus A380 operations to Delhi
Emirates continues to expand its retrofitted A380 operations, with Delhi gaining the type from the 25th October 2026. This will mark the third Indian gateway that features the Airbus A380 on a flight. The A380 will operate on flights EK512/513 in a four-class configuration, complementing the deployment of Emirates’ retrofitted...
Eye of the Flyer
Delta Now Sells ‘Basic Business’ and Basic Premium Fares — Here’s What You’re Giving Up
Delta just rolled out Basic versions of its premium cabins — including the pointedly-not-named-Delta-One "Basic Business." You keep the lie-flat seat; you lose a lot of what surrounds it. Here's what's in, what's out, and whether it's worth booking.
Traveling For Miles
Delta expands Basic fares to First, Premium Select, and Delta One
As of yesterday, 8 July 2026, we now have two (out of three) of the big US legacy airlines offering a Basic Business class and Basic Premium Economy product after Delta continued its rapid race to the bottom. If you're hoping for even the smallest bit of good news in...
Live and Let’s Fly
British Airways Flight Canceled After Crew Got Drunk At All-Inclusive Resort
British Airways was forced to cancel a London-bound flight from Barbados after several crew members allegedly drank so much during their layover at an all-inclusive resort that they were deemed unfit to work. If the reports are accurate, this is totally unacceptable, and BA may need to consider whether a...
2PAXfly
INDONESIA/WEST PAPUA: Pilot killed and aircraft burned in remote highlands attack
An American pilot flying one of the small aircraft that keep Indonesia’s remote Papuan highlands connected has been killed after his Pilatus PC-6 Porter was attacked and burned at an isolated airstrip. This tragedy highlights the perils of flying into disputed areas, amid political turmoil. Captain Nicholas F. Gosselin was...
2PAXfly
VIRGIN AUSTRALIA: EconomyFlex fares gain free same-day Fly Ahead feature
For those whose business meetings end early and want to get back home sooner, Virgin Australia is extending its Fly Ahead feature to eligible domestic Economy Flex passengers. This allows them to move to an earlier flight on the same day without paying a change fee or fare difference. It...
2PAXfly
EMIRATES: New-generation lounges roll out globally, but Sydney is still waiting
Emirates is rolling out a new ‘signature’ lounge concept across its global network, beginning with Munich and Frankfurt and continuing to Manchester, Mauritius and Istanbul later this year. The airline says it will spend more than AED50 million (AU$20 million) on each next-generation lounge. That is a substantial sum. Passengers...
2PAXfly
QANTAS: COVID credit class action means more than a million customers will receive payout notices
More than one million Qantas customers are set to receive notices explaining how to claim compensation. These customers were issued flight credits, rather than refunds, for cancelled flights during the COVID-19 pandemic. Law firm Echo Law began contacting eligible customers on Monday, 29 June. This follows Qantas’ March settlement of...
2PAXfly
QANTAS: Flooding closes LAX First Lounge, premium dining moves next door
Qantas’ Los Angeles First Lounge has been temporarily closed by flooding, according to the Qantas Lounge page. That means the closure of one of the best overseas lounge experiences for premium passengers on the long trek to Australia. The airline has not set a reopening date on its lounge website....
2PAXfly
VIETJET: launching Australian airline to rival Qantas and Virgin
Vietnamese low-cost carrier VietJet is reportedly seeking the approvals needed to launch an Australian subsidiary, in a move that could create a new domestic competitor for Qantas, Jetstar and Virgin Australia. According to reporting by Ayesha de Kretser in the Australian Financial Review, VietJet has approached the Civil Aviation Safety...
2PAXfly
QANTAS: No First Lounge for London. Premier dining room instead
The original plan was to have a new First Class Lounge at London’s Terminal 3. It was to be ready for the debut of the Project Sunrise flights. Qantas has quietly shelved those plans, to the indignation of premium frequent flyers and passengers. Instead, the airline will refurbish and enlarge...
2PAXfly
CHINA AIRLINES: More flights to Australia from October, 2026
Taiwan’s China Airlines is increasing flights to Australia from late October, giving travellers more non-stop choices between Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Taipei. The headline act is Sydney, where China Airlines will lift its Taipei service to daily from 25 October 2026. Melbourne follows on 28 October with a fifth weekly...