2PAXfly
QANTAS: Project Sunrise A350 reaches Melbourne Australia after 19-hour test flight
Qantas’ Project Sunrise aircraft has touched Australian soil for the first time, completing a marathon non-stop test flight from Toulouse to Melbourne. The specially modified Airbus A350-1000ULR landed at Melbourne Airport at about 10.46am on Friday, 24 July, after spending 19 hours and 13 minutes in the air. The aircraft...
Wild About Travel
Fargo: Wide, Weird, and Way Better Than You Think
I came expecting a dull, drive-through prairie city. I was wrong. Most visitors know “Fargo” from the 1996 movie and TV series about crime and weirdness. I also need to add that I watched a second, much less well-known 2014 movie, Kumiko, the Treasure Hunter, very loosely based on a...
2PAXfly
ALTURA AIRLINES: Majority Indigenous-owned carrier launches from Perth
Australia has another airline name in its skies. You won’t find Altura Airlines appearing beside Qantas or Virgin Australia when searching for your next Perth flight. The new majority Indigenous-owned carrier commenced operations from Perth on Tuesday, 21 July 2026. Its initial focus is charter flying for mining, energy, infrastructure...
2PAXfly
TRIP REVIEW: Qantas B787-9 Dreamliner, QF75 Sydney to Vancouver in Business Class. Oh Canada!
This is the next post in my Oh Canada! Trip Report. I’ve covered the reason for this trip in the introductory post, as well as my check-in experience and the Qantas First Lounge pre-boarding experience. Now its time for the actual flight. This is my first time (I think) on...
Also on BoardingArea
Traveling For Miles
Can you earn hotel points & elite credits on multiple rooms?
The question of elite credits normally gets raised as the end of the year approaches and travelers realise that they're still short of the few nights to re-qualify for whatever hotel status they hold. This year I've been asked the question a little earlier but I thought I'd address it...
One Mile at a Time
Kenmore Air Seaplane Crashes During Emergency Landing In Washington
A seaplane belonging to Kenmore Air crashed yesterday evening while attempting to make an emergency landing. Fortunately all 11 people onboard managed to get off the aircraft, though one is reportedly in critical condition. It’s rather unusual to see a seaplane accident like this, so it’ll be interesting to see...
One Mile at a Time
How Costly Will Delta’s Asia Growth Be? United Executive Taunts Delta, And The Numbers Aren’t Pretty
As I see it, there are several big trends among the ”big three” US carriers that I think will be interesting to watch over the coming months and years.
View from the Wing
JetBlue’s Frequent Flyer-Backed Bonds Hit 14% Yield After Airline Schedules Mysterious Investor Call
JetBlue’s TrueBlue-backed bonds now yield over 14% after the airline scheduled a mysterious investor call focused on liquidity and its balance sheet. The carrier says it routinely meets with investors, but with junk-rated debt, years of losses, and a turnaround still unproven, the call was enough to spook the market.
Traveling For Miles
Deal: Get $100 on $1,000 of Air Canada spending [Targeted]
Chase is currently targeting select card holders for a saving on a future Air Canada booking and the good news is that the booking window is, by Chase's standards, relatively generous (you don't have to book by tomorrow!).
Miles For Family
Chiang Mai Excursion: Elephant Nature Park and Wat Ban Den
This is a continuation of my Asia trip report. See also Back from Thailand and Singapore: 7 Biggest Takeaways, Review: Singapore Airlines Business Class SFO to SIN to BKK, Cathay Pacific Premium Economy HKG to SEA, A Taste of Andaz Singapore, One Day in Singapore, Hyatt Regency Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport and the...
Frequent Miler
Award ticket change and cancellation fees
Award ticket change and cancellation fees vary wildly from one airline frequent flyer program to another. This post outlines the award change and cancellation policies of those airline programs that are transfer partners with major US credit card and rewards programs, with an easy-to-reference table of contents below. What’s new?...
Eye of the Flyer
Carnival Cruise Passenger Scratches Her Feet, Eats Pizza — Then Grabs a Fork
One cruise passenger turned the main dining room into a nail salon — fork included. The cruise line's response might be the best part.
Traveling For Miles
Iberia is running a strange US and Mexico Economy Class sale
Iberia is currently running a sale on flights to the United States and Mexico but this is one of the stranger sales that I've seen an airline release - the prices aren't particularly impressive and the travel dates are just weird.
One Mile at a Time
Ouch: American 777 Diverts Over Gear Issue, Then Replacement 777 Diverts Over Engine Issue
Talk about bad luck! An American Boeing 777 flying from Boston to London had to divert to New York over a maintenance issue. American quickly found a replacement plane to carry passengers to London, only for that to then divert to Boston over a maintenance issue, meaning passengers ended up...
Live and Let’s Fly
All Three British Airways Pilots Struck By Food Poisoning Midflight, One Incapacitated At 30,000 Feet
Apparently I’m not the only one with Delhi Belly… All three pilots operating a British Airways flight from Hyderabad to London reportedly became ill with suspected food poisoning, with one becoming incapacitated at 30,000 feet and requiring oxygen. The Boeing 777 landed safely, but this was far too close to...
One Mile at a Time
Aerolineas Argentinas Getting Airbus A330neos, New Business Class, Wi-Fi
SkyTeam member Aerolineas Argentinas has been a bit of a mess — the airline has been government owned since 2008, and lost money for 18 consecutive years. The company was given enough support to stay alive, but not enough of an investment to actually succeed.
One Mile at a Time
Southwest Rapid Rewards Selling Points At A Discount: When Is It Worth It?
Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards has introduced its latest promotion on purchased points, with different members being eligible for different offers. The best offer is for up to a 50% discount, which could be an opportunity to buy points for 0.5 cents each.
One Mile at a Time
Buy Choice Privileges Points For 40% Off Bonus, 0.62 Cents Each: Worth It?
Choice Privileges has launched its latest promotion on purchased points, offering up to a 40% discount. This is an opportunity to buy points for just 0.62 cents each. This is among the better offers that we’ve seen from the program, though it’s not quite as good as the up to...
One Mile at a Time
Huge United Business Card Welcome Offer Of Up To 110K Bonus Miles
The United Business Card, which is United’s most popular co-branded business credit card, currently has a fantastic bonus, which is an offer that has been extended. This card generally has the most compelling welcome offer in United’s co-brand card portfolio, so if you’re interested, this would be a great time...
Paddle Your Own Kanoo
Southwest Airlines Flight Attendant Detained By ICE Agents Who Were Waiting For His Plane to Land at Nashville Airport
A Southwest Airlines flight attendant was detained at the Nashville International Airport by ICE agents who had learned that the Jamaican-born crew member was due to arrive back at his home crew base after working a trip. Lorenzo Thompson was marched away while still wearing his Southwest Airlines flight attendant...
2PAXfly
QANTAS: Project Sunrise A350 reaches Melbourne Australia after 19-hour test flight
Qantas’ Project Sunrise aircraft has touched Australian soil for the first time, completing a marathon non-stop test flight from Toulouse to Melbourne. The specially modified Airbus A350-1000ULR landed at Melbourne Airport at about 10.46am on Friday, 24 July, after spending 19 hours and 13 minutes in the air. The aircraft...
Points With a Crew
Save Up to 50% on Amazon with Amex Rewards Dollars (Targeted)
Discover how to save up to 50% on Amazon purchases by using Amex Reward Dollars with this targeted offer.
View from the Wing
ICE Arrests Southwest Airlines Flight Attendant At Airport — He May Have Overstayed But Still Been Legal To Work
ICE arrested a Southwest Airlines flight attendant at Nashville airport, saying he overstayed his 2021 admission. But supporters say he has a pending asylum case and federal work authorization, showing how someone can be removable yet still legally allowed to work.
The Bulkhead Seat
Hotel Review: Signia by Hilton San Jose
A recent work dinner had me in San Jose overnight and the closest hotel…
The Gate with Brian Cohen
He Correctly Predicted No-Frills International Fares With Legacy Carriers Ten Years Ago…
In this article which asked Would You Purchase Tickets for No-Frills International Flights From Legacy Carriers? — which was published here at The Gate With Brian Cohen exactly ten years ago today on Saturday, July 23, 2016 — he correctly predicted no-frills international fares would be offered by legacy carriers... ...and that...
Frequent Miler
Bank of America Air France/KLM Flying Blue Mastercard: Best-ever 100K welcome offer
Bank of America is out with a huge welcome offer on the Air France/KLM World Elite Mastercard of 100,000 Flying Blue miles and 100 XP after spending a total of $7,500 in the first 180 days of card membership. In terms of Flying Blue miles, this is the largest welcome...
Frequent Miler
Amex Green card not available for new applications. Is an update on the way?
Earlier today, Doctor of Credit reported that the American Express Green Card was no longer on Amex’s website, and links to the card returned an error message. Initially, I thought that this was just a technical bug, as referral links were still active. After a few hours, those were dead...
Your Mileage May Vary
The World’s First 100% Gluten-Free Ocean Cruise Is Finally Happening
Traveling with dietary restrictions can be challenging. Whether you’re watching carbohydrates, limiting sodium or avoiding certain foods because of allergies or medical conditions, vacations often require a whole lot more…
2PAXfly
EMIRATES: A better headrest may be as good as Economy seat innovation gets
Emirates has unveiled a new Economy Class headrest designed to stop passengers’ heads rolling sideways while they attempt the unlikely feat of sleeping upright. Called the U-Dream, the adjustable headrest folds around the passenger’s head and neck, rather like a built-in travel pillow. It may prove genuinely useful. It also...
2PAXfly
WESTERN SYDNEY AIRPORT: First international passenger flights 100 days away
Western Sydney International Airport (WSI) will welcome its first overseas passenger flight on Monday, 26 October 2026, when an Air New Zealand Airbus arrives from Auckland. The same aircraft will then operate the first scheduled international passenger departure from the new airport, returning across the Tasman later that morning. Western...
Wild About Travel
Why Working From Cafés Around the World Reveals So Much About Culture
I just spent two hours in a café in Đà Nẵng, Vietnam, and ended up observing how differently cafés work here compared to other places. People were happily shouting to each other across the room, kids running and dancing and playing games or videos on their phones. One group took...
2PAXfly
WEEKLY REVIEW: Sunday 19 July, 2026
Hello travellers, Greetings from Adelaide! I’m here visiting family and friends. It’s the second of two short domestic trips this week. The previous one was to Canberra to view the Arthur Boyd tapestries at the National Gallery of Australia, where I also sampled the Virgin Australia Lounge. What happened last...
2PAXfly
CATHAY PACIFIC: Adelaide to Hong Kong flights return for summer
Cathay Pacific will return to Adelaide for another Southern Hemisphere summer season, this time offering up to five weekly non-stop flights to Hong Kong during the busiest holiday months. The service will operate from 10 November 2026 until 27 March 2027. There will be three flights each week during November...
2PAXfly
LOUNGE REVIEW: Canberra Virgin Australia Lounge
I just had my first experience of the Canberra Virgin Australia Lounge. Yesterday, I spent time in Canberra seeing the Arthur Boyd tapestries at the National Gallery of Australia and the John Brack and Noel McKenna exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery. I had one of those lingering credits with...
2PAXfly
UNITED AIRLINES: WTF! Adds European Business class rows to 321XLRs
Oddly, that is not how United Airlines is promoting this ‘innovation’. They are adding the curse of European Business Class blocked-off centre seats. British Airways call this arrangement ‘Club Europe’. United is promoting it as ‘Economy Plus Seats with Extra Elbow Room. They should hang their heads in shame! A321XLR...
2PAXfly
AIR NEW ZEALAND: B777s are getting new business class suites, better than on new Dreamliners
Air New Zealand has revealed the replacement for the ageing Business Premier seats on its Boeing 777-300ERs. These older aircraft may end up with an off-the-shelf business class seat that many travellers will prefer to the bespoke product installed on its newer Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners. From 2027, Air New Zealand’s...