2PAXfly
FINNAIR: Melbourne to Helsinki flights via Bangkok from October 2026
Finnair is heading to Australia, and not just on a wet-lease to Qantas. The Helsinki-based oneworld carrier will commence a new daily service to Melbourne, beginning 25 October 2026 (subject to approvals). It will be operated with an Airbus A350. This will be the airline’s first-ever scheduled flights to Australia....
2PAXfly
VIRGIN AUSTRALIA: Antisemitic outburst by 19yo on Bali–Sydney flight
With Sydney siders still reeling from the massacre of those celebrating Hanukkah at Bondi Beach on Sunday, a 19-year-old passenger has been arrested on a Virgin Australia flight. The 19-year-old is accused of an alleged antisemitic outburst on board a Virgin Australia flight from Bali to Sydney. This incident comes...
Wild About Travel
A Personal Message in light of the Bondi massacre
Today’s post is a very personal one and I have wondered whether to post at all, but this is my blog, so here goes. I have written previously here about my experience four months ago when I was caught in a mass shooting at a local market in Bangkok. The...
2PAXfly
THAI AIRWAYS: Baggage changes. What you need to know
Baggage rules are changing at Thai Airways. In a major move, the airline is changing from weight-based allowances to a piece-based system, with weight and dimension limits for all passengers from 2 March 2026. Whatever class you are flying in first, business or the cheapest economy fare, your checked bags...
Also on BoardingArea
Live and Let’s Fly
Finnair Adds Melbourne Service Via Bangkok As Russian Airspace Closure Reshapes Its Network
Finnair is adding a new longhaul route to Australia with a cool new Fifth Freedom flight, but the real story is less about expansion and more about adaptation. Finnair Launches Melbourne Service With Fifth Freedom Flights From Bangkok Finnair has announced new “direct” service between Helsinki (HEL) and Melbourne (MEL),...
Pointalize
American Airlines Ends Basic Economy Miles Earning
Breaking: American Airlines ends mile and Loyalty Point earning on Basic Economy tickets effective Dec 17, 2025. We analyze the math and elite impact.
PointsMath
Promotion Weekly December 2025 Third Edition
Here are the ongoing points and travel promotions for this week. Previous Edition: Promotion Weekly December 2025 Second Edition This weekly edition is divided into two sections: Airline promotions and Hotel promotions. Use the links below to jump to what matters to you. Ending in the Next Seven Days These...
View from the Wing
Marriott Adds a “Destination Marketing Fee” at Kansas City Airport Fairfield — Pay $1.50 Extra So the Hotel Can Advertise to You
A Fairfield Inn near Kansas City Airport is listing a city-required $3 arena fee—and then, starting with January bookings, adding a separate $1.50 “Destination Marketing Fee.” Kansas City doesn’t list any such charge as a government fee, and nearby hotels don’t show it, making this look like a new, mandatory...
The Gate with Brian Cohen
What Nicknames and Mispronunciations Do You Dislike?
Chi-Town is way too cold. I would rather be in Hotlanta. I had just arrived from Frisco; and my next stop is the Big Apple. After that, I am off to LaLa Land for a meeting. That paragraph you just read contains terms which can cause people who are local to...
The Bulkhead Seat
Southwest Airlines Adds First-Ever Nonstop Service Between Las Vegas and Hilo
Southwest Airlines has expanded its Hawaiian network with new nonstop flights linking Las Vegas… The post Southwest Airlines Adds First-Ever Nonstop Service Between Las Vegas and Hilo appeared first on The Bulkhead Seat.
From The Tray Table
Delta One check-in is now available at every long-haul hub
If there’s one area where Delta’s flagship business-class experience consistently shines, it’s before you even take off. In… The post Delta One check-in is now available at every long-haul hub appeared first on From the Tray Table.
The Bulkhead Seat
Alaska Airlines Restores Nonstop Flights Between Paine Field and Portland in June 2026
Alaska Airlines will bring back nonstop service between Seattle Paine Field International Airport (PAE)… The post Alaska Airlines Restores Nonstop Flights Between Paine Field and Portland in June 2026 appeared first on The Bulkhead Seat.
One Mile at a Time
SkyTeam Airport Lounge Access Explained: It’s Kind Of Complicated
One of the great things about the big three global airline alliances is that they offer reciprocal lounge access for travelers. In this post, I want to take a closer look at the SkyTeam alliances lounge access policy, as understanding the nuances of airport lounge access can be complicated. We’ve seen some...
The Bulkhead Seat
Marriott Signs Its 100th City Express by Marriott Property in the United States and Canada
Marriott announced a milestone this week when it surpassed 100 signed agreements for City… The post Marriott Signs Its 100th City Express by Marriott Property in the United States and Canada appeared first on The Bulkhead Seat.
One Mile at a Time
Guide To Alaska Atmos Rewards Lifetime Million Miler Status
Many travel loyalty programs offer the ability to earn lifetime elite status. Ordinarily elite status has to be earned on an annual basis, so it sure is nice to be able to not worry about requalifying for status anymore.
Paddle Your Own Kanoo
Blink and You Missed It: Southwest’s 38-Minute Flight Attendant Hiring Frenzy Just Set A New Record
Southwest Airlines is known for rarely needing to open external applications to fill vacant flight attendant positions. Crew members at the Dallas-based carrier are pretty content, and attrition is low even by U.S. airline standards. Even when Southwest does need to hire flight attendants, it prefers to hire from its...
View from the Wing
Weekend at Bernie’s at the Gate — Family Accused of Wheeling Dead Grandmother Onto London Flight, Telling Crew She Was ‘Just Tired’
Passengers on a London-bound flight out of Málaga say they watched a family wheel an elderly woman onboard and insist she was already dead—after relatives told staff she was “just tired.” The airline disputes that, saying she boarded alive with a fit-to-fly certificate but died onboard before takeoff, forcing the...
Eye of the Flyer
Mistake That Cost Her Delta Medallion® Status, Why You Should Not Take a Year End Delta Mileage Run, Cruising NCL VIVA, Emptying my SkyMiles Account on One Trip
What an insane week this has been (for me). I started my trip home from the Norwegian VIVA on Saturday Morning – I got home at Midnight Monday night. My gosh I suffered a number of Delta related issues but more on that in the week to come. First up...
PointsMath
Ending Monday: Turkish Airlines Award Flight at 30% Discount [Till 22nd Dec’25]
Turkish Airlines Miles & Smiles was devalued last year. There used to be many sweet spots, which vanished with the devaluation. However, Turkish Airlines has been running some good promotions since the devaluation. Now, it has launched another good promotion: Get a 30% discount on Turkish Miles for Award Flights. Now, Turkish...
View from the Wing
Rome Will Charge Tourists $2.30 To Step Up To The Trevi Fountain — Starting February 1 [Roundup]
Rome will begin charging tourists €2 (about $2.30) starting February 1 to step up onto the stone steps at the Trevi Fountain, while the surrounding square remains free and residents won’t pay. Also in today’s roundup: an empty Excalibur check-in even with rock-bottom rates, a United first-class “fresh silverware” photo...
PointsMath
How Accor+ Explorer Stay Plus Works
Accor+ Explorer is a membership that comes with two stays plus benefits. Before the revamp, there were many unwritten rules for Stay Plus, and different members had different experiences. However, now Accor+ Explorer Stay Plus has been standardised, and let’s find out how it works. Which brands are eligible for...
Pointalize
New Credit Card? Do These 5 Things Immediately
Approved for a new credit card? Don't spend a dime until you do these 5 steps. From autopay hacks to unlocking zombie benefits, here is your 2025 setup guide.
Frequent Miler
A toast to the Bonvoyed awards winners, our best flights, new coupon restaurants, and more (Week in Review)
One of the things I love about Greg the Frequent Miler is his enduring optimism. Not one to dwell on bad news, Greg is a master of finding the silver linings. However, this week’s points and miles news made that surprisingly difficult even for a serial optimist. That, in turn,...
One Mile at a Time
What’s The Minimum Drinking Age On Flights? It Ranges From 16 To 21…
While I yearn for the days where I was young enough for this to be relevant to me, I figure it’s still a topic worth addressing, for any younger OMAAT readers. What’s the minimum age to drink onboard a flight? Well, it’s not always that straightforward…
Paddle Your Own Kanoo
Investigators Probe Bizarre Theory That a Cockpit Sun Visor May Have Been The Cause of Boeing 737 Engine Shut Down Just After Takeoff
Aircraft accident investigators have opened a probe into a serious incident in which one of two engines on a Boeing 737MAX aircraft with as many as 197 passengers on board suddenly shut down immediately after takeoff at just 8,000 feet. The cause of the engine shutdown? Investigators are examining whether...
One Mile at a Time
Giving Feedback When Checking Out Of Hotels: When Is It Worth Doing?
I’ve written about how to complain to hotels to get the best outcome, in situations where things go wrong. However, in this post I’d like to address a topic that’s along similar lines, but a little different — under what circumstances is it worth providing feedback when you check-out of...
Points With a Crew
Hilton Honors American Express Card Review (100K Offer and no annual fee!)
The American Express Hilton Honors card has an excellent welcome offer and benefits for a card with no annual fee. This is definitely a card to consider adding to ...
The Gate with Brian Cohen
Preparing For a Trip to Antarctica
Preparing for a trip to Antarctica is not the same as preparing for virtually any other travel experience. Antarctica is a hostile and untamed environment that — save for scientists and researchers — is uninhabited by human beings. No store is available if you have forgotten something. Medical emergencies take...
Wild About Travel
What the new US entry rules really mean.
This week, media and travellers are reacting to a new US proposal that would greatly expand the data the US collects from applicants under the ESTA Visa waiver program. In this post, I delve into what it means for those of us who use visa‑waiver travel to go to the...
2PAXfly
QANTAS: Power banks banned from todaym 15 December. What you need to know
From today, Monday 15 December 2025, Qantas, Jetstar and QantasLink has banned the use of portable power banks on all flights. Qantas group airlines are joining a growing list of airlines responding to a sharp rise in lithium battery fires in cabins and lounges worldwide. You’ll still be allowed to...
2PAXfly
BORDERS: Visa Waiver Program to require social media, phone numbers and IP history from Australians
Australian travellers who want to head to New York at Christmas, or Coachella in spring, or to trek through the Grand Canyon may soon face a very different pre-departure checklist. It could soon include handing over five years of social media accounts, five years of phone numbers, and 10 years...
2PAXfly
QANTAS: A380 wing panel peels on first flight out of mothballs
Qantas’ big, shiny, triumphantly returned Airbus A380 has been unceremoniously benched in Los Angeles after part of its left wing peeled apart on its first commercial flight back in service. This happened after news releases only a few days ago with Qantas chest-beating about the superjumbo’s grand return after a...
2PAXfly
QATAR AIRWAYS: Surprise CEO dumping without explanation. Why?
In a surprise move a few days ago, Qatar Airways has replaced its chief executive with immediate effect. This is the second leadership change in just a couple of years after Akbar Al Baker relinquished his 27-year reign. The Gulf carrier appointed Hamad Ali Al-Khater as its new Group CEO...
2PAXfly
QANTAS: International flights return to the Gold Coast (OOL). Fly direct to New Zealand 3 times a week
In a win for Gold Coast travellers, Qantas is bringing back overseas flights from the Gold Coast (formerly Coolangatta) Airport for the first time in almost five years. Qantas will launch Gold Coast to Auckland services from 16 June 2026. This will reconnect Queensland’s beach capital with New Zealand three...
2PAXfly
QANTAS: New Auckland International Lounge opens in New Zealand
Qantas is scheduled to open its new Auckland International Lounge on 17 December 2025, just in time for the Christmas rush. Unlike the old space (which was in desperate need of attention), the new lounge features a 60% larger footprint and can accommodate more than 370 passengers. Qantas has combined...
2PAXfly
HEATHROW: A car park robbery turns into a full-blown airport emergency
If you’ve ever felt that Heathrow’s Terminal 3 car park was a little too chaotic on a normal day, Sunday morning took things to an entirely new level. A woman was robbed of her suitcase inside a lift at Heathrow’s Terminal 3 car park. The attackers deployed what police believe...