2PAXfly
TURKISH AIRLINES: Non-stop Australia flights delayed until 2027
Turkish Airlines’ promised non-stop flights between Istanbul and Australia have slipped again, with Sydney now expected by the end of 2027 and Melbourne pushed into 2028. That is the bad news. Turkish Airlines plans to fly a specially configured Airbus A350-1000, heavy on premium seats, fitted with the airline’s new...
2PAXfly
VIRGIN AUSTRALIA: biggest Boeing 737 is coming — eventually
Virgin Australia has put a date, of sorts, on the next stage of its fleet renewal. It expects to receive its first Boeing 737-10 in late 2027. That’s like more than 12 months away. The PR department must have been light on for stories to report for this to be...
2PAXfly
BOEING: Bird strikes, smoke and the cabin air problem that won’t go away
There are bird strikes. There are fume events. And then there are bird strikes that lead to smoke or oil mist entering the cockpit and/or cabin. That is the issue now ruffling feathers around Boeing’s 737 MAX, its LEAP-1B engines, and the regulators charged with deciding whether this is a...
2PAXfly
WEEKLY REVIEW: Sunday 14 June, 2026
Greetings from Canada (I’m still here)! I’ve actually spanned the continent and just spent some delightful days enduring the cold of Newfoundland. I’ve also seen puffins at Gull Island and whales out of Bay Bulls Harbour. Both of which were wonderful experiences. Arrival at Montreal, not so much, but they...
Also on BoardingArea
Miles For Family
Booked a last-minute getaway on miles and points
I just got back from a trip to Asia, and re-entry has not been easy. So I must be crazy to think about traveling again in the near future, right? Well, having miles and points makes you do crazy things. After discovering my work schedule is giving me an extended...
Economy Class & Beyond
Norweigan to purchase Nordic Leisure Travel Group
It seems that Norwegian (operators of Norwegian Air Shuttle and Widerøe) is on a strengthening spree, with the group to acquire the Nordic Leisure Travel Group. The Nordic Leisure Travel Group (NLTG) is a leading company in hotel and leisure travel experiences in the Nordics. The transaction brings together household...
View from the Wing
Thousands Of American Airlines Employees Said New Uniforms Made Them Sick. 10 Years Later, Appeals Court Says They Couldn’t Prove It
Thousands of American Airlines employees claimed the carrier’s 2016 uniforms caused rashes, respiratory symptoms, and other health problems. A federal appeals court has now ended one major case, ruling the employees lacked admissible expert evidence proving the uniforms caused their symptoms.
Traveling For Miles
Get at least 15% off IHG’s best flexible rates in its latest Europe & UK sale
IHG's current global points promotion isn't really worth getting excited about and in what appears to be a further bid to bore members to death, it has now launched an equally dull European sale in which it's offering discounts "from 15%" for stays through March next year.
Frequent Miler
The Edit by Chase Travel℠ price match success….sort of
Over the weekend, I read a post at Dan’s Deals with great interest as he detailed his experience filing a price match guarantee claim for a booking made through Chase Travel℠ for a property under The Edit (Chase’s luxury hotel booking platform). I was excited to learn that it is...
Live and Let’s Fly
Wizz Air Releases A Pop Song With INNA, But Starlink Wi-Fi Is The Real Headliner
Wizz Air has teamed up with Romanian pop star INNA for a Wizz Air-themed summer song called “Wizz Away.” I have no idea who INNA is, but the song is actually catchy and the marketing move is at least more memorable than another fare sale…though I’d think the budget carrier...
Live from a Lounge
American Express Membership Rewards will soon lose Etihad Guest as of July 1, 2026 in India as global partnership winds down
American Express India has finally announced that it, too, will leave Etihad Guest as a transfer partner as of July 1, 2026. Here are the details.
No Work All Travel
Flight Review: Japan Airlines Business Class Tokyo to Jakarta
Owing to a rare upgrade, I recently experienced Japan Airlines business class from Tokyo Narita to Jakarta.   Check-in Japan Airlines (JAL) currently uses Terminal 2 at Tokyo Narita International Airport. Some airport hotels offer shuttles both to the larger (of 2) AEON mall complex, and the airport, so I...
Live from a Lounge
Air India introduces Basic Fares on domestic routes, making complimentary meals optional for some passengers
Air India has launched fares without meals. Available on 40 routes for now, these fares will get you a fare without a meal on board, in exchange for cheaper fares.
One Mile at a Time
European Union Adds New Carry-On Bag Rules: How Will Ryanair Market Flights?!
The European Union has just finalized some new regulations that will impact airline passengers. In a separate post, I covered how we’re going to see positive reforms to Europe’s (already) generous flight delay compensation scheme. That came as a surprise, since the belief was that the policies were going to...
One Mile at a Time
European Union Updating Flight Delay Compensation Rules… For The Better!
The European Union has the most consumer friendly policies in the world when it comes to what passengers are entitled to in the event that their flight is significantly delayed or canceled. This policy is known as EC261 (often referred to as EU261), and it entitles consumers to compensation in...
One Mile at a Time
193-Room St. Regis London Opens Late 2026 (After Big Delay), Now Bookable
London is one of the most premium hotel markets in the world, though it’s a city that has surprisingly few luxury points hotel options. That’s slowly changing, though we’re having to be really patient, given constant construction delays.
Points With a Crew
Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Review – New Higher Welcome Offer And Checked Bag Benefit
KEY LINK: Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card – Limited Time Offer: Earn 90,000 Bonus Miles after spending $6,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Offer ends 7/15/26. $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $150 (see rates and...
The Gate with Brian Cohen
Seat Swap Requests and Paid Seat Assignments: What Would You Do?
While I was seated in the economy class cabin aboard an airplane during the boarding process for a flight, a passenger attempted to trade his middle seat with a woman who was sitting in an aisle seat because of frequent lavatory use as the reason. That had me thinking about...
Frequent Miler
Wyndham Amex Offer for midscale brands: Spend $250 & get $50 back
There are three different types of targeted Wyndham Amex Offers at the moment. We’ve already written about the one for luxury brands and the one for value brands; this post is about the offer for midscale brands. The Deal Spend $250+ on room rate & room charges at Wyndham midscale...
The Bulkhead Seat
Which US Airports Have the Cheapest Airfare? 2026 Rankings Revealed
A new analysis of government data has revealed which US airports offer travelers the…
Frequent Miler
Chase Travel℠ / The Edit: Best Rate Guarantee | Coffee Break Ep110 | 6-16-26
Chase has been slowly rolling out a Best Rate Guarantee for Chase Sapphire Reserve® cardholders who book hotels through Chase Travel℠. We’ll talk about what that means in today’s episode. Chase Travel / The Edit: Best Rate Guarantee Watch the full episode below, or listen on your favorite podcast platform....
The Bulkhead Seat
Hilton Honors Reveals Final Round of 250-Point America Experiences
Back in May, I wrote about the new “Hilton Honors America Experiences,” powered by Hampton…
The Bulkhead Seat
Hotel Owners Push for More Money for Marriott Bonvoy® Award Redemptions
A coalition representing nearly 1,000 Marriott-affiliated hotels is urging Marriott International to make changes…
Your Mileage May Vary
Dude Tried The Oldest Trick in the Book to Cut the Airport Line. It Didn’t End Well.
When stuck on a long line, a certain tribal instinct starts to kick in. People know where they are in the line, as well as exactly who’s in front of…
Frequent Miler
Q3 2026 activation links for cards offering 5% in rotating categories
Chase Freedom and Freedom Flex, Discover It, US Bank Cash+, and Citi Dividend cards all have rotating quarterly categories that earn 5% back, and the new categories for Q3 2026 are now live. Below are the details of each card’s categories from July 1 to September 30, 2026, along with...
2PAXfly
TURKISH AIRLINES: Non-stop Australia flights delayed until 2027
Turkish Airlines’ promised non-stop flights between Istanbul and Australia have slipped again, with Sydney now expected by the end of 2027 and Melbourne pushed into 2028. That is the bad news. Turkish Airlines plans to fly a specially configured Airbus A350-1000, heavy on premium seats, fitted with the airline’s new...
View from the Wing
IHG Will Start Letting 18-Year-Olds Check Into All Its Hotels Worldwide
IHG will standardize its global minimum check-in age at 18, giving young travelers a clearer policy than Marriott, Hilton, or Hyatt. Hotels may still face local law and franchise compliance issues, especially at casino properties, college-town hotels, and resorts worried about parties or alcohol rules.
Points With a Crew
Which Marriott credit card is the best? (150,000 Points Or 4 Free Nights)
There are 5 different Marriott credit cards - each with their own set of perks and benefits. Let's take a look at the pros and cons and decide which Marriott card is best
2PAXfly
QANTAS: introduces confirmed upgrades with cash
Qantas has added a new way to upgrade your seat that takes the element of chance out. Confirmed Upgrades is a fixed-price cash upgrade offer for selected passengers on selected Qantas flights, with confirmation (or not) within half a day. This becomes the third form of upgrade you can use...
2PAXfly
WESTERN SYDNEY AIRPORT: Finally an opening date, and Jetstar gets first dibs
Western Sydney International Airport will welcome its first paying passengers on Sunday, 25 October 2026, with Jetstar being the first commercial passenger carrier off the tarmac. The inaugural flight from Western Sydney International, officially the Nancy-Bird Walton Airport and known by the code WSI, will be a Jetstar flight, JQ362,...
Wild About Travel
draft Kalogorlei ourback tnwn
I almost came to Kalgoorlie decades ago but never made it. I have travelled across Western Australia’s 2,527,013 square kilometres (975,685 sq mi), from Esperance in the south to Wyndham in the north, and through many towns, beaches, deserts, and mountain ranges in between. I love the state. Kalgoorlie remained...
2PAXfly
RIYADH AIR: New aviation deal with Saudi Arabia puts passennger flight on Australia’s horizon
Saudi Arabia has signed a new aviation agreement with Australia, opening the way for direct flights into Avalon in Victoria and Toowoomba Wellcamp in Queensland. The first flights are likely to be freight, chilled meat, seafood and dairy and not business class suites. But this raises the possiblity that Riyadh...
2PAXfly
RIYADH AIR: Initial destinations and flight schedule
We finally have the launch schedules and first five destinations for the long-awaited launch of Saudi Arabia’s Riyadh Air. Launch pricing is intriguing rather than sensational, but at least any travellers on these flights will get the full Riyadh experience in Riyadh Air’s fully kitted-out cabins. But don’t expect an...
2PAXfly
INDONESIA: Bali giveth to Australians, and taketh away from influencers
Bali is preparing to make holidays cheaper for Australians by restoring visa-free entry. At the same time, Indonesian immigration authorities are making life more complicated for influencers, content creators and assorted digital nomads by requiring them to obtain work visas. No longer will they be able to treat a tourist...
2PAXfly
QANTAS: Taj hotel discounts for frequent flyers, with future status match
OneWorld executives have been busy. Qantas frequent flyers can now receive discounts at more than 630 Taj and Indian Hotels Company properties, under a new partnership linking the Oneworld airline alliance with the Taj InnerCircle–NeuPass loyalty program. The agreement stretches beyond Taj’s grand palaces and luxury hotels to include everything...
2PAXfly
ONEWORLD: Philippine Airlines is joining, and that’s good news for Australian travellers
Philippine Airlines (PAL) is preparing to join the oneworld alliance, bringing a Southeast Asian carrier into the same airline family as Qantas. The Philippine flag carrier has signed a Memorandum of Understanding to become oneworld’s 16th member, following an invitation from the alliance’s governing board. The announcement was made at...