2PAXfly
VIRGIN AUSTRALIA: Extends COVID credits usage, but redemption date stays 30 June 2026
Virgin Australia has made a late concession on its COVID-era travel credits, extending the travel period for eligible credits issued between 21 April 2020 and 31 July 2022. Passengers still need to book by 30 June 2026, but they can now travel up to 27 May 2027. That is a...
2PAXfly
MIDDLE EAST: Australia eases travel warnings for key Gulf transit hubs
Australian travellers heading to Europe, the UK or Africa via the Middle East have been handed some qualified good news. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and the Smartraveller advice website have lowered advice for Bahrain, Israel, Kuwait, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates from Level 4, “Do...
2PAXfly
QANTAS: Project Sunrise announces first route, Sydney to London non-stop. Surprise, surprise!
CEO Vanessa Hudson just travelled to Airbus’ Toulouse headquarters to announce that London, from Sydney, would be the first Project Sunrise route, followed by New York. Is that really news? We knew it had to be an east coast departure, so that’s Sydney or Melbourne (Brisbane doesn’t have a First...
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...
Also on BoardingArea
View from the Wing
A Passenger Lost Headphones Flying To The Qatar World Cup. The Airline Returned Them Four Years Later [Roundup]
A passenger who lost his headphones on a Qatar Airways flight to the 2022 World Cup says the airline finally returned them nearly four years later, during the 2026 World Cup. Also: American forced a gate-check despite empty bins, fake wheelchair “hacks” hurt passengers who need help, Qantas scales back...
Traveling For Miles
Deal: 40% off Iberia Economy Class redemptions to/from the United States (select cities)
Iberia Plus has launched a Avios promotion on a handful of transatlantic routes for travel through September and the headline number doesn't lie - flyers can now enjoy a 40% reduction on the Avios needed for an Economy Class redemption for travel to and from three US cities in the...
From The Tray Table
First look: Qantas’ new Project Sunrise first class on the A350
If you’re looking to fly the world’s longest 22-hour flights in style, Qantas’ new first class on the…
Economy Class & Beyond
The Panasonic exNEO – Upgrading an airlines inflight experiance
We’ve seen lots of new screens appear over the past few years, but what about those aircraft that are hanging around longer with older in-flight entertainment screens? Pansonic Avionics is addressing this with their latest IFE screen – the eXNeo (New Electronics Option). The eXNeo (new electronics option) is not...
Live and Let’s Fly
Air Canada Passenger Lost Her Business Class Seat. Then The COO Gave Her His.
An Air Canada passenger lost her business class seat after a delay and rebooking, then struck up a conversation with a stranger at the gate about elite status. It turned out that stranger was Air Canada’s COO, who gave her his business class seat. Downgraded Air Canada Passenger Asked Stranger...
One Mile at a Time
United Employee Calls Out Passenger For “Offensive” Lesbian Shirt… And She’s Right
A lesbian traveler has taken to X to share an awkward interaction she had with a United Airlines flight attendant, who called her shirt offensive, and that post has gone viral. While I disagree with the exact words the flight attendant reportedly used, I completely agree with the idea of...
TravelUpdate
Earn 175,000 Points & 1 Free Night: Hilton Honors Aspire Card Review
With this limited time offer on the Hilton Aspire Card, you'll not only earn 175,000 Hilton Honors points but also earn 1 free night.
View from the Wing
FAA Lets Airlines Keep New York Airport Slots Without Flying, Blocking Competition Another Year
The FAA is letting airlines keep New York airport slots through 2027 even if they do not operate the flights, preserving incumbent control at JFK, LaGuardia, and Newark. The waivers are justified by air traffic control staffing problems, but they also block competition, limit passenger choice, and keep valuable government-granted...
Paddle Your Own Kanoo
Europe’s New ‘Free’ Hand Baggage Rules Don’t Actually Change Anything: Here’s What is Really Happening
Over the last few days, you’ve likely read that Europe is making a significant change to its passenger rights regulations. One of the more eye-catching updates is that airlines will be forced to allow customers to take hand baggage on board the aircraft, effectively banning low-cost carriers from charging an...
Frequent Miler
Recent wins and an unforced error with Capital One Shopping
I’m a big fan of the reliability of the Rakuten shopping portal (and the ability to earn either Amex Membership Rewards points or Bilt points through Rakuten). Over the years, I’ve also earned a lot through sites like TopCashback, Retailmenot, Mr. Rebates, and Be Frugal. Now and then, I get...
Eye of the Flyer
Air France Canceled a Family’s Award Tickets Three Times Then Accidentally Proved Staff Made Up the Fraud Excuse, and Watch This Koenigsegg Just Smash a World Record — Plus More Travel News!
Here are this week’s travel news headlines from around the web and interweb I found the most interesting. Take a look: Twitter Video Has a Tiny Private Jet Trash Talking a 747, and It’s Probably AI but I Love It This one is almost certainly AI-generated, but as an AvGeek...
Traveling For Miles
Qantas abandons plans for a dedicated First Class lounge in London
Qantas has dropped its long-standing plan to build a dedicated First Class lounge at London Heathrow. Instead, the airline's existing Heathrow Terminal 3 lounge will be reconfigured and given an invitation-only premium dining room, modelled on the one Qantas recently opened in Auckland.
One Mile at a Time
Qantas Takes Away Legroom On World’s Longest Flight, Going Back On Promise
In late 2027, Qantas will launch the worlds longest nonstop flight, from Sydney (SYD) to London (LHR), using specially configured Airbus A350-1000ULRs, in whats referred to as Project Sunrise. With a flight time of well over 20 hours, these flights will be an absolute marathon, especially for those in economy.
Live and Let’s Fly
U.S. Eases Conviasa Sanctions, Opening Door For Venezuela’s State Airline To Return
The U.S. Treasury Department has issued a new general license involving Conviasa, Venezuela’s state-owned airline, creating a path for U.S. persons to provide aircraft maintenance and airworthiness-related support to the sanctioned carrier. Does that mean Conviasa is suddenly returning to the United States? Not quite. But it is still a...
One Mile at a Time
Wild: Qatar Airways Returns Headphones Lost On Plane… Four Years Later
Typically if you leave something behind on a plane, you expect that it’ll either be returned to you pretty quickly, or not at all. So here’s a crazy story of a Qatar Airways passenger who left headphones on a plane, only to have them returned almost four years later. I...
One Mile at a Time
Qantas Backtracks On London Heathrow First Lounge: It Was All Fake Hype
In early 2023, Qantas announced plans to expand its network of first class lounges, by opening a new location in London. Qantas’ first class lounges are exceptional, so this is something that many of us were very excited about. There’s now an update, as this lounge is no longer in...
2PAXfly
VIRGIN AUSTRALIA: Extends COVID credits usage, but redemption date stays 30 June 2026
Virgin Australia has made a late concession on its COVID-era travel credits, extending the travel period for eligible credits issued between 21 April 2020 and 31 July 2022. Passengers still need to book by 30 June 2026, but they can now travel up to 27 May 2027. That is a...
The Bulkhead Seat
Marriott’s Design Hotels Adds 16 Palisociety Properties
Marriott’s Design Hotels has announced its largest portfolio expansion to date, signing agreements to…
Frequent Flyer Bonuses
Iberia Club Award Flight Sale: Receive a 40% discount to or from New York, Boston or Washington
Iberia Club’s next award flight sale is here and members can save up to 40% in Avios when redeeming for award flights on select routes to and from the U.S. (See the list below). Award flights on these routes start from 11,700 Avios. To take advantage of this offer you...
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
14 Tips to Fight Jet Lag
Upon arriving at your destination from a long international trip by airplane, you feel tired and are ready to go to bed for the night — but the time is only 1:00 in the afternoon. Why might this happen — and how do you combat the potentially significant discomfort to...
Frequent Miler
Chase Business Checking: $500 bonus after $2,000 deposit
Chase has extended a limited-time offer for new Business Checking enrollments: Get a $500 bonus with a $2K+ deposit. The money only needs to remain in the account for ~30-35 days, yielding a terrific return. This is the best deposit-to-earning ratio we’ve seen for a new Chase business checking account....
The Bulkhead Seat
Hilton Opens Reservations for Waldorf Astoria London at Historic Admiralty Arch
Hilton has officially opened reservations for the long-awaited Waldorf Astoria London – Admiralty Arch,…
Frequent Miler
Book a stay on Richard Branson’s private island for 750,000 Virgin points
One of the highlights of Greg the Frequent Miler’s worldwide travels was when he earned 1.2 million Virgin points in order to book a week on Richard Branson’s private island, Necker Island, during which he got to hang out with Sir Virgin himself. Since Greg’s trip, Necker Island redemptions went away, came...
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...
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...