2PAXfly
WEEKLY REVIEW: Sunday 22 February, 2026
Hope your weekend has been as enjoyable as mine, with a bit of theatre and a picnic. Below is a summary of the stories that appeared in the 2PAXfly blog over the last week. NEW ROUTES 2026 #3: Korean Air’s new Prestige Suites for Sydney By 2paxfly on 21 Feb...
2PAXfly
NEW ROUTES 2026 #3: Korean Air’s new Prestige Suites for Sydney
Korean Air has introduced the Prestige Suites 2.0 in Business Class for flights out of Sydney on its 787-10 Dreamliners from November 2025. I’m doing a series of posts on new routes in and out of Australia. Some are actually new routes, and some are new in the sense of...
Wild About Travel
Riga: The Baltic Capital That Punches Above Its Weight
I wasn’t sure what to expect from Riga. I’d heard it described as “small,” which completely undersells it. This city punches above its weight. Great architecture everywhere, working markets, good food, more affordable than much of Europe, and centeuetsi if history you can still see and feel on every street....
2PAXfly
NEW ROUTES 2026: Cathay Pacific returns to Adelaide November 2025
This seasonal route actually recommenced on 11 November 2025 and runs through until 27 March 2026. I’m including it, since it is very recent, and it will appear seasonally, returning in 2026 Introduction For years, Adelaide travellers learned to accept the ritual of having to haul their suitcases to Sydney...
Also on BoardingArea
One Mile at a Time
Chaos At Mexican Airports, As Cartel Attacks After Death Of “El Mencho”
If you have plans to travel to Mexico’s Jalisco region in the coming days, you may want to reconsider…
Your Mileage May Vary
Some Hotel Companies Still Offer Shareholder Benefits—Here’s What They Are
Owning stock in a publicly traded company is a way to potentially earn money. You always hear wild stories about people who purchased stock in a company, and X amount…
Paddle Your Own Kanoo
Airlines Rush to Cancel Flights to Puerto Vallarta After Coordinated City-Wide Cartel Attack
American citizens have been urged to shelter in place in the Mexican state of Jalisco after members of the CJNG Cartel carried out coordinated attacks in the popular tourist town of Puerto Vallarta and Guadalajara in response to the Mexican army’s killing of cartel leader ‘El Mencho.’ The cartel set...
Miles To Memories
Perkin’ Up – My Airline Elite Status Strategy with the Domestic Big Three
At the end of one qualification year and the beginning of another, I look at my current airline elite status strategy. The post Perkin’ Up – My Airline Elite Status Strategy with the Domestic Big Three appeared first on Miles to Memories.
View from the Wing
I Love the Bilt Palladium Card—But the Authorized User Card Drives My Wife (and Me) Crazy
I love my Bilt Palladium Card—it’s currently my favorite card for everyday spending, points-earning, and perks—but the authorized user experience drives my wife (and me) crazy. It comes with an unnecessary annual fee, tedious activation requirements, inconvenient charge authorization texts, and earns fewer points than the primary card, leaving me...
You Are Travel
Deal: Spend $250 on Airbnb, Get 5,000 Amex Membership Rewards
​tl;dr – A new targeted Amex offer for Airbnb ​If you’re an Amex cardholder planning an upcoming Airbnb… The post Deal: Spend $250 on Airbnb, Get 5,000 Amex Membership Rewards appeared first on You Are Travel.
You Are Travel
Airbnb CEO Provides Strongest Indicator Yet That a Loyalty Program is Coming
​tl;dr – Airbnb is in the ‘testing’ phase of a new loyalty program. ​I recently reviewed the transcript… The post Airbnb CEO Provides Strongest Indicator Yet That a Loyalty Program is Coming appeared first on You Are Travel.
One Mile at a Time
Best-Ever $50 Rakuten New Member Bonus: An Absolute No-Brainer
Link: Sign-up for a Rakuten account with a best-ever $50 bonus
Live and Let’s Fly
MileagePlus Changed the Game. Here’s What’s Really at Stake
United just restructured MileagePlus to punish non-cardholders. The bigger question is whether it will grow Chase card signups or push miles lovers elsewhere. United Airlines announced this week that MileagePlus is getting its biggest overhaul in more than a decade, taking effect April 2, 2026. The headlines have understandably focused...
Paddle Your Own Kanoo
“A Crisis of its Own Making”: DHS Forced into Embarassing U-Turn Over TSA PreCheck Suspension
Within hours of announcing the suspension of TSA PreCheck expedited security screening at airports across the United States, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has been forced into an embarrassing U-turn. Her agency has yet to explain the reason behind the reversal. Earlier on Sunday, Noem stated that emergency measures to...
One Mile at a Time
Atmos Rewards Ascent Visa Card: Worth The $95 Annual Fee?
Link: Learn more about the Atmos Rewards Ascent Visa Signature credit card
The Bulkhead Seat
More Than 3,163 US Flights Canceled as Powerful Nor’easter Comes to the Northeast
A powerful nor’easter is set to sweep across the Northeast. It has triggered widespread… The post More Than 3,163 US Flights Canceled as Powerful Nor’easter Comes to the Northeast appeared first on The Bulkhead Seat.
Points With a Crew
How to Hack the Airline Meal Voucher Racket
Many times you might get a meal voucher from an airline during delays. Did you know there's a hack to maximize the value that you get from every ...
Eye of the Flyer
DHS Reverses Course, Keeps TSA PreCheck Open
The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) quickly suspended its suspension of TSA PreCheck. On Saturday night, DHS announced TSA PreCheck and Global Entry would temporarily shut down starting Sunday, February 22, at 6:00 AM Eastern. Hours later, the agency reversed course. On Sunday morning, TSA announced that PreCheck...
Your Mileage May Vary
Do Hotel Best Rate Guarantees Still Work? One Real Example (And What’s Changed)
Most of the points and miles I earn for our trips come from credit card spending and sign-up bonuses. But that wasn’t always the case. There was a stretch when…
View from the Wing
United Will Operate 750 Daily Flights From Chicago—Leaked Slides Show Revenue Falling Nearly 3x Faster Than Elsewhere
United Airlines is flooding Chicago O'Hare with up to 750 flights per day this summer—its biggest schedule ever—but leaked internal slides reveal revenue per seat mile there is already falling 2.7 times faster than elsewhere. The airline appears willing to depress short-term profits, betting that American Airlines can't afford to...
One Mile at a Time
Laughable: DHS Reverses Course, Keeps TSA PreCheck Open
Earlier, I covered how the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced plans to shut down TSA PreCheck and Global Entry, due to the partial government shutdown. Well, there’s an update, which I guess shouldn’t come as a surprise at all.
The Bulkhead Seat
Breaking: TSA PreCheck® and Global Entry Will Remain Operational After All
Last night, I wrote about how the US Department of Homeland Security was suspending… The post Breaking: TSA PreCheck® and Global Entry Will Remain Operational After All appeared first on The Bulkhead Seat.
Live and Let’s Fly
AI Rental Car Scans Produce Questionable Reports, Real Bills
Hertz and Sixt are using AI scanners that automatically flag rental car damage. Customers are getting hit with surprise bills for marks no human eye can catch. If you have been on X this week, you may have already caught this post from @HustleBitch_ about rental car companies using AI-powered...
One Mile at a Time
Is First Class Worth The Premium? Here’s How I Go About Deciding…
Over the past decade, we’ve seen airlines in the United States do a better job of monetizing premium cabins, including first and business class. Back in the day, first class would be outrageously expensive. Most seats wouldn’t be sold, but rather, would go to people upgrading. Nowadays the percentage of...
One Mile at a Time
Is First Class Worth The Premium? Here’s How I Go About Deciding…
Over the past decade, we’ve seen airlines in the United States do a better job of monetizing premium cabins, including first and business class. Back in the day, first class would be outrageously expensive. Most seats wouldn’t be sold, but rather, would go to people upgrading. Nowadays the percentage of...
Paddle Your Own Kanoo
Connecting The Dots: How United Airlines is Terminating Flight Attendants For Sick Leave Abuse
United Airlines is using technology to ‘aggressively’ target flight attendants suspected of abusing sick leave, crew members at the Chicago-based carrier have been warned – although, in some cases, suspected ‘red flags’ might not be what they seem. Along with inappropriate social media posts, suspected sick leave abuse has now...
View from the Wing
Spirit Airlines Passenger Brings ‘Emotional Support’ Rotisserie Chicken Through TSA—Then Eats It Onboard
A Spirit Airlines passenger carried a rotisserie chicken through TSA security in a clear pet backpack, claiming it was his "emotional support animal"—then proceeded to enjoy it onboard, leaving passengers amused, staff stunned, and TSA officially unfazed.
The Gate with Brian Cohen
Ketch Rigged Sailboat in Antarctica. Sunday Morning Photograph.
While exploring Cuverville Island in Antarctica, I spotted a ketch rigged sailboat on the water and took photographs of it during the great weather we were enjoying. If you... The post Ketch Rigged Sailboat in Antarctica. Sunday Morning Photograph. appeared first on The Gate.
2PAXfly
NEW ROUTES 2026: Turkish Airlines plays long game—Australia’s almost-direct route to Europe
There are some exciting developments of routes that Australians can take between East Coast Australia and Europe. Some are non-traditional, some use newly available ultra long haul aircraft, and some are just airlines with extra aircraft expanding their route structures to add the continent of Australia to their network. This...
Wild About Travel
Understanding Cabin and Fare Classes to Unlock Airline Miles
As a frequent flier, I hold status in three programs: Virgin Australia, Qantas (oneworld), and Turkish (Star Alliance), and I juggle credits across all of them. I need to know, actually, how many miles I am getting or not getting when I am booking flight choices. For example, last year...
2PAXfly
AUSTRALIANS: Where and what kind of trouble they get into overseas
The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs (DFAT) has just released its State of Play report for the period 2023-24 period. The facts sheets make for interesting reading. It shows that Australians request consular services mostly when they get into trouble in Thailand (827). Second comes Indonesia (546), followed by the...
2PAXfly
WEEKLY REVIEW: Sunday, 15 February, 2026
Hope your weekend and Valentine’s Day celebrations have been as satisfying as mine. Below is a summary of the stories that appeared in the 2PAXfly blog over the last week. ETHIOPIAN AIRLINES: Launches flights to Melbourne, Australia in 2028 By 2paxfly on 14 Feb 2026 11:00 amEthiopian Airlines, a Star...
2PAXfly
ETHIOPIAN AIRLINES: Launches flights to Melbourne, Australia in 2028
Ethiopian Airlines, Star Alliance member and Africa’s largest airline, is reported as having confirmed it is targeting 2028 for its Australian debut. Group CEO Mesfin Tasew says the carrier will need roughly two years to secure the wide-body aircraft required for the ultra-long-haul mission to Australia’s east coast. “We will...
Wild About Travel
Chasing Frequent Flyer Status in a Stacked System
For context: I’m a frequent flyer who maintains status across multiple programs: primarily Virgin Australia Platinum, Qantas Platinum, and Star Alliance Gold. This isn’t unique. Many frequent flyers play multiple programs to maximise coverage and benefits. Are you one of them? Virgin Australia has been one of my “main homes”...
2PAXfly
WESTERN SYDNEY INTERNATIONAL: Preparing of passenger takeoff in October 2026
After years of construction, political debate and plenty of scepticism, Western Sydney International (WSI) is preparing to open for passengers later this year. Cargo flights are expected to commence mid-year The airport, built at Badgerys Creek and designed to operate 24 hours a day without a curfew, is positioning itself...
Wild About Travel
Terrific Turku, Finland’s Historical Capital. All You Need to Know
Turku is a low-key river city known for its university life and as a gateway to medieval Finland and the beautiful Turku Archipelago. Turku has tens of thousands of students across multiple universities and this creates a fun, youthful atmosphere. Quality‑of‑life index scores Turku slightly higher than Helsinki overall (Turku...