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...
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One Mile at a Time
Why Do Some Airplane Seats Have Shoulder Belts? Or Airbag Belts?
There are so many different types of airplane seats out there, and they all have their own unique design quirks. Along those lines, have you ever noticed how some first and business class seats have three-point seatbelts (that go over your shoulder), while others don’t? Let’s talk about why that...
Your Mileage May Vary
Why It’s Suddenly Hard to Lift the Armrest on Some Southwest Planes
Quick tip: On Southwest’s newly retrofitted 737-800s, the aisle armrest release button is behind the hinge near the seatback, not underneath the arm. Press firmly while lifting. Southwest’s cabin retrofits…
Miles To Memories
Chase Offers: Spend $600 Through Chase Travel, Get $100 Credit
Chase has launched a new Chase Offer for Sapphire, Freedom, Ink, and J.P. Morgan Reserve cardholders, offering a $100 statement credit when they spend at least $600 on Chase Travel in a single transaction. The post Chase Offers: Spend $600 Through Chase Travel, Get $100 Credit appeared first on Miles to...
View from the Wing
Southwest Airlines Sued For Abandoning Wheelchair Passenger in Airport Bathroom—Offers $150 Voucher
A passenger is suing Southwest Airlines, claiming the airline denied her wheelchair assistance and then left her stranded in an airport restroom, causing severe emotional distress—Southwest responded by offering just a $150 voucher.
Paddle Your Own Kanoo
Flight Attendant Killed in Horror Highway Smash On Way To Visit the Taj Mahal During Layover
A flight attendant working for LOT Polish Airlines has been killed in a horror highway smash during a layover in Delhi, India. The crew member, along with a female colleague, was using the work trip to visit the Taj Mahal, one of the Six Wonders of the World. Local police...
The Bulkhead Seat
Unruly Passenger Forces Delta Air Lines Flight Back to Houston After Midair Antics
A Delta Air Lines flight traveling from Houston’s William P. Hobby Airport (HOU) to… The post Unruly Passenger Forces Delta Air Lines Flight Back to Houston After Midair Antics appeared first on The Bulkhead Seat.
Frequent Miler
Earn 2x MQDs with targeted Delta credit card spending offers
Some Delta credit cardholders are being targeted with a spending offer awarding double Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQDs) on all spend through May 17. The Deal Earn 2x Medallion Qualification Dollars per $20 spent on a targeted Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card or Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card....
Frequent Flyer Bonuses
Qatar Airways Privilege Club: 50% bonus Avios on flights out of Doha (Feb 18 Bonus Offer Highlight)
Today's bonus offer highlight has Qatar Airways celebrating Ramadan with 50% bonus Avios on flights out of Doha, Qatar! Check out all of the new bonuses added today: The post Qatar Airways Privilege Club: 50% bonus Avios on flights out of Doha (Feb 18 Bonus Offer Highlight) appeared first on Frequent...
Economondo
Royal Brunei Dreamliner Review: Sampling the Cheapest Direct Flight from Dubai to London
Flying with Royal Brunei Airlines on their fifth freedom overnight slog from Dubai to London Heathrow
Points Miles and Bling
How Bad Is Basic Economy in Canada, Really?
After a recent Porter basic economy flight from Miami to Vancouver (via Toronto) and back, and amid many emotions along… The post How Bad Is Basic Economy in Canada, Really? appeared first on Points Miles and Bling.
One Mile at a Time
Miami Airport Wait N’ Rest Airside In-Terminal Sleep Pods Now Open
Back in June 2024, Miami-Dade officials approved plans for in-terminal sleep pods at Miami International Airport. There’s now an update, as this facility has opened, so we have all the details.
Frequent Miler
Buy World of Hyatt points for 2.08 cents per point
World of Hyatt is running another sale on its points. While the pricing isn’t spectacular, it might be of interest if you don’t have a stash of Chase Ultimate Rewards or Bilt points. The Deal Save 20% when buying 7,000+ World of Hyatt points (2.08 cents per point). Direct link...
Paddle Your Own Kanoo
Unruly Passenger Forces Delta Air Flight From Houston Hobby To Make Emergency Diversion Just 10 Minutes After Takeoff
An unruly passenger prompted the emergency diversion of a Delta Air Lines flight from Houston Hobby Airport (HOU) to Atlanta Hartsfield (ATL) early on Wednesday morning, just 10 minutes after the plane had taken off. Initial reports claimed that the passenger had attempted to breach the cockpit, although a spokesperson...
One Mile at a Time
Very Nice: Kazakhstan’s Air Astana Orders Up To 18 Boeing 787-9s
It’s an exciting period for aviation in Central Asia, as in recent times we’ve seen aircraft order announcements from Air Astana, Somon Air, and Uzbekistan Airways.
View from the Wing
Passenger Secretly Sketches Flight Attendant Mid-Flight, Posts Online to Find Her—Sweet Gesture or Just Creepy?
A passenger secretly sketched an Emirates flight attendant during a recent flight, gifting her the surprise portrait as they landed—and then posted the whole encounter online to find her. The internet finds it adorable, but was this sweet gesture actually a little creepy?
The Gate with Brian Cohen
Save Up to 25% With IHG One Rewards
You can save up to 25% with IHG One Rewards for stays at participating hotel and resort properties in the United States, Canada, Mexico, the Latin America region, and the Caribbean region through Thursday, April 30, 2026... ...but you must... The post Save Up to 25% With IHG One Rewards appeared first...
Economy Class & Beyond
Lufthansa unveils its retrofitted A320 cabin
Lufthansa is retrofitting a number of its existing Airbus A320ceo (current engine option – the original production run of the A320) with new products inside the aircraft. The modernised cabin will be installed on 38 A320 aircraft, with a planned retrofit rate of one aircraft every 30 days. The first...
Frequent Miler
Negative Bank of America Preferred Rewards upcoming changes: Lower bonus rewards, higher eligibility requirements
Bank of America tends to fly under the radar when it comes to travel credit cards despite issuing cards for Alaska Airlines/Atmos Rewards, Air France/KLM Flying Blue, Spirit Airlines, and more. A key reason for that is the lack of a transferable points program. Where it has often drawn people’s...
You Are Travel
Hilton’s Newest Property in Niseko Makes for Intriguing Ski-In Ski-Out Adventures
​tl;dr – A sneaky points option for when the Park Hyatt Niseko is out of reach. ​Hilton loyalists… The post Hilton’s Newest Property in Niseko Makes for Intriguing Ski-In Ski-Out Adventures appeared first on You Are Travel.
Live and Let’s Fly
Yale Professor’s Defense Of American Airlines CEO Robert Isom Collapses Under Scrutiny
A Yale management professor has stepped into the middle of American Airlines’ labor revolt with an opinion piece so lavish in its praise of CEO Robert Isom that it demands closer scrutiny. The column, published in Fortune, purports to offer “strategic context” for American’s underperformance and union backlash, but instead...
The Bulkhead Seat
Air Force One’s Iconic Light Blue Is Being Replaced by Trump’s Bold New Paint Job
Part of the US Air Force fleet used for executive transport is about to… The post Air Force One’s Iconic Light Blue Is Being Replaced by Trump’s Bold New Paint Job appeared first on The Bulkhead Seat.
TravelUpdate
Lufthansa Expands Partnership With Air India
Lufthansa expands partnership with Air India, along with the other members of the Lufthansa group. On February 17,…
Paddle Your Own Kanoo
United Airlines Flight Attendants Confident They Can Secure Contract Deal Next Month But Still Aren’t Backing Down On Concessions
The union that represents more than 30,000 flight attendants at United Airlines says it is increasingly confident that a contract deal “can and should” be reached next month, after years of protracted and, at times, combative negotiations that have strained labor relations at the Chicago-based carrier. With two more federally...
One Mile at a Time
Air Force One Will Get Trump’s Preferred “Patriotic” & Gold Livery
Us aviation geeks tend to be more interested in aircraft liveries than the average person. Along those lines, the United States Air Force jets that carry the country’s top leaders will soon be getting a new look, inspired by Trump’s personal plane.
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...
2PAXfly
QANTAS: I know when the next double status promotion is going to start.
Let’s start by confessing that the headline is a lie. No one knows when the promo will drop, except a small group within the Qantas promo team! What I am about to present is just speculation, some of which is my own, and some is drawn from the knowledge and...
2PAXfly
AUSTRALIA: Airlines claim passenger protections ‘unworkable’. Surprise!
Australia’s airlines are pushing back hard against the federal government’s proposed aviation consumer protections, warning the reforms are “unworkable”, confusing, and will push up airfares. Not very imaginative arguments, and ones that every consumer protection initiative has faced. What’s the government proposing? The government, led by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese,...
Wild About Travel
A Moomin Pilgrimage Through 80 Years of Finnish Magic
I just spent two amazing weeks in Finland, which remains one of my favourite countries in the world. This trip: Helsinki, Rovaniemi, and Turku. I’m still processing everything I experienced. The timber architecture of Rovaniemi, the frozen Baltic where ships should be, and now this: my Moomin pilgrimage across 80...
2PAXfly
WEEKLY REVIEW: Sunday, 8 February 2026
Hope your weekend has been as good as mine. Below is a summary of stories that appeared in the blog over the last week. QANTAS: Gets A321XLR configuration very wrong. Too few loos. By 2paxfly on 06 Feb 2026 12:17 pmWhen Qantas began introducing its new Airbus A321XLRs, the focus...
2PAXfly
QANTAS: Gets A321XLR configuration very wrong. Too few loos.
When Qantas began introducing its new Airbus A321XLRs, the focus was on longer range, larger overhead bins, and a more modern onboard experience. Instead, they got one incredibly basic thing wrong. It has become the talking point amongst passengers. That is, not enough toilets, or colloquially, ‘too few loos’. For...