2PAXfly
QANTAS & VIRGIN: What travellers need to know about the ban on power bank use on flights
If you’re the sort of traveller who boards a flight with your phone at 23%, a laptop on life support, and a power bank the size of a small brick, brace yourself. Australian airlines, that’s Jetstar, Qantas, QantasLink and Virgin Australia, are banning the use of portable power banks onboard...
2PAXfly
LOUNGE REVIEW: Adelaide Qantas Business Class lounge — ceiling leaks already
This is my first visit to the new Qantas Business Lounge at Adelaide Airport, which opened earlier this year, and was carved out of the old Qantas Club. Background For many years, Adelaide didn’t have a dedicated Qantas Business Class lounge. In August 2022, Qantas first announced plans to redevelop...
2PAXfly
AIR NEW ZEALAND: Airpoints loyalty program to become ‘Koru’ from April 2026
Air New Zealand has revealed some of the details of the makeover of its loyalty program., From April 2026, the long-running Airpoints program will be renamed and reborn as Koru. As well as a new name, there will be newly named tiers and new benefits. Air New Zealand CEO Nikhil...
2PAXfly
MELBOURNE AIRPORT: New AU$500m baggage system — fewer lost bags & faster check-in
Melbourne Airport says it’s about to drag its international baggage handling into the 21st century, with testing now underway on a half-billion-dollar, German-built, fully automated baggage system that promises faster processing, real-time bag tracking, and fewer bags going AWOL between check-in and carousel. The system, built by logistics heavyweight Beumer...
Also on BoardingArea
Points With a Crew
Hilton Honors American Express Card Review (100K Offer)
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
Should Military Personnel Receive Special Treatment as Airline Passengers?
As I waited to board the airplane as a passenger who was seated in the first class cabin earlier this week on Monday, November 17, 2025, one of the groups of passengers who were invited to board the airplane first were those people who are veterans or currently serving in...
You Are Travel
Choice Hotels is Joining the Safari Party
tl;dr – Yet another hotel chain is entering the points on safari fray.  We are living in ‘Pax… The post Choice Hotels is Joining the Safari Party appeared first on You Are Travel.
Frequent Miler
Capital One Shopping travel purchases: From “ineligible” to “pending” after travel is completed
Stephen recently covered a terrific targeted Capital One Shopping deal for TripAdvisor purchases. While Stephen reported the deal at 65% back, I actually got targeted for 70% back. I made a couple of bookings, all of which initially tracked as “ineligible”. However, as per Capital One Shopping terms, the purchase went from...
One Mile at a Time
Etihad’s Lowball Compensation For Broken TV & Shower In The Residence
Etihad’s The Residence is probably the most luxurious product in commercial aviation, as it consists of a three room suite. I recently reviewed the experience, and had a fantastic flight. Unfortunately a reader shared a less impressive experience with me, and it sounds like the handling of this by the...
Your Mileage May Vary
Airport Food Is Already Bad — These Five Managed to Be Worse
When you go to an airport, you know that chances are your options for food are usually going to be pretty limited. Sure, there might be a diamond in the…
2PAXfly
QANTAS & VIRGIN: What travellers need to know about the ban on power bank use on flights
If you’re the sort of traveller who boards a flight with your phone at 23%, a laptop on life support, and a power bank the size of a small brick, brace yourself. Australian airlines, that’s Jetstar, Qantas, QantasLink and Virgin Australia, are banning the use of portable power banks onboard...
You Are Travel
The Tallest Hotel in the World is Now Open and Bookable on Points
Tl;dr – Dubai, where else? IHG recently debuted the world’s tallest hotel, the Ciel Dubai Marina, part of… The post The Tallest Hotel in the World is Now Open and Bookable on Points appeared first on You Are Travel.
Monkey Miles
Chase makes Ink bonuses once in a lifetime ( no fee cards get family rule )
I was just alerted to new terms on the Chase Ink cards as seen below. Eligibility Rule Explanation: No Annual Fee Ink Cards – “The new cardmember bonus may not be available to you if you have ever had this card or any other Chase for Business card without an annual...
Frequent Miler
Capital One adds $100 travel credit to Quicksilver, VentureOne, and Savor offers (ending soon)
Update: The last day to apply for the increased welcome offers on the VentureOne, Quicksilver, and Savor cards will be 12/9/25. A $100 travel credit isn’t huge, but given that each of these cards is $200 or 20,000 miles otherwise, it does represent a pretty significant sweetener. ~~~ Capital One has...
You Are Travel
Bear Market: Japan Calling in the Military After Experiencing Record Number of Bear Attacks 
tl;dr – I know the government has been searching for ways to combat over-tourism, but…DAAAAMNNN this is next… The post Bear Market: Japan Calling in the Military After Experiencing Record Number of Bear Attacks  appeared first on You Are Travel.
View from the Wing
Viral ‘Virtual Queue’ Idea Says Planes Should Stay at the Gate Until Their Turn To Take Off — But That’s Not How Airports Actually Work
A viral proposal argues that planes should wait at the gate in a “virtual queue” instead of taxi-queuing for departure. But gate scarcity, runway-throughput requirements, and the need for a minimal physical queue mean the idea doesn’t match how airports actually operate. Continue reading Viral ‘Virtual Queue’ Idea Says Planes Should...
Frequent Flyer Bonuses
IHG Hotels & Resorts Cyber Sale – Save up to 25% on stays worldwide + up to 60% off Iberostar stays
IHG Hotels & Resorts Cyber Sale offer for 2025 has officially kicked off with up to 25% off stays at most hotels worldwide and up to 60% off Iberostar stays.   Save up to 25% on stays around the world IHG One Rewards members save 25%. Everyone else can save...
You Are Travel
The NFL Wants to Bring Back the Glory of the Concorde
tl;dr – At the heart of this? League Expansion. For almost a full two decades now, the NFL… The post The NFL Wants to Bring Back the Glory of the Concorde appeared first on You Are Travel.
Points With a Crew
Credit Card Rewards: Points versus Miles
Wondering what the difference is between airline miles, hotel points, and bank points? Learn what they are and and how to maximize the value of your points.
Your Mileage May Vary
How To Double-Dip With Starbucks Rewards & Marriott Bonvoy
If you’ve read this blog for a while, you already know we’re unapologetically pro-Starbucks when we travel. It’s predictable coffee in unfamiliar places, mobile ordering in chaotic airports, and an…
One Mile at a Time
Porsha Williams’ Delta First Class Inflight Kerfuffle: What Really Went Down?
On November 16, 2025, Real Housewives of Atlanta cast member Porsha Williams was seen being escorted off a Delta Air Lines flight by police. She had just flown Delta first class from Las Vegas (LAS) to Atlanta (ATL) after attending BravoCon, and we didn’t actually know what happened at the...
Frequent Flyer Bonuses
Get up to a 100% bonus when buying Alaska Airlines Atmos Rewards Points
The next buy points bonus for Alaska Airlines new Atmos Rewards program is here and it’s a good one. This new buy points bonus awards up to 100% more points until December 23, 2025. I don’t believe this version of the offer is a mystery bonus but do let me...
Frequent Miler
Get an extra $200 with the Virgin Atlantic 60K welcome offer via a dummy booking
Update 11/20/25: Through December 12th, 2025, the dummy booking offer for Virgin Atlantic Mastercard has increased to 60,000 plus a $200 statement credit, $100 better than the usual 60k + $100 offer. We don’t know if this is universal or targeted, but Stephen received an email with the offer, and I...
The Gate with Brian Cohen
Earn 15,000 Bonus Points Per Stay With All-Inclusive by Marriott Bonvoy Resorts
You can earn 15,000 bonus points per stay with All-Inclusive by Marriott Bonvoy Resorts with a minimum of four consecutive nights at 36 participating resort properties in the Caribbean and Latin America regions for travel between Saturday, January 17, 2026 and Sunday, April 26, 2026 in addition to the typical...
Live and Let’s Fly
My Unique Airport Departure Experience From Dili, Timor-Leste
My departure from President Nicolau Lobato International Airport in Dili was quite interesting before I even stepped onto the plane. Departing From Dili Airport Outside the airport is a statue honoring Nicolau Lobato. He is considered a national hero of the country. Leading separatist forces, he was killed by Indonesian...
{Tech} for Travel
Black Friday Deals 2025: Away moves premium travel gear into sale mode
Save big with Black Friday Deals 2025 on Away’s best-selling luggage, including the fan-favourite Carry-On, checked bags and travel sets. The post Black Friday Deals 2025: Away moves premium travel gear into sale mode appeared first on {Tech} for Travel.
TravelUpdate
Staying at the Hampton Inn near Sandton City in Johannesburg
I stayed at the Hampton Inn by Hilton which is near Sandton City in Johannesburg. Below is the…
One Mile at a Time
NTSB Finds Evidence Of Fatigue Cracks In Fatal UPS MD-11 Crash
On November 4, 2025, we saw a horrific accident, whereby a UPS McDonell Douglas MD-11 crashed while taking off from Louisville (SDF), killing the three pilots onboard, plus 11 people on the ground.
2PAXfly
EMIRATES: to roll out free Starlink WiFi for all cabins
Emirates is preparing to consign slow inflight Wi-Fi to the dustbin of aviation history, confirming it will roll out free, ultra-fast Starlink internet across its entire fleet of 232 Boeing 777s and Airbus A380s. This will create the world’s largest Starlink-enabled international fleet and marks a genuine turning point for...
2PAXfly
QANTAS: New A321XLR now flying Brisbane to Sydney route
Qantas’ newest narrowbody, the long-awaited Airbus A321XLR, has officially landed in Brisbane, beginning regular flights between Sydney and Brisbane from today. It’s another milestone in Qantas’ fleet renewal program,and the first time Queenslanders get to experience the most modern single-aisle aircraft flying. For passengers, the A321XLR represents a very real...
2PAXfly
FIJI AIRWAYS: Paul Scurrah, former Virgin boss returns to aviation
Fiji Airways has a new CEO, and he’s a familiar name to anyone who remembers the great Virgin Australia upheaval of 2020. Paul Scurrah, former Virgin Australia CEO, has taken over as Managing Director & CEO of Fiji Airways from 1 November 2025. This marks his long-anticipated return to the...
Wild About Travel
Air Japan exits after Just Three Short Years
I am heading to Japan from Bangkok in December, and I always like to keep my options open for flying. ANA Group’s subsidiary, Air Japan (NOT JAL Japan Airlines), has been strongly marketing itself as a key carrier at Bangkok Airport, operating several times a week from Bangkok to Narita...
2PAXfly
QANTAS: Hobart lounge cupboard to grow with redesign
This has been a long time coming for Tasmanian travellers. Qantas is about to upgrade and expand its famously poky Hobart lounge cupboard, sorry Hobart Qantas Club, with a redesign and expansion that is far more befitting for the island’s growing status as a premium destination. With an opening date...
2PAXfly
SINGAPORE: Green flying comes with a COST — Singapore slaps SAF levy on airfares
If you’re flying out of Singapore from mid-2026, get ready to pay a little extra to support the island state’s net-zero by 2050 sustainability initiative. From April next year, Singapore will introduce a green tax on airfares, the sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) levy. From October 2026, that tax will be...
2PAXfly
CATHAY PACIFIC: Return to servicing Hong Kong to Adelaide route three times a week for winter
Cathay Pacific is dusting off its Adelaide route, announcing a seasonal return to the South Australian capital with three flights a week between Hong Kong and Adelaide from 11 November 2025 through to 27 March 2026. The service will operate on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from Hong Kong (returning from...
Wild About Travel
Fire Over Kentucky: What People Miss in Plane Crash Fears
Last week, a UPS MD-11 crashed at Louisville’s Muhammad Ali International Airport, Kentucky, USA, shortly after takeoff. The jet, carrying an estimated 38,000 gallons (144,000 litres) of fuel, erupted into a massive fireball as it crashed into an industrial area about two kilometres from the airport, striking multiple buildings and...