Wild About Travel
BudapestBudapest: The Evolving Beauty of the DanubeBudapest, a tale fo two cities
September 8, 2024, by Martin J CowlingLeave A Comment OverviewBudapest has long been one of my favorite cities, and this winter visit marks my tenth time here. My first visit was back in 1990, when the city was still shaking off the remnants of communism and transitioning to capitalism. Nearly...
2PAXfly
QANTAS: Flight Credit changes and fee changes delayed
Qantas has been trying to reform the damage it self-inflicted on its reputation with everything from better food to more recognition on board for frequent flyer status. Then it goes and pisses it all against the wall with more punishing flight change fees. Fortunately, it has seen the folly of...
2PAXfly
THAI AIRWAYS: To re-launch Premium Economy?
Everything old is new again. Thai Airways has a reputation for having the most diverse fleet around. Different aircraft, with different seats, and a habit of plane substitution at the last minute. Thai used to have Premium Economy on some of its Boeing 777s and Airbus A340s, and it was...
Wild About Travel
World’s Highest Airports
On my recent Round the world trip via Colombia,Guatamea and Mxico, i fodnmsyekf flyingtrgogh some of ywjrod hiuhets aorrts incvouing Guatema, Vali in olimboa amnd mediilin colonioa’Ts got me flecting in how amybof the 288 aiprors i have ebne ot inteb hwoany wioud eb socndfred to be high It dpened...
Also on BoardingArea
Eye of the Flyer
Woman Falls Overboard and Dies on MSC Cruise, Computer Takeoff’s Coming, Salmonella Outbreak on Royal Ship, Mandatory Cruise Gratuities Not Going to Crew, EU Delays Biometric Checks and more Travel News!
Here are this week’s travel and cruise headlines and news from around the web and interweb: Woman dies after going overboard from MSC cruise ship Automatic Takeoff Coming to Passenger Jets in 2025 Sparks Debate Among Travelers: ‘Good Idea or Not?’ Outbreak on Royal Caribbean Ship Confirmed From Rare Cause...
One Mile at a Time
Japan Airlines Cash Upgrades On Domestic Flights: A Great Deal
In a previous installment, I shared my experience flying Japan Airlines’ domestic first class on an Airbus A350-900, from Sapporo to Tokyo. As I hinted at in the post, Japan Airlines has a pretty lucrative cash upgrade program, whereby you can buy upgrades on the day of departure at a...
Live and Let’s Fly
New Report: Fly Slower, Higher, Only Long Haul For Environment
A new report has a solution to reduce emissions by air travel: fly slower at higher altitudes and eliminate short haul flying. This should totally work.  If you are considering booking travel or signing up for a new credit card please click here. Both support LiveAndLetsFly.com. If you haven’t followed us on Facebook or Instagram, add us today....
One Mile at a Time
Delta Resuming Los Angeles To Shanghai Flights In 2025, Maybe
Delta Air Lines claims that it’s bringing back a transpacific flight in 2025, though I wouldn’t necessarily count on it. I first wrote about this a couple of days ago, but wanted to provide an update, as this flight is now on sale, so the schedule is also published.
One Mile at a Time
Delta Adds Minneapolis To Copenhagen Flights, Linking Up With SAS
A couple of weeks ago, Delta Air Lines announced its transatlantic expansion for 2025, which included seven new routes to Europe. A couple of days ago, the airline revealed one additional route, which seems like an obvious enough addition. I wanted to provide an update, as this route is now...
Nerd Ka Travel
Marriott Bonvoy and Aeroplan Enhance Loyalty Partnership, Offering Expanded Benefits for Members
In a significant development for frequent travelers, Marriott Bonvoy and Aeroplan have strengthened their partnership to offer enhanced benefits to their respective loyalty program members. The expanded relationship between Marriott International travel program, Bonvoy, and Aeroplan. Aeroplan is a loyalty
Frequent Miler
Last Chance Deals: LifeMiles & Leading Hotels of the World transfer bonuses, Giftcards.com 20% cashback & more
Welcome to our weekly list of what’s ending this week as well as a collection of some other deals that are due to end soon. Eight offers are due to end this week which includes transfer bonuses to Avianca LifeMiles and Leading Hotels of the World, both of which are from...
Points With a Crew
5 reasons I keep recommending the Chase Sapphire Preferred for people starting out
Amongst my friends and family, I'm considered the "credit card guy". When I'm asked for recommendations, most of the time it's the Chase Sapphire Preferred...
Economy Class & Beyond
Last Week at Economy Class and Beyond (12/13th October)
We’ve reached the end of another week as October continues to rush by us at high speed. It must be time for Last Week at Economy Class and Beyond. Time to Dine – The Bullring Markets, Birmingham Trip Report: Taking the Long Way (and back) to Singapore A full week of...
The Gate with Brian Cohen
What Is Wrong With This Photograph? Part 270
I was thankful that safety comes first as I was waiting for a connecting flight at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York while I was on my way from Chicago to Dublin recently. For this edition of this popular game, can you guess what... The post What Is Wrong With...
The Bulkhead Seat
2024 Weekly Review: October 12th
I spent most of the past week in meetings and attending Advertising Week in… The post 2024 Weekly Review: October 12th appeared first on The Bulkhead Seat.
Frequent Miler
Chase Ink shutdowns, RIP to LoungeBuddy and Amex limits Priority Pass access for Platinum cards (Saturday Selection)
Chase Ink shutdowns on the rise, LoungeBuddy becomes a dead program walking and Amex begins to put limits on the amount of yearly Priority Pass visits Platinum cardholders get. All that and more in this week’s Saturday Selection, our weekly round-up of interesting tidbits from around the interwebs (links to...
Your Mileage May Vary
Crazy Ways Airlines Have Reduced Weight On Planes, To Lower Fuel Costs
When you’re an airline (or any large-scale entity that serves the public), every little bit helps the bottom line. Is anybody else old enough to remember yogurt cartons that were…
The Bulkhead Seat
Politics Don’t Belong On Planes: Keep Your Rants and Chocolate to Yourself
I recently flew from Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) to Tampa International Airport (TPA)… The post Politics Don’t Belong On Planes: Keep Your Rants and Chocolate to Yourself appeared first on The Bulkhead Seat.
Travel Codex
Solar Eclipse Cruises 2026 – Already selling out
Witnessing a total solar eclipse is a unique experience. Watching the entire world around you go dark in the middle of the day is a surreal experience. The next total solar eclipse will be Aug 12, 2026. The total solar eclipse will be visible in Greenland, Iceland, Spain, Russia, and...
The Bulkhead Seat
American Airlines Adds Seasonal Cape Cod and Miami Flights
American Airlines is adding four new routes for Spring Break and summer travel. Both… The post American Airlines Adds Seasonal Cape Cod and Miami Flights appeared first on The Bulkhead Seat.
View from the Wing
Delta Set To Slash Business Class Perks: Premium Passengers Bracing For Coach-Level Fees
On last week’s Delta Air Lines earnings call, executives “drum[med] up excitement for premium product announcements in November.” That's when the airline is holding its Investor Day, and they've already told us what to expect: 'basic business class,' doing to the premium cabin what they've already done to coach. Continue reading...
Frequent Miler
(Update) Marriott & Aeroplan launch reciprocal status match opportunity
American Airlines and Hyatt aren’t the only airline/hotel combo announcing reciprocal benefits today. Air Canada Aeroplan and Marriott Bonvoy have launched a new partnership which offers status holders in one program status in the other. The Deal Aeroplan and Marriott Bonvoy members can match their status with the other program....
One Mile at a Time
Weekly Review: October 12, 2024
I hope everyone is having a nice weekend so far! I just wrapped up my super fun review trip to Asia, and am excited to be home and see my family and catch up on sleep. I had an amazing time, though. I have more travel planned in the coming...
Your Mileage May Vary
Status Matters For Some, But Most Of Us Should Ignore It
When it comes to frequent flyer programs, it’s important to understand their two main functions. The first is earning points by flying with the airline, using a co-branded credit card,…
Frequent Miler
GiftCards.com back on airline portals; targeted Capital One Shopping offer for 20% back
GiftCards.com is back on airline shopping portals — that may or may not have been the case for a while now, but we just noticed it and thought it may be notable for some readers who may have missed it. Furthermore, some members of the Frequent Miler team received an...
Live and Let’s Fly
Pretzel Beer Cheeseburger On United Airlines: Always A Safe Bet
While the “Italian Sub Sandwich” was not for me, the “Pretzel Beer Cheeseburger” was a very satisfying choice on United Airlines…but be sure to grab extra wipes as you board the plane. Taste Test: Pretzel Beer Cheeseburger On United Airlines I’ve been doing more domestic economy class flights lately…I find...
Miles To Memories
Type Away! My Favorite Customer Service Chat Capabilities
I've gradually warmed to customer service chat options with many businesses, but I particularly enjoy these over the myriad of others. The post Type Away! My Favorite Customer Service Chat Capabilities appeared first on Miles to Memories.
View from the Wing
Kamala Harris Chocolate Bar on American Airlines? Passenger’s Surprise Highlights Vanishing Inflight Politics This Year
An American Airlines passenger says that one of the flight attendants on board their recent Airbus narrowbody flight handed out Kamala Harris chocolate bars. He took to social media for an explanation from the airline... but then conceded that the chocolate bar was actually "kinda good." Continue reading Kamala Harris...
2PAXfly
QANTAS: Ex-CEO Alan Joyce prepares for PR war over new book
Alan Joyce has retained not just one, but two public relations flacks to handle the expected reputational damage from Joe Aston’s forthcoming book, ‘The Chairman’s Lounge: The inside story of how Qantas sold us out’ (Simon & Schuster), according to a story in the AFR. To say I was awaiting...
Wild About Travel
Helsinki: The Northern Jewel of the Baltic
Founded in 1550 by King Gustav I of Sweden, Helsinki has grown into a stunningly beautiful and highly enjoyable city, celebrated for its great quality of life. Situated on the southern coast of Finland, Helsinki spans 715 square kilometers (276 square miles) and overlooks the Baltic Sea. The city’s coastal...
2PAXfly
QANTAS: Shuffles Tokyo flights between Narita and Haneda Airports
Tokyo has two commercial airports: Haneda, which is closer to the city, and Narita, which is further away. Narita is seen as the most appealing airport because of its proximity to Tokyo. However, it also has a paucity of vacant slots, so they are much harder to obtain. Qantas flies...
2PAXfly
QANTAS: Takes A380 Super Jumbo to Johannesburg
Yesterday ( Monday, 30 September) saw the takeoff of the first-ever Qantas A380 flight to South Africa. The flight will also reintroduce First Class to the route, last seen in 2018. This represents a big increase in seats available on the route, some 130,000 per year, a near doubling of...
2PAXfly
VIRGIN AUSTRALIA: Returns to international flying with Qatar Airways deal
Qatar Airways gets its additional flights into Australia via wet leasing to Virgin Australia. Virgin Australia will now return to long-haul international flying when Qatar Airways takes up a 25% stake in the airline. Bain Capital, the current majority owner, now gets a partial payday from its investment in Virgin...
2PAXfly
REGIONAL EXPRESS: Why REX Airlines collapsed into administration — Four Corners documentary — ‘Fight Club’ tonight
This Monday at 8:30pm AEST, ABC Australia is broadcasting a Four Corners documentary on the demise of REX (Regional Express) Airlines, which ceased capital city flying and went into administration in the middle of 2024. It sounds juicy, partly because it documents the tension between the Board, led by Deputy...
2PAXfly
AIRCRAFT: Is the new BOEING 777X less than a year away from launch?
With the Boeing 747 almost entirely retired from passenger service and most airlines planning on retiring their Airbus A380s sometime in the 2030s, the industry is crying out for a new high-volume, long-distance aircraft. The Boeing 777X is one solution. Boeing’s troubles and delays The Boeing 777X project was reduced...
2PAXfly
QANTAS: Did Neil Perry really have anything to do with this?
Apparently, I’ve been complaining about the food on Qantas for a very long time. I found this short piece about ‘FLATS’ in my archive — purportedly, food in economy on a Qantas flight. Just what you need as an in-flight refreshment -something that looks like it’s from the black and...