2PAXfly
EMIRATES: Premium Economy now available for frequent flyer seat redemptions
Emirates was slow to the party on introducing a Premium Economy cabin, with its previous CEO, Tim Clarke even dismissing the possibility, before having to backflip. Now, Emirates Skywards members can unlock Premium Economy seats as Classic Rewards or upgrades. Until now, you could burn your Skywards stash on economy,...
2PAXfly
QANTAS: First routes and flights for A321XLR released. Available for booking
The public can now book seats on Qantas’s brand-new Airbus A321XLRs, with the first commercial flights scheduled for Thursday, 25 September 2025. These aircraft promise a noticeable upgrade in comfort and connectivity for passengers used to the trusty old Boeing 737-800s. The first two aircraft, named Great Ocean Road (VH-OGA)...
2PAXfly
VIRGIN AUSTRALIA: Jayne Hrdlicka pockets almost AU$50 million as ex-CEO
And, we through Alan Joyce was well paid. Turns out you can earn even better with a smaller airline. Virgin Australia’s former CEO, Jayne Hrdlicka, has pocketed almost $50 million for her time at the airline. Depending on how you count it, she has earnt closer to $55 million, according...
Wild About Travel
Champagne Up Front: Thai Drops First, Who Keeps It Alive?
From Railway to Runway Some quick history. The class system in air travel, evolved from the British railways of the 1830s and originally aligned closely with the British Class System. Understanding this evolution from railways to air travel is helpful in understanding the airline class system. In the US, trains...
Wild About Travel
Tintin made me visit Geneva- Enjoying this Swiss Treasure
An introduction to Tintin and his Geneva When I was a child, I was obsessed with the adventures of Tintin, a fictional reporter from Belgium who traveled to almost every continent (we never saw him make it to Australia). On his travels usually accompanied by his dog Snowy, solving crimes,...
2PAXfly
QANTAS: A220 to debut internationally with Brisbane–Wellington NZ flights
Qantas will debut its newest aircraft, the Airbus A220, on a trans-Tasman Brisbane–Wellington, New Zealand international route. From February 2026, the A220 will replace Embraer E190s and some Boeing 737s on the service. The A220s will fly up to three times per week on the route. The announcement marks the...
Wild About Travel
Revisiting the Market Shooting: Memories, Fear and Hope
Today’s post contains images and descriptions about extreme violence. Reader caution is advised. I wrote previously about how I was unwittingly caught up in a mass shooting at Bangkok’s premier market: Or Tor Kor. Its been six weeks since Monday 28 July, a day I will never forget. On that...
2PAXfly
VIRGIN AUSTRALIA: First of Fokker replacement — Embraer E190-E2s arrives in Perth
Mostly hidden from public view, both Qantas and Virgin Australia run associated companies that cater to the private charter industry. In Western Australia (WA), that’s mainly flights to service the mining industry with ‘FiFo’ (Fly in Fly out) workers. Virgin Australia Regional Airlines (VARA) has officially welcomed a new era...
Wild About Travel
To The Giddy Heights: I Ride The World’s Steepest Rails
I have travelled extensively across Switzerland, by every means possible (foot, train, tram, bus, ferry, cogwheel railway, aerial cable car, and funicular). Until recently, though, one spectacular ride eluded me: the Stoosbahn, the world’s steepest funicular, connecting Schwyz with the car-free mountain village of Stoos, 1,300 metres above sea level. NB...
2PAXfly
QANTAS: If Alan Joyce had more confidence in his performance, he could have made even more money
I am following up on my previous post regarding Alan Joyce’s final payment. The AFR has pointed out in its Rear Window column that Alan Joyce could have made much more money if he had not sold off 80% of his Qantas shares before he left the airline back in...
Wild About Travel
Round the world in 72 days
After one of the busiest and and stressful years of my life, I’m taking off on a true bucket-list journey that will see me crossing four continents: Asia, Europe, the Americas, and (my home base in Australia), completing the set! This trip will take me back to some familiar favourites — Malaysia, Thailand, Finland,...
2PAXfly
QANTAS: Alan Joyce gets final payout, and Vanessa Hudson pay jumps 44%
Former Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce is back in the headlines. It’s his final multimillion-dollar payday. The man who led the Flying Kangaroo through COVID lockdowns, mass layoffs, and initiated a reputational nosedive has pocketed AU$3.8 million (~US$2.5 million) worth of shares. That’s after the board slashed most of his...
2PAXfly
QANTAS: Adds 40 flights from Perth to Rome in 2026
On the back of bumper financial results, Qantas is ramping up its European play. It is set to almost double the seats on its popular Perth to Rome service for the 2026 northern summer. The national carrier announced it will extend the seasonal route by eight weeks and increase frequency...
2PAXfly
QANTAS: High Fashion at 35,000 Feet — Rebecca Vallance to design new Uniforms
The last uniform refresh by Martin Grant was more than 10 years ago, in 2013. Today, Qantas announced that Australian designer Rebecca Vallance joins the esteemed company of Emilio Pucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Peter Morissey, amongst others in designing new Qantas uniforms. After a ‘competitive pitch process’ (I’m picturing...
Wild About Travel
I have now flown into Airport #293: Outback Town -Which Airport will be 300th?
I just flew into and out of my 293rd airport: ISA which serves the remote Australian outback town of Mt Isa. I travelled from Brisbane about two hours on Qantas) and back with Virgin Australia. The landing and take off gave excellent views of the town! There are also hops from...
2PAXfly
QANTAS: Double Status Credits promotion now counts for Lifetime Status
In its latest Double Status Credits and Points promotion, named ‘twice as rewarding’, Qantas made a small but significant change in the terms and conditions. Unlike in other promotions, it disqualified the additional status credits earned from being counted towards Lifetime Status. In reversing this decision, Qantas has now affirmed...