2PAXfly
VIRGIN AUSTRALIA: Bain Capital to be the winner in airline sale
We have known that Virgin Australia was set to re-enter the share market by listing on the Australian Stock Exchange (ASX) fairly soon. Well the prospectus dropped on Friday night before the long weekend. A lot in the prospectus is to be expected. But, the measure of reward for past...
2PAXfly
HOTEL REVIEW: Too much style? Naumi Hotel, Wellington, New Zealand
We arrived from the airport a little after midnight. The Naumi Hotel has entrances on two different streets: Cuba Street and Dunlop Terrace, which is parallel to Cuba Street. Cuba Street is the main entrance. Things apparently happen in doubles at the Naumi, as there are actually two hotels, one...
2PAXfly
EMIRATES: two new destinations in Southeast Asia — Da Nang in Vietnam and Siem Reap, Cambodia
Emirates has officially launched new routes to Da Nang, Vietnam, and Siem Reap, Cambodia, via Bangkok. That gives it 23 destinations in Southeast Asia. Both services, inaugurated on June 2 and 3, respectively, are operated with Boeing 777-300ER aircraft. The flights Below are the details of the new flights on...
2PAXfly
VIRGIN AUSTRALIA: ‘Pick Your Bonus’ double status or points promotion
Virgin Australia’s latest ‘Pick Your Bonus’ promotion offers Virgin Australia’s Velocity Frequent Flyer members a choice. You can choose between double Velocity Points or double Status Credits on eligible flights. This is a timely opportunity following recent program changes that have made attaining higher status tiers more challenging. It could...
Wild About Travel
Bergen is Bloody Beautiful
Bergen: Norway’s Fjord-Framed Gem There are some cities I like, some I love, and some that just smack you in the face with their wow factor. Hence the language in my headline’ Surrounded by seven mountains and nestled beside deep blue waters, Bergen’s scenery is more than spectacular. Founded in...
2PAXfly
VIRGIN AUSTRALIA: Stock market (ASX) comeback about to take off
Virgin Australia is heading back to the ASX (Australian Stock Exchange). Five years after crashing into administration and being rescued by private equity firm Bain Capital, the airline is relaunching itself on the sharemarket. Its banking on a $2.3 billion valuation and strong interest from investors keen to board early....
2PAXfly
VIRGIN AUSTRALIA: More Boeing 737s for Mount Isa and Townsville
Virgin Australia is doubling down on regional Queensland, announcing a major boost to its Mount Isa and Townsville routes with increased deployment of its Boeing 737 fleet. The move, effective from late July 2025 for Mount Isa and from November 2025 for Townsville, is set to deliver more seats and...
2PAXfly
SYDNEY AIRPORT: Standard fee for taxi trips to Sydney City proposed
If I had a dollar for every time I, or someone I know, has been ripped off by a taxi driver, I would be a little richer! Sydney’s $100 taxi between the Airport and the city may be on the chopping block. An AU$95 meter shock on the way between...
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FIRST CLASS: New international cabins in 2025
I recently wrote about my fantasy of just going to the airport and catching the next available flight with a First Class cabin. That is something I will probably never do. But it looks like we might be entering a new golden age of international First Class travel. While many...
2PAXfly
EMIRATES: A380s into the 2040s. First Class upgrade?
Tim Clark says Emirates is sketching ideas for a new A380 first class. But until we see blueprints turn into seat maps, take it with a grain of in-flight salt. With the A380 set to fly into the 2040s, Emirates may well refresh its cabins—but don’t hold your breath for...
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QANTAS: Partnership with Hawaiian Airlines allows for earn and redeem of Frequent Flyer points
From this week, Thurs 5 June, Qantas Frequent Flyers can cash in their hard-earned Frequent Flyer points for reward seats on Hawaiian Airlines. This isn’t a limited upgrade to mai tais and leis. It’s a full-on earn and redeem partnership. As of Thursday, Qantas Points can be used to book...
2PAXfly
NEW AIRLINE: Indonesia Airlines CEO says ‘We’re Real – and Ready for Takeoff’
There are plenty of people out there who have ambitions to found an airline. Unfortunately, most of their dreams come to little or nothing. Well, I think we can add another to your list of wannabe airlines. Indonesia Airlines seems to fit the bill with an ambitious owner. He claims...
2PAXfly
ETIHAD: All-Suite Business Class heading for Melbourne and Sydney
Etihad Airways is upgrading its Business Class cabin for Australian travellers, swapping out its aging 777s for newer, shinier, and far fancier newer and more energy efficient, but smaller aircraft on its Sydney and Melbourne routes. That means doors, bigger screens, and fewer chances of being stuck in a dated...
2PAXfly
USA: Update on travel precautions if you are an Australian travelling to America
I wrote an article back in April warning of the increased scrutiny tourists are receiving at the USA border, particularly if they are LGBTIQ+, Students or Academics, or have a history of criticising the Trump administration. Some thought back in April that the increased scrutiny of tourists might be transitory,...
2PAXfly
QANTAS: Upgrades A330 Sydney to Singapore flights to A380 — more classic rewards available
Sydney to Singapore flights are getting a double dose of A380 between 16 June and 10 August 2025. And again in 2026 on Friday and Sunday from 28 March (according to ET). This means that there is a minor flood of Classic Reward and Classic Plus seats available during that...
2PAXfly
HEALTH WARNING: Dengue fever detected in the Cook Islands
The Cook Islands Ministry of Health announced last week that seven cases of the mosquito-borne illness Dengue fever were confirmed in Rarotonga, the largest and most populous island in the archipelago. The cases were reported over an 18-day period. Just when we were all dusting off our passports and dreaming...