2PAXfly
LOUNGES: On Arrival access to Qantas and Virgin Australia lounges
For some, the airline Airport Lounge is sought only for pre-flight food and beverage, or for a quick freshen up. They form a little sanctuary to relax and recharge before your onward journey. However, for those who are familiar with the rules, they can also provide benefits upon arrival. Lounge...
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FIRST IMPRESSIONS: The reborn Dusit Thani Hotel, Bangkok
Dusit Thani is a name eternally tied to its history as one of the first five-star hotels in Bangkok. The original hotel opened in 1970. It was Thailand’s tallest building and the first property of Dusit International. The now-outdated hotel was demolished in 2019, and a new hotel using the...
2PAXfly
MIDDLE EAST: Airspace restrictions due to Iran/Israel conflict
The Iran/Israel conflect has meant flying over, or even close to either of those countries, and their surrounds is potentially perilous. Through caution, most airlnes are avoiding that air space, and adjusting their schedules accordingly. The major change recently has been the grounding of Qatar Airlines, and the closer of...
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FIRST IMPRESSIONS: Non-reclining Business Class seat on Qantas wet-leased Finnair A330
You may have heard of the non-reclining Business Class seats on Qantas wet-leased Finnair A330s that are being wet-leased to Qantas. The Scandinavian carrier is reducing its European flights that would normally involve traversing its neighbour, Russia’s airspace. These seats seem to polarise travellers, who either love them or hate...
2PAXfly
TRIP REPORT: Interislander ferry between Wellington and Picton, New Zealand
Ferry’s are a much underrated form of transport. The inter-island ferry between the capital of New Zealand, Wellington on the North Island, and the port of Picton on the north of the South Island, is an experience I have long hoped to have. Or in water terms, its a ferry...
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APPLE: Ticket tech — smart boarding passes
Apple is promoting Smart Boarding Passes as part of its next ‘i’ operating system (iOS) for iPhones and iPads, to be released in September. The new name, now reflecting the year it applies to, will be iOS 26. This innovation could herald the end of boarding gate chaos. Both Qantas...
2PAXfly
MIDDLE EAST: Major disruptions due to Israel/Iran conflict
Air travel across the Middle East is facing major disruptions. Flights are being suspended, cancelled, delayed or rerouted to avoid the area. El Al has suspended all flight operations until 30 June, 2025. As shown on the Flightradar24 tweet below, the airspace above Iran and Israel is being cleared of...
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AIR INDIA CRASH: Some theories on possibly causes
It is a natural impatience to hace the trangic explained. Although it will take months to conclusively determine what the chain of events was that lead to the crash of flight AI 171, here is a summary of the current theories being expressed by a range of experts. Introduction As...
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AIR INDIA: Flight AI1171 crash from Ahmedabad, India. What we know so far.
This crash of Air India flight AI1171, a Boeing 787-800 Dreamliner, is the first crash of this model of aircraft in its 14-year history. With over 260 dead, and the near miraculous survival of one passenger, this accident is the worst aviation disaster in India for decades. Background Air India...
Wild About Travel
Seconds After Takeoff – Air India Crash, the First 787 Disaster
I am shocked and dismayed to hear news that Air India AI 171, operating from #Ahmedabad (AMD) to London Gatwick (LGW), was involved in an accident after take-off on Thursday, 12 June 2025. The Boeing 787-8 aircraft departed Ahmedabad at 1338 hrs (local time) with 242 passengers and crew on...
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REX: Renaissance Infrastructure bids for collapsed Regional Express airlines
Regional Express, better known as REX slid into voluntary administration nearly a year ago. This was the result of board member conflict and a failed competition with the big boys on capital city routes. The process of voluntary administration is set to end on 30 June. Renaissance Infrastructure, a USA.-based...
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QANTAS: A380 diverts to Baku again. Medical Emergency
In a déjà vu moment for Qantas, flight QF2 from London to Singapore made an unscheduled landing in Baku, Azerbaijan, on June 9, 2025. A passenger suffered a serious medical emergency mid-flight. This marks the second time in recent years that a Qantas Airbus A380 has diverted to Baku. The...
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WESTERN SYDNEY AIRPORT: Runway complete, and Air New Zealand joins opening queue
It won’t start actual operations until late 2026, over a year away, but Western Sydney International Airport (WSI) is already drawing a crowd. Today, the Prime Minister of Australia, Anthony Albanese, visited to mark the completion of runway construction. That was excuse enough to announce the latest name to join...
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QANTAS: Closing down Jetstar Asia after 20 years of operation
Farewell, Jetstar Asia. Qantas has decided to pull the plug on its Singapore-based budget carrier after two turbulent decades. It’s a casualty of Southeast Asia’s hyper-competitive low-cost airline jungle. The last Jetstar Asia flight will taxi down the runway on 31 July 2025. Thirteen Airbus A320s will head back across...
Wild About Travel
Riding the Spectacular Flåm Railway
National Geographic Traveler magazine called the Flåm Railway one of the top 10 train journeys in Europe. Lonely Planet went even further, naming it the best train journey in the world. It was definitely one of the most beautiful—and steepest—railways I have ever ridden, and I will always remember my...
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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...