Melbourne is about to get a bigger front door to the world with plans for a $4.5 billion expansion of its international terminal. The project will expand check-in areas, baggage halls, and aircraft gates. These innovations are all aimed at easing pressure on Australia’s largest 24-hour airport. In January 2026,...

Virgin Australia’s high-profile partnership with Qatar Airways is facing an early recalibration, with several Australia–Doha services reduced across late summer and autumn schedules. The services are operated by Qatar aircraft but sold under Virgin’s code, allowing passengers to earn Velocity Status Credits on long-haul sectors from Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and...

Well, we all knew it was coming, and I predicted it could be this week, a few days before the half-yearly financial results are announced, and here it is. Time to unearth that strategy, and book your flights to earn double Status Credits or Double Points. If you still need...

Travellers passing through Sydney Airport, both its domestic and international terminals, are urged to monitor for measles symptoms. This alert comes following confirmation from NSW Health of multiple exposure sites, including two specific flights. The number of current exposure locations has now reached 55. Flights exposure Passengers on Jetstar Flight...

Hope your weekend has been as enjoyable as mine, with a bit of theatre and a picnic. Below is a summary of the stories that appeared in the 2PAXfly blog over the last week. NEW ROUTES 2026 #3: Korean Air’s new Prestige Suites for Sydney By 2paxfly on 21 Feb...

Korean Air has introduced the Prestige Suites 2.0 in Business Class for flights out of Sydney on its 787-10 Dreamliners from November 2025. I’m doing a series of posts on new routes in and out of Australia. Some are actually new routes, and some are new in the sense of...

This seasonal route actually recommenced on 11 November 2025 and runs through until 27 March 2026. I’m including it, since it is very recent, and it will appear seasonally, returning in 2026 Introduction For years, Adelaide travellers learned to accept the ritual of having to haul their suitcases to Sydney...

There are some exciting developments of routes that Australians can take between East Coast Australia and Europe. Some are non-traditional, some use newly available ultra long haul aircraft, and some are just airlines with extra aircraft expanding their route structures to add the continent of Australia to their network. This...

The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs (DFAT) has just released its State of Play report for the period 2023-24 period. The facts sheets make for interesting reading. It shows that Australians request consular services mostly when they get into trouble in Thailand (827). Second comes Indonesia (546), followed by the...

Hope your weekend and Valentine’s Day celebrations have been as satisfying as mine. Below is a summary of the stories that appeared in the 2PAXfly blog over the last week. ETHIOPIAN AIRLINES: Launches flights to Melbourne, Australia in 2028 By 2paxfly on 14 Feb 2026 11:00 amEthiopian Airlines, a Star...

Ethiopian Airlines, Star Alliance member and Africa’s largest airline, is reported as having confirmed it is targeting 2028 for its Australian debut. Group CEO Mesfin Tasew says the carrier will need roughly two years to secure the wide-body aircraft required for the ultra-long-haul mission to Australia’s east coast. “We will...

After years of construction, political debate and plenty of scepticism, Western Sydney International (WSI) is preparing to open for passengers later this year. Cargo flights are expected to commence mid-year The airport, built at Badgerys Creek and designed to operate 24 hours a day without a curfew, is positioning itself...