Wild About Travel
Exploring Wales/Cymru: A Journey Through all its Amazing Heritage Railways
When I was a young teen, I read an article about the preserved railways of Wales, and it sparked a lifelong fascination. Since then, I’ve been determined to visit every heritage railway in the country—a goal I’ve steadily worked on. Here are the Welsh heritage railways and how you can...
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QANTAS: Flight returns to Sydney after cockpit smoke
A Qantas flight returned to Sydney Airport less than half an hour after taking off due to smoke in the cabin. QF643 A little after 9 am, Monday 3 March, QF643, and the 8:40 am flight, Perth-bound using a Boeing 737, returned to Sydney Airport as a result of smoke...
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AIR NEW ZEALAND: Now has a wine label — Thirteen forty five
The New Zealand airline is necking a bottle — with the launch of its own wine label, Thirteen Forty Five. The brand will only be vailable to Air New Zealand passengers and their frequent flyer scheme Airpoints Store customers. History in a name The name 1345 celebrates the airline’s inaugural...
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A Very Modern Map of Britain’s Ancient Roman Roads – Atlas Obscura
Let’s take the VII from Londinium to Letocetum. Source: A Very Modern Map of Britain’s Ancient Roman Roads – Atlas Obscura The post A Very Modern Map of Britain’s Ancient Roman Roads – Atlas Obscura appeared first on Wild About Travel.
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AIRLINES: Battery power bank rules — what you need to know
Due to some recent incidents, Airlines are tightening their rules about the storage and use of battery power banks onboard aircraft. Here is a summary of the rules that apply to airlines in the Asian and Oceania regions, plus those that fly into Australia. Policies are changing, so please check...
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FLIGHT REVIEW: Emirates A380 First Class — Christchurch to Sydney — Part 2 —the shower
I travelled on an Emirates A380 between Christchurch and Sydney in First Class, so I could experience the onboard showers. To find out more about the start of the flight, head over to Part 1. If you want to read this Trip Report from the beginning, head to the first...
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QANTAS: Resumes paying dividend with profit jump in half year results
Qantas has indicated its first dividend payment to shareholders since the COVID-19 pandemic. The announcement came following a significant profit jump for the first half of the financial year. The result was driven by the airline’s low-cost subsidiary, Jetstar, and the efficiency brought to the airline with newer aircraft. The...
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QANTAS: Boeing 737 Cabin upgrade, similar to A321XLRs — fleet will still be really old
With an average age of more than 15 years, 42 out of 75 Qantas Boeing 737s are to get cabin upgrades and start flying in 2027. Let’s hope they upgrade the newer aircraft that are only 9 years old and get rid of the average 15-year-old planes that are entitled...
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VIRGIN AUSTRALIA: Treasurer greenlights QATAR Airways 25% stake. Wet lease agreement to go ahead.
In a significant move for Australia’s aviation sector, Australian Federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers has approved Qatar Airways’ purchase of a 25% stake in Virgin Australia. The approval is almost the last step in the process for Virgin Australia to operate Qatar aircraft under a wet lease agreement, beginning in June...
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VIRGIN AUSTRALIA: Frequent flyers get what when Qatar Airways 25% ownership is approved?
According to an interview on The Insiders on Sunday, Australian Treasurer Jim Chalmers should announce whether the Qatar Airways acquisition of a 25% minority stake in Virgin Australia, has been approved. Given Qatar Airways’ membership of the OneWorld alliance and Virgin Australia’s non-membership of any alliance, frequent flyers are wondering...
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QANTAS: Indian Market — Melbourne to Delhi flights go seasonal from June 2025
Qantas has informed travel agents that it will suspend its flights between Melbourne and Delhi between June and October 2025, making the service seasonal. The final QF69 flight between Melbourne and Delhi is on Saturday, May 31, 2025. Qantas operational reasons With supply chain restrictions on new aircraft and maintenance,...
Wild About Travel
Thirty Three Years On: A Rediscovery of San Salvador
Background As a humanitarian during the civil war, I first arrived in San Salvador in 1991. San Salvador served as a centre for Spain until the 1821 independence. Its history has endured many challenges, including devastating earthquakes, political upheaval and periods of intense violence. Amidst the visible conflict, I fell...
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AIRPORTS: Sydney Airport slots manager changes — Qantas and Virgin Australia company booted
Qantas and Virgin Australia’s dominance over landing slots at Sydney Airport has been disrupted. A new incumbent has secured the government-led tender. New slot manager to take the reins The successful bidder, Airport Coordination Limited (ACL), has experience managing slot regimes at the world’s busiest airports. That includes places like...
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ACCC: Latest domestic airline performance report — Virgin and Jetstar soar
According to the latest Australian Competition and Consumer Comisssion (ACCC) report, Virgin Australia and Jetstar had a cracker of a year in 2024. They experienced strong passenger growth continuing right through the Christmas period. Passengers by the numbers Compared to December 2023, Virgin Australia’s domestic passenger numbers jumped by 15.8%,...
Wild About Travel
No More Currency Confusion: The iPhone Calculator Hack I Love
My life is spent juggling currencies. I have clients who pay me in four currencies, I bank in two, and I spend money in 22 currencies. I can do many transactions in my head, but I’m always frustrated by existing currency app options. Changes- and that’s where my iPhone has...
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VIRGIN AUSTRALIA: ACCC gives the green light to Qatar alliance (for now)
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) is on board—well, almost. It’s proposing to grant the Virgin Australia and Qatar alliance the go-ahead for a five-year integrated alliance. That means the two airlines can work together, marketing and selling flights between Australia and Doha and beyond. If final approval is...