I just had my first experience of SCOOT on a flight from Kota Kinabalu to Singapore. Besides all the falderal with option selection that you have to go through to complete or manage your booking, it was largely a pleasant and efficient experience. The exception was the behaviour of a...

Sydney’s long-awaited $6 billion second airport is officially entering its final approach. With about a year until opening, Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport, or WSI, is deep into its operational readiness program. This phase is designed to test every system. Operation staff and procedures are flight-ready ahead of the...

This is almost guaranteed to be the last opportunity to boost your status in the final weeks of 2025. With 10 weeks left until Christmas, Qantas has launched a surprising Double Status Credits (DSC) promotion, but only for members of its Business Rewards Program (QBR). How to qualify First up,...

For many Australians who live in rural and remote communities, Regional Express Airlines (Rex) isn’t just a name in the schedule; it’s a vital lifeline. So when news broke that a buyer had been found for the airline, which entered voluntary administration in July 2024, it was worth paying attention...

I’m just currently midway through a 17-day trip to Asia, featuring some eco-tourism in Malaysian Borneo. That’s the northern bit of the island, comprising Sarawak and Sabah. It’s also where the Sultanate of Brunei is. The south is part of Indonesia. Aside from catching up with some old friends in...

Good news if you’ve ever stood in line at the post office juggling a passport form, two photos, a pen that doesn’t work, and a personal item. The Australian federal government is finally making passport requests a fully digital application process that can be completed online, with no Australia Post...

If you’re one of those travellers who treat ‘carry-on only’ as an extreme sport, Virgin Australia is about to spoil your fun with new luggage rules. From 2 February 2026, you are going to have to read the fine print on your ticket confirmation. What a pain. Most Economy passengers...

Looks like the flying kangaroo has hopped into another mess. This time, it’s not delayed flights or tray service in Business Class, but something far more serious. As previously reported, hackers have now conducted a massive data breach, dumping personal information for almost 5.7 million Qantas customers onto the dark...

Riyadh Air has introduced Sfeer (meaning ‘Ambassador’ in Arabic), a loyalty program designed to be digital from the ground up. Expect a spend-based reward program, with most of the usual benefits. But there are a few intriguing signposts for the yet-to-be fully detailed program. Here’s a summary of what we...

Saudi Arabia’s emerging national carrier, Riyadh Air, has confirmed that its inaugural international route will link Riyadh to London Heathrow (LHR) beginning October 26, 2025. But, don’t get too excited, since these flights are not for the public, only for a select group of related employees. London First, Dubai Next:...

Qantas has once again found itself in the crosshairs of cybercriminals. This time, as part of a major global extortion attempt that’s hit almost 40 major companies, including Toyota, Disney, and IKEA. A hacker collective calling itself Scattered Lapsus$ Hunters claims to have stolen nearly one billion records by breaching...

Well, it’s official: Uber’s controversial kerbside rank at Sydney Airport’s international terminal isn’t going anywhere. After a 12-month trial and a six-month extension, the rideshare juggernaut has locked in its place on the Sydney T1 concourse. The New South Wales government is expected to make it all permanent come March...

Ryanair announced it will move to 100% digital boarding passes from 12 November 2025, in a company media release from September 24. They are pushing the start date back a week from the original 3 November date to avoid the busy European mid-term break. From that date, passengers will no...

The tier accelerator program is fairly hush-hush status challenge Qantas offers to members of other airline loyalty programs. If you’re a Virgin Velocity Gold or Platinum frequent flyer or hold equivalent status with another major airline, you might be eligible for this golden ticket . Qantas runs the tier accelerator...

Australia’s largest airline, Qantas, says it’s about status, but really it’s about spend. Qantas has launched another ‘Earn Status Credits on the ground’ promotion — promising up to 110 Status Credits without setting foot on a plane. Sounds generous, right? But this is less about helping you reach Gold or...

As of midnight U.S. time on 1 October 2025, the U.S. federal government is expected to shut down after Congress fails to pass all required funding bills. That means hundreds of thousands of federal employees will be furloughed (i.e. sent home without pay). Essential workers, such as air traffic controllers,...