2PAXfly
AIR NEW ZEALAND: New CEO plans to reclaim trans-Tasman market
Air New Zealand has a new CEO as of October 2025. Nikhil Ravishankar, the carrier’s former Chief Digital Officer has taken over the cockpit from former CEO, Greg Foran. In an Australian Financial Review article recently, we got an idea of his plans for the airline. Air New Zealand has...
Wild About Travel
Johannesburg: A First Encounter in the City of Gold Background This was my first time in Johannesburg, a city whose name alone carries so much history and reputation. Known as the economic powerhouse of Africa, “Joburg” (as locals call it) has weathered its own storms-apartheid, inequality, and urban sprawl-but remains...
2PAXfly
HOTELS: This would be funny if it wasn’t true — Jake Lambert on ridiculous hotel light switches and airport security
I’ve just returned from 17 days away in South East Asia, staying in six different hotels. Now the level of accommodation went from five stars to no stars, with a few eco-resorts thrown in as well. All the hotels, except one, had incredibly confusing arrays of light switches. Airconditioning craziness...
2PAXfly
SCOOT: Disgusting passenger — feet on my armrest
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...
2PAXfly
Western Sydney International Airport: Ramps up testing ahead of 2026 Opening
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...
2PAXfly
QANTAS: Surprise Business Rewards Double Status Credits promotion
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,...
2PAXfly
REX: Prospective sale to Air T gives relief for regional flyers
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...
2PAXfly
BORNEO: I’m currently literally in the wilds of Borneo, Malaysia, enjoying wildlife encounters
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...
2PAXfly
PASSPORTS: Australia to move to fully digital application process
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...
2PAXfly
VIRGIN AUSTRALIA: New, tighter luggage rules for Economy from February 2026
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...
2PAXfly
QANTAS: in hot water with government as hackers spill millions of customer records
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...
2PAXfly
RIYADH AIR: Launches Sfeer loyalty program and Hafawa lounge
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...
2PAXfly
RIYADH AIR: Launch route is London Heathrow from 26 October for a select few
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:...
2PAXfly
QANTAS: Caught in Cyberhack ransom demand, again
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...
2PAXfly
SYDNEY AIRPORT: Uber rank made permanent after trial, Taxi’s suffer
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...
2PAXfly
RYANAIR: 100% digital boarding passes from November 12
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...