2PAXfly
VIRGIN AUSTRALIA: Lounge access for international travellers to Doha and beyond
The introduction of long-haul international flying by Virgin Australia using wet-leased aircraft supplied by minority shareholder Qatar Airways has led to the need for access to International lounges at airports across Australia and Europe. With flights leaving from Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney, Virgin will need lounges for its premium...
2PAXfly
MALAYSIA AIRLINES: Flight boost for Sydney and Melbourne to Kuala Lumpur
The skies between Australia and Kuala Lumpur are going to get a little busier. Malaysia Airlines is ramping up its flights to Sydney and Melbourne. The airline is tapping into the increasing demand between Australia and its bustling hub in Kuala Lumpur while also setting the stage for more connections...
2PAXfly
VIRGIN AUSTRALIA: New Platinum Plus — because Platinum Just wasn’t enough
If you thought you’d reached the pinnacle of Velocity frequent flyer glory with a Platinum status, think again. Virgin Australia is adding a new shiny tier above Platinum. Their PR department was obviously out of inspiration and has named it Platinum Plus. Set to launch in October 2025 this is...
2PAXfly
VIRGIN AUSTRALIA: Refunds for 61,000 overcharged customers
In a surprising turn of events that could shake up any frequent flyer’s trust, Virgin Australia has announced it’s in the process of refunding 61,000 customers. The reason? An error in the airline’s pricing systems led to overcharges whenever passengers altered their itineraries. This revelation emerged after an internal review,...
2PAXfly
AMERICAN AIRLINES: trialing innovative LAX transfers for flights from Sydney
American Airlines wants to spare you the most annoying part of arriving in the USA. That’s transferring to a domestic flight at LAX. If you’ve ever flown into the United States from Australia, you’ll know the drill. It’s not a good one. It’s the kind of soul-sapping routine that has...
2PAXfly
THAI AIRWAYS: Short-haul just got a lie-flat upgrade with new A321neo Business Class
Here’s something that’ll make your next hop around Southeast Asia a bit more palatable. Thai Airways, which has been undergoing something of a phoenix-like rebirth lately (yes, there have been wings and flames involved), is adding a fleet of Airbus A321neos to its stable — and they’re not skimping on...
2PAXfly
VIRGIN AUSTRALIA: Velocity members get more benefits on Doha flights with Virgin/Qatar
Virgin Australia, in partnership with Qatar Airways, is introducing several new benefits for Velocity Frequent Flyer members on flights between Australia and Doha, commencing in June 2025. That’s the new Virgin Australia flights but operated by wet-leased Qatar Airways airdraft and crew. Most benefits are those you would expect from...
2PAXfly
AIR ASIA: Man tries to open emergency door mid-air twice!
After attempting to open emergency exit doors on AirAsia X flight D7220, a 46-year-old Jordanian national, Shadi Taiseer Alsaaydeh, was arrested and charged by Australian Federal Police. The April 5 flight from Kuala Lumpur to Sydney departed an hour late at 10:01 and arrived at 20:43. During the flight while...
2PAXfly
Welcome to Trump’s ‘Land of the Free’ and the home of the scared tourist
Last Updated on April 3, 2025 by 2paxfly With the unpredictability of the Trumpian regime in the USA, things have changed. That’s especially true about immigration and border policy. From some press reports, it’s hard to know how to avoid being detained at the border if you are trying to...
2PAXfly
UNITED AIRLINES: Adelaide to San Francisco direct, seasonal route from December 2025
Last Updated on April 3, 2025 by 2paxfly In a first for Adelaide, United Airlines is initiating the first non-stop flight between the South Australian capital city and San Francisco in the USA. The three-times-a-week seasonal flights will commence on 11 December 2025. The Star Alliance carrier will use Boeing...
Wild About Travel
Tremedous Taipei – Asia’s best city
Every time I come back to a favourite city, I wonder if my experience on tis occasion  will be as enjoybale as it was on the previous visits. Yaipei did nit diusappoin. – it never disappomts, In fact, I would go to say it is the best city in Asia....
2PAXfly
DUMB PEOPLE: Social media pre-flight pump stunt inside jet turbine now flexing in court
Some people hit the gym, others prefer a more… unconventional approach to their fitness routine. Former Sydney Airport baggage handler Preslie Ginoski chose the inside of a plane turbine (admittedly, the plane was stationary) as his personal workout studio, a move that, according to a report in the SMH, landed...
2PAXfly
VIRGIN AUSTRALIA: Velocity frequent flyer program goes revenue. For Platinum status, spend AU$12,000.
Velocity Frequent flyers, if you want to gain status with Virgin Australia, you will have to dig deeper into your pockets. Earning and retaining Velocity status will cost significantly more from this week, because Virgin Australia has moved to a new spend-based system, rolling out from today, Wednesday, 2 April...
Wild About Travel
Australia’s Prospector train: a Golden Ride Through the Outback
​The Prospector is a passenger train service Transwa operates that connects Perth and Kalgoorlie in Western Australia. The journey offers a unique perspective of the region’s vast landscapes, covering an approximate distance of 653 kilometres in 6 hours and 45 minutes.​ While most regional rail lines across Australia were shut...
2PAXfly
FIJI AIRWAYS: Becomes full member of OneWorld, with AAdvantage Rewards as loyalty program
At last, Fiji Airways joins the grown-ups Fiji Airways has officially become a full member of the OneWorld alliance instead of a lone member of its half-baked ‘connect’ member program. This is a significant milestone for the airline and its passengers. As of today, 1 April 2025, the Fijian national...
2PAXfly
VIRGIN AUSTRALIA & QATAR AIRWAYS: Final approval granted for integrated alliance, doubling flights between Australia and Doha
Friday, 28 March 2025, saw the formal announcement from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) approving the ‘integrated alliance’ between Qatar Airways and Virgin Australia. Now allowing an additional 28 flights per week between Australian capital cities and Doha in Qatar. Or, more formally, its approval of: ‘…cooperative conduct...