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VIRGIN AUSTRALIA: Unveils Embraer E190-E2 Interiors
Virgin Australia Regional Airlines (VARA) has released details of the interiors of the brand-new Embraer E190-E2 cabin layout. The airline has opted for a dual-class configuration primarily for use in Western Australia’s charter market. It’s a significant upgrade from the aging Fokker 100 fleet. No more middle seats The E190-E2...
Wild About Travel
Gold, Grit and Ghosts: A Long-Awaited Journey to Kalgoorlie
I almost came to Kalgoorlie decades ago but never made it. I have travelled across Western Australia’s 2,527,013 square kilometres (975,685 sq mi) from Esperance in the south to Wyndham in the north and many towns, beaches, deserts, and mountain ranges in between. I love the state. Kalgoorlie remained a...
2PAXfly
LOUNGE REVIEW: Update to Qantas First Lounge Sydney for Autumn 2025
Greetings from New Zealand. I’m here for a week-long break, visiting the north of the South Island. I started my journey as a Platinum Frequent Flyer with Qantas in the Qantas First Lounge Sydney, sampling their new Autumn Menu and their plum variation on the deconstructed pavlova. I also noticed...
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QANTAS: Lounge news #1 — Auckland lounges to close for refurbishment
Previously, we knew that the two Auckland lounges, Business and First, were to be refurbished. The plan involved closing one while it was redeveloped and funnelling passengers into the other until both lounges were complete. That is no longer the plan. Now, as reported in ET, both lounges will close,...
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QANTAS: Economy upgrades for A330 international aircraft
Airbus A330s have become Qantas’s workhorse for medium—and long-haul routes. They have been almost entirely removed from domestic and trans-Tasman routes so they can be used on longer international ones. Ten of these aircraft, deployed on routes like Hong Kong, Singapore, and Tokyo, are having their economy cabins upgraded with...
2PAXfly
HEATHROW: Closed for the day (Friday 21 March) due to substation fire
London’s main airport, Heathrow, has been forced to close due to a large fire at an adjacent substation that provides it with power. According to a statement from Heathrow authorities, the airport is suffering from a ‘significant power outage’. “To maintain the safety of our passengers and colleagues, Heathrow will...
2PAXfly
QANTAS: The Americas — north and south on Red Tail sale. Some real bargains
Qantas had a Red Tail sale similar to this last year, from memory. It had a North American sale just after its double status credits promotion. I picked up a roughly AU$7,000 Business Class fare to Vancouver for September ’24. A trip I eventually had to delay and then cancel...
Wild About Travel
One of Japan’s Three Great Gardens
Kōraku-en is gorgeous Japanese garden located near Okayama Castle in Okayama City, Japan. It is considered one of Japan’s Three Great Gardens, alongside Kenroku-en in Kanazawa and Kairaku-en in Mito. It is a place where visitors can enjoy the timeless beauty of traditional Japanese garden design, offering a very peaceful...
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AIR FRANCE: New La Première first class cabin announced. No door scandaleux!
Air France has announced the launch of a completely redesigned La Première first-class cabin for the 777-300ER fleet. Four suites will occupy the first five windows, meaning each suite will cover nearly 3.5 square metres (376 square feet). The suite will premiere in the northern hemisphere spring 2025. The first...
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AUSTRALIA: Passenger protections go to Senate enquiry
Australia’s airline industry is under fire again, with renewed scrutiny on passenger rights and compensation for delays and cancellations at a Senate inquiry. It looks like Qantas will need to be dragged kicking and screaming to compensate consumers for not delivering flights on time. Remember this is the airline that...
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VIRGIN AUSTRALIA: What can we expect from the new CEO Dave Emerson
Don’t expect any flashy moves. Virgin Australia’s new CEO, Dave Emerson, has a clear mandate: stay the course while delivering solid returns so we can sell this thing and make a killing. Well, that at least is my interpretation of what Virgin Australia’s majority owners, Bain Capital, will want. Minority...
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CATHAY PACIFIC: Business Class Aria Suites come to Sydney end of March 2025
Almost universally hailed for their comfort and technology, the new Business Class Aria Suites on Cathay Pacific 777s will arrive in Sydney this month according to ET. Background Cathay Pacific has been a leader in passenger comfort and privacy in Business Class. In 2011, the airline introduced reverse herringbone seats...
Wild About Travel
Exploring Okayama’s Crow Castle: A Journey Through Time and Culture
While in Okayama, a visit to its castle was a must. The castle’s exterior, made of wooden panels painted with black lacquer, earned it the nickname “Crow Castle.” Built in 1597, it survived centuries of history before being taken over by the Ministry of War in 1869, when many of...
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QANTAS: Double Status Credits and Points promo 2025 LIVE!
Here are the details at a glance so you can get right onto booking to earn double points or double status credits: REGISTER for the promotion on the Qantas website or via the app before you book your flights CHOOSE either double Points or double Status Credits BOOK BY your...
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QANTAS: Round the world flights need more classic rewards
Qantas Frequent Flyers are great hoarders of points for that special trip. They think in terms of an around-the-world trip in business class on Qantas and other OneWorld members and partners. Besides the fact that these are a nightmare to try and book yourself without the assistance of the premium...
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QANTAS: Details of Classic Reward redemption downgrades
Qantas announced significant changes to its Frequent Flyer program on 22 January 2025. Most changes were adverse for frequent flyers, including an increase in the number of points needed to redeem Classic Reward seats. Upgrades also require more points, and carrier charges on some routes increased from August 5, 2025....