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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...
2PAXfly
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...
2PAXfly
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...
2PAXfly
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...
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AIR INDIA: Announces codeshare with Virgin Australia
Sixteen Australian and New Zealand cities will be added to Air India’s network via a codeshare agreement with Virgin Australia. Unilateral partner codeshare agreement This is a unilateral codeshare. That means it allows Air India to add the ‘AI’ code to flights operated by Virgin Australia. Given the silence about...
Wild About Travel
Key Similarities: Aviation Realities in Australia and Canada
Last year, Canada and Australia both saw the collapse of a low-cost carrier. In Australia, Bonza, which operated from January 2023 to July 2024, ceased operations after struggling with high costs and limited demand for its point-to-point routes. Meanwhile, in Canada, Lynx Air, which began flying in April 2022, shut...
Wild About Travel
Beyond The Tragedy: Why Some Flight Numbers Never Disappear
Most of us have become very comfortable with aviation becoming an incredibly safe mode of transport. We all know that the chances of being injured in a motor vehicle accident on the way to the airport are higher than being impacted by air accidents. And still, when an air accident...
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FLIGHT REVIEW: Emirates A380 First CLASS with showers, Christchurch to Sydney — Part 1
Finally, I get to experience First Class on an Emirates A380 with shower suites. I feel like I was the only travel blogger who had not been exposed to this experience, albeit for only 3+ hours – until now. Introduction to a review of First Class on the Emirates A380...
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WESTERN SYDNEY AIRPORT: Train line not ready for opening
Australia is full of airports with bad or no rail connections (I’m looking at you, Melbourne’s Tullamarine). The Western Sydney Airport was going to defy this trend, with a Metro line planned from the outset. Unfortunately, this is not to be, with the opening of the transport route delayed until...
Wild About Travel
Exploring Yala, Thailand’s Least-Visited City
Thailand is renowned for its well-organised tourism industry, offering diverse options from backpacker hostels to luxury resorts. The country attracts visitors with its rich culture, friendly locals, stunning beaches, lush forests, and numerous adventure activities. In 2024, Thailand welcomed approximately 36 million foreign tourists. However, most visit a select few...
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HONG KONG AIRLINES: New, daily, Sydney to Hong Kong route
Starting 20 June 2025, Hong Kong Airlines will introduce daily flights to Sydney. That’s a disrupter for the long-standing OneWorld duopoly on non-stop flights held by Qantas and Cathay Pacific. The new service adds a daily flight between the cities taking the count from five to six. This means seat...
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REX AIRLINES: Government will buy if commercial sale fails
Regional Express (Rex) has faced a tough road since its inter-capital city route plans failed last year. It has been offered for sale since entering voluntary administration in mid-2024. With a fleet of aging 40-year-old Saabs, mounting pressure from creditors and operational challenges, the administrators are struggling to find a...
Wild About Travel
Mind-blowing Experience on Thailand’s most Perilous Rail Route
I’ve always had a passion for trains and train travel. Over the years, I’ve ridden trains in 76 of the 90 countries I’ve visited, from Finland to Morocco to the USA, Chile, and New Zealand. A few years ago, I made it my mission to ride every rail line in...
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TRIP REVIEW: Qantas — Double Status Credits long way Sydney to Adelaide with upgrades
I took my first flight for 2025 on Qantas between Sydney and Adelaide via Melbourne. It makes for a long trip, but when you buy the fare on a Double Status Credits promotion, it is one way of maximising your status credits. Points Upgrades I applied for points upgrades to...