The Alviator
Review: ibis Budget, Auckland Airport (AKL)
Auckland Airport isn't the cheapest place to spend an overnight layover, so the 198-room ibis Budget can be a lifesaver. Here's my review.
The Alviator
Review: Qantas 737 Business Class (SYD-AKL)
In March 2026, I flew Qantas’ 737 business class from Sydney to Auckland. This was my first-ever trans-Tasman…
The Alviator
The 7 Most Random Flight Schedules I’ve Encountered
Most times, I can explain an odd flight schedule with good aircraft utilisation. Here are some flight schedules I need some help explaining.
The Alviator
Why Are Some SAS Planes Registered In Ireland?
Some SAS shorthaul planes are registered in Ireland. That may be surprising for a Scandinavian airline whose hubs are in Denmark and Sweden.
Also on BoardingArea
The Alviator
Review: ibis Budget, Auckland Airport (AKL)
Auckland Airport isn't the cheapest place to spend an overnight layover, so the 198-room ibis Budget can be a lifesaver. Here's my review.
Frequent Flyer Bonuses
Top 5 Car Rental Bonus Mile and Point offers for May 2026
Here are our Top Car Rental Bonuses for this month. Many of these offers go beyond this month so don’t count them out for rentals you need to book further down the road! Keep in mind sometimes the rates paid for some of these offers may cost more than other...
Frequent Miler
How to decide which premium cards are keepers (Video)
Annual fees are getting more expensive, and it can feel like quite an investment to keep every rewards card. Luckily, Greg’s developed a worksheet which you can access and use to help determine when a card is worth its annual fee, based on how you actually value the different perks....
Points With a Crew
The great luggage abandonment: Why travelers are ditching their bags at the airport
Surprisingly, it's becoming a bit of a trend for travelers to just get rid of their bags at the airport, and there's a surprising reason why
Live and Let’s Fly
Delta Air Lines “Mini First Class” Seats Are Coming To New Widebody Jets
Delta Air Lines has confirmed that it will offer more spacious “mini first class” seating in the bulkhead rows of its new Delta One business class cabins, though the news slipped out in an odd manner. Delta Air Lines Lets Slip Plans For “Mini First Class” Delta One Seats Joe...
Point Me to the Plane
How Many of the Most Beautiful Post Offices in the World Have You Visited?
Post offices might seem like relics, but these beautiful ones are surely worth a visit!
One Mile at a Time
Certification Woes: Delta A321neos With Flat Beds Now Delayed By Years
In early 2022, Delta Air Lines started taking delivery of the Airbus A321neo. The airline has 189 of these jets on order, and so far, the airline has taken delivery of about half of those. For all practical purposes, these are Delta’s new ”flagship” standard domestic aircraft, featuring the newest...
Your Mileage May Vary
Expecting Packages While You’re Away? Here’s How To Handle USPS, UPS, FedEx & Amazon
Leaving town used to mean asking a neighbor to grab the mail and maybe putting the newspaper on hold. Now? It’s a whole different level of logistics. Between USPS mail,…
Miles To Memories
Singapore Airlines Spontaneous Escapes: 30% Off Award Flights Around The World
Singapore Airlines' Spontaneous Escapes are back again this month. This promotion allows you to book discounted award flights on some routes.
View from the Wing
Hyatt Wins Loyalty Program Tax Fight That Could Save $589 Million — While Members Pay More Points For Free Nights
Hyatt just won a major appeals court fight over how its loyalty program is taxed, a ruling that could ultimately save the company $589 million, just as World of Hyatt members are about to pay more for free nights. The program is also getting a major economic boost from...
The Bulkhead Seat
Act Now: Book Hyatt Awards Before May 20th Increases and New Award Chart
Back in February, World of Hyatt® announced a sweeping update to its award chart.…
The Bulkhead Seat
Odd: My American Flight Was Held by the Captain for One Passenger
I flew from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) to Tampa International Airport (TPA)…
You Are Travel
Grand Hyatt Grand Cayman Resort & Spa Now Open for Reservations
tl;dr – This is bound to be a popular property among Hyatt loyalists. The much-anticipated Grand Hyatt Grand…
You Are Travel
Deals I’m Booking That You Should Too (Vol. 14) – Will This Be the Best 1-4 Redemption in the Hyatt Portfolio?
​tl;dr – I give it one year tops after this property debuts before it’s no longer bookable with…
You Are Travel
Deals I’m Booking That You Should Too (Vol. 13) – Reserve Your Room in the Eternal City Before Everyone Else
​tl;dr – Grab pre-devaluation rates in an often-tough hotel market. Another day, ​another installment of “Deals I’m Booking…
You Are Travel
Deals I’m Booking That You Should Too (Vol 15). – Be First to this Upscale Stay in Southern Spain
​tl;dr – Might as well get in before the points devaluation occurs. ​Yet another installment of “Deals I’m…
You Are Travel
Pro-Tip: Plotting Your Last-Minute Pre-Devaluation Hyatt Strategy? – Don’t Forget About These Hotels!
​tl;dr – Turn over every stone. ​If you’re like me, by now you’re tired of hearing about Hyatt’s…
You Are Travel
Deals I’m Booking That You Should Too (Vol. 12) – Early Sniping the Grand Hyatt Grand Cayman Resort & Spa
​tl;dr – Book your stay at pre-devaluation rates while you can. ​We’re back with another installment of “Deals…
Live from a Lounge
My Experience Matching Into SAS EuroBonus Diamone Status
SAS is currently offering a very smooth Status Match opportunity for those with Air India / Emirates status in India. Here are the details of this limited-time opportunity.
View from the Wing
Qantas Flight To Dallas Diverts To Tahiti After Passenger Bites Flight Attendant
A Qantas Boeing 787 flying from Melbourne to Dallas diverted to Tahiti after a disruptive passenger allegedly bit a flight attendant and had to be restrained with help from other passengers.
Miles To Memories
(Final Day) Profitable Office Depot Mastercard Gift Card Deal
This is your last chance to rack up bonus points and potentially some profit. The Office Depot Mastercard Gift Card Deal ends today.
View from the Wing
FAA Cuts Air Traffic Controller Staffing Target By 2,000 — That’s One Way To Fix A Shortage [Roundup]
The FAA has a novel way to ease the air traffic controller shortage: lower the staffing target by 2,000. Plus: a king cobra emerges from a resort toilet, Delta defends its Wi-Fi portal after Elon Musk’s Starlink jab, and American serves a very sad international meal.
The Gate with Brian Cohen
Black Birch Canyon at Bryce Canyon National Park
Working slowly back towards the main entrance of Bryce Canyon National Park on that frosty cold December morning after Rainbow Point and Yovimpa Point, the next stop was Black Birch Canyon. Access to Black Birch Canyon — whose lookout is at an elevation of...
Points Miles and Bling
Swiss A350 Business Suite Review – $750 Seat Upgrade Worth It?
Introduction and Booking Thanks to a timely alert from Thrifty Traveler (affiliate link), I managed to snag one of the…
The Alviator
Review: Emirates Lounge, Sydney (SYD)
A review of the Emirates lounge in Sydney, open to both eligible Emirates and Qantas passengers due to their joint business partnership.
The Alviator
Frankfurt Airport’s New Terminal 3 Lounges: Emirates, SkyTeam, Priority, and More
Frankfurt Airport opened their new Terminal 3 today. While there are other airports that open new terminals (e.g.…
The Alviator
Review: American Express Centurion Lounge, Sydney (SYD)
A review of the AmEx Centurion Lounge Sydney. How does this lounge, open to AmEx Platinum/Centurion cardholders, compare to others at the airport?
The Alviator
Review: Plaza Premium Lounge, Sydney (SYD)
A review of the Plaza Premium lounge at Sydney Airport, available to AmEx Platinum and Priority Pass cardholders.
The Alviator
Review: Qantas’ Temporary International Business Class Lounge, Sydney (SYD)
Qantas is building a new flagship business class lounge in Sydney, so have set up a temporary one in the meantime. Here's how it's like.
The Alviator
I’m Calling It: Free Onboard WiFi Is The New Industry Standard
Let me lead the charge - on a full-service airline, free WiFi should be industry-standard, and we should consider anything else "below-par".
The Alviator
What Makes A Good Intra-European Business Class Product?
Okay, so we know that intra-European business class sucks. In this uncompetitive landscape, what makes some products better than others?
The Alviator
Cathay Pacific’s Lounge Shuffle At Hong Kong Airport
Since May last year, Cathay Pacific has closed the first class section of The Wing for renovations, in…