Economy Class & Beyond
LATAM signs for Embraer E195-E2 aircraft
LATAM Airlines Group and its affiliates announced an agreement with Embraer with plans to expand connectivity across South America, supported by the acquisition of up to 74 Embraer E195-E2 narrowbody aircraft. LATAM Embraer E195-E2 over San Palo, Rendering, Embraer The order includes 24 firm deliveries and 50 purchase options. Deliveries of the firm...
Economy Class & Beyond
Cathay Pacific plots its return to Seattle
Hong Kong carrier Cathay Pacific is preparing to resume services to Seattle, Washington. The reintroduction of the Hong Kong – Seattle route will mark the ninth destination served from Hong Kong to North America. The route will commence on 30th March 2026, operating five times a week.  The planned operations are as follows 30 March...
Economy Class & Beyond
Airplane Art – Air Canada Airbus A321-200 arriving at Chicago O’Hare
It’s Sunday again, so it must be time for some more Airplane Art. This week, we have an Air Canada Airbus A321-200 on final descent to Chicago O’Hare International Airport as it completes a transborder hop. Air Canada operates a fleet of 20 Airbus A321-200 in its single-aisle fleet. The airline also...
Economondo
One of the Most Unique Airports in the World: Flying from Barra to Glasgow and Taking off from the Beach!
Background Home to just over one thousand residents and sitting near the south of the Outer Hebrides island chain, the small island of Barra is most certainly one of the more peaceful and picturesque parts of the British Isles. Despite its small size and relative geographic isolation, Barra is well known...
Also on BoardingArea
One Mile at a Time
Horrifyingly Close Call, As EasyJet & Nouvelair A320s Have Runway Mixup
We constantly hear about close calls in aviation. I think it’s easy to become desensitized to these, and wonder which are actually dangerous, and which are just a bit too close for comfort. Along those lines, on Monday night we saw what’s easily one of the closest calls we’ve seen...
View from the Wing
Why This 239-Mile Coach Flight Costs $4,000—And How To Fly It For Just 30,000 Points Roundtrip
I find aviation in Canada fascinating, although I know comparatively little about it. So I wound up heading down a rabbit hole over an online complaint about the high cost of Arctic flying. The 239-mile flight from Grise Fiort (YGZ) to Resolute (YRB) was pricing out at CAD$3,793.99...
The Gate with Brian Cohen
Underrated Margitsziget in Budapest is Full of Surprises
Athough the Park Inn by Radisson Budapest hotel property is located significantly north of central Budapest, I decided to walk because I read about the historic water tower on Margitsziget — which is known in English as Margaret Island — and its observation deck which is supposed to treat you to...
Frequent Miler
Capital One has 3 new transfer partners: Japan Airlines, Qatar Airways & Preferred Hotels
It feels like it’s transferable points currency week. We’ve had Citi launching three new bonuses – 50% to Turkish Miles & Smiles, 30% to Virgin Atlantic, and 25% to LifeMiles – when transferring ThankYou points, as well as Rove launching a 20% transfer bonus to both Finnair and Air France/KLM...
View from the Wing
Capital One Adds Three Transfer Partners — Qatar And JAL Lead The List
Capital One Venture, Venture X (which is the one I carry), Venture X business as well as VentureOne and Spark Miles let you transfer their miles to a variety of airline and hotel loyalty programs. They’ve just added (3) new transfer partners: Qatar Airways Privilege Club, Japan Airlines Mileage Bank, and...
Live and Let’s Fly
Fiji Airways Cuts Business Class Amenity Kits, Claims They Are Wasteful
Fiji Airways has quietly taken a bold step in business class by eliminating traditional amenity kits. The airline argues that many kits go unused or discarded, and that offering items individually makes more sense. Is this a reasonable change or just cost-cutting? Fiji Airways Drops Business Class Amenity Kits To Reduce...
One Mile at a Time
Amex Platinum Card Review: More Expensive & Valuable Than Ever Before
Link: Learn more about The Platinum Card® from American Express While premium cards are incredibly popular nowadays, this is really a market that Amex started, with The Platinum Card® from American Express. We’ve recently seen this card undergo a major refresh, whereby the annual fee was increased, but more perks were...
The Points of Life
Approved! Amex Business Platinum: 200k MRs, $895 Annual Fee
Can you imagine paying 2k for an iPhone? It is a reality coming to an Apple Store near you. Can you imagine paying an annual fee of $895? It is a reality I had to accept as the trade-off for being approved for the American Express Business Card. Why am...
Miles For Family
4 New Transfer Bonuses Just Added!
Some new transfer bonuses just came out this week. I’ve updated the September 2025 Transfer Bonuses post to reflect these additions. New: Citi 50% Transfer Bonus to Turkish Airlines Through October 18, 2025, get 50% transfer bonus from Citi to Turkish Airlines Miles & Smiles program. This is a rare transfer bonus...
Paddle Your Own Kanoo
Denmark Heavily Hints That Russia Could Be Behind Drone Attack That Shut Down Copenhagen And Oslo Airports
The Danish Prime Minister has heavily hinted that Russia could be behind a coordinated drone ‘attack’ that shuttered Copenhagen and Oslo airports for several hours on Monday night. “Of course, we are not ruling out any possibility as to who is behind it,” Mette Frederiksen said on Tuesday, adding that the...
TravelUpdate
5 reasons why the miles and points game getting tougher?
Earlier this year, I wrote about how this is going to be the year of premium credit cards. A lot of new issuers have stepped into the ring, launching premium offerings this year. Issuers like Chase and Amex have also refreshed their products. In a nutshell, customers have a lot...
One Mile at a Time
Wild: Massive Drone Attack Shuts Down Copenhagen Airport
Once in a while we’ll hear of airport operations being interrupted by unauthorized drones. However, last night we saw what seems to be a pretty unprecedented drone attack on a major airport. Drones cause operational issues at Copenhagen Airport On the evening of Monday, September 22, 2025, Copenhagen Airport (CPH) was shut...
View from the Wing
The Airline Demanded He Pay $5 For A Boarding Pass. He Refused, And Police Took Him To Jail Instead
Police were called to Allegiant Airlines check-in at Punta Gorda, Florida last month. Bodycam footage shows why. A passenger didn’t have a boarding pass, but had a reservation. They went to the check-in counter and were told about the airline’s $5 fee for printing a boarding pass at the...
Wild About Travel
My Twelve Hotel Commandments
  From five stars in Singapore to a rickety bed and breakfast in Blackpool, a tree house in Zimbabwe, a 747 parked at Stockholm airport, a draughty youth hostel in nirehn Scootkanbd and everything ij betweemn means I ahve sleopt in a lot of hotel beds.   Thou shalt know where thy hotel...
Paddle Your Own Kanoo
13-Year-Old Stowaway Who Hid In Plane’s Landing Gear ‘Out Of Curiosity’ Miracously Survives Flight
A 13-year-old Afghan boy survived a flight from Kabul to New Delhi in the landing gear of an Airbus A340 jet that flew at altitudes of 35,000 feet, and apparently, he did it “out of curiosity.” The boy’s miraculous survival occurred on Sunday morning when he snuck past security at Kabul...
Eye of the Flyer
Worried About Your Fine Hotels Credits Expiring Soon? What If You Already Spent Your $200?
A potentially big benefit for some travel rewards card users debuted last week — but some might be scrambling to use it when they probably don’t need to. Fine Hotels + Resorts Statement Credit: Up to $600 As part of its Platinum-palooza last week, American Express increased The Platinum Card® from American...
One Mile at a Time
Spirit Airlines Slashing Capacity By 25%, Furloughing Pilots & Flight Attendants
It’s a tough time for Spirit Airlines. Several weeks ago, the airline filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy for the second time in a matter of months, in a move that should’ve surprised no one (well, except the company’s management, seemingly). While Spirit kind of squandered its first Chapter 11 bankruptcy (by...
Live and Let’s Fly
British Airways Eliminates Hot Breakfast In Business Class, Offers Cold Snack In Latest “Trial”
British Airways is back at it with cost-cutting in Club Europe, this time eliminating hot breakfast from the menu on domestic flights. Passengers traveling in business class on routes within the UK will now find a far less impressive spread awaiting them onboard as BA “trials” a new reduced menu. British...
Paddle Your Own Kanoo
Tunisian Airline Blames Bad Weather For Incident At Nice Airport That Nearly Ended In Catastrophe
A Tunisian airline, which was involved in a near-catastrophic incident at Nice Airport in the South of France when one of its planes nearly landed on top of a packed EasyJet aircraft on Sunday night, has pinned the blame on bad weather and low visibility. In its first public statement following...
Monkey Miles
Transfer Citi Thank You to Turkish with 50% bonus
The coincides with a massive amount of award space that was just released by Turkish ( which is bookable on partner point programs as well ), but if you have Citi Thank You points sitting around that you were looking to use for a trip – this could be a...
Monkey Miles
30% transfer bonus Citi Thank You to Virgin Atlantic
30% transfer bonus Citi Thank You to Virgin Atlantic Transfer bonuses are the time to pull the trigger. Virgin Atlantic is a program many overlook because of the heavy surcharges, but it’s also one I’ve taken advantage of a lot over the past year. Virgin Atlantic award flights earn you Elite...
One Mile at a Time
SWISS Unveils New Safety Video: Picturesque & Predictable
SWISS has just unveiled its newest safety video, which is the carrier’s first new safety video in many years. I’d say it’s an improvement over the old one, but it’s oh-so-predictable. SWISS safety video shows off Switzerland landscape SWISS is introducing a new safety video, which will debut onboard the carrier’s brand new...
One Mile at a Time
Uzbekistan Airways Orders Up To 22 Boeing 787-9s For Massive Expansion
Uzbekistan Airways has just placed the largest aircraft order in its history. I can’t wait to fly on one of these planes, and be told off for taking pictures! Uzbekistan Airways plans huge Dreamliner expansion Uzbekistan Airways has placed an order for up to 22 Boeing 787-9s, including 14 firm orders and...
2PAXfly
SINGAPORE AIRLINES: Bringing Caviar Service to Business Class?
According to Aaron Wong over at The MileLion, Singapore Airlines has issued a call for tender via its eProcurement portal, seeking suppliers of ‘farmed caviar for Business Class.’ Get back in the queue, Krug and Book the Cook. Singapore Airlines appears to be introducing a touch of fish egg luxury...
Economy Class & Beyond
Last Week at Economy Class and Beyond (20th September)
It’s that time of the week again, after we hit our 10,000th post – yes, it’s time for Last Week at Economy Class and Beyond. Looking towards The MailBox and The Cube – Image, Economy Class and Beyond. Yes – Life is still full of Windows 11, with a ticking clock...
Economondo
An Islander Cockpit Ride: Flying Around Scotland’s Hebrides with Hebridean Air Services
Background When thinking of Scottish airlines in 2021, the first airline that will pop into the minds of most will likely be Loganair. Whilst Loganair’s history dates back to 1962, in recent years their independence from British Airways and Flybe, and subsequent adoption of a uniquely Scottish brand identity, coupled with...
{Tech} for Travel
First look at the new RIMOWA Original Backpack
The RIMOWA Original Backpack blends heritage design with modern practicality, featuring aluminium construction, functional storage, and style for global travellers. Credit RIMOWA ...
Economy Class & Beyond
Dublin Airport removes 100ml liquids rule as CT-Scanners go live
For those of you travelling through Dublin Airport, there’s good news as you go through security – as you will not need to take liquids, gels, or electronics out of their hand luggage. At the same time, the old 100ml or less liquid rule is being relaxed too, with departing passengers permitted to...
Economondo
Korea’s New and Exciting LCC: Jeju to Cheongju on Aero K
Background Just like most places in the world, forming an airline in Korea is a highly complex and prohibitively expensive endeavour. Many may even argue that doing so is a foolish feat with little chance of reward, as once you’ve successfully leapt through a seemingly endless series of regulatory hoops, you...
Economy Class & Beyond
HiSky Europe to add Bucharest – Chicago Route
HiSky Europe is building on its North American expansion, with the airline planning to add Chicago to its network. The move comes two years after the operation of the first direct flight to New York, which was restored two years ago after a 20-year break. This comes after a 24-year break, during which...
{Tech} for Travel
The HyperPack Tech Backpack offers security and style
The HyperPack Tech Backpack combines secure storage, charging on the go, and durable EcoSmart design in a travel-ready, lightweight backpack. Credit Hyper ...
Traveling For Miles
Save up to $175 in the next 12 days with the Platinum Card® from American Express
Unless you've just woken up or have just got off an aircraft following a long and wifi-less flight, you'll probably already know that the long awaited Platinum Card refresh was announced today with both the consumer and business cards getting makeovers and increased annual fees. Other links to products and travel...