Author: Matt Graham
The Airbus A380 is Making a Comeback
As the end to major COVID-19 travel restrictions draws tantalisingly close, demand for air travel is starting to return. Many countries, including Australia, are starting to ease border restrictions for vaccinated travellers. As a result, airlines are starting to return their largest planes to the skies! In aircraft terms, the super-jumbo Airbus A380 was one … Continued
Podcast #71: NSW Ends Quarantine
This week, NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet made a huge announcement that Australians will finally be allowed to leave the country – and return without quarantine – from 1 November 2021. That’s just over two weeks away! There are some conditions. For example, Australians will need to be fully vaccinated, will need a negative COVID-19 test … Continued
NSW Ends Quarantine – AIR071
Yesterday, NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet announced some big news: From 1 November 2021, vaccinated Australians will finally be allowed to leave the country, and return from overseas into NSW without having to quarantine. There’s a lot to unpack from this announcement. Joining Matt to do so on this episode of AFF on AIR is … Continued
Velocity Formally Ends Alitalia Partnership
Virgin Australia’s Velocity Frequent Flyer program has finally confirmed that it is ending its long-standing partnership with Alitalia, a day after the former Italian flag carrier operated its last flight. Alitalia has been replaced by a new airline called ITA, which stands for Italia Trasporto Aereo. ITA will be fully owned by the Italian government … Continued
Singapore Airlines to Operate Repatriation Flights to Darwin
Singapore Airlines will operate two commercial repatriation flights to Darwin next month for returning Australian citizens, permanent residents and their immediate family members. The Singapore Airlines flights will fly from Singapore to Darwin on 2 and 8 November 2021. All passengers will be required to quarantine at Howard Springs for 14 days after arrival. While New … Continued
NSW Scraps Quarantine for Vaccinated Australians
New South Wales will reopen its border to vaccinated Australians returning from overseas from 1 November 2021, who will no longer have to quarantine on arrival – neither at a hotel, nor at home. Fully vaccinated Australians will also be allowed to travel overseas from anywhere in Australia from 1 November, without having to apply … Continued
Too Many Airline Award Charts Ignore Premium Economy
Many airlines have introduced Premium Economy Class over the past decade. Even the major US carriers and Emirates, which initially resisted the trend, are now retrofitting Premium Economy seats onto their long-haul planes. But so many frequent flyer programs haven’t caught up yet. Of the frequent flyer programs that still have award charts, most display … Continued
Singapore Expands Vaccinated Travel Lanes, But Not to Australia
Singapore will open “Vaccinated Travel Lanes” (VTL) with nine more countries from next week, following the successful launch of a travel bubble with Germany last month. It’s great news for travellers in eligible countries. Unfortunately, Australia didn’t make the list. In fact, the new VTL arrangements could make it harder for Australians to return home … Continued
Bonza: Australia’s Next Low-Cost Airline
A new start-up airline is planning to launch low-cost flights to leisure and regional destinations across Australia from next year. Bonza, as the airline has been named, doesn’t plan to compete directly with Qantas, Jetstar, Virgin and Rex on routes with lots of business travellers. Flying a small fleet of new, single-class Boeing 737-8 aircraft … Continued