Spain's fast rail network started in 1992 and has continued expanding. Yes it's expensive, however in European terms for fast rail travel it's actually cheap. It's politically supported and like most things, if there is a will there is a way....something Australia perhaps lacks.
Partly EU...
Typical ex Perth result regarding any so called sale. They are all the same be it QF, VA, QR. Only decent sale prices I have ever seen (of significance) was with SQ and MH and all in economy!!
That Miracle lounge at BKK, in my opinion, at least early in the morning is just awful. I checked it out when flying AY, left promptly and headed to QR. It's great having decent one world status with BA.
Funnily enough also doing TYO early March ex PER (only for 5 days). Dumped QF rapidly despite any "enhancement" they want to offer as bottom line figure shocking. . 3.5 K business in MH and 4.2K SQ. Know who I am flying with!!
You are not alone in crediting to AY. Next year I'm also walking away from BA (really hard now in Australia anyhow) and all BA flights will also go to AY.