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QantasLink 717 Economy Class Review (January 2021)

All airlines have made changes to their on-board service during COVID-19. So, what’s the service like in Qantas domestic Economy class in January 2021? I recently found out on a QantasLink Boeing 717 flight from Rockhampton to Brisbane. Flight Details Flight number QF1795 Route Rockhampton (ROK) to Brisbane (BNE) Aircraft type Boeing 717-200 Class of … Continued

27 Jan 2021 Flight Reviews

Instant KrisFlyer Status with Amex Platinum Card [Ends 31 March 2021]

Do you have an American Express Platinum or Centurion card? If so, you can earn instant Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Silver status and benefit from a fast-track to KrisFlyer Gold status! KrisFlyer Gold status not only comes with benefits when you fly with Singapore Airlines. You’ll also enjoy Star Alliance Gold benefits when flying on any … Continued

27 Jan 2021 American Express

Podcast #52: When Could “Normal” Travel Resume?

Earlier this month, Qantas reopened international flight bookings for July 2021. But then, this week, Australia’s current and former Chief Medical Officers both said they didn’t expect regular international travel to Australia to resume until 2022. So, when can we expect some level of meaningful international travel to resume, and what will it take? Also in Episode … Continued

23 Jan 2021 AFF on Air Podcast

When Could “Normal” Travel Resume? – AIR052

  Earlier this month, Qantas reopened international flight bookings for July 2021. But then, this week, Australia’s current and former Chief Medical Officers both said they didn’t expect regular international travel to Australia to resume until 2022. So, when can we expect some level of meaningful international travel to resume? Also in this episode, Matt discusses the … Continued

23 Jan 2021 AFF on Air (blubrry)

Qantas 747 Parts & Memorabilia on Sale

Last year, Qantas retired its Boeing 747 fleet. While it’s been sad to see the “queen of the skies” go, this has created some unique opportunities for aviation enthusiasts to own a small part of history. Planetags has been selling luggage tags made from genuine Qantas 747 aircraft skins. Qantas also made headlines last September … Continued

21 Jan 2021 Travel Lifestyle

Virgin Australia Partners with Air Canada

Virgin Australia flyers can now earn Velocity points and status credits when flying with Air Canada, with the launch of a new partnership between the two airlines yesterday. Virgin Australia began codesharing on limited Air Canada flights between Los Angeles and Canada in 2017. But until now, the partnership did not cover direct flights between … Continued

20 Jan 2021 Air Canada Virgin Australia

Win a Share of 20 Million Velocity Points

There are some easy, free Velocity Frequent Flyer points up for grabs thanks to a new promotion. Velocity members can now claim a share of 20 million points, simply by downloading the Velocity App and activating the offer on the home screen by 26 January 2021. All Velocity members who take part in the promotion … Continued

20 Jan 2021 Virgin Australia

Virgin Removes Music from In-Flight Entertainment

In 2018, Qantas caused quite a stir by axing music from its in-flight entertainment program on domestic flights. Key figures in the Australian music industry were quick to criticise the decision, which appears to have been made to save money on music licensing fees, and Qantas received a huge backlash at the time on social … Continued

18 Jan 2021 Virgin Australia

The International Flights Available to Australia in January 2021

Update (22 January 2021): Emirates will reinstate flights to Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane from next week. It’s now January 2021, and there are still tens of thousands of Australians stuck overseas. Unfortunately for those Aussies, returning to Australia has just become even harder with super-connector Emirates withdrawing flights to most Australian cities and the Australian … Continued

18 Jan 2021 Coronavirus and Travel

Virgin Australia 737 Business Class Review (January 2021)

With Virgin Australia now out of voluntary administration, lounges are slowly reopening and the onboard service is beginning to improve. Unfortunately, Virgin Australia’s Business Class product still falls short of expectations in 2021, as I recently discovered on a flight from Brisbane to Rockhampton. Flight Details Flight number VA1235 Route Brisbane (BNE) to Rockhampton (ROK) … Continued

16 Jan 2021 Flight Reviews

Flybuys Improves Velocity Points Transfer Rate

Flybuys has improved the rate at which points are transferred to Velocity Frequent Flyer, while also halving the minimum points transfer amount. Flybuys members can now transfer their points to Velocity in increments of 1,000 Flybuys points, reduced from the previous minimum of 2,000 Flybuys points. Those 1,000 Flybuys points are now worth 500 Velocity … Continued

15 Jan 2021 Flybuys

Qantas & Virgin Suspend Lounge Access on Arrival

EXCLUSIVE | Both Qantas and Virgin Australia have stopped permitting arriving passengers to access their airport lounges, without updating their websites or informing affected customers. Qantas still advertises lounge access on arrival as a benefit for Platinum and Platinum One frequent flyers, while Virgin Australia advertises arrival access for Velocity Gold, Velocity Platinum and Business Class … Continued

14 Jan 2021 Airports & Lounges