Latest news

KrisFlyer Miles Expiration Policy is Outdated & Unfair

Over the past few years, many frequent flyer programs have moved away from the customer-unfriendly policy of points expiring after fixed amounts of time. In late 2019, for example, both Etihad Guest and Cathay Pacific Asia Miles removed the expiration of miles after a fixed 2-3 year term in favour of activity-based expiration policies. Miles … Continued

12 Nov 2020 Singapore Airlines

What It’s Like Flying International from Sydney in November 2020

With Australians still banned from leaving the country without a travel exemption, the international terminal at Sydney Airport is eeriely quiet at the moment. Most shops and lounges are closed, and just a handful of international flights are departing each day during the COVID-19 pandemic. But some people still need to travel, and there are … Continued

9 Nov 2020 Coronavirus and Travel

Qantas Closes Airport Service Desks

Qantas will close its airport service desks and sales counters, and reduce staffing levels at baggage services desks, resulting in the loss of around 100 jobs. The move will help Qantas to further cut costs, but frequent flyers are concerned this will lead to service reductions and chaos when there are flight disruptions. As part … Continued

8 Nov 2020 Qantas

NSW & ACT to Reopen Victorian Border from 23 November

After months of lockdown, there’s finally some more good news for Melburnians! The lockdown is over, COVID-19 cases in Victoria are now extremely low, and Victorians will also soon be able to travel to NSW and the ACT once again. From 12.01am on Monday 23 November 2020, border restrictions between NSW and Victoria will be … Continued

5 Nov 2020 Coronavirus and Travel

Berlin Brandenburg Airport is Finally Open!

After years (and years) of embarrassing delays, the new Berlin Brandenburg Airport finally opened last weekend! The new Berlin Brandenburg Airport (airport code “BER”), nicknamed “Willy Brandt”, was originally due to open in June 2012. But the construction of the airport has been plagued by mismanagement, scandals, fraud and cost blowouts which led the project … Continued

2 Nov 2020 Airports & Lounges

Qantas Really Wants to Remind You It’s the National Carrier

Qantas really, really wants you to know it’s the Australian national carrier. For some reason, Qantas CEO Alan Joyce has used the term “national carrier” at just about every opportunity when talking to the media in recent months. In fact, by our count, around two-thirds of Qantas media releases have included the “national carrier” line … Continued

2 Nov 2020 Qantas

Podcast #48: 747 Enthusiast Builds Flight Simulator in Garage

Think you’re a fan of the Boeing 747? You haven’t met Andrew Newnham yet… Many Australians have used the coronavirus lockdown to work on projects around the house. Canberra-based Andrew Newnham (whose AFF handle is harvyk) is no exception. But instead of reseeding his lawn, installing a new kitchen or painting the house, Andrew decided to … Continued

31 Oct 2020 AFF on Air Podcast

Aviation Enthusiast Builds 747 Flight Simulator in Garage – AIR048

  Many Australians have used the travel downturn to work on projects around the house. Canberra-based Andrew Newnham, whose AFF handle is harvyk, is no exception. But instead of reseeding his lawn, installing a new kitchen or painting the house, Andrew decided to build a life-size Boeing 747 flight simulator in his garage! In this … Continued

31 Oct 2020 AFF on Air (blubrry)

Qantas Launches “First Class at Home” Kits, More Scenic Flights

With the resumption of international flights sadly still a long way off, Qantas is once again clearing out its excess supplies of Business and First Class wine, pyjamas, amenity kits, slippers and almonds. If you’re missing flying, you’ll be able to buy one of the premium “Business and First Class experience at home” care kits … Continued

30 Oct 2020 Qantas

Hilton Further Extends Status Until 2022

The Hilton Honors loyalty program will extend the status of all members until 31 March 2022, as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact members’ ability to travel. Hilton already extended the status of all members for one year in March 2020. Now, it’s announced that all elite members will keep their status benefits for a … Continued

29 Oct 2020 Hilton Honors

Velocity Frequent Flyer Valuation Slashed By Two-Thirds

The equity value of Virgin Australia’s Velocity Frequent Flyer loyalty program has been slashed by two-thirds in just a year, according to an independent report commissioned by Virgin’s administrators and presented to the federal court. In the report, FTI Consulting valued Virgin’s loyalty business at between $640 million and $704 million. That’s compared to a … Continued

29 Oct 2020 Virgin Australia

Qatar’s Reputation Takes Huge Hit After Invasive Searches

Qatar Airways’ reputation has taken an enormous hit, with many Australians vowing never to fly through Qatar again, following shocking reports that women were subjected to human rights violations while transiting at Doha’s Hamad International Airport. Women on around 10 flights, including 13 Australians on QR908 to Sydney on 2 October 2020, were forcibly subjected … Continued

29 Oct 2020 Qatar Airways