Latest news

Alliance Airlines Coming to Canberra

Alliance Airlines will launch scheduled flights to Canberra for the first time, with a new twice-weekly Canberra-Sunshine Coast service from 23 October 2020. The same aircraft, a Fokker 100 with 100 Economy class seats, will continue from the Sunshine Coast to Cairns. Passengers can travel from Canberra to Cairns on a single flight number without … Continued

28 Sep 2020 Rex & Regional Airlines

Norfolk Island is Open for Tourism

Update (21 October): Air New Zealand will resume a second-weekly Sydney-Norfolk Island flight from November. With international borders shut, there are few opportunities for Australians to travel overseas this year. But Norfolk Island, an Australian territory located between New Zealand and New Caledonia, is open for business. Norfolk Island has introduced a similar hotspot-based system … Continued

27 Sep 2020 Coronavirus and Travel

Qantas Clarifies Lounge Access for Oneworld Frequent Flyers

Airport lounge access rules can be confusing at the best of times. But issues arise particularly often when frequent flyers try to use their status benefits from one airline while crediting the flight to a different airline’s frequent flyer program. If you have Oneworld Sapphire or Emerald status with an airline other than Qantas, such … Continued

27 Sep 2020 Oneworld

Rex to Launch Boeing 737 Capital City Flights

It looks like Regional Express Airlines (Rex) is serious about leasing Boeing 737s and flying major capital city routes from March 2021. But will Rex be able to woo frequent flyers, and is there really enough room for a third player in the domestic market? Rex’s plan to launch capital city flights In May 2020, … Continued

25 Sep 2020 Rex & Regional Airlines

How Many Flight Attendants Are Required Per Flight?

Ever wondered how many flight attendants are required to operate a flight? The minimum ratio of flight attendants to passengers varies by country, but it’s generally between 1:36 and 1:50. In Australia, the standard minimum ratio is 1 flight attendant for every 36 passengers. But there are some exemptions. For example, flight attendants are not … Continued

25 Sep 2020 In Flight

ANZ Rewards Travel Adventures Card Withdraws Virgin Benefits

The ANZ Rewards Travel Adventures credit card will no longer come with a complimentary annual return Virgin Australia flight or Virgin Australia lounge passes from December 2020. As a result of this change, the ANZ Rewards Travel Adventures annual fee will also be reduced from $225 to $120. But the loss of the Virgin flight … Continued

24 Sep 2020 ANZ

Double Velocity Points on Virgin Domestic Flights (September 2020)

Virgin Australia may still be in voluntary administration, owing thousands of customers refunds, but that’s not stopping the airline from trying to stimulate new flight bookings! Velocity Frequent Flyer has launched a new “double points” offer on Virgin Australia flights this week. Until 29 September 2020, you can earn double Velocity points on new Virgin … Continued

24 Sep 2020 Virgin Australia

Should I Cash Out My Frequent Flyer Points Now?

If you’re unable to travel at the moment, you may be wondering whether to cash out your frequent flyer points for gift cards or products. You’re not alone. Many once-frequent travellers are now left with a stack of frequent flyer points that they can’t immediately use for travel. But is it really a good idea … Continued

21 Sep 2020 Airlines, Miles and Points

Qantas Launches Canberra-Gold Coast Flights

Qantas will commence direct flights from Canberra to the Gold Coast for the first time from next Friday, as Queensland reopens its border to the ACT. From 25 September 2020, travellers from the ACT that have not been in NSW for the past 14 days will be permitted to enter Queensland without entering quarantine. Taking … Continued

19 Sep 2020 Qantas

Podcast #45: Vulnerable Australians Stranded Overseas

Courtney Devine has been working in Amsterdam for more than two years. Desperate now to return to Perth, the Australian woman was left with no choice but to set up a “Go Fund Me” page to raise the $10,542 needed to book a flight home and pay for hotel quarantine on arrival. She still then had … Continued

19 Sep 2020 AFF on Air Podcast

Vulnerable Australians Stranded Overseas – AIR045

  Next week, the Australian government will increase the number of Australians that can arrive each week from 4,000 to around 6,000 people. This is a welcome step forward and will definitely help to clear the backlog of Australians stranded overseas. But with at least 24,000 Australians currently registered as stranded – and perhaps closer … Continued

19 Sep 2020 AFF on Air (blubrry)

What to Expect in Australian Hotel Quarantine

If you’re returning to Australia from overseas – or travelling interstate from a designated COVID-19 hotspot – there’s a good chance you’ll end up in hotel quarantine. Since 29 March 2020, anyone arriving in Australia is required to undergo 14 days of managed isolation in a hotel room. This needs to be completed in government-designated … Continued

18 Sep 2020 Coronavirus and Travel