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Avianca Brazil Grounded, All Flights Cancelled

All flights on bankrupt airline Avianca Brazil have been suspended indefinitely after Brazilian regulators grounded the airline. The Brazilian carrier, which is a member of Star Alliance, already cancelled thousands of flights last month after most of its aircraft were repossessed. For clarity, Avianca Brazil is a different company to Avianca (which is based in … Continued

30 May 2019 Avianca

AFF Member on Diverted Cathay Pacific Flight

Passengers on a Cathay Pacific flight from Hong Kong to Melbourne last Friday were given $30 worth of meal vouchers after their flight was diverted to Darwin, resulting in a 14-hour delay. AFF member pn1 was on the diverted Cathay Pacific flight CX105, which departed Hong Kong just after midnight on 25 May. The Airbus A350 … Continued

30 May 2019 Flight Reviews

Expanded Qantas, Cathay Pacific Codeshares Blocked

Australian regulators have tentatively rejected Qantas’ application for an expanded codeshare agreement with Hong Kong-based Cathay Pacific. Back in January, Qantas applied for permission from Australia’s International Air Services Commission (IASC) to place its “QF” code on five Cathay Pacific services between Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Hong Kong. Similarly, Cathay Pacific would codeshare on five … Continued

29 May 2019 Cathay Pacific

Rare Air New Zealand Business Award Availability

Air New Zealand is not exactly famous for its generous award availability. Air New Zealand almost never releases long-haul Business class award availability for bookings using miles with Star Alliance partner airlines. But there are rare exceptions. A few days ago, Air New Zealand released a bunch of Business class award availability on long-haul routes … Continued

29 May 2019 Air New Zealand Points Inspiration

Free Qantas Lounge Pass for 18-35 Year-olds

Qantas is giving away free Business Lounge passes to 18-35 year-olds who book an international Qantas flight in Economy class. This promotion is running until 31 August 2019 and is valid for international Qantas flights departing any time until 29 February 2020. If you’re aged between 18 and 35 years old and you’d like to … Continued

28 May 2019 Qantas

How to Get a Qantas “Comfort Row” to Yourself

If you’re stuck in Economy on a long overnight flight, there’s not much better than getting a whole row of seats to yourself. Did you know that, on one Qantas flight, the airline will actually sell you the remaining seats in your row for a small fee? It’s much more cost-effective than upgrading to Premium … Continued

27 May 2019 Qantas

The Dumbest Travel Mistake I’ve Ever Made

Earlier this week, I made what is quite possibly the stupidest travel mistake I’ve ever made. After 472 commercial flights, it finally happened… I left my passport on the plane. Normally after losing your passport you’d realise fairly quickly. But by the time I realised, three hours had passed and the plane had already operated … Continued

26 May 2019 Post Flight

Qantas & Air New Zealand Reciprocal Lounge Access Explained

In October 2018, Qantas and Air New Zealand launched an unlikely new codeshare agreement. Air New Zealand began code-sharing on Qantas domestic routes, and Qantas in turn placed its “QF” code on many Air New Zealand domestic flights. The agreement between Qantas and Air New Zealand means that frequent flyers can earn points and receive … Continued

25 May 2019 Air New Zealand

Etihad Charging for Snacks, Drinks in Economy

Etihad Airways has been on a relentless cost-cutting drive lately. The airline has already axed unprofitable routes (like Perth-Abu Dhabi), cut back its chauffeur drive service, reduced Business class amenities and introduced fares that exclude checked baggage. Now, the latest victim of Etihad’s cost-cutting is its Economy class catering. Etihad recently announced new “enhanced” Economy … Continued

25 May 2019 Etihad Airways

Super Garuda Business Class Sale for Groups

Garuda Indonesia has launched an excellent sale on Business Class fares departing from Singapore. In a unique twist, the prices in this sale become progressively cheaper as you buy more tickets. The best prices are available for groups of six travelling together. The Garuda “6/5/4-to-go Business Class Special Deal” covers flights from Singapore to destinations … Continued

24 May 2019 Other Airlines

Redeem Qantas Points to Taipei with China Airlines

Qantas Frequent Flyer has recently opened up points-based bookings on China Airlines flights between Australia and Taiwan. It’s now possible to redeem Qantas points to fly with China Airlines from Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane to Taipei in Economy, Premium Economy and Business class. Award availability on China Airlines is surprisingly good. Many flights between Australia … Continued

23 May 2019 Points Inspiration Qantas

UK Opens Passport E-Gates to Australians

Long queues for immigration are now a thing of the past for Australians arriving in the United Kingdom. As of Monday 20 May, Australians can now use the e-gates for passport control when arriving at UK airports including London Heathrow. This is welcome news for travellers to the UK as lines for passport control at … Continued

22 May 2019 Travel Lifestyle