Latest news

Fiji Airways Ends Adelaide Service

Fiji Airways will axe its Adelaide-Nadi route in July, just two years after it launched. Fiji Airways has served the Adelaide-Nadi route twice per week since June 2017, using Boeing 737s with 8 Business Class and 156 Economy seats. The overnight flight to Nadi currently departs Adelaide every Monday and Friday evening, returning in the afternoon … Continued

22 Jun 2019 Other Airlines

Virgin Australia Seeks Expanded Virgin Atlantic Partnership

Virgin Australia and UK-based Virgin Atlantic have applied for regulatory approval to coordinate services between Australia and the UK. The expanded Virgin Atlantic partnership would allow the two airlines to offer a more seamless experience to passengers flying to London through better schedules, easier connections and enhanced frequent flyer benefits. Virgin Australia does not fly … Continued

21 Jun 2019 Virgin Australia

Major Qantas Frequent Flyer Changes – June 2019

Qantas Frequent Flyer has announced the largest overhaul in the loyalty program’s history. There are significant changes to reward flight pricing, with an increase in the amount of points required for flights in premium cabins and upgrades – including for round-the-world awards. But carrier charges and the amount of points required for some Economy reward … Continued

20 Jun 2019 Qantas

New Westpac Altitude Velocity Rewards Program

Westpac has launched a new Altitude Velocity rewards program which comes with direct earning of Velocity points and complimentary Economy X upgrades on Virgin Australia flights. Westpac customers can now choose to opt-in to earning either Qantas points, Velocity points or Altitude Rewards points with their credit card. As part of the changes, Westpac is … Continued

20 Jun 2019 Virgin Australia

Etihad First Class to Europe for Less than Business Prices

Thinking about buying an Etihad Business Class ticket to Europe? Why pay for a Business Class ticket when, thanks to a current American Airlines promotion, you can fly First Class for less than the price of Business! American Airlines is currently running one of its regular promotions on buying AAdvantage miles. Until 30 June 2019, … Continued

19 Jun 2019 Etihad Airways Points Inspiration

Qantas Frequent Flyer Changes Coming

Update: The full suite of changes has now been announced. Read a full analysis of the changes here: Qantas Frequent Flyer Changes (June 2019) Qantas is expected to announce major changes to its Qantas Frequent Flyer loyalty program on Thursday. Qantas CEO Alan Joyce and Qantas Loyalty CEO Olivia Wirth will hold a press conference … Continued

19 Jun 2019 Qantas

Qantas to Launch Brisbane-Chicago Flights

Qantas has announced it will fly non-stop from Brisbane to Chicago from April 2020, pending the US government’s approval of a joint venture with American Airlines. Qantas will use Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners for the four-weekly flights, which will be timed to allow for easy one-stop connections via Brisbane from cities across Australia to Chicago. Additionally, Qantas … Continued

17 Jun 2019 Qantas

John Bartels (jb747) Reflects on a Stellar Career with Qantas

Anyone who’s visited AFF’s popular Ask The Pilot thread will be familiar with John Bartels, who goes by the AFF username of jb747. Over the years, jb747 has developed a reputation as one of AFF’s most respected members. He has tirelessly answered thousands of AFF member questions relating to aviation, flying and the life of a pilot. … Continued

17 Jun 2019 Qantas

TWA Hotel at New York’s JFK Airport

Trans Wold Airlines, or TWA, may have ceased operations in 2001. But a brand new hotel at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport allows guests to take a step back in time and relive the TWA experience. The TWA Hotel at New York JFK Airport opened just one month ago. Located at JFK’s Terminal … Continued

17 Jun 2019 Hotel Reviews

Air New Zealand to Fly Boeing 787 to Gold Coast

IN BRIEF | Air New Zealand has scheduled its Dreamliner on flights to the Gold Coast for several services over the July school holidays. The airline’s Boeing 787-9s will fly from Auckland to Gold Coast’s Coolangatta Airport each Sunday between 7 and 21 July 2019. This is the first time that Air New Zealand has … Continued

16 Jun 2019 Air New Zealand Points Inspiration

Emirates “Business Special” Fares Exclude All the Perks

Emirates has started unbundling its Business Class fares with the launch of its new “Business Special” fare concept. Emirates’ Business Special fares are a little bit cheaper than the Dubai-based airline’s regular tickets. But they also exclude many of the perks that traditionally come with a Business class ticket. What you’ll get on a discounted … Continued

16 Jun 2019 Emirates

Podcast #13: jb747’s Stellar Career with Qantas

In this special edition of the AFF on AIR podcast, Matt chats to John Bartels (a.k.a. jb747) about his flying career with Qantas, the A380, the QF30 incident, flight training, retirement, today’s aviation industry and more. John is a former Qantas Airbus A380 captain and remains an active contributor to AFF’s popular Ask The Pilot … Continued

15 Jun 2019 AFF on Air Podcast