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Your Ticket’s “Point Of Origin” Could Cost You Hundreds

When redeeming frequent flyer points, carrier charges (also known as fuel surcharges) can add hundreds or even thousands of dollars to the cost of reward flights. But not all airlines charge them, and for those that do, the amount of carrier charges paid can vary significantly depending on where you start your trip. There are … Continued

14 Nov 2022 Airlines, Miles and Points

Podcast #97: Air Canada’s Underrated Frequent Flyer Program

Air Canada’s Aeroplan frequent flyer program is one that flies under the radar for most Australians. But it’s one that perhaps deserves more attention. Aeroplan was redesigned and relaunched in 2020 by people who are themselves aviation geeks and avid frequent flyers. They “get” what motivates points and status collectors, and they’ve done a lot … Continued

12 Nov 2022 AFF on Air Podcast

Air Canada’s Underrated Frequent Flyer Program – AIR097

In this episode, find out why Air Canada’s Aeroplan program deserves more attention from Australian frequent flyers! Plus, learn how to supercharge your Coles Flybuys and Woolworths Everyday Rewards points. Episode contents: 0:59 – Fortnightly news round-up 12:43 – Air Canada’s Aeroplan program 23:00 – New Star Alliance credit card 27:09 – How to supercharge … Continued

12 Nov 2022 AFF on Air (blubrry)

Review: Virgin Australia Domestic Business Class in 2022

I recently reviewed QantasLink’s Embraer E190 Business Class service from Adelaide to Darwin. In that review, I concluded that the seat was good and the service was excellent – but questioned whether the flight was really worth a one-way airfare of more than $2,000. On my way back from Darwin to the east coast of … Continued

11 Nov 2022 Flight Reviews

How Finnair Is Reinventing Its Business Model

Just a few years ago, Finland’s geographical location was a huge strategic advantage for Finnair, a member of the Oneworld alliance. Its business model revolved around its ability to offer short travel times and efficient connections between Europe and Asia, via its hub airport in Helsinki. Unfortunately for Finnair, COVID-19 decimated demand for travel to … Continued

10 Nov 2022 Other Airlines

Air Canada Aeroplan Adds Two Unique Airline Partners

Air Canada’s Aeroplan program has an unusually large number of useful airline partnerships. Not only can Aeroplan members earn and redeem points across the Star Alliance network, but also with around 20 other partner airlines that are not part of Star Alliance. These include many airlines that aren’t affiliated with any of the alliances, such … Continued

9 Nov 2022 Air Canada

T’Way Air Launching Sydney-Seoul Flights

South Korean low-cost carrier T’way Air will be one of two new airlines to begin operating direct Sydney-Seoul flights next month. From 24 December 2022, T’way Air will launch 4x weekly seasonal flights between Sydney and Seoul’s Incheon Airport using Airbus A330-300 aircraft. T’way Air has been operating under that name since 2010 with a … Continued

8 Nov 2022 Other Airlines

Does Australia Need EU-Style Air Passenger Protections?

Last week, consumer advocacy group Choice awarded Qantas its annual Shonky Award for “unusable flight credits, delayed flights, disappearing baggage, and endless call wait times”. It described the flying kangaroo as “The Spirit of Disappointment” for letting down many of its customers. “People are still paying premium prices to fly Qantas, but it’s clear from … Continued

7 Nov 2022 Qantas

Australia-USA Flights at 50% of Pre-COVID Capacity

At the start of 2020, Qantas was selling around 34,000 weekly seats between Australia and five destinations in the continental United States. It’s now operating just over 13,000 weekly seats in this market, with services to Los Angeles and Dallas only. Virgin Australia, meanwhile, has stopped flying to the United States altogether. Virgin used to … Continued

6 Nov 2022 United Airlines

Qatar Airways’ Bizarre Daily Melbourne-Adelaide Flight

Since the beginning of October, Qatar Airways has been running a Boeing 777 every day from Melbourne to Adelaide and back without passengers.

5 Nov 2022 Qatar Airways

Has Virgin Australia Had Its Goldilocks Moment?

In the seven years leading up to the pandemic, Virgin Australia never once made an annual profit. Already in a weak financial position, it didn’t take long after COVID-19 hit for Australia’s second-largest airline to enter voluntary administration. Virgin Australia had been a good airline that was popular with passengers, but for too long was … Continued

3 Nov 2022 Virgin Australia

QantasLink E190 Business Class Review (Adelaide-Darwin)

Last year, Qantas expanded its regional fleet by wet leasing Embraer E190 jets from Alliance Airlines. These aircraft are now being used on many regional routes across Australia, particularly out of Adelaide, Darwin, Alice Springs, Canberra and Townsville. The Embraer E190s flying for QantasLink have spacious cabins with Business and Economy seating. Economy seats are … Continued

2 Nov 2022 Flight Reviews