Latest news

Showing the latest news.

Australia domestic border restrictions

Australian State Requirements for Interstate & International Arrivals

Most Australian states and territories have now removed all interstate and international travel requirements, including for unvaccinated travellers. WA was the last to do so, removing the requirement to apply for a G2G Pass to travel to WA on 29 April 2022. Australian states & territories are also now allowing quarantine-free travel from overseas for … Continued

30 Jun 2022 Coronavirus and Travel
Fiji

The World’s Safest Countries According to Smartraveller

If you’re looking for a safe destination to enjoy your next overseas holiday, look no further than Fiji – according to the Australian government. Over recent weeks and months, the Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade (DFAT) has been updating the travel advice for many of the countries listed on its Smartraveller website. The first … Continued

29 Jun 2022 Coronavirus and Travel
Air New Zealand's new Boeing 787 Business Class will arrive in 2024

Air New Zealand Unveils Refreshed Long-Haul Cabins

Air New Zealand has revealed the new Business Class and Premium Economy seats that it will install on its long-haul fleet of Boeing 787 aircraft from 2024. The new cabins are set to offer a markedly better experience for passengers, particularly in “Business Premier”. The airline is also proceeding with plans to install bunk beds … Continued

29 Jun 2022 Air New Zealand
Qantas A380 landing at LAX

Qantas Reduces Refund Waiting Times

Throughout the pandemic, many Qantas customers have complained about having to wait many weeks or months to receive a refund from Qantas for cancelled flights. Others have found it too difficult to request a refund. The good news is that Qantas recently made changes to its refund processes to make it easier and faster for … Continued

27 Jun 2022 Qantas
Air Canada Boeing 737 MAX Business cabin

Air Canada Boeing 737 MAX Business Class Review

Air Canada offers 16 Business Class recliner seats on its Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft, which is most commonly used for short and medium-haul flights. I recently tried out Air Canada’s Business Class service on a flight from Mexico City to Montreal, which I booked using Virgin Australia Velocity points. The service exceeded my expectations. … Continued

26 Jun 2022 Flight Reviews
The Best Programs to Earn Star Alliance Gold Status

Podcast #87: Getting an Airline Status Match

Many Australian Frequent Flyer members would already know about the benefits of elite airline status. As a reward for your loyalty, you’ll receive special treatment and lots of extra benefits like lounge access, priority at the airport or better access to upgrades that make your travel experience just that much better. If you have status with … Continued

25 Jun 2022 AFF on Air Podcast
AFF on AIR podcast artwork

Getting an Airline Status Match – AIR087

  In this episode, Matt is joined by co-founder of StatusMatch.com and former head of the Malaysia Airlines Enrich loyalty program Mark Ross-Smith for a behind the scenes look at the world of airline status matching. Learn about why airlines offer status matches, how you can get one, and more!   Episode contents: 1:05 – … Continued

25 Jun 2022 AFF on Air (blubrry)
How Qantas Plans to Fly A330s to LA, SFO

Qantas Adds Perth-Johannesburg Flights

Qantas will fly non-stop from Perth to Johannesburg in South Africa, with a new thrice-weekly service launching in November 2022. Operating on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, QF65 will depart Perth at 3pm and arrive in Johannesburg after 11 hours and 15 minutes of flying at 8.15pm, local time. The return service QF66 will depart Johannesburg … Continued

24 Jun 2022 Qantas
The Business & First Class check-in queue at Zurich Airport

Flying Soon? Expect Delays & Disruptions.

If you’re planning to travel over the upcoming winter school holidays, you’re not alone. Millions of Australians will take to the skies over the coming weeks, in what is set to be an even busier travel period than the Easter holidays. Many Australians are preparing to travel to international destinations such as Europe and Bali. It’s … Continued

23 Jun 2022 Airports & Lounges
Virgin Australia resumed flying to Bali last week

Why Virgin’s Bali Flights Are All Stopping in Darwin

Virgin Australia resumed flights to Bali last week for the first time since 2020. Sydney-Denpasar was the first route to relaunch on 15 June, while the routes from Brisbane and Melbourne to Bali restarted on 17 June. These flights have been full, but it hasn’t quite been smooth sailing for Virgin. So far, every single … Continued

22 Jun 2022 Virgin Australia
Qantas Airbus A330-300

Qantas Customer’s Nightmare Trip to London

When deciding which airline to fly to London, there were several reasons that Peter, the husband of AFF member Alectoris, decided to book with Qantas. A key consideration was that Qantas offers non-stop flights from Australia to the UK, avoiding the uncertainty of transiting via a third country given the changing COVID-19 situation. Being particularly … Continued

20 Jun 2022 Qantas
Hamad International Airport, Qatar

COVID-19 Transit Requirements for Key International Airports

Australia no longer requires international arrivals to get a pre-departure COVID-19 test. But many other countries still have their own travel requirements which may including COVID-19 testing, even if you are just in international transit. To make matters even more complicated, a few countries still aren’t allowing international transits at all. International travel in June … Continued

20 Jun 2022 Coronavirus and Travel