Latest news

Qantas Status Extensions & Gifts Offered as Apology

Qantas will offer flight discounts, more Classic Reward availability and other bonus benefits to its frequent flyers in an attempt to apologise for the “recent operational challenges” that have seen many flights delayed or cancelled and bags go missing. All Qantas Frequent Flyer members will also receive a further 12-month status extension. Qantas says it … Continued

21 Aug 2022 Qantas

Podcast #91: Tools to Make International Travel Easier

International travel is gradually returning to normal, but heading overseas in 2022 still involves some unique challenges. One factor is the current chaos of the global aviation industry, which has largely been caught off guard and is struggling to keep up with demand. This is leading to many flight cancellations and checked bags going missing. Another … Continued

20 Aug 2022 AFF on Air Podcast

Tools to Make International Travel Easier – AIR091

  In this episode, Matt takes a close look at two different tools and resources that can make your international travel easier in 2022. The first tool is Apple AirTags, which can help if an airline loses your luggage. Another is Sherpa, a website with easy-to-read, up-to-date information on where you can travelled and what’s … Continued

20 Aug 2022 AFF on Air (blubrry)

Emirates Delays Sydney-Christchurch Relaunch

Emirates has sadly delayed the return of Airbus A380 flights between Sydney and Christchurch, New Zealand. A few months ago, Emirates had committed to resuming its Dubai-Sydney-Christchurch route from 1 December 2022. But a recent schedule update now sees the fifth-freedom route returning from 27 March 2023 instead – four months later than previously planned. … Continued

18 Aug 2022 Emirates

Qantas Adjusts Departure Times By One Minute

Thousands of Qantas passengers with international bookings received notifications on Tuesday that their flight’s departure time had been pushed back by one minute. Then, on Wednesday, Qantas moved the departure times on these flights forward by one minute – reinstating their original departure times. Qantas international flights departing Sydney and Melbourne were affected by the … Continued

17 Aug 2022 Qantas

No Virgin Lounge Access for International or Red-Eye Flights

If you have a Virgin Australia Lounge membership, a Business Class ticket or hold Velocity Gold or Platinum status, you can normally use the lounge prior to any Virgin flight from an airport where a Virgin Australia Lounge is available. Lounge access is a sought-after benefit at the best of times, but it’s especially handy … Continued

16 Aug 2022 Virgin Australia

Qantas Points “The Envy of the World”? Absolutely Not!

Qantas CEO Alan Joyce recently told a room full of business leaders and journalists in Perth that the airline’s frequent flyer scheme and points “are the envy of the world”. In this month’s Qantas Magazine, Joyce also wrote that Qantas is “making it easier for members to book that dream trip with Qantas Points”. Sadly, the … Continued

15 Aug 2022 Qantas

Air Canada Boeing 777 Signature Class Review

Air Canada, a partner of Virgin Australia, offers four weekly flights from Brisbane to Vancouver and up to 10 weekly Sydney-Vancouver services. Air Canada will also soon commence Auckland-Vancouver flights. Air Canada used to fly its Boeing 777-200LR on the Sydney-Vancouver route, but all three of the airline’s routes to Australia & New Zealand are … Continued

13 Aug 2022 Flight Reviews

Virgin Melbourne Lounge Now After Security

The Virgin Australia Lounge at Melbourne Airport is now located after the security checkpoint, making it easier to head to the departure gates in Terminals 3 and 4 directly from the lounge. The lounge has not physically moved. But since Wednesday, the large Terminal 4 security checkpoint at Melbourne Airport is now a central location … Continued

12 Aug 2022 Airports & Lounges

Saudia’s Cheap Business Fares Between Asia & Europe

When planning a trip to Europe, Saudia is probably not the first airline that comes to mind. But this SkyTeam carrier offers lie-flat Business Class seats and has some exceptional year-round Business Class fares between various destinations in Asia and Europe. By combining a cheap Saudia Business Class ticket between Southeast Asia and Europe with … Continued

10 Aug 2022 Other Airlines

Emirates Renovating Brisbane Lounge

Update: The new Emirates Lounge in Brisbane opened in February 2024. Emirates recently reopened its Australian airport lounges in Sydney, Melbourne and Perth. But Emirates’ other Australian lounge, at Brisbane Airport, remains notably closed for the time being. At the moment, Emirates passengers in Brisbane who are eligible for lounge access are being sent instead … Continued

10 Aug 2022 Emirates

Earn Velocity Points on Link Airways

Australian regional airline Link Airways has commenced a partnership with Velocity Frequent Flyer, the loyalty program of Virgin Australia. This will allow Link Airways customers to earn Velocity points and (in some cases) access Virgin Australia lounges. From 22 August 2022, Link Airways passengers will be able to earn between 2 and 5 Velocity points … Continued

10 Aug 2022 Rex & Regional Airlines