Latest news

Jetstar Abandons Regional New Zealand, China

Low-cost carrier Jetstar will axe all regional routes within New Zealand, with the last flights to operate on 30 November 2019. Although Jetstar has announced that this is currently only a “proposal”, the airline is already offering refunds to customers that booked a regional New Zealand domestic flight for travel from December 2019. Tickets beyond … Continued

25 Sep 2019 Jetstar

600,000 Stranded as Thomas Cook Collapses

600,000 Thomas Cook customers are now stranded overseas after the UK-based travel company filed for insolvency yesterday. Around a quarter of these passengers are British holidaymakers. The 178-year-old company operates airlines, resorts, hotels and cruises, and specialises in selling Europeans package holidays to sunny destinations. The Thomas Cook Group owns Thomas Cook Airlines, as well … Continued

24 Sep 2019 Other Airlines

The Trans-Tasman Airline Battle

Almost a year ago, Air New Zealand spectacularly ended its long-term partnership with Virgin Australia. Following the end of October 2018, the two airlines once again became competitors on trans-Tasman flights while Air New Zealand got into bed with Virgin’s rival, Qantas. Looking back, it seems the divorce has worked out much better for Air … Continued

23 Sep 2019 Air New Zealand

Lufthansa Celebrates Oktoberfest in Most German Way Possible

Oktoberfest is on again in Munich, and German airline Lufthansa is really getting into the spirit again this year! This year, Lufthansa will operate flights where the entire cabin crew will dress up in traditional Bavarian Lederhosen and Dirndls, including two A380 flights from Munich to Beijing and Los Angeles. These flights will be LH722 (MUC-PEK) … Continued

22 Sep 2019 Other Airlines

Podcast #20: Are Loyalty Programs a Scam?

The ACCC recently released a damning draft report into Australian loyalty schemes, calling out practices that it says may shock consumers and putting loyalty program operators on notice. In Episode 20 of the AFF on AIR podcast, Matt chats to airline loyalty and data expert Mark Ross-Smith about the ACCC’s findings and recommendations. This interview … Continued

21 Sep 2019 AFF on Air Podcast

Are Loyalty Programs a Scam? – AIR020

  The ACCC recently released a damning draft report into Australian loyalty schemes, calling out practices that it says may shock consumers and putting loyalty program operators on notice. In this episode, Matt chats to airline loyalty and data expert Mark Ross-Smith about the ACCC’s findings and recommendations. This interview covers topics including data privacy, … Continued

21 Sep 2019 AFF on Air (blubrry)

Virgin Axes Samsung In-Flight Entertainment Tablets

Virgin Australia is axing its Samsung in-flight entertainment tablets in Business Class on domestic and short-haul international flights. From 30 September 2019, Virgin says that it will no longer load Samsung Galaxy tablets for Business Class guests on its Boeing 737 aircraft. Instead, passengers can stream entertainment to their own devices via the Virgin Australia … Continued

21 Sep 2019 Virgin Australia

Qantas Changes: Where are the Extra Reward Seats?

Back in June 2019, Qantas Frequent Flyer announced that it would increase the number of points required for reward flight bookings in any premium cabin. In return, there would be a modest reduction in award booking carrier charges and Qantas would release “more than 1 million extra reward seats available annually on Qantas and new … Continued

20 Sep 2019 Qantas

Virgin Australia 737 Economy Review (Darwin-Melbourne)

The Boeing 737-800 is the backbone of Virgin Australia’s domestic fleet. In this review, we put Economy class to the test on one of the longest domestic routes in Australia. How does Virgin’s service stack up against rival Qantas? Flight Details Flight number VA1464 Route Darwin (DRW) to Melbourne (MEL) Aircraft type Boeing 737-800 Class … Continued

19 Sep 2019 Flight Reviews

New Qantas Business & First Class Carrier Charges – September 2019

We now know the new carrier charges that will apply to Qantas Business & First Class award bookings made from 18 September 2019 following the major Qantas Frequent Flyer changes. Qantas promised back in June that from 18 September 2019, it would decrease carrier charges for Qantas Classic Flight Reward bookings in Premium Economy, Business … Continued

17 Sep 2019 Qantas

Virgin Australia to Buy Back Velocity Stake

Virgin Australia will regain full ownership of its Velocity Frequent Flyer loyalty program after selling a 35% stake to Affinity Equity Partners in 2014. Virgin will pay $700 million to buy back the stake in its profitable Velocity loyalty program – around double what Affinity paid for it five years ago. Virgin Australia yesterday confirmed … Continued

17 Sep 2019 Virgin Australia

Using Status Benefits & Earning Points with Different Programs

If you hold status with an airline, you’ll often feel obliged to continue crediting points to that airline’s frequent flyer program in order to use your status benefits when you fly. For example, if you have Qantas Platinum status, you may only be granted entry to the First Class Lounge if your Qantas Frequent Flyer … Continued

17 Sep 2019 Planning & Booking