Qantas Reports Strong Forward Bookings to UK, USA

Qantas says it has already sold “a lot” of international flights for travel in late 2021 and early 2022, with the UK and United States among the most popular destinations. Other than trans-Tasman and ad-hoc repatriation flights, Qantas has not operated international passenger flights since March 2020 due to Australia’s ongoing international border closure. But … Continued

Two-Way Trans-Tasman Bubble from 19 April 2021

Kia ora, New Zealand! After more than a year of international border closures, Australians and New Zealanders will soon finally be able to travel freely between the two countries with the announcement of a two-way trans-Tasman bubble. From 11.59pm (NZ time) on Sunday, 18 April 2021, New Zealand will remove entry restrictions and quarantine requirements … Continued

Podcast #56: The Pandemic’s One-Year Anniversary

It’s exactly one year today since Tasmania became the first Australian state to close its border to interstate travel. Since then, there have been endless state border closures and changes to interstate travel restrictions. International borders remain shut for now but thankfully, as of last Monday, all domestic borders in Australia are now open again … Continued

Opinion: Airlines Underprepared for Easter Travel Surge

One of the (very few) pleasant aspects of flying during the past 12 months has been the lack of crowds. While the sinking passenger numbers have been terrible for the airlines’ bottom lines, a silver lining for passengers has been shorter queues at security, lots of empty middle seats and no fights over overhead locker … Continued

All Australian State Borders Have Reopened

For the first time in almost one year, there are no longer restrictions on interstate travel between any Australian states & territories as of this morning. This has not happened since Tasmania became the first state to close to all non-essential interstate travellers on 20 March 2020 – almost exactly a year ago. On that … Continued