WEEKLY REVIEW: Sunday 24 May, 2026

Greetings from Sydney. Back at home for a week or so before I head out on my next trip.

Later this week, I’m heading eastward to the Americas. Precise location and cities to visit will be revealed as the trip progresses. These will all be totally new destinations for me, so I am a little excited.

What happened last week?

Proposed new domestic airline ‘Zinc’ wants to be the Australian Ryanair, and Virgin Australia cuts commissions to online travel agent, WebJet.

The US government is proposing a squeeze on customs and immigration services to sanctuary cities, and Thailand is reducing the length of no-visa stays for Australians.

Air New Zealand has changed its loyalty program to Koru, and put on sale its bunk bed innovation ‘SkyNest’ on ultra-long-haul flights on new 787 Dreamliners. Australia has concluded a range of new air services agreements that will allow more flights by Gulf carriers and direct flights between Melbourne and the Maldives. 

Next week

I’m heading to North America. It will be three years since my last trip to the continent, and my first trip to this particular destination. I’m excited about a close to 14-hour direct, non-stop trip. I better start packing preparations.

Keep up your vaccinations, and travel safely.

Until next week . . .

Stephen

WEBJET: Travel agent squeezed as Virgin Australia cuts commissions

By 2paxfly on 23 May 2026 1:37 pm

Webjet is warning investors that trading conditions remain “fluid and challenging” after Virgin Australia cut the commissions it pays the online travel agent, according to an article in the SMH. For travellers, that could mean fewer sharp Webjet airfare deals on Virgin flights. For Webjet, it is another revenue hit at a time when Australians […] Read in browser »

UNITED STATES: Trump administration floats airport squeeze on ‘sanctuary cities’

By 2paxfly on 22 May 2026 12:04 pm

I have refrained largely from reporting on USA affairs. That’s partly because I don’t want to besmirch my reputation if I decide to travel to the USA again. However, there are just some things that need to be reported in the interests of Australians travelling to the USA. The Trump administration is reportedly considering a […] Read in browser »

AIR NEW ZEALAND: How to book the new Economy Skynest sleep pods

By 2paxfly on 21 May 2026 11:47 am

Air New Zealand’s much-hyped Economy Skynest is finally going on sale. Yep, those at the bunk beds you can rent by the four-hour period. From this week (18 May 2026), passengers booked in Economy or Premium Economy will be able to add a four-hour lie-flat sleep session on selected long-haul flights. Travel with Skynest […] Read in browser »

THAILAND: Visa-free stays for Australians cut back to 30 days

By 2paxfly on 20 May 2026 4:12 pm

The Thai government has approved changes that would end the current 60-day visa-free stay for Australians and visitors from more than 90 other countries. That generous 60-day exemption only arrived in July 2024, when Thailand was still trying to goose its post-pandemic tourism economy. It applied to passport holders from countries including Australia, the UK, […] Read in browser »

AIR NEW ZEALAND: Koru program replaces Airpoints

By 2paxfly on 20 May 2026 10:54 am

Air New Zealand has officially launched its refreshed loyalty programme, Koru, replacing the long-running Airpoints brand and shifting more than five million members into a new tier structure from 22 April 2026. Existing Airpoints and Status Points carry across, so members are not starting again from scratch. The less thrilling news is that the real […] Read in browser »

AIR SERVICES AGREEMENTS: Direct flights to Maldives from Melbourne, and Western Sydney Airport to get Gulf carriers

By 2paxfly on 19 May 2026 4:59 pm

The Australian government has signed four new or updated aviation agreements, opening the door to more flights and more codeshares. Although, as ever with aviation bilaterals, permission to fly is not the same thing as an airline actually putting metal in the sky. The Albanese Government says it has negotiated new and updated air services […] Read in browser »

NEW AIRLINE: proposed ultra low cost carrier ZINC claims place as Australia’s Ryanair

By 2paxfly on 18 May 2026 11:30 am

Australia has a long and fairly brutal history of killing every attempt to form a third domestic airline to compete with Virgin Australia and the Qantas Group. Compass flamed out in the early 1990s. Impulse was folded into Qantas. Virgin Blue survived, but only after Ansett’s collapse turned it into the country’s second major airline. […] Read in browser »

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