WEEKLY REVIEW: Sunday 31 May, 2026

Greetings from Canada! I’m here crossing the continent over the next few weeks. It’s my first time in this part of North America.

I flew with Qantas to Vancouver, stayed overnight at the airport before meeting up with my husband, and then proceeded to our next Canadian destination.

What happened last week?

This week has been a little extreme, preparing for some home repairs as well as this trip to Canada.

Some Middle East airlines have repositioned their A380s away from Australian destinations. Qantas has also delayed the commencement of its Project Sunrise flights until 2027, although the aircraft interiors are about to be revealed at Airbus HQ in about a week, according to one of my commenters.

Taiwan based airline Starlux is coming to Sydney and Auckland, Jetstar opposes proposed consumer guarantees and Qantas has increased the routes with Philippine Airlines that points can be redeemed for Classic Rewards. 

Next week

I’ll still be in Canada, so expect some first impressions on hotel stays and flying with Air Canada.

In the meantime, keep up your vaccinations, and travel safely.

Until next week . . .

Stephen

QANTAS: Expands points redemptions on Philippine Airlines

By 2paxfly on 30 May 2026 3:20 pm

Qantas Frequent Flyers can now use points to book Classic Reward seats across the full Philippine Airlines (PAL) network, opening up 15 new island and regional destinations via Manila. Qantas Points can now take you beyond Manila to places like Boracay, Cebu and Palawan with their suspiciously perfect beaches and promises that your work-life balance […] Read in browser »

JETSTAR: Consumer protections threaten airline’s existence

By 2paxfly on 30 May 2026 12:36 pm

In an article in the SMH, Jetstar chief executive Stephanie Tully warns that the proposed new aviation consumer protections could “undermine Jetstar’s existence”. Quite a phrase from a low-cost airline owned by the Qantas Group. The comments were made to a Senate committee examining the federal government’s planned Aviation Consumer Protection Charter. This is part […] Read in browser »

STARLUX: Taiwan’s ‘luxury’ airline to fly to Sydney and Auckland

By 2paxfly on 30 May 2026 1:41 am

Sydney looks set to gain a new Taiwanese contender in 2027, with STARLUX, the Taiwan-based airline, having confirmed (ET) plans to launch direct flights between Taipei and Sydney, with Auckland added as a trans-Tasman tag flight. That means Australians could soon have another way to reach Taiwan, North Asia, North America, and, in the longer […] Read in browser »

QATAR & ETIHAD: A380s retreat from Australia as the superjumbo shuffle continues

By 2paxfly on 25 May 2026 1:50 pm

Qatar Airways is cutting back planned A380 service to Australia and China, with the superjumbo now concentrated on a much smaller number of routes as the airline rebuilds its network after disruption in the Middle East. AeroRoutes schedule filings show Qatar’s regular A380 operations from 16 June to 15 September 2026, limited to Bangkok and […] Read in browser »

QANTAS: Project Sunrise delayed again, now April 2027

By 2paxfly on 25 May 2026 1:09 pm

The first Airbus A350-1000ULR for Project Sunrise, the aircraft Qantas is banking on to finally make non-stop Sydney and Melbourne flights to London and New York a commercial reality, will now join the fleet in April 2027, according to reports in the SMH. That is later than previously announced, when the first aircraft was expected […] Read in browser »

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