WEEKLY REVIEW: Sunday 14 June, 2026

Greetings from Canada (I’m still here)! I’ve actually spanned the continent and just spent some delightful days enduring the cold of Newfoundland.

I’ve also seen puffins at Gull Island and whales out of Bay Bulls Harbour. Both of which were wonderful experiences. Arrival at Montreal, not so much, but they are building a new airport.

What happened last week?

Qantas has been getting coverage for speculation about its A380 replacement, its new deal with Taj Hotels and its new confirmed cash upgrades scheme. Qantas is not quite a no-show at the new Western Sydney International Airport, but it has scaled back its initially announced plans.

Speaking of WSI, we know which airlines are launching and their start dates. Virgin Australia is currently a no-show. Indonesia is considering offering Australians visa-free entry, and is chucking influencers out of Bali. In a surprise move, Philippine Airlines is joining OneWorld.

Riyadh Air has announced its first five destinations and could be eyeing Australia, given that we have signed a new air transport agreement with the Saudi government. 

Next week

My time in Canada is nearly over, with Montreal and Vancouver still on the agenda before returning to Sydney.

In the meantime, check your travel insurance is up to date, keep up your vaccinations, and travel safely.

Until next week . . .

QANTAS: introduces confirmed upgrades with cash

By 2paxfly on 11 Jun 2026 8:04 pm

Qantas has added a new way to upgrade your seat that takes the element of chance out. Confirmed Upgrades is a fixed-price cash upgrade offer for selected passengers on selected Qantas flights, with confirmation (or not) within half a day. This becomes the third form of upgrade you can use with Qantas. The selling point […] Read in browser »

WESTERN SYDNEY AIRPORT: Finally an opening date, and Jetstar gets first dibs

By 2paxfly on 10 Jun 2026 8:26 am

Western Sydney International Airport will welcome its first paying passengers on Sunday, 25 October 2026, with Jetstar being the first commercial passenger carrier off the tarmac. The inaugural flight from Western Sydney International, officially the Nancy-Bird Walton Airport and known by the code WSI, will be a Jetstar flight, JQ362, to the Gold Coast, scheduled […] Read in browser »

RIYADH AIR: New aviation deal with Saudi Arabia puts passennger flight on Australia’s horizon

By 2paxfly on 09 Jun 2026 6:30 am

Saudi Arabia has signed a new aviation agreement with Australia, opening the way for direct flights into Avalon in Victoria and Toowoomba Wellcamp in Queensland. The first flights are likely to be freight, chilled meat, seafood and dairy and not business class suites. But this raises the possiblity that Riyadh Air will fly to Australia. […] Read in browser »

RIYADH AIR: Initial destinations and flight schedule

By 2paxfly on 08 Jun 2026 10:43 pm

We finally have the launch schedules and first five destinations for the long-awaited launch of Saudi Arabia’s Riyadh Air. Launch pricing is intriguing rather than sensational, but at least any travellers on these flights will get the full Riyadh experience in Riyadh Air’s fully kitted-out cabins. But don’t expect an alcohol service. As far as […] Read in browser »

INDONESIA: Bali giveth to Australians, and taketh away from influencers

By 2paxfly on 08 Jun 2026 6:30 am

Bali is preparing to make holidays cheaper for Australians by restoring visa-free entry. At the same time, Indonesian immigration authorities are making life more complicated for influencers, content creators and assorted digital nomads by requiring them to obtain work visas. No longer will they be able to treat a tourist visa as permission to run […] Read in browser »

QANTAS: Taj hotel discounts for frequent flyers, with future status match

By 2paxfly on 08 Jun 2026 4:26 am

OneWorld executives have been busy. Qantas frequent flyers can now receive discounts at more than 630 Taj and Indian Hotels Company properties, under a new partnership linking the Oneworld airline alliance with the Taj InnerCircle–NeuPass loyalty program. The agreement stretches beyond Taj’s grand palaces and luxury hotels to include everything from the Claridges Collection to […] Read in browser »

ONEWORLD: Philippine Airlines is joining, and that’s good news for Australian travellers

By 2paxfly on 07 Jun 2026 10:58 pm

Philippine Airlines (PAL) is preparing to join the oneworld alliance, bringing a Southeast Asian carrier into the same airline family as Qantas. The Philippine flag carrier has signed a Memorandum of Understanding to become oneworld’s 16th member, following an invitation from the alliance’s governing board. The announcement was made at the International Air Transport Association […] Read in browser »

QANTAS: Looking at Superjumbo A380 replacement

By 2paxfly on 07 Jun 2026 5:30 pm

Qantas is reportedly considering an order for about 20 additional widebody aircraft, potentially setting up another contest between Airbus and Boeing for a large slice of the airline’s international fleet. According to Reuters aviation correspondent Tim Hepher, Qantas is discussing either additional Boeing 787 Dreamliners or the Airbus A350-900 with both manufacturers. The negotiations remain […] Read in browser »

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