WEEKLY REVIEW: Sunday 9 August, 2026

Hello travellers,

I’m in Melbourne for a few days to catch up on the Cartier Exhibition, and to see the full 70mm IMAX film version of The Odyssey. Melbourne is the only place to see it in its full intended Christopher Nolan glory in the southern hemisphere

I’ve just started Alan Joyce’s (ex CEO Qantas) book on his years at Qantas. So far his retelling of his childhood is very engaging.

What happened last week?

Some exciting potential new routes with Fiji Airways, maybe flying into Western Sydney International, and Turkish swapping from Kuala Lumpur to Singapore on its way between Sydney and Istanbul.

Not so good are the changes Jetstar are making to its hand luggage rules, or the offshoring of 1,000 jobs by Qantas for its iQ artificial intelligence project.

Sydney Airport had a near-miss incident involving two Qantas aircraft, which is currently being investigated. 

Next week

I’m heading to New Zealand for a few days to kick-start my Platinum status retention, booked during a double Status Credits promotion.

My Oh Canada! trip reports will resume, starting with a review of the Fairmont Hotel at Vancouver Airport.

In the meantime, check that your travel insurance is up to date, keep up your vaccinations, check Smartraveller before international flights, and travel safely.

Until next week . . .

Stephen

2PAXfly

SYDNEY AIRPORT: Qantas aircraft involved in near miss

By 2paxfly on 07 Aug 2026 8:47 am

Two Qantas aircraft were placed in conflict on intersecting runways at Sydney Airport last month (July 2026). This prompted an Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) investigation into what it describes as a “breakdown of coordination”. The incident The serious incident occurred at about 08.14 on 27 July 2026. A Qantas Boeing 737-800, registration VH-XZG, had […] Read in browser »

FIJI AIRWAYS: Western Sydney International flights to Fiji?

By 2paxfly on 05 Aug 2026 10:29 am

Fiji Airways appears to be preparing a new route between Nadi and Western Sydney International Airport. The flights briefly surfaced in airline scheduling systems before being removed almost as quickly. The provisional schedule pointed to three weekly services beginning on 7 June 2027, operated by a Boeing 737 MAX 8. Fiji Airways has neither confirmed […] Read in browser »

JETSTAR: Halves baggage allowance, charges now apply

By 2paxfly on 05 Aug 2026 9:41 am

From 2 February 2027, Jetstar’s cheapest Economy fares will include only one small bag, measuring no more than 40 x 30 x 20cm, which must fit under the seat in front. But it can weigh up to 10kg. The current free allowance of one main cabin bag plus one small item, sharing a miserly 7kg […] Read in browser »

QANTAS: Project iQ — an Indian outsourcing plan under the cover of AI?

By 2paxfly on 04 Aug 2026 12:23 pm

Qantas is considering, according to the AFR, an Accenture involving Artificial Intelligence (AI) program that would involve offshoring 1,000 jobs to India with the suitably futuristic title ‘Project iQ’. Now, Qantas could benefit greatly from a digital makeover. Earlier this year I travelled across Canada with Air Canada, and their app provided me with details of […] Read in browser »

TURKISH AIRLINES: Sydney to Singapore to start in October 2026

By 2paxfly on 03 Aug 2026 5:59 pm

Turkish Airlines is moving its Sydney stopover from Kuala Lumpur to Singapore from 26 October 2026, creating a new five-times-weekly Sydney–Singapore service using an Airbus A350-900. More importantly, Turkish says it will sell tickets for the Sydney to Singapore sector independently. That makes this a genuine fifth-freedom flight and adds another full-service competitor to a […] Read in browser »

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