Hello travellers,

I just got back from a quick trip to Auckland, New Zealand, on a Double Status Credits trip. I also got to experience Premium Economy on a Qantas 787 and visited the new(ish) Qantas International Auckland Lounge. Those reviews will be coming to you over the next few weeks.

I’ve sort of abandoned Alan Joyce’s (ex-CEO of Qantas) book. At least for the moment. It is not well written. I have been put off by the first 20 or so pages, where he makes rather simplistic, at best, and assinine, at worst, assertions about how his childhood affected him in later life.

What happened last week?

Air Traffic Control in Australia is in the news due to understaffing and now three incidents have occurred at Sydney Airport in around a week. Speaking of Sydney Airport, it has released new plans to combine T2 and 3, plus add some international gates.

Qantas has quietly delayed the introduction of its new A321XLR aircraft to international routes, and I accidentally traveled on one domestically. Review is coming soon. VietJet has announced it is coming to the new Western Sydney International Airport.

Credit Cards in Australia are likely to be affected by legislative changes that could mean less perks for card holders. 

Next week

Auckland was a blast as usual, with the final weeks of the Forever Tomorrow: Chinese Art Now exhibition at the Art Gallery/Toi o Tāmaki.

My Oh Canada! Trip reports continue with some Air Canada flights and hotel reviews. I’m also going to break those up with some reviews from my recent trips to Melbourne and New Zealand.

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

CREDIT CARDS: Surcharge ban could cost you airline loyalty points

By 2paxfly on 15 Aug 2026 11:06 am

Australia’s hated credit-card surcharge is heading for departure. Unfortunately, some frequent-flyer points and travel benefits may be boarding the same flight. In reality, working with credit cards to amass frequent flyer points is unlikely to be as profitable from later this year as it was previously. That’s the reality we all must face. Reserve Bank […]Read in browser »

SYDNEY AIRPORT: T2 and T3 to be joined, plus international gates

By 2paxfly on 14 Aug 2026 11:44 am

Sydney Airport has received Australian Government approval for its updated Master Plan 2045, clearing the way for what could become the biggest transformation of Kingsford Smith since the lead-up to the 2000 Olympics. And despite Western Sydney International (WSI) finally entering the picture, Sydney Airport at Mascot clearly has no intention of quietly surrendering its […] Read in browser »

QANTAS: Delay in A321XLR international flights ’till 2027

By 2paxfly on 13 Aug 2026 2:00 pm

Qantas has quietly pushed back the international debut of its Airbus A321XLR. It’s keeping the larger and considerably more comfortable Business Class cabin of an A330 on the Brisbane to Manila route for another three months. The A321XLR was scheduled to take over QF97/98 between Brisbane and Manila from 25 October 2026. Qantas’ latest timetable […] Read in browser »

VIETJET: Western Sydney International gets next overseas airline. Saigon and Bangkok here we come!

By 2paxfly on 10 Aug 2026 2:16 pm

Vietjet has become the fifth airline to commit to Western Sydney International Airport (WSI), with flights to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) beginning in January 2027. Next up, Vietjet is planning flights to its Thai sibling, Bangkok, later the same year. Tickets for the new Vietnam service are now on sale, with the first WSI–Ho […] Read in browser »

SYDNEY AIRPORT: another near miss, and the ATC staffing problem is getting harder to ignore

By 2paxfly on 10 Aug 2026 9:55 am

Sydney Airport has recorded its second alarming aircraft near miss in less than two weeks. This time involving a Jetstar Airbus A320 and a Qatar Airways Boeing 777 on intersecting taxiways. At about 7 am on Sunday, 9 August, Jetstar flight JQ402 was taxiing for departure to the Gold Coast when its pilots were forced […] Read in browser »

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WEEKLY REVIEW: Sunday 9 August, 2026
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