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Highflyer

January

Coming into land.

Three ways to win with Qantas’ frequent flyer overhaul

The key takeaway from the loyalty program revamp is that flights will cost more. But we have found three ways frequent flyers can win from the overhaul.

  • Anna McCooe
A Qantas plane at Sydney Airport. The airline is increasing the number of points needed to secure Classic Reward flights.

Qantas hits frequent flyers with more expensive flights

More frequent flier points will be needed to secure Classic Reward seats under changes the airline is introducing to its popular loyalty program.

  • Ayesha de Kretser
Keeping it in the frequent flying family, Courtney Fitzsimmons with children (left to right) Spencer, Parker, Eden and Cooper.

Meet the frequent flyer whose kids have hit gold status

Courtney Fitzsimmons doesn’t buy her kids bubble tea and birthday presents. She thinks travel is a much better investment in their future.

  • Ayesha de Kretser
Thick fog and other adverse weather made November a difficult month for domestic travel.

Qantas best on-time among local carriers but well behind global rivals

Australia’s three major airlines were in the low 70 per cent range for on-time arrivals in 2024, a far cry from the leading international carriers.

  • Ayesha de Kretser

December 2024

Rome was one of the most popular European cities for travellers last summer.

Europe calling? A guide to predicting the cheapest fares

If you’re wondering whether to book your 2025 flights now or to wait, recent average prices are a handy benchmark.

  • Fiona Carruthers
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Olivia Bond at home with her Rimowa luggage.

The cult luggage item these execs are clamouring to collect

With bags modelled on the first all-metal aircraft fuselage in the 1950s, Rimowa has attracted a steady stream of loyal fans, including these Aussies.

  • Ayesha de Kretser
As Senior Vice President in the Aviation Partnerships division at Sydney Airport, Christina Werkstetter surely has one of the world’s best jobs.

Want to fly international business class every month? Try this job

Christina Werkstetter is Sydney Airport’s secret weapon when it comes to getting new airlines to fly into Australia. The perks aren’t half bad either.

  • Fiona Carruthers
Air New Zealand CEO Greg Foran.

Greg Foran goes hard to reverse Air New Zealand’s nose dive

He’s run Walmart and Woolworths supermarkets. Now the rugby-mad Kiwi plans to end half a decade of poor performance with an unusual move to retrofit old planes.

  • Ayesha de Kretser
Zoe Samios aboard her Cathay Pacific red-eye flight from Hong Kong to Sydney.

This business-class flight was so good I almost slept through landing

Cathay Pacific’s new Aria offering is now in the skies, but the traditional pointy-end cabin on the Hong Kong-based carrier still does the job.

  • Zoe Samios

November 2024

Flight delays are an unavoidable part of post-COVID travel.

You can fly from Europe to America for free. There’s just one catch

Delays are an inevitability that clouds travel in the post-COVID world. But in Europe at least, they can have a silver lining.

  • Andrew Hobbs
Melbourne-based Intrepid Travel CEO James Thornton and his son Art ion a Finnair flight from Helsinki to Kuusamo in March 2023. It was strictly economy for them.

Why free upgrades are a thing of the past (except for politicians)

Feel like a complimentary leg-up into business class is no longer a thing despite your Platinum status? You’re not alone.

  • Fiona Carruthers

October 2024

Bawah Indonesia

Travel insider: the latest deals for dream holidays

And inspired locations, from an off-grid eco-camp in South Africa to an impossibly chic farm stay in the French countryside.

  • Life & Leisure
The Cathay Pacific Aria business class suite - with sliding privacy door - is now flying aboard just one retrofitted Boeing 777-300ER, with more retrofits underway.

Art gallery, luxury loos: Cathay’s business class goes next level

Hong Kong’s flagship carrier has unveiled its new business-class offering with an on-board art gallery, sliding privacy doors and touchless flush loos.

  • Fiona Carruthers
Virgin Australia is revamping its frequent flyer scheme.

Virgin rewards big spenders with frequent flyer revamp

The airline hopes the changes will increase the use of points and keep passengers loyal, with higher tiers matching Qantas’ higher-end offerings.

  • Ayesha de Kretser
Tjornuvik village in the Faroe Islands, Denmark.

Travel insider: five great deals from the Kimberley to Scandinavia

Plus there’s luxury lodging in the Sri Lankan highlands and a Roman hotel with a rich past.

  • Life & Leisure
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September 2024

Getting the AFL Grand Final is expected to cost Swans and Lions fans a pretty penny.

Heading to Melbourne for the footy? It might pay to book a stop-over

Brisbane fans might choose a less-than-ideal path to save a few dollars in the pilgrimage to the MCG this weekend – booking a flight via Sydney or Canberra.

  • Ayesha de Kretser
Virgin Australia is struggling with the Cairns to Tokyo route.

Qantas eyes downtown Tokyo flights as Virgin waits for new planes

Demand for travel to Japan is strong, but not from Cairns, as the red kangaroo tries to muscle in on its rival’s misfortune.

  • Ayesha de Kretser
A Qantas aircraft at Sydney Airport. The company has said it will improve the customer experience, but is now charging more to change travel arrangements.

Qantas raises the cost of changing tickets by a whopping 20pc

The airline, which last year pledged to make it easier for travellers to modify flights, says it’s the first time it’s changed this particular fee since 2017.

  • Ayesha de Kretser
Air India CEO Campbell Wilson says Australia is the airline’s third priority in terms of growth markets.

Air India boss waits for 470 planes to throw down gauntlet to Qantas

Air India’s CEO and Singapore Airlines veteran Campbell Wilson says the airline wants to fly twice daily from Melbourne and Sydney, as Qantas eyes Indian expansion from Perth.

  • Ayesha de Kretser

Need to get away? From pyramids to private islands, try these offers

Jump on these deals for spontaneous getaways this month and holidays on the horizon. You’ll be glad you did.

  • Life & Leisure

Original URL: https://www.afr.com/topic/highflyer-6ggr