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"More magical than we could have dreamed": Delta Goodrem shares wedding snaps

<p>Delta Goodrem has finally shared the first official photos from her enchanting June wedding to fellow musician Matthew Copley, calling the day “more magical than we both could have dreamed”.</p> <p>The couple tied the knot under the sun-soaked skies of Mdina, Malta, surrounded by close family and friends in what can only be described as a real-life fairytale.</p> <p>“June 2025, Husband and Wife,” Goodrem captioned a stunning Instagram post, filled with images capturing the romance and joy of their big day. “We said I do under the Maltese skies in a family fairytale wedding brought to life by so many angels surrounding us.”</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/DL60L5guPoG/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DL60L5guPoG/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Delta Goodrem AM (@deltagoodrem)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>The photos offer a breathtaking glimpse inside their historic venue, the 12th-century St Paul's Cathedral – a dreamlike setting for a love story nearly a decade in the making. The couple first met while touring in 2016 and became engaged in September 2023, with Copley proposing in none other than Malta.</p> <p>Goodrem’s bridal gown, a masterpiece by Australian fashion house Paolo Sebastian, was inspired by the frescoes of the cathedral itself. The dreamy off-shoulder French tulle gown featured a two-and-a-half metre train, a cathedral-length veil, and embroidered personal details including the wedding date.</p> <p>“Couldn’t have imagined anything more,” she wrote, describing the custom creation as “the dress of my dreams” – and promising to share more of its journey soon.</p> <p>Of course, one look wasn't nearly enough for the celebration. Goodrem also dazzled in two reception looks by designer Con Ilio: one a hand-beaded drop-waist gown sparkling with crystal and pearls, the other a sleek, high-neck silk dress perfect for “endless dancing”.</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/DL615tKxLjc/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DL615tKxLjc/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Paolo Sebastian (@paolo_sebastian)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>And dance they did – with surprise performances by Vince Pizzinga and Conrad Sewell lighting up the night.</p> <p>Adding to the sparkle, Goodrem also shouted out her styling dream team, including her jeweller, glam squad, photographers and videographer, while paying tribute to the loved ones who flew across the world to be there.</p> <p>One of the photographers capturing the magic was Matt Porteous, known for his work with the Prince and Princess of Wales – a suitably regal touch for a celebration that felt positively royal.</p> <p>The happy couple is now looking forward to continuing the celebration back home. “We can’t wait to come back to Australia and celebrate as Mr & Mrs,” Delta wrote.</p> <p>From musical beginnings to a Maltese cathedral, Delta and Matthew's love story is now officially sealed, in the most joyful, glamorous and love-filled way imaginable.</p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

Relationships

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Delta Goodrem marries in secret ceremony

<p>music star Delta Goodrem has tied the knot with her longtime love, Matthew Copley, in a magical and intimate wedding on the picturesque island of Malta.</p> <p>The beloved singer, 40, and her guitarist partner, 38, reportedly exchanged vows on June 16 in front of close family and friends. Among the guests were some familiar faces, including Goodrem’s best friend Renee Bargh, Nine’s entertainment reporter Richard Wilkins and his son Christian, as well as Delta’s mum Lea and brother Trent.</p> <p>The ceremony, described as star-studded yet deeply personal, took place at a location that holds special meaning for the couple. Malta was where Copley proposed in 2023 during a holiday that doubled as a family visit – and now, the idyllic European island is where they’ve officially begun married life together.</p> <p>In true Delta and Matthew style, the couple have so far kept the happy news off their social media accounts, choosing to celebrate privately rather than in the spotlight. It’s a decision that reflects their approach to their relationship, which Goodrem has described as grounded in “respect and love”.</p> <p>The pair, who have been together since 2017, are more than just romantic partners – they’re also creative collaborators. Copley, a talented musician in his own right, is a member of Goodrem’s band, and fans have long admired the chemistry the two share on stage.</p> <p>Back when they announced their engagement, Goodrem delighted followers with a simple but heartfelt post: “My best friend asked me to marry him.” Speaking later on the Something To Talk About podcast, the singer revealed that their European tour at the time turned into a kind of rolling engagement celebration: “It was beautiful – because it felt like we’d done an engagement party in every single city.”</p> <p>Goodrem, who has had several high-profile relationships in the past, has made a conscious choice in recent years to keep her love life out of the headlines. “I made a choice that I’m not even going to comment ‘yes’ or ‘no’ … I’ve said nothing for three or four years,” she shared in an earlier interview.</p> <p>What has always been clear is the depth of her connection with Copley. “He’s my best friend, he’s kind and just a beautiful human being. I’m very lucky. It’s all very natural and I think that comes from a beautiful respect and love. I feel so grateful,” Goodrem has said.</p> <p>Fans around the world will no doubt be overjoyed at the news and wish the happy couple a lifetime of love, music and adventure.</p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

Relationships

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Flight attendant's act after touchdown divides social media users

<p>A United Airlines flight attendant has copped some flak online for playing the violin after touching down in California. </p> <p>The unnamed crew member welcomed travellers to the Bay Area by playing a cheery tune as people got up to disembark from the flight, and while his performance was met with a round of applause from passengers, others weren't quite as pleased. </p> <p>“It was a definite pleasant surprise and welcome change compared to all the news we hear from airlines these days,” the Redditor captioned the clip of the performance shared online. </p> <p>While some viewers agreed it was “lovely” and “awesome,” others found the behaviour “unsettling,” calling the flight attendant “self-indulgent”.</p> <p>“What a sly move,” one wrote. “He has everyone sitting, captivated by his music, while he slowly walks down the aisle with anyone in his way and exiting the plane first.”</p> <p>“Just because I’m trapped and sitting doesn’t mean I have any desire to be serenaded,” another commented. </p> <p>“This would be annoying as hell,” wrote a third. “Can’t imagine breaking out into song on any instrument on a flight."</p> <p>“Honestly I’d struggle not to tell him to sit down and shut the f**k up,” commented another. </p> <p>However, others jumped to the flight attendant's defence, saying: “Of course super mean people as usual telling him to sit down and shut up." </p> <p>“My guess is he actually likes the passengers and is very friendly and kind,” another added, praising the crew member for trying to "entertain passengers." </p> <p>“Not like he’s making much with working at one of the lowest paying mainlines. Yet he has a good attitude despite it.”</p> <p><em>Images: Reddit</em></p> <p> </p>

Travel Trouble

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The one airline offering wet weather refunds

<p>US-based airline JetBlue have teamed up with tech startup WeatherPromise, to ensure that travellers can get the best out of their holiday. </p> <p>The airline is offering a refund if travellers experience "excessive rain" during their getaway. </p> <p>"We know how important vacations are, and by offering coverage against weather disruptions, we're ensuring our customers can focus on enjoying their trips with confidence and peace of mind," said JetBlue Travel president Jamie Perry in a statement.</p> <p>The offer applies for travellers who book through JetBlue's eligible Flight + Hotel vacation packages. </p> <p>How would it work? </p> <p>"WeatherPromise determines 'excessive rain' based on destination, trip length, and historical weather data," the statement read. </p> <p>Travellers won't even need to fill out lengthy forms to get their money back, as the process is automated by the tech startup company. </p> <p>"If rainfall meets the qualifying threshold, customers are automatically reimbursed - no paperwork needed," they added. </p> <p><em>Image: Shutterstock</em></p>

Travel Trouble

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Woman restrained and gagged on plane for "disruptive" behaviour

<p>A woman has been restrained and gagged on an international flight over her disruptive and abusive behaviour.</p> <p>Footage of the shocking moment the woman was restrained by cabin crew has been obtained by <em><a href="https://www.news.com.au/travel/travel-updates/incidents/woman-restrained-with-duct-tape-after-outburst-during-fiji-airways-flight/news-story/e088405a65c3d6ca889a0612e746702e" target="_blank" rel="noopener">news.com.au</a></em>, showing the flight attendants trying to contain the 69-year-old woman's actions. </p> <p>Police claim the woman was “intoxicated and causing a nuisance”, on the flight from San Francisco to Nadi, leading her to be arrested by Fiji police when the plane landed.</p> <p>A fellow passenger who filmed the altercation said airline staff were “forced to resort to restraining and taping the mouth” of the woman, whose comments were allegedly “racist and vulgar” in nature.</p> <p>The passenger explained that the situation unfolded about halfway into the 11-hour flight towards Nadi, after the woman started to “raise her voice” within the cabin.</p> <p>“It became known to crew and nearby passengers early into the incident that the woman was travelling with her husband, though they were sitting in different areas of the plane,” the witness, who was seated several rows away from the woman, claimed.</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DFL_vyMIQkH/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DFL_vyMIQkH/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by news.com.au (@newscomauhq)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>“The husband requested to be seated elsewhere when the woman started to raise her voice, and the altercation between the woman and crew started when the crew refused to tell the woman where he had been moved to.”</p> <p>The witness told <em>news.com.au</em> the woman “caused great distress to all nearby passengers and crew by screaming and yelling abuse” as well as “threatening and throwing objects such as cups at crew members”.</p> <p>“She had also slapped the hands of a flight attendant,” the witness claimed.</p> <p>In the footage, crew can be seen trying to tape the woman’s mouth shut when she refused to stop yelling abuse. </p> <p>“The other passengers were particularly upset by her overtly racist comments towards the Fijian crew members, with many calling out to the woman to be quiet and behave,” the witness recalled.</p> <p>“Parents with children onboard were clearly upset with the excessive vulgar language and swearing with many seen blocking the ears of their children.”</p> <p>“The crew forcibly moved the woman to the back of the plane but this didn’t stop the (passenger’s) abusive behaviour, which continued throughout the remainder of the flight,” the witness said.</p> <p><em>News.com.au</em> has confirmed the woman was charged by police in Fiji where she remains in custody awaiting a court appearance, while the airline also confirmed the incident is now the subject of a “legal investigation”.</p> <p><em>Image credits: news.com.au / Shutterstock</em></p>

Travel Trouble

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Government bails out Rex Airlines

<p>The federal government is set to take on Rex Airlines' $50 million debt in order to keep the company, that collapsed on June 30th 2024, servicing regional Australia. </p> <p>Rex has been struggling to stay afloat in the six months since the company entered voluntary administration, with Ernst and Young (EY) appointed administrators, putting a strain on domestic travel to regional areas. </p> <p>Transport Minister Catherine King and Finance Minister Katy Gallagher announced on Thursday that the government would acquire some of Rex's debt to prevent liquidation, which they said would harm regional and remote communities that rely on the carrier.</p> <p>"By acquiring the debt, the government will become the principal secured creditor and will seek to become a voting member of the Committee of Inspection," the ministers said in a joint statement.</p> <p>"Whilst the accelerated initial sale process undertaken by the administrators in mid-2024 did not find a suitable buyer for the airlines' regional operations, the government continues to work closely with the administrators through the extended convening period."</p> <p>"This makes clear the government's ongoing commitment to maintaining access to aviation services for regional and remote communities, and recognises the critical role of the Rex network to local economies."</p> <p>Ernst and Young has a just few months to secure Rex's commercial future after the Federal Court late last year granted an extension of the voluntary administration to June 30th 2025. </p> <p><em>Image credits: Shutterstock</em></p>

Domestic Travel

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Airline forced to apologise over controversial tourism ad

<p>An airline has copped major backlash over a controversial tourism campaign that promotes their return flights to Paris.</p> <p>Pakistan International Airlines posted a photo of a plane flying at the Eiffel Tower on X as part of its campaign to mark the first flight from Islamabad to Paris after a safety ban was lifted.</p> <p>“Paris, we’re coming today,” the ad reads. </p> <p>The campaign has been viewed more than 21 million times, but after receiving thousands of negative comments, the airline was forced to issue an apology. </p> <p>Many social media users drew comparisons with the Al-Qaeda attacks on New York’s Twin Towers on September 11th 2001 when two planes were hijacked and flown into the skyscrapers, killing nearly 3,000 people.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="zxx"><a href="https://t.co/qUoNCyL385">pic.twitter.com/qUoNCyL385</a></p> <p>— PIA (@Official_PIA) <a href="https://twitter.com/Official_PIA/status/1877555588533485884?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 10, 2025</a></p></blockquote> <p>“This advertisement is sickening to see. Please do better with your imagery,” an irate user wrote. “Do you not see the airplane heading for the Eiffel Tower? Do you not know what it will be perceived as?”</p> <p>Another wrote, “Who tf made this graphic to further ruin Pakistan’s image in the world,” while others questioned how the graphic was approved, adding, “Who thought this ad was a good idea?”</p> <p>“Is this (an) advertisement or threat?” another user asked.</p> <p>After being online for a week, the airline issued an apology saying it was “blown out of proportion”.</p> <p>“Unfortunately, this was blown out of proportion with connations and perceptions that were not intended,” PIA spokesman Abdullah Khan told AFP.</p> <p>“It might have triggered some negative emotion, for which we truly apologise.” </p> <p>Despite the controversy, the ad remains on the airline's official X account.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Pakistan International Airlines</em></p>

Travel Trouble

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World's safest airline for 2025 revealed

<p>The world's safest airline has been revealed, with two major carriers from Down Under nabbing the top two spots in the prestigious AirlineRatings.com rankings. </p> <p>Air New Zealand has been rated the safest airline in the world, with Qantas coming in a close second and only 1.50 points separating the two carriers. </p> <p>Cathay Pacific, Qatar Airways and Emirates came equal third, while Virgin Australia came in fourth and Etihad Airways in fifth. </p> <p>“It was extremely close again between Air New Zealand and Qantas for first place with only 1.50 points separating the two airlines,” AirlineRatings.com CEO Sharon Petersen said.</p> <p>“While both airlines uphold the highest safety standards and pilot training, Air New Zealand continue to have a younger fleet than Qantas which separates the two.”</p> <p>AirlineRatings.com is the world's only safety and product rating website, and Air NZ also won the title last year and in 2022, with Qantas nabbing the top spot in 2023. </p> <p>The watchdog monitors 385 airlines and takes into account serious incidents, recent fatal accidents, audits from aviation’s governing and industry bodies, profitability, safety initiatives, expert pilot training assessment and fleet age.</p> <p>They also shared the rankings for the safest low-cost airlines, with Cathay Pacific-owned Hong Kong Express claiming the top spot and Qantas-owned Jetstar coming in second. </p> <p>“Everyone at Qantas and Jetstar is incredibly proud of our commitment to safety, which will always be our number one priority. The whole aviation industry is focused on ensuring flying remains the safest way to travel through continual learning and improvement,”  A Qantas Group spokesperson told <em>news.com.au</em>. </p> <p>While Air NZ CEO Greg Foran said: “I’m very proud of our entire Air New Zealand whānau for consistently and diligently putting safety at the forefront of everything we do." </p> <p>“Operational integrity is at the heart of our business. We have a strong culture of safety that puts our team and passengers first. I’m proud of how this culture has been fostered over many years and how it underpins every aspect of the airline’s everyday operations.”</p> <p><strong>The Top 25 World's Safest Full-Service Airlines for 2025: </strong></p> <ol> <li>Air New Zealand</li> <li>Qantas</li> <li>Cathay Pacific; Qatar Airways; Emirates</li> <li>Virgin Australia</li> <li>Etihad Airways</li> <li>ANA</li> <li>EVA Air</li> <li>Korean Air</li> <li>Alaska Airlines</li> <li>Turkish Airlines (THY)</li> <li>TAP Portugal</li> <li>Hawaiian Airlines</li> <li>American Airlines</li> <li>SAS</li> <li>British Airways</li> <li>Iberia</li> <li>Finnair</li> <li>Lufthansa/Swiss</li> <li>JAL</li> <li>Air Canada</li> <li>Delta Airlines</li> <li>Vietnam Airlines</li> <li>United Airlines</li> </ol> <p><em>Images: Shutterstock</em></p> <p> </p>

Travel Tips

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Airline worker reveals the kind of suitcase most likely to get lost

<p dir="ltr">An airline worker has warned passengers of the type of suitcases he believes are "more likely" to get lost.</p> <p dir="ltr">The airport maintenance worker, who is based in the US, shared in a Reddit thread some advice to travellers to avoid losing their luggage during a holiday. </p> <p dir="ltr">The worker pointed out that one airline alone can have "3,000 to 5,000" bags per hour passing through the airport at peak flight times, and one simple design choice can make a huge difference on where your luggage ends up. </p> <p dir="ltr">While he suggests a hard shell suitcase as the best choice for luggage to protect your belongings, the worker warns the colour or pattern of your bag could be a cause for it to be lost.</p> <p dir="ltr">"Mirrored colours and paint schemes with a metallic flake act like reflectors and send the beam back to the sensor. Basically turning the bag invisible," he wrote.</p> <p dir="ltr">"Once that happens, it can't be diverted to its assigned location to be loaded on the plane it belongs on.”</p> <p dir="ltr">"We only see it when it passes through the tag scanners again, but with the sheer volume of bags, it gets hard to catch them."</p> <p dir="ltr">The worker also warned against using coloured ribbons, ropes or scarves, as well as decorative bag covers, to identify your luggage, as they can cause widespread delays.</p> <p dir="ltr">"While helpful to identify your bag, it can get caught downstairs and can delay bags," he wrote, adding he once had to cut a bungee cord off a bag that had gotten caught in a roller and affecting operation.</p> <p dir="ltr">"Do what you feel is best to help identify your bag, but just be warned some items can help cause delays."</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image credits: Shutterstock </em></p> <p> </p>

Travel Tips

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Airlines cancel flights after volcanic eruptions. An aviation expert explains why that’s a good thing

<div class="theconversation-article-body"><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/patrick-murray-2027113">Patrick Murray</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-southern-queensland-1069">University of Southern Queensland</a></em></p> <p>At least three airlines <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-11-13/flights-to-and-from-bali-cancelled-due-to-volcanic-ash/104593698">cancelled flights between Australia and Bali</a> this week after a volcano eruption in eastern Indonesia spewed a vast plume of volcanic ash into the air.</p> <p>But while would-be holiday makers are naturally <a href="https://7news.com.au/sunrise/volcanic-eruption-in-indonesia-forces-airlines-to-cancel-flights-to-bali-stranding-frustrated-passengers-c-16732486">upset</a> at having their plans disrupted, it’s worth remembering it’s not safe to fly planes through volcanic ash.</p> <p>So, how do airlines decide it’s not safe to fly when a volcano erupts? And why is volcanic ash so dangerous for aircraft, anyway?</p> <h2>What does volcanic ash do to a plane?</h2> <p>Volcanic ash particles are very, very abrasive. They can cause permanent damage to windscreens in the aircraft and can even make windscreens look opaque – like someone has gone over them with sandpaper.</p> <p>Imagine getting spectacles and scraping them over and over with sandpaper – that’s what you’d see if you were sitting in the cockpit.</p> <p>Volcanic ash can also clog or damage external sensors, leading to erroneous readings, and can infiltrate an aircraft’s ventilation system. This can affect cabin air quality and lead to potential respiratory issues.</p> <p>But the main issue, in fact, is the impact volcanic ash has on engines.</p> <p>A jet engine works by drawing in air, compressing it, mixing it with fuel and igniting it. This creates high-pressure exhaust gases that are expelled backward, which pushes the engine (and the aircraft) forward.</p> <p>The correct balance of fuel and airflow is crucial. When you disrupt airflow, it can cause the engine to stall.</p> <p>Ash particles that get inside the engines will melt and build up, causing disruption of the airflow. This could cause the engine to “flame out” or stall.</p> <p>Volcanic ash has a lot of silica in it, so when it melts it turns into something similar to glass. It won’t melt unless exposed to very high temperatures – but inside a jet engine, you do get very high temperatures.</p> <p>There was a famous incident in 1982 where a <a href="https://theaviationgeekclub.com/the-story-of-british-airways-flight-9-the-boeing-747-that-lost-all-four-engines-due-to-volcanic-ash-yet-it-landed-safely/">British Airways Boeing 747 plane</a> was flying in the vicinity of Indonesia and lost all four engines after it encountered volcanic ash spewing from Java’s Mount Galunggung.</p> <p>Fortunately, the pilot was able to <a href="https://simpleflying.com/gallunggung-glider-the-story-of-british-airways-flight-9/">restart the engines and land safely</a>, although the pilots were unable to see through the front windscreens.</p> <h2>How do airlines decide it’s not safe to fly when a volcano erupts?</h2> <p>The decision is made by each airline’s operational staff. Each airline’s operational team would be looking at the situation in real time today and making the decision based on their risk assessment.</p> <p>Every airline has a process of risk management, which is required by Australia’s Civil Aviation Safety Authority.</p> <p>Different airlines may tackle risk management in slightly different ways; you might have some cancelling flights earlier than others. But, in broad terms, the more sophisticated airlines would come to similar conclusions and they are likely all communicating with each other.</p> <p>Mostly, they make the call based on the extent of the plume – how big the cloud of ash is and where it’s going, bearing in mind that winds vary with altitude. As you get stronger winds with altitude, the ash can drift quite far from the source.</p> <p>There is also a United Nations agency called the <a href="https://www.icao.int/Pages/default.aspx">International Civil Aviation Organization</a>, which issues guidance on volcanic ash hazards. Various meteorological agencies around the world work together and liaise with aviation authorities to spread the word quickly if there is an eruption.</p> <p>For airlines to resume flights, the ash needs to clear and there needs to be a low probability of further eruptions.</p> <h2>Passenger safety is the priority</h2> <p>The underpinning reason behind these flight cancellations is safety. If you lose engines and you can’t see out the window, the risk to passenger safety is obvious.</p> <p>Naturally, people are upset about their holiday plans being held up. But it’s actually in passengers’ best interests to not fly through volcanic ash.<!-- Below is The Conversation's page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --><img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/243576/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /><!-- End of code. If you don't see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: https://theconversation.com/republishing-guidelines --></p> <p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/patrick-murray-2027113">Patrick Murray</a>, Emeritus Professor of Aviation, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-southern-queensland-1069">University of Southern Queensland</a></em></p> <p><em>Image credits: Shutterstock</em></p> <p><em>This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/airlines-cancel-flights-after-volcanic-eruptions-an-aviation-expert-explains-why-thats-a-good-thing-243576">original article</a>.</em></p> </div>

Travel Trouble

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Pilot dies mid-flight prompting emergency landing

<p dir="ltr">A Turkish Airlines pilot has tragically died in the middle of a flight from Seattle in the US to the Turkish city of Istanbul, prompting an emergency landing. </p> <p dir="ltr">Pilot İlçehin Pehlivan, 59, “lost consciousness” at some point after the flight took off, with the plane then landing in New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport, almost five hours into the journey. </p> <p dir="ltr">The diversion came after initial medical intervention on board failed to revive the captain, with the second pilot and co-pilot making the landing in New York.</p> <p dir="ltr">Pehlivan was declared dead on arrival when the plane was met by authorities, and no cause of death has yet been released. </p> <p dir="ltr">Turkish Airlines spokesperson Yahya Üstün said the pilot, who worked for the airline since 2007, underwent a routine health check in March and “no health problem was detected that would prevent him from working”.</p> <p dir="ltr">He recalled the moment onboard, saying, "After the first medical evaluation to our captain on board was inconclusive, the cockpit crew ... decided to make an emergency landing, but our captain died before landing."</p> <p dir="ltr">“As Turkish Airlines, we deeply feel the loss of our captain and extend our sincerest condolences to his bereaved family, colleagues, and all his loved ones,” he added.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Shutterstock </em></p>

Travel Trouble

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Airline bans couple after racist row over reclined seat

<p>Two travellers have been banned from Cathay Pacific flights after an argument over seat etiquette descended into racist insults. </p> <p>The incident occurred on a flight from Hong Kong to London, with a woman documenting her experience in a video posted on Xiaohongshu, China's version of Instagram.</p> <p>The woman, from mainland China, explained, "The lady sitting behind me asked me to put my seat up because it was blocking her husband's view of the TV. I politely declined, and she started stretching her feet onto my armrest, kicking my arm and cursing at me like crazy."</p> <p>A flight attendant stepped in to find a solution to the issue, but when the woman continued to refuse to put her chair up, the situation only escalated. </p> <p>"When (the female passenger) realised my Cantonese wasn't so great, she started throwing around some nasty comments, calling me a 'Mainland girl' and other derogatory stuff," the woman said, explaining how people from Hong Kong speak mainly Cantonese, whereas mainland Chinese mainly speak Mandarin.</p> <p>"Once I started recording, the husband behind me even shoved his hand on my armrest and started shaking it like crazy. I felt my personal space had been completely violated," added the woman, who said other passengers then intervened.</p> <p>In footage of the incident uploaded by the woman, a female voice can be heard saying in Mandarin: "You're old enough — why are you bullying a young girl?"</p> <p>And others can be heard shouting in Cantonese: "You're embarrassing us Hongkongers!"</p> <p>"After some passengers spoke up for me, the flight attendant finally said I could switch seats. I felt it was absurd—what if no one had backed me up? Would I have just been left to deal with it on my own?" the passenger said.</p> <p>"As a major airline, isn't Cathay supposed to know how to handle such disputes? Shouldn't treating passengers differently get some consequences?</p> <p>In a statement released Saturday, Cathay Pacific said it wanted to "sincerely apologise" for the "unpleasant experience," with the airline saying, "We maintain a zero-tolerance policy for any behaviour that violates aviation safety regulations or disrespects the rights of other customers."</p> <p>"We will deny future travel on any Cathay Group flights to the two customers involved in this incident."</p> <p><em>Image credits: Shutterstock </em></p>

Travel Trouble

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Pay-by-weight airfares are an ethical minefield. We asked travellers what they actually think

<div class="theconversation-article-body"> <p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/denis-tolkach-11345">Denis Tolkach</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/james-cook-university-1167">James Cook University</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/stephen-pratt-335188">Stephen Pratt</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-central-florida-1925">University of Central Florida</a></em></p> <p>Imagine checking in for a flight with your two teenage children. At the counter, you are told that your youngest teenager’s suitcase is two kilograms over the limit. You get slapped with a $75 penalty for their excess luggage.</p> <p>This penalty feels arbitrary and unfair. The youngest weighs about 45 kg, and their luggage weighs 25 kg, making their total payload on the flight 70 kg.</p> <p>Their older sibling, on the other hand, weighs 65 kg, and has brought 23 kg of luggage to check in. Their total weight is higher – 88 kg – yet they receive no penalty.</p> <p>Obviously, things aren’t that simple. Charging passengers based on their weight is highly controversial for many reasons. But that hasn’t stopped some airlines <a href="https://theweek.com/articles/466035/should-airlines-charge-passengers-by-weight">experimenting</a> with such policies.</p> <p>Imagine checking in for your flight only to have the staff tell you to <a href="https://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/plus-size-travelers-slam-airline-seat-policies/index.html">purchase an extra seat</a> as you are a plus-size passenger. You feel discriminated against because you are using the same service as other passengers and your weight is beyond your control.</p> <p>But despite the lived experience of many and hot debate in the media, there has not been a formal study into what passengers themselves think about this matter.</p> <p>Our recently published <a href="https://doi.org/10.1002/jtr.2691">research</a> examined air passengers’ views on alternative airfare policies to understand whether the public finds them acceptable and what ethical considerations determine their views.</p> <p>Though we found a range of ethical contradictions, most travellers were guided by self-interest.</p> <h2>A controversial but important topic</h2> <p>The issue of whether airlines should weigh passengers is an ethical minefield with no easy answers.</p> <p>Despite its sensitivity, the aviation industry can’t ignore passenger weight. Airlines intermittently undertake <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/marisagarcia/2024/02/11/despite-backlash-heres-why-airlines-need-to-weigh-passengers/?sh=5f07623e1bfa">passenger weight surveys</a> as they need to accurately calculate payload to ensure flight safety and estimate fuel consumption.</p> <p>The evidence shows passengers are <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/marisagarcia/2024/02/11/despite-backlash-heres-why-airlines-need-to-weigh-passengers/?sh=5f07623e1bfa">getting heavier</a>. Airlines including the now-defunct <a href="https://theweek.com/articles/466035/should-airlines-charge-passengers-by-weight">Samoa Air</a> and <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/oct/23/hawaiian-airlines-american-samoa-weight-passengers">Hawaiian Airlines</a> have taken things one step further and experimented with weighing passengers regularly.</p> <p>Samoa Air, for example, became the first airline to introduce a “pay-as-you-weigh” policy, where the cost of your ticket was directly proportional to the combined weight of you and your luggage.</p> <p>In contrast, Canada has now long had a “<a href="https://otc-cta.gc.ca/eng/publication/additional-seating-and-one-person-one-fare-requirement-domestic-travel-a-guide">one person, one fare</a>” policy. It is prohibited and deemed discriminatory to force passengers living with a disability to purchase a second seat for themselves if they require one, including those with functional disability due to obesity.</p> <p>To complicate matters further, the issue of passenger and luggage weight is not only ethical and financial, but also environmental. More weight on an aircraft leads to more jet fuel being burned and more carbon emissions.</p> <p>About <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-021-24091-y">5%</a> of human-driven climate change can be attributed to aviation, and the industry faces enormous pressure to reduce fuel consumption while it waits for low carbon substitutes to become available.</p> <h2>What do passengers actually think?</h2> <p>To get a better sense of how the public actually feels about this issue, we surveyed 1,012 US travellers of different weights, presenting them with three alternatives:</p> <ul> <li><strong>standard policy</strong> – currently the most widely used policy with passengers paying a standard price, irrespective of their weight</li> <li><strong>threshold policy</strong> – passengers are penalised if they are over a threshold weight</li> <li><strong>unit of body weight policy</strong> – passengers pay a personalised price based on their own body weight, per each pound.</li> </ul> <p>The standard policy was the most acceptable for participants of differing weight, although the heavier the passenger, the more they preferred the standard policy. This can be partially explained by status quo bias. Generally, people are likely to choose a familiar answer.</p> <p>The threshold policy was the least acceptable. This policy was seen to violate established social norms and be generally less fair.</p> <p>The unit of body weight policy was preferred to the threshold policy, although participants raised concerns about whether it would be accepted by society.</p> <p>Perhaps unsurprisingly, we found that self-interest played a clear role in determining whether respondents considered a policy acceptable.</p> <p>Younger, male, financially well-off travellers with lower personal weight generally found the alternative policies more acceptable.</p> <h2>An ethical conflict</h2> <p>Alternative airfare policies that are based on passenger weight bring environmental and ethical concerns into conflict. Obviously, the effect isn’t from any one traveller, in particular, but averages over the entire industry.</p> <p>Interestingly, respondents that were more concerned about the environment – “ecocentric” – preferred air fare policies that would reduce the carbon emissions. This made them more open to the controversial alternatives.</p> <p>While the threshold policy was clearly rejected by many respondents as discriminatory, environmental concern played a role in the level of acceptance of the unit of body weight policy.</p> <p>It’s important to apply a critical lens here. These ecocentric travellers were also generally younger and had lower personal weights, so many would benefit from the alternative policies financially.</p> <p>For policymakers overall, our study suggests when it comes to controversial ticketing policies, the public is more likely to be swayed by self-interest than anything else.<!-- Below is The Conversation's page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --><img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/237856/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /><!-- End of code. If you don't see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: https://theconversation.com/republishing-guidelines --></p> <p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/denis-tolkach-11345">Denis Tolkach</a>, Senior Lecturer, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/james-cook-university-1167">James Cook University</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/stephen-pratt-335188">Stephen Pratt</a>, Professor, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-central-florida-1925">University of Central Florida</a></em></p> <p><em>Image credits: Shutterstock </em></p> <p><em>This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/pay-by-weight-airfares-are-an-ethical-minefield-we-asked-travellers-what-they-actually-think-237856">original article</a>.</em></p> </div>

Travel Trouble

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Beloved teddy bear left in airport lounge rescued by airline

<p dir="ltr">Staff at British Airways have rescued a child’s stuffed teddy bear that was left behind in an airport lounge, documenting the toy’s safe journey home. </p> <p dir="ltr">The treasured teddy was found in the British Airways lounge at London’s Heathrow Airport by nine-year-old Alex, who accidentally left the toy behind before boarding a flight home to Dubai. </p> <p dir="ltr">After staff found the stranded toy, a new flight and boarding pass was created for Postman Bear, while members of the BA team gave the teddy the”'VIP treatment”  with a journey on an airport buggy to “catch up” with the Cabin Crew Operations team in the Crew Report Centre.</p> <p dir="ltr">Postman Bear was then taken to meet the cabin crew on his new flight to Dubai and was pictured “patiently” waiting for his flight at the gate, drinking a cup of coffee and enjoying “some great views of the aircraft” while waiting to board. </p> <p dir="ltr">The teddy’s journey home was lovingly captured by British Airways customer manager, Ed Tumath, who sent the snaps back to young Alex to assure him his beloved bear was being looked after. </p> <p dir="ltr">After touching down in Dubai, the cabin crew took Postman Bear to reunite with Alex and the rest of his family for a “bear-y happy reunion”. </p> <p dir="ltr">Stuart, Alex's parent, recalled the moment they knew the teddy was missing, while praising British Airways for their tireless journey to reunite Alex with his bear. </p> <p dir="ltr">Stuart said, “My son had left his teddy bear - huge sentimental value as he has had the teddy since birth - in the British Airways lounge ahead of the flight. We noticed as the aircraft doors were closing so nothing could be done at that point.”</p> <p dir="ltr">“This was very distressing to my son who uses the teddy as a calming item, especially when flying. This was incredibly stressful and we feared that his beloved teddy may be lost forever.”</p> <p dir="ltr">“Whilst onboard the flight, I took to a series of Facebook groups to seek help in finding the teddy. A member of the group contacted Ed who came to the rescue. I managed to communicate with Ed on the flight and received a picture showing that the teddy had been found, which calmed my son.”</p> <p dir="ltr">“Not only did Ed go out of his way to find the teddy but he communicated so well throughout. He genuinely cared about the situation and worked so hard to get the teddy back to us.”</p> <p dir="ltr">“He arranged for the teddy to board a flight to Dubai a couple of days later and a crew member handed the teddy back to us. Not only did Ed excel in his caring manner and communication, he even provided a few pictures of the teddy's journey, which my son will treasure forever.”</p> <p dir="ltr">“My son was so relieved - words could not express how grateful we are to Ed for his kind act and dedication to getting the teddy back to us. I have been flying with BA for many years - this is the best experience I have had by far and I am overwhelmed by Ed's efforts.”</p> <p dir="ltr">“Sometimes amazing people do incredible things and show such kindness along the way... these things matter. This meant a huge amount to my family and I, and we will be forever grateful.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image credits: British Airways</em></p>

International Travel

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Readers response: What airline will you always prefer to travel with?

<p>When it comes to travelling, many people have their preferences of their favourite airline after past good experiences.</p> <p>Many seasoned travellers always opt to fly with their preferred airline (when it's possible), instead of running the risk of an uncomfortable experience. </p> <p>We asked our readers which airline they will always prefer to travel with, and the response was overwhelming. Here's what they said. </p> <p><strong>Irene Hood</strong> - Singapore Airlines. Lovely cabin crew, smooth flights every time.</p> <p><strong>David Slattery</strong> - Had quite a few nice flights with Turkish, both short and long haul.</p> <p><strong>Sue Packer</strong> - Just came back from Europe with Emirates, great service, great food and the plane left on time!</p> <p><strong>Rick Kehoe</strong> - Qantas if available. I have never had a bad flight experience after many flights both domestic and international.</p> <p><strong>Anita Thornton</strong> - Finnair is a great airline!</p> <p><strong>Diane Green</strong> - For overseas travel, Japan airlines gave the best service. For domestic, Virgin.</p> <p><strong>George Jan Cafcakis</strong> - Qatar! It’s definitely the best.</p> <p><strong>Russell Campbell</strong> - Singapore, but I just travelled on Vietnam Airlines and they were also good.</p> <p><strong>Goldie Kilford</strong> - Air New Zealand for sure. </p> <p><strong>Peter King</strong> - Safety: Qantas. Service: Qatar. On time: Lufthansa &amp; Swiss. Friendly Crews: Fiji Air and Air New Zealand. Best Cattle Class Seat Pitches: All Nippon, Korean, Japan. Worst Airline: Jetstar!</p> <p><em>Image credits: Shutterstock </em></p>

Travel Tips

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Passengers on cancelled flights to be compensated under new reforms

<p>Plane passengers could soon be entitled to compensation or refunds for delayed or cancelled flights in Australia. </p> <p>The long-awaited Aviation White Paper will be handed down this morning, as part of the federal government's crackdown on the aviation sector. </p> <p>The white paper makes 56 recommendations, including the the establishment of an Aviation Industry Ombudsman Scheme, which will have the authority to make it compulsory for airlines to provide support to passengers and give travellers more rights. </p> <p>The Aviation Industry Ombudsman Scheme will also be able to refer to allegations of misconduct for investigation and enforcement. </p> <p>It will also introduce a new "Charter of Rights" entitling airline customers to refunds for flights that are disrupted, cancelled, or unreasonably delayed. </p> <p>Infrastructure Minister Catherine King said the changes were critical to ensure that passenger had better experiences in the air, and will provide them with a baseline for the services they can expect on flights. </p> <p>"The aviation customer experience has deteriorated post-COVID, with an urgent need to better protect the rights of the travelling public," she said.</p> <p>She added that Australians were often not being dealt with fairly by airlines. </p> <p>"The bottom line is if people don't get the service that they are expecting, then customers deserve to get their money back or they deserve to get an equivalent service," she said. </p> <p>"And that's really not what's been happening when it comes to the consumer space."</p> <p>Under the Aviation Industry Ombuds Scheme, airlines will also have to "show cause" and provide a valid reason why a flight has been delayed or cancelled, and the ombudsperson has the right to request additional information. </p> <p>Airlines will also be required to provide support to people to make alternative travel arrangements. </p> <p>As part of its white paper, the government will also establish new minimum standards for airlines to make their services more accessible to those with disabilities. </p> <p>Legislation to establish the aviation ombuds office will be introduced next year, but the government plans to appoint an interim ombudsperson. </p> <p>The scheme is expected to be fully implemented in 2026. </p> <p><em>Image: Shutterstock</em></p> <p> </p>

Legal

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Woman banned for life from airline for bizarre reason

<p>A woman has recalled the moment she was told by a major airline that she has been placed on the no-fly list for a very strange reason. </p> <p>Erin Wright, a 24-year-old from the US, was travelling to her sister's bachelorette party in New Mexico and was preparing to board her flight from New Orleans with American Airlines. </p> <p>When she kept running into errors online as she tried to check into the flight, she headed to the airport to sort out the issue, only to be told she was allegedly banned from the airline for life for “having sexual relations with a man on a flight while intoxicated”.</p> <p>The ban came as a shock for one key reason. </p> <p>“I am a 24-year-old lesbian. You see me. Am I having sexual relations with any man? No,” Erin laughed in her now viral TikTok.</p> <div class="embed" style="font-size: 16px; box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; outline: currentcolor !important;"><iframe class="embedly-embed" style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border-width: 0px; border-style: none; vertical-align: baseline; width: 600px; max-width: 100%; outline: currentcolor !important;" title="tiktok embed" src="https://cdn.embedly.com/widgets/media.html?src=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tiktok.com%2Fembed%2Fv2%2F7400894263237610794&display_name=tiktok&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tiktok.com%2F%40erin_wright_%2Fvideo%2F7400894263237610794%3Fembed_source%3D121374463%252C121451205%252C121439635%252C121433650%252C121404359%252C121351166%252C121331973%252C120811592%252C120810756%253Bnull%253Bembed_name%26refer%3Dembed%26referer_url%3Dwww.news.com.au%252Ftravel%252Ftravel-updates%252Fincidents%252Fwomans-shock-after-she-was-banned-or-life-by-airline%252Fnews-story%252F98c05daffea9ff538dd05bbbbaca556b%26referer_video_id%3D7401685057980681514&image=https%3A%2F%2Fp19-sign.tiktokcdn-us.com%2Fobj%2Ftos-useast5-p-0068-tx%2FoYgBZAELUrpiZizB94QiB6qSIPFE1CosQNYUi%3Flk3s%3Db59d6b55%26nonce%3D34496%26refresh_token%3D518d47d36cd3175f1d18f1fd75262373%26x-expires%3D1723770000%26x-signature%3DPnErCHWVNghfrjSQPdFIU5OLZu4%253D%26shp%3Db59d6b55%26shcp%3D-&key=59e3ae3acaa649a5a98672932445e203&type=text%2Fhtml&schema=tiktok" width="340" height="700" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></div> <p>She said the gate staff couldn’t tell her why she was black-listed and it wasn’t until three weeks later the reason was revealed after several back and forth emails.</p> <p>“I got to the airport an hour and a half early, I went to the kiosk and asked them to check me in and they were really nice,” Erin explained in the clip that's amassed 2.6 million views.</p> <p>The airport staff then spent the next 10 minutes on the phone to try and work out the problem, while Erin was “freaking out” that she was going to miss her flight.</p> <p>“She gets off the phone and looks nervous. She said ‘ma’am I am really sorry to tell you this but you have actually been banned from flying American Airlines’,” Erin claimed.</p> <p>A confused Erin demanded to know the reason but the employee couldn’t disclose the information saying it was an issue of “internal security”, recalling in her video, “I was like, ‘what?’ because I’ve never done anything. ‘What did I get banned for, can you tell me?’”</p> <p>“I realised I am going to miss my [United Airlines] flight and luckily I booked another $1,000 round trip flight to New Orleans [with a different airline].”</p> <p>A few weeks after her trip and after several emails to the airline, they revealed that the reason she was banned, as Erin said, “I get an email from cooperate security telling me I am banned because I had sexual relations with a man on a flight while intoxicated.” </p> <p>“It took 12 days and many emails from me between when I contacted customer relations to when I actually got an email back.”</p> <p>She remained on the no-fly list and had to file an official appeal, as advised by corporate security. </p> <p>“I email them a very serious email, but also somewhat funny, because in it I am like ‘I don’t really know how to prove it wasn’t me except for the fact that I am literally a lesbian’," she said.</p> <p>“I can like get you letters from other people telling you that that’s the truth.”</p> <p>After three months, Erin said she was refunded the money for her flight and was taken off the no-fly list. </p> <p>In a follow up video, Erin said it has been a “super upsetting experience” adding she wasn’t compensated for the extra flight she had to book “because of their error”.</p> <p><em>Image credits: TikTok / Shutterstock </em></p>

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What is ‘slot hoarding’ – and is it locking out regional airlines like Rex?

<div class="theconversation-article-body"> <p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/doug-drury-1277871">Doug Drury</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/cquniversity-australia-2140">CQUniversity Australia</a></em></p> <p>It’s been a depressing year for regional aviation. Rex Airlines has just become the second Australian airline to go into voluntary administration this year, after Bonza’s collapse in April.</p> <p>Is Qantas’ chief executive Vanessa Hudson right – that there simply <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/business/companies/australia-can-t-sustain-more-than-three-airlines-says-qantas-boss-20240714-p5jtlo.html">aren’t enough passengers</a> in Australia to support more than three airlines?</p> <p>That’s certainly a convenient narrative for the members of our domestic airline duopoly, Qantas and Virgin Australia, who now face even less competition.</p> <p>Or did Rex fall victim to other airlines’ strategic management to limit the number of airport slots available to them to successfully fly between the capital cities? This practice is known as “slot hoarding”.</p> <p>On Thursday, the former chair of the the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), Rod Sims, seemed to think so, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/article/2024/aug/01/rex-airlines-administration-qantas-virgin">telling ABC radio</a>:</p> <blockquote> <p>The government outsources the management of the slots at Sydney airport to a company that’s majority-owned by Qantas and Virgin, it is just unbelievable.</p> </blockquote> <p>It’s certainly not a new allegation. <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2023/jun/06/rex-and-bonza-call-for-immediate-overhaul-of-sydney-airport-laws-to-increase-competition">Rex</a>, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2023/jun/06/rex-and-bonza-call-for-immediate-overhaul-of-sydney-airport-laws-to-increase-competition">Bonza</a>, and the <a href="https://www.afr.com/companies/transport/accc-warns-sydney-airport-slots-manager-has-conflicts-of-interest-20231220-p5espy">ACCC</a> have all previously raised concerns.</p> <p>So how exactly do airline slots work, and does the system need reform?</p> <h2>What are slots?</h2> <p>Back in the 1970s, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) developed the airline slot system to reduce airport congestion. The aim was to improve the traffic flow during peak travel times at “level 3” high traffic density airports – a category that includes Sydney and Melbourne.</p> <p>Under the system, airlines are allocated a daily number of slots they can use. Importantly, there is a set amount of slots available, as they represent specific time windows for aircraft to take off or land.</p> <p>Airlines <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trb.2018.04.005">schedule</a> their slots ahead of time as part of a yield management program. This plan looks across the whole calendar year, taking into account projected peak and off-peak travel times for business and leisure travellers.</p> <p>An airline owns the time slot it is designated by the <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trb.2018.04.005">airport infrastructure</a> capacity, whether it gets used or not.</p> <p>The IATA system relies on what’s called the “<a href="https://australianaviation.com.au/2024/02/80-20-rule-looks-to-survive-government-overhaul-of-sydney-slots/#:%7E:text=Currently%2C%20an%20airline%20can%20keep,calls%20it%20%E2%80%9Ctoo%20generous%E2%80%9D.">80/20 rule</a>”, which states an airline must use 80% of its allocated slots or it will loose its unused slots. The 20% is a buffer. But it has been <a href="https://australianaviation.com.au/2024/02/80-20-rule-looks-to-survive-government-overhaul-of-sydney-slots/">criticised</a> as overly generous.</p> <p>Airlines can also <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1000936123002340">buy sell or lease</a>, slots they are not using due to slow demand or the need for financial gain. These can sell for <a href="https://simpleflying.com/biggest-airport-slot-deals-list/">huge sums</a>.</p> <h2>Can slots be hoarded?</h2> <p>Broadly speaking, slot hoarding is the practice of booking slots for use only to cancel them in bad faith, preventing other airlines from getting access to premium travel times.</p> <p>In June last year, Rex’s then-deputy-chairman John Sharp <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2023/jun/06/rex-and-bonza-call-for-immediate-overhaul-of-sydney-airport-laws-to-increase-competition">accused Qantas</a> of engaging in the practice:</p> <blockquote> <p>It’s as plain as the nose on your face that Qantas is hoarding slots by cancelling sufficient flights to remain within the 80/20 rule.</p> </blockquote> <p>Slot availability is a particular <a href="https://www.afr.com/companies/transport/accc-warns-sydney-airport-slots-manager-has-conflicts-of-interest-20231220-p5espy">issue for Sydney Airport</a>, because takeoffs and landings are capped at 80 per hour.</p> <p>Sydney Airport Corporation’s executive general manager of aviation, Robert Wood, as well as the airport’s then-chief-executive Geoff Culbert also both expressed <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-11-21/airlines-qantas-virgin-slot-hoarding-solving-problems/103110390">serious concerns</a> about slot use last year.</p> <p>In February this year, the federal government unveiled a <a href="https://minister.infrastructure.gov.au/c-king/media-release/reforming-sydney-airport-slots-boost-efficiency-competition-and-consumers-outcomes">range of reforms</a> for Sydney airport’s slot system. These included requirements for increased transparency on how slots are used, and new independent audits.</p> <p>Notably though, the government made <a href="https://australianaviation.com.au/2024/02/80-20-rule-looks-to-survive-government-overhaul-of-sydney-slots/">no change</a> to the 80/20 rule.</p> <h2>What needs to change?</h2> <p>A number of further reforms could help make the airport system friendlier to new entrants and more equitable.</p> <p>One possibility is to <em>sell</em> a predefined number of slots to the major participating airlines. Airlines would have to make a business case outlining their proposed needs over the next calendar year.</p> <p>Currently, airlines request slots from the airport slot management team at no cost to the airline, a system which favours established airlines that have met the 80/20 rule.</p> <p>But a key criticism of this proposal is that the cost of purchasing slots <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-11-21/airlines-qantas-virgin-slot-hoarding-solving-problems/103110390">would be passed down</a> to the flying public, likely resulting in higher airfares. Bidding for slots would also add new cost barriers to entry for would-be startup challengers.</p> <p>Another possibility is to look at <a href="https://doi.org/10.1287/trsc.2019.0926">slot allocation based on fairness</a>, measuring an airline’s needs against airport infrastructure.</p> <p>Airlines that had historically used 80% of their allocated slots would be given priority bidding on <em>up to 50%</em> of the following year’s total airport slot allocation.</p> <p>The remaining 50% of slots could be prioritised for new airlines without an established history, with the goal of awarding them take off and landing times that aren’t necessarily premium, but close enough.</p> <p>Airlines that didn’t achieve this 80% target or were found to be abusing the slot hoarding rules would be removed from the top-tier fairness status and placed in a slot allocation “sin bin” until their performance measures were brought up to standards.</p> <p>Australia has challenges ahead for domestic flights that are already at capacity. Government reforms that provide better oversight of airport usage of the 80/20 rule could help mitigate the risk of anti-competitive behaviour.</p> <p>Australian airlines have the right to compete without feeling unfairly held back, and we as consumers have the right to reasonable airfares. <!-- Below is The Conversation's page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --><img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/235960/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /><!-- End of code. If you don't see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: https://theconversation.com/republishing-guidelines --></p> <p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/doug-drury-1277871">Doug Drury</a>, Professor/Head of Aviation, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/cquniversity-australia-2140">CQUniversity Australia</a></em></p> <p><em>Image credits: Shutterstock </em></p> <p><em>This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/what-is-slot-hoarding-and-is-it-locking-out-regional-airlines-like-rex-235960">original article</a>.</em></p> </div>

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"Heartbroken": Sacked Rex Airlines hostess speaks out

<p>A “devastated” and “heartbroken” Rex Airlines flight attendant has spoken out after the regional airline entered <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/travel/travel-trouble/aussie-airline-s-shock-collapse" target="_blank" rel="noopener">voluntary administration</a>. </p> <p>Following the shock decision, 350 staff from the airline were made redundant and told they would not be paid any wages or redundancy packages for months.</p> <p>While many frustrated travellers took to Rex's Facebook page to complain about their flights being cancelled at the last minute with no notice, one cabin crew member called for calm and understanding. </p> <p>Air hostess Layla Rackley issued a reality check in the comments, writing, “I know this is so frustrating but the Rex staff, including myself, have lost our jobs very unexpectedly and we are all heartbroken.”</p> <p>“I hope your flights get sorted.”</p> <p>Another Rex flight attendant Makayla Meagher said on social media that she was “devastated” and it was something she thought would never have happened.</p> <p>“Im so grateful for all the friends i have made along the way,” she said. “Please keep Rex staff in your prayers.”</p> <p>Administrator Sam Freeman said regional flights were unaffected and would continue to operate, but domestic 737 services were grounded.</p> <p>“Virgin Australia are offering impacted Rex passengers free of charge rebooking,” he said.</p> <p>In the wake of the airline's collapse, competing Aussie airline Virgin wrote on their website, "Virgin Australia is also offering support to Rex employees who may be impacted by today’s announcement."</p> <p>"People whose employment has been affected should visit the expression of interest form on our website to apply for open positions."</p> <p><em>Image credits: Shutterstock / Instagram </em></p>

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Aussie airline's shock collapse

<p>Australia's third largest airline Regional Express, better known as Rex, has entered voluntary administration. </p> <p>The airline will ground all its Boeing 737 jets and cease flying immediately between Australia’s major cities, as Rex struggled to compete with Qantas and Jetstar for customers. </p> <p>In response to the cancellation, Virgin has said it will allow Rex customers with tickets on 737 flights to transfer them to its services.</p> <p>Rex began connecting major cities during the pandemic, but was unable to keep up with other airlines who were more known for servicing Aussie capital cities. </p> <p>While flights to major cities with Rex will cease, the airline confirmed that its flights to and from regional cities, which use smaller Saab 340 turboprops, will continue as normal.</p> <p>The airline currently serves 56 destinations around Australia, many of them remote.</p> <p>In response to the cancelled flights, Qantas and Virgin Australia shared a statement saying they were “sad” for the “difficult” day.</p> <p>“This is a challenging day for our industry and we are sad to see Rex enter voluntary administration with the immediate suspension of its Boeing 737 operations,” a spokesperson for Qantas said.</p> <p>“We know this will be a difficult period for many Rex customers and employees and we stand ready to assist.”</p> <p>The spokesperson said Rex customers impacted by cancelled flights due to the grounding of their domestic jet services can contact Qantas and Jetstar to be reaccommodated on the same route as their original booking at no charge, where seats available.</p> <p>In a statement on the Rex <a href="https://www.rex.com.au/AboutRex/OurCompany/DomesticFlightUpdates.aspx" target="_blank" rel="noopener">website</a>, the stricken airline said it was working with Virgin Australia to assist impacted passengers. </p> <p>“An agreement has been reached with Virgin Australia to honour all prepaid tickets for the Rex Group’ direct services between domestic capital cities, at no additional cost to passengers.</p> <p>“If you hold a prepaid ticket for future travel on any of these routes, you can transfer your Rex booking to a similar Virgin Australia flight.”</p> <p>Customers must re-book their flight by Wednesday August 14th or they will lose their money.</p> <p>“Regional flights are unaffected by the administration and will continue to operate as normal,” it stated.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Shutterstock </em></p>

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