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The one airline offering wet weather refunds

US-based airline JetBlue have teamed up with tech startup WeatherPromise, to ensure that travellers can get the best out of their holiday. The airline is offering a refund if travellers experience "excessive rain" during their getaway. "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. The offer applies for travellers who book through JetBlue's eligible Flight + Hotel vacation packages. How would it work? "WeatherPromise determines 'excessive rain' based on destination, trip length, and historical weather data," the statement read. 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. "If rainfall meets the qualifying threshold, customers are automatically reimbursed - no paperwork needed," they added. Image: Shutterstock

Travel Trouble

How Rex could become the next national carrier

The federal government could acquire Rex Airlines if a suitable private sector buyer can’t be found for the struggling airline. The government will be working with Rex administrators and shortlisted bidders to find a buyer committed to breathing new life into the regional carrier. If the plan falls through, the Albanese government will begin working on contingency plans, including preparations for a potential Commonwealth acquisition. This will be the second time the government has stepped in to help Rex, after they vowed to take on Rex Airlines' $50 million debt in order to keep the company, that collapsed on June 30th 2024, servicing regional Australia. “Regional Australians deserve access to quality and crucial regional aviation services,” Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said. “That’s why we’re taking steps to ensure the best possible deal for the sale of Rex.” Should Rex be nationalised, it would be the first time a federal government has owned an airline in three decades after Qantas was privatised in 1995. “When markets fail or struggle to deliver for regional communities the government has a role to ensure people do not miss out on opportunities, education and critical connections,” federal Transport Minister Catherine King said. “We are recognising that today and stepping in to keep these routes in the air.” The government has also guaranteed Rex’s regional flight slots at Sydney Airport until October 2026. Image credits: Shutterstock

Domestic Travel

‘A virtual seat at the family table’: why older people are among the biggest users of social media

<div class="theconversation-article-body"><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/bernardo-figueiredo-336532">Bernardo Figueiredo</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/rmit-university-1063">RMIT University</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/torgeir-aleti-92509">Torgeir Aleti</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/rmit-university-1063">RMIT University</a> The Australian government’s <a href="https://theconversation.com/australias-social-media-ban-for-kids-under-16-just-became-law-how-it-will-work-remains-a-mystery-244736">recent decision to ban under 16s</a> from social media has focused attention on the harms it can cause – especially for young people. But young people are just one segment of the population who use social media. According to the <a href="https://wearesocial.com/au/blog/2024/01/digital-2024/">Digital 2024 report</a>, 78.3% of Australians regularly use platforms such as Facebook and Instagram – mainly for keeping in touch with friends and family. Perhaps surprisingly, a large proportion of these users are older people. For example, the Digital 2024 report also shows that 21.3% of Meta’s ad audience in Australia (on Messenger, Facebook and Instagram) are 55 years or older. This makes it the second largest age group after 25–34 year olds (25.4%). So what does research say about how social media affects older people’s social lives and wellbeing? <h2>The growing presence of older adults on social media</h2> <a href="https://www.digitalinclusionindex.org.au/digital-inclusion-the-australian-context-in-2023/">The digital divide is shrinking</a> as older generations embrace social media. <a href="https://www.benetas.com.au/news/digial-habits-of-older-australians">According to data from earlier this year</a>, more than 70% of Australians aged 65 and older use social media to some degree. <a href="https://www.aarp.org/content/dam/aarp/research/surveys_statistics/technology/2023/2023-tech-trends.doi.10.26419-2Fres.00584.001.pdf">Facebook remains the most popular</a> among this demographic, serving as a gateway to reconnect with family and long-lost friends. Beyond reconnecting, <a href="https://apo.org.au/node/313717">our research indicates</a> older adults often use these platforms to share memories, participate in community groups and access news. This growing trend is driven by both internal and external factors. <a href="https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/oir-06-2021-0332/full/html">Research shows</a> many older users are motivated by the desire to stay connected with their families, particularly grandchildren, who often share their lives through social media. For others, the COVID pandemic <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-05-18/are-we-headed-to-a-cashless-economy-post-coronavirus/12244846">accelerated the adoption of digital tools</a>, making social media a lifeline during periods of isolation. <h2>Enhanced connection</h2> <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41562-024-02048-7">A recent study</a> found positive associations between internet use and mental health among older adults in 23 countries. Social media, in particular, works by: 1. Maintaining family ties. Social media provides older adults with a virtual seat at the family table. By viewing photos, videos and updates, <a href="https://theconversation.com/video-chats-can-ease-social-isolation-for-older-adults-during-coronavirus-pandemic-135890">they can remain engaged with their loved ones’ lives</a>, no matter the physical distance. Platforms such as WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger are particularly popular for private family group chats, enabling older adults to exchange messages and share moments in real time. 2. Rekindling old friendships. Platforms such as Facebook have proven effective in <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/10510974.2021.1975143?needAccess=true">reconnecting older adults with long-lost friends</a>. For many, revisiting old relationships provides a sense of nostalgia and belonging. Studies have shown such interactions can <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32700541/">bolster feelings of inclusion</a> and reduce loneliness, a significant concern for ageing populations. 3. Building new communities. Social media groups dedicated to specific interests such as gardening, photography or travel offer older adults opportunities to form new connections. <a href="https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/jkm-02-2021-0087/full/html">These virtual communities</a> are inclusive spaces where members exchange advice, share experiences and foster friendships based on shared hobbies. <h2>Improved well-being</h2> Social media’s ability to foster connection among older adults <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8465959/#B7-healthcare-09-01143">directly impacts their wellbeing</a>. Regular online interactions can reduce feelings of loneliness and depression, providing a sense of purpose and belonging. <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/10410236.2020.1859722">Research shows</a> active participation, such as posting photos, is associated with a feeling of competence in older users, which is related to well-being. For some, becoming “<a href="https://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/life-and-relationships/80-years-old-with-11-million-followers-meet-tiktok-s-granfluencers-20230602-p5ddje.html">grandfluencers</a>” on platforms like Instagram or TikTok introduces an unexpected avenue for creative expression and social influence. Online forums are also gaining traction as a tool for health information and advocacy. <a href="https://www.jmir.org/2013/2/e35">Older adults participate in support groups</a> for chronic conditions, share wellness tips and even engage in civic discussions. This demonstrates social media platforms’ broader potential beyond social interaction. <h2>Online challenges</h2> Despite its benefits, social media is not without challenges for older adults. For some, navigating the complex interface of platforms can be intimidating. <a href="https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0760/13/9/496">Our research</a> shows half of older adults feel anxious about using communication technologies, with older women experiencing more anxiety than older men. Issues such as <a href="https://apo.org.au/sites/default/files/resource-files/2021-08/apo-nid313717.pdf">privacy concerns, misinformation and online scams can also create barriers to engagement</a>. Additionally, while social media facilitates connection, it <a href="https://agsjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jgs.18546">cannot replace the depth of face-to-face interactions</a>. <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/14413582231187652">Our research</a> shows those with higher digital literacy are more likely to experience the positive effects of social media because of ongoing “self-socialisation” without having to interact with others, which might undermine learning and confidence. For others, initiatives aimed at <a href="https://www.dss.gov.au/improving-digital-skills-older-australians/resource/evaluation-be-connected">improving digital skills among older adults</a> – such as digital mentoring programs – can significantly enhance their confidence and ability to engage safely online. <h2>A bridge and a barrier</h2> Social media can keep older adults connected. But its impact <a href="https://karger.com/ger/article/59/4/378/149065/Social-Media-Use-of-Older-Adults-A-Mini-Review">depends on how it is used</a>. For many, it serves as a vital link to family, friends and new communities, enriching their social lives and reducing isolation. However, to unlock its full potential, addressing barriers such as digital literacy and online safety are crucial. As the world becomes increasingly digital, <a href="https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/jsm-12-2022-0393/full/html?skipTracking=true">empowering older adults</a> to engage meaningfully with social media will ensure they remain not only connected but also active participants in a rapidly evolving social landscape.<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/245156/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/bernardo-figueiredo-336532">Bernardo Figueiredo</a>, Associate Professor of Marketing, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/rmit-university-1063">RMIT University</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/torgeir-aleti-92509">Torgeir Aleti</a>, Senior Lecturer in Marketing, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/rmit-university-1063">RMIT University</a> Image credits: Shutterstock 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/a-virtual-seat-at-the-family-table-why-older-people-are-among-the-biggest-users-of-social-media-245156">original article</a>. </div>

Technology

Mum furious over grandmother’s refusal to use car seat for her child

A mother has voiced her frustration over her own mother’s major babysitting error. The woman, who has a son of her own, shared that her parents regularly look after their grandchild, but has grown more and more annoyed that one request has been ignored. In her lengthy post on Reddit, the woman wrote that her mother has taken her grandson in a car without a car seat more than once. She wrote, "I'm livid and won't be letting her take him out again but needed to vent. My parents look after my son for me now and again, he loves them, and they love him, but my mom is really testing me. Twice now she has had him in someone's car without his car seat." She continued: "The first time it happened, I didn't let her see him for a month. I knew they were taking him out and had left his car seat for them, but she didn't use it as they were only 'going around the corner.' I screamed and shouted about her putting my son at risk.” “She tried to backtrack and lie her way out of it, but at the end of the day, she disrespected me." "That was almost a year ago; yesterday, she had him as I had work in London, and hubby was at work; she said they were taking him out and promised she would use the car seat. I stressed to her how she won't see him again if they don't use it and guess what, they didn't use it." The end of the post reads: "I'm livid, I'm going to see her today to shout and give an ultimatum, why don't people listen?! 'Oh, he was fine. We only went two streets away. You're being dramatic…'" "'Dramatic' when there's an insane storm going on, and anything could have happened. [She] won't be having him again. I feel like a d*** for trusting and believing her.” Hundreds of comments poured in from other mothers backing up the woman’s decision, as one person wrote, "She is playing Russian roulette with your child's life. Stay strong in this decision." Another simply wrote, “Why even take the risk? Why?!" Image credits: Shutterstock

Family & Pets

Government bails out Rex Airlines

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. 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. 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. "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. "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." "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." 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. Image credits: Shutterstock

Domestic Travel

Airline forced to apologise over controversial tourism ad

An airline has copped major backlash over a controversial tourism campaign that promotes their return flights to Paris. 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. “Paris, we’re coming today,” the ad reads. 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. 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. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <a href="https://t.co/qUoNCyL385">pic.twitter.com/qUoNCyL385</a> — PIA (@Official_PIA) <a href="https://twitter.com/Official_PIA/status/1877555588533485884?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 10, 2025</a></blockquote> “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?” 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?” “Is this (an) advertisement or threat?” another user asked. After being online for a week, the airline issued an apology saying it was “blown out of proportion”. “Unfortunately, this was blown out of proportion with connations and perceptions that were not intended,” PIA spokesman Abdullah Khan told AFP. “It might have triggered some negative emotion, for which we truly apologise.” Despite the controversy, the ad remains on the airline's official X account. Image credits: Pakistan International Airlines

Travel Trouble

World's safest airline for 2025 revealed

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. 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. Cathay Pacific, Qatar Airways and Emirates came equal third, while Virgin Australia came in fourth and Etihad Airways in fifth. “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. “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.” 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. 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. 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. “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 news.com.au. 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." “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.” The Top 25 World's Safest Full-Service Airlines for 2025: <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> Images: Shutterstock

Travel Tips

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

An airline worker has warned passengers of the type of suitcases he believes are "more likely" to get lost. 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. 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. 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. "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. "Once that happens, it can't be diverted to its assigned location to be loaded on the plane it belongs on.” "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." 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. "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. "Do what you feel is best to help identify your bag, but just be warned some items can help cause delays." Image credits: Shutterstock

Travel Tips

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

<div class="theconversation-article-body"><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> 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. 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. 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? <h2>What does volcanic ash do to a plane?</h2> 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. Imagine getting spectacles and scraping them over and over with sandpaper – that’s what you’d see if you were sitting in the cockpit. 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. But the main issue, in fact, is the impact volcanic ash has on engines. 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. The correct balance of fuel and airflow is crucial. When you disrupt airflow, it can cause the engine to stall. 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. 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. 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. 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. <h2>How do airlines decide it’s not safe to fly when a volcano erupts?</h2> 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. Every airline has a process of risk management, which is required by Australia’s Civil Aviation Safety Authority. 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. 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. 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. For airlines to resume flights, the ash needs to clear and there needs to be a low probability of further eruptions. <h2>Passenger safety is the priority</h2> 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. 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.<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" /> <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> Image credits: Shutterstock 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>. </div>

Travel Trouble

Qantas faces the music for selling seats on cancelled flights

Qantas has been fined a whopping $120 million for purposefully misleading customers on flight bookings for several years. After being sued by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) over dishonest conduct relating to the sale of tickets on cancelled flights, the airline admitted they were deceiving travellers by continuing to sell tickets on flights that had already been cancelled. On Tuesday, Justice Helen Rofe formally ordered Qantas to pay a $100 million fine for their conduct, and another $20 million to travellers who were affected. Qantas agreed to pay $225 to affected customers on domestic flights and $450 on international flights. "This is a substantial penalty, which sets a strong signal to all businesses, big or small, that they will face serious consequences if they mislead their customers," ACCC chair Gina Cass-Gottlieb said in a statement following the court orders. Earlier this year, Cass-Gottlieb described Qantas’ conduct as “egregious and unacceptable”, after data showed that between May 2021 and August 2023, the airline sold tickets on cancelled flights to more than 86,000 customers. In addition to cancelling the flights, the airline also failed to inform travellers that their flights were no longer going ahead as scheduled. ACCC barrister Christopher Caleo claimed that some senior airline managers knew about different aspects of the issue, including the fact that cancelled flights were not removed from booking pages or that customers could still book those flights, but no single manager was aware of the severity of the issue. "Qantas was aware of deficiencies in their systems," Caleo said. "Despite their awareness, it persisted over an extended period of time and affected a large number of consumers." Caleo added that the sizable fine presented to Qantas was required in order to deter them from any further devious conduct. "A penalty must send a signal to other companies in Australia, particularly to other large companies, that contraventions of Australian consumer law will not be tolerated," he said. "It must sting and must not be an acceptable cost for Qantas for failing to have systems in place." Qantas said it has made changes to its systems and agreed to notify customers of cancelled flights no longer than 48 hours from cancelling a flight and stop selling tickets for those journeys within 24 hours, with these changes also taking effect with subsidiary Jetstar. "The fact that Qantas made these changes makes it clear that Qantas wants to avoid the matter from occurring again," barrister Ruth Higgins said. Image credits: Shutterstock

Travel Trouble

Airline bans couple after racist row over reclined seat

Two travellers have been banned from Cathay Pacific flights after an argument over seat etiquette descended into racist insults. 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. 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." 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. "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. "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. 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?" And others can be heard shouting in Cantonese: "You're embarrassing us Hongkongers!" "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. "As a major airline, isn't Cathay supposed to know how to handle such disputes? Shouldn't treating passengers differently get some consequences? 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." "We will deny future travel on any Cathay Group flights to the two customers involved in this incident." Image credits: Shutterstock

Travel Trouble

Beloved teddy bear left in airport lounge rescued by airline

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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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”. 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. 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.” “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.” “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.” “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.” “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.” “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.” “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.” Image credits: British Airways

International Travel

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

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

Travel Tips

Passenger sparks debate over travellers sleeping in aisle seats

A heated debate has erupted online after a passenger suggested those sitting in an aisle seat should remain alert and awake for the entire flight, with the only exception being if it's a long-flight of seven hours or more. “A person sitting in an aisle seat on a plane should not be allowed to sleep," they wrote on Reddit. The reason behind it, according to the passenger, is to ensure that middle and window seat passengers can access the toilet, get served by flight attendants, and evacuate quickly in an emergency. “There are some exceptions and those would probably be on any flight longer than seven hours. “But anything shorter than that, you should not be sleeping. What if the middle or window passenger needs the bathroom, or if the flight attendant needs to hand them something – You’ll be in the way.” They added that a snoozing aisle seat passenger could potentially slow down evacuation during an emergency and put everyone at risk. “Now you would be risking people’s lives because you fell asleep,” they wrote. Social media users flocked to the Reddit thread to share their thoughts. “Nah, just poke me and wake me up if you need me to get up or do something," one wrote. “I’m well aware that I’m in the way, believe me. I’m certainly not there because I wanted to be in the aisle seat.” “If you sleep in an aisle seat, you deal with people getting up. That’s the unwritten rule," another added. A few others supported the idea, but shared their own take on plane etiquette. “My take on this: if you sleep in the aisle seat, you must be okay with being woken up multiple times to let the folks in your row get up. “Other flight rules: middle seat gets the armrest, and window seat must raise the window shade during taxi, takeoff, and landing so the rest of us in the row can watch.” Image: Shutterstock

Travel Tips

Woman banned for life from airline for bizarre reason

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. 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. 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”. The ban came as a shock for one key reason. “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. <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> 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. “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. 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. “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. 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?’” “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].” 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.” “It took 12 days and many emails from me between when I contacted customer relations to when I actually got an email back.” She remained on the no-fly list and had to file an official appeal, as advised by corporate security. “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. “I can like get you letters from other people telling you that that’s the truth.” After three months, Erin said she was refunded the money for her flight and was taken off the no-fly list. 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”. Image credits: TikTok / Shutterstock

Travel Trouble

Woman “bullied” on plane over budget seating trick

A young woman has recalled a flight from hell when she was “bullied” by a couple who were trying to utilise a seating hack that went viral on TikTok. The solo traveller took to Reddit to recount the story and ask social media users if she was in the wrong for her action. The woman began by saying she usually pays more to select her plane seat ahead of time, but a medical emergency on another plane had her waiting on standby and left with no option other than to sit in a middle seat. When she was finally able to board, she was greeted by a couple who had purchased both the window and aisle seats in a bid to have more space, utilising a travel “trick” that has been popular on TikTok. The method, which has been dubbed the 'poor man's business class', usually leaves travellers with an empty middle seat and more space, and few travellers opt to pick a middle seat. “When I got to my row the man and woman were chatting and sharing a snack... it was obvious they were together. I mentioned to the man that I'm in the middle, and he got up to let me in,” the unsuspecting traveller wrote on Reddit. “I asked them if they would prefer to sit together, I said I was totally okay with that. The woman reacted rudely to this and said ‘you're not supposed to be sitting here anyway’.” After noticing how the plane was full, she offered to show the pair her new ticket with the correct seat number on it. “She flicked her hand at my ticket and made a disgusted sound. I offered again if they wanted to sit together to which she didn't reply, her partner said it's okay and... made some small talk,” she continued. The man’s girlfriend then interrupted their conversation to ask,”'Did you use one of those third party websites to book your flight? It's so frustrating when people cheap out to inconvenience others.” The American woman explained that she had booked her flight directly and she had been placed on standby like everyone else and didn't choose the middle seat - she was assigned it. She then tried to keep the peace by refusing to engage with the furious woman. “I was so done with her attitude, I put my headphones on and attempted to do my own thing,” she explained. But the “entitled” girlfriend wasn't letting it go, as the woman explained, “This woman kept reaching over me and tapping her partner and trying to talk to him in a way that was super intrusive.” “I could tell even her partner was trying to engage her less so that she would hopefully stop, but she didn't.” “I think they tried to pull that tactic where they don't sit together on purpose...hoping no one will sit between them. But on full flights it doesn't work. And even so - it's not the other person's fault.” The traveller's post was met with hundreds of comments slamming the girlfriend’s behaviour, as one person wrote, “It's like a toddler having a tantrum.” “She was disappointed and a total a**hole. Gross entitled people,” another added. Another person applauded the traveller’s level-headed behaviour, writing, “Wow! You are my hero for keeping it classy - I’m afraid I would not have been as kind as you.” Image credits: Shutterstock

Travel Trouble

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

<div class="theconversation-article-body"> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/doug-drury-1277871">Doug Drury</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/cquniversity-australia-2140">CQUniversity Australia</a> 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. 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? That’s certainly a convenient narrative for the members of our domestic airline duopoly, Qantas and Virgin Australia, who now face even less competition. 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”. 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>: <blockquote> 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. </blockquote> 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. So how exactly do airline slots work, and does the system need reform? <h2>What are slots?</h2> 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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>. <h2>Can slots be hoarded?</h2> 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. 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: <blockquote> 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. </blockquote> 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. 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. 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. 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. <h2>What needs to change?</h2> A number of further reforms could help make the airport system friendlier to new entrants and more equitable. One possibility is to sell 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. 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. 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. 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. Airlines that had historically used 80% of their allocated slots would be given priority bidding on up to 50% of the following year’s total airport slot allocation. 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. 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. 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. Australian airlines have the right to compete without feeling unfairly held back, and we as consumers have the right to reasonable airfares. <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" /> <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> Image credits: Shutterstock 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>. </div>

Travel Trouble

"Heartbroken": Sacked Rex Airlines hostess speaks out

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>. 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. 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. 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.” “I hope your flights get sorted.” Another Rex flight attendant Makayla Meagher said on social media that she was “devastated” and it was something she thought would never have happened. “Im so grateful for all the friends i have made along the way,” she said. “Please keep Rex staff in your prayers.” Administrator Sam Freeman said regional flights were unaffected and would continue to operate, but domestic 737 services were grounded. “Virgin Australia are offering impacted Rex passengers free of charge rebooking,” he said. 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." "People whose employment has been affected should visit the expression of interest form on our website to apply for open positions." Image credits: Shutterstock / Instagram

Travel Trouble

Aussie airline's shock collapse

Australia's third largest airline Regional Express, better known as Rex, has entered voluntary administration. 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. In response to the cancellation, Virgin has said it will allow Rex customers with tickets on 737 flights to transfer them to its services. 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. 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. The airline currently serves 56 destinations around Australia, many of them remote. In response to the cancelled flights, Qantas and Virgin Australia shared a statement saying they were “sad” for the “difficult” day. “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. “We know this will be a difficult period for many Rex customers and employees and we stand ready to assist.” 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. 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. “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. “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.” Customers must re-book their flight by Wednesday August 14th or they will lose their money. “Regional flights are unaffected by the administration and will continue to operate as normal,” it stated. Image credits: Shutterstock

Travel Trouble

“Great initiative”: Airline's world first move to make female travellers safer

A popular airline has introduced a new measure to help female travellers feel safer on their journey. IndiGo will make the change in August, giving female travellers the option to choose not to sit next to a man on their flight. Prior to booking, women will be able to check the gender of the flyer sitting next to them and select if they don't want a male seat mate. However, this change will not apply to men, as male travellers will not be shown the gender of their seat mate when making a booking and instead will only be able to view available seats. The low-cost carrier is a codeshare partner of Qantas, and Australian passengers travel on-board its planes for destinations such as India, as well as within the country. The idea for the change came from an IndiGo survey where the airline asked females what would make travel more comfortable, and many said they would feel safer to have more power over who they spent their journey sitting next to. “IndiGo is proud to announce the introduction of a new feature that aims to make the travel experience more comfortable for our female passengers,” the airline said. “We are committed to providing an unparalleled travel experience for all our passengers, and this new feature is just one of the many steps we are taking towards achieving that goal.” There has been a mixed reaction on social media to to IndiGo’s attempt to make female flyers feel safer, as one commenter wrote on X: “Why can’t they allocate left side for one gender and right side for another gender?" There was also concern about how the good seats could be snapped up, writing, “Almost all seats available will be the middle ones”. Meanwhile a man protested, “What if I don’t want to sit by her? It works both ways”, while many simply praised it as a “great initiative”. Image credits: Shutterstock

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