The Flight Detective, Author at TravelUpdate

Is this the best part of the Qatar Airways Al Mourjan Lounge in Doha?

Posted by The Flight Detective | Jan 23, 2021 | Airlines, Lounge Reviews, Reviews and Reports | 4

When connecting through Doha in business class, one of the highlights is using the Qatar Airways Al Mourjan Lounge. Some people think the best part is the restaurant, but I think it’s something else. Since the cabin crew are very good at looking after their business class passengers, it makes the restaurant a little redundant. You’re so well fed and watered on the flight that more food is not at all what you want. Is It The Game Room? There is a game room available for people to, well… play games. I passed through at the start of 2021...

No lounge available at the airport?! What is a person to do…?

Posted by The Flight Detective | Jan 22, 2021 | Airlines | 0

Airports can be really boring places to wait around in, right? Frequent flyers have it better as they can visit a lounge to partake in the freebies and pleasant environment. What happens when you have no lounge though? Due to the pandemic, some airports have no lounge available at all. That, coupled with the fact that many retail outlets, restaurants and fast food places are closed, makes for a pretty grim experience. No Lounge Access Sometimes when there is no lounge access available, the airline will give you a voucher. This means you can go hog wild and shop...

Thanks for the single most stressful airport check-in experience ever, Australia!

Posted by The Flight Detective | Jan 21, 2021 | Airlines, Commentary | 8

Stress at check-in? It’s pretty non-existent in my world. When I have to front up at an airline’s counter, about the only mild curiosity is whether my bag will be overweight or not. I’ve never had a bad experience… … until now. I passed through Sydney Airport less than a week ago and to say the procedure was frustrating is an understatement. Being sent from pillar to post is not enjoyable. The Backstory Two things you need to know before I go on. First, Australian citizens currently need permission from the Australian Government to leave the country. If you...

Flying to Ireland or USA? You need a negative Coronavirus test before travel

Posted by The Flight Detective | Jan 13, 2021 | Airlines | 0

As the pandemic continues unabated, people who are travelling are increasingly being asked to produce a negative test for Coronavirus prior to departure. This is an attempt to prevent or slow down the spread of the virus. For people who travel, this adds an additional thing to remember to do, as well as extra costs. This needs to be done though, with fines and prison being the alternatives. Negative Tests For Ireland and USA The Irish government had mandated a negative PCR test within 72 hours of departure for people travelling from South Africa and the United Kingdom. This...

Faster flight times on Qatar Airways with the blockade ending

Posted by The Flight Detective | Jan 12, 2021 | Airlines | 0

The airspace blockade of Qatar by Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Bahrain and United Arab Emirates has now ended after several years. This means faster flight times on Qatar Airways flights. Since the start of the blockade, the oneworld alliance airline had to route around the closed airspace. That resulted in longer flight times, more fuel consumed and it was worse for the environment. Faster Flight Times Quite a bit of time is saved due to the changes. For example, a flight from Sydney to Doha saves 25 minutes in the air. Not much saving on a 15 hour journey you...

Why are Australian Passport renewal fees such a rip-off?

Posted by The Flight Detective | Jan 11, 2021 | Commentary | 2

There is such a huge difference in Passport renewal fees around the world. It’s something that wouldn’t normally spring to mind for most people, but as a dual citizen, I notice the disparity in price. Australian Passports are particularly expensive compared to others for what is essentially the same document. How much is the difference? Well, let’s have a look and compare. Passport Renewal Fees In Ireland, a Passport renewal costs €75 (A$119, US$92, £68) for a standard 10 year document. It is slightly more if you submit via the Post Office or in person, but that is the...

British Airways introduce new “buy before you fly” Euro Traveller catering, the Speedbird Café

Posted by The Flight Detective | Jan 8, 2021 | Airlines, News | 2

Economy class passengers on European flights with British Airways are in for a treat from 20 January 2021. The UK airline is introducing the Speedbird Café, a buy before you fly pre-order service with meals by Michelin-starred chef, Tom Kerridge. The current complimentary offering of water and a snack will also be staying. This is in contrast to other full service airlines who are removing free food for economy class within Europe. Buy Before You Fly There will be five new meal options on the menu. Standard options are a Warm Steak & Ale Pie (£4.50), a Ham Hock...

Review: Flying Qantas Boeing 737 Business Class from Adelaide to Sydney

Posted by The Flight Detective | Jan 5, 2021 | Airlines, Flight Reviews, Reviews and Reports | 2

Qantas are currently offering a pretty normal on board service on Australian domestic flights. I redeemed British Airways Avios for the flight in business class from Adelaide to Sydney, which is always good value. My original flight departed at 6am as it was the only service with frequent flyer seats available. That was cancelled and I was moved to the more reasonable 9:55am departure. Arriving at the airport around 8am, I breezed through a virtually empty security screening area and had breakfast in the Qantas Club. Another Cancellation Near flight time, I headed to Gate 24 to wait for...

Review: Qantas Club Adelaide December 2020

Posted by The Flight Detective | Jan 4, 2021 | Airlines, Lounge Reviews, Reviews and Reports | 0

Australia’s Qantas have reopened most of their domestic lounges and the Qantas Club Adelaide is no exception. Due to the pandemic, there are some changes to the facility, but things are largely similar to what one would expect. Adelaide does not have a domestic business lounge, so all frequent flyers use the same facility. It is also used for any international departures, such as those by Qatar Airways. Qantas Club Adelaide Upon entering the lounge, you immediately come into a large business area with desks and meeting rooms. Turning left takes you to the bar and barista coffee, while...

jetBlue’s first Airbus A220 has been delivered

Posted by The Flight Detective | Jan 1, 2021 | Airlines, News | 4

The very first Airbus A220 has been delivered to New York based jetBlue. These aircraft will replace the Embraer 190s at the airline. The A220 is one of the most modern planes in the sky and jetBlue have orders for 70 examples. The Canadian designed plane is far more environmentally friendly – and cost effective – than the E190s it replaces. jetBlue A220 Delivered jetBlue are the second customer to take delivery of the A220 in the United States, after Delta. These ones go through final assembly in Mobile, Alabama rather than Montreal. With a range of 6,204 kilometres,...