AFF on AIR Podcast

In this special edition of the podcast, Matt chats to John Bartels (a.k.a. jb747) about his flying career with Qantas, the A380, the QF30 incident, flight training, retirement, today's aviation industry and more. John is a former Qantas Airbus A380 captain and remains an active contributor to AFF's popular Ask The Pilot thread.

 

Episode contents:

1:00 - Fortnightly news round-up

7:20 - Interview with John Bartels - getting started in aviation

17:37 - Interview with John Bartels - discussion about QF30

27:18 - Interview with John Bartels - discussion about flying the Qantas A380

37:10 - Interview with John Bartels - discussion about retirement from commercial aviation

41:29 - Interview with John Bartels - advice for people interested in an aviation career

 

Links:

AFF on Air Discussion thread - a dedicated AFF thread to discuss the podcast and ask questions

AFF's Ask The Pilot thread

 

Frequent Flyer Gazette articles referenced in the fortnightly news round-up:

Qantas, American Airlines Joint Venture Approved

Qantas Retires Oldest Boeing 747

Catch Qantas 747s on Domestic Flights

Hilton Gold Fast-Track for Visa Cardholders

Amex Cuts Priority Pass Restaurant Credits for Australians

New Machu Picchu Airport Under Construction

Find out how to get cut-price Virgin Australia Business Class tickets by buying and redeeming Etihad Guest miles! This episode also includes some listener Q&A and an interview with Lance Chow, an award travel consultant at Frequent Flyer Solutions.

 

Episode contents:

0:59 - Fortnightly news round-up

8:15 - Buying Etihad Guest miles for cheap Virgin Australia flights

15:06 - Ask Matt - tips on earning and redeeming points, upgrades & more

24:08 - Interview with Lance Chow

36:19 - The dumbest travel mistake I've ever made (thankfully, there's a happy ending!)

 

Links:

AFF on Air Discussion thread - a dedicated AFF thread to discuss the podcast and ask questions

How to Buy & Redeem Etihad Guest Miles

Award Flight Assist

The Oneworld Flight Across North America with Award Availability [YVR-JFK on CX]

The Dumbest Travel Mistake I’ve Ever Made

 

Frequent Flyer Gazette articles referenced in the fortnightly news round-up:

Expanded Qantas, Cathay Pacific Codeshares Blocked

Etihad Charging for Snacks, Drinks in Economy

Avianca Brazil Grounded, All Flights Cancelled

Free Qantas Lounge Pass for 18-35 Year-olds

UK Opens Passport E-Gates to Australians

Redeem Qantas Points to Taipei with China Airlines

Rare Air New Zealand Business Award Availability

Personalised Airfare Pricing is Coming

Find out how to easily earn Star Alliance Gold status with several different frequent flyer programs! This episode also includes an interview with John Blom, Australia's top tennis umpire and a lifetime Diamond Plus member of Asiana Club.

 

Episode contents:

0:57 - Fortnightly news round-up

4:53 - Interview with John Blom - travelling for tennis

11:23 - Interview with John Blom - Asiana Club frequent flyer program

23:06 - Shortcuts to Star Alliance Gold status

32:42 - Why transferring CommBank Awards points to Velocity this month is a good idea

 

Links:

AFF on Air Discussion thread - a dedicated AFF thread to discuss the podcast and ask questions

The Best Programs to Earn Star Alliance Status

Star Alliance Status Match with Turkish Airlines

Upcoming Webinar - Star Alliance for Australians (29 May 2019)

Got CommBank Awards Points? Transfer to Velocity Now!

 

Frequent Flyer Gazette articles referenced in the fortnightly news round-up:

Jetstar Adds Flights to South Korea

Complimentary Hotel Status for Frequent Flyers

The Latest KrisFlyer Spontaneous Escapes Deals

Passengers Kicked Off Flight for Ignoring Safety Briefing

Qantas "Points Plane" Bookings Now Open

Premium Economy is a great compromise if you want a more comfortable experience than Economy, without paying for Business or First class airfares! In this episode, AFF's favourite travel agent Alan Lam (a.k.a. madrooster on AFF) joins Matt to discuss the pros & cons of Premium Economy and which airlines to use when flying Premium Economy to Europe or North America. Matt and Alan also discuss the upcoming British Airways Executive Club program changes.

 

Episode contents:

0:49 - Fortnightly news round-up

4:35 - Interview with Alan Lam about Premium Economy

27:49 - The interview continues with discussion on British Airways Avios changes

 

Links:

Got a question for Matt? Ask in our dedicated "Ask Matt" thread

AFF on Air Discussion thread - this is the place to discuss anything in this episode

Frequent Flyer Solutions training program

 

Frequent Flyer Gazette articles referenced in the fortnightly news round-up:

Cathay Pacific to Cut Cairns Connection

Up to 25% Bonus Velocity Points on Transfers – May 2019

British Airways Partner Award Price Increase

Frequent flyer points are a valuable currency, but they aren't immune from hyperinflation! In this episode, Matt discusses why frequent flyer points are a terrible long-term investment. This episode also includes an interview with Darwin-based frequent flyer Leon Loganathan about redeeming Alaska Airlines miles, Marriott Bonvoy, Emirates First Class, the Qantas call centre, the Northern Territory and more.

 

Episode contents:

1:00 - Fortnightly news round-up

5:47 - Why frequent flyer points are a poor long-term investment

13:17 - Interview with Leon Loganathan

32:34 - New Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan promo

 

Links:

Got a question for Matt? Ask in our dedicated "Ask Matt" thread

AFF on Air Discussion thread - this is the place to discuss anything in this episode

How to Buy & Redeem Alaska Airlines Miles

 

Frequent Flyer Gazette articles referenced in the fortnightly news round-up:

United Airlines Removing Award Charts

Qantas Launches Seasonal Sapporo Flights

Lucky Upgrade for Hawaii-Bound Jetstar Passengers

New Istanbul Airport is Fully Operational

Customs & Immigration Delays at Avalon Airport

Virgin Australia Wellington Lounge Review

Are RewardPay & B2Bpay Still Worth Using?

Bankwest Devalues Qantas MasterCards

Matt discusses SkyTeam (the forgotten alliance) and how you can gain elite status with SkyTeam for free. This episode also includes an interview with AFF moderator Lindsay, a.k.a. "QF WP" about travel, the Concorde, AFF acronyms and more.

 

Episode contents:

0:50 - Fortnightly news round-up

4:41 - Delta's SkyTeam status match challenge

11:32 - Interview with "QF WP"

27:47 - The devaluations are coming

 

Links:

Got a question for Matt? Ask in our dedicated "Ask Matt" thread

AFF on Air Discussion thread - this is the place to discuss anything in this episode

Upcoming webinar - "SkyTeam for Australians" (10 April)

Amex Changes Imminent

Westpac Discontinues Velocity Auto-Redemption

KrisFlyer Star Alliance Award Price Increase from 16 April 2019

KrisFlyer Hikes Virgin Australia, Virgin Atlantic Award Rates

 

Frequent Flyer Gazette articles referenced in the fortnightly news round-up:

Major Thai Airways Royal Orchid Plus Devaluation

WOW AIR Fails to Wow Passengers, Investors

Virgin Australia’s Website Doesn’t Work

Double Qantas Points on Qantas & Emirates Flights

Matt discusses the latest airline news and upcoming changes to the Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer program. This episode also includes an interview with Peter Chin, a former pilot and instructor at Flight Experience in Perth.

 

Episode contents:

0:58 - Fortnightly news round-up

5:47 - Interview with Peter Chin about fear of flying

18:43 - New airline routes launching next weekend

24:43 - Upcoming changes to KrisFlyer Star Alliance awards

 

Links:

AFF on Air Discussion thread - this is the place to discuss anything in this episode

Got a question for Matt? Ask in our dedicated "Ask Matt" thread

KrisFlyer Star Alliance Award Price Increase from 16 April 2019

 

Frequent Flyer Gazette articles referenced in the fortnightly news round-up:

American Airlines Raises Cost of AAdvantage Miles

Qantas Classic Flight Reward Discount

The Latest KrisFlyer Spontaneous Escapes Deals

Perth to Lombok Non-Stop for $155 return

Book Delta Premium Select with Velocity Points

Australia Grounds Boeing 737 MAX

Qantas Enhances Carry-on Limit

Matt discusses the current Avianca LifeMiles promotion, the issues plaguing the new airports in Istanbul and Berlin, the latest frequent flyer news, and more.

 

Episode contents:

0:50 - Fortnightly news round-up

5:13 - Buying LifeMiles for discounted premium cabin flights

16:47 - Will the new airports in Istanbul and Berlin ever open?

23:48 - Ask Matt: Phantom Virgin Australia award availability on Expert Flyer

 

Links:

AFF on Air Discussion thread - this is the place to discuss anything in this episode

Got a question for Matt? Ask in our dedicated "Ask Matt" thread

How to Buy and Redeem Avianca LifeMiles

Frequent Flyer Solutions training

Award Flight Assist

 

Frequent Flyer Gazette articles referenced in the fortnightly news round-up:

Qantas Enhances Carry-on Limit

Qantas Launching Melbourne-Queenstown Flights

Uber Introduces Tipping in Australia

Earn 100 Easy Qantas Points at Melbourne Airport

Booking Air Niugini Flights with Qantas Points

Matt discusses the Qantas double status credits promotion, online tools for finding award availability and the current Finnair round-the-world sale in Business class. This episode features interviews with travel agent Alan Lam (a.k.a. madrooster) and Chris Lopinto, the founder of Expert Flyer.

Episode contents:

0:51 - Fortnightly news round-up

5:14 - Interview with travel agent Alan Lam (a.k.a. madrooster) about Finnair's Business class round-the-world sale

17:32 - Qantas Double Status Credits offer

21:52 - Interview with Chris Lopinto, founder of Expert Flyer

26:47 - Ask Matt: Online tools for finding award availability

33:06 - Ask Matt: Australian domestic flights departing from international terminals

Links:

AFF on Air Discussion thread - this is the place to discuss anything in this episode

Got a question for Matt? Ask in our dedicated "Ask Matt" thread

Discounted Finnair Round-the-World Business Fares

Maximise Double Qantas Status Credits – February 2019

Award Flight Assist

AFF Gold member benefits (including Expert Flyer discount)

Upcoming webinar - "Must-Have Online Tools for Frequent Flyers" (27 February)

Frequent Flyer Gazette articles referenced in the fortnightly news round-up:

Credit Card Retention Offers Are Dead

Qantas, Emirates Chauffeur Drive Cutbacks

United Reduces Flights to Sydney

Qantas’ New Credit Card Has a $1,200 Annual Fee

Airlines Fight Back Against Hidden-City Ticketing

The Latest KrisFlyer Spontaneous Escapes Deals

Matt discusses the current Virgin Australia Double Status Credits promotion, flight booking terminology, award availability, and more. This episode also features an interview with Jessica Tam, one of the moderators on the Australian Frequent Flyer forum.

 

Episode contents:

0:52 - Fortnightly news round-up

4:32 - Virgin Australia double status credits offer

16:47 - Interview with Jessica Tam

27:09 - Ask Matt: Ticketing, reservations and other terminology used when booking flights

30:42 - Ask Matt: Airline routes that never have award availability

 

Links:

Episode 4: AFF discussion thread - this is the place to discuss anything in this episode

Got a question for Matt? Ask in our dedicated "Ask Matt" thread

The Best Velocity Status Runs with Double Status Credits

Current Virgin Australia Discount Codes

 

Frequent Flyer Gazette articles referenced in the fortnightly news round-up:

New Velocity Double Status Credits Offer (February 2019)

Macquarie Hilton Honors Credit Card Axed