# Travel & Holidays **URL:** \ **Category:** Spy Lounge\ **Created:** [January 21, 2016, 9:35am UTC](https://forums.mediaspy.org/t/travel-holidays/666 "2016-01-21T09:35:04Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 165
**Author:** ![JohnsonTV](https://forums.mediaspy.org/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/j/9dc877/32.png) [@JohnsonTV](https://forums.mediaspy.org/u/JohnsonTV)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2026, 9:16pm UTC](https://forums.mediaspy.org/t/travel-holidays/666/3318 "2026-09-06T21:16:46Z")
Melbourne Airport revealed early this morning that the new pick up and drop off area would open on Tuesday, October 6. > **[Major changes at Melbourne Airport to start next month](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-09-07/vic-melbourne-airport-pick-up-drop-off/107122706)** > > New drop-off and pick-up zones will open on October 6, ending a 56-year ritual for passengers of being dropped off at Melbourne Airport's departures ramp. ---
**Author:** ![JohnsonTV](https://forums.mediaspy.org/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/j/9dc877/32.png) [@JohnsonTV](https://forums.mediaspy.org/u/JohnsonTV)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2026, 3:30am UTC](https://forums.mediaspy.org/t/travel-holidays/666/3319 "2026-09-08T03:30:28Z")
> **[Day sailings to end with new Spirit of Tasmania ferries](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-09-08/spirit-of-tasmania-ferries-no-passengers-week-in-october/107108758)** > > The Spirit of Tasmania ferry service between Tasmania and the mainland will take no paying passengers for a week in late October as new ships are tested. > **[TT-Line won’t fully repay $1.15 billion debt until 2052, Tascorp says](https://pulsetasmania.com.au/news/tt-line-wont-fully-repay-1-15-billion-debt-until-2052-tascorp-says/)** > > The original 2017 business case had the debt repaid within 12 years… ---
**Author:** ![Radiohead](https://forums.mediaspy.org/user_avatar/forums.mediaspy.org/radiohead/32/21429_2.png) [@Radiohead](https://forums.mediaspy.org/u/Radiohead)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2026, 8:40am UTC](https://forums.mediaspy.org/t/travel-holidays/666/3320 "2026-09-09T08:40:20Z")
A shame no more day sailings.. I liked being able to do that when I went to Tassie in 2024. The trip back was a night one ..not as enjoyable and it was hard to sleep. And hopefully the new ships will have the VAST channels available in some form? ---
**Author:** ![ElCapitanCranky](https://forums.mediaspy.org/user_avatar/forums.mediaspy.org/elcapitancranky/32/531872_2.png) [@ElCapitanCranky](https://forums.mediaspy.org/u/ElCapitanCranky)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2026, 8:58am UTC](https://forums.mediaspy.org/t/travel-holidays/666/3321 "2026-09-09T08:58:53Z")
You’re a big sook - I did a overnight trip on the Spirit of Tasmania and was able to sleep, with three other teenagers when I was 15 and had no issues. 😆 ---
**Author:** ![turdall](https://forums.mediaspy.org/user_avatar/forums.mediaspy.org/turdall/32/217_2.png) [@turdall](https://forums.mediaspy.org/u/turdall)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2026, 9:09am UTC](https://forums.mediaspy.org/t/travel-holidays/666/3322 "2026-09-09T09:09:07Z")
> [@ElCapitanCranky](#): > > with three other teenagers when I was 15 and had no issues 15? A 15 year old would sleep through a nuclear bomb. ---
**Author:** ![ElCapitanCranky](https://forums.mediaspy.org/user_avatar/forums.mediaspy.org/elcapitancranky/32/531872_2.png) [@ElCapitanCranky](https://forums.mediaspy.org/u/ElCapitanCranky)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2026, 9:12am UTC](https://forums.mediaspy.org/t/travel-holidays/666/3323 "2026-09-09T09:12:11Z")
Not on a school excursion… ---
**Author:** ![JohnsonTV](https://forums.mediaspy.org/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/j/9dc877/32.png) [@JohnsonTV](https://forums.mediaspy.org/u/JohnsonTV)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2026, 9:47am UTC](https://forums.mediaspy.org/t/travel-holidays/666/3324 "2026-09-09T09:47:32Z")
> **[Fiji Airways to launch Western Sydney–Nadi route from March 2027](https://travelweekly.com.au/fiji-airways-to-launch-western-sydney-nadi-route-from-march-2027/)** > > Fiji Airways becomes the latest international carrier to join WSI with tickets for a new direct service to Nadi going on sale today. ![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/nBazINKUo0U/maxresdefault.jpg)https://www.youtube.com/embed/nBazINKUo0U?feature=oembed&wmode=opaque > **[EgyptAir to make big Sydney debut in 2027](https://karryon.com.au/industry-news/airline/sydney-airport-egyptair/)** > > Sydney will welcome EgyptAir in 2027, making the Cairo-based carrier the only North African airline to fly to Australia. ---
**Author:** ![JohnsonTV](https://forums.mediaspy.org/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/j/9dc877/32.png) [@JohnsonTV](https://forums.mediaspy.org/u/JohnsonTV)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2026, 10:34am UTC](https://forums.mediaspy.org/t/travel-holidays/666/3325 "2026-09-10T10:34:44Z")
> **[Virgin Australia Launches Travel Media Network, News' Suddenly To Manage Sales...](https://www.bandt.com.au/virgin-australias-travel-media-network-is-cleared-for-take-off-but-what-do-agencies-think-of-the-new-advertising-opportunity/)** > > Fasten your seatbelts, advertisers. Virgin has a new media proposition in the air. ---
**Author:** ![JohnsonTV](https://forums.mediaspy.org/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/j/9dc877/32.png) [@JohnsonTV](https://forums.mediaspy.org/u/JohnsonTV)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2026, 1:53pm UTC](https://forums.mediaspy.org/t/travel-holidays/666/3326 "2026-09-16T13:53:07Z")
> **[The country Aussie tourists are flocking to as visitor numbers hit 'huge...](https://au.finance.yahoo.com/news/aussies-tourists-ride-the-currency-wave-as-japan-travel-hits-huge-milestone-can-move-quickly-232417929.html)** > > Aussies are heading overseas at historic rates – and there are some big winners. > The number of Australian visitors to Japan was just shy of hitting a “major milestone” of one million outbound travellers in the first half of the year as 990,950 Aussies headed to the country in 2026 to July, the Australian Travel Industry Association (ATIA) said on Monday. > > It comes as Australians took a record 12.76 million overseas trips over the same period, the ATIA ‘Travel Trends’ data showed. > Meanwhile Vietnam was the fastest-growing destination for Australian travellers this year, up 15.9 per cent to 577,880 visitors. > > China was close behind with a rise of 13.4 per cent to 749,130, while Chinese visitor numbers to Australia jumped 17.6 per cent to 1,131,650 – the strongest inbound growth of any market, the ATIA said. ---
**Author:** ![JohnsonTV](https://forums.mediaspy.org/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/j/9dc877/32.png) [@JohnsonTV](https://forums.mediaspy.org/u/JohnsonTV)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2026, 1:31am UTC](https://forums.mediaspy.org/t/travel-holidays/666/3327 "2026-09-21T01:31:05Z")
> **[Virgin, Qantas & Jetstar add 2026 AFL grand final flights](https://karryon.com.au/industry-news/airline/2026-afl-grand-final-flights/)** > > Virgin Australia, Qantas and Jetstar have added direct flights between Brisbane, Perth and Melbourne to move fans for the 2026 AFL Grand Final. ---
**Author:** ![TV.Cynic](https://forums.mediaspy.org/user_avatar/forums.mediaspy.org/tv.cynic/32/316932_2.png) [@TV.Cynic](https://forums.mediaspy.org/u/TV.Cynic)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2026, 1:51pm UTC](https://forums.mediaspy.org/t/travel-holidays/666/3328 "2026-09-22T13:51:03Z")
> **[Public vote decides new design for WA-SA border sign | Western Australian...](https://www.wa.gov.au/government/media-statements/Cook%20Labor%20Government/Public-vote-decides-new-design-for-WA-SA-border-sign-20260922)** > > Western Australians have had their say on the new entry statement at the Western Australia-South Australia border, with 'Ochre and Ocean' selected as the preferred colour theme for the replacement border sign. ![image](https://mediaspy-org-s3.s3.dualstack.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/original/4X/5/8/0/5809380e73d9b26319859555178647246e3defbd.jpeg) > The new structure will replace the existing border sign between Eucla in Western Australia and Border Village in South Australia, which has been a popular photo stop for tourists crossing the Nullarbor for more than three decades. > > Main Roads is progressing engineering drawings for the fabrication of the new 4.5-metre-tall structure, with a tender for the works expected to be advertised later this year. A contract to demolish the existing sign has been awarded to local Kalgoorlie company, Demolition WA. This work will be undertaken in the first week of October > > Installation of the new sign is expected to commence by early 2027. ---
**Author:** ![JohnsonTV](https://forums.mediaspy.org/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/j/9dc877/32.png) [@JohnsonTV](https://forums.mediaspy.org/u/JohnsonTV)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2026, 10:55pm UTC](https://forums.mediaspy.org/t/travel-holidays/666/3329 "2026-09-22T22:55:38Z")
> **[British backpacker left alone at night by Greyhound bus in outback](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-09-23/british-backpacker-left-by-greyhound-bus-at-pimba/107165168)** > > A female backpacker was on a Greyhound bus from Alice Springs to Adelaide when she was left at a toilet stop in the middle of the night. ---
**Author:** ![TV.Cynic](https://forums.mediaspy.org/user_avatar/forums.mediaspy.org/tv.cynic/32/316932_2.png) [@TV.Cynic](https://forums.mediaspy.org/u/TV.Cynic)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2026, 12:00am UTC](https://forums.mediaspy.org/t/travel-holidays/666/3330 "2026-09-23T00:00:16Z")
### [AUSTRALIA TO NEW YORK, NON-STOP: QANTAS TO LAUNCH HISTORY-MAKING PROJECT SUNRISE FLIGHTS ACROSS THE PACIFIC](https://www.qantasnewsroom.com.au/media-releases/australia-to-new-york-non-stop-qantas-project-sunrise) > Qantas will launch non-stop services between Sydney and New York from mid-2028, the first ever non-stop commercial service between Australia and the Big Apple, as part of Project Sunrise. > > Tickets for the inaugural Sydney to New York service are set to go on sale from August 2027. The ground-breaking flights will cut more than three hours off the total travel time compared with current one-stop services today, connecting Australia’s east coast to New York without a stop for the first time in history. ---
**Author:** ![JohnsonTV](https://forums.mediaspy.org/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/j/9dc877/32.png) [@JohnsonTV](https://forums.mediaspy.org/u/JohnsonTV)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2026, 12:16am UTC](https://forums.mediaspy.org/t/travel-holidays/666/3331 "2026-09-23T00:16:46Z")
[https://www.ft.com/content/276f5264-c3e1-418b-8acc-cd3d4f1ed31b?syn-25a6b1a6=1](https://www.ft.com/content/276f5264-c3e1-418b-8acc-cd3d4f1ed31b?syn-25a6b1a6=1) > Qantas has said its nonstop, ultra-long flights will be profitable even with persistently higher jet fuel prices caused by the Iran war. > > Chief executive Vanessa Hudson said a new fleet of planes capable of 22-hour flights will boost profits for the Australian airline by about A$400mn (US$285mn), despite fuel prices almost doubling since the start of the conflict. > > “We’ve retested that business case and I think that some of the things that continue to make us confident about that number are that the demand for non-stop services continues to be incredibly strong,” she told the FT. ---
**Author:** ![JohnsonTV](https://forums.mediaspy.org/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/j/9dc877/32.png) [@JohnsonTV](https://forums.mediaspy.org/u/JohnsonTV)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2026, 5:29am UTC](https://forums.mediaspy.org/t/travel-holidays/666/3332 "2026-09-23T05:29:24Z")
> **[Thousands of Aussies may need new passports, licences after major breach](https://7news.com.au/news/quest-apartment-customers-urged-to-check-passports-and-licences-after-major-data-breach-c-22913494)** > > Personal information relating to almost two million customers was compromised. ---
**Author:** ![JohnsonTV](https://forums.mediaspy.org/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/j/9dc877/32.png) [@JohnsonTV](https://forums.mediaspy.org/u/JohnsonTV)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2026, 6:53am UTC](https://forums.mediaspy.org/t/travel-holidays/666/3333 "2026-09-24T06:53:50Z")
> [@JohnsonTV](#): > > Melbourne Airport revealed early this morning that the new pick up and drop off area would open on Tuesday, October 6. > **[‘Not an upgrade for everyone’: Melbourne Airport changes to add half an hour...](https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/not-an-upgrade-for-everyone-melbourne-airport-changes-to-add-half-an-hour-to-disability-travel-times-20260924-p6103v.html)** > > Travellers with disabilities will be forced to walk almost 20 times further when Melbourne Airport abolishes kerbside pick-up and drop-off next month. > An airport spokesperson told this masthead that as part of the new zoning, the Melbourne Airport Assist program will extend its operating hours from 3am to 1am daily, and there will be designated pick-up and drop-off spaces for people requiring assistance. > > The free drop-off zone will have a five-minute time limit, after which drivers will be redirected to the T123 carpark – where the first 15 minutes are free – or to a free 60-minute waiting zone. > > The airport will also introduce pre-bookable Disability Discrimination Act parking spaces in the undercover carpark for individuals to park as close to the terminals as possible. > Melbourne Airport said it worked with accessibility consulting group Get Skilled Access to develop the program and prepare for the October 6 changes coming into effect. ---
**Author:** ![JohnsonTV](https://forums.mediaspy.org/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/j/9dc877/32.png) [@JohnsonTV](https://forums.mediaspy.org/u/JohnsonTV)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2026, 8:34am UTC](https://forums.mediaspy.org/t/travel-holidays/666/3334 "2026-09-26T08:34:52Z")
Former journalist Steve Hart has joined Viking Cruises. ![Screenshot_20260926-183248](https://mediaspy-org-s3.s3.dualstack.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/original/4X/4/9/4/4941c26855adcf51d63de013c8eb1df708aeac81.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![foxyrover](https://forums.mediaspy.org/user_avatar/forums.mediaspy.org/foxyrover/32/272518_2.png) [@foxyrover](https://forums.mediaspy.org/u/foxyrover)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2026, 7:05am UTC](https://forums.mediaspy.org/t/travel-holidays/666/3335 "2026-09-27T07:05:43Z")
Yep, he announced as such when he left. Not a bad gig, travelling the world! ---
**Author:** ![TV.Cynic](https://forums.mediaspy.org/user_avatar/forums.mediaspy.org/tv.cynic/32/316932_2.png) [@TV.Cynic](https://forums.mediaspy.org/u/TV.Cynic)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2026, 10:17am UTC](https://forums.mediaspy.org/t/travel-holidays/666/3336 "2026-09-30T10:17:18Z")
Initially thought to be a hijack. > An unnamed passenger tells the Jerusalem Post , external that one pilot was stabbed by another, but passengers near the front of the plane helped force the attacker from the cockpit. Though unconfirmed. > [The Jerusalem Post](https://www.jpost.com/international/article-910155) separately reported, citing Israeli officials, that the growing assessment was that the co-pilot attempted to hijack the aircraft with the intention of crashing it. ![09-30_08-13-52_Channel 9 Sydney_Channel 9 Sydney.ts_035780940](https://mediaspy-org-s3.s3.dualstack.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/original/4X/1/b/7/1b733e1debc7056c30463788b0ac44c4078913ee.jpeg) > **[Passengers tell Israeli media pilot was stabbed on flight diverted to Saudi...](https://www.bbc.com/news/live/cw980g1lem5pt)** > > An Israeli passenger on board says the crew asked for help, and that passengers helped tackle one of the pilots and tie him down. > The spokesperson for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Wednesday that the incident involving a Flydubai aircraft carrying Israeli passengers, which led to the flight changing course, returning, and then landing in Saudi Arabia, was not a hijacking. Israeli media also… [pic.twitter.com/kyTeB51ZTG](https://t.co/kyTeB51ZTG) > > — Breaking Aviation News & Videos (@aviationbrk) [September 30, 2026](https://x.com/aviationbrk/status/2105201612754985207?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > **[FlyDubai pilots' cockpit fight sets off hijacking panic en route to Tel Aviv...](https://www.turkiyetoday.com/region/flydubai-flight-to-tel-aviv-reportedly-sends-hijack-code-israel-scrambles-jets-3229273)** > > Flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv briefly transmits emergency and hijacking codes before turning around over Saudi Arabia ---
**Author:** ![JohnsonTV](https://forums.mediaspy.org/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/j/9dc877/32.png) [@JohnsonTV](https://forums.mediaspy.org/u/JohnsonTV)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2026, 9:35pm UTC](https://forums.mediaspy.org/t/travel-holidays/666/3337 "2026-09-30T21:35:55Z")
> **[Israel to 'ramp up' aviation security after pilot 'tries to crash plane'](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-10-01/flydubai-ez1073-diverts-after-accusations-of-pilot-stabbing/107214522)** > > A commercial flight carrying 174 people to Tel Aviv has been forced to divert to Saudi Arabia after one pilot stabbed the other and tried to crash the plane, according to the Israeli PM. Flydubai said its flights to and from Israel have been suspended while formal investigations are proceeding. [Previous page](https://forums.mediaspy.org/t/travel-holidays/666.md?page=164) [Next page](https://forums.mediaspy.org/t/travel-holidays/666.md?page=166)