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Why is it so difficult for airlines to devise a quick, simple boarding process? For the typical economy class passenger, getting onboard anything bigger than a Boeing 737 or an Airbus A320 involves a fair degree of chaos. The new rules around social distancing and mask wearing in the airline industry have imposed a new sense of order on air travel. Does this mean we can expect faster, smoother boarding? Back-to-front boarding Most airlines still use the back-to-front boarding method. Premium fl...

Youve just rocked up to the check-in desk at your hotel and now comes a sour note. Youre being asked to hand over your credit card so the hotel can take a deposit of $100, a pre-authorisation in hotel-speak. Thats $100 for every night youre in the hotel. But youve already paid for your room, the hotel has your credit card details to cover any extras, whats the problem? Correct, but the hotel wants to make sure theres enough in your account to cover any amount you might charge to your room by wa...

The Trans-Mongolian is a world within a world. Out there on the other side of the window is Mother Russia, its vast plains and enchanting forests, its cities that just appear out of nowhere, in the middle of nowhere, with train-station platforms that burble with commuters and travellers, locals selling home-made food and trinkets, people who look like theyve just wandered down to have a look. And on this side of the dirt-streaked glass, another world. My world. A world that runs on rattling whe...

In February 2020, Traveller took a look at the 10 most popular countries visited by Australians in 2019. Suppose we were to view those countries through the very different lens of 2021. Have they come through the pandemic well enough to make you want to visit? And would they even open the door to Australian travellers at the moment – and if not, when? Theres a pie-in-the-sky element to this since Biosecurity Determination 2020 prevents us from travelling overseas without an exemption from Au...

No-one needs telling that Australia is an enormous country, or that domestic flights are usually far quicker than travelling overland between two cities. But there are some routes where taking a relatively short plane hop saves a true pig of a drive. Whether through quirks of geography, road conditions or the need to take a ferry, sometimes going by air saves a whole world of hassle. Adelaide to Port Lincoln See Also At the tip of the Eyre Peninsula in South Australia, Port Lincoln is Australia...

Annastacia Palaszczuk has just saved my bacon. The Queensland premier announced on January 28 that her states border would now open to allow quarantine-free travel for all residents of NSW. "That was a lucky escape," said Liz, my partner, with an eyebrow cocked in my direction, never a good sign. Back in late November, after we booked an Airbnb inland from Byron Bay for early February, I booked a flight to Gold Coast Airport and a hire car. The other alternative would be to fly into Ballina Air...

The old aircraft seats frequent flyer fanatic Zac George bought for his home are both a constant reminder of not being able to jet off around the world and a trigger for post-COVID-19 travel daydreams. As a result, hes jealously hoarding all his airline loyalty points, between 1.5 million and 2 million at last count, and eagerly trying to accumulate more in anticipation of his next big adventure. "I think my next trip, when we can fly internationally again, will be business or first class to Sw...

What is the IATA Travel Pass and how will it assist passengers to fly in the era of COVID-19?

Its Australia Day, sparks are likely to fly, and not just from the fireworks and the traditional barbecues that mark the occasion. Here its a day of strong passions, but how do other nations celebrate their national days? Mostly they commemorate the foundation of a nation, but also liberation or independence, such as Bastille Day in France, Republic Day in India (also on January 26) or Fiestas Patrias in Chile and Peru. Waitangi Day, New Zealand  Photo: Getty Images A national holiday celebrat...

Australias top 25 travel experiences, state by state SHARE Photo: Getting Images Australians: get excited. It doesnt matter where you are in this fine land, there is a travel destination or attraction nearby that is truly amazing, truly world-class. Were talking the sort of experiences that foreign visitors have typically – in better times – spent their life savings on being able to access. The likes of sailing in the Whitsundays, visiting ancient Indigenous rock-art sites, cruising in ...