We're heading into the busiest part of the travel period for some parts of the world as we near Christmas and the New Year. But the headlines don't stop (or hopefully, some will), as we go into Last Week at Economy Class and Beyond. The roating Santa Bar - Birmingham's Frankfurt Christmas Market.  SNAPSHOTS More snapshots from my travels. Might be some more next week, but I might choose to launch the trip report instead (and that's looking a lot more likely, if I'm honest, as it's a long trip report.

At the border, you are likely to encounter Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers, and you may encounter Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents. HSI is part of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Know your rights in these scenarios.

ALT: a man with red hair is smiling and making a peace sign while standing in a crowd .

Qanot Sharq of Uzbekistan has joined the Airbus A321XLR club, with the airline accepting its first delivery of the type. Qanot Sharq Airbus A321XLR - Image, Airbus The airline will take delivery of four of the Airbus A321XLRs, which have been acquired via a long-term lease agreement with Air Lease. With this delivery, Qanot Sharq becomes the first A321XLR operator in Central Asia and the CIS. Qanot Sharq has ambitions to modernise its fleet and expand its international route network, operating new routes to key markets across Asia, including Sanya and Busan, as well as New York City (via Budapest), while significantly enhancing Qanot Sharq's connectivity across the Asia-Pacific and Europe.

ALT: a poster that says protect trans kids in pink letters

China Airlines has confirmed that it will place a firm order for additional Airbus A350-1000 aircraft. Taiwan’s China Airlines has placed a firm order for five additional Airbus A350-1000 aircraft, taking its total order for the type to 15. As such, these aircraft are a follow-on from the first 10 ordered. As usual, these aircraft will be powered by Rolls-Royce XWB-97 engines. The aircraft will join the carrier’s existing fleet of 15 A350-900s flying on the carrier’s long-haul route network. China Airlines is a mixed operator customer, with them operating Airbus and Boeing aircraft in its fleet.

Under "routes I didn't expect to see", this is high amongst them, with Finnair striking out to Australia, with plans to serve Melbourne. The route will launch next autumn in 2026. This route will be operated daily from Helsinki Vantaa Airport to Melbourne Tullamarine Airport via Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport and will utilise an Airbus A350-900, configured with their Business Class AirLounge bed/seats, Premium Economy and Economy Class Cabins. The flight is scheduled to depart from Helsinki shortly after midnight, arriving in Bangkok in the afternoon, and continuing to Melbourne after a brief stop, reaching Melbourne the following morning.

The supermarket firm claimed its rotisserie chickens were exempt from the hot food tax.

Time for another Snapshot, this time focusing on the passenger experience aboard Malaysia Airlines 627 on the short hop between Kuala Lumpur and Singapore. I’m sure you know how I do this travel writing thing by now. But for those reading this for the first time, I have two major travel writing styles: Trip Reports—These are full, deep-dive reports that take you into the experience, the small things and the big things! Snapshots – These are bite-sized reviews that show you the product in some gentle headlines (and normally, only images shot on the phone)

Austrian Airlines is simplifying its fleet, with the airline announcing the exit of the first of its Embraer E195 fleet. The first Embraer E195 has been transferred from Austrian Airlines to sister Lufthansa Group airline Air Dolomiti. OE-LWM was the first aircraft to be transferred, being reregistered as  I-ENJA. Its transfer marks the start of the short- and medium-haul fleet transformation. The first step in this process is the decommissioning of the 17 Embraer aircraft in the Austrian Airlines fleet. A total of 13 of these 17 aircraft will go to…

The price increases for British Airways Avios redemptions came into force yesterday. Some people will be worse off than the pre-publicity implied, as we show.

We have put together the ONLY table available which shows Avios points redemption pricing for ALL British Airways routes, peak and off-peak, in one place.

Emirates continue it refreshed Boeing 777 rollout apace, with the airline planning to send it next to Beirut and Beijing. Beijing becomes the fourth city in the Chinese mainland to receive Emirates’ latest aircraft and next-gen products, while travellers to and from Beirut will experience the airline’s  Premium Economy and new Business Class cabin in a 1-2-1 layout for the first time. Beurit will see the EK953/954 flight pair receive the new seats from 6th January 2026, operating as EK953 departs Dubai at 15:40, arriving in Beirut at 17:00, with the return…