Bonza is a new Australian start-up airline with big plans to carve its own niche out of the Australian domestic aviation market when it launches in the second quarter of 2022.

Operating a small fleet of Boeing 737-MAX 8s with 186 Economy seats each, Bonza won’t be competing with Qantas and Virgin for business travellers. Instead, it plans to stimulate demand for leisure travel on new routes that aren’t already being serviced to their full potential.

To learn more about Bonza's plans to launch in Australia, Matt spoke to the airline's CEO Tim Jordan on this episode of the AFF on Air podcast.

Also in this episode, Australia's international borders will begin to reopen from next week! While this is great news for so many people, some challenges still remaining. Australians are encountering challenges with bringing family members to the country, and getting home has just become even harder for Aussies stuck in countries where the only available vaccines are not recognised by Australia's TGA.

 

Episode contents:

1:23 - Fortnightly news round-up
14:17 - Interview with Tim Jordan, CEO of Bonza Airlines
32:07 - Interview with podcast listener Orlando about the difficult of getting parents to Australia
39:01 - The challenge of returning to Australia from countries without TGA-recognised vaccines available
44:18 - Ask Matt: When will the Singapore Airlines lounges reopen?

 

Links:

AFF on Air Discussion thread - a dedicated AFF thread to discuss the podcast and ask questions
Bonza Airlines website
Upcoming Frequent Flyer Solutions bonus webinar: International Travel in a Post-COVID World (11 November 2021)

 

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

Australia Removes “Do Not Travel” Warning for 162 Countries
Qantas Brings Forward International Flights, New Planes
Qantas Launches Sydney-Delhi Flights
Sydney’s Qantas First Lounge Will Reopen on 1 November 2021
The Airbus A380 is Making a Comeback
No Quarantine-Free Flights from NZ South Island
Velocity Partner Airline Redemptions Back from 2 November 2021
American Airlines AAdvantage Status Overhaul
12-15% Bonus KrisFlyer Miles on Bank Point Conversions (2021)
Bonus Status Credits at the Qantas Rewards Store