Delta Air Lines adds Melbourne to its Los Angeles service.

Delta Air Lines has officially landed in Melbourne, launching a new Los Angeles service that puts the U.S. carrier head-to-head with Qantas and United. 

DELTA AIRBUS A350-941 N512DN (MSN 267)

Flight DL11 from Los Angeles (LAX/KLAX) touched down 30 minutes ahead of schedule at 7:30am on Friday (5th) marking the first non-stop A350-900 service to Melbourne by a major American airline. 

The A350 will run three times a week.

The inaugural flight was performed by N527DN (MSN 720)

Melbourne Airport CEO Lorie Argus said the route opens up exciting trade and travel opportunities across the Americas, bringing hundreds of extra visitors each week to boost Victoria’s tourism, dining, and hospitality. With North America being a key market, Delta’s presence is expected to encourage more U.S. tourists to make Melbourne their first Australian stop. 

The move adds competition to existing LAX services from Qantas and United—who also fly to Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW/KDFW) and San Francisco (SFO/KSFO) respectively—and comes ahead of the Los Angeles Rams playing at the MCG next year. Argus added that Delta’s extra capacity will help Victoria maximise exposure from the NFL and make it easier for local businesses and families to connect with the U.S., from Disneyland to ski fields.

DL11 will depart LAX Wednesday - Friday -Monday at 9.05 pm and arrive MEL at 8.00 am (two days later)

DL12 will depart MEL Wednesday - Friday - Sunday at 10.10 am and arrive LAX at 6.00 am 

SeatGuru shuts down for good.

I came across this story yesterday and felt disappointed, as I’ve always relied on this site whenever I traveled.

SeatGuru, the well-known site for color-coded aircraft seat maps, has been shut down by its parent company, TripAdvisor. The closure came after the site became outdated and wasn’t maintained with current aircraft configurations, prompting TripAdvisor to discontinue it as part of a cost-saving move. By the end of November 2025, the service was gone, and seatguru.com now redirects to the TripAdvisor homepage. 

Travelers seeking updated aircraft seat maps can visit alternative sites like.

Seatmaps.com

AeroLOPA

Search resumes for MH370

The search for Malaysia Airlines flight MH370, which disappeared from radar on the 8th of March 2014, while flying from Kuala Lumpur International Airport to Beijing Capital International Airport in China
with 239 people on board, is set to resume on the 30th of December. The operation began in March this year but was halted soon after due to extremely bad weather, with the total planned search lasting 55 days. However, the latest development reinforces Malaysia's utmost commitment to provide closure to the families affected by this tragedy.

Flight MH370 vanished in 2014 triggering one of the most extensive searches in aviation history. Transport Minister Loke Siew Fook noted that Ocean Infinity is currently handling the search under a “no find, no fee” deal. Previous efforts included a massive multinational operation with 60 ships and 50 aircraft from 26 countries, which ended in 2017, followed by a three-month search by Ocean Infinity in 2018. On the 8th of March 2014, Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 lost contact with air traffic control, disappeared from radar, and was seen to have strayed from its planned route.

Flight 370 was operated by a Boeing 777-2H6ER, registration was 9M-MRO, and the serial number is 28420. The aircraft was delivered new to Malaysia Airlines on the 31st of May 2002.

 The aircraft was powered by two Rolls-Royce Trent 892 engines and configured to carry 282 passengers in total capacity.

Virgin Australia launches daily Melbourne-Doha service

Virgin Australia has launched its first daily Melbourne Airport (MEL/YMML) to Doha Hammad International Airport (DOH/OTHH) service, using a Qatar Boeing 777-300, as part of the airline’s expansion of its international network ahead of the busy Christmas travel period.

QATAR BOEING 777-3DZ A7-BEC (MSN 43216)

The new route, which began operations on the 1st of December 2025 brings the total number of daily services between Australia and Qatar’s capital to four, with Virgin Australia and partner Qatar Airways now operating flights from Melbourne, Sydney International Airport (SYD/YSSY), Brisbane Airport (BNE/YBBN), and Perth Airport (PER/YPPH).

The Melbourne-Doha launch follows Virgin Australia’s return to long-haul international flying in June 2025. The airline expects one of its busiest summer periods on record as it prepares to fly millions of passengers during the Christmas travel season.


“Melbourne is the only Australian city to enjoy triple-daily flights to Doha, bringing travellers more choice and easier access to destinations across the Middle East, Europe, Africa, and the Americas,” Argus added.

Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Officer Engr. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer highlighted the partnership’s broader impact. “This partnership delivers benefits well beyond passenger travel,” he said. “With Virgin Australia using Qatar Airways’ Boeing 777s on the route, we can now offer additional cargo capacity between Melbourne and Doha. This represents a significant boost for Australian exporters, strengthening the nation’s ability to reach global markets quickly and reliably.”

VA7 departs Melbourne at 5.10 pm (local) and arrives in Doha at 11.50 pm (local).

VA8 departs Doha at 1.50 am (local) and arrives in Melbourne at 11.20 pm (local).

A7-BEK (MSN 64062) performed the inaugural flight. 

Perth airport is booming more than ever before

Perth’s international flight network is booming as major airlines expand their services. Recent boosts in flight frequencies from Cathay Pacific, Malaysia Airlines, and All Nippon Airways will bring thousands of extra inbound seats each year, enhancing Western Australia’s connections to key global markets. This growth is part of the state government’s push to diversify the economy, attract more tourists, support local businesses, and create new jobs across the region.

CATHAY PACIFIC AIRBUS A330-343 B-HLQ (MSN 420)

Cathay Pacific has doubled its flights from Hong Kong to Perth, now running twice a day. This boost in frequency is part of the airline’s effort to meet growing travel demand between the two cities, giving travelers more flexibility and convenience.

MALAYSIA AIRLINES AIRBUS A330-323 9M-MTG (MSN 1318)

Malaysia Airlines has joined in by boosting its service to Perth, now offering double daily flights between Kuala Lumpur and Perth starting today. This expanded schedule makes it even easier for travelers from one of its key Southeast Asian markets to explore Western Australia.

All Nippon Airways has boosted its Tokyo–Perth service, now offering daily flights on the route through to the 19th of April 2026. This expanded schedule is set to encourage more tourism from Japan, one of the state’s key international markets.

The boost in flight frequencies is paired with the launch of Jetstar’s direct service from Manila to Perth, which kicked off last month. This growth in routes also aligns with China Southern Airlines resuming its seasonal direct flights from Guangzhou to Perth, further strengthening Western Australia’s international connections.

By securing more international flights and fostering stronger global connections, Perth is poised to strengthen its position as Australia’s Western Gateway, offering more opportunities for local tourism operators and businesses. As more flights connect Perth to key international markets, the state’s tourism sector will continue to thrive, benefiting both the local economy and the Western Australian workforce.

Pilot killed after mid-air collision

Two light planes collided mid-air during a formation flight over the outskirts of Sydney yesterday, causing one to crash and killing its lone pilot, authorities reported. Emergency crews discovered the pilot’s body in bushland near Wedderburn Airport, in Sydney’s south-western suburbs, according to New South Wales police. 

“It was reported that two light planes collided mid-air before one crashed nearby in bushland,” police said.
The other plane landed safely on runway 35 at the airfield, and the pilot was uninjured.

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) said it was investigating a collision between two Van’s RV-7 aircraft – two-seater, single-engine home-built kit planes. The two aircraft had been involved in a formation flight of four aircraft that was returning to land at Wedderburn Airport (YWBN) when the collision occurred, it said in a statement.

It's believed the pilots were part of the Freedom Formation Display Team.

Aircraft No.1 Information
Owner / Operator: Private Owner 
Aircraft: Vans RV-7A

Registration: VH-NMG

Engine: Lycoming YIO-360-M1B

Serial Number: 73232

First Flew: 2009

Age: 16 Years 


Aircraft No. 2 Information

Owner / Operator: Private Owner 

Aircraft: Vans RV-7A 

Registration: VH-EWS

Serial Number: 73226

Engine: Lycoming YIO-360-M1B

First Flew: 2012

Age: 13 Years 

Our thoughts and prayers are with the pilot’s family and friends during this difficult time.

Another low-cost airline suddenly shuts down

Passengers and employees were dealt a harsh blow the day before Thanksgiving when they learned that New Pacific Airlines would be abruptly shutting down—effective immediately.

On the 26th November New Pacific Airlines CEO Thomas Hsieh sent an email to employees announcing the closure.

“Dear New Pacific Team, It is with a heavy heart that I’m announcing that we will be ceasing operations today,” the email read. “Unfortunately, we are unable to continue to fund the losses in our business… For those of you on the road, we will work expeditiously to get you home.” Hsieh added that all W-2 employees would continue to be paid through Nov. 27.

There is still no clear word on whether staff working abroad were temporarily stranded, though the company appears to be arranging transportation home for crew members still in the field.

New Pacific’s shutdown is the latest in a difficult year for independent low-cost airlines. According to The Street, several other budget carriers have shut down operations in 2025, including:

• Silver Airways (U.S.)
• Kachina Air (U.S.)
• Ravn Alaska (U.S.)
• Fly PLAY (Iceland)
• Braathens International Airways AB (Sweden)
• Azul Linhas Aéreas Brasileiras (Brazil)
• Air Belgium (Belgium)
• SKS Airways (Malaysia)
• Jetstar Asia (Singapore)
• Kenai Aviation (U.S.)

New Pacific Airlines, (7H/RVF) commenced operations on the 14th July 2023, was an American charter airline and a low-cost carrier based in Anchorage, Alaska.