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 remain. Some 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

Matt Graham

The editor of Australian Frequent Flyer, Matt's passion for travel has taken him to over 90 countries… with the help of frequent flyer points, of course!
Matt's favourite destinations (so far) are Germany, Brazil & Kazakhstan. His interests include economics, aviation & foreign languages, and he has a soft spot for good food and red wine.

You can connect with Matt by posting on the Australian Frequent Flyer community forum and tagging @AFF Editor.