Jake Nelson

Following a recent scientific mission in a heavily-modified Gulfstream G550 (pictured), German pilot Marc Puskeiler talks to the Australian Aviation podcast about measuring the atmosphere and what it was like to fly this unique aircraft.

Despite media reports of smoke in the flight deck of VH-UJK “Sheila” (pictured) as it operated flight AB570 from Avalon on Tuesday, a Bonza spokesperson has told Australian Aviation that the two pilots only reported an unusual odour and were unharmed.

Both Bonza and Jetstar were ahead of all other major airlines for on-time arrivals in the official BITRE data for last month. Bonza led the pack, while Jetstar saw its lowest cancellation rate in more than five years and beat both Qantas and Virgin services in on-time departures.

Qantas says it has seen its best on-time performance since February 2023, while Virgin Australia says it marked its most reliable month in two years; however, official BITRE data for March still showed that OTP across both major airlines and the sector as a whole remained below long-term averages.

The loyalty program, which recently announced major partnerships with energy company AGL and ridesharing app DiDi, has reached the equivalent of one member in every Australian household, Virgin says. Velocity had passed the 11-million-member milestone in December 2022.

The Kiwi carrier is rolling out what it bills as its “Seats to Suit” program, which it says will offer simpler and more flexible fare choices starting from 11 June. The airline will discontinue its seat plus bag option, with seat-only customers now able to add a bag for $30.