First Wheels-Up of 2026

It’s six days into 2026 and time to get this avgeek travel dork back into the air again. I’m gate-crashing Brigid and CK’s hiking holiday in Tassie for a few days while I wait to get back to work. It’s a beautiful day for flying south, avoiding the heatwave that’ll soon sweep across the mainland for the cooler climate of the Apple Isle.

Arriving at the airport this morning, I made the left turn into the Qantas Business Lounge — one of the last times I’ll do that this year as sadly I’m downgrading to… wait for it… lifetime Gold. I’ll still be Platinum until the end of Feb, after which I’ll be banished to the Qantas Club after flying around with too many non-oneworld airlines last year. #avgeekWhore The view from the lounge here of the Qantas apron is always a nice way to start any domestic trip, and a view I’ll miss when I only get Club access come March 1st.

Maria, the fixture of the lounge, was on hand this morning. Her ability to remember coffee orders is amazing — Google “Maria Qantas Lounge Melbourne” to learn more about her post–head injury talents. I obviously haven’t been flying enough though, as she didn’t remember my order this time around (although she has the past few times), or maybe she knows I’m now a grown-up and drink coffee — albeit still mixed with chocolate.

With mocha onboard, my pupils rapidly dilating as the caffeine awakened my central nervous system, I took my usual spot by the window for breakfast. The Spice Bar used to be lunch-only, but now does breakfast too. It’s basically an egg station like a nice hotel buffet, but a big improvement on the slosh of “scrambled eggs” the buffet offers. I grab poached eggs with chilli oil and a side salsa, followed by a croissant 🥐. It’s enough to fill the spot without getting bloated before the flight.

I watch the morning arrivals land on the western runway as domestic departures slowly come to life, shuttling holidaymakers and worker bees across the country. I love the number of A220s that now call Melbourne home — such a sexy plane. I’m not flying on one today though, instead taking another favourite of mine, the Dash 8, across Bass Strait to Devonport. I grab some snacks, make my way to the gate, board in Group 1 and take my seat aboard VH-84B “Winton”. This aircraft recently joined the Qantas fleet in January 2025 after a long flight from Canada following retirement from WestJet. The new QantasLink livery is still sparkling fresh on this bright sunny morning.

Onboard, the crew brief the exit row passengers — all of whom have clearly taken this flight many times before and seem to know the crew. It’s a bit of a role reversal as the passenger recites the exit row briefing back to the crew member. All the men on the flight seem to know each other — welcome to Tasmania, where everyone knows your name?

I’ve flown on the Qantas Dash 8 many times, and the only difference between this plane and every other Qantas one is that the seats recline! Winner, winner, chicken dinner. Not that I really need recline when the seat next to me is empty, but it’s a nice ex-WestJet feature. We push back about five minutes behind schedule, climb out of runway 27 from Melbourne, make a left turn past my old training airport at Point Cook, cross the bay and then head over Bass Strait. I remember the “turning base runway 35 touch-and-go” calls I used to make while practising circuits here many moons ago.

Flighty predicts 32 minutes in the air today — that northerly must be strong, knocking 18 minutes off the scheduled flight time. Once airborne, the crew offer to order taxis for anyone who needs one in Devonport — a classic announcement when flying into regional airports across Australia where transport options are a little different (aka sparse) compared to the big smoke.

We cruise at 19,000 ft as the crew serve banana loaf, tea, coffee and cold drinks on this short hop to Tassie. The first officer announces we’ll arrive five minutes ahead of schedule. “How do you have your tea, love?” I’m asked by the cheery crew member. “Black with one, please.” “Surely you’re sweet enough already,” she replies, adding that my can of Coke to go with it is “a breakfast of champions”. It’s these small, friendly interactions with crew that I love — reminders that life doesn’t always need to be serious.

There’s nothing but clear skies and blue ocean below as excitement builds for this short getaway exploring Cradle Mountain and surrounds with great friends, Brigid and CK. Other than a few pins on a map I’ve shared, I’m just going with the flow this trip. No planning, no expectations — just good company, hopefully beautiful scenery, and time to make new memories.

So welcome back to the adventures of this avgeek travel nerd Carl with his Tintin haircut, ready for the next chapter. As the Tasmanian coastline comes into view, the seatbelt sign illuminates and it’s time to leap into the next adventure for Travel with Carl.Read more