Hey {{first name | reader}},

Happy Monday!

Today we have two very different but very fun topics. First, Dan's newest video is a proper avgeek love letter to one of the most beautiful aircraft ever built. Then, a very interesting Emirates award opportunity that does not require flying anywhere near Dubai.

Here's what's inside today's post:

Dan's newest video is live, and this one is for the real aviation geeks.

He flew the Lufthansa Airbus A340-600, one of the last few still operating in the Western world. Lufthansa is essentially the final major Western airline still flying them, and the aircraft is now in its final chapter.

This is not a normal flight review. Dan is in Lufthansa business class, so there is a seat, food, and service to talk about. But that is not really the point of the video. The point is the plane.

The A340-600 is absurd in the best possible way. Incredibly long, narrow, elegant, inefficient, and powered by four engines in a world that has almost completely moved on to twin-engine aircraft. It does not look like something optimized by a spreadsheet. It looks like a machine built by humans who genuinely loved what they were making.

And that is why aviation fans love it.

Dan says it is his favorite aircraft in the world. Not necessarily his favorite to fly as a passenger, but his favorite airplane. I completely understand that distinction. As passengers, we all know newer aircraft are better in many ways. The A350 and 787 are quieter, more efficient, and usually have better cabins. But the A340-600 has something the newer planes do not: drama. The four engines, the ridiculously long fuselage, the wing view, and the way the wings sag slightly under the weight of the engines. It just feels special.

One of the coolest details in the video: Lufthansa's A340-600 has downstairs lavatories in economy. On a single-deck aircraft. Economy passengers literally walk downstairs to use the bathroom. It is one of those strange, specific details that make this plane so memorable.

Dan also talks about flying the A340-600 as a kid on Virgin Atlantic from London to New York, watching SpongeBob, playing games, and getting a diecast model of the plane from his dad. That flight helped make him fall in love with aviation.

I get it completely. The first time I ever flew to Europe, I flew on an A340 with Aerolíneas Argentinas. I do not have photos from that flight, but I still remember being completely stunned by the plane. It felt enormous, elegant, and almost unbelievable to me at the time. There are aircraft you fly and forget. And then there are aircraft that stay in your memory forever. For me, the A340 is one of those.

If you are the kind of person who looks out the window and gets excited by an engine view, go watch this video. It is the kind of aviation content that reminds you why we fell in love with flying in the first place.

Now for something very practical and very fun.

I am seeing good Emirates business class award availability between Miami and Bogotá. This is one of Emirates' fifth-freedom routes, meaning the airline operates between two countries that are not the UAE. In this case, the flight connects Miami and Bogotá as part of its wider network.

And this route is interesting precisely because it does not require you to live anywhere near Dubai. Usually, trying Emirates means committing to a long-haul flight to or from the UAE. This gives you a shorter, more accessible way to experience the airline without planning a full Middle East trip.

The flight is operated by a Boeing 777 and takes around 3 hours 35 minutes. Not long enough to fully experience Emirates the way you would on a 12-hour flight, but long enough to enjoy the seat, service, meal, and overall feel of the airline.

You can book this flight through Qantas Frequent Flyer for 46,000 Qantas miles + $268 in taxes. A decent option if you already have Qantas points, though the cash portion is on the higher side.

Another option is to book it through Air Canada Aeroplan, for 67,500 Aeroplan points + around $72 in taxes. Much lower cash portion, but the points price is significantly higher. You are essentially paying more miles to save on fees (but if you are a member of Points Master, you know which option is better and easier!).

There is also a 3rd option, and this one is more interesting! That is Emirates Skywards: 36,000 Skywards miles + $268 in taxes. The lowest mileage price of the three, and if your goal is to try Emirates business class, this is probably where I would start.

But there is another reason Skywards is interesting here.

Emirates currently restricts First Class award bookings to elite members. If you do not have Emirates status, you cannot just book a First Class award directly with miles. However, if you book business class through Skywards, you may be able to upgrade to First Class later if seats become available. Emirates upgrades can happen at check-in, in the lounge, at the gate, or even onboard the aircraft.

That is what makes this route so fun! You could book Emirates business class from Miami to Bogotá for 36,000 Skywards miles plus $268, and then try to upgrade to First Class if there is availability. Of course, it is not guaranteed, and you would need to pay extra in miles or cash. A short Miami to Bogotá flight is also not the same as flying Emirates First all the way to Dubai. But if you have always wanted to try Emirates First Class, this could be one of the most accessible ways to experience it for a fraction of what it would usually cost.

And even if the upgrade does not clear, you still get Emirates business class on a fun fifth-freedom route. That is already a very cool redemption.

More deals, news, and trip ideas coming your way on Wednesday.

Catch you in the clouds,

Tomi from Points Master