Everything you need to know before you fly

Transcription

2016
issue 1
Airfare
Guide
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Let the experts guide you!
S c ri b b l e m
ap
– pl a n you
r j ourn ey
Flight Centre are the Airfare Experts and in this guide, we aim to
demystify the factors that influence airfare prices and explain the ins
and outs of air travel. We’ll highlight the best time to fly to locations
around the world, and detail the range of different cabin classes,
airplanes, routes and seating choices on offer and what it means
to you, as a traveller.
Contents
04 06 08 10 There are many factors that influence ticket prices, and within these
pages you’ll find a range of resources to help you navigate the complex
world of airfares to pick the right flight product for you.
We look forward to assisting you with your travel plans and delivering
an amazing travel experience. You’ll always end up with the best price
at Flight Centre – our Lowest Airfare Guarantee ensures it.
12 14 16 The Captain
18 20 22 Edinburgh
London
Barcelona
24 26 Moscow
Copenhagen
Amsterdam
Paris
Seattle
Rome
Riyadh
San Francisco
Los Angeles
Tokyo
Cairo
Dubai
Shanghai
Delhi
Kolkata
Toronto
New York
Chicago
Beijing
Athens
Vancouver
Hong Kong
Las Vegas
Los Cabos
Honolulu
Miami
Cancun
Bangkok
Ho Chi Minh City
Colombo
Langkawi
Kuala
Lumpur
Male
Singapore
Chennai
Nairobi
Bali
Darwin
Lima
Port Vila
Cairns
Tahiti
Rio de Janeiro
Johannesburg
Cape Town
Quito
Perth
Brisbane
Adelaide
Melbourne
Sydney
Queenstown
Auckland
Santiago
Buenos Aires
28 30 32 34 36 38 40 42 44 The plane facts
Take a seat
Best time to fly
easonal guide
S
to Los Angeles
Hawaiian Airlines
United Airlines
Seasonal guide
to Rio de Janeiro
ATAM
L
Airlines Group
Best airfare for you
Seasonal guide to
Johannesburg
South African Airways
Seasonal guide
to Phuket
Low-cost carriers
Frequent flyers
Seasonal guide
to London & UK
Qantas
Virgin Australia
Cathay Pacific
Round the World
ound the World
R
Qantas & Emirates
ound the World
R
Finnair
46 Round the World
48 50 Made for you
Your seat in the sky
Fares & fees
THE TEAM
Editor-in-Chief Jason Dutton-Smith
Content Jason Nooning & Cassandra Laffey
Design The Creative Studio
Airfare Guide
3
DASH 8
ATR 72
LENGTH 27M
68 –72
EMBRAER 190
LENGTH 36.2M 100–124
Dreamliner 787
» The 787 senses turbulence and can automatically adjust its wing
control surfaces for a smoother ride.
SHORT HAUL
37–78
LENGTH 25.68M
BOEING 717
LENGTH 37.8M
» Lower cabin pressurisation results in higher humidity to help reduce
106
the effects of jetlag.
Short haul
Dash 8
» The Dash 8 has a flight crew of two and offers standard single class
seating for 50 passengers at four abreast with an 81-cm seat pitch.
Medium haul
Boeing 737
» The Boeing 737 family of aircraft is considered the world’s most
popular and reliable form of commercial jet transport.
» It takes approximately 189 litres of paint to coat an average 737
and once the paint is dry, it weighs around 114 kilograms.
» A next-generation 737’s overhead bins hold up to 50 percent more
baggage, resulting in faster boarding.
» Boarding and exiting the aircraft can take longer than a wide-body
» Two of the largest operators of the aircraft globally are Air Canada
» The A320 first flew in 1984 and was commercially launched in 1988.
Express and Qantaslink.
» Large carry-on bags will need to be stowed in the cargo hold.
ATR72
» Passengers are boarded using the rear door as the front door
is reserved to load cargo.
» The shortest scheduled air service using this aircraft is with Air Tahiti,
from Papeete to Moorea, taking just 15 minutes to travel 18 kilometres.
» A tail stand must be installed when passengers are boarding or
disembarking in case the nose lifts off the ground, which is common
if the aircraft is loaded or unloaded incorrectly.
» Large carry-on bags are mostly restricted to the cargo hold,
so be sure to check any oversized bags.
Embraer 190
» This aircraft carries 100 passengers in a two-class arrangement
or up to 124 in a single-class, high-density configuration.
» The largest operators of this aircraft include Air Canada, JetBlue,
KLM and Virgin Australia.
» The jet engines produce less noise, enabling them to fly into airports
with noise restrictions, such as London City Airport.
» Utilising a four-abreast seating arrangement, the aircraft has a unique
‘double bubble’ design, which provides greater standing head room.
Boeing 717
» The 717-200 twinjet was specifically designed for the short-haul,
high-frequency airline market.
» The 100-seater was initially named the McDonnell Douglas MD-95
and was renamed the Boeing 717 after McDonell Douglas and
Boeing merged in 1997.
» Until production ended, Boeing built 156 717.
4
» An empty 787 weighs almost 117,617 kilograms – or 29 elephants.
» The shortest scheduled air service using this aircraft is with
Island Air, from Molokai to Lanai in Hawaii, taking just 10 minutes
to travel 43 kilometres.
f lightcentre.com.au
BOEING 737
efficiency), but Boeing chose to stick with tradition.
aircraft due to the single aisle.
Airbus A320
It sold strongly from the outset and has been the fastestselling airliner in the world for several years.
» The largest operators of the A320 family of planes are
US Airways, easyJet, China Southern, China Eastern,
Lufthansa and United Airlines.
» The A320 was a technical trailblazer, introducing technology where
control inputs from the pilot are transmitted to the flying surfaces
by electronic signals rather than mechanical means.
» The Airbus A320 seats up to 179 passengers in a single-aisle format,
with three lavatories on board (one reserved for business class).
A330
» The longest non-stop A330 flight is the Delta Air Lines’ Detroit-toBeijing service covering 10,672 kilometres over 14 hours and
10 minutes.
» The shortest scheduled A330 operation is the Hong Kong-to-
Guangzhou Dragonair flight, travelling 118 kilometres in 50 minutes.
» The A330 is used by more than 100 airlines, flying to over 400
destinations around the world each week.
» An A330 can carry a combined 112,000 kilograms of passengers,
freight and fuel in total.
Long haul
A340
» The A340 is one of the most reliable planes in the air with an
impeccable safety record.
» The long-range, wide-body aircraft is primarily used by Lufthansa,
Virgin Atlantic, Emirates, South African Airways and SWISS.
» The A3430 is no longer in production as it has been superseded
by the Airbus A350.
LENGTH 39.5M
A350
» At over 16 metres high, the A350 is almost the height of
85–215
AIRBUS A320
a five-storey building.
LENGTH 37.57M
» As of 2014, 39 different airlines have purchased a total of 812 Airbus
150–180
MEDIUM HAUL
Much like cars, aircraft come in all shapes, sizes and
models, with a varying degree of mod-cons. Get to
know your 747s from the 777s, along with some fun
facts, in our aircraft guide.
and can be dimmed by cabin crew during takeoff and landing.
» Originally, the 787 was to be called the 7E7 (the ‘E’ stood for
A350 XWBs.
» More than 16 million colour combinations and moods can be created
AIRBUS A330
by the full-LED lighting system.
LENGTH 53M 250–440
» HD video is available for all passengers, even in economy.
» An Air Management System changes the air every two to
three minutes, ensuring a draft-free environment and
consistent temperature.
AIRBUS A340
Boeing 747
» 3.5 billion people – almost half of the planet’s population
– have flown on a 747.
LENGTH 59M
250–475
LENGTH 62.8M
242–335
LENGTH 66.9M
280–366
LENGTH 70.66M
344–410
LENGTH 71M
314–451
LENGTH 72.72M
544–853
» The upper deck of a 747 has the same square metreage as a 737.
» The Wright brothers could have fit their historic first flight entirely
BOEING 787
within the 45-metre economy section of a 747.
» Complete with two cabin aisles, the 747 was the first wide body
aircraft ever produced.
» Since 1969, 1,494 Boeing 747 have been built, with the main users
being Qantas, British Airways and United Airlines.
AIRBUS A350
Boeing 777
» Typically referred to as the ‘Triple Seven’, it is the world’s largest
twin jet aeroplane.
» More than 50 carriers utilise the 777, including Virgin Australia,
Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, Emirates, Air France,
Cathay Pacific, Singapore Airlines, Thai Airways and Etihad Airways.
BOEING 747
» A lightly loaded 777 can accelerate from zero to 96 kilometres
per hour in less than six seconds.
LONG HAUL
The plane facts
» The 19-inch windows are 65 percent larger than standard aircraft
» The first 777 entered service on June 7, 1995.
A380
» The Airbus A380 is the world’s largest commercial
BOEING 777
passenger aircraft with the ability to carry over
800 people in an all-economy seating configuration.
» The A380 is 72.7 metres long, 24.1 metres high and boasts
an 80-metre wingspan.
» The aircraft weighs 580 tonnes and boasts a cargo space
of 3,000 suitcases.
» It takes approximately 3,600 litres of paint to coat the
exterior of the aircraft – enough for Michelangelo to paint
the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel 97 times.
AIRBUS 380
Airfare Guide
5
Why does pricing change?
Every seat, e
very airline o
n any given day is a different price.
799
$
“There was a sale
3 months ago”
1044
$
1849
$
1125
$
“I wanted to upgrade using
“I’m travelling with
an infant”
my frequent flyer points”
“I booked this fare as part of
a Round the World Ticket”
Air Asia, Business Class
Take a seat
1287
$
“I booked at the
last minute”
610
$
1441
$
“I got a discounted
child’s fare”
“I bought a
flexi fare”
In the sky, not all seats or airfares are created equally. Find out how airlines use variable
pricing strategies to manage capacity and raise revenue and what it means for you.
Business Class
From lie-flat seating to full beds, we’ve outlined the differences
between business class seats.
Lie-flat bed
A large number of airlines will boast about having ‘lie-flat’ seats, but
don’t actually mention the seats are lying at an angle, as illustrated
below. These seats will usually recline to between a 150 - to 170-degree
angle and have some form of foot rest included. This results in the bed
being flat, but not quite parallel with the plane floor. Frequently when
snoozing in this type of seat, you may wake up having shifted down
(or off) the seat in your sleep.
Fully-flat bed
A ‘fully-flat’ seat will recline a full 180 degrees when horizontal
and will result in the passenger laying parallel with the floor.
The Recliner
The last type of business class seat is commonly nicknamed
‘The Recliner’. As the name implies, the seat does not lie flat, but
instead reclines. These types of seats are generally found on flights
of shorter duration where sleep is not expected.
The ‘Recliner’ seats also appear on most Virgin Australia and Qantas
737 aircrafts servicing domestic destinations, as well as short-haul
routes to Bali, Fiji, New Zealand, Samoa and Singapore. These seats
often include a leg rest, enabling a much more comfortable sleep than
you would get in the economy cabin.
Lie Flat Bed
While the glamour of business class may seem out of reach for most
(although, our mixed-class airfares are an affordable way to experience
the pointy end of the plane), there is still a great deal of difference in the
economy class seating offered by various airlines. What differentiates
each seat is the crucial measurements discussed below.
Seat pitch refers to the gap between your seat and the one in front,
while seat width and seat recline are the measurements of the width
of your airline seat and how much your chair can recline backwards.
Premium airlines tend to offer a more generous seat pitch and width
for maximum comfort, which is also reflected in the price of your seat.
Of course, there are other factors that can influence the price of your
economy class seat, including stopovers, travelling with children,
one-way and return tickets, taxes, fuel surcharges, flexibility and
the number of seats available the flight.
Seat Pitch
Seat pitch is the distance from any point
on one seat to the exact same point on
the seat in front or behind it. While it is
not the exact equivalent of legroom, it
does give a very good approximation of
how much seat room you should expect.
Seat Recline
Seat recline is the angle the seat can
recline. The starting angle of seats vary
and this measurement needs to be
considered in context along with seat
pitch when looking at measurements.
Fully Flat Bed
6
Economy Class
Seat Pricing
“When is the best time to book a cheap fare?” is arguably one of the
most common questions regarding air travel.
It’s a widespread misconception that booking flights at the last minute
is always the best way to save. While many airlines release great
11th-hour offers, booking domestic flights 21 days or more from your
departure date or international flights two months in advance will often
award you a greater saving.
However, factors such as world events, school holidays and competitor
pricing can all affect the price of your seat. Airlines manage their
inventory using complex algorithms that assign different prices,
rules and restrictions to particular booking classes to ensure all
flights operate at the highest possible occupancy.
Airfare prices in the same cabin class can vary substantially. It is very
rare for passengers in the same cabin class to have paid the same
amount for their ticket. You may have had to fork out a substantial
amount for your airfare, while your neighbour may have paid
considerably less, or vice versa.
Quite simply, airfare prices come down to supply and demand.
Seats in an aircraft are divided into ‘fare buckets’ with a particular price
and airfare rules attached. Once the lowest fare bucket is sold, a price
from the next bucket is offered and so forth until the flight is sold out.
All airlines have what is known as a full economy fare (Y class), which
you may have seen on tickets or as a clause for frequent flyer point
redemptions. This is generally a fully flexible ticket.
Sometimes buckets may not sell as quickly as the airline anticipates,
so a lower fare bucket may be added to entice more bookings.
For travellers, that means you can pick up a cheaper last-minute flight,
but it also means there are a number of restrictions that go with these
discount prices, such as the ability to change or cancel your ticket.
Conversely, if seats are selling quickly or it’s a popular time of day
or year to be flying, the airline may add in higher fare buckets. Again,
these can change minute by minute as bookings are made.
In fact, airlines will actually oversell the number of physical seats on the
aircraft knowing that a certain percentage of passengers will change,
cancel or not show up for their flight!
Airline seats are a perishable commodity. Once a flight departs, there
is no value on any seat to the airline, so their goal is to sell every seat
before takeoff.
The perks of flying...
First Class
•All benefits of business class
•Some airlines offer
a private suite
•Shower on some aircraft
•Dedicated cabin crew
•Up to three times the cost
Business Class
•Comfortable seats
•Fast-tracked immigration
•Gourmet meals
•Lounge access
•Most costly
Premium
Economy Class
•Priority boarding
•Larger seats than economy
•Checked baggage
•Dedicated meal service
•Legrest on most aircraft
•Greater cost than economy
Economy Class
•Comfortable seating
•Standard check-in
•Complimentary food
and beverage, except
on low-cost carriers
•Some short trips don’t
include checked baggage
Airfare Guide
7
Best time to fly
Do you know why airfare prices skyrocket during
parts of the year, while in others, you can score a
fare for a fraction of the cost? We outline the factors,
seasons and events that can influence the price
of your plane ticket.
Different seasons, events and factors in different hemispheres can
affect airfare prices, although there are some months where demand is
consistently high. In December, April, July and September, all destinations
around the world share a similar ticket price structure due to school
holidays and globally recognised public holidays such as Christmas and
Easter. Designated as high season, there is no need to heavily discount
these months as demand will see full planes regardless of price.
The best time to secure a deal for travel in these months is between
111 to 184 days from departure. Aim to travel mid-week for the best
prices if possible.
To save money on airfares outside these peak months, here’s when
to book your flight depending on your chosen destination.
Northern Hemisphere
Generally speaking, the winter months in the Northern Hemisphere
fall in December, January and February; although some ski seasons
may begin as early as October and extend well into early April. January
is still considered high season until mid month when it reverts to
a shoulder season, which continues until March. New Year is also
celebrated in January and February across many Asian countries,
including China and Vietnam. February and March are two of the
cheapest months of the year to travel as well as providing ideal
conditions for the ski fields, thanks to heavy snowfall.
April usually coincides with Easter, making this month quite expensive
flight-wise. By May, it’s springtime across the Northern Hemisphere and
the warmer weather and great fares make this an ideal time to travel
to the UK, Europe, US and East Asia, particularly if you are keen to
experience the cherry blossom season in Japan.
The summer months in the Northern Hemisphere are June, July and
August, and are a great time to travel to the UK, Europe and the US to
take advantage of summer festivals, outdoor events and longer days –
up to 12 hours of sunlight in northern Europe. Summer holidays are an
institution in the US, where holidaymakers flock to celebrate the long
break until September in destinations like Cancun, Florida and Hawaii.
The summer months are also peak months for travel.
September is one of the most popular months for Australians to visit
North America and Europe and the airfares reflect this high demand.
It’s also the beginning of the festive season with great events like
Oktoberfest, Halloween and Thanksgiving taking place during the
autumn (fall) months. October is an off-peak month for travel and you’ll
find great deals for flights during this month. November is another
cheap month to fly, although prices can increase towards the end
of the month.
December is an expensive month to travel and the period around
Christmas is one of the busiest travel periods in the calendar. For
travellers looking for some sun, this is an ideal time to travel to
Southeast Asia.
Oktoberfest, Germany
Antarctica
Day of the Dead
China
Chinese New Year
Germany
Japan
Sakura Cherry Blossoms
Lapland
Endless Summer, daylight to10pm
United Kingdom
Brazil
Tourist Season October to March
Rio Carnival
Kenya
African Wildlife Migration
New Zealand
Ski Season
Australia
In the Southern Hemisphere, the seasons are flipped, so January and
February are the height of summer. Because of the holiday season and
school holidays, January is still considered high season until the middle
of the month when it reverts to a shoulder or low season. It’s also the
ideal time to book that bucket-list trip to Antarctica when the receding
snow means it’s possible to travel further south. February heralds
the pre-Lenten event known as Carnival across many countries in
South America, most notably Brazil. Be aware when planning your
holiday that January and February is prime cyclone season in the
South Pacific with heavy rainfall across tropical areas.
After summer comes the cooler autumn months in the Southern
Hemisphere. If you’re keen to visit the Maldives, March is the best
month to go with amazing weather and great airfare deals. Due to
Easter commonly falling in April, this is an expensive month for travel,
while May brings more temperate conditions and great fares, making
this an ideal month to travel.
Wimbledon Tennis Championships
8
Australia Day
Southern Hemisphere
Mexico
La Tomatina
Chinese New Year, China
South Pacific
Best weather now to September
East Coast Whale Migration
New Years Eve
Spain
Rio Carnival, Brazil
Australia
New York
Oktoberfest
Holi, India
June, July and August make up the winter months in the Southern
Hemisphere. The first half of June is generally when you’ll nab better
deals before the start of the school holidays in Australia and
New Zealand where the demand is reflected in higher airfares. July and
August are the peak winter months and a high season for fares. This is
the best time of year to visit Fiji and the islands in the South Pacific
with less rain and warmer weather to combat the chill in Australia.
Head to New Zealand in August for the best chance of snow and great
winter festivals.
September is one of the busiest months of the year for Australians
travelling to numerous destinations around the world – falling within
school holidays as well – and as such, attracts higher fares. If you are
flexible with dates, consider travelling in October – a shoulder season
with fantastic airfare deals to a wide range of locations around the
world. November is another cheap month for travel. However, as the
holiday season approaches, demand increases and fares rise sharply
at the end of November.
In line with the Northern Hemisphere, December is one of the busiest
travel periods of the entire year, as well as being the beginning of
summertime. If you are keen on being one of the first to welcome in
the new year, New Zealand, Samoa and Christmas Island are some
of the first nations to celebrate midnight on New Year’s Day.
Airfare Guide
9
SEASONAL GUIDE TO
Los Angeles
Los Angeles
Los Angeles, also known as the City of Angels, is the
second largest city in the United States. A lot has
changed in the skies since Charles Kingsford Smith’s
pioneering trans-Pacific flight in 1928. Nowadays,
what previously took multiple days of travel hopping
across Hawaii and Fiji can now be accomplished in
a non-stop direct service taking just 12 hours from
Brisbane to Los Angeles.
Airlines that fly direct from Australia to Los Angeles
» Qantas flies from Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne to Los Angeles
» Virgin Australia flies from Brisbane and Sydney to Los Angeles
» Delta flies from Sydney to Los Angeles
» United flies from Sydney and Melbourne to Los Angeles
» American Airlines flies from Sydney to Los Angeles
Heading over to Disneyland?
When travelling with children, you will find Qantas, United Airlines,
Air New Zealand and Virgin to be the best value in terms of pricing.
This is primarily due to the fact the airline fuel surcharges are included
in the base fare, which is usually reduced by 25 percent for a child fare.
Airlines that fly to the USA with one stop
Qantas also provides services to San Francisco, Dallas, New York
and Vancouver.
There are also other carriers providing flight options to the USA –
with stopovers possible on almost every continent, there are millions
of different combinations available. Some of our favourite stopover
options include:
This is a fantastic price. General expectation is in line with this level,
be confident in knowing this is a great price.
This is a slightly below-average price. If you have the cheapest
booking classes, there may not be a heavily discounted sale in place
or travel could be during a shoulder season.
This is an average price. The flights could be heavily booked or travel
is during the shoulder or high season. If there are no sale fares
available and the price is deemed high, consider adding a stopover,
which could reduce the fare.
This is an above-average price. The flights are becoming very
heavily booked and travel is during a high-demand period. A detailed
explanation of pricing should be offered. A stopover on the journey
will likely reduce the airfare price and assist with jetlag.
$2000+
$5000+
$9000+
$1600 – $1999
$4000 – $4999
$8000 – $8999
» Auckland, with Air New Zealand and Air Tahiti Nui
$1400 – $1599
$3500 – $3999
$7000 – $7999
» Tokyo, with Qantas and Japan Airlines
$1200 – $1399
$3000 – $3499
$6000 – $6999
$1000 – $1199
$2500 – $2999
$5000 – $5999
$0 – $2499
$0 – $4999
» Hong Kong, with Cathay Pacific
» Fiji, with Fiji Airways and Qantas
» United Arab Emirates, with Emirates and Etihad
» Seoul, with Korean Airlines
» Manila, with Philippine Airlines
Summer
Winter
June to August
December to February
Summers in Los Angeles are best spent under a palm tree in Malibu,
Venice or Manhattan Beach. During the summer months, temperatures
are at their highest, averaging around 21 to 24 degrees Celsius with an
ocean temperature of 20 degrees during August.
Though snow is very rare in Los Angeles, rain is quite common
in winter. During this period, temperatures average around a mild
15 degrees Celsius but can also drop to single digits, particularly
at night.
Summer in LA is perfect for the beach, with many locals and tourists
flocking to the golden shores to enjoy a slice of California sun. However,
the summer months are considered the peak period for travellers. It is
also the main school holidays break for the year.
Most LA locals tend to spend winter shopping in the lead-up to
Christmas and enjoy many festive activities. Make the most of the
chilly weather by taking to the ice skating rink, which is set up
annually in Downtown LA.
Autumn
Spring
September to November
March to May
Autumn, or fall as they call it in the United States, is when festival fun
comes to Los Angeles. One of the city’s most famous is the Fall Festival,
where harvest produce is celebrated with music, pumpkin carving and
pie-eating contests.
While Los Angeles is a truly great destination to visit all year round,
spring would have to be when the city is at its most picturesque.
Following winter, the city warms back up to 19 degrees Celsius and
rainclouds are replaced with clear blue skies.
Such festivities take place in ideal temperatures with days ranging from
17 to 23 degrees Celsius and with little chance of rain. During this time
you may need to wear a coat to keep the chills at bay, particularly at
night when temperatures can drop to 12 degrees.
Further to its beauty, spring is also a low season when it comes to travel
and thus offers great accommodation prices and fewer crowds than
usual. It’s the perfect time to visit popular theme parks like Universal
Studios Hollywood.
There could be something cheaper. With a bit of flexibility, there are
any number of stopovers that could be added to decrease the price
of the airfare. There are also a number of round-the-world airfares,
starting just above this price point, which represent excellent value.
» Hawaii, with Hawaiian Airlines, Qantas, Air New Zealand
and Fiji Airways
10
Flight Centre’s preferred airlines that service this route directly
rarely fall into this price bracket. Airlines, which have longer
or more numerous connections, can achieve this price point
more frequently.
HIGH
CHEAPEST
$
$
LOW
$0 – $1000
ECONOMY
PREMIUM ECONOMY
BUSINESS CLASS
Jan
Feb
Mar
SPRING
Apr
May
Jun
SUMMER
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
AUTUMN
Dec
WINTER
Airfare Guide
11
ROUTE MAP
Hawaiian
Airlines
Hawaiian Airlines is the largest airline of Hawaii and
has operated with a perfect safety record since its
founding in 1929. With a fleet size of over 53 aircraft
servicing 40 destinations, Hawaiian Airlines flies from
Sydney and Brisbane with domestic connections
to regional cities throughout Australia.
From Honolulu Airport, Hawaiian Airlines also provides connections
to the Hawaiian Islands as well as mainland US cities including
New York, Seattle, San Francisco, San Diego, Los Angeles and
Las Vegas. On their Australasian routes, Hawaiian Airlines
operates wide-body Airbus A330 aircraft offering personal seat-back
entertainment, a complimentary food and beverage service as well
the option of purchasing extra leg room seats to stretch out. As a
full-service airline, Hawaiian also allows two pieces of checked
luggage with a maximum weight of 32kg each on flights from Australia
to the U.S.A. Look out for special offers on free or discounted side trips
to other Hawaiian islands when booking a Hawaiian Airlines airfare
to Honolulu.
Seattle
Portland
Sapporo
New York
Beijing
Seoul
San Francisco
Sendai
Haneda
Osaka
Sacramento
Oakland
San Jose
Las Vegas
Los Angeles
Phoenix
San Diego
Lihue
Here is the entire Hawaiian Airlines route network
to you help plan your holiday.
Honolulu
Kahului
Kailua-Kona
Hilo
Pago Pago
Papeete
Brisbane
Sydney
MAP KEY
Auckland
12
Hawaiian Airlines
Seasonal Summer routes
*MAP IS NOT TO SCALE
Airfare Guide
13
Whitehorse
TO ANCHORAGE
Edmonton
Vancouver
Calgary
Victoria
Seattle
Spokane
Portland
Winnipeg
Missoula
Helena
Eugene
Anchorage
North Bend
Bozeman
Medford
Boise
Sun Valley
Redding
Cody/
Yellowstone
Idaho Falls
Operating as United Airlines since 1931, today’s
United Airlines has evolved over the years, merging
with a number of other airlines, including
Continental Airlines in 2010.
Kona
Hilo
Quebec City
Bismarck
Jamestown
Halifax
Houghton
Fargo
Montreal
Duluth
Bangor
Ottawa
Worland
Gillette
Rapid City
Minneapolis
Tampa/St. Petersburg
Laredo
McAllen
In Australia, United Airlines currently flies to Sydney and Melbourne
from Los Angeles. United Airlines also operates a direct service
between Sydney and San Francisco. From LA and San Francisco,
United Airlines connects to over 90 USA destinations. From March
2016, all Australian services will use the Boeing Dreamliner (787-9),
and United Airlines will be the first to operate this aircraft from
Australia to mainland USA.
14
Dickinson
Billings
Corpus Christi
United Airlines operates nine airline hubs across continental
United States, Guam and Japan where the majority of its flights operate.
These airline hubs include Guam, Denver, Los Angeles, Houston, Tokyo,
Newark (New York), Chicago, San Francisco and Washington DC.
Note: While United Airlines flies to all cities on this map, we have
only highlighted the points with direct connections from Los Angeles
and San Francisco to help you plan your trip from Australia.
Minot
Sarasota/Bradenton
Ft. Myers
Harlingen
Brownsville
West Palm Beach
Ft. Lauderdale/Hollywood
Miami
Nassau
Cancun
Mexico City
MAP KEY
United
Airlines
Williston
Portland
Burlington
Wausau
Traverse City
Eau Claire
Manchester
Green Bay
Syracuse
Appleton/
Toronto
Albany
Boston
Fox Cities
Casper
Ithaca
Muskegon Grand
Sioux Falls
Hartford/
Hyannis
Buffalo/
Midland/Saginaw
Milwaukee
Rapids
Reno/Tahoe
Binghamton
Springfield
Niagara Falls
Rock Springs
Sacramento
Nantucket
Flint
Elmira
Madison
Providence
London
Salt
Lake
City
Lansing
San Francisco
Kalamazoo/
Wilkes Barre/
Detroit
Erie
White
Scranton
Battle
Creek
San Jose
Laramie
Plains
Cedar Rapids/
Mammoth Lakes
Hayden/
Chicago
New York (La Guardia)
Iowa City
Cleveland
South Bend/Elkhart/
Steamboat
Fresno
(J.F. Kennedy)
State
Des
Omaha
Mishawaka
Monterey
Springs
College
Moines
New York (Newark)
Akron/Canton
Denver
Peoria
Visalia
Moline
Ft. Wayne
Vail/Eagle
Philadelphia
Grand Junction
Kearney
Pittsburgh
McCook
Harrisburg
Lincoln
Aspen
Columbus
Colorado Springs
Baltimore
Montrose
Dayton
San Luis Obispo
Indianapolis
Springfield
St. George
Bakersfield
Gunnison/
Washington DC
Crested Butte
Las Vegas
Hays
Cincinnati
Santa Maria
Kansas City
Page/
(Reagan National)
Cortez
Durango
Charleston
Lake Powell
St. Louis
Charlottesville
Santa Barbara
Alamosa
Burbank
Louisville
Richmond
Farmington
Los Angeles
Dodge City
Lexington
Evansville
Ontario
Norfolk/Virginia Beach
Roanoke
Orange County
Wichita
Liberal
Springfield
Palm Springs
Prescott
Paducah
Santa Fe
Greensboro/High Point/Winston-Salem
San Diego
Albuquerque
Raleigh/Durham
Tulsa
Knoxville
Amarillo
Nashville
Northwest
Phoenix/Scottsdale
Charlotte
Arkansas
Oklahoma City
Fayetteville/Ft. Bragg
Asheville
Greenville/
Memphis
Spartanburg
Little
Lubbock
Tucson
Rock
Huntsville/
Columbia
Myrtle Beach
Decatur
Atlanta
Birmingham
Hobbs
Dallas/
Charleston
El Paso
Fort Worth
Midland/
Monroe
Odessa
Jackson
Shreveport
Tyler
Savannah
Lihue
Killeen
College Station
Alexandria
Mobile Pensacola
Jacksonville
Ho‘olehua
Baton Rouge
Lake
Austin
Honolulu
Charles
Kahului
Kapalua
Ft. Walton
Panama City
Lafayette
Gulfport/
Beach
Lana‘i
Houston
New Orleans Biloxi
Beaumont/
Pt. Arthur
Orlando
Jackson Hole
ROUTE MAP
Great Falls
Devils Lake
Redmond
Eureka
Kalispell
Pasco
United Airlines
United Express
Major hubs
TO SYDNEY
TO MELBOURNE
Airfare Guide
COSTA RICA
15
SEASONAL GUIDE TO
Rio de Janeiro
Home to (arguably) the most famous beach in the
world, Copacabana Beach, which was immortalised
in 1978 by Barry Manilow, Rio has one of the biggest
New Year’s Eve celebrations in the world. Hosting
the World Cup in 2014 and the upcoming Summer
Olympics in 2016, Rio de Janeiro is definitely
the place to be.
Traditionally, the most direct way to get to Rio was to fly via Santiago
in Chile or Buenos Aires in Argentina. Now that the Middle Eastern
carriers have added Latin American destinations, these airlines have
emerged as quite an attractive way to get to South America with just
one stop from most Australian capital cities.
Below are some of our most popular airlines and the routes they take
to get to Rio, along with optional stopovers.
LATAM (Utilising Qantas for domestic or trans-Tasman connections)
» Sydney to Santiago via Auckland
(optional stopovers in Tahiti or Easter Island)
» Santiago to Rio direct or via Buenos Aires or Sao Paulo
Qantas
» Sydney to Santiago direct (optional code share on LATAM
service via Auckland)
» Santiago to Rio direct or via Buenos Aires or Sao Paulo
Brisbane, Sydney or Melbourne to Los Angeles, Dallas,
New York or San Francisco
» Los Angeles to Rio via San Jose, Bogota, San Salvador or Lima
(stopovers in New York and Miami are also possible)
Sugarloaf Mountain, Rio de Janeiro
Historically, Flight Centre’s preferred airlines that service this route
with one or two stops rarely fall into this price bracket. Airlines
and certain combinations of fares, which may have longer and/or
numerous connections, can achieve this price point more frequently.
This is a fantastic price. General expectation is in line with this level,
be confident in knowing this is a great price.
booking classes, there may not be a heavily discounted sale or travel
could be during a shoulder season.
is during a period of high demand. If there are no sale fares available
and the price is deemed high, consider adding a stopover, which
could reduce the fare.
explanation of pricing should be offered. A stopover in the Middle
East or the USA on the journey could reduce the airfare price and
assist with jetlag.
This price is to be expected during peak seasons, which can be
found on the pricing graph. During some of these periods it is
worth investigating if a round-the-world (RTW) fare would be more
suitable. RTW fares can often be very comparable in price and also
provide additional stopovers elsewhere in the world.
Summer
Spring
Contrary to popular belief, summer in Rio is less about beach days
and more about torrential rain. For every sunny morning there is likely
an afternoon thunderstorm, though they often pass quickly and leave
behind perfect beach weather. The extravagant festivities include
vibrant samba street parades, dance parties, costume balls and the
flamboyant Mardi Gras parade. To experience Rio de Janiero in all its
glory, Carnival is a must-do!
Autumn
October to November
For the perfect beach holiday, book your Rio flights for spring. This
season enjoys low humidity with days averaging around a pleasant
23 degrees Celsius. The weather during this time is ideal for sunny
days spent at the famous Copacabana Beach. The 4.5-kilometre stretch
of golden sand is adorned with bikini-clad women, beach soccer games
and sun-kissed vacationers enjoying tropical cocktails.
March to June
Autumn in Rio is a case of extremes. At the beginning of season, it is
one of the rainiest times of year, while towards the end; May presents
some of the best weather with warm days and less humidity.
The climate is perfect for hiking Sugarloaf Mountain or
Pedra de Gávea, one of Rio’s highest peaks. It is commonly
recommended to travel here between April and May.
Winter
July to September
Winters in Rio are quite mild and the city experiences the lowest
precipitation of the year. During this time, temperatures and humidity
levels drop slightly to reveal cool but never bitterly cold weather.
The cooler temps make winter an ideal time to explore the hinterland
and walk up to the Christ the Redeemer lookout.
Christ the Redeemer, Rio de Janeiro
Air New Zealand
» Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Adelaide, Cairns
or Gold Coast via Auckland to Buenos Aires
» Buenos Aires to Rio (Note: sometimes a change of airport
in Buenos Aires is required.)
Emirates
» Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide or Perth via Dubai
to Rio (stopovers available in Asia)
Etihad
» Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne or Perth via Abu Dhabi to Sao Paulo
» Sao Paulo to Rio
Qatar Airways
» Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide or Perth via Doha to Sao Paulo
» Sao Paulo to Rio
16
$3000+
$10,000+
$2500 – $2999
$8000 – $9999
$2000 – $2499
$7000 – $7999
$1800 – $1999
$6000 – $6999
$1600 – $1799
$5000 – $5999
$0 – $1599
$0 – $4999
HIGH
CHEAPEST
$
$
LOW
ECONOMY
BUSINESS CLASS
Jan
Feb
Mar
AUTUMN
Apr
May
Jun
WINTER
Jul
Aug
Sep
SPRING
Oct
Nov
Dec
SUMMER
Airfare Guide
17
ROUTE MAP
LATAM
Airlines Group
New York
LAN Airlines, part of LATAM Airlines Group, is the leading carrier to
and from South America with the largest network and unparalleled
connectivity throughout the region. LAN flies from Sydney to Santiago,
Chile, seven days a week with onward connections to over 115
South American destinations, including favourites and emerging
favourites such as Argentina, Peru, Bolivia, Cuba, Ecuador, Venezuela,
Uruguay and Brazil.
Los Angeles
Orlando
Miami
Passengers flying with LAN on the Sydney to Santiago route will
experience a new generation of aircraft aboard LAN’s Boeing 787.
These aircraft feature state-of-the-art design and technology, providing
passengers with greater comfort, security and efficiency. The cabins
feature windows with up to 40 per cent greater surface area,
30 per cent larger overhead luggage compartments, LED illumination
and aerodynamics for a smoother flight, in addition to new air
humidification techniques that reduce dryness and fatigue.
Havana
Cancun
Mexico City
Galapagos
Baltra
San Cristobal
Punta Cana
San Andres
Santa Marta
Barranquilla
Caracas
Cartagena
Valledupar
Monteria
Apartado
Cucuta
Medellin
Bucaramanga
Quibdo
Yopal
Bogota
Pereira
Villavicencio
Cali
Neiva
Guayaquil
Tumbes
Piura
Cuenca
Iquitos
Leticia
Lima
Arica
Papeete
Antofagasta
Brisbane
Manaus
Belem
Sao Luis
Fortaleza
Santarem
Maraba
Rio Branco
Porto Velho
Cusco
Arequipa
Alice
Springs
Macapa
Tarapoto
Cajamarca
Pucallpa
Trujillo
TO MADRID
Buena Vista
Puerto Asis
Quito
Chiclayo
Darwin
TO LONDON, PARIS,
FRANKFURT, MILAN
& MADRID
Teresina
Imperatriz
Palmas
Puerto Maldonado
Juliaca
Cuiaba
La Paz
Tacna
Santa Cruz
Goiania
Brasilia
TO MADRID
Natal
Joao Pessoa
Recife
Maceio
Aracaju
Salvador
Ilheus
Porto Seguro
Uberlandia
Belo Horizonte
Iquique
Campo Grande
Vitoria
Riberao Preto
S.J. do Rio Preto
Calama
Campinas
Rio de Janeiro
Londrina
Sao Paulo
Ciudad del Este
Salta
Curitiba
Asuncion
Joinville
Tucuman
Iguazu Falls
Navegantes
Copiapo
Iguazu
Florianopolis
TO LONDON,
PARIS &
FRANKFURT
La Serena
Perth
Easter Island
Sydney
Adelaide
Canberra
Melbourne
Hobart
Auckland
San Juan
Santiago
Porto Alegre
Cordoba
TO MADRID
Mendoza
Montevideo
Buenos Aires
Concepcion
Temuco
Valdivia
Osorno
Puerto Montt
Neuquen
Bahia Blanca
Bariloche
Chiloe
Balmaceda
Comodoro Rivadavia
Rio Gallegos
Punta Arenas
Ushuaia
Falkland Islands
MAP KEY
El Calafate
LATAM Domestic
LATAM International
LATAM Code share
18
Airfare Guide
19
Best airfare for you
As the airline industry has grown, we have more
choice than ever before when it comes to choosing
a ticket. With so many different airlines and
cabin classes at your fingertips, we attempt
to untangle the mystery so you know which
airfare is best for you.
There are many factors that influence the price of an airfare: the
flexibility of making changes, if refundable; seating class; self
check-in and inclusions; to name a few. A low-cost carrier or budget
airline offers an affordable travel option where you pay for what is
important to you. You have the choice of purchasing just a seat with
no checked-in baggage or meal. However, if you want the additional
comforts you have the choice to purchase these extras too. You can
tailor your journey to what suits you and your budget.
Low-cost carriers may not suit everyone, but the key here is about
choice and choosing the best product for your travel needs. Some
factors to consider when choosing an airfare include flight delays,
flight cancellations, that your baggage is checked through to the final
destination, and the policy regarding unaccompanied minors.
And don’t forget when you book with Flight Centre, our 24/7 world wide
customer care ensures you’re never alone.
Flight delays
A delayed flight is one of the last things you want when you are about
to embark on your travels. If this happens, you want the reassurance
your airline will take care of you. All airlines will put you on their next
available flight, and some may even use an alternate carrier.
What to check:
» The frequency of flights, some airlines may only fly your route twice
a week. If so, does the airline policy use an alternate airline to get
you on your journey sooner?
» The airline’s reaccommodating policy – will they compensate you if
you missed a connecting flight due to the delay, and pay for a hotel
(including meals, taxis, toiletries)?
20
Flight cancellations
If the airline cancels a flight (due to weather conditions or mechanical
issues), you want to know your airline will reaccommodate you at no
extra cost and with minimal inconvenience to yourself.
What to check:
» Are you entitled to a full refund if you request it? And will the airline
put you on another airline or put you up in a hotel, covering all
expenses including meals?
Checked
Baggage
CHOOSE
WHAT
MATTERS
TO YOU
If you would like to earn points
or be able to upgrade your
ticket using points, please
advise our Travel Experts.
– how will the airline contact you if a flight is cancelled? And do you
have to go to their service desk to rebook?
Some airlines will not check your luggage through to your final destination
if you have purchased separate tickets. For convenience, you may prefer to
have your baggage checked through to your final destination.
START }
BOOK
&
HOLD
Unaccompanied
Minors
Some airlines provide
assistance to children
travelling alone.
Often airlines
allow you to
book and hold a
seat while you
finalise other
arrangements.
» The airline baggage policy – will the airline check your luggage
through to your final destination? If not, what do you have to do?
Have you allowed enough connection time between flights to pick up
your baggage and re-check it?
Next Flight
After Delay
» What happens if your baggage goes missing?
» The airline unaccompanied minor policy – what documentation
Inclusions vary between
airlines and ticket types.
Airlines will place you
on the next scheduled
flight after delay.
Unaccompanied minors
What to check:
Special Service
Requirements
Some airlines provide a
high level of service for
special needs passengers.
What to check:
Low-cost carriers generally do not offer extra care for children under 12
travelling alone. Airlines have strict policies for unaccompanied minors,
so it is important you are fully informed of their requirements.
+
g
k
20
Frequent Flyer Points
& Upgrading
» The type of service you will receive from the airline in such an event
Baggage policy
Baggage checked
to final
destination.
Advanced
Seating
Selection
Food &
Beverage
At the start of your
journey ask your travel
expert which apply to
your booking.
Accommodation
if flight is
cancelled
Enjoy an in-flight
food and beverage
service.
is required?
» Do you have to sign any paperwork?
» Does the minor need any identification?
Overall, the key is to be well informed about your airline’s policies and
your airfare specifications so your expectations are met.
Entertainment
HOLIDAY }
Airfare Guide
21
SEASONAL GUIDE TO
Johannesburg
Johannesburg, known locally as Jo’burg, is the gateway
city to Africa from Australia. As the country’s flagship
carrier, South African Airways has an extensive
network both domestically and internationally.
There is no shortage of services from Australia to South Africa, here
is a selection of some of our most popular routes, the airlines that offer
them, and some great stopovers that may be available to you via Asia,
the Middle East and Africa.
» Perth to Johannesburg direct with domestic connections offered
by Virgin Australia
» Stopovers also available in Mauritius when code sharing with
Air Mauritius
Qantas
» Sydney to Johannesburg direct with domestic connections offered
» Johannesburg offered as a stopover on most Qantas fares to London
Singapore Airlines
» Brisbane/Sydney/Melbourne/Perth/Adelaide via Singapore
to Johannesburg
Emirates
Kruger National Park, South Africa
Historically, Flight Centre’s preferred airlines servicing this route
directly rarely fall into this price bracket. Airlines and certain
combinations of fares with longer and/or numerous connections
can achieve this price point more frequently.
This is a fantastic price.
is during a period of high demand. If there are no sale fares available
and the price is deemed high, consider adding in a stopover to
reduce the fare.
heavily booked and travel is during a high-demand period.
A detailed explanation of pricing should be offered. A stopover
in the Middle East or Asia will reduce the airfare in price and
could assist with jet lag.
This price is to be expected during peak seasons, as per the pricing
graph. During some of these periods it is worth investigating if a
round-the-world fare or Europe fare would be better. These can often
be very comparable in price and also provide additional stopovers
elsewhere in the world.
Summer
Winter
June to August
The long summer season is characterised by warm, sunny days and
balmy nights. Unexpected showers or thunderstorms are common
during summer afternoons but pass over quickly to revert back to
warm weather with daily temps of up to 28 degrees Celsius. From bar
crawls along Melville’s lively Seventh Street and hip, artsy markets in
Braamfontein, to picnics in Walter Sisulu National Botanical Gardens,
you’ll be spoiled for choice in summer!
Winter in Jo’burg remains mild, dry and warm with clear skies;
temperatures can still reach up to a comfortable 25 degrees Celsius
during the day. Nights can be chilly to even freezing due to the altitude,
so ensure you pack some warm clothing. With fewer events and
festivals on during these cooler months, spend extra time exploring the
city’s museums. Delve into the history of depression at the Apartheid
Museum and pick up a contemporary African artwork or two at the
Wits Art Museum.
Autumn
Spring
March to May
The summer months can sometimes blur the start of autumn due to
the residual pleasant sunny weather. Autumn is considered one of the
best times to visit Johannesburg due to the mild climate and is optimal
for sightseeing with fewer crowds. Autumn is the perfect time to hit
the road on two wheels. Head off on a cycling tour to the nearby
township of Soweto, a must-see for those seeking an understanding
of the struggles for freedom. Don’t forget to visit Nelson Mandela’s
childhood home.
Spring is another ideal time to visit Johannesburg with warm weather,
blue skies and just the occasional unexpected downpour. It’s also when
the plains are carpeted with wildflowers in a stunning array of colours
making it a popular time for travellers. And the best way to see it all
is from the sky on a hot air balloon safari. Soar high above the city
and enjoy the views over the Cradle of Humankind or drift above the
Magaliesberg Range, the second oldest mountain range in the world.
» Brisbane/Sydney/Melbourne/Adelaide/Perth via Dubai
to Johannesburg
» Stopovers available in Singapore, Bangkok, Bali, Kuala Lumpur,
Colombo and the Maldives
Etihad
» B
risbane/Sydney/Melbourne/Perth via Abu Dhabi to Johannesburg
» Stopovers available in Seychelles and Dubai
Cathay Pacific
» Cairns/Brisbane/Melbourne/Sydney/Adelaide/Perth via Hong Kong
to Johannesburg
Qatar Airways
» Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide or Perth via Doha to Johannesburg
22
$2500+
$4500+
$7000+
$2300– $2499
$4000 – $4499
$6000 – $6999
$2000 – $2299
$3500 – $3999
$5500– $5999
$1800 – $1999
$3000 – $3499
$5000 – $5499
$1500 – $1799
$2500 – $2999
$4500 – $4999
$0 – $1499
$0 – $2499
$0 – $4999
ECONOMY
PREMIUM ECONOMY
BUSINESS CLASS
HIGH
CHEAPEST
$
$
LOW
Jan
Feb
Mar
AUTUMN
Apr
May
WINTER
Jun
Jul
Aug
SPRING
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
SUMMER
Airfare Guide
23
London
Frankfurt
Munich
TO NEW YORK
TO WASHINGTON DC
Abu Dhabi
Hong Kong
ROUTE MAP
Dakar
South African
Airways
Abidjan
24
Entebbe
Nairobi
Brazzaville
Kinshasa
Pointe-Noire
Pemba
Dar es Salaam
Luanda
Lubumbashi
Ndola
Lusaka
TO NEW YORK
Windhoek
Nampula
Antananarivo
Mauritius
Vilankulos
Nelspruit Polokwane
Phalaborwa
Gaborone
Hoedspruit
Pilanesberg
Skukuza
Johannesburg
Maputo
Sishen
Kimberley
Upington
Richards Bay
Bloemfontein
Pietermaritzburg
Maseru
Durban
Manzini
Umtata
East London
Cape Town
Port Elizabeth
George
Walvis Bay
TO SAO PAULO
Lilongwe
Blantyre
Tete
Livingstone
Harare
Kasane
Victoria Falls
Beira
Maun
Bulawayo
TO BRISBANE, SYDNEY,
MELBOURNE & ADELAIDE
Perth
Ade
TO AUCKLAND
& CHRISTCHURCH
MAP KEY
The 10-hour flying time between Perth and Johannesburg means
you get a good rest onboard the aircraft before arriving early into
Johannesburg, in time to make any of your connecting flights or lodge
transfers. Business Class passengers from Australia make use of the
lounges at domestic Australian airports and at the Perth International
terminal. Upon arriving in South Africa, Business Class passengers
can make use of the SAA Arrivals Lounge at Johannesburg’s or Tambo
International Airport.
Douala
Libreville
Voted as the ‘Best Airline, Africa’ in the 2015
Skytrax Airline Awards for the 13th consecutive year,
South African Airways is Africa’s premier airline.
Servicing 38 destinations worldwide across 27 countries, SAA provides
a global service from Australia through Africa. As a Star Alliance
member, SAA extends its network to offer you access to more than
1,300 destinations worldwide. SAA has daily services from Perth
to Johannesburg (with direct daily services from Sydney, Melbourne,
Brisbane and Adelaide to Perth with codeshare partner Virgin
Australia) and on to 28 destinations within Africa. Together with its
South African-based partner airlines, SA Express and SA Airlink, SAA
provide services to a total of 63 destinations within Africa, offering the
widest route network in Africa from Australia.
Lagos
Accra Cotonou
Code share (Virgin Australia)
SA Express
Code share (Air New Zealand)
SA Airlink
Airfare Guide
25
SEASONAL GUIDE TO
Phuket
Phuket is one of the most popular beach holiday
destinations in Asia and there are no shortage
of airlines that service this route from Australia.
Two airlines currently offer a direct service from
Australia to Phuket; Virgin Australia from Perth
(until February 1, 2016) and Jetstar from Sydney
and Melbourne.
Aside from the direct options, there are any number of connections
available from different cities in Asia, which do not generally add
too much time to the journey. Below is a selection of some our most
popular ways to get to Phuket and the stopover options offered by
those carriers.
Qantas
» Perth/Melbourne/Sydney/Brisbane to Singapore and from
Singapore to Phuket (code sharing on Jetstar Asia)
» Stopovers also available in Bangkok and Hong Kong
Singapore Airlines
» Perth/Darwin/Adelaide/Melbourne/Sydney/Brisbane/Cairns via
Singapore to Phuket (utilising Silk Air from Singapore to Phuket
and between Darwin/Cairns and Singapore)
Thai Airways
Phuket, Thailand
Historically, Flight Centre’s preferred full-service airlines that operate
this route directly rarely fall into this price bracket. Preferred lowcost airlines can achieve this price point more frequently.
This is a fantastic price.
booking classes, there may not be a heavily discounted sale or travel
could be during a shoulder season.
available and the price is high, consider adding a stopover, which
could reduce the fare.
heavily booked and travel is during a high-demand period. Ensure
all ticket options have been investigated, including any low-cost
carrier offerings.
There could be something cheaper. The specific dates chosen are
very heavily booked and travel is during a peak period. With a bit of
flexibility, there could be something substantially cheaper. A stopover
in Asia en route could reduce the fare.
Dry season
Wet season
November to February
As a tropical island close to the equator, the weather in Phuket is warm
and humid all year round. While there is little change in temperature,
the biggest difference is in regards to rain. The dry season is when
precipitation is at its lowest. Rain is still common, albeit in short
downpours that quickly clear. Although the dry season is considered to
be the best time to go to Phuket, it is also the most expensive. The tourist
high season causes equally high accommodation rates and airfare prices.
Hot season
July to October
While rain in Phuket is common throughout the year, it falls at its
heaviest from May to October. Granted, the wet season isn’t an ideal
time if you’re looking to enjoy an outdoor holiday, but with heavy, yet
short bursts of rainfall, you can get away with some damp moments
before the sun shines again. Not only are temperatures and humidity
a lot more bearable, this period is considered Phuket’s low season,
so if you’re looking for a budget break, it’s worth risking the rain.
March to June
Even though it’s technically not that much hotter than the other seasons
in regards to temperature, the humidity during this time is sky high.
For all its balmy weather, the days are ideally sunny and made for
swimming, snorkelling and diving, though you will need to have
the air-conditioning on at all other times. As the temperatures rise,
accommodation prices drop, so if you don’t mind a bit of tropical
weather this can be a great time to visit Phuket on a budget. An added
bonus is fewer crowds resulting in a more peaceful atmosphere. Enjoy
time out on the beautiful beaches but be sure to slip, slop, slap and don’t
forget to cover up when you visit temples or wats. April is considered
the hottest time of the year but is also the month of the vibrant
Songkran Festival, celebrating the Thai New Year.
» Perth/Melbourne/Sydney/Brisbane via Bangkok to Phuket
Air Asia
» Perth/Melbourne/Sydney/Gold Coast via Kuala Lumpur to Phuket
$4500+
» Stopovers not available – travellers must book separate tickets
$1100 – $1299
$4000 – $4499
Scoot
$900 – $1099
$3500 – $3999
$800 – $899
$3000 – $3499
$600– $799
$2500 – $2999
$0 – $599
$0 – $2499
for a stopover
» Perth/Melbourne/Sydney/Gold Coast via Singapore to Phuket
(using Tigerair from Singapore to Phuket)
» Stopovers not available – travellers must book separate tickets
for a stopover
Malaysia Airlines
» Perth/Melbourne/Darwin/Sydney/Adelaide via Kuala Lumpur
to Phuket
26
$1300+
HIGH
CHEAPEST
$
$
LOW
ECONOMY
BUSINESS CLASS
Jan
Feb
Mar
HOT
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
WET
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
DRY
Airfare Guide
27
Sapporo
Seoul
Busan
Xian
Chengdu
Shanghai
Hangzhou
Chongqing
Ningbo
Kathmandu
Guilin
Kunming
Guangzhou
Nanning Macau
Hanoi
Dhaka
Kolkata
Jeddah
Hyderabad
Visakhapatnam
Goa
Bangalore
Chennai
Kochi
Tiruchirappalli
Colombo
Male
Tokyo
Osaka
Chiang Mai
Yangon
Taipei
Shenzhen
Hong Kong Kaohsiung
Vientiane
Danang
Bangkok
Manila
Siem Reap
Pattaya
Phnom Penh
Kalibo (Boracay)
Ho Chi Minh City
Cebu
Surat Thani
Koh Samui
Phuket Krabi
Hat Yai Kota Bharu
Langkawi
Kota Kinabalu
Banda Aceh Penang
Kuala Terengganu
Bandar Seri Begawan
Ipoh
Medan
Miri
Kuala Lumpur Johor Bahru
Singapore
Kuching
Pekanbaru
Padang
Pontianak Balikpapan
Palembang
Makassar
Semarang
Jakarta
Bandung
Surabaya
Yogyakarta Solo
Lombok
Denpasar
Darwin
Gold Coast
Perth
Sydney
Melbourne
Scootbiz
Shenyang
ROUTE MAPS
Tianjin
Low-cost carriers open up the world for those travelling
on a budget. Get from A to B at a fraction of the cost
while still enjoying a comfortable flying experience.
While your low-cost fare will typically only cover your seat onboard,
you have the option of purchasing additional creature comforts, such as
food or headphones as needed, or skip them altogether if you’d prefer
to save your spending money for your destination.
On the following page are the route networks of our most popular
budget airlines flying from Australia, namely AirAsia and Scoot.
These carriers represent excellent value and make travel affordable
for everyone. When choosing to fly with a low-cost carrier (or budget
airline), it’s important to know that when you see the base fare
advertised, you’re only buying the flying.
All the optional extras that would otherwise be included in a full-service
airline must be purchased as an ancillary product. This keeps the
cost of the fares down and gives you the opportunity to select the best
product to suit your needs.
While many people think because a budget airline has low fares the
product is of a lower standard, this is most definitely not always the
case. Some of these carriers have recently invested heavily in their
fleets, ensuring comfort is paramount for all passengers.
Jetstar operates an extensive international network, flying to Phuket,
Bali, Tokyo and Hawaii, using state-of-the-art wide-body aircraft –
28
Boeing 787 Dreamliners, which all have seatback entertainment and
comfortable leather seating. You can choose to add extras such as
baggage, seat selection and meals at your own discretion.
Jetstar also has a comfortable business class seat available to make
those longer hops substantially more comfortable. You can also opt to
add a plus bundle to your Jetstar fares, which allows you to earn Qantas
Frequent Flyer points.
Scoot, which is a subsidiary of Singapore Airlines, operates their entire
fleet using brand-new Boeing 787 Dreamliners. There is also the option
to fly in ScootBiz, which is a great way to experience the front end of
the plane for a lot less than a traditional airline. You can also choose to
have baggage and/or meals included in your ticket price.
Osaka
Nanjing
Shanghai
Hangzhou
Ningbo
Guangzhou
Dhaka
Mandalay
Jeddah
Hyderabad
Goa
Bangalore
Kochi
Chennai
Tiruchirappalli
Hanoi
Chiang Mai
Yangon
Bangkok
Phnom Penh
Macau
Code share
Shenzhen
Hong Kong Kaohsiung
Danang
Clark Manila
Kalibo (Boracay)
Cebu
Ho Chi Minh City
Phuket
Male
Virgin Australia
Haikou
Siem Reap
Koh Samui
Krabi
Hat Yai
Penang
Ipoh
Medan
Kuala Lumpur
Singapore
Pekanbaru
Scoot
Taipei
Davao City
Kota Kinabalu
Bandar Seri Begawan
Kuching
Manado
Balikpapan
Palembang
Makassar
Semarang
Jakarta
Bandung
Surabaya
Yogyakarta
Lombok
Denpasar
AirAsia is the only low-cost carrier in Asia with a Premium Flat Bed
in their business class cabin on their wide-body aircraft. You’ll find you
can sometimes score a deal to Asia in AirAsia’s business class for the
price of some traditional airlines’ economy class seats. This flat bed was
voted the world’s best low-cost airline premium class seat in the 2014
Skytrax awards.
Our Airfare Experts will be able to recommend the best product to suit
your travel needs, which may even be a combination of traditional and
low-cost carriers.
Tokyo
MAP KEY
Low-Cost Carriers
Seoul
Qingdao
Xian
Cairns
Uluru
(Ayers Rock)
Sunshine Coast
Brisbane
Gold Coast
Perth
Sydney
Canberra
Adelaide
Melbourne
Hobart
Launceston
Airfare Guide
29
Are you a frequent flyer?
Earn points with every flight and maximise
your chance of receiving discounts, upgrades
or complimentary lounge passes. We take a look
at the most popular frequent flyer programs.
Frequent flyer alliances
Qantas vs Velocity
Not yet a member of either of these amazing frequent flyer programs?
Unsure which program will suit your travel requirements better?
Most frequent travellers will already have both Qantas and Virgin
memberships as a large number of organisations enforce a ‘fare of the
day’ policy that requires staff to take the cheapest fare available.
The first frequent flyer program was created for United Airlines in 1972
and members would receive plaques and promotional collateral instead
of being awarded ‘miles’. In the early 1980s, Delta and American
Airlines launched their own loyalty schemes and began tracking actual
mileage flown, setting the stage for the ability to earn and redeem
frequent flyer miles for travel and other products.
While we’re unable to go through all the major details in this guide,
we will cover some of the most important benefits and unique features
of each program as well as offer tips on the best ways to use your
frequent flyer points.
Almost every airline now offers their own loyalty scheme. These frequent
flyer programs incentivise loyal member with special benefits once
certain tiers are reached, which are usually only achieved through flying.
Most airlines have partnerships with other industries to broaden the
ways miles can be accrued – it’s now possible to earn points on
almost everything.
There are two main goals in any frequent flyer program; one is to earn
enough points or miles to redeem for free, discounted or upgraded
travel. The second goal is to progress through the tiers to unlock
all the extra benefits being a higher tier frequent flyer affords you.
Earning points and status credits
Platinum – 1,400 credits Platinum – 1,000 credits
Platinum One – 3,600 credits
Assume that you have 150,000 points with each program and you
would like to redeem your points for a return ticket to Los Angeles,
leaving from Brisbane.
services agreements;
Lower prices due to lowered operational costs for a given route;
More departure times to choose from on a given route;
Velocity’s Economy Reward Seat would set you back 94,000 points and
you would need to pay approximately $155 in taxes – or use 117,900
points and pay no taxes.
More destinations within easy reach;
Shorter travel times as a result of optimised transfers;
A wider range of airport lounges shared with alliance members;
The Qantas Classic Award Seat would set you back 96,000 points
and you would need to pay approximately $621 in taxes.
aster mileage rewards by earning miles on several different carriers
F
for a single account; and
Gold – 700 credits Gold – 500 credits
Both programs offer different point redemption options for travel.
Generally, this is usually a standard reward seat and also the ability
to use your points towards payment of any available fare. For the
purpose of this exercise, we will be focusing on the utilisation
of classic awards.
» An extended network through code share or joint
30
Silver – 300 credits Silver – 250 credits
Using points
Frequent flyer alliances are a great way for airlines to cooperate on
a substantial level to provide value to passengers. Such benefits may
include but are not limited to:
for a relatively low price.
Bronze – Entry level Red – Entry level
Top tip: Virgin’s Family Pooling program allows you to amass the points
and status credits of your family members to your membership to help
you achieve the higher tiers much faster.
While not a member of any of these major alliances, Virgin Australia
has created their own program, Velocity, which partners with Singapore
Airlines, South African Airways and Air New Zealand, Delta and
Air Berlin.
» Round-the-world tickets, enabling travellers to fly all over the world
Qantas
Virgin
Both airlines have comprehensive information on their websites
detailing how you can earn points by flying with each airline and their
partners. Here are the full specifics of each program; our Experts will
be able to tell you the precise details of the airfare you’re purchasing.
Most carriers also partner with other airlines to form reciprocal
agreements known as frequent flyer alliances. The three major airline
alliances are oneworld, Star Alliance (currently the world’s largest
alliance) and SkyTeam.
»
»
»
»
»
»
In order to progress through the tiers, both Qantas and Virgin programs
require you earn ‘status credits’, which can only be earned through flying
with the airline or one of its partners. Status credits are generally valid
during a given 12-month membership period, you will progress from
the airline’s entry-level membership tier to its top tier. There may also
be a minimum number of the sectors that each airline operates in
which you are required to fly in order to progress. These are the status
credits required to achieve each status tier.
*NOT ALL CARRIERS IN EACH PROGRAM ARE SHOWN
Velocity’s reward seat would cost 33,800 points, and $56 in taxes,
or 42,600 points and pay no taxes.
Qantas’ Classic Economy Reward would cost 36,000 points, and $82
in taxes – or 46,200 points and pay no taxes.
It’s important to note the variance in taxes. While Velocity does not add
a fuel surcharge to its frequent flyer redemption bookings, Qantas does.
It’s also worth noting that you can use frequent flyer points to pay for
the taxes on Velocity’s Economy Reward Seat whereas the facility to
redeem points and pay for the taxes on International Classic Awards
seats does not exist.
Upgrade awards
The crown jewel of flying – using those hard-earned points you’ve
accumulated for a comfortable lie-flat seat towards the front of the
plane. If you’re wanting to use frequent flyer points to upgrade your
long-haul international ticket from economy to business, there are some
key points to note:
If you’re a Velocity Frequent Flyer, unless you’re a Gold or Platinum
frequent flyer you will not be able to use your points to upgrade.
It’s also worth noting the fare must be booked as a ‘Flexi Fare’ booked
in Y, B, H, K or L class. The flight must also be a Virgin Australiaoperated flight marketed using a Virgin Australia (VA) flight number,
and ticketed through Virgin Australia.
If you’re a Qantas frequent flyer, you must be flying on a
Qantas-operated aircraft marketed under a Qantas flight number (QF).
Also, when travelling internationally on a long-haul flight, sale fares
(i.e. any fare booked in N, O, Q or E class) are not eligible for upgrade.
Provided you have booked an eligible fare and you meet the above
requirements, the upgrade procedure is as follows:
Velocity – Book an eligible ‘Flexi’ ticket and then call the Velocity
contact centre to request an upgrade. If there are seats available, your
upgrade will be confirmed on the spot. It’s a good idea to call first and
make sure there are seats available on the day you would like to fly
before you book your ticket.
Qantas – Book an eligible fare and then request an upgrade; either
via the frequent flyer portal or online. Your flight upgrade will only be
confirmed up to a week before departure, depending on your Qantas
frequent flyer tier.
If you were looking at a short domestic flight, let’s look at an example
for return travel from Sydney to Cairns.
Airfare Guide
31
SEASONAL GUIDE TO
London & UK
London, UK
Summer
There is no shortage of airlines offering the
24 hour-plus journey from Australia to the
United Kingdom. Here are some of the airlines that
fly to London and other UK cities with the smallest
number of stops.
» via Singapore Singapore Airlines flies to London
Airlines that fly to the UK with one stop
» Air France/KLM fly to all major UK cities via Singapore,
» via Taipei China Airlines flies to London
» Delta flies to London and Manchester via Los Angeles and Detroit,
Autumn
» via Vancouver Air Canada flies to London
Airlines that fly to the UK with two or more stops
Bali, Guangzhou, Tokyo, Beijing and Paris or Amsterdam
and Manchester
» v ia Bangkok Thai Airways flies to London
» via Beijing Air China flies to London
» via Doha Qatar flies into London, Manchester, Birmingham
Hong Kong or Shanghai
Atlanta, New York, Boston or Minneapolis
and Edinburgh
» Emirates/Qantas fly to all major UK cities via Singapore,
Dublin, Manchester, Glasgow, Newcastle and Birmingham
» Finnair flies to London and Manchester via Singapore, Bangkok,
Hong Kong, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Tokyo, Bali or Manila
» via Dubai Emirates/Qantas fly into London (Heathrow and Gatwick),
»
»
»
»
»
»
»
»
»
» Air New Zealand flies to London via Auckland and Los Angeles,
Summer in London is a fun time when locals are out in force to soak
up as much sunshine as they can. Picnics in parks are popular and
historic pubs overflow with punters keen to make the most of the
warmer weather. Your summer wardrobe is fine for the day, though
you’ll likely need a jacket after the sun sets as temperatures can still
drop to single digits. In June, don’t miss all the Pimms action (and
tennis!) at Wimbledon. In August, London’s biggest street party,
the Notting Hill Carnival, is also a must-do.
» via Tokyo Japan Airlines flies to London
» via Abu Dhabi Etihad/Virgin fly into London, Dublin, Edinburgh
Hong Kong, or Tokyo and Helsinki
via Guangzhou China Southern flies to London
» Garuda Indonesia flies to all major UK cities via Bali,
via Hong Kong Cathay Pacific flies to London
Jakarta and Amsterdam
via Johannesburg South African Airways flies to London
» Lufthansa and Swiss fly to all major UK cities via Bangkok,
via Kuala Lumpur Malaysia Airlines flies to London
Johannesburg, Dubai, San Francisco, Dallas, Seoul, Hong Kong
or Singapore and Zurich, Munich or Frankfurt
via Manila Philippine Airlines flies to London
via Mauritius Air Mauritius flies to London
» Royal Brunei flies to London via Brunei and Dubai
via Seoul Korean Airlines flies to London
» United Airlines flies to London, Manchester, Edinburgh, Belfast,
via Shanghai China Eastern flies to London
Glasgow and Newcastle via Los Angeles or San Francisco
and Houston, Chicago, Denver, Washington or New York
via Singapore British Airways flies to London
HIGH
$
LOW
Jan
Feb
Mar
SPRING
32
Apr
May
Jun
SUMMER
Jul
Aug
Sep
AUTUMN
Oct
Nov
Dec
WINTER
Autumn is the perfect time for seeing London’s parks in all their glory
as the leaves change to hues of crimson and tangerine. Though the
change in temperature brings cooler, brisk days, join the locals and
get into the spirit of Halloween by donning costumes on October 31.
There’s also Bonfire Night in early November and the London Film
Festival hits the city in October. Be sure to pack a number of layers
and a warm coat to cater for the cool evenings.
Winter
You haven’t experienced winter until you experience winter in London.
The chilly season rarely reaches double-digit temperatures with snow
and frost common occurrences, although the snow rarely settles.
During this time, Londoners stay warm by drinking at the pub,
hibernating indoors and enjoying the Christmas cheer. When deciding
what to pack, the key is layers from thermals to jumpers, coats, hats,
boots and gloves. Just remember most indoor venues are heated
so a warm coat that can be easily removed is ideal.
Spring
CHEAPEST
$
June to August
This price is super low and should be considered for purchase
immediately. Often there is two stops required and may involve
a Low Cost Carrier for a portion of the flight and represents
great value.
This is a fantastic price with most airfares falling into this bracket.
Discounted seats at this price bracket don’t last long.
available and the price is deemed high, consider adding a stopover,
which could reduce the fare.
explanation of pricing should be offered. A stopover in Asia will
reduce the airfare and also assist with jetlag.
There could be something cheaper. With a bit of flexibility, there are
any number of stopovers to decrease the airfare price. There are also
a number of round-the-world journeys that begin at this price point,
which could be an excellent way to see more for less.
$3000+
$5000+
$10,000+
$2300 – $2999
$4500 – $4999
$8000 – $9999
$1900 – $2299
$4000 – $4499
$7000 – $7999
$1750 – $1899
$3500 – $3999
$6000 – $6999
$1500 – $1749
$3000 – $3499
$5000 – $5999
$0 – $1499
$0 – $2999
$0 – $4999
March to May
London comes into bloom in March with the beginning of spring and
welcomed warmer weather. Festivals come to life, such as the popular
Chelsea Flower Show, with locals, travellers and green thumbs out in
force to view spring in London at its very best. Outdoor furniture starts
to appear in cafes and pubs and Londoner’s are starting to escape
to the outdoors and shake off their winter cabin fever. Average high
temperatures throughout this time range between 11 and 17 degrees
Celsius, although the evenings are still quite cool. Don’t miss the
traditional Head of the River race in March, the FA Cup final, London
Coffee Festival and take time for a stroll through the many parks
and gardens…to simply smell the roses.
ECONOMY
PREMIUM ECONOMY
Airfare Guide
BUSINESS CLASS
33
MAP KEY
Qantas
TO ANCHORAGE
Qantas Seasonal
Edmonton
Harbin
Emirates
Kelowna
Vancouver
Victoria
Urumqi
Shenyang
Codeshare Routes
Saskatoon
Calgary
Seattle
Regina
Beijing
Dalian
Jetstar
Portland
Seoul
Qingdao
Xianyang
Xian
Eugene
Winnipeg
Redmond
Halifax
Nanjing
Fuzhou
Kunming
Xiamen
Minneapolis
Reno
Sacramento
San Francisco
San Jose
Taipei
Guangzhou
Shantou
Hong Kong
Chiang Rai
Fresno
Monterey
Indianapolis
Kansas City
Las Vegas
Siem Reap
Phnom Penh
Ho Chi Minh City
Koh Samui
Krabi
San Diego
Phoenix
Tucson
TO NADI
Tulsa
Albuquerque
TO PAPEETE
Charlotte
Memphis
Dallas
Austin
Jacksonville
Houston
Lihue
Ho‘olehua
Honolulu
Kahului
Kapalua Lana‘i
Hilo
Kona
Dili
Denpasar
Darwin
New Orleans
Tampa
Chiang Rai
San Jose del Cabo
TO GOLD COAST
TO BRISBANE
TO SYDNEY
Take a look at where Qantas can take you with their extensive
partner and codeshare network.
TO MELBOURNE
TO PERTH
As an oneworld member, Qantas recognises the impact
delays and missed connections can have on your travel plans.
That’s why they are part of oneworld Global Support
– monitoring flights 24/7, if you miss your connecting flight,
the team and will provide you with updated travel information,
a new boarding pass and, where applicable, assistance with
overnight accommodation.
Cancun
Mexico City
Helsinki
Stockholm
St Petersburg
Moscow
Copenhagen
Newcastle
Hamburg
Dublin
Manchester
Birmingham
Amsterdam
Warsaw
Dusseldorf
London
BrusselsFrankfurt Prague
Paris
Munich
Vienna
Zurich
Geneva
Lyon
Milan
Nice
Rome
Barcelona
Istanbul
Madrid
Glasgow
Vancouver
New York
Athens
Tokyo
Osaka
Beirut
Amman
Cairo
Jeddah
Dubai
Muscat
Shantou
Guangzhou
Hong Kong
Mumbai
Yangon
Khartoum
Addis Ababa
Colombo
Phuket
Medan
Accra
Narita
Los Angeles
Shanghai
Hangzhou
Delhi
Dammam
Bahrain
Riyadh
San Francisco
Dallas/Forth Worth
Taipei
Honolulu
Haikou
Bangkok
Siem Reap
Phnom Penh
Ho Chi Minh City
Manila
Penang
Kuala Lumpur
Singapore
Nairobi
Seychelles
Jakarta
Surabaya
Denpasar
Port Moresby
Darwin
Broome
Port Hedland
Karratha Newman
Mount Isa
Lima
Luganville
Port Vila
Cairns
Townsville
Hamilton Island
Alice Springs
Nadi
Noumea
Papeete
Antofagasta
Rio de Janeiro
Sao Paulo
Johannesburg
Perth
Brisbane
Gold Coast
Coffs Harbour
Kalgoorlie
Adelaide
La Serena
Santiago
Sydney
Canberra
Auckland
Melbourne
Wellington
Christchurch
Queenstown
34
Guadalajara
Anchorage
Oslo
Qantas operates direct and seasonal services to
North America, South America and Asia on board the flagship
A380, reconfigured 747s and A330 aircraft.
Together with Emirates, Qantas offers ‘one stop’ access to
destinations across Europe, the Middle East and North Africa
offering the largest shared A380 network, exceptional lounges
here and abroad and award-winning service.
Orlando
West Palm Beach
Ft. Lauderdale
Miami
Monterrey
Puerto Vallarta
Celebrating 95 years, Qantas is Australia’s
national carrier and largest domestic and
international airline with a reputation for
excellence in safety, operational reliability,
customer service and an award winning
Frequent Flyer program.
Norfolk
Raleigh/Durham
Fayetteville
Atlanta
El Paso
San Antonio
Qantas
New York
Philadelphia
Baltimore
Washington DC
Columbus
Nashville
Oklahoma City
Kuala Lumpur
Singapore
ROUTE MAP
Boston
Hartford
Cincinnati
Charleston
Louisville
Richmond
Lexington
St. Louis
Los Angeles
Danang
Bangkok
Omaha
Denver
Toronto
Milwaukee Grand Rapids
Madison
Detroit
Chicago
Des Moines
Cleveland
Pittsburgh
Salt Lake City
Haikou
Chiang Mai
Montreal
Ottawa
Shanghai
Chengdu
Phuket
Tokyo
Dunedin
Airfare Guide
35
ROUTE MAP
Virgin
Australia &
partner airlines
Now Australia’s second largest airline, and in
conjunction with its partners, flies to numerous
destinations across North America, New Zealand,
Asia, Europe and Africa.
In partnership with Delta Airlines, Virgin Australia operates
21 flights per week between Australia and Los Angeles.
From 50 destinations across Australia and New Zealand,
Virgin Australia services over 185 airports throughout the United
States, Canada and Mexico. Both airlines’ international services
are operated by Boeing 777 wide-body aircraft.
In partnership with Etihad Airways, Virgin Australia provides
28 flights per week from Australia to Abu Dhabi, connecting to over
60 international destinations in Europe, the Middle East, Africa
and Asia.
In partnership with Air New Zealand, Virgin Australia schedules over
200 flights per week from more than 35 destinations in Australia to
25-plus destinations in New Zealand. Virgin Australia’s international
services are operated by Boeing 737s, while Air New Zealand uses
a combination of Boeing 777 and Airbus A320 aircraft.
Moscow
Edinburgh
Dublin
Copenhagen
Minsk
Manchester
Amsterdam
Dusseldorf
Frankfurt
Munich
Zurich
Geneva
Belgrade
Milan
London
Brussels
Paris
Rome
Barcelona
Madrid
Lagos
Cape Town
Vancouver
Seattle Spokane Kalispell
Missoula
Portland
Jackson Hole
Boise
Almaty
Istanbul
Athens
Casablanca
Astana
Yerevan
Salt Lake City
Beijing
Seoul
Tokyo
Nagoya Narita
Erbil
Tehran
Haneda
Osaka
Larnaca
Peshawar
Fukuoka
Islamabad
Baghdad
Beirut
Shanghai
Lahore
Wuhan
Amman Basrah
Chengdu
Cairo
Chongqing
Kuwait
Delhi
Kathmandu
Changsha
Jaipur
Dammam
Bahrain
Kunming
Dubai
Xiamen Taipei
Karachi
Guangzhou
Abu Dhabi
Medina Riyadh Doha
Dhaka
Shenzhen
Ahmedabad Kolkata
Al Ain Muscat
Hong Kong
Mandalay Hanoi
Jeddah
Mumbai
Chiang Mai
Visakhapatnam Yangon
Hyderabad
Sana’a
Danang
Bangkok
Manila
Khartoum
Bangalore
Siem Reap
Chennai
Calicut
Phnom Penh
Coimbatore
Ho Chi Minh City
Kochi
Cebu
Koh
Samui
Thiruvananthapuram
Phuket
Colombo
Davao
Langkawi Penang
Kota Kinabalu
Medan
Bandar Seri Begawan
Male
Singapore Kuching
Manado
Pekanbaru
Balikpapan
Nairobi
Palembang
Ujung Pandang
Seychelles
Jakarta
Semarang
Bandung
Surabaya
Yogyakarta
Lombok
Port Moresby
Denpasar
Christmas Island
Darwin
Cocos Island
Kununurra
Cairns
Derby
Broome
Townsville
Whitsunday Coast Hamilton Island
Port Hedland
Mount Isa Cloncurry Mackay
Karratha
Rockhampton
Alice Moranbah
Newman
Gladstone
Paraburdoo
Springs Emerald
Bundaberg Fraser Coast
Uluru
Johannesburg
Sunshine Coast
(Ayers Rock)
Brisbane
Geraldton
Gold Coast
Kalgoorlie
Ballina/Byron Bay
Coffs Harbour
Perth
Tamworth
Port Macquarie
Ravensthorpe
Esperance
Newcastle
Mildura
Albany
Sydney
Adelaide
Albury
Canberra
Melbourne
Hobart
36
Kauai
Honolulu
Los Cabos
Puerto Vallarta
Maui
Kona
Detroit
Boston
Chicago
New York
Columbus
Pittsburgh
Indianapolis Cincinnati Washington DC
Kansas City
Lexington
Nashville Raleigh/Durham
Tulsa
Memphis Chattanooga
Atlanta
Dallas
Austin
San Antonio
New Orleans
Orlando
Tampa
Miami
Leon
Guadalajara
Cancun
Apia
Port Vila
Nadi
Nuku’ Alofa
Rarotonga
Whangarei
Auckland
Rotorua
Wellington
Launceston
Christchurch
Queenstown
MAP KEY
In partnership with Singapore Airlines, Virgin Australia connects
to 50 destinations on the Virgin Australia network to the
Singapore Airlines and SilkAir networks, providing access to over
85 international destinations. Guests benefit from an integrated
network offering access to destinations throughout Asia, Europe
and Africa.
Here is the combined network of Virgin Australia and its code share
partners to help you plan your next holiday.
Sacramento
San Francisco Oakland
San Jose
Fresno
Las Vegas
Los Angeles
Phoenix
Long Beach
San Diego
Minneapolis
Dunedin
Virgin Australia
Delta Airlines
Hawaiian Airlines
Virgin Samoa
Etihad Airways
Air New Zealand
Singapore Airlines
Virgin America
Airfare Guide
37
ROUTE MAP
Cathay Pacific
Flying to 190 destinations worldwide, award-winning
airline Cathay Pacific is your gateway to Asia and
beyond. The Hong Kong-based carrier operates
services from Adelaide, Brisbane, Cairns, Melbourne,
Perth and Sydney with routes to the UK and Europe
via Hong Kong and offers some great add-on fares.
TO BOSTON,
CHICAGO,
LOS ANGELES,
NEW YORK,
SAN FRANCISCO
& TORONTO
TO NEW YORK
Manchester
London
Paris
Amsterdam
Dusseldorf
Frankfurt
Vancouver
Ulaanbataar
Zurich
Milan
Urumqi
Sapporo
Rome
Beijing
Dalian
Fukuoka
Shanghai
Wuhan
Toronto
Boston
New York FROM LONDON
San Francisco
Seoul
Osaka
Xian
Chicago
Tokyo
Nagoya
FROM ROME
Los Angeles
Delhi
Bahrain
Doha
Riyadh
Add-on fares
Kunming
Dubai
Guangzhou
Taipei
Hong Kong
Haikou
Mumbai
Hyderabad
Cathay Pacific, one of the world’s leading full-service airlines, has
developed a range of add-on fares to capture a new market and widen
their already extensive travel network.
Chennai
Manila
Bangkok
Ho Chi Minh City
Cebu
Colombo
Male
Joining forces with their oneworld partners and affiliate carriers, Cathay
Pacific’s add-on fares allow you to travel almost anywhere
in the world, without having to book a whole new flight.
Kuala Lumpur
Singapore
Jakarta
Surabaya
Denpasar
How do they work?
To access these add-on fares, you must book a one-way or return ticket
with Cathay Pacific. You’ll then have the option to book an add-on fare
in Economy, Premium Economy or Business Class in the following
travel regions:
Cairns
Johannesburg
Brisbane
Perth
Adelaide
» From Hong Kong to Greater China
Melbourne
Santiago
Sydney
Buenos Aires
Auckland
» Within North America
» Between North America and South America
London – East Coast America
» Between North America and Europe
Chicago, New York, Boston, Toronto,Vancouver
$
*
or vice versa
one-way from 694
» Within Europe
ADD-ON EXAMPLES
The benefits of add-on fares
One of the great things about Cathay Pacific is that the airline permits
an incredible amount of flexibility in combining fares and creating
unique itineraries. These add-on fares follow a similar concept as
‘open-jaw’ itineraries.
Saving more means you can do more once you arrive to your destination.
In order to connect the dots, you just need to pick which add-on fares
suit you. The Cathay Pacific map highlights your options for flights
and add-on fares to your choice of destinations around the world.
MAP KEY
Put simply, an open-jaw ticket allows you to fly into point A and out of
point B and save money with a competitive combined rate, as opposed
to booking two individual one-way fares.
Cathay Pacific
Cathay Pacific add-ons
London – West Coast America
Los Angeles, San Francisco or vice versa
South America via New York
Santiago, Buenos Aires or vice versa
one-way from
$
794*
$
899*
Shanghai or Beijing
Guangzhou, Dalian, Haikou, Kunming, Ulaanbataar,
$
*
Urumqi, Wuhan or Xian or vice versa
one-way from 249
New York – Rome
Vice versa
*
one-way from
one-way from
687*
$
Valid year round, subject to availability
Talk to our Experts for more details about how a Cathay Pacific add-on
fare can help create your dream holiday.
38
Airfare Guide
39
New York, USA
Machu Picchu, Peru
Round the World
If you want to pack more into your next holiday,
consider a round-the-world fare, which allows you to
visit multiple destinations on one low airfare, making
your dream getaway last even longer. Whether you
want to explore the beautiful cities of Europe or
journey right across the world, our multi-stop airfares
are just the ticket.
With a wide range of airfares crossing several time zones and borders,
round-the-world flights could literally take you around the world and
back. There’s no shortage of places to explore and these airfares make
for an incredibly affordable option.
40
There are essentially three different types of RTW itineraries,
each with their own perks:
Traditional Alliance Round-the-World Airfare
The first type of RTW itinerary is the traditional airline alliance
RTW airfare. This product is offered by each major airline alliance
such as oneworld, SkyTeam, and Star Alliance. Generally, these fares
are limited by either mileage (Star Alliance, SkyTeam, and oneworld)
or continents (oneworld) and permit up to 16 flights with the affiliated
airlines within the mileage limitation or geographic restriction.
Your round-the-world itinerary could see you stopping in Asia before
continuing on to Europe to explore multiple destinations like London,
Zurich and Vienna. Then it’s on to the USA to visit New York and
Los Angeles before returning home. Alternatively, you could add
Canada, New Zealand, South Africa or South America to
your adventure.
These traditional fares do represent excellent value when used to
their fullest, using the maximum number of flights and stopovers.
They also provide excellent flexibility for changes and cancellations,
with the ability to re-route the journey after it has commenced with
minimal charges. Certain alliances also offer the ability to upgrade
certain sectors to premium economy for those long-haul sectors.
An example of this type of fare is our RTW 5-Stop airfare deal from
Australia, which stops in Buenos Aires, Sao Paulo, Johannesburg,
Singapore and Bangkok.
Round-the-world (RTW) airfares offer great value for money, save you
from carrying a bundle of paperwork, and offer hundreds of options
across the globe. The detailed itineraries afford plenty of time to explore
your chosen destinations and generally boast 12 months’ validity.
While these traditional alliance RTW fares are fantastic for flexibility
and flight routing, in most instances the fares can be done significantly
cheaper via the following two methods – mini RTW airfares and
constructional RTW airfares.
London, UK
Mini Round-the-World Airfare
These are the most common RTW itineraries in-store and are promoted
online as 3-, 4-, or 5-stop round-the-world airfares. Originally pioneered
by the airlines to connect the dots between serviced destinations, these
RTW fares have evolved into a variety of products, using different airline
alliances and even low-cost carriers.
These airfares are from Australia to Europe, and permit you to travel
via North or South America in either direction (dubbed the
‘Atlantic Pacific’ (AP) global indicator in the travel industry). These
complex fares are generally only available through a travel professional,
who is able to navigate the complex rules and deliver the best airfare for
you. RTW fares are not restricted to mileage or a particular geographic
region, and instead use a designated flight routing.
The most common mini RTW fares from Australia are provided
by Qantas, Air France-KLM, Cathay Pacific, Finnair and Lufthansa.
Each product has its own pros and cons in particular travel regions.
Generally, these fares are not as flexible as traditional RTW airfares
when it comes to date or flight routing changes, but they are
substantially cheaper and enable some incredibly diverse routings.
An example of this type of fare is our A Taste of Travel RTW 3-Stop
Airfare deal, which stops in Bangkok, Zurich and Los Angeles
from Australia.
Bangkok, Thailand
Constructional Round-the-World Airfare
The final RTW airfare option is the ‘constructional’ round-the-world
itinerary made for you. These itineraries are built using a
combination of two or more airfares to ‘construct’ your journey.
This style of RTW airfare may involve a selection of one-way fares
from each city in the itinerary to obtain the total price, or start with
a mini round-the-world itinerary, adding one-way fares to connect
the dots between points.
While these constructional RTW fares certainly have their place (allowing
travellers to go on a cruise between points, travel overland, or off the
beaten track), they can become troublesome when it comes to changes
or cancellations as you are no longer dealing with one airline and one
airfare, and therefore multiple penalties will apply when modifying your
entire journey.
However, this type of fare still provides substantially better value against
your traditional RTW itinerary.
Flight Centre has negotiated exclusive special rates with our preferred
partners to ensure we have the best fare to suit every traveller’s
requirements. A great example of this type of fare is our Safari,
Summits and Sea, RTW 5-Stop Airfare, with a RTW itinerary from
Australia to Cape Town, Johannesburg, Barcelona, Frankfurt and
Vancouver, finishing back in Australia.
Airfare Guide
41
Round
the World
Fly Qantas & Emirates
Explore more of the world with Qantas.
Qantas, in partnership with Emirates, enables some really unique flight
itineraries. While sale fares are sometimes available, the airfare is
essentially the same with certain flight restrictions. Here’s how you can
get the most out of your Qantas airfare to Europe with a mini round-theworld (RTW) fare.
The mini RTW Qantas fare allows you to fly to Europe via North or
South America, and then back to Australia via either Africa or the
Middle East and Asia. Below is a step-by-step guide on where you
can fly.
Via North America
Enroute to the US mainland, you are permitted a stopover in either Fiji,
Tahiti, or Hawaii before landing in Los Angeles. You are also allowed to
take a direct flight to Dallas, San Francisco or Vancouver.
Oslo
Glasgow
Newcastle
Dublin
Brussels
St Petersburg
Stockholm
Moscow
Copenhagen
Hamburg
Warsaw
Amsterdam
Dusseldorf
Brussels Frankfurt Prague
Paris
Vienna
Zurich Munich
Budapest
Geneva
Lyon Milan Venice
Bologna
Nice
Rome
Barcelona
Madrid
London
Lisbon
Vancouver
Seattle
Denver
Malta
Los Angeles
Larnaca
Dallas
Orlando
Miami
Honolulu
Hong Kong
Bangkok
Singapore
Darwin
Nadi
Cairns
Tahiti
Johannesburg
Brisbane
Perth
Santiago
Sydney
Canberra
Adelaide
From Australia, you are permitted to fly from Sydney to Santiago.
From Santiago, you would need to make your own way to Buenos Aires,
where you can then fly to London, with a stopover, or you can continue
to any Emirates destination within Europe:
Buenos Aires
Melbourne
Hobart
Coming home via Asia
MAP KEY
Qantas
Emirates
British Airways
Your own way
AIRFARE EXAMPLES
Amsterdam, Athens, Barcelona, Birmingham, Bologna, Brussels,
Budapest, Copenhagen, Dublin, Dusseldorf, Frankfurt, Geneva,
Glasgow, Hamburg, Larnaca (Cyprus), Lisbon, London, Lyon, Madrid,
Malta, Milan, Moscow, Munich, Newcastle, Nice, Oslo, Paris, Prague,
St Petersburg, Stockholm, Warsaw, Venice, Vienna or Zurich
Phoenix
Dubai
Via South America
42
Washington D.C.
Las Vegas
San Diego
Amsterdam, Athens, Barcelona, Birmingham, Bologna, Brussels,
Budapest, Copenhagen, Dublin, Dusseldorf, Frankfurt, Geneva,
Glasgow, Hamburg, Larnaca (Cyprus), Lisbon, London, Lyon, Madrid,
Malta, Milan, Moscow, Munich, Newcastle, Nice, Oslo, Paris, Prague,
St Petersburg, Stockholm, Venice, Vienna, Warsaw or Zurich,
Leaving from any Emirates destination in Europe, you can fly to London
and on to Johannesburg with British Airways. From Johannesburg, you
can fly to Sydney with onward domestic connections.
New York
Baltimore
St Louis
San Francisco
Athens
From North America, you can then connect with British Airways to
London, where you are permitted a stopover, or you can continue to
any Emirates destination within Europe such as:
Coming home via Africa
Boston
Chicago
Within North America, you can fly to your choice of city: Baltimore,
Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Las Vegas, Miami, Montreal,
New York, Orlando, Phoenix, Portland, San Diego, Seattle, St Louis,
Vancouver or Washington
Leaving from any Emirates destination in Europe (see above), you can
fly to Dubai and then directly home to Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne,
Perth or Sydney. A stopover is also permitted in either Bangkok,
Hong Kong or Singapore.
Montreal
Portland
Itinerary 1
from $
3299
*
Brisbane – Honolulu – Los Angeles
– New York – London – Rome – Dubai
– Singapore – Brisbane
Itinerary 2
3399
from $
Sydney – Hong Kong – Dubai – Barcelona
– London – Miami – Los Angeles – Sydney
Itinerary 3
3399
from $
*
Melbourne – Bangkok – Dubai
– London – New York – San Francisco
– Tahiti – Melbourne
*
Itinerary 4
3699
from $
*
Sydney – Johannesburg – London
– Las Vegas – Sydney
Airfare Guide
43
Round
the World
Fly Finnair
Explore more of the world with Finnair.
Starting from just $1999* including taxes
(New York, Helsinki, Bangkok)
Finnair, and its airline partners, have an extensive round-the-world
(RTW) offering from all major Australian cities. The Finnair RTW
airfare permits up to four free stopovers in each direction, and you
can make your own way between any of the cities.
1. Select one of 44 Europe destinations (See map. Note: You can
fly into one destination and out of another of your choice. Ask our
Travel Experts).
Via North America
Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, Cairns, Darwin, Hobart, Launceston,
Melbourne, Perth and Sydney are all priced at the same base fare.
You are permitted a free domestic flight with Qantas to Brisbane,
Melbourne or Sydney to connect with the international service.
From the Gold Coast or Alice Springs, there is an additional $100
(plus taxes) to the base fare.
Bergen
Oslo
Stockholm
Gothenburg
Copenhagen
Helsinki
St Petersburg
Talinn
Riga
Moscow
Hamburg
Manchester
Amsterdam
Berlin
Brussels
Warsaw
London
Dusseldorf
Brussels
Krakow
Prague
Paris Frankfurt
Vienna
Zurich Munich
Budapest
Geneva
Ljublana
Milan Venice
Split
Pisa
Nice
Dubrovnik
Rome
Barcelona
Naples
Madrid
Catania
Malaga
Crete Rhodes
Malta
Toronto
Chicago
Beijing
Xian
Dallas
Delhi
Miami
Fly to Dallas, Honolulu, Los Angeles, New York or San Francisco
with Qantas or American Airlines.
Hong Kong
Honolulu
Bangkok
From Honolulu, you can fly to Chicago, Dallas or Los Angeles.
From Los Angeles, fly to Boston, Chicago, Las Vegas, Miami, New York,
San Francisco Washington or Toronto with American Airlines.
Kuala Lumpur
From Dallas, you can fly to Las Vegas, San Francisco, Boston, Chicago,
Miami, New York, Washington or Toronto with American Airlines.
Singapore
Denpasar
Darwin
From Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Las Vegas, Miami, San Francisco,
Washington or Toronto, you are permitted a flight to New York.
Cairns
From Chicago, Miami, New York or Toronto, fly to Helsinki to connect
to your chosen European destination.
Brisbane
Perth
Via Asia
Adelaide
Hobart
Fly direct from Australia to Bali, Bangkok, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur,
Osaka, Shanghai, Singapore or Tokyo, with Qantas, Cathay Pacific,
Japan Airlines or Jetstar (from Perth or Adelaide, the carrier will be
Singapore Airlines). Direct flights are not available to all destinations
from all Australian cities.
Fly from Beijing, Bangkok, Chongqing, Delhi, Hong Kong, Osaka,
Nagoya, Seoul, Shanghai, Singapore, Tokyo or Xian to Helsinki to
connect to your chosen destination in Europe.
44
MAP KEY
Fly from Bali, Bangkok, Hong Kong or Kuala Lumpur to Singapore.
Fly from Tokyo to Nagoya, Osaka or Seoul.
Sydney
Canberra
Melbourne
Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, Cairns, Darwin, Hobart, Launceston,
Melbourne, Perth and Sydney are all priced at the same base fare with
a free domestic Qantas flight to Brisbane, Sydney or Melbourne to
connect with the international service. From the Gold Coast or Alice
Springs, there is an additional $100 (plus taxes) to the base fare.
Fly from Hong Kong to Beijing, Bangkok, Chongqing, Delhi, Shanghai,
Singapore or Xian.
Los Angeles
Shanghai
Chongqing
Washington D.C.
Las Vegas
Nagoya Tokyo
Osaka
Boston
New York
San Francisco
Seoul
Qantas or
American Airlines
Finnair
Airline partners
AIRFARE EXAMPLES
2. Choose whether you would like to visit North America or Asia first
– you will need to fly to one continent first and then the other on your
return journey. Unless otherwise specified, you can also do any of the
below flights in reverse direction.
Ivalo
Rovaniemi
Itinerary 1
from $
2344
*
Sydney – Honolulu – Los Angeles
– New York – Paris // Madrid – Bangkok
– Singapore – Sydney
Itinerary 2
2499
from $
Itinerary 3
2499
from $
*
Cairns – Hong Kong – Bangkok – Rome //
Barcelona – Helsinki – Miami – Los Angeles
– Cairns
*
Darwin – Bali – Singapore – London // Rome
– New York – Dallas – Sydney – Darwin
Itinerary 4
2419
from $
*
Melbourne – Los Angeles – New York
– London – Singapore – Melbourne
// make your own way
Airfare Guide
45
Helsinki
Oslo
St Petersburg
Stockholm
Moscow
Riga
Edinburgh
Round
the World
Copenhagen
Dublin
Hamburg
Manchester
Kieve
Birmingham
Warsaw
Berlin
Amsterdam
London
Dusseldorf
Brussels
Cologne Dresden
Prague
Frankfurt
Nuremberg
Paris
Luxemborg
Stuttgart
Munich
Vienna
Basel
Zurich
Graz Budapest
Geneva
Ljubjlana
Lyon
Venice
Milan
Zagreb
Belgrade
Bucharest
Toulouse
Florence SplitSarejevo
Nice
Dubrovnik
Sofia
Podgorica
Rome
Skopje
Barcelona
Oporto
Istanbul
Naples
Madrid
Valencia
Palma de Mallorca
Ibiza
Lisbon
Athens
Palermo
Catania
Malaga
Malta
Made for you
Explore more of the world – your way.
At Flight Centre, we can also arrange your own custom round-the-world
(RTW) journey. On the map is a handy guide to building your own
perfect holiday. We have made it as simple as possible for you to help
plan your next holiday to Europe and give you the option of stopping
almost anywhere.
Tel Aviv
Cairo
To use this handy guide, all you need to do is pick one GREY line,
one BLUE line and one GREEN line on the map.
via Asia in both directions
We have fares starting from just $1,799 in economy class and $6,699 in
business class, based on an itinerary flying from Australia via Singapore
to Zurich, Zurich to Barcelona // make your way to Paris // Paris to
Hong Kong, Hong Kong back to Australia.
via North or South America and Asia
A
FROM ZURICH
Vancouver
TO VANCOUVER,
MORNTREAL, BOSTON,
NEW YORK, LAS VEGAS,
LOS ANGELES,
TAMPA, MIAMI,
HAVANA,
PUNTA CANA
& SAO PAULO
Zurich
Chicago
Beijing
Seoul
Los Angeles
Las Vegas
Shanghai
Dallas
Houston
Delhi
Tampa
Miami
Dubai
Muscat
Hong Kong
Havana
Honolulu
Mumbai
Punta Cana
via Africa and Asia
Bangkok
We have fares starting from just $2,399 in economy and $7,999
in business.
Manila
Phuket
Male
via Africa & the Americas
FROM ZURICHSeychelles
Singapore
Nairobi
Prices start from just $2,699 in economy and $7,499 in business class
(based on flying from Australia to Johannesburg, Johannesburg to Paris,
Paris to Los Angeles, and Los Angeles to Australia).
Jakarta
Dar Es Salaam
Denpasar
Darwin
Cairns
Mauritius
Travelling in Europe
If you wish to return from any city in the United Kingdom, add an extra
$160 in taxes due to UK departure taxes. You can also get a connecting
flight to Auckland, and the RTW airfare includes a return flight from
Zurich within Europe, flying to most major cities in Europe.
San Francisco
Tokyo
Osaka
We have fares starting from just $2,399 in economy and $7,999 in
business class if you are flying to San Francisco, San Francisco to Paris
// make your own way to Frankfurt // Frankfurt to Hong Kong,
Hong Kong to Australia.
Rio de Janeiro
Sao Paulo
Johannesburg
Sunshine Coast
Brisbane
Gold Coast
Perth
Cape Town
Adelaide
Melbourne
Sydney
Canberra
Santiago
» Prices quoted are based on cheapest available at time of advertising
Buenos Aires
Auckland
Johannesburg
Note:
» Prices are valid all year round, however availability is generally best
through February/March and October/November periods.
» Some destinations are seasonal.
Montreal
Toronto
Boston
New York
CAPE TOWN
and may be higher depending on date of purchase, routing choices
and date of travel.
» Price is subject to availability and may be withdrawn or varied
without notice.
» Itineraries may require a waiting period between flights.
» Additional conditions and travel restrictions may apply.
Please contact your travel consultant for more information.
46
Airfare Guide
47
Your seat in the sky
Today, there’s never been a greater choice when it
comes to air travel. Airlines are upping their aviation
game by increasing services and enhancing their
onboard experience in order to compete with one
another, and it’s Australian travellers who are reaping
the rewards, and that includes seating.
However, with the emergence of new airlines and state-of-the-art
aircraft, deciphering the differences between carriers and cabin
classes can be perplexing.
Air travel is no longer just about getting from A to B, but your comfort
and choices in the sky.
Whether you fly economy with Virgin Australia or your budget stretches
to first class luxury on Emirates, we’ve put together this handy guide
of the cabin classes offered by popular airlines out of key Australian
capitals to their home base.
Travellers benefit from welcome extras such as affordable fares,
on-demand entertainment, gourmet food and drinks, wider seat pitches
and even Wi-Fi access. Flying has never looked – or felt – so good.
AIRLINE NAME
ADELAIDE
ECONOMY
PREMIUM
ECONOMY
BUSINESS
CLASS
BRISBANE
FIRST
CLASS
CAIRNS
ECONOMY
PREMIUM
ECONOMY
BUSINESS
CLASS
FIRST
CLASS
•
•
•
n/a
ECONOMY
PREMIUM
ECONOMY
DARWIN
BUSINESS
CLASS
FIRST
CLASS
Air Asia
Air Canada
MELBOURNE
SYDNEY
PREMIUM
ECONOMY
BUSINESS
CLASS
FIRST
CLASS
ECONOMY
PREMIUM
ECONOMY
BUSINESS
CLASS
FIRST
CLASS
ECONOMY
PREMIUM
ECONOMY
BUSINESS
CLASS
FIRST
CLASS
ECONOMY
PREMIUM
ECONOMY
BUSINESS
CLASS
FIRST
CLASS
•
n/a
n/a
•
•
n/a
•
n/a
•
n/a
•
n/a
•
n/a
•
n/a
•
n/a
•
n/a
Air Mauritius
Air New Zealand
PERTH
ECONOMY
•
•
•
n/a
•
•
•
n/a
•
•
•
n/a
•
n/a
n/a
n/a
•
•
•
n/a
•
n/a
n/a
n/a
•
•
•
n/a
•
•
•
n/a
•
•
•
n/a
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
n/a
•
•
•
n/a
•
•
•
n/a
•
•
•
n/a
•
•
•
n/a
•
•
•
n/a
•
n/a
•
n/a
•
n/a
•
•
British Airways
Cathay Pacific
China Eastern
China Southern
•
•
•
n/a
•
•
•
n/a
•
n/a
•
•
•
n/a
•
n/a
•
n/a
•
•
•
n/a
•
•
•
n/a
•
•
•
n/a
•
n/a
Etihad
•
n/a
•
•
•
n/a
•
•
•
n/a
•
n/a
Fiji Airways
•
n/a
•
n/a
•
n/a
•
n/a
•
n/a
•
n/a
Emirates
•
n/a
•
•
Garuda Indonesia
Hawaiian Airlines
•
•
•
•
n/a
•
n/a
n/a
Japan Airlines
Jetstar
•
n/a
•
n/a
Korean Air
•
n/a
•
n/a
•
n/a
•
•
•
n/a
•
n/a
•
n/a
•
n/a
•
n/a
•
n/a
•
n/a
n/a
n/a
LAN
Malaysia Airlines
•
n/a
•
n/a
Philippine Airlines
Qantas
•
n/a
•
•
•
n/a
•
n/a
•
n/a
•
n/a
•
n/a
•
n/a
•
n/a
•
n/a
•
n/a
•
n/a
•
n/a
•
n/a
•
n/a
•
n/a
n/a
•
n/a
n/a
•
•
n/a
•
n/a
•
n/a
•
n/a
•
•
•
n/a
•
•
•
•
•
n/a
•
n/a
•
n/a
•
n/a
•
n/a
•
n/a
•
n/a
•
n/a
•
n/a
•
n/a
•
•
•
•
•
n/a
•
n/a
•
•
•
•
Qatar
•
n/a
•
n/a
•
n/a
•
n/a
•
n/a
•
n/a
Scoot
•
n/a
•
n/a
•
n/a
•
n/a
•
n/a
•
n/a
•
n/a
•
n/a
•
•
•
•
Singapore Airlines
•
n/a
•
n/a
•
n/a
•
n/a
•
n/a
•
n/a
•
n/a
•
n/a
Thai
•
n/a
•
n/a
United Airlines
Virgin Australia
•
n/a
•
n/a
•
•
•
n/a
•
n/a
•
n/a
•
n/a
•
n/a
•
n/a
•
n/a
•
n/a
•
•
•
n/a
•
n/a
•
•
•
n/a
•
n/a
•
n/a
•
•
•
n/a
KEY • Available from this port 48
•
•
•
•
n/a
•
n/a
n/a Not available from this port Airline does not fly from this port
Airfare Guide
49
Notes
Fares & fees: how they affect you
From full-service carriers to budget airfares, what’s
included in your ticket varies too. Find out how
you can save on your next flight and avoid any
unexpected surprises.
Fare Cancellation Fee
Should you need to cancel your airfare, airlines impose strict
cancellation penalties. All domestic airfares, unless otherwise specified,
are non-refundable. With international fares, the cancellation fee will
vary and may be non-refundable.
Fare Change Fee
Changing your flight can be difficult and not all fares can be changed.
Often there are additional fees from the airline and your travel agent,
and you may be required to pay a higher fare price and extra tax
charges. You must change your flight prior to departure, for a fare that
is of equal or greater value. Airline fees range from $25 to $600, and
travel agent fees are from $5 through to $75.
Name Change Fee
All travel documents must be issued using the name of the passport
holder and cannot be transferred to another person. An incorrect name
could result in the booking being cancelled or deemed invalid. Name
change policies vary between airlines, but it may mean purchasing a new
ticket and refunding the old ticket, which could take a number of weeks.
50
Checked Baggage
If your checked luggage is over the specified limit, excessive baggage
fees may be charged. The fees will vary according to your airline’s policy
and your final destination.
There are two ways baggage allowances are applied:
By piece
Commonly one, two or three pieces of baggage.
Each item can weigh up to 23kg.
Weight
Any number of pieces. The total weight of all
baggage must meet a total allowance, usually
from 20 to 40kg.
Carry-on Baggage
If your carry-on luggage is over the weight limit or deemed too large in
size, you may be required to check it in which could incur an additional
baggage fee.
All airlines allow you to take up to seven kilograms
of carry-on baggage. Size restrictions do apply, and
hand luggage does not count towards your checked
baggage allowance.
You’re better off booking
with Flight Centre
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AND SEE MORE SIGHTS
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Add a Captain’s International Premium Airfare Package for $99^
Includes Price Drop Protection™ and $150 accommodation discount so if the price drops within 30 days of
purchasing an airfare, and you bring it to us, you will receive a Flight Centre gift card to the value of the difference!^
Click, call or visit us in store now
flightcentre.com.au
Restrictions and conditions apply. Please ask us for further details or visit our website at www.flightcentre.com.au/lowest-airfare-guarantee. *Travel restrictions and conditions apply. Prices and taxes are correct as at 9 Nov 15 are subject to change without
notice. Visit our website to see updates and corrections to advertised products at www.flightcentre.com.au/ads. Prices quoted are on sale until 30 Jun 16 unless otherwise stated or sold out prior. Prices are per person and are subject to availability. Where
airfare is included, additional taxes specific to your flight routing may apply and/or may not include checked luggage (which can incur additional charges). Payments made by credit card will incur a surcharge. Advertised prices shown are for payments
made by cash in store only. Domestic bookings made online will incur a booking fee. International bookings made online will incur a booking and merchant fee. ^Captain’s Premium International Airfare Package: Is only valid on airfares to Europe, Americas,
South Africa, Middle East & UK. Must be purchased at the time of booking airfare. Further terms and conditions apply to the Captain’s Premium International Airfare Package, go to flightcentre.com.au/promotions/choice for full details. While all care is
taken to ensure accuracy, no responsibility is accepted by Flight Centre Travel Group Limited for accuracy of information contained in the text, illustrations or advertisements. Flight Centre Travel Group Limited (ABN 25 003 377 188) trading as Flight Centre.
ATAS Accreditation No. A10412. FCBNM67367
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Everything you need to know before you fly

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