Airfare Guide
2016issue 1
Everything you need
to know before you fly
Dubai
Barcelona
Johannesburg
Cape Town
Miami
Las Vegas
New York
Buenos Aires
San Francisco
Honolulu
Tahiti
Melbourne
Brisbane
Sydney
Rome
Singapore
London
Los Angeles
Santiago
Hong Kong
Bangkok
Bali
Langkawi
Kolkata Cancun
Chicago
Vancouver
Toronto
Queenstown
Port Vila
Paris
Athens
ColomboMale
Delhi
Tokyo
Auckland
Shanghai
Chennai
Los Cabos
Seattle
Cairo
Nairobi
Riyadh
MoscowCopenhagen
Beijing
Rio de Janeiro
Lima
Quito
CairnsDarwin
PerthAdelaide
Ho Chi Minh City
Amsterdam
Kuala Lumpur
Edinburgh
Let the experts guide you!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.
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.
The Captain
Contents04 The plane facts
06 Take a seat
08 Best time to fly
10 Seasonal guide to Los Angeles
12 Hawaiian Airlines
14 United Airlines
16 Seasonal guide to Rio de Janeiro
18 LATAM Airlines Group
20 Best airfare for you
22 Seasonal guide to Johannesburg
24 South African Airways
26 Seasonal guide to Phuket
28 Low-cost carriers
30 Frequent flyers
32 Seasonal guide to London & UK
34 Qantas
36 Virgin Australia
38 Cathay Pacific
40 Round the World
42 Round the World Qantas & Emirates
44 Round the World Finnair
46 Round the World Made for you
48 Your seat in the sky
50 Fares & fees
Scribble map – plan your journey
THE TEAMEditor-in-Chief Jason Dutton-Smith
Content Jason Nooning & Cassandra Laffey
Design The Creative Studio
3Airfare Guide
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.Short haulDash 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. » 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.
» Two of the largest operators of the aircraft globally are Air Canada 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.
Medium haulBoeing 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 aircraft due to the single aisle.
Airbus A320» The A320 first flew in 1984 and was commercially launched in 1988.
It sold strongly from the outset and has been the fastest- selling 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-to-
Beijing 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 haulA340 » 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.
Dreamliner 787 » The 787 senses turbulence and can automatically adjust its wing
control surfaces for a smoother ride.» Lower cabin pressurisation results in higher humidity to help reduce
the effects of jetlag.» The 19-inch windows are 65 percent larger than standard aircraft
and can be dimmed by cabin crew during takeoff and landing.» Originally, the 787 was to be called the 7E7 (the ‘E’ stood for
efficiency), but Boeing chose to stick with tradition. » An empty 787 weighs almost 117,617 kilograms – or 29 elephants.
A350 » At over 16 metres high, the A350 is almost the height of
a five-storey building.» As of 2014, 39 different airlines have purchased a total of 812 Airbus
A350 XWBs.» More than 16 million colour combinations and moods can be created
by the full-LED lighting system.» 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.
Boeing 747 » 3.5 billion people – almost half of the planet’s population
– have flown on a 747. » 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
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.
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.
» A lightly loaded 777 can accelerate from zero to 96 kilometres per hour in less than six seconds.
» The first 777 entered service on June 7, 1995.
A380» The Airbus A380 is the world’s largest commercial
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.
The plane facts
EMBRAER 190
ATR 72
37–78
100–124
68–72
DASH 8
LENGTH 25.68M
LENGTH 36.2M
LENGTH 27M
AIRBUS A330
AIRBUS A320
BOEING 737
85–215
150–180
250–440
LENGTH 39.5M
LENGTH 37.57M
LENGTH 53M
AIRBUS 380
BOEING 777
BOEING 747
AIRBUS A350
BOEING 787
AIRBUS A340
250–475
314–451
242–335
280–366
344–410
544–853
LENGTH 59M
LENGTH 71M
LENGTH 62.8M
LENGTH 66.9M
LENGTH 70.66M
LENGTH 72.72M
LON
G H
AU
LM
EDIU
M H
AU
LSH
ORT
HA
UL
BOEING 717
106LENGTH 37.8M
4 f lightcentre.com.au 5Airfare Guide
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 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.
Seat Pitch
Seat ReclineLie Flat Bed
Fully Flat Bed
Business ClassFrom lie-flat seating to full beds, we’ve outlined the differences between business class seats.
Lie-flat bedA 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 bedA ‘fully-flat’ seat will recline a full 180 degrees when horizontal and will result in the passenger laying parallel with the floor.
The ReclinerThe 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.
Take a seatIn 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.
Economy ClassWhile 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. 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
The perks of flying...
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.
Air Asia, Business Class
$799“There was a sale 3 months ago”
$1044“I wanted to upgrade using
my frequent flyer points”
$1125“I’m travelling with
an infant”
$1849“I booked this fare as part of
a Round the World Ticket”
$1287“I booked at the
last minute”
$1441“I bought a flexi fare”
$610“I got a discounted
child’s fare”
Why does pricing change? Every seat, every airline on any given day is a different price.
6 f lightcentre.com.au 7Airfare Guide
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 HemisphereGenerally 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.
Southern HemisphereIn 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.
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.
Best time to fly
Oktoberfest, Germany Holi, India Rio Carnival, Brazil Chinese New Year, China
AntarcticaTourist Season October to March
New ZealandSki Season
KenyaAfrican Wildlife Migration
AustraliaAustralia Day
BrazilRio Carnival
South PacificBest weather now to SeptemberAustralia
East Coast Whale MigrationNew YorkNew Years Eve
ChinaChinese New Year
United KingdomWimbledon Tennis Championships
MexicoDay of the Dead
GermanyOktoberfest
SpainLa Tomatina
LaplandEndless Summer, daylight to10pm
JapanSakura Cherry Blossoms
8 f lightcentre.com.au 9Airfare Guide
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:
» Hawaii, with Hawaiian Airlines, Qantas, Air New Zealand and Fiji Airways
» Auckland, with Air New Zealand and Air Tahiti Nui
» Hong Kong, with Cathay Pacific
» Tokyo, with Qantas and Japan Airlines
» Fiji, with Fiji Airways and Qantas
» United Arab Emirates, with Emirates and Etihad
» Seoul, with Korean Airlines
» Manila, with Philippine Airlines
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.
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.
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.
HIGH
$
LOW
WINTERSPRING SUMMER
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
CHEAPEST
$
AUTUMN
Summer June to August
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.
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.
Autumn September to November
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.
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.
Winter December to February
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.
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.
Spring March to May
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.
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.
ECONOMY
$0 – $1000 $0 – $2499 $0 – $4999
$1000 – $1199 $2500 – $2999 $5000 – $5999
$1200 – $1399 $3000 – $3499 $6000 – $6999
$1400 – $1599 $3500 – $3999 $7000 – $7999
$1600 – $1999 $4000 – $4999 $8000 – $8999
$2000+ $5000+ $9000+
PREMIUM ECONOMY BUSINESS CLASS
Los Angeles
SEASONAL GUIDE TO Los Angeles
10 f lightcentre.com.au 11Airfare Guide
OsakaHaneda
Sendai
Las Vegas
PhoenixSan Diego
SacramentoOaklandSan Jose
New York
San Francisco
Seattle
Portland
Lihue
Honolulu
Kahului
HiloKailua-Kona
Pago Pago
Papeete
Brisbane
Sydney
Los Angeles
Seoul
Sapporo
Beijing
Auckland
MA
P K
EY Hawaiian Airlines
Seasonal Summer routes
*MAP IS NOT TO SCALE
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.
Here is the entire Hawaiian Airlines route network to you help plan your holiday.
ROUTE MAP
Hawaiian Airlines
12 f lightcentre.com.au 13Airfare Guide
PANAMA
COSTA RICA
COLOMBIA
BRAZIL
Lana‘i
© 2011 United Air Lines, Inc. All Rights
Whitehorse
Vancouver
Edmonton
Calgary
Winnipeg
Halifax
Ottawa
Anchorage
Victoria
London
BangorMontreal
Quebec City
Miami
Orlando
West Palm Beach
Portland
Seattle
Boise
Sun Valley
San Jose
Las Vegas
Los Angeles
San Diego
San Francisco
Denver
SacramentoSalt Lake City
Tucson
Phoenix/ScottsdaleAlbuquerque
Charleston
Colorado Springs
Greenville/Spartanburg
Savannah
Baltimore
Birmingham
Houston
LouisvilleEvansville
Memphis
Milwaukee
Philadelphia
Mexico City
St. Louis
Tampa/St. Petersburg
Charlotte
Cleveland
Dallas/Fort Worth
Detroit
Jacksonville
Kansas City
New Orleans
New York (La Guardia) (J.F. Kennedy)
Norfolk/Virginia Beach
Omaha
Albany
Atlanta
Austin
Boston
Columbia
Columbus
NashvilleOklahoma City
Raleigh/Durham
Richmond
Washington DC
Hartford/Spring�eld
Cincinnati
Bozeman
Orange County
Portland
Providence
New York (Newark)
Greensboro/High Point/Winston-Salem
Lexington
Grand Rapids
Ft. Lauderdale/Hollywood
Syracuse
Buffalo/Niagara Falls
KnoxvilleTulsa
El Paso
Honolulu
Manchester
Ft. Myers
KahuluiHo‘olehua
Indianapolis
Minneapolis
Dayton
Madison
Pittsburgh
Appleton/Fox Cities
Burlington
Cedar Rapids/Iowa City
Wausau
Des Moines
Ft. Wayne
Green Bay
White Plains
Lansing
Moline
Spring�eld
Spokane
Wichita
Lincoln
Missoula
Rapid City
Reno/Tahoe
Charleston
Traverse City
Akron/CantonState College
Jackson Hole
Burbank
Gunnison/Crested Butte
Hayden/Steamboat Springs
Montrose
Vail/Eagle
Gillette
Rock Springs
Eureka
Aspen
Wilkes Barre/Scranton
Bakers�eld
Charlottesville
Cody/Yellowstone
Eugene
Fresno
Sioux Falls
Grand Junction
Medford
Pasco
Palm Springs
Santa Barbara
Roanoke
Monterey
San Luis Obispo
Santa Maria
Spring�eld
Redmond
Redding
(Reagan National)
Bismarck
Peoria
Chicago
Asheville
Pensacola
Myrtle Beach
Fayetteville/Ft. Bragg
Huntsville/Decatur
Northwest Arkansas
Great FallsAnchorage
Little Rock
Billings
HelenaNorth Bend
Midland/Odessa
Gulfport/Biloxi
Jackson
Mobile
Ft. Walton Beach
Durango
Paducah
Brownsville
Baton Rouge
Corpus Christi
Harlingen
Laredo
McAllen
Lubbock
Amarillo
College Station
Lafayette
Alexandria
Lake Charles
Shreveport
Beaumont/Pt. Arthur
TylerMonroe
Erie
Liberal
Hays
Prescott
FlintMidland/Saginaw
Elmira
Hyannis
Nassau
Nantucket
Toronto
Lihue
Ontario
Harrisburg
Kona
FargoJamestown
Casper
Devils Lake
Ithaca
Binghamton
Idaho Falls
Kalispell
Anchorage
BillingsDuluth
Muskegon
BrownsvilleHarlingen
Eau Claire
Houghton
Minot
Cancun
Liberal
Kearney
Laramie
McCook
Dodge City
AlamosaCortez
Farmington
Page/Lake Powell
Prescott
Worland
Dickinson
Williston
Visalia
Hilo
Kapalua
Sarasota/Bradenton
Killeen
Mammoth Lakes
Hobbs
St. George
Santa Fe
Panama City
Kalamazoo/Battle Creek
South Bend/Elkhart/Mishawaka
TO ANCHORAGE
TO SYDNEY TO MELBOURNE
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.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.
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.
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.
ROUTE MAP United Airlines
MA
P K
EY
United Airlines
United Express
Major hubs
*MAP IS NOT TO SCALE
14 f lightcentre.com.au 15Airfare Guide
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
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 PauloQantas» 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)
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 RioQatar Airways» Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide or Perth via Doha to Sao Paulo» Sao Paulo to Rio ECONOMY
$0 – $1599 $0 – $4999
$1600 – $1799 $5000 – $5999
$1800 – $1999 $6000 – $6999
$2000 – $2499 $7000 – $7999
$2500 – $2999 $8000 – $9999
$3000+ $10,000+
BUSINESS CLASS
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.
This is a slightly below-average price. If you have the cheapest booking classes, there may not be a heavily discounted sale or travel could be during a shoulder season.
This is an average price. The flights could be heavily booked or travel 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.
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 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.
HIGH
$
LOW
WINTER SPRING SUMMER
CHEAPEST
$
AUTUMN
Summer December to February
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 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.
Spring 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.
SEASONAL GUIDE TO Rio de Janeiro
Sugarloaf Mountain, Rio de Janeiro
Christ the Redeemer, Rio de Janeiro
16 f lightcentre.com.au 17Airfare Guide
Milan
Madrid
Frankfurt
Miami
Punta CanaMexico City
New York
Orlando
Havana
Cancun
Alice Springs
TO LONDON, PARIS, FRANKFURT, MILAN& MADRID
TO LONDON, PARIS &FRANKFURT
TO MADRID
TO MADRID
TO MADRID
Canberra
Papeete
Darwin
Perth
Melbourne
Hobart
Adelaide
Brisbane
Sydney
Paris
London
Los Angeles
Auckland
Barranquilla
Easter Island
Valledupar
CucutaBucaramanga
YopalBogota
VillavicencioCali
QuibdoMedellin
Apartado
CartagenaMonteria
San Andres
Leticia
Puerto Asis
Neiva
Santa Marta
Pereira
Buena Vista
Porto VelhoRio Branco
Campo Grande
Santarem
BelemSao Luis
Maraba
Londrina
Natal
Fortaleza
Macapa
Cuiaba
S.J. do Rio Preto
Goiania
Iguazu Falls
Porto Alegre
FlorianopolisNavegantesJoinville
Curitiba
Imperatriz
Palmas
Teresina
Uberlandia
Sao PauloRio de Janeiro
Riberao PretoCampinas
Belo HorizonteVitoria
Porto SeguroIlheus
Salvador
AracajuMaceio
RecifeJoao Pessoa
Manaus
Brasilia
Salta AsuncionCiudad del Este
Tucuman
Iguazu
CordobaSan Juan
Mendoza
Buenos Aires
Neuquen Bahia Blanca
Bariloche
Comodoro Rivadavia
Ushuaia
El Calafate
Rio Gallegos
Arica
Calama
Santiago
Concepcion
Temuco
ValdiviaOsorno
Punta Arenas
Iquique
Antofagasta
Copiapo
La Serena
Puerto Montt
Chiloe
Balmaceda
Lima
Juliaca
Tacna
Piura
IquitosTumbes
Cusco
CajamarcaTarapoto
Pucallpa
Arequipa
Trujillo
Chiclayo
Puerto Maldonado
Quito
Cuenca
Galapagos
San CristobalBaltra
Guayaquil
Montevideo
Caracas
La Paz
Santa Cruz
Falkland Islands
MA
P K
EY
LATAM Domestic
LATAM International
LATAM Code share
*MAP IS NOT TO SCALE
ROUTE MAP
LATAM Airlines GroupLAN 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.
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.
18 f lightcentre.com.au 19Airfare Guide
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)?
Best airfare for youFlight cancellationsIf 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?
» The type of service you will receive from the airline in such an event – how will the airline contact you if a flight is cancelled? And do you have to go to their service desk to rebook?
Baggage policySome 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.What to check:» 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?
» What happens if your baggage goes missing?
Unaccompanied minorsLow-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.What to check:» The airline unaccompanied minor policy – what documentation
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.
Frequent Flyer Points & Upgrading
If you would like to earn points or be able to upgrade your ticket using points, please advise our Travel Experts.
Advanced Seating
Selection
Special Service Requirements
Some airlines provide a high level of service for
special needs passengers.
Next Flight After Delay
Airlines will place you on the next scheduled
flight after delay.
Often airlines allow you to
book and hold a seat while you finalise other arrangements.
BOOK &
HOLD
20kg+
Checked Baggage
Baggage checked to final
destination.
Unaccompanied Minors
Some airlines provide assistance to children
travelling alone.
Inclusions vary between airlines and ticket types.
At the start of your journey ask your travel expert which apply to
your booking.
HOLIDAY }
START }
Accommodation if flight is cancelled
Entertainment
Food & Beverage
Enjoy an in-flight food and beverage
service.
CHOOSE WHAT
MATTERS TO YOU
20 f lightcentre.com.au 21Airfare Guide
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
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.
South African Airways
» 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» Brisbane/Sydney/Melbourne/Adelaide/Perth via Dubai
to Johannesburg» Stopovers available in Singapore, Bangkok, Bali, Kuala Lumpur,
Colombo and the Maldives
Etihad» Brisbane/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 ECONOMY
$0 – $1499 $0 – $2499 $0 – $4999
$1500 – $1799 $2500 – $2999 $4500 – $4999
$1800 – $1999 $3000 – $3499 $5000 – $5499
$2000 – $2299 $3500 – $3999 $5500– $5999
$2300– $2499 $4000 – $4499 $6000 – $6999
$2500+ $4500+ $7000+
PREMIUM ECONOMY BUSINESS CLASS
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.
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 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.
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 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.
HIGH
$
LOW
WINTER SPRING SUMMER
CHEAPEST
$
AUTUMN
Summer December to February
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!
Autumn 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.
Winter June to August
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.
Spring September to November
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.
SEASONAL GUIDE TO Johannesburg
Kruger National Park, South Africa
22 f lightcentre.com.au 23Airfare Guide
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.
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.
TO NEW YORK
TO WASHINGTON DC
TO NEW YORK
TO SAO PAULO
TO BRISBANE, SYDNEY, MELBOURNE & ADELAIDE
TO AUCKLAND & CHRISTCHURCH
Lagos
Dakar
AbidjanCotonouAccra
Douala
Libreville
Pointe-Noire
Luanda
WindhoekWalvis Bay
BrazzavilleKinshasa
Entebbe
Munich
Frankfurt
Johannesburg
Antananarivo
Mauritius
Miami
Las Vegas
New York
Orlando New Orleans
San Francisco
Seattle
Vancouver
GeorgePort Elizabeth
Bloemfontein Richards Bay
Maseru
East LondonUmtata
DurbanPietermaritzburg
KimberleyUpingtonSishen
Perth
Melbourne
Adelaide
Brisbane
Sydney
Christchurch
Abu Dhabi
LubumbashiNdola
Harare
BlantyreNampula
Tete
Pemba
Lilongwe
Maputo
Beira
VilankulosPolokwane
Lusaka
Livingstone
Dar es Salaam
Kasane Victoria FallsMaun Bulawayo
GaboronePilanesberg
Manzini
PhalaborwaHoedspruit
Skukuza
Nelspruit
Nairobi
London
Los Angeles
Washington DC
Hong Kong
Cape Town
Auckland
Sao Paulo
MA
P K
EY South African Airways
SA Express
SA Airlink
Code share (Virgin Australia)
Code share (Air New Zealand)
*MAP IS NOT TO SCALE
ROUTE MAP
South African Airways
24 f lightcentre.com.au 25Airfare Guide
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
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» Perth/Melbourne/Sydney/Brisbane via Bangkok to Phuket
Air Asia» Perth/Melbourne/Sydney/Gold Coast via Kuala Lumpur to Phuket» Stopovers not available – travellers must book separate tickets
for a stopover
Scoot» 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$0 – $599 $0 – $2499
$600– $799 $2500 – $2999
$800 – $899 $3000 – $3499
$900 – $1099 $3500 – $3999
$1100 – $1299 $4000 – $4499
$1300+ $4500+
Historically, Flight Centre’s preferred full-service airlines that operate this route directly rarely fall into this price bracket. Preferred low-cost airlines can achieve this price point more frequently.
This is a fantastic price.
This is a slightly below-average price. If you have the cheapest booking classes, there may not be a heavily discounted sale 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 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. 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.
HIGH
$
LOW
DRYHOT WET
CHEAPEST
$
Dry 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 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.
Wet 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.
SEASONAL GUIDE TO Phuket
ECONOMY BUSINESS CLASS
Phuket, Thailand
26 f lightcentre.com.au 27Airfare Guide
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 –
Phuket
Gold Coast
Darwin
Denpasar
Makassar
PenangLangkawi
Kuching
BalikpapanPontianak
Kota Kinabalu
SurabayaSolo
Semarang
Yogyakarta LombokBandung
MedanBanda Aceh
Padang
IpohKuala Terengganu
Johor Bahru
Kota BharuHat Yai
Surat ThaniKrabi
Pekanbaru
Palembang
CebuHo Chi Minh City
Siem Reap
Vientiane
Pattaya
Danang
ShenzhenMacauNanning
Kunming Guilin
Guangzhou
ChennaiBangalore
HyderabadGoa
Chiang MaiYangon
Osaka
Sapporo
KochiKoh Samui
Shanghai
Perth
Melbourne
Sydney
Tiruchirappalli
Singapore
Jakarta
Kathmandu
Xian
Hangzhou
Ningbo
Male
Jeddah
DhakaTaipei
KaohsiungHong Kong
Bandar Seri BegawanKuala Lumpur
Manila
Miri
Kalibo (Boracay)Phnom Penh
Hanoi
Bangkok
Seoul
BusanTokyo
Colombo
Visakhapatnam
Kolkata
ChongqingChengdu
Phuket
Gold Coast
Launceston
Sunshine Coast
Cairns
Denpasar
Makassar
Uluru(Ayers Rock)
Penang
Kuching
Balikpapan
Kota Kinabalu
SurabayaSemarang
Yogyakarta LombokBandung
Medan Ipoh
Hat YaiKrabi
Haikou
Pekanbaru
Palembang
Cebu
Davao City
Manado
Ho Chi Minh City
Siem Reap
Danang
ShenzhenMacau
Guangzhou
ChennaiBangalore
HyderabadGoa
Chiang Mai
Mandalay
Yangon
Osaka
KochiKoh Samui
Shanghai
Canberra
Perth
Melbourne
Hobart
Adelaide
Brisbane
Sydney
Tiruchirappalli
Singapore
Jakarta
Xian
Tianjin
Nanjing
Shenyang
Qingdao
Hangzhou
Ningbo
Male
Jeddah
DhakaTaipei
KaohsiungHong Kong
Bandar Seri BegawanKuala Lumpur
ManilaClark
Kalibo (Boracay)Phnom Penh
Hanoi
Bangkok
SeoulTokyo
ROUTE MAPS
Low-Cost CarriersBoeing 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.
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.
Scootbiz
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28 f lightcentre.com.au 29Airfare Guide
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 alliancesThe 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.
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.
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.
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.
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:
» An extended network through code share or joint services agreements;
» Lower prices due to lowered operational costs for a given route;» More departure times to choose from on a given route;» More destinations within easy reach;» Shorter travel times as a result of optimised transfers; » A wider range of airport lounges shared with alliance members;» Faster mileage rewards by earning miles on several different carriers
for a single account; and» Round-the-world tickets, enabling travellers to fly all over the world
for a relatively low price.
Qantas vs VelocityNot 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.
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.
Earning points and status creditsThere 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.
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.
Qantas Virgin
Bronze – Entry level Red – Entry level
Silver – 300 credits Silver – 250 credits
Gold – 700 credits Gold – 500 credits
Platinum – 1,400 credits Platinum – 1,000 credits
Platinum One – 3,600 credits
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.
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.
Using pointsBoth 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.
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.
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.
The Qantas Classic Award Seat would set you back 96,000 points and you would need to pay approximately $621 in taxes.
If you were looking at a short domestic flight, let’s look at an example for return travel from Sydney to Cairns.
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 awardsThe 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 Australia-operated 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.
*NOT ALL CARRIERS IN EACH PROGRAM ARE SHOWN
� � � �
Are you a frequent flyer?
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$1750 – $1899 $3500 – $3999 $6000 – $6999
$1900 – $2299 $4000 – $4499 $7000 – $7999
$2300 – $2999 $4500 – $4999 $8000 – $9999
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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.Airlines that fly to the UK with one stop» via Abu Dhabi Etihad/Virgin fly into London, Dublin, Edinburgh
and Manchester » via Bangkok Thai Airways flies to London» via Beijing Air China flies to London» via Doha Qatar flies into London, Manchester, Birmingham
and Edinburgh » via Dubai Emirates/Qantas fly into London (Heathrow and Gatwick),
Dublin, Manchester, Glasgow, Newcastle and Birmingham» via Guangzhou China Southern flies to London» via Hong Kong Cathay Pacific flies to London» via Johannesburg South African Airways flies to London» via Kuala Lumpur Malaysia Airlines flies to London» via Manila Philippine Airlines flies to London» via Mauritius Air Mauritius flies to London» via Seoul Korean Airlines flies to London» via Shanghai China Eastern flies to London» via Singapore British Airways flies to London
» via Singapore Singapore Airlines flies to London» via Taipei China Airlines flies to London» via Tokyo Japan Airlines flies to London» via Vancouver Air Canada flies to London
Airlines that fly to the UK with two or more stops» Air France/KLM fly to all major UK cities via Singapore,
Bali, Guangzhou, Tokyo, Beijing and Paris or Amsterdam» Air New Zealand flies to London via Auckland and Los Angeles,
Hong Kong or Shanghai» Delta flies to London and Manchester via Los Angeles and Detroit,
Atlanta, New York, Boston or Minneapolis» Emirates/Qantas fly to all major UK cities via Singapore,
Hong Kong, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Tokyo, Bali or Manila» Finnair flies to London and Manchester via Singapore, Bangkok,
Hong Kong, or Tokyo and Helsinki» Garuda Indonesia flies to all major UK cities via Bali,
Jakarta and Amsterdam» Lufthansa and Swiss fly to all major UK cities via Bangkok,
Johannesburg, Dubai, San Francisco, Dallas, Seoul, Hong Kong or Singapore and Zurich, Munich or Frankfurt
» Royal Brunei flies to London via Brunei and Dubai» United Airlines flies to London, Manchester, Edinburgh, Belfast,
Glasgow and Newcastle via Los Angeles or San Francisco and Houston, Chicago, Denver, Washington or New York
Summer June to August
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.
Autumn September to November
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 December to February
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 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.
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.
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 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.
32 f lightcentre.com.au 33Airfare Guide
Hamilton IslandTownsvilleMount Isa
Alice Springs
Coffs Harbour
Gold Coast
Canberra
Kalgoorlie
BroomePort HedlandKarratha Newman
Darwin
Cairns
Denpasar
Dubai
Manchester
Glasgow
Geneva
Istanbul
Milan
BarcelonaMadrid
Dammam
Jeddah
Accra
MunichFrankfurt
Dusseldorf
StockholmOslo
Surabaya
Shanghai
NaritaOsaka
Johannesburg
Zurich
New York
San Francisco
Dallas/Forth Worth
Vancouver
Honolulu
Queenstown Dunedin
Anchorage
Port Moresby
Noumea
Wellington
Christchurch
BrusselsParis
Beirut
Athens
Rome
AmmanCairo
Dublin
Nairobi
Seychelles
Khartoum
RiyadhMuscat
Moscow
Singapore
Jakarta
LondonBirmingham
Colombo
Bahrain
Amsterdam
Vienna
Prague
Warsaw
Helsinki St Petersburg
HamburgNewcastle
Nice
Lyon
Los Angeles
Copenhagen
Hong Kong
Kuala Lumpur
ManilaBangkok
Tokyo
AucklandSantiago
Addis Ababa PhuketPenangMedan
Ho Chi Minh City
Siem Reap
Guangzhou
Hangzhou
Shantou
Phnom Penh
Taipei
YangonHaikou
Melbourne
Adelaide
Brisbane
Sydney
Perth
Nadi
La Serena
Antofagasta
Lima
Rio de JaneiroSao Paulo
Port Vila
LuganvillePapeete
Delhi
Mumbai
ROUTE MAP
QantasCelebrating 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.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.
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.
Take a look at where Qantas can take you with their extensive partner and codeshare network.
Lana‘i
Vancouver
Edmonton
Calgary
Winnipeg
Halifax
Ottawa
Victoria
Montreal
Saskatoon
Regina
Miami
Orlando
West Palm Beach
Portland
Seattle
San Jose
Los Angeles
San Diego
San Francisco
Denver
Sacramento
TucsonPhoenix
Albuquerque
Baltimore
Houston
Louisville
Memphis
Milwaukee
Philadelphia
Mexico City
St. Louis
Tampa
Cleveland
Dallas
Jacksonville
Kansas City
New Orleans
New York
Norfolk
Omaha
Atlanta
Austin
Boston
Columbus
NashvilleOklahoma City
Raleigh/Durham
Richmond
Washington DC
Hartford
Cincinnati
Ft. Lauderdale
Tulsa
El Paso
Honolulu KahuluiHo‘olehua
Indianapolis
Minneapolis
Madison
PittsburghDes Moines
Reno
Charleston
Eugene
FresnoMonterey
Redmond
Chicago
Fayetteville
Toronto
Lihue
Kona
Cancun
Hilo
Kapalua
Las Vegas
Detroit
Grand Rapids
San Antonio
Salt Lake City
Monterrey
Kelowna
San Jose del Cabo
Puerto Vallarta Guadalajara
Lexington
Charlotte
Chiang Rai
TO PAPEETE
TO NADI
TO ANCHORAGE
Phuket
Denpasar
Nanjing
Krabi
Ho Chi Minh City
Siem Reap
Danang
Xiamen
Guangzhou
Kunming
Shanghai
Fuzhou
Chengdu
Chiang Mai
Chiang Rai
Koh Samui
Xianyang Xian
Shantou
Urumqi
Kuala Lumpur
Dili
TO
SYD
NEY
TO
MELBO
UR
NE
TO
PERT
H
TO
BRISBA
NE
TO
GO
LD C
OA
ST
Phnom Penh
Darwin
Singapore
Taipei
Hong Kong
Bangkok
Seoul
Beijing
Tokyo
Harbin
Shenyang
Dalian
Qingdao
Haikou
Qantas
Qantas Seasonal
Emirates
Codeshare Routes
Jetstar
*MAP IS NOT TO SCALE
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Phuket
MilduraAlbury
Port MacquarieNewcastle
Coffs HarbourTamworthBallina/Byron BayGold Coast
Launceston
AlbanyRavensthorpe Esperance
KalgoorlieGeraldton
BroomePort HedlandKarratha
NewmanParaburdoo
Christmas Island
Cocos Island
Whitsunday Coast
KununurraDerby
Sunshine Coast
RockhamptonGladstone
Fraser CoastBundaberg
Mackay
EmeraldMoranbah
Mount Isa CloncurryHamilton Island
TownsvilleCairns
Denpasar
Ujung Pandang
Dunedin
Uluru(Ayers Rock)
Dubai
Manchester
Edinburgh
Geneva
Istanbul
Milan
BarcelonaMadrid
Casablanca
Dammam
Erbil
Basrah
Almaty
PeshawarLahore
Karachi
Jeddah
Medina
Lagos
Al Ain
MunichFrankfurt
Dusseldorf
Larnaca
Wuhan
PenangLangkawi
Kuching
Balikpapan
Kota Kinabalu
SurabayaSemarang
Yogyakarta LombokBandung
Medan
Pekanbaru
Palembang
Cebu
Davao
Manado
Ho Chi Minh City
Siem ReapDanang
ShenzhenXiamenGuangzhou
Kunming
Shanghai
ChongqingChengdu
Changsha
ChennaiBangalore
Hyderabad VisakhapatnamMumbai
Ahmedabad
Jaipur
Kolkata
Chiang Mai
Mandalay
Yangon
NagoyaOsaka
NaritaHaneda
Fukuoka
ThiruvananthapuramKochi
CalicutCoimbatore
Johannesburg
Zurich
Koh Samui
Minneapolis
MiamiTampa
Las VegasPhoenix
Puerto VallartaLeon
Guadalajara
San DiegoLong Beach
Sacramento
MemphisTulsa
Indianapolis
Salt Lake City
Kansas City
Austin
OaklandFresno
AtlantaChattanooga
Nashville
CincinnatiLexington
New York
Orlando San Antonio
Detroit
New Orleans
Los Cabos
San Francisco
Cancun
Raleigh/Durham
ColumbusBostonChicago
Pittsburgh
Dallas
Seattle Kalispell
Jackson Hole
Spokane
Vancouver
Boise
MissoulaPortland
KauaiHonolulu Maui
Kona
Queenstown
Rotorua
Whangarei
Alice Springs
San Jose
Canberra
Port Moresby
Apia
Nuku’ Alofa
Port Vila
Wellington
Rarotonga
Darwin
Perth
Melbourne
Hobart
Adelaide
Brisbane
Sydney
Christchurch
Abu DhabiDoha
BrusselsParis
Beirut
Athens
Rome
Amman
Baghdad
Cairo
Astana
Islamabad
Dublin
Tehran
Nairobi
Seychelles
Khartoum
RiyadhMuscat
Moscow
Minsk
Singapore
Jakarta
London
Kathmandu
Colombo
Male
Kuwait
Bahrain
Sana’a
Dhaka
Delhi
Amsterdam
Belgrade
Yerevan
Los Angeles
Washington DC
Copenhagen
Taipei
Hong Kong
Bandar Seri Begawan
Manila
Phnom Penh
Hanoi
Bangkok
Seoul
Beijing
Tokyo
Cape Town
Auckland
Nadi
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.
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.
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Air New Zealand
Delta Airlines
Etihad Airways
Singapore Airlines
Hawaiian Airlines
South African Airways
Virgin America
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Virgin Australia & partner airlines
36 f lightcentre.com.au 37Airfare Guide
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.
Add-on faresCathay 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.
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.
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:
» From Hong Kong to Greater China» Within North America» Between North America and South America» Between North America and Europe» Within Europe
The benefits of add-on faresOne 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.
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.
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.
Talk to our Experts for more details about how a Cathay Pacific add-on fare can help create your dream holiday.
Buenos AiresSantiago
Perth
Melbourne
Adelaide
Brisbane
Sydney
Doha
Paris
Rome
Riyadh
Singapore
Jakarta
London
Colombo
Male
Bahrain
Delhi
Amsterdam
Los Angeles
TaipeiHong Kong
Kuala Lumpur
ManilaBangkok
Seoul
Beijing
Tokyo
Auckland
Sapporo
Cairns
Denpasar
Dubai
Manchester
Milan
FrankfurtDusseldorf
Surabaya
CebuHo Chi Minh City
Shanghai
Chennai
HyderabadMumbai
NagoyaOsakaFukuoka
Johannesburg
Zurich
New York
Toronto
San Francisco
BostonChicago
Vancouver
TO NEW YORK
TO BOSTON, CHICAGO,LOS ANGELES, NEW YORK, SAN FRANCISCO & TORONTO
FROM ROME
FROM LONDONDalian
Wuhan
Kunming Guangzhou
Haikou
Xian
Urumqi
Ulaanbataar
ROUTE MAP
Cathay Pacific
AD
D-O
N E
XA
MPL
ES
London – East Coast AmericaChicago, New York, Boston, Toronto, Vancouver or vice versa one-way from $694*
London – West Coast AmericaLos Angeles, San Francisco or vice versa one-way from $794*
South America via New YorkSantiago, Buenos Aires or vice versa one-way from $899*
Shanghai or BeijingGuangzhou, Dalian, Haikou, Kunming, Ulaanbataar, Urumqi, Wuhan or Xian or vice versa one-way from $249*
New York – RomeVice versa one-way from $687*
*Valid year round, subject to availability
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Cathay Pacific add-ons
*MAP IS NOT TO SCALE
38 f lightcentre.com.au 39Airfare Guide
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.
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.
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.
There are essentially three different types of RTW itineraries, each with their own perks:
Traditional Alliance Round-the-World AirfareThe 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.
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.
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.
Mini Round-the-World AirfareThese 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.
Round the WorldConstructional Round-the-World AirfareThe 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.
New York, USA Machu Picchu, Peru London, UK Bangkok, Thailand
40 f lightcentre.com.au 41Airfare Guide
Dubai
Barcelona
Johannesburg
Miami
New YorkSan Francisco
Honolulu
San Diego
Portland
Denver
Dallas
Chicago
St Louis
Orlando
Boston
Baltimore
Washington D.C.
Vancouver
Phoenix
Montreal
Las Vegas
Seattle
Lisbon Madrid
NiceLyon
GenevaZurich
ParisBrussels
DublinNewcastle
AmsterdamBrusselsHamburg
Copenhagen
StockholmOslo St Petersburg
Moscow
Warsaw
PragueViennaBudapestMunich
Milan
Tahiti
Melbourne
Brisbane
Sydney
Rome
Singapore
London
Los Angeles
Hong Kong
Bangkok
Perth
Adelaide
Cairns
Darwin
Canberra
Hobart
Nadi
Dusseldorf
Glasgow
Frankfurt
VeniceBologna
Athens
MaltaLarnaca
Santiago
Buenos Aires
Round the WorldFly Qantas & EmiratesExplore 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-the-world (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.
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
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:
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,
Via South AmericaFrom 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:
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
Coming home via AsiaLeaving 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.
Coming home via AfricaLeaving 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.
AIR
FAR
E EX
AM
PLES Itinerary 1 from $3299*
Brisbane – Honolulu – Los Angeles – New York – London – Rome – Dubai – Singapore – Brisbane
Itinerary 2 from $3399*
Sydney – Hong Kong – Dubai – Barcelona – London – Miami – Los Angeles – Sydney
Itinerary 3 from $3399*
Melbourne – Bangkok – Dubai – London – New York – San Francisco – Tahiti – Melbourne
Itinerary 4 from $3699*
Sydney – Johannesburg – London – Las Vegas – Sydney
Qantas
Emirates
British Airways
Your own way
*MAP IS NOT TO SCALE
MA
P K
EY
42 f lightcentre.com.au 43Airfare Guide
Barcelona
Miami
New YorkSan Francisco
Honolulu
Dallas
Chicago Boston
Washington D.C.Las VegasMalaga
Madrid
Nice
Bergen
GenevaZurich
ParisBrussels
AmsterdamBrussels
Hamburg
Copenhagen
StockholmOslo St Petersburg
Moscow
Warsaw
PragueVienna
BudapestMunich
Milan Toronto
Helsinki
Gothenburg
Ivalo
Krakow
Manchester
Riga
Rovaniemi
Talinn
Melbourne
Brisbane
Sydney
Rome
Singapore
London
Los Angeles
Hong Kong
Bangkok
Perth
Adelaide
Cairns
Darwin
Canberra
Hobart
Dusseldorf
Frankfurt
Venice
Berlin
CataniaMalta Rhodes
Denpasar
Shanghai
OsakaTokyo
Kuala Lumpur
Beijing
ChongqingDelhi
XianNagoyaSeoul
Dubrovnik
Crete
Ljublana
Naples
Pisa Split
Round the World Fly FinnairExplore 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).
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.
Via North AmericaAdelaide, 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.
Fly to Dallas, Honolulu, Los Angeles, New York or San Francisco with Qantas or American Airlines.
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.
From Dallas, you can fly to Las Vegas, San Francisco, Boston, Chicago, Miami, New York, Washington or Toronto with American Airlines.
From Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Las Vegas, Miami, San Francisco, Washington or Toronto, you are permitted a flight to New York.
From Chicago, Miami, New York or Toronto, fly to Helsinki to connect to your chosen European destination.
Via AsiaAdelaide, 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 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 Bali, Bangkok, Hong Kong or Kuala Lumpur to Singapore.
Fly from Hong Kong to Beijing, Bangkok, Chongqing, Delhi, Shanghai, Singapore or Xian.
Fly from Tokyo to Nagoya, Osaka or Seoul.
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.
AIR
FAR
E EX
AM
PLES
Itinerary 1 from $2344*
Sydney – Honolulu – Los Angeles – New York – Paris // Madrid – Bangkok – Singapore – Sydney
Itinerary 2 from $2499*
Darwin – Bali – Singapore – London // Rome – New York – Dallas – Sydney – Darwin
Itinerary 3 from $2499*
Cairns – Hong Kong – Bangkok – Rome // Barcelona – Helsinki – Miami – Los Angeles – Cairns
Itinerary 4 from $2419*
Melbourne – Los Angeles – New York – London – Singapore – Melbourne
// make your own way
Qantas or American Airlines
Finnair
Airline partners
*MAP IS NOT TO SCALE
MA
P K
EY
44 f lightcentre.com.au 45Airfare Guide
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.
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 directionsWe 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 AsiaWe 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.
via Africa and AsiaWe have fares starting from just $2,399 in economy and $7,999 in business.
via Africa & the Americas 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).
Travelling in EuropeIf 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.
Note: » Prices are valid all year round, however availability is generally best
through February/March and October/November periods.» Some destinations are seasonal.» Prices quoted are based on cheapest available at time of advertising
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.
Osaka
TO VANCOUVER, MORNTREAL, BOSTON, NEW YORK, LAS VEGAS, LOS ANGELES, TAMPA, MIAMI, HAVANA, PUNTA CANA & SAO PAULO
FROM ZURICH
FROM ZURICH
Phuket
Gold Coast
Sunshine Coast
Cairns
Denpasar
Dubai
Shanghai
Mumbai
Johannesburg
Zurich
Miami
Havana
Punta Cana
Tampa
Las Vegas
New York
MontrealToronto
San Francisco
BostonChicago
Dallas
Houston
Vancouver
Honolulu
Rio de Janeiro
Canberra
Darwin
Perth
Melbourne
Adelaide
Brisbane
Sydney
Nairobi
Mauritius
Muscat
Singapore
Jakarta
Male
Delhi
Dar Es Salaam
Los Angeles
Hong Kong
ManilaBangkok
Seoul
Beijing
Tokyo
Cape Town
Auckland
Sao Paulo
Buenos AiresSantiago
Round the World Made for you
Phuket
MilduraAlbury
Port MacquarieNewcastle
Coffs HarbourTamworthBallina/Byron BayGold Coast
Launceston
Albany
Ravensthorpe Esperance
KalgoorlieGeraldton
Broome
Port HedlandKarratha
Newman
Paraburdoo
Christmas Island
Cocos Island
Whitsunday Coast
KununurraDerby
Sunshine Coast
RockhamptonGladstone
Fraser CoastBundaberg
Mackay
EmeraldMoranbah
Mount Isa CloncurryHamilton Island
Townsville
Cairns
Denpasar
Ujung Pandang
Dunedin
Uluru(Ayers Rock)
Dubai
Manchester
Toulouse
Birmingham
Edinburgh
GenevaLyon
Istanbul
Tel Aviv
Milan Venice
Barcelona
Nice
Madrid
Almaty
Peshawar
Lahore
Karachi
Al Ain
Munich ViennaBudapestGraz
Ljubjlana
BaselStuttgart
FrankfurtLuxemborg
DusseldorfCologne
StockholmOslo
Wuhan
PenangLangkawi
Kuching
Balikpapan
Kota Kinabalu
Surabaya
Semarang
Yogyakarta LombokBandung
Medan
Pekanbaru
Palembang
Cebu
Davao
Manado
Ho Chi Minh City
Siem Reap
Danang
Shenzhen
XiamenGuangzhou
Kunming
Shanghai
Chongqing
Chengdu
Changsha
ChennaiBangalore
Hyderabad Visakhapatnam
Mumbai
Ahmedabad
Jaipur
Kolkata
Chiang Mai
Mandalay
Yangon
NagoyaOsaka
NaritaHaneda
Fukuoka
ThiruvananthapuramKochi
CalicutCoimbatore
Johannesburg
Zurich
Koh Samui
Minneapolis
Miami
Tampa
Las VegasPhoenix
Puerto VallartaLeon
Guadalajara
San DiegoLong Beach
Sacramento
Memphis
Tulsa
Indianapolis
Salt Lake City
Kansas City
Austin
OaklandFresno
AtlantaChattanooga
Nashville
CincinnatiLexington
New York
Orlando
San Antonio
Detroit
New Orleans
Los Cabos
San Francisco
Cancun
Raleigh/Durham
Columbus
BostonChicago
Pittsburgh
Dallas
Seattle Kalispell
Jackson Hole
Spokane
Vancouver
Boise
Missoula
Portland
KauaiHonolulu Maui
Kona
Queenstown
Rotorua
Whangarei
Alice Springs
Canberra
Port Moresby
Apia
Nuku’ Alofa
Port Vila
Wellington
Rarotonga
Darwin
Perth
Melbourne
Hobart
Adelaide
Brisbane
Sydney
Christchurch
Abu Dhabi
Brussels
Paris
Athens
RomeNaples
PalermoCatania
Malta
Cairo
Astana
Islamabad
Dublin
Seychelles
Muscat
Moscow
Warsaw
Singapore
Jakarta
London
Kathmandu
Colombo
Male
Dhaka
Delhi
Amsterdam
Helsinki St Petersburg
Riga
HamburgKieve
Berlin
DresdenPrague
Nuremberg
BelgradeSarejevo
So�aSkopje
PodgoricaSplit
Dubrovnik
Bucharest
Lisbon
Malaga
IbizaPalma de MallorcaValencia
Oporto
Florence
Zagreb
Los Angeles
Washington Dc
Copenhagen
Taipei
Hong Kong
Bandar Seri BegawanKuala Lumpur
Manila
Phnom Penh
Hanoi
Bangkok
Seoul
Beijing
Tokyo
CAPE TOWN
Auckland
Nadi
Barranquilla
Easter Island
ValleduparCúcutaBucaramanga
YopalBogotá
VillavicencioCali
QuibdóMedellín
Apartadó
CartagenaMontería
San Andrés
Leticia
Puerto AsísNeiva
Santa Marta
Pereira
Buena Vista
Porto VelhoRío Branco
Campo Grande
Santarém
Belém
São Luis
Marabá
Londrina
NatalFortaleza
Macapá
Cuiabá
S.J. do Río Preto
Goiânia
Foz do Iguazu
Porto Alegre
FlorianópolisNavegantesJoinvilleCuritiba
Imperatriz
Palmas
Teresina
Uberlândia
São PauloRio de Janeiro
Riberão PretoCampinas
Belo HorizonteVitoria
Porto Seguro
IlheusSalvador
AracajuMaceió
RecífeJoão Pessoa
Manaus
Brasília
SaltaAsunción Ciudad del Este
TucumánIguazú
CórdobaSan Juan
Mendoza
Buenos Aires
NeuquénBahía Blanca
Bariloche
Comodoro Rivadavia
Ushuaia
El Calafate
Río Gallegos
Arica
Calama
Santiago
Concepción
TemucoValdiviaOsorno
Punta Arenas
Iquique
Antofagasta
Copiapó
La Serena
Puerto MonttChiloé
Balmaceda
Lima
Juliaca
Tacna
Piura
TumbesIquitos
Cusco
CajamarcaTarapoto
Pucallpa
Arequipa
Trujillo
Chiclayo
PuertoMaldonado
Quito
Cuenca
Galapagos
San CristóbalBaltra
Guayaquil
46 f lightcentre.com.au 47Airfare Guide
KEY • Available from this port n/a Not available from this port Airline does not fly from this port
AIRLINE NAMEADELAIDE BRISBANE CAIRNS
ECONOMYPREMIUM
ECONOMYBUSINESS
CLASSFIRSTCLASS
ECONOMYPREMIUM
ECONOMYBUSINESS
CLASSFIRSTCLASS
ECONOMYPREMIUM
ECONOMYBUSINESS
CLASSFIRSTCLASS
Air Asia
Air Canada • • • n/a
Air Mauritius
Air New Zealand • n/a n/a n/a • • • n/a • n/a n/a n/a
British Airways
Cathay Pacific • • • n/a • • • n/a • • • n/a
China Eastern
China Southern • • • n/a
Emirates • n/a • • • n/a • •
Etihad • n/a • •
Fiji Airways • n/a • n/a
Garuda Indonesia
Hawaiian Airlines • • • n/a
Japan Airlines
Jetstar • n/a • n/a • n/a • n/a • n/a • n/a
Korean Air • n/a • •
LAN
Malaysia Airlines • n/a • n/a
Philippine Airlines • n/a • n/a • n/a • n/a
Qantas • n/a • • • n/a • n/a
Qatar
Scoot
Singapore Airlines • n/a • n/a • n/a • n/a • n/a • n/a
South African Airways
Thai • n/a • n/a
United Airlines
Virgin Australia • n/a • n/a • • • n/a
DARWIN MELBOURNE PERTH SYDNEY
ECONOMYPREMIUM
ECONOMYBUSINESS
CLASSFIRSTCLASS
ECONOMYPREMIUM
ECONOMYBUSINESS
CLASSFIRSTCLASS
ECONOMYPREMIUM
ECONOMYBUSINESS
CLASSFIRSTCLASS
ECONOMYPREMIUM
ECONOMYBUSINESS
CLASSFIRSTCLASS
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Your seat in the skyToday, 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.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.
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.
48 f lightcentre.com.au 49Airfare Guide
Fares & fees: how they affect you
Notes
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 FeeShould 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 FeeChanging 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.
Checked BaggageIf 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 pieceCommonly one, two or three pieces of baggage. Each item can weigh up to 23kg.
WeightAny number of pieces. The total weight of all baggage must meet a total allowance, usually from 20 to 40kg.
Carry-on BaggageIf 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.
50 f lightcentre.com.au
▼Restrictions and conditions apply. Please ask us for further details or visit our website at www.f lightcentre.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.f lightcentre.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 specif ic to your f light 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 f lightcentre.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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