Discount fliers, your days are numbered

[QF WP]

As battered U.S. airlines cut flights to save on fuel-related costs, passengers can bid bon voyage to discount flights to sunny vacation destinations like Florida, experts say....

More US airlines need to go out of business and the price of tickets must rise much further if the air travel industry is to survive record oil prices, the chief executive of Virgin Atlantic Airways said...

 

[kpc]

In 1990, the cheapest economy fare that I could get for an Adl-Syd return on Ansett (including spending the mandatory Saturday nite away) was $289.

In 1989, I paid $2199 (low season) for Adl-Sin-Lhr return on SQ in Y class.

17-18 years later, we are paying similar fares (including the much maligned fuel surcharges!) or less for these routes. I'm not an economist but salary, cost of living etc must have increased by several hundred % in that period!!

So we can't really complain about airfares going up...really!! Of course, I have enjoyed the benefit of these cheap airfares we have had over the last 10-15 years or so...

 

[serfty]

There's a difference between the legacy/regulated (read protected) air travel and the far freer market experienced these days.

It's a simple thing; cost v. benefit - For airlines and their prospective PAX.

While the cost of jet A may be rising; so is 'unleaded'. If the need to travel is > the cost then people will travel, whether by road, air or sea. It's this sort of issue that make most late booked fares more expensive than those done months in advance.

So, IMO, discount travel is relative, yes fares will go up, but the well advanced purchaser will pay less, often much less, than the late notice traveller.

BTW, there is another issue - that of so called 'flexible' travel. Having traveled on 'discount' fares for the majority of the last 10 years, I believe so-called 'flexible' travel is the endangered species.

 

[oz_mark]

So we can't really complain about airfares going up...really!! Of course, I have enjoyed the benefit of these cheap airfares we have had over the last 10-15 years or so...

..and much of the tourism industry is built on the availibility of those fares.

 

[kpc]

..and much of the tourism industry is built on the availibility of those fares.

perhaps the tourism industry needs to think of novel ways to continue to attract clientele...eg rebates for airfares, cheaper products to offset the higher cost of travel etc.

I can tell you what tho....if local tourism destinations continue to charge exhorbitant prices for meals, groceries, activities, sightseeing etc (just came back from a w/e away on the central NSW coast), I'll be looking to spend my hard earned dollar offshore with the high value of the AUD$ currently.

 

[Budley]

Indeed, Australia is the most expensive place in the world for a tourist.

 

[JohnK]

I can't really complain as airfares have basically remained stable or even decreased in the last 15-20 years.

I agree with kpc in that tourist places need to consider their prices in terms of accommodation, meals and tourist attractions if they want tourists to continue visiting. If airfares continue to increase I do not plan on stopping travel but rather adjust my spending patterns during holidays to suit my budget.

 

[simongr]

Indeed, Australia is the most expensive place in the world for a tourist.

Do you seriously believe this? Have you been to London or Paris or paid for a decent hotel in NY? One of my colleagues considers US$500/night fairly cheap compared to London prices.

It's is not cheap here but it's not the most expensive place on Earth...

 

[sparoy]

Do you seriously believe this? Have you been to London or Paris or paid for a decent hotel in NY? One of my colleagues considers US$500/night fairly cheap compared to London prices.

It's is not cheap here but it's not the most expensive place on Earth...

Fully agree!
We've recently returned from London, Paris, Helsinki, Rome, Venice etc. and just about everything there is more expensive than Australia for tourist!
And not to mention customer service in Italy (with a very few exception) range from rude to non existent!

 

[Sequel]

Is it a case of the consumer getting discount flights over the last 10 years, or does it just show how badly the passengers were getting ripped off by QF/AN in the 80's & 90's?

 

[NM]

Do you seriously believe this? Have you been to London or Paris or paid for a decent hotel in NY? One of my colleagues considers US$500/night fairly cheap compared to London prices.

It's is not cheap here but it's not the most expensive place on Earth...

Last night I paid GBP139.83 (inc taxes) for a room at Paddington Hilton. HEX transfer was GBP22. A 1-day zone1/2 travel card cost GBP5.40. A few ales with DSN was around GBP7. Dinner (pizza) was GBP12. That all makes Sydney seem pretty cheap to me .

But not too many places to get a real ale in Sydney .

 

[simongr]

The Lord Nelson would be a good start...

 

[NM]

The Lord Nelson would be a good start...

Will have to check it out. Actually found a few places in Fort Worth that do Real Ale, but it can be hit and miss depending on the brewing cycle.

 

[simongr]

There are a number of micro breweries in that part of Sydney - not personally an ale drinker (I like more lighter refreshing beers) but a number of friends bleat on about them I think the Australian has a few micro brews as well. Then if you are in Sydney you should really try Red Oak on Clarence Street - chocolate beer.... (and many other fine real ales)