Firefly - $3 flights

Status
Not open for further replies.

TravFF

Junior Member
Joined
Jan 9, 2006
Posts
32
New budget airline offers $3 dollar flights

April 5, 2007 - 9:56AM

New budget airline offers $3 dollar flights - Travel - theage.com.au


Low-cost carrier Firefly, a subsidiary of Malaysia Airlines, has started commercial operations with ticket prices as low as $US2.60 ($3.19).
Its first passengers flew out of the island resort of Penang, officials said.
Firefly, Malaysia's second low-cost airline after AirAsia, will use two 50-seater Fokker Friendship aircraft.

Initially, the airline will fly from its base in Penang to the Malaysian cities of Kota Baru, Kuala Terengganu, Kuantan and Langkawi. From April 13, the airline will also fly daily to the Thai resort islands of coughet and Koh Samui.

"We will take this step by step," Firefly chief executive Eddy Leong told The Associated Press by phone. "Signs are it's very successful."

The airline has offered 2000 free one-way tickets, and more may be handed out if there is demand, Leong said. Passengers have to pay taxes and surcharges.

Normal ticket prices start from $US2.60 for national flights and from $US10.40 to Thailand.

Firefly's online booking will start from mid-May, Leong said. Until then, a call centre and Malaysia Airlines ticketing offices will handle all bookings.
Firefly is a unit of national carrier Malaysian Airline (MAS), which has been struggling to make profits while competing with AirAsia for short-haul regional routes.

Firefly is managed separately from MAS, which is in the middle of a restructuring plan that is expected to help it return to profitability this year.

AirAsia, which started in late 2001 and revolutionised air travel in Southeast Asia, services some 15 destinations in Malaysia and about 20 in the region, according to the company's Web site.

AP

 
Interesting they plan to fly to SAM. I didn't think Bangkok Air was letting anyone else use the airport. Seems strange to do it with Fokkers as well.
 
With a heading like that I thought someone was taking the ### and there might have been really cheap bus fares .... on Australia's own firefly express (coaches, that is).
 
Does this include taxes, etc, etc? If not, the actual price paid could be quite a bit higher.

Reminds me of a fare STN-BLK I got with FR a few weeks ago. Total cost was GBP 9.99, and I thought the new Brown tax was GBP 10 per sector. If so, FR would've lost money on that ticket...
 
clifford said:
Does this include taxes, etc, etc? If not, the actual price paid could be quite a bit higher.

Reminds me of a fare STN-BLK I got with FR a few weeks ago. Total cost was GBP 9.99, and I thought the new Brown tax was GBP 10 per sector. If so, FR would've lost money on that ticket...
Either way they are losing money on those fares. They are obvious loss-leader fares. These were advertised on flyers in the seat pocket of my recent MH flight.
 
The Frequent Flyer Concierge team takes the hard work out of finding reward seat availability. Using their expert knowledge and specialised tools, they'll help you book a great trip that maximises the value for your points.

AFF Supporters can remove this and all advertisements

1. I live in Malaysia and yes those are leadrer fares and do not include taxes. Taxes are not quite so high with the Fokker and also landing at smaller country airports.
2. Please remember that the tickets have so many conditions, none of which favour the passenger. No name change, no date change etc without substantial fee including if needed the necessity if the new fare is higher you pay.
3 Of course also bear in mind you must get to one of those cities to use the service.
4.A westerner would hardly want to go to Kota Baru or Kuala Terengganu. Kuantan if on the way to Club Med maybe but you can fly out of KLIA without onflying to Penang.
5.Air Asia is the other low cost carrier in malaysia, but also remember that Air Asia flies to the Low Cost Terminal.About 20kilomteres from main KlIA.No airbridges just UNCOVERED stairs on the tarmac.
Currently 1 in 4 planes(their figures 30 minutes or more late).Insurance is offered cheaply but plane has to be 6 or more hours late..Transport to the city is by bus(very cheap) but with waiting can be a long time, or taxi. The train only runs from KLIA.Baggage limit 15 kg.
There is no onforwarding of luggage, it must be booked in leg by leg and if one flight is too late for the next you lose your fare and check how long ahead you have to book in. The plane may be late but they may still close the gate.
 
Oh and buy the way if you are legitimately entitled to any refund or consideration make sure that you write down time and date of who you spoke to.
Even after agreeing to a refund MAS did not pay and I did not have the details of who I spoke to. So they rob you with glee.
Also remember Mas uses paper tickets international. E Ticket local. They are still better than AIR ASIA
 
Maybe not the right place but when JetStar Asia starts flying to Kuala Lumpur in September, Which terminal will they land at KLIA or the Lcc??
 
When/Where would I book the cheapest 1 way fare from KUL/BKK/HCM in late December?
I scored a one way $245(incl) BogStar flight out of oz, but dont feel like $405 is fab value on the way back, given Tiger should be up by then. I note SIN to PER is most reasonable, but then up for another $150 from PER to East Coast,

Secondly, will I be hassled if I arrive without a return ticket, or will it affect visa free conditions?

Broadly, I don't know the best online place to go to book a return ticket in those countries.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Enhance your AFF viewing experience!!

From just $6 we'll remove all advertisements so that you can enjoy a cleaner and uninterupted viewing experience.

And you'll be supporting us so that we can continue to provide this valuable resource :)


Sample AFF with no advertisements? More..
Back
Top