SYD-CDG via WHERE???

[chooms]

Hi all, just received an interesting email from the French Tourist Bureau informing me that Air Austral (UU) will be flying Sydney - Paris via Réunion which is off the coast of Madagascar.

From 14 April 2009* Australians have a new one stop route to Paris via Réunion with Air Austral.

Featuring welcoming French hospitality, the twice weekly Sydney – Réunion – Paris service will operate with wide bodied Boeing 777 aircraft in three full service classes: Club Austral (Business Class), Confort Class (Premium Economy) and Loisirs Class (Economy).

The Paris service will depart Sydney at 13:25 on Tuesday, arriving in Paris at 06:45 on Wednesday, and depart at 12:10 on Saturday for arrival at 05:30 on Sunday.*

Return services will depart Paris at 22:50 on Wednesday, arriving in Sydney at 06:05 on Friday, and depart at 08:50 on Sunday for arrival at 15:55 on Monday.*

UU launch fare pricesˆ inclusive of taxes & surcharges effective 7th of January, 2009.

SYDNEY to PARIS ECONOMY $2,080.00
SYDNEY to PARIS PREMIUM ECONOMY $4,506.00
SYDNEY to PARIS BUSINESS $7,306.00
SYDNEY to REUNION ECONOMY $1,555.00
SYDNEY to REUNION PREMIUM ECONOMY $2,606.00
SYDNEY to REUNION BUSINESS$4,864.00

Here is the link to the website.

Air Austral - Home or Air Austral, the french airline company of indian ocean, Reunion island, Paris, Marseille, Mauritius, Madagascar, South africa, Mayotte, Comores, Seychelles, Thailand

 

[docjames]

Does the fares include the +++ because if not, they're hardly fantastic intro fares (>$2k for economy)?

 

[chooms]

yea it looks like it:

UU launch fare pricesˆ inclusive of taxes & surcharges effective 7th of January, 2009.

Just out of curiosity, has anyone flown with UU before?

 

[oz_mark]

All looked good till I got to the seat-map. 10 abreast in a 777. Pass on that...

 

[moa999]

If the connections work could provide some price competition to JNB.

Although you can't book that on the Intl website... silly French

Looks like it might work - once a week, with an overnight on Reunion way there.

Dept SYD Sat 1210
Arrive RUN Sat 1825
Dept RUN Sun 1105
Arrive JNB Sun 1330

Dept JNB Thu/Sun 1430
Arrive RUN Thu/Sun 2020
Dept RUN Thu/Sun 2335
Arrive SYD Fri/Mon 1555

Cheapest fare costing at Eur 793 + 546 = Eur 1339 = Aud 2670
for random dates in May
(note this is booking two separate itins, as won't price a single trip)

Qantas on similar date
Sale fare A$2049
E-deal A$2576

so UU would need some special fares to match it.

 

[medhead]

I just love that economy class is called Loisirs which to my imagination is french for losers.

Picture arrogant french FA "yes, loisirs class is down the back, go there with all you loisir mates, you loisir"

 

[munitalP]

I just love that economy class is called Loisirs which to my imagination is french for losers.

Picture arrogant french FA "yes, loisirs class is down the back, go there with all you loisir mates, you loisir"

 

[turtlemichael]

I just love that economy class is called Loisirs which to my imagination is french for losers.

Picture arrogant french FA "yes, loisirs class is down the back, go there with all you loisir mates, you loisir"

As I'm not American or English, the French are never arrogant! I have the vision of the French FA saying, "it's leisure class darling, cafe, du the, ou peut-etre moi, mon petit chou"

 

[Evan]

 

[medhead]

As I'm not American or English, the French are never arrogant!

Yes, sorry. I do enjoy rampant stereotypes. In reality I've never meet an arrogant French person - except at Cafe de Flore, and I was only upset because I missed catching it on video.

 

[Sydneymax]

I must admit I had to Google where Reunion was, just to get my bearings.

 

[kpc]

Is this the airline that is introducing the 840 passenger A380?:shock:
Air Austral to create first all-economy class A380

 

[JohnK]

I just love that economy class is called Loisirs which to my imagination is french for losers.

Picture arrogant french FA "yes, loisirs class is down the back, go there with all you loisir mates, you loisir"

My thoughts exactly when I read the OP. As loisir means "leisure" but is so close to loser and you would have to be a loser if you travel Air Austral with 10 abreast seating in "Loisirs" class....

 

[2muchplastic]

My thoughts exactly when I read the OP. As loisir means "leisure" but is so close to loser and you would have to be a loser if you travel Air Austral with 10 abreast seating in "Loisirs" class....

Maybe "loisirs" means sardines in Swahili. :?:

The bad news is that at check in, passengers taller than 5'3" have the option of having their legs amputated or broken in two places to ensure that they fit comfortably in their seats. All non aisle seat occupants are fitted with a catheter and a bag to ensure that there is no need (as there is no way!) to head for the toilets during the flight

 

[NM]

All non aisle seat occupants are fitted with a catheter and a bag to ensure that there is no need (as there is no way!) to head for the toilets during the flight

Should that be singular rather than plural? Surely by installing only one toilet for the entire aircraft will allow an extra 45 seats to be installed :shock:.