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The Lowdown on Budget Airlines
| Last month the Sun Herald road tested the budget airlines of Australia with some surprising results. What do passengers actually end up paying for their flight after they have bought a few comforts - or necessities - along the way? |
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On
some low-cost carriers, such as Virgin Blue, it is simply a case of having to
purchase meals and drinks as you go, while on others, you pay for absolutely everything, including checking in your luggage. Tiger Airways even prevents you from taking your own food and drinks with you. The Sun Herald began by analysing one-way flights from Sydney to Melbourne on a given day. Jetstar was the cheapest, at $79, while Virgin Blue's fares started at $115 and Qantas's cheapest seat was $127. On a one-hour flight, Qantas would serve a free snack and drink, so they added $5.50 (cheese and crackers and a coffee) to the Virgin Blue and Jetstar fares. Given that it was an hour-long flight and Virgin Blue and Jetstar have inflight magazines, they did not add any cost for inflight entertainment. However, as Jetstar flies to Avalon Airport in Melbourne, rather than Tullamarine, they added the difference in the cost of a taxi fare, which is about $40 from Tullamarine and $80 from Avalon After making these adjustments, the cost of the three journeys came within $7 of each other: $124.50 for Jetstar, $120.50 for Virgin Blue and $127 for Qantas. These results, however, are arguably a little artificial. The Qantas flight may have been leaving at 3am whilst the Jetstar flight may have left at a more sociable hour. Furthermore, for a one hour flight, food and drinks may not be an absolute necessity. The real value in budget air travel is being able to book the time and destination of choice at a convenient hour at lower cost. On this criteria, the budget- carriers deliver the goods. |
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Pills and
PotionsOur members recommend what
MEDICINE AND DRUGS to include in your traveling first aid kit… Panadol and Sudafed seem to be the must-haves.
The Glamour GigOur members discuss the
GLAMOROUS AND NOT SO GLAMOROUS aspects of travelling for work.Dodgy
Dish?One member offers advice on how to deal with Qantas after some
SUSPECTED FOOD POISONING in the Sydney T2 lounge.
The Upgrade ChallengeOne
of our members provide some handy tips on how to improve your chance of obtaining
THAT COVETED UPGRADE.Involuntary
Re-routesOur members discuss the likelihood of
OBTAINING
POINTS WHEN MOVED to a different carrier due to delays.
Tiger Takes OffOur members discuss the
EXPANSION OF
TIGER AIRLINES. Canberra, Hobart and Newcastle will be added to their flights itineraries by the start of 2008.
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