With fears of catching the H1N1 flu adding to an already depressed
travel market, airlines are determined to continue offering bargain
fares. Here is what’s up for grabs at the moment:
• Air New Zealand is now promoting round-trip fares of HK$3,200 (US$413) between Hongkong and London, together with upgrades to its Pacific Premium Economy Class for HK$1,800 (US$232) more per way.
These are valid for sale until May 15, and the prices exclude per person taxes, fees and surcharges, which come up to about HK$1,330 (US$172) and can change without notice.
These apply to flights to London from now until July 30, and between September 2 and September 30. Return flights to Hongkong are until June 18, and between August 12 and November 30. All trips must be completed by November 30.
• Dubai-based airline Emirates has announced promotions on its flights from Hongkong to 23 destinations in Southeast Asia, the Mediterranean, Europe and South America.
Passengers can now book Economy Class return flights on Emirates’ website to London, Birmingham, Glasgow, Manchester, Newcastle, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Dusseldorf, Munich, Istanbul, Moscow, Milan, Rome, Venice, Paris, Nice, Vienna, Zurich and Athens for HK$4,580 (US$591), all via Dubai. Passengers travelling to London will experience the Airbus A380.
Flights to Larnarca and Malta are now priced at HK$6,310 (US$814) and flights to Sao Paulo cost HK$14,950 (US$1,929). Trips can be booked until June 15 for travel by June 30.
• United Airlines has also joined the bandwagon with a “Chicago Month Promotion” offering HK$5,890 (US$760) fares from Hongkong to Chicago for travel between June 1 and 30.
The package also includes a free stopover at another North American destinations including Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Denver, Houston, Calgary and Vancouver. Double Elite Qualifying Miles is also given away to customers who book and travel by June 15.
• Budget airlines aren’t to be left behind. AirAsia has launched a “No Bull! No Fuel Surcharge” campaign for guests flying to all destinations on AirAsia and AirAsia X from their hubs in Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta, Bangkok, Kota Kinabalu, Bandung, Johor Bahru and Bali.
The promotion treats passengers to fares as low as RM25 (US$7) to locations such as Chiangmai and Phuket, RM45 (US$12.60) to destinations such as Hanoi and Bali and RM75 (US$21) to destinations such as Hongkong and Guangzhou. Passengers only have to pay for fares, airport taxes and administrative fees.
• Jetstar is now offering a S$15 (US$10) discount on one-way Jetsaver fares around Asia. The carry-on baggage limit for passengers will also be increased to 10kg from 7kg. The low-cost carrier will also not charge extra for administrative and insurance fees.
For more details, visit www.airnewzealand.com.hk, www.emirates.com.hk, www.unitedairlines.com.hk, www.airasia.com and www.jetstar.com
Joshua Tan
