Media Releases

Beating The Airport Layover Blues

May 9, 2011

Beating The Airport Layover Blues

PASSING the time during long airport layovers is becoming easier, as airlines and airports boost their facilities.

As a helping hand for international travellers, Flight Centre has compiled a list of possible activities that may appeal to those who aren’t prepared to simply wait patiently in the transit lounge for their departing flight.

Spas

Luxury spas are now standard features at the world’s major international airports. Examples include Virgin’s Cowshed spas in the UK and the Timeless spas at Dubai International Airport.

Tie the knot

Several airports allow travellers to tie the knot within the terminal or in other dedicated facilities. Amsterdam’s major airport, Schiphol,  has become one of the most popular airport wedding destinations and has a number of options for couples to choose from, including hangar-based ceremonies.

Lounge in award winning style

Guide book specialist Frommer’s, in conjunction with USA Today, recently judged Cathay Pacific’s The Wing at Hong Kong Airport as the world’s leading lounge. The lounge, which is currently being renovated, has long been a favourite for travellers, with its hotel-style private cabanas particularly popular.

Shop for a bargain

If you need a last-minute gift, Heathrow is the place to be.

According to Skytrax, the famous London airport has the world’s best shopping. In all, Heathrow has more than 80 stores, including Harrods, Tiffany and Co, Prada and Gucci.

If you’re looking for a second hand bargain and are passing through town at the right time of year, you might be able to attend a lost and found auction at Miami International Airport (MIA)

According to the airport, hundreds of items sold under the hammer at the most recent auction in March,  including phones, suitcases, DVD players and jewelery that went MIA at MIA.

Catch a movie

Hong Kong International Aiport has a 4D Extreme Screen, which is reportedly the largest in Asia. The cinema is located on Level 6 of Terminal 2, near two other favourites – the I-Sport sport simulator and the Playstation Gateway.

Whiter teeth

Travellers passing through Birmingham Airport in the UK can enhance the holiday smile by taking advantage of a 20-minute teeth whitening service offered by the Smile Company.

Cheers

If you feel like a drink, The Center Bar at Switzerland’s Zurich Airport has just been named the world’s best airport bar at the inaugural Airport Food and Beverage Awards.

Those seeking a caffeine hit can try Frankfurt Airport’s Perfect Day, a coffee and sandwich specialist that was honoured in the non-alcoholic section at the same awards.

Take the plunge or play a round

The Ambassador Hotel at Singapore’s Changi Aiport has a rooftop pool and is located within the airport’s Transit Mall, which means that hotel guests can swim, sleep or use the 24-hour gym without clearing immigration.

Golfers can play a round at the Sky City Nine Eagles Golf Course, near Terminal 2 at Hong Kong International Airport.

Equipment rental, baggage storage and a pro-shop are available at the course.

Something for the kids

Air France has developed a business lounge specifically for children who are travelling alone, or “unaccompanied minors” as they are known in airline speak.

The lounge at Paris-Orly airport has a range of dedicated facilities for kids including DVDs, toys and books. Supervision is provided.

Try your luck

Where else but Las Vegas?

If you’re wondering what to do with your spare change before you take off for home,  MacCarran International Airport has more than 1200 slot machines in its terminals.

ENDS

London Calling As Airfare Affordability Soars

May 5, 2011

London Calling As Airfare Affordability Soars

A RETURN airfare to London now costs less than one-and-a-half weeks’ wage – compared to more than one-and-a-half years when commercial flights first took off.

Flight Centre has compared historic airfare prices on the famous Kangaroo Route with average wages at the same point in history to determine general affordability levels on the iconic Australia-UK flight path.

The comparison shows that the typical return fare:

  • Is now more than 60 times more affordable for the average worker than it was in 1947, when the first Qantas flight took off to London
  • Has become significantly more affordable with each passing decade; and
  • Has hardly changed in price over the past 30 years, despite the effects of inflation and a quadrupling in average weekly wages during the same period

“This highlights the great value that is available to travellers taking off to London today,” Flight Centre Limited managing director Graham Turner said.

“Historically, a flight to the UK was a major investment that represented months or even years of savings for the average traveller.

“Now a ticket is within reach of most workers.

“Today, a typical fare now costs in the order of $1800 and even cheaper fares are available, with Flight Centre currently offering return fares from Sydney from just $1271.

“Based on the typical price, a traveller today could fly to the UK and back 60 times for less than a traveller paid for a single return flight in 1947.”

The 29 passengers aboard the first Qantas Lockheed Constellation that took off to London in December 1947 paid the equivalent of $1170 – about 85 weeks’ pay for the average worker at the time – for the four-day each-way flight.

Based on current average wages in Australia, the 1947 fare cost the equivalent of more than $110,000 in today’s dollars.

By the early 1960s, a typical fare cost the equivalent of 6 months’ wages, about $34000 in today’s terms.

When long haul travel took off ten years later, an average Australian worker would have spent three months’ total wages on a return flight to London, about $18000 in today’s terms.

In the early 1990s, Qantas sparked a price war when it reduced Kangaroo Route flights to $1800.

In 1991, an $1800 fare represented three weeks’ pay or almost $4000 in today’s terms.

During the ensuing 20 years, typical fares have hardly changed, with an $1800 fare currently representing just 1.4 weeks’ pay for the average worker.

Mr Turner said the findings did not take into account another significant benefit for Australian travellers today – the dollar’s strength.

“In addition, to airfares becoming more affordable, the dollar’s recent strength means travellers now have greater spending power when they arrive in London.

“Today, a traveller taking $5000 spending money to the UK theoretically receives in the order of GBP3250. Twenty years ago, a traveller with the same budget received about GBP2200 – about GBP1000 less.”

A summary of the findings is included in the table below.

YEAR

 TYPICAL FARE WEEKS’ PAY  (based on average wages at the time) ADJUSTED PRICE  (based on current average wages)
1947 $1170 85 $112540
1961 $1200 26 $34424
1971 $1300 14 $18536
1981 $1850 6 $7944
1991 $1800 3 $3972
2001 $1900 2.2 $2913
2010 $1800 1.4

 

  ENDS  

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