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Tips to booking a low cost flight ticket

February 2, 2011 // Posted in Best Cheap Flights (Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ) |  No Comments

Over the last five years Europe has seen an increase in the number of low cost airlines which is great news for the holidaymaker, but many say bad news for the high street travel agent.

I remember a friend looking to take her husband away for the weekend to Dublin, Ireland and went to a high street travel agent. She was given a quote of 300 for a weekend, including flights and accommodation – book the same flight with Ryanair and a hotel in the centre of Dublin direct with the hotel, and the weekend actually cost her only 190 again including flights and accommodation – a saving of 110.

Here are my tips for searching low cost airline tickets;

Book in plenty of time

The later you leave it the more expensive the flight becomes, most airlines charge more if you book the ticket a few days or even a week before you want to departure, so the earlier you book it the cheaper the flight will cost.

Weekend departures

If you book your flight for the weekend then the ticket will cost you more money, as most people travel at the weekend, so try and book the flight departure during the week, and not only will your flight be cheaper but youll probably find that they will be more accommodation special offers

Travel agent flight booking

Dont book your flight through a travel agent, simply because youll be charged more than booking direct with the airline – you have to remember that the travel agents in most cases add on commission to the flight, they have to make a living, but why should you pay more.

Travel out of school holidays

Like weekend departures flight prices increase during the school or bank holidays, so where you can try and book your flight during the school term.

Late night Early morning flights

To save the most money when booking your airline ticket, book a flight either late at night or in the early hours of the morning, this is where the best savings are made, simply because of the unsocial flying times.

Oasis Hong Kong Airlines Triumphs at 2007 World Low Cost

November 3, 2010 // Posted in Best Cheap Flights (Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ) |  No Comments

Oasis Hong Kong Airlines Triumphs at 2007 World Low Cost Airline Awards

Oasis Hong Kong Airlines was awarded “Best New Service” and “Best Business Class Carrier” at the 2007 World Low Cost Airline Awards, held in London on 18th September.

The airline, which started its service in October 2006 fought off tough competition from FlyZoom, MAXjet and Silverjet to take the coveted Best Business Class Carrier Award. It was also awarded Best New Service over Nok Air, Click Air, Go India, Sama Airlines, Silverjet and Fly Zoom.

Oasis Hong Kong has operated a daily service from London Gatwick to Hong Kong since October 2006 and added a new route from Hong Kong to Vancouver in June this year. Its pioneering business model combines low fares with a full service offer – hot meals and seat back entertainment are included in the ticket price.

The businessOasis offer allows business and premium leisure travelers to enjoy the benefits of a business service to Hong Kong for just ฃ470 + tax one way. The ticket price includes a dedicated businessOasis check-in area, two gourmet meals with the choice of an Asian or Western menu, 28 video / audio channels, a personal seat-back TV and electronic reclining sleeper seats with a 60″ seat pitch which is comparable to other airlines.

Steve Miller, CEO says: “We are extremely proud to be recognized for our achievements within our first 11 months of operation. The Best Business Class Carrier award is a great accolade as it shows businessOasis rivals the offer of specialist business class carriers. Over 153,000 passengers on 574 flights have now experienced our low fare, full service offer and we plan to continue exceeding expectations by providing the best service both on the ground and in the air.”

The World Low Cost Airline Awards are judged by a panel of senior aviation, media and marketing experts: John Hanlon, Secretary General, European Low Fare Airline Association; John Strickland, CEO, JLS Consulting; Jay Sorensen, CEO, IdeaWorks; Ian Harbinson, Editor, Low Cost Airline Business; Peter Harbison, Executive Director, Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation.

Oasis Hong Kong Airlines is pioneering a fresh approach to provide passengers the best choice in low fare, long distance travel. The airline is committed to making long haul flights accessible to more people.

Low Cost Airline. Low service level?

October 6, 2010 // Posted in Best Cheap Flights (Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ) |  No Comments

Low cost airlines are now common place in our society and since there launch, traveling to foreign countries is now possible for the masses.

Easy Jet are considered to be the founders of low cost air travel, starting there operations from London Luton Airport. Over the years, Easy Jet has grown and now flies to many European countries. As Easy Jet grew, more and more airlines jumped on the bandwagon. Ryan Air, BMI Baby and FlyBe to name a few.

Not so long ago, I had cause to travel from the UK to France on a regular basis. As there were low cost airlines operating from my local airport, East Midlands, I decided to sample a flight and flew with BMI Baby. At that time, BMI Baby, the low cost arm of BMI (British Midland International), were flying to Paris CDG. It was a really convenient service and took about 1 hour. The flight I would regularly take, left the UK at 16:00 and would arrive in Paris at 18:00 local time. I can’t quite remember how many journeys I made with BMI Baby, but I would hazard a guess at about 12 – 15 times.

When BMI Baby launched there low cost operation from East Midlands, the fares were offered at ridiculous prices. Ridiculous to the point that they were offering seats for nothing! Unfortunately there is the issue of tax, so the flight was not actually free. Never the less, a return flight from the UK to France usually cost somewhere in the region of about 50 – 60, including tax. Seems incredible how they could actually make any money from their flights!

Although the costs were low, I felt that the service levels were quite high. My experience flying with BMI Baby was nearly always great. Although the flight is labeled as a no frills flight, the staff were very courteous and food and drink were always available for the short flights. The punctuality was excellent too!

BMI Baby stopped operating the flight from East Midlands to Paris and was replaced by there parent company BMI. In my experience, as soon as BMI Baby stopped flying and handed over the baton to BMI, which in effect is the same company, the prices escalated. It was very disappointing to lose the service as I had always enjoyed flying with them and found the prices easy on the pocket. I have since found alternative ways to travel from the UK to France, but if BMI Baby decide to come back, I will be tempted to come back too!

For people considering moving to another country as an expat, or simply looking at buying a holiday home abroad, there is no doubt that the low cost airlines have opened the door to another world. Another world which was not imaginable not so long ago. Low cost airlines, low service levels? Not in my experience.

Bon voyage!