Flight Centre Gets Creative to Send Travellers to London

Agency group Flight Centre Limited (FLT) said today that while traditional flights to the UK were likely to be at full capacity in the short-term, alternatives could be available for travellers willing to consider less conventional routes.
FLT Australian air contracting manager Greg Parker said options for travellers who had not yet booked flights could include:

• Flying to other European airports, including Amsterdam, Paris or Frankfurt, and then travelling overland to the UK. For example, Air Austral flies from Sydney to Paris, via Reunion Island
• Taking advantage of cheap airfares across the Pacific and travelling to the UK via America. Flights to London are available from more than a dozen airports in North America, including New York, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Boston, Vancouver and Chicago
• Flying from Sydney direct to Buenos Aires, then travelling on to Madrid and London; and
• Travelling via Africa
• Booking a round-the-world fare constructed to suit customers’ individual needs

"While airlines work to clear the backlog of passengers booked to fly into the UK, there will be limited availability on traditional routes to London on most carriers," Mr Parker said.
"Flight Centre alone has thousands of customers in Australia who are being reaccommodated after the airspace closure.
"Typically, premium seats will be the only options that are available for travellers who have not already booked.
"It will, however, still be possible to get to London and attractive deals may be available if you are willing to take a less conventional route than the normal journey via Asia in both directions.
"For example, you may be able to fly from Australia to Las Vegas, Los Angeles, New York or many other US cities and take advantage of additional services that operate from there to London.
"Similarly, you may be able to fly into an alternative airport in Europe and then travel at your leisure across the continent to the UK.
"Other options are to fly from Australia to Argentina, enjoy a stopover in Buenos Aires, then travel on to Spain and London or to fly from Sydney to Paris, via Reunion island with Air Austral.
"The good news is that travel agents can create attractive options for you if you can be flexible with your arrangements."
Travel tips

• Consider flying in to other European airports, including Amsterdam, Paris or Frankfurt, and then travel overland to the UK
• Take advantage of cheap fares across the Pacific and travel to the UK via North or South America. A flight from New York to London takes about seven hours
• Travel via Africa
• Rather than buy an off-the-shelf round-the-world fare, ask your travel agent to construct a fare to suit your needs. It is possible to travel via the USA in one direction of travel and via Asia on the return journey

Media enquiries to Haydn Long 0418 750454