Palau Paradise Express

[Albert Hoffman]

Nauru Airlines is launching a non-stop from BNE to the hidden tropical gem of Palau, an archipelago compromising of more than 300 islands. Anyone been? Better than Bali I gather?

Nauru Airlines to open non-stop link from Brisbane to Palau

The addition of Palau, which is part of Micronesia and lies north of Papua New Guinea and east of the Philippines, gives Brisbane the highest number of Pacific connections out of any Australian airport, with a total of 14.

australianaviation.com.au

Starting on 21 May, the weekly six-hour “Palau Paradise Express” service, operating using 737-700 and 737-800 aircraft, will leave Brisbane at 11:30pm on Tuesdays, arriving 4:30am local time on Wednesdays, then return at 10:30pm on Wednesday for a 5:30am Thursday touchdown in Brisbane.

An interesting cultural titbit

https://www.couriermail.com.au/lifestyle/things-to-do-in-palau/news-story/da80148ebf6eb56d146443b8aa067075

Although the chiefs are all men, they’re chosen by a council of women. Palauan society is both matriarchal and matrilineal, meaning that inheritance, land ownership and lineage is all traced through the female line. Women also control the finances. One guide tells me an amusing story of her dad asking her mum if he could buy a new chainsaw.

 

[Scr77]

Count me in! Been busing to get to jellyfish lake!

 

[henrus]

I looked at booking but at $759 the cheapest oneway fare (and that's just the sale) and normal prices around $1200 oneway this isn't a cheap service. Right now Fiji Airways is doing return to the US (including a stop in Fiji) for a similar price.

 

[Albert Hoffman]

Hopefully it'll be cheaper when the route goes to tender in October.

 

[henrus]

Hopefully it'll be cheaper when the route goes to tender in October.

Route going to tender?

 

[Albert Hoffman]

It's financed by the Aus Goverment and Nauru Airlines have the contract till october then it's an open tender.

 

[Jenya]

normal prices around $1200 oneway this isn't a cheap service

They got 2 for 1 sale ATM which extends into September school holidays

 

[Mattg]

They got 2 for 1 sale ATM which extends into September school holidays

View attachment 393324

That's a pretty good deal. Looks like the sale ended yesterday, though?

**Unbeatable 2-for-1 Brisbane to Palau Flight Deal - Only AUD1199!**

Discover Palau with our 2-for-1 sale! Fly Brisbane to Palau for AUD1199 including taxes. Limited seats available. Travel from 21 May - 20 July 2024. Book now!

www.nauruair.com

 

[Mattg]

The Brisbane-Koror service is moving to Fridays, and it's no longer a redeye both ways!

New schedule from the end of August:

ON080 BNE 1400 – 1900 ROR
ON081 ROR 0500 – 1200 BNE

Nauru Airlines Operation Changes From late-August 2024 — AeroRoutes

Published at 1400GMT 14AUG24 Nauru Airlines yesterday (13AUG24) revised planned operations from late-August 2024, as the airline streamlines operation on existing service. The revised service will see the airline not offering scheduled passenger flights on Sundays, while schedule listing in the GD

www.aeroroutes.com

 

[Jenya]

Inaugural flight QF165 will depart from BNE tomorrow December 7.
Cant wait for some TR's from that destination!

 

[Jenya]

Currently onboard QF165 BNE to Koror Palau.
Got 64 pax in Y and 8 in business.
Looking forward for 2 weeks in Pristine Paradise

 

[Jenya]

For those who have Palau in bucket list I started a trip report in FB page here: Palau travel
i will try to share our experience every day as family of 4 with 4 and 9 y.o.
So far it's relaxing very safe stay, plenty of services available and easy to get around with rental car.
Very few tourists compare to Bali!)
It's CLEAN even around local villages, good roads unlike in Vanuatu.
Done some diving around Rock islands and its exciting!

 

[Aussie_flyer]

Definitely on my list!

 

[k_sheep]

For those who have Palau in bucket list I started a trip report in FB page here: Palau travel
i will try to share our experience every day as family of 4 with 4 and 9 y.o.
So far it's relaxing very safe stay, plenty of services available and easy to get around with rental car.
Very few tourists compare to Bali!)
It's CLEAN even around local villages, good roads unlike in Vanuatu.
Done some diving around Rock islands and its exciting!

View attachment 438722

Interesting to hear - I'm doing a week in Vanuatu this month and a week in Palau next month!!

 

[Jenya]

I'm doing a week in Vanuatu

If you only stay on Efate, make sure to do Pele Island day trip. Very easy to get there from Emua wharf.

 

[p--and--t]

The flight to Palau has a incoming charge included in the fare of USD100 for Pristine Tax by the Palau government.

The return fare is cheaper without this fee

 

[Flyfrequently]

Interesting to hear - I'm doing a week in Vanuatu this month and a week in Palau next month!!

Also doing a week in Vanuatu late April @k_sheep
Keen to hear your thoughts.

 

[Jenya]

QF165 overnighting in Koror, Palau

 

[Aussie_flyer]

What a lovely pic

 

[Jester38]

Was on the flight back on the Sunday and yes, great place for a weeks vacation. Probably should have worked this out beforehand but discovered on boarding in ROR that due to the plane sitting on tarmac overnight and limited catering options, all the food for QF165 and QF166 comes up from Sydney. I was flying up the front and was looking forward to a reasonable breakfast but the available offering (banana, nuts, some pretzels and chocolates) was hardly a Bus Class offering. And talking to friends some rows back, even more basic.

Totally understand the logistical challenges and the crew were great in both explaining what happens and saying that they were putting forward some suggestions internally to QF about better catering options. What I could not work out was why Qantas could not tell passengers beforehand. The app is pretty good these days and a simple message along with all the other pre-flight messages to say "we will have very limited catering on this flight" would have meant we could have explored other options/bought food with us. One off I can understand but as a regular weekly flight, this will continue to happen.

Hardly a first world issue and was lucky enough to be on a points redemption, so did not pay for Business but thought it could have been done better. And def not as bad as the previous week where a replacement plane apparently had to be flown up and there was a 15+ hour delay at the airport.....!

Other comment was about lodging feedback with Qantas (and whether it is actually worthwhile). The crew member I chatted with about the above said "good for you to also let them know as you are a Platinum member". My response was "How?" and although she first laughed, it was a serious question. Asked her how this is easily done - the only way I can find is to go to Complaints and select Flight Issues. Is there any other (simple) way of providing feedback (other than the flight surveys that occasionally come to you after the flight) and/or is it even worth worrying?

Anyway, did not detract from a great trip......