What will it cost to fly when the borders open again (domestic or international)

[Seat0B]

Ah, well said @Seat0B. I would pay top $ to attend a face to face training. The whole online training thingy isn't working. I work in IT and the new age training courses are of better value when you get a chance to collaborate in person with the fellow participants. Doing this online is very draining on the enthusiasm, productivity and the whole idea of collaboration, working together isn't happening.

The other issue is, trying to get everyone up to speed on how to use the IT systems to collaborate. There is issues with some using Windows, some using Mac, some use phones to dial into training sessions because their laptop is not picking up audio via their headphones, some don't have and don't want to use headphones and you can hear their family business during the training sessions!

I really wish, at least, trainings will be done F2F, real soon. I have got $5K training budget (self funded, as always) that I need to use and I'm waiting to use it on a F2F training in CBR. Fingers crossed!

Thanks @Ade, it's good to know that my forced COVID retirement might eventually be over and I can just be semi-retired!

Your comments are exactly what my other clients are saying, as well as how I feel. So I have hope. And then if I earn some money, I won;t have to care what travel costs!

 

[mviy]

I can tell you in Melbourne there is a lot of lockdown fatigue. Many of us would much rather have meetings including training face to face than do it online. I expect there'll be a mixture but as restrictions ease many will be keen for some face to face contact.

As for the cost of trips it will depend on the supply and demand balance. Airlines are businesses and they need the governments to provide them some degree of certainty as to what travel volumes will be allowed and a workable level of restrictions that will lead to sufficient demand.

 

[Ade]

Airlines are businesses and they need the governments to provide them some degree of certainty as to what travel volumes will be allowed and a workable level of restrictions that will lead to sufficient demand.

Fair point. However, I think that airlines are sort of "making hay while the uncertainty looms" with the travel restrictions/volumes etc ...

If I'm thinking out loud - Christmas & school holidays are the time when families go travelling ... we are approaching Christmas (gosh, it's been almost 2 years since CoVID hit us, time flies eh!).

If history is anything to rely on, AU was open for business, domestically, by Christmas last year (and I acknowledge that this was before we even know Delta variant). So there is a general consensus that we should go back to "new normalcy" by Christmas this year.

So, if I was operating an airline - I will make sure that I give enough promotions now to entice people to book tickets with me, on the back of the pre-existing notion & idea that things get back to normal by Christmas. I have also, for a long time now, advertised and familiarized the public about my "free to make a change anytime" to the bookings.

If things go as planned, I'd be happy to fly my customers for their vacation and keep the money.

If things don't go as planned, I shall delay flight cancellations as much as possible. I say "as much as possible" because I still believe that things will be back to new normal by Christmas OR there will be a section of the population who will travel regardless.

When there is no chance of any travel, I cancel flights last minute and do a refund. Or if the customer chooses not fly, I do a credit.

The way I see it, the airlines are NOT really relying on the government to get any degree of certainty. The expect the government to give some degree of comfort, but, as any operating business, they sure will have their own back-up plans to make some dough during the "wonderful time of the year"​

 

[Seat0B]

I can tell you in Melbourne there is a lot of lockdown fatigue. Many of us would much rather have meetings including training face to face than do it online. I expect there'll be a mixture but as restrictions ease many will be keen for some face to face contact.

As for the cost of trips it will depend on the supply and demand balance. Airlines are businesses and they need the governments to provide them some degree of certainty as to what travel volumes will be allowed and a workable level of restrictions that will lead to sufficient demand.

I provide training in a fairly specialised field, and pre-COVID was regularly flown all around the country to deliver programs for clients. The clients paid for the travel.

I currently have training bookings in SA for October, November and December, but given lock down and lock outs and general uncertainty, the client has just cancelled October and November. So I totally understand the need for some stability for airlines, passengers and businesses. I think the unpredictability of things is definitely resulting in higher domestic prices along with very limited flight options. On current flight schedules (which are limited by the lockdowns in CBR, SYD and MEL), travel to ADL from CBR is very limited and quite expensive - plus the schedule also means I have to stay away an extra day as I can't get home same day after a full day's work in Mawson Lakes (takes a good hour from there to the airport). So that's more cost to the client.

I suppose that market forces will eventually prevail, but the current impact of government intervention in the markets (border closures domestically and internationally, lockdowns) is operating to prevent the usual market forces operating. So yes I really agree that everyone needs certainty for things to improve.

 

[oznflfan]

That's pre-Covid prices, would be great if that became the norm again. I'm looking at flights to MXP in May and it'll be at least $2500 from BNE at the moment.

I just searched on Singapore Airlines website for say 11 to 26 May 2022, and BNE to MXP WAS 2400, but change to DRW to MXP same dates and 1257. Killer deal, just have to make it to Darwin. Im thinking about booki nng and paying now for May, but still concerned if im allowed outbu feds, by NTG, and how quarantine will work. Wont get any cheaper than these though, and when people start actually booking rates may rise. Good luck.

 

[oznflfan]

I just searched on Singapore Airlines website for say 11 to 26 May 2022, and BNE to MXP WAS 2400, but change to DRW to MXP same dates and 1257. Killer deal, just have to make it to Darwin. Im thinking about booki nng and paying now for May, but still concerned if im allowed outbu feds, by NTG, and how quarantine will work. Wont get any cheaper than these though, and when people start actually booking rates may rise. Good luck.

Or this via Singapore Airlines. Flying direct BNE to SIN to MXP, but return MXP to SIN to DRW $1,314. If you change return leg SIN to BNE price jumps by $1100. Weird. Get on it.

 

[jrfsp]

I think the cost /effort of PCR testing will be the killer. $150 a pop, for a family of 4 thats $600 before you've even got to the airport.

The germany / singapore bubble is four PCR tests.......

 

[vetrade]

I think the cost /effort of PCR testing will be the killer. $150 a pop, for a family of 4 thats $600 before you've even got to the airport.

The germany / singapore bubble is four PCR tests.......

Hopefully the testing requirements are progressively eased as vaccination rates increase worldwide, which will bring down the expense.

This from the Daily Mail 12/9/21:
Double-jabbed travellers will no longer have to take expensive PCR Covid tests when returning to the UK, the Government is poised to announce.

Officials are working towards scrapping the requirement for green and amber list countries before the half-term holidays next month, The Mail on Sunday can reveal, providing a huge boost for millions of holidaymakers and the beleaguered travel industry.

Travellers will no longer need Covid tests before leaving for Britain, while the unpopular PCR tests currently required on the second day after arrival will be replaced by cheaper lateral flow tests

The move will slash the cost of family holidays by hundreds of pounds. Currently, the PCR test can cost more than £100, while the NHS offers free lateral flow tests.

 

[VPS]

I am very tempted

Finnair Business Class RTW | RoundAbout Travel

Finnair, a oneworld member airline, punch well above their weight in the RTW market with an excellent round the world fare offering. Finnair round the world airfares feature a range of Asian gateways and a raft of European destinations, their tickets are the most popular choice for the...

www.roundabouttravel.com.au

 

[Seat0B]

I am very tempted

Finnair Business Class RTW | RoundAbout Travel

Finnair, a oneworld member airline, punch well above their weight in the RTW market with an excellent round the world fare offering. Finnair round the world airfares feature a range of Asian gateways and a raft of European destinations, their tickets are the most popular choice for the...

www.roundabouttravel.com.au

Ooh yes! You don’t have to book until end of November so a while to think about it and then presumably 12 months future booking so Nov 2022 makes it really very interesting.

 

[AIRwin]

"Together Again" sale between NSW and VIC:

https://www.qantasnewsroom.com.au/media-releases/sale-fares-from-20-for-travel-between-victoria-and-nsw-as-states-set-to-reopen/

 

[Seat0B]

"Together Again" sale between NSW and VIC:

https://www.qantasnewsroom.com.au/media-releases/sale-fares-from-20-for-travel-between-victoria-and-nsw-as-states-set-to-reopen/

Wow I hope this sets the scene for some special pricing for the resumption of international travel too!

 

[mviy]

Wow I hope this sets the scene for some special pricing for the resumption of international travel too!

If they can bring forward the date they can resume international flights that may yet happen. If they bring forward the date international travel starts they will need to sell seats fast. QF wants to get people back into the habit of flying internationally again and to do it with them.

 

[Seat0B]

If they can bring forward the date they can resume international flights that may yet happen. If they bring forward the date international travel starts they will need to sell seats fast. QF wants to get people back into the habit of flying internationally again and to do it with them.

And also they can usually sell all the seats they want in the school holidays/Christmas break, so an earlier or later (nooooooo) timeframe might be better for cheaper seats.

 

[mviy]

A points plane would be nice, though if one can't get a points seat for the flight home that would be of limited value.

 

[AIRwin]

QF has a Together Once More (when all the ships come back to the shore) sale on now for both domestic and international including business class... Happy booking!

 

[AIRwin]

Came across this prediction:

Why COVID-19 means the era of ever cheaper air travel could be over - ABC News

amp.abc.net.au

 

[VPS]

Came across this prediction:

Why COVID-19 means the era of ever cheaper air travel could be over - ABC News

amp.abc.net.au

No disrespect to you but it's just his opinion and honestly no one has a damned clue how it's all going to pan out

 

[PineappleSkip]

And the article ignores the competitive pressures that are still there.

cheers skip

 

[clifford]

And the article ignores the competitive pressures that are still there.

They're not going away...

Anyone who thinks ticket prices are going up is a travel agent or airline exec...