Kevin Clayton’s Post

Qantas is giving frequent flyers an additional way to book reward seats with the rollout of a new ‘Classic Plus Flight Rewards’ tier sitting between its existing Classic Rewards and Points Plus Pay redemption options. Classic Plus is dynamically priced, meaning cheaper flights in off-peak times and more expensive during high travel periods. However, where it deviates from the path is the rate – the points price is tied to the cash value of the airfare on a rate of roughly 1 Qantas Point per 1c for economy flights and 1 Qantas Point per 1.5c for premium economy, business class and first class. ✈ #aviation #qantas #frequentflyer #travel #businesstravel https://lnkd.in/gqfRzdeH

"Qantas Airways Ltd., not known for usually offering big discounts, has cut prices more than six times this year. Virgin Australia is averaging at least one fare sale a month. Even Ryanair Holdings Plc, which practically invented affordable European air travel, says flights are getting cheaper. Passengers around the world are winning some respite from the fare madness that followed the pandemic — and further price declines are coming. ... Now, falling fares reflect the growing number of international flights on offer, particularly in Asia and Europe, and a travelling public that is increasingly cost conscious. 'It’s not just a blip, it’s a global trend,' said Mr James Kavanagh, chief executive of leisure at Brisbane-based travel agency Flight Centre Travel Group. 'Airlines certainly don’t have all the power at the moment.' International fares globally fell 6 per cent in the first six months of 2024 from the year-ago period, Flight Centre said on July 24. Flights out of Australia were 13 per cent cheaper, while fares to Indonesia – home to Bali, one of Australia’s favourite getaways – slumped 18 per cent, Flight Centre said. Prices will continue to fall as the cost-of-living crisis makes consumers more price-sensitive, Mr Kavanagh said. With under-pressure airlines seeking to fill planes months before departure, there are deals for early bookers, he said, citing 10-day tours to China, including flights and accommodation, on offer for A$999." Greater Bay Airlines, which flies between Hong Kong and a handful of destinations around Asia, this week offered hundreds of return flights for just HK$20 each. Qantas, where fares usually align with its full-service brand, on July 23 cut the price of more than one million seats on domestic flights to as little as A$109. The snap offer was the airline’s sixth local sale of the year." Angus Whitley, Airlines Are Finally Cutting Ticket Prices as Flight Numbers Rise • Global trend will continue this year, Flight Centre says • Fares to US and Europe from Australia down 11% or more in 2024 𝘉𝘭𝘰𝘰𝘮𝘣𝘦𝘳𝘨, 25 July 2024, https://lnkd.in/gS6DSrhw

In a shock to no-one, Qantas Classic Plus Rewards are a pretty poor way to use your frequent flyer points. Rather than putting lipstick on the pig of 'Points & Pay', the better strategy for Qantas would have been to significantly increase the number of points needed for a Classic Reward seat, in line with paid airfare price trends post-pandemic. Something like a 40-60% increase would have been palatable if it enabled them to open up significantly more Classic Reward seats, on both QF and partner airlines. In the meantime, fewer people will be able to use their points how they really want to and we'll keep pretty busy over at Flat Beds finding people the best value business class fares in the market. On second thought, perhaps carry on as you were Qantas. https://lnkd.in/gVamCDDm

🌏✈️ Air New Zealand Eyes Return to London Big news for travelers! Air New Zealand is exploring the possibility of resuming direct flights from Auckland to London. While their application for daily slots at London Heathrow (LHR) was denied, the airline has successfully secured daily slots at London Gatwick (LGW), potentially opening the door to new services starting July 2025. 🔍 What’s Next? Although a decision hasn’t been finalized, the slots at Gatwick mark a promising step toward re-establishing this iconic route. If launched, the service could offer travelers a seamless connection between New Zealand and the UK. ✈️ Fleet Power Air New Zealand’s long-haul fleet, featuring the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner and 777-300ER, ensures world-class comfort for passengers on extended journeys. This move could reignite the airline’s presence in the UK market, bringing Kiwi travelers closer to London. Stay tuned for updates! 🌍✈️ At Blue Marine Travel, our people move people – connecting you to the world, one journey at a time. #BlueMarineTravel #AirNewZealand #AviationNews #AucklandToLondon #TravelUpdates #LongHaulTravel #LuxuryTravel #TravelWithUs #OurPeopleMovePeople

British Airways Exits Southampton Airport: A Look at the Impact British Airways has announced the cancellation of its entire summer 2025 flight schedule from Southampton Airport. This decision raises questions about the airport's future and the impact on regional travel. While British Airways' departure is significant, the airport will continue to operate with other carriers, including EasyJet, Loganair, and Aer Lingus. This article examines the implications of British Airways' exit and the role of remaining airlines in maintaining Southampton's connectivity. What are your thoughts on the evolving landscape of regional airports and the role of different airlines in serving these markets? Share your insights in the comments below. #SouthamptonAirport #BritishAirways #EasyJet #RegionalAirports #TravelIndustry #Aviation #Connectivity #UKTravel #WentWorld https://lnkd.in/eNpUmWMk

Qantas buys remaining stake in TripADeal Qantas will acquire the remaining 49% stake in online travel company TripADeal, to take full control of the Australian business. Qantas bought a majority stake in TripADeal in 2022. It was a deal to enable Qantas loyalty members to earn and use Qantas Points on holiday packages marketed by TripADeal. The remaining 49% is valued at $211 million and the transaction expected to be completed by the end of this month. Qantas says cost and revenue synergies will result in at least $50 million annually over time. To mark the deal, Qantas loyalty members will get a 30% discount on TripADeal bookings made with Qantas points. The airline says TripADeal will continue to operate as an independent business, and will still work with other travel partners and airlines. The travel platform recently launched cruise bookings. 

Ryanair has redefined affordable air travel in Europe, evolving from a small Irish airline in 1984 to one of the world’s largest low-cost carriers. Under the leadership of Michael O'Leary, Ryanair revolutionized the airline industry with its no-frills business model, cutting costs, and offering some of the cheapest fares in aviation history. 🏆 With a market cap around €20 billion and serving over 168 million passengers in 2023, Ryanair remains a powerhouse. Key to its success: secondary airports, simplified fleet, and ancillary revenue from add-ons. Despite the turbulence faced by the airline industry, Ryanair's resilience is unmatched. Their story shows how disruptive thinking, relentless cost control, and innovation can transform a business, even in challenging markets. #Aviation #BusinessStrategy #Ryanair #Innovation #MichaelOLeary #Travel #Airlines

Cost Comparison: Flying Private vs. First Class - https://lnkd.in/dbjjpcWM - When it comes to air travel, both private jets and first-class commercial flights offer an elite level of comfort and luxury. However, choosing between the two options is not always straightforward, especially when it comes to understanding the cost implications. Private jets offer an unmatched level of exclusivity and convenience, while first class provides an upgraded, more comfortable experience within a commercial airline. But which option is right for you in terms of cost, comfort, and convenience? In this article, we will compare flying private with first class across several key factors: cost, experience, benefits, and flexibility. We’ll dive deep... #Private #Privatefly #privatejet #Aviation #Privatejetia

Ryanair: Challenging Preconceptions My recent journey from Vienna to Rome on Ryanair - Europe's Favourite Airline was a revelatory experience, shattering preconceived notions about the budget airline. Despite its reputation for thriftiness and negative publicity, I encountered a seamless and comfortable flight. Here are 5 key takeaways that underscore Ryanair's strategic acumen: 1. Resourceful Cost-Cutting Ryanair's ingenious deployment of portable stairs instead of aerobridges is a masterclass in resourceful cost-cutting, enabling the airline to maintain its competitive edge while delivering significant savings to passengers. 2. The Affordability Imperative The diverse passenger demographic on my flight was a testament to Ryanair's winning formula: affordable fares trump negative publicity. By prioritizing affordability, Ryanair has cracked the code on making budget travel appealing to a broad spectrum of travelers. 3. Navigating Check-in Complexities My experience with self-check-in for baggage drop-off was a cautionary tale. However, a sympathetic staff member at the regular check-in counter waived the excess fee, highlighting the importance of human intervention in mitigating potential pitfalls. 4. Seat Allocation: A Serendipitous Surprise My automatic assignment to the first row was a pleasant surprise, underscoring the element of chance in Ryanair's seat allocation. This experience taught me to embrace the unknown and web - check-in late to avoid the dreaded middle seat. 5. Business Travelers Welcome Contrary to popular perception, Ryanair is not just for budget-conscious leisure travelers. I was surprised to see business professionals on my flight, taking advantage of the airline's affordable fares and efficient service. This highlights Ryanair's appeal to a broader audience, including those on business trips In conclusion, my Ryanair - Europe's Favourite Airline experience was a resounding success, debunking common misconceptions about the airline. By embracing its resourceful cost-cutting measures, prioritizing affordability, and navigating check-in strategies, passengers can unlock a comfortable and enjoyable journey. #Europe #Rome #RyanAir #Experience

American Airlines and JetSMART Partnership Takes Off: Expanding Opportunities for Travelers American Airlines and JetSMART have announced an exciting expansion of their partnership, allowing AAdvantage® members to earn miles on JetSMART-operated flights throughout South America. This strategic move enhances the travel experience for customers across the Americas by providing more affordable fares and a wider range of travel options. The partnership, which began with codeshare agreements in 2023, has grown to include flights in Chile, Peru, and Argentina. By combining their networks and loyalty programs, American Airlines and JetSMART are creating a seamless travel experience for customers in North and South America. This partnership demonstrates the growing trend of airline collaborations to enhance customer value and expand market reach. What are your thoughts on the impact of such partnerships on the travel industry? #AmericanAirlines #JetSMART #AAdvantage #Partnership #TravelIndustry #SouthAmerica #AirlineCollaboration #LoyaltyPrograms #CustomerValue #WentWorld https://lnkd.in/eEPVruE6