Why you have to book this year’s flights right now
You can fly from Sydney and Melbourne to Laos for as little as $209 return. Photo: Getty
Perhaps you’re still on holiday, drifting around a pool on a pink flamingo floatie. Well, this is no time to relax. Maybe you’re like the 6.4 million Aussies who aren’t going on holiday in December or January* and are dreaming of their next break. This is your moment.
January is the time to snap up your get-away flights for the year ahead. Travel guru Angus Kidman at finder.com explains: “Many airlines want to start the new year with a bang and offer amazing deals”.
Alex Ozdowski, director Australia, at travel site Expedia agrees.
“January is a great time to score a bargain”.
He points out that in 2018 “Australian travellers paid the lowest international economy airfares when booking in January”.
Here are a few 2019 bargains, but you’d better get your skates on – these won’t last.
Scoot to Laos
You promised yourself to go somewhere exotic this year, so why not the mystical, landlocked south-east Asian country of Laos? On its newest route, Scoot will be winging its way three times a week via Singapore to ancient Laotian city, the UNESCO-listed Luang Prabang, and then on to the French-influenced colonial capital, Vientiane.
Fares
Scoot’s one-way fares from $189 from Perth, or $209 from Sydney and Melbourne, for travel from April 1 to October 26. Check-in baggage and meals are extra.
On sale until midnight Tuesday, January 22, 2019.
Singapore style and serious savings
Singapore is constantly reinventing itself as a destination, and it’s a top stopover en route to Europe. Go in style with Singapore Airlines, crowned the World’s Best Airline in the 2018 Skytrax Awards.
Fares
Flight Centre has return airfares from $554 for travel from Perth to Singapore, or Sydney to Singapore from $679, for travel May 7 to November 30 (blackout dates for school holidays).
Singapore has become a hugely popular family destination. Photo: Shutterstock
Fares include entertainment and meals. You might get a cheaper fare, but it will be hard to get a better deal.
Asian fares on sale until Sunday, January 20, unless sold old earlier.
Singapore Airlines’ European sale return fares are just as good: Sydney to Rome from $1049; Brisbane to Paris from $1259; Melbourne to Barcelona from $1219; Perth to Amsterdam from $1099. All are for travel between May 7 to November 30, with block-out dates for school holidays and peak periods.
Europe fares on sale until Wednesday, January 30, unless sold out earlier.
Resolutions – travel more, save money
Jetstar taps into the obsession (for some of us!) for New Year’s resolutions with their International Resolutions Sale.
Fares
Jetstar’s rock-bottom prices will have you headed from Melbourne to Kuala Lumpur from $193 one-way for travel May 6–29, July 17 to September 11 and October 2–26.
Say Aloha to Hawaii with flights from Brisbane to Honolulu from $334 one-way for travel April 30 to June 26. Or hightail it from Adelaide to Ho Chi Minh City from $305 one-way for travel April 30 to June 20. Check-in baggage and meals are extra.
On sale until 11.59pm, Tuesday, January 16, unless sold out earlier.
Japan-easy
Osaka is considered the foodie capital of Japan. Photo: Getty
Japan is one of the fastest-growing holiday destinations for Australians – bookings in 2018 were 35 per cent up on 2017. It’s exotic but safe, traditional but modern, and unexpected in myriad ways, with helpful people, incredible food (don’t miss culinary capital Osaka), and unique culture.
Fares
Jetstar has flights from Cairns to Osaka from $199 one-way, for travel February 12 to March 15 and July 15 to September 16 (blackout dates for school holidays). Check-in baggage and meals extra.
On sale until 11.59pm Tuesday, January 16, unless sold out earlier.
5-star flying
Emirates is another five-star airline that with excellent service, meals included and literally a movie marathon. Sale destinations include Delhi, Dubai, Prague, Athens and Amsterdam.
Emirates is offering fares from Melbourne to Milan for $1239 return for travel April 8 to May 27. Photo: Getty
Fares
Fly Sydney to London return from $1249 for travel from April 23 to June 6; Melbourne to Milan $1239 return for travel April 8 to May 27; or Perth to Delhi return from $969 for travel April 15 to May 31. Prices include meals, check-in baggage and entertainment.
On sale until Friday, January 18, unless old out earlier.
NOTE: Prices correct when going to press. There may be limited fares at the lowest prices. All fares are Economy. Times are AEDT unless otherwise stated.
* Research from finder.com
