Get in on the airfare wars Down Under

by Alison Brick on

You gotta love a little healthy competition.

Airlines to Australia have been caught in a price war, and we’re reaping the rewards. It all started with V Australia whose new flights to the US begin February 27th. Their sales have ended, but Qantas’ sales are still around. But book quickly–their sale ends Monday, January 26th.

Get a Qantas ticket for $880 round-trip to Australia or New Zealand from LA or San Francisco–a fare that’s easily $200 cheaper than normal. Fly to Sydney, Melbourne, or Brisbane anytime from February 1-September 21. Or fly to Auckland from February 24-September 21. That’s largely their fall and winter, but you can catch good weather at the fringe in Sydney and Melbourne, and even longer up north in Brisbane. And it’s perfect timing for a last-minute trip to Sydney’s Mardi Gras, which is February 14-March 7.

And watch out for more sales from a new competitor in town: Delta. They’ll be starting up non-stop LA-Sydney flights on July 1st. No sales are posted yet, but they’ll probably pop up closer to the start date.

Classic Treks: The Milford Track, New Zealand

by Kraig Becker on

New Zealand’s Milford Track has been called “the finest walk in the world” and is considered to be amongst the classic treks. The 33+ mile trail winds it’s way through Fiordland National Park, and is surrounded by some of the most stunning scenery anywhere. The New York Times takes a look at this legendary hike in an article published a few days back, in which the author spent a few days exploring New Zealand’s amazing backcountry.

The Milford Track is considered to be a trail of moderate difficult and anyone with decent hiking experience can cover it end-to-end in five days of solid walking. Access is limited to just 90 trekkers per day during the high season, which ensures a great deal of solitude out on the trail and protects the envroinment from being trampled under the feet of too many visitors.

While on the trail, hikers are treated to a stunning array of scenery as they wander through rain forests, past expansive lakes, and through mountain passes covered in glacial snow. The idyllic scenery is a photographers dream and it remains almost complete unspoiled, with just a few well established campsites strategically placed a days hike apart to break up the miles of wilderness.

Not everything is perfect on the Milford Track however, as the weather there is legendary. It rains nearly every other day, even during the summer, and high winds, snow, and cold temperatures can strike at any time of the year. Heavy rains can flood the trail at times, forcing detours and quick dashes to higher ground.

Unpredictable weather aside however, anyone paying a visit to New Zealand should add the Milford Track to their list of must do adventures. It’s an opportunity to see unspoiled backcountry unlike any place else on Earth.

Photo of the Day (09.09.08)

by Grant Martin on

I’ve been tossing around the idea of a trip to New Zealand for roughly twenty years now, but recently the urge has gotten much stronger. Perhaps it’s because I’m now living with a couple of Kiwi semi-professional rugby players, or maybe it’s because I’ve never met an unfriendly person from New Zealand — whatever it is, I’m going to have to start putting a trip together. And with images like this around the country, how could you resist?

Flickr user Jitsu shot this photo on the South Island of NZ between Te Anau and Milford Sound, right behind some ten zillion sheep.

Have any cool photos you’d like to share with the world? Add them to the Gadling Pool on Flickr, and it might be chosen as our Photo of the Day.

Air New Zealand wants you to shave your head for them — and they’ll give you $1000

by Meg Massie on

Air New Zealand knows that when you go to the airport, you’re going to be spending a lot of time in line, staring at the back of the head of the guy in front of you — so they want to give you something useful to read. The airline is holding open auditions next week for folks willing to shave their heads and become “Cranial Billboards.”

Seriously. Hopefuls can attend casting calls with free BBQ, refreshments, and entertainment, and those selected will be shaved on the spot and given a two-week temporary tattoo, which will alert customers to changes in the airline’s check-in system and direct them to the company’s website. Each person selected as a cranial billboard will also receive $1000 cash compensation.

If you think you’ve got the ideal skull shape for this job, find more info about the casting calls here.

What other strange things have been found on planes?


Air New Zealand Takes In-Flight Service to a New Level

by Josh Lew on

These days, airline passengers expect the worst when they embark on a flight. Yes, they will still get a free bag of salted peanuts, but often have to pay $5 for a beverage to wash them down.

Not all airlines are toning down the in-flight offerings, however. Air New Zealand is doing just the opposite by introducing a new breed of air service personnel, the airborne concierge.

According to Scott Carr, ANZ’s GM in Europe, the airline thinks the new service will add to their customers’ travel experience.

“The concierge service is about adding a personal touch to the whole flight experience, from booking, to check-in, to arrival and beyond.”

The concierge on duty is charged with aiding passengers with everything from check-in to finding the appropriate gate to booking hotels and finding connecting flights.

Will this become a new trend in the often impersonal world of airline travel? Surely other airlines will be watching closely to see if the service is well-received of if it seems redundant. Concierge workers take to the sky on the London to L.A. route this week. Their Auckland-based peers will work flights between L.A, and Auckland. Eventually, the service will be offered for the airline’s London to Hong Kong route as well.

Photo: Flickr user Chris&Steve