Australian Airlines Cuts Some Route Prices

Australian Airlines has introduced eight passes offering flights that represent savings of up to 31% off regular economy fares for some itineraries through this year. The routes are the most popular by visitors to Australia.

For example, flights between Cairns, Alice Springs and Sydney or vice versa are $372 one way. With a return flight to Cairns, or the starting city, the pass costs $574. Travel between Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne and Sydney is $248 round-trip. Add Coolangatta to this routing and the tab is $412.

Another possibility is a Sydney-Canberra-Melbourne-Adelaide-Sydney route for $390 round-trip. To visit Perth in Western Australia, take a Cairns-Darwin, Alice Springs-Perth itinerary for $551 one-way or a Sydney-Cairns-Alice Springs-Perth route for $596 one-way.

To get to Hobart on Tasmania, there is a Sydney-Canberra Melbourne-Hobart-Sydney routing for $371 round-trip.

For side trips or other routings, Australia Airlines offers a “See Australia” fare, cutting 25% off regular economy rates.

East-West Airlines also has a septet of passes. A 21-day System-Wide Pass cost $750. A three-week Northern Sky pass at $450 flies passengers in any direction on a routing that includes Sydney, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Canberra, Cairns, Mackay, Pamworth, Maroochydore and Prosperine. A 21-day Southern Sky pass at $375 takes in such destinations as Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra and Hobart.

A 14-day East Side Air Pass at $525 permits unlimited travel in eastern Australia as far north as Brisbane, as far west as Ayers Rock and Alice Springs, and as far south as Hobart.

A Coastal Air Pass, good for use within 60 days and costing $525 for one-way, allows flights from Cairns to Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sydney, Melbourne and Hobart--or in reverse.

Both the Sun and Rock Passes are also good for use within 60 days. Costing about $599, the Sun Pass can be started in either Sydney, Brisbane or Cairns and include all three cities plus Ayers Rock. The Rock Pass, about $622, offers Cairns, Ayers Rock, Sydney, Melbourne and Hobart with either Melbourne or Cairns as gateways.

East-West also offers overseas travelers a “Visit Australia” discount fare that is 25% off regular economy fares.

The passes, except for the “See Australia” fares, have to be purchased in the United States in conjunction with any airline serving Australia. The “See Australia” pass can be purchased either in the United States or Australia.