While most Americans splurge on vacations to our southern compadres, our northern neighbors are enticing us to visit on the cheap!
Some Canadian budget airlines have met their maple…I mean maker…lately, but lesser known Flair Airlines is one of the last true low-cost carriers standing.
If you thought U.S. budget airlines have been riding the struggle bus, think again.
Lynx and Canada Jetlines couldn’t pay the bills any more and Swoop was bought out by much more popular WestJet, leaving only Flair and Air Canada’s Rouge.
As for Edmonton-based Flair, they fly to some really cool places across Canada, Mexico, and the U.S., where 2 lucky American cities can score incredibly cheap deals to Canada’s prettiest fall destinations.
$1 Nonstop Flights From Las Vegas (LAS)
You can’t buy much for a buck anymore, but you can buy a flight this Canada this fall.
And before you ask, “what’s the catch?”, there are none, except to say death and taxes can’t be escaped up north either.
Full transparency: all the $1 flights are non-refundable and will cost you between $16 – $39 including fees and taxes, but do not include any add-ons, such as seat selection and luggage.
Although, like America’s budget airlines, the lowest class allows for a free‘personal bag‘ no bigger than 6 x 13 x 17 (inches) and weighing no more than 15.5 lbs.
Flair is offering cheap flights from Las Vegas to 2 awesome Canadian cities just in time to see a colorful shift in the treetops.
First up is Calgary (YYC), where $1 base fares are valid on September 13th and September 20th.
Explore this vastly underrated city overshadowed by Vancouver and Toronto and a gateway into one of North America’s most stunning mountain destinations, Banff.
Some might say Calgary is the ‘Denver of Canada’, a fun, thriving city nestled in the majestic Rockies.
Banff is only an hour and a half away for a more quaint, immersive mountain town and an excellent choice for fall foliage photo-ops.
Second is Edmonton (YEG), another overlooked Canadian city unless you’re an avid hockey fan. Book $1 flights for September 17th and 19th for an outdoor lover’s haven popular for hiking, cycling, and kayaking.
And one attraction that may surprise you is the West Edmonton Mall, the largest shopping center in North America, bruising the Mall of America’s ego.
$1 Nonstop Flights From Orlando (MCO)
Orlando is one-upping Las Vegas, seeing $1 flights to 3 underrated Canadian cities. And I’ll be honest up front -you possibly haven’t heard of any of them.
But let’s start with the one that stands out the most as an alternative airport to Toronto, a city you’ve definitely heard of!
Flights to Kitchener-Waterloo (YKF), roughly an hour drive from downtown Toronto, are worth taking for a bit of extra road time.
$1 base fares are available November 2nd and November 5th, where fall colors should be in full bloom in Canada’s top cosmopolitan city.
What may be most impressive, and should be snatched up right away, is the fact Flair is offering $1 fares the week of Christmas which almost never happens with any airline.
Typically, airfares spike through the roof on major holidays, so if you’re up for a winter trip into Canada’s lesser known, take advantage of flights from Orlando to:
London (YXU) – December 20th and 23rd
St. John’s (YSJ) – December 22nd
More On Flair
Not that there are any immediate bankruptcy concerns, but travelers may want to know Flair has struggled financially.
Let’s just say travel insurance is always a wise idea even for the most profitable airlines, especially when traveling internationally.
Flair Airlines is a true budget airline through and through, offering dirt cheap airfare and nickel and diming everything else.
Make sure to know your allowable luggage before checking in as fees at the gate become doubled and even nearly tripled at the gate.
Low-cost airlines are typically bare-bones and no-frills, so expect to pay up for refreshments and seats, but random allocation is free.
Just remember you paid $1, but safety is not a concern as AirlineRatings recognized Flair as a top budget airline.
Sam, our Lead Writer & Journalist based in San Diego has visited 30 countries and written over 400 articles with a focus on sharing his own travel experiences and shining a light on lesser-known gems.
Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
Asia is surging in popularity with Americans due to its affordable prices, completely foreign yet fascinating culture, and relaxed visa policies that benefit U.S. passport holders, but it’s not always the easiest continent to fly to, especially if off-path gems are on your radar.
If you’re based in Seattle, we have great news for you: Taiwan-based luxury airline STARLUX is coming to the city, launching nonstop flights to their Taipei hub, as well as one-stop routes to 6 other incredible Asian destinations that might appeal to the adventurer in you.
We hope you haven’t made plans for spring 2024 already, as the start date is August 16. Here’s everything you need to know:
Everything You Need To Know About The New One-Stop Flights To Asia From Seattle
STARLUX Airlines has been making quite the splash since its global launch last year: a Taiwan-based luxury airline, it first entered the market primarily serving destinations in Asia before adding the United States to its flight map.
The first U.S. cities STARLUX launched in were Los Angeles and San Francisco, not coincidentally, as these Californian metropolises are not only America’s gateway to Asia, but they are home to a high number of Asian-Americans, and that typically pushes up demand.
Seattle is the third city to host STARLUX, with Taipei flights starting from August 17.
Through a partnership with Alaska Airlines, Seattleites and Americans residing in several other inland cities and as far away as New York on the East Coast will be brought closer to the Oriental World.
If you fly out of any of the airports listed below, you can now get to Asia with Alaska/STARLUX via Seattle:
Las Vegas (LAS)
Portland (PDX)
New York (JFK)
Chicago (ORD)
Phoenix (PHX)
Salt Lake City (SLC)
Denver (DEN)
Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW)
Houston (IAH)
STARLUX is the only Taiwanese airline offering first-class seats, and trust us, you don’t want to miss out on this:
Luxury Service Mid-Air
The A350-900s deployed on Trans-Pacific routes come with four first-class suites, with 60-inch doors that provide full privacy, 32-inch 4K flatscreens equipped with Bluetooth pairing, a spacious wardrobe, and our favorite, and zero-gravity seat settings that will make you feel as if you’re sleeping on a cloud.
The Business seats aren’t too shabby, either, arranged in a 1-2-1 configuration and seating 26 passengers. The 48-inch sliding doors close partially, and TVs are smaller (24-inch), but they still feature bluetooth audio and on-demand entertainment.
With inflight dining curated by chef Lam Ming Kin, known for adding a high-end twist to native Asian cuisine, including the exclusive Hutong Wagyu Bo Luo Bao (pineapple bun with black truffle butter), and other artisanal highlights, you’ll enjoy Michelin-starred dining mid-air.
Moving down to the 36-seat Premium Economy and 240-seat Economy Class, you should expect the classic 2-4-2 and 3-3-3 configurations, respectively. If you need more legroom and you can’t do without a comfy footrest, then you should definitely opt for the former.
Now, let’s have a look at the flight schedule:
Flight Schedule From Seattle To Taipei
Image courtesy of STARLUX Airlines
From August 16, this is what STARLUX Airlines’ flight schedule from Seattle (SEA) to Taipei (TPE) will look like:
JX21 flight departs from Seattle at 2:10 a.m. landing in Taipei 5:10 a.m. on the next calendar date
JX22 flight departs from Taipei at 8:00 p.m. arriving in Seattle 4:15 p.m. on the same calendar date
Covering 6,075 miles, the Taipei-bound flight completes the journey in roughly 12 hours every Monday, Thursday, and Saturday. Return flights to Seattle block at 11h15 and operate on Sundays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.
We’re not exactly thrilled about Seattle’s suboptimal 2:10 a.m. departure time, but there’s nothing a well-spent overnight in a STARLUX luxury first-class cabin won’t fix. You’ll wake up in Taipei at 5 a.m. feeling like new.
How Much Does It Cost To Book?
Prices for Seattle-Taipei flights start from only USD $897 return in Economy.
Traveling in the lowest tier, you can bring one piece of hold luggage weighing 23kg and under.
Premium Economy allows you to bring two pieces of luggage onboard, and you have a complimentary seat selection.
Image courtesy of STARLUX Airlines
Business Class starts selling from $3,691, and finally, the moment you’ve been waiting for, a First Class seat averages a whopping $10,029.
We know this is a pretty long, strenuous journey, and breaking the bank before you even make it to Taipei will be no help, but don’t despair just yet:
Remember STARLUX has partnered with Alaska Airlines to improve connectivity between the inland U.S. and Asia?
If you have accumulated Alaska Mileage Plan miles and you’d very much rather travel in comfort, you can spend your mileage on a deluxe STARLUX experience.
Image courtesy of STARLUX Airlines
Tthis partnership allows you to use your Alaska miles to book a First or Business Class seat on Trans-Pacific flights, reducing the eye-watering airfares.
In order to get a good deal on Business or First, or even fly for free, it’s recommended to have at least 75,000 miles accumulated.
Regardless of where they’re flying in Asia with STARLUX, Americans will have a short layover in Taipei, Taiwan, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing:
Nonstop Flights to One Of The Most Exciting Cities In Asia
Taipei is one of the most exciting cities in Asia, and the capital of Taiwan, an independent Chinese island that, contrary to the mainland, has adopted more democratic values, and has cozied up to Western values in recent decades.
Other than walking the vibrant, market-lined streets and admiring ancient temples, tourists can use Taipei as a starting point for exploring the island, full of natural landmarks and historic seaside villages with origins to lost to time.
From Taipei, passengers can connect to as many as 22 other destinations in Asia, including 10 in Japan. From the United States, mainly from Los Angeles, you can travel to the following Asian cities with a stopover in Taipei:
Phu Quoc, Vietnam
Hakodate, Japan
Chiang Mai, Thailand
Nagoya, Japan
Kumamoto, Japan
Clark, Philippines
Sendai, Japan
Cebu, Philippines
Hanoi, Vietnam
Sapporo, Japan
Okinawa, Japan
Fukuoaka, Japan
Singapore
Manila, Philippines
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Kuala Lampur, Malaysia
Tokyo, Japan
Osaka, Japan
Bangkok, Thailand
Da Nang, Vietnam
Penang, Malaysia
Macau, SAR China
Some of the destinations listed above, such as Tokyo and Singapore, host nonstop flights from the United States, usually via their own national carriers, so unless you’d like to couple those with a short visit to Taipei, it’s best you book directly with Japan or Singapore Airlines.
STARLUX is great, however, for reaching lesser-known destinations in Asia that are not typically served by mainstream Trans-Pacific airlines.
Straight from Seattle specifically, these are 6 other incredible destinations you can book full tickets with a stopover in Taipei, with departure times always set for 2:10 a.m:
Chiang Mai, Thailand
Chiang Mai is the cultural capital of Northern Thailand, a UNESCO-listed moated old city jam-packed with centuries-old temples, including the storied Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, with its towering golden stupa, and a foodie hotspot of the highest order.
One-way tickets from Seattle to Chiang Mai, with an 8h10 layover in Taipei, start from $541.30 on STARLUX’s website near launch dates. Following departure from Seattle, arrival in Thailand is set for 4:15 p.m. of the following day, local time, totaling over 24 hours of travel.
Cebu, Philippines
One of Southeast Asia’s last hidden gems, Cebu is a paradisaical Filipino island that combines vibrant city breaks (check out cosmopolitan Cebu City) and nature preserves (picture powder white sands licked by turquoise waters and untarnished jungles).
Flying from Seattle, you can find tickets for as cheap as $535.90 (return flights not included), with an even longer layover in Taipei, blocking at 10h50, which should give you plenty of time to do some exploring ahead of resuming your journey towards Cebu.
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
An eclectic metropolis, Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon) combines French colonial, stemming from the period of imposed European rule, Western, commonly associated with America’s capitalist influence on South Vietnam, and post-communist architecture.
At the same time, it is unequivocally Vietnamese, with late-night markets bustling with merchants, crazy colors, and chaotic traffic to accompany them.
It is where several of Southeast Asia’s most iconic landmarks are concentrated, including Notre Dame of Saigon, a Neo-Gothic church built by the French, the ill-famed Cu Chi Tunnels, used by communist combatants during the Vietnam War, and the Flamboyant Opera House.
From Seattle to Ho Chi Minh City with STARLUX Airlines, your trip will include a brief layover in Taipei (2h40 mins), with the arrival time expected at 10:15 a.m. local time of the following day (total journey length of just over 18 hours).
One-way tickets average $526 flying Economy.
Da Nang, Vietnam
Moving up the Vietnamese coast, Da Nang is an up-and-coming resort destination with affordable oceanfront hotels that straddle turquoise waters, where overnight rates average a negligible $17, and mid-range eateries where you’re unlikely to be billed over $10 (even if you eat lavishly).
It’s a popular starting point for exploring Central Vietnamese nature, especially Ba Na Hills, where the viral giant hand-supported bridge is located.
Booking a one-way ticket to Da Nang through STARLUX, Economy tickets cost an acceptable $552.90 on launch dates this August, and the Taipei layover is one of the shortest at 1h45, for a total flight duration of 16h35.
Macau is a Special Administrative Region of China, meaning it is part of China, but it’s responsible for several of its own internal policies and not bound to follow Beijing’s social market economy: it’s a lot more open, with more Westernized values.
Similarly to Hong Kong, it’s a ‘mini China’ for beginners, except it’s distinct for its Portuguese heritage: the Luso-Europeans had held Macau as a colony for several centuries, so don’t be surprised to still find Iberian-style churches, ruined convents, or Portuguese azulejos lying around.
Fortunately for Americans, unlike mainland China, they don’t need a visa to enter Macau, making a trip there much easier to organize.
On select August dates, there are two flight routes departing from Seattle at 2:10 a.m. and then connecting onward towards Macau, one with a 3-hour stop and another with a longer 11h25 layover (durations 16h50 and one day, 1 hour, and 10 minutes, respectively).
As for tickets, they start selling for $587.90 on August 17.
Hakodate, Japan
Sitting at the foot of a 334-meter-high mountain, Hakodate is one of the main cities in Hokkaido, Japan’s northernmost island.
It’s famous for its steep streets winding around slopes, aerial gondolas, and the iconic Old Public Hall, a rare example of 20th-century Western architecture.
Coming from Seattle, your layover in Taipei is an estimated 6h50.
Your arrival in Hakodate is scheduled for 4:45 p.m., for a total journey length of 22h35. The second leg of the journey is Taipei to Hakodate. One-way Economy tickets start from $630.90.
It’s worth noting there are countless flight combinations and possible pan-Asian routes available now that STARLUX has landed in Seattle: these seven are only an example of that.
If you’re using STARLUX to reach one of the secondary destinations on its network, we advise you to check its official website for up-to-date pricing and information, as the schedule for connecting flights can change until then.
Vini, our senior lead writer at Travel Off Path, has over 60+ countries under his belt (and currently weaving tales from Paris!), and a knack for turning off-the-beaten-path experiences into informative stories that will have you packing your bags.
Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
Throughout 2022, many U.S. carriers struggled to keep up with an increasing demand for international travel, letting millions down by delaying or cancelling thousands of flights on the daily. Fortunately for customers, one airline in particular has proven to be far more reliable than its competitors, boasting the least delays in North America right now.
Now that over 70% of the world is open restriction-free, and the health crisis is waning across a majority of Western countries, airlines are benefitting from a much-needed surge in flight bookings. The only downside to it? They are also facing severe staff shortages and other operational issues that have got in the way of a full recovery.
Travelers have effectively played russian roulette booking flights in 2022, but some airlines’ performance was markedly worse than others:
The Best And Worst Airlines For 2022
If you’re looking to avoid excessively long delays or last-minute cancellations with limited customer support to top it off, perhaps you should be narrowing down your options to a triad of airlines with an on-time performance of at least 80% for 2022 – or, for the utmost safety and lowest risk of delays, the best-rated carrier this year: Delta Air Lines.
According to the latest data compiled by Cirium, a trusted aviation data analytics company, Delta is the best-performing airline in the United States this year with 84.10% of flights departing on time. In comparison, Air Canada, the worst-performing airline in North America as a whole, managed to fulfill their schedule in only 55.56% of operations.
On top of that, research conducted by CasinoBonusCA concluded Air Canada passengers have the highest chance of losing their belongings, dealing a further blow to the once-respected company. The embarassing record of delays and luggage mishandlement has led the flag-carrier to be snubbed at the 2022 World’s Best Airline Awards.
Over summer, the peak of the staffing constraint crisis, Air Canada infamously canceled over 9000 flights, wrecking vacation plans and plummeting to new historical lows in satisfaction rates they have yet to bounce back from. Delta was not immune to industry woes, either, but it’s clear now it’s managed to stave off the worst impacts.
Delta’s On-Time Performance Is Truly Rekarmable
The ranking for airlines with the least and most delays in North America, and their on-time arrival percentage, can be seen in full below:
Delta – 84.10%
Alaska – 81.42%
United – 81.26%
American – 78.77%
Southwest – 74.68%
Frontier – 68.99%
JetBlue – 67.13%
Allegiant – 66.49%
WestJet – 60.66%
Air Canada – 55.56%
In total, 959,987 Delta flights from January 1 to December 15 arrived on time, the second year in a row it is crowned the most punctual airline in the continent. Delta’s yearly results are nothing short of remarkable, considering the widespread disruption and how far they have expanded in 2022, adding multiple countries to an already all-encompassing flight map.
Other than boosting frequency on numerous popular routes, they have launched new flights to some of the world’s most promising vacation spots, including Tahiti, a South Pacific gem famous for its teal-colored waters and pristine beaches, and Tel Aviv, Israel’s most liberal city and one of the top 7 trendiest destinations in Asia.
Elsewhere, they began offering flights with one-ticket rail connections to 20 European cities Americans can’t travel to directly, such as the (de facto) Swiss capital of Bern, and the charming Breda in the Netherlands. As you can see, Delta has kept ahead of travel trends and has spared no effort to fully satisfy customers while other airlines fell short of expectations.
Delta’s On-Time Performance Is Much Higher Than The North American Average
Jeremy Bowen, CEO at Cirium, was greatly impressed by Delta’s ‘excellent punctuality’, stating ramping back up operations ‘so quickly’ is not easy to do after an enforced slowdown. Alaska and United round out the top three, with on-time arrivals at 81.42% and 81.26%, respectively – an equally impressive feat considering their recent setbacks and flight suspensions.
This year, 71.91% of over 5 million flights operated in North America arrived on time, suggesting Delta’s rate of on-time arrivals is well above the continent’s average. It is worth noting the metrics account only for mainline operations: on-time performance data for other routes serviced by regional affiliates were not included in the ranking.
With the ongoing chaos affecting air travel lately, have you ever wondered which airline would be ‘safer’ to book with, based on what benefits they offer in the event of a delay or cancelation? Pretty soon, the U.S. Government will launch an online platform enabling Americans to do just that, and make better informed decisions when planning a trip.
As the world reopened following Covid and millions flocked into airports, especially after the U.S. dropped the controversial inbound testing requirement, industry operators finally realized, perhaps a little too late, they were not prepared for dealing with a pent-up travel demand amid a crippling worker shortage and other operational issues.
Consequently, throughout summer, thousands of flights were either axed or did not depart as scheduled, with some carriers even blatantly denying customers refunds. Now, the Government is finally stepping in:
Buttigieg Wants To Increase Customer Protection Amid The Travel Chaos
After being personally affected by the spate of cancelations dragging down the aviation sector’s recovery, U.S. Transport Secretary Pete Buttigieg decided to take matters into his own hands and called out airlines out on their behavior. According to Buttigieg himself, this flight cancelation wave is ‘unacceptable’ and carriers should take responsibility.
Reuters reports that the Transport Secretary sent a letter of reprimand to airline executives, from those on a regional level all the way to the top of the chain, warning the U.S. Government is mulling over a new set of laws that would ‘expand the rights of airline passengers‘. In essence, Buttigieg wants travelers to be able to access:
Clear information concerning an airline’s flight cancelation policies
Food vouchers when flights are delayed for 3 hours or more
Lodging when staying at the airport overnight due to delays within an airline’s control
Should any such law be implemented, this would be a landmark event in U.S. aviation History. At present, U.S. carriers are not required to provide passengers with complimentary meals, or hotel rooms, when unable to fulfill their own schedule. Despite not being legally bound to do so, a majority of them offers compensation out of common decency.
This does not change the fact that this isn’t a right, and thus, it can be refused at an airlines’ discretion. That’s a scary thought, and Buttigieg agrees air passengers need more protection urgently. This year, roughly 24 per cent of flights operated by U.S. carriers were delayed, giving rise to concerns airlines could eventually cease honoring their part of the deal.
A deal that does not exist in paper, for that matter. Additionally, the Transport Secretary has confirmed the U.S. Government is launching a new dashboard on September 2, right before Labor Day weekend, allowing Americans to verify how exactly each carrier plans on reimbursing their cancelation costs in a worst-case scenario:
All We Know So Far About The New Interactive Platform Launching
As Buttigieg shared, the ‘interactive’ dashboard would compile ‘easy-to-read’, comparative information on the services every large U.S. airline provide upon delaying or canceling a flight in a single online venue. He has not shared in detail how the information will be displayed, or how exactly users can go about viewing it.
All we know so far is it will be based off ‘airlines’ customer service plans’, since Buttigieg expressly told CEOs on his letter that this is their opportunity to ensure their Customer Service Plan ‘guarantees adequate amenities and services’ to help passengers through inconveniences. Interestingly, as far as we’re concerned, this is the first initiative of the sort by the Government.
Previously, airlines were able to operate free from Washington’s watchful gaze, though their current underperformance has led to increased scrutiny. The fact that the Transport Secretary is actively advocating for passenger rights, as well as debuting a promising comparative dashboard, are both indications the Government is siding with customers for once.
It remains to be seen whether the novelty will live up to expectations, and actually prove useful with time. This is the first time we hear of a national government gathering data to assist citizens in planning trips, and certainly an unusual move for the Department of Transportation. What’s more: Washington is not alone in its clash against the aviation giants.
North of the border, Ottawa had a few tricks up its sleeve as well:
North American Governments Come To Their Citizens’ Aid
The Canadian Government drafted its own laws requiring airlines to refund passengers in the event of any cancelation, including those outside their control, after Canada came under fire for being, at the time, an epicenter for the summer travel chaos. Of course, Washington has not gone as far, yet, but it is certainly closing in on what’s a poorly-regulated market.
Lastly, Buttigieg is developing other rules that would require carriers to refund travelers when their baggage is delayed or lost, and prohibit them from charging extra when families request to sit together in planes. Besides the interactive dashboard, coming this September, the remaining proposals are just that: proposals.
They need to be appraised and they may either be enshrined into law, or completely discarded. We will keep you updated once more information is shared by the Department of Transport.
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Disclaimer: Current travel rules and restrictions can change without notice. The decision to travel is ultimately your responsibility. Contact your consulate and/or local authorities to confirm your nationality’s entry and/or any changes to travel requirements before traveling. Travel Off Path does not endorse traveling against government advisories
The first restriction-free summer may not have gone entirely according to plan, as an overwhelming surge in demand led to a capacity strain in numerous airports and airfares increased in response, but there might be a silver lining as we slowly approach the fall. In case you haven’t heard, an ultra-low cost airline is launching in September, and it looks set to give Spirit, JetBlue and the like a run for their money.
Ever imagined flying all the way to the teal-colored waters of the Caribbean for (far) less than your weekly grocery expenses? More specifically, for only $55? We know it’s difficult to believe, especially at a time when travel costs are exorbitant, but this will soon be a reality when Arajet, the Dominican Republic’s new carrier, finally enters the market:
Meet Arajet, The Caribbean’s First Official Low Cost Carrier
In exciting news for Caribbean enthusiasts, Arajet is finally operating its inaugural flight from its base in Santo Domingo to Mexico City on September 15, connecting the Hispaniola nation to one of the America’s busiest international hubs. Initially, Mexicans and Americans living south of the border will be the main beneficiaries of Arajet’s historically low fares, but expansion is already underway.
Following Santo Domingo-Mexico City route debut, Arajet has big plans for the remainder of the season. Those include, naturally, adding flights to the United States and Canada, two of the Dominican Republic’s strongest markets. Within the next few months, North Americans will be able to fly to Santo Domingo paying as little as $55 one-way, or $149 round-trip.
The ultra affordable fees can be attributed to Arajet’s choice of deploying the new ‘state-of-the-art’ Boeing 737 MAX-8 aircraft. As Business Wire states, they’re much more environmentally friendly and consume 14% less fuel. In other words, the airline will be able to cut down on all-time high fuel expenses, and subsequently ‘pass those savings on’ to customers.
As it was expected, the lowest possible fares do not automatically grant passengers the right to bring hold luggage on board, nor feature additional in-flight entertainment. Those can be added for a fee, but on the bright side, taxes are already included in the price breakdown. This means that, when booking tickets on Arajet.com, customers will not be tricked into paying more due to hidden fees.
Which Destinations Is Arajet Serving In North America?
But when, exactly, are U.S./Canada flights launching?
According to the Arajet schedule, service from both Toronto and Montreal in Canada will be available from October, while ‘additional’ flights to the States will be added ‘in the near future’. So far, the airline’s U.S. strategy remains a mystery, though it is safe to say it will face a fierce competition from America’s own economy carriers.
This year, Spirit led the way in launching 31 flight routes within and out of the U.S., further strengthening its position in the Caribbean, including the Dominican Republic. Similarly, JetBlue is taking an aggressive stance, having announced its highly-anticipated winter sale as early as January, starting at only $29, and securing slots in all four major Dominican entry points, including Santo Domingo and Punta Cana.
If Arajet seeks consolidation in the U.S. market, it will have to rise up to the challenge. In a sense, this could very well mean a new fare war, as airlines battle it out for the most alluring offers and cheaper flight deals. One way or another, customers would come out as the definitive winners. At the end of the day, this depends on how successful Arajet’s entry into the Canadian market is in October.
20 Destinations, 12 Countries
Besides Canada and the U.S., Arajet is adding flights from Santo Domingo to destinations all around North, Central, and South America, including Mexico City and Monterrey, in Mexico, Lima, in Peru, St. Martin, Aruba and Curaçao in the Dutch Caribbean, Medellin and Bogota in Colombia and many more.
In total, the company plans to widen its network in up to 20 destinations, in 12 different countries, only 3 months after the first Mexico City flight. According to CEO Victor Pacheco, Arajet signals the ‘rebirth’ of Dominican aviation, as it is projected to carry more than 7 million passengers ‘in approximately 5 years’.
Pacheco maintains that Arajet will help foster American connectivity ‘at the lowest fares’, being officially the first low-cost Caribbean-based airline, and by symbolizing the first step towards converting Las Americas International Airport, the Dominican Republic’s second busiest, into a ‘premier Latin-American air hub’.
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Disclaimer: Current travel rules and restrictions can change without notice. The decision to travel is ultimately your responsibility. Contact your consulate and/or local authorities to confirm your nationality’s entry and/or any changes to travel requirements before traveling. Travel Off Path does not endorse traveling against government advisories
Air travel is an absolute mess right now, especially in Europe, where two-thirds of all airports are seeing some level of disruption. On their part, a majority of airlines have failed to strike a balance between staffing constraints and a high travel demand, resulting in a spate of cancellations. However, one of them has somehow managed to weather the storm, cancelling far fewer flights than its counterparts.
Perhaps surprisingly, this isn’t a full service airline either: the kind of carrier that should be better prepared for emergency situations, like the crisis the aviation sector currently faces. In fact, Europe’s most reliable airline is its most popular ultra low cost, usually criticized for a sub-optimal service, restrictive baggage rules, and lack of in-flight comfort.
Based on this information, you can probably already guess which one:
In 2022, Europe’s Most Reliable Airline Is…
According to data shared by OAG, a provider of digital air travel information, Ryanair was the best performing major airline for the first half of 2022, not only in Europe but worldwide. During this period, it cancelled only 0.3% of all scheduled flights, in stark contrast with full service British Airways, which axed 3.5%.
Effectively, this means that Ryanair customers were 12 times less likely to have their flight cancelled than those flying British. Michael O’Leary, Ryanair’s outspoken CEO, stated his company ‘saw the recovery coming’ and rushed to get staff back ‘early’. This might have been instrumental in mitigating the impacts of this chaotic summer of travel.
For those of you who are not frequent travelers in Europe, you may not have been introduced yet to Ryanair. This Irish carrier was founded in 1984 and has historically offered low fare tickets on popular vacation routes not only within Europe, but also a number of destinations in Western Asia and Northern Africa.
It is the European equivalent to Southwest, operating in 40 countries and connecting over 200 destinations. Ever heard someone who’s just back from their Eurotrip boasting about that unbelievably cheap, 9 euro flight tickets to Barcelona? It is very likely they have flown Ryanair or any of its main competitors – Vueling, easyJet, TUI Airways, Wizz Air etc.
On the other hand, you might have been warned traveling low cost in Europe comes at a price. Usually, you’re only sold the seat and any additional items you would like to bring on board, including small bags, involves paying extra. There are also no complimentary drinks or food, and in-flight catering is not these airlines’ forte.
Due to their lack of preparedness for the crisis – think staff shortages and logistical issues – low cost carriers have been those driving up cancellation rates in several airports. Strangely enough, Ryanair is not among them, despite its history of less-than-stellar service. Based on recent figures, it is arguably Europe’s most trusted airline right now.
What’s Behind Ryanair’s Success Story?
As we have pointed out already, lack of staff has been one of the main issues behind the latest industry woes, as airlines struggle to graduate enough pilots and flight attendants amid a renewed interest in travel. They just weren’t ready for such a pronounced increase in air traffic, after several countries reopened, dropping all Covid rules simultaneously.
CEO O’Leary attributed Ryanair’s success to its participation in the European Single Market, a privilege British competitors no longer enjoy since the United Kingdom left the European Union. According to O’Leary, Ryanair was able to benefit from ‘friction-less European labor’, unlike British Airways and other UK carriers in the wake of Brexit.
Regardless of the geopolitical reasons behind it, Ryanair’s improbable new status as a low-risk airline has not been mirrored by other EU competitors. All of the leading European airlines, such as Air France, Lufthansa, easyJet and KLM had higher cancellation rates than Ryanair, with KLM cutting as much as 5% of its flights so far in 2022 – the worst of them all.
This leads us to believe this success story has more to do with the fact that the airline has enough staff to fulfill most of its schedule, like O’Leary stated himself, as opposed to Brexit or other disruptive factors. There are no official data shared by OAG, or other aviation intelligence services, to confirm this as of yet.
Getting Insured Ahead Of Flying Is Key
There you have it: Ryanair may not be exactly world-renowned for the flight experience it offers, but it is a more reliable airline than all others in the continent at the moment. If you’re concerned about seeing one of your Europe flights get cancelled, as you should, you can insure your trip and get covered for travel disruption visiting this link.
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Disclaimer: Current travel rules and restrictions can change without notice. The decision to travel is ultimately your responsibility. Contact your consulate and/or local authorities to confirm your nationality’s entry and/or any changes to travel requirements before traveling. Travel Off Path does not endorse traveling against government advisories
French Bee Airline, France’s first budget long-haul carrier, will be launching new direct flights from Miami International Airport to Paris Orly Airport beginning this December. Fares will start at $281 each way for a basic economy ticket and $641 for a premium economy ticket. The flight will operate three times a week on Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, with plans to scale to four flights a week by the following April.
Travelers will leave Miami at 9 pm and arrive in Paris at 11:40 am, allowing those who can sleep on planes the opportunity to adjust to the new time zone quickly. There is no need to rush to the airport for the trip back as the return flight from Paris will leave at 2:30 pm and arrive in Miami at 6:45 pm. Total flight time from Miami to Paris will be 8 hours and 45 minutes, while the flight back to Miami from Paris will take 10 hours and 25 minutes.
Those who travel light will love the prices of French Bee‘s basic economy tickets, starting at $281 each way. If flying in basic economy, passengers are allowed to bring one 26lb carry-on bag. While this sounds very small, a 26lb bag can be more than enough for a quick getaway to Paris if packed correctly. For those who need more luggage, French Bee allows passengers to customize their ticket by upgrading to a ‘smart’ ticket which allows a 50lb checked bag and includes an in-flight meal. For those with even more luggage, upgrading to a ‘premium’ ticket allows for two 50lb checked bags and includes two in-flight meals, complimentary drinks, premium seats, and priority boarding.
The new flight addition comes after four years of success in the U.S. market, which began with a direct flight from San Francisco to Paris and Tahiti in 2018. After several years of successfully operating flights out of San Francisco, French Bee added two more routes to Paris, flying out of Los Angeles and New York. With the latest flight offering coming out of Miami, French Bee is gaining a better foothold in the U.S. market as a wonderful option for those seeking nonstop flights to Paris.
“Paris remains one of the most desired international destinations in the world for South Floridians and with the continued growth that Miami is witnessing, we are confident that this is the best market for our first Southeast route. We are excited about this expansion as we know that passengers will find value in booking competitive prices in the market,” said French Bee President Marc Rochet in a press release. And while the company may be excited about the new flight, travelers are sure to be even more eager for the new offering.
Paris is a well-known destination that almost every traveler has on their bucket list. It is one of the most visited cities in Europe and is home to many famous landmarks like the Eiffel Tower and the Notre Dame cathedral. French cuisine is some of the best in the world, and the café culture is a highlight of Paris for many visitors. No matter what sort of traveler, there is something for everyone in the beautiful French capital.
While it’s clear that a stay in Paris will be an unforgettable experience, what about the time spent aboard French Bee’s aircraft? Currently, French Bee only flies Airbus A350s, which are considered to be a very modern aircraft. To reduce jet lag, the plane is equipped with mood lighting that will simulate the sunrise and sunset. The A350s are also considered very quiet compared to other aircraft, which helps reduce fatigue from long flights. All seats include USB ports and electrical plugs, large screens for in-flight entertainment, and headphone jacks.
For travelers on a budget, or those looking for a direct flight to Paris, French Bee’s new route offering shouldn’t disappoint. Bookings are already being accepted for December 15th and beyond, and rates are still low.
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Disclaimer: Current travel rules and restrictions can change without notice. The decision to travel is ultimately your responsibility. Contact your consulate and/or local authorities to confirm your nationality’s entry and/or any changes to travel requirements before traveling. Travel Off Path does not endorse traveling against government advisories
The competition for budget transatlantic travel is increasing, and travelers are benefitting the most.
Norse Atlantic Airways—a new start-up company offering budget flights between Europe and the U.S.—have announced they will begin budget daily flights between New York City‘s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and London‘s Gatwick Airport (LGW).
The service will start on August 12, 2012, with $322 introductory fares for round trips. Anyone who’s ever traveled across the pond will know this is excellent value for money. In addition, one-way flights to London are as cheap as $116!
Norse Atlantic Airways will join Play Airlines in attempting to dominate budget travel over the Atlantic Ocean.
The New Flights Between NYC and London
The new flight route will depart from London at1 p.m and arrive in New York at 3.55 p.m the same day (local time.)
The flight from New York will depart at 5.55 p.m and arrive in London at 6.20 a.m the next day (local time.)
All flights in London will arrive at London Gatwick Airport (LGW.) Traveling into Central London from London Gatwick Airport is very straightforward.
Although the airport is situated 29.5 miles south of Central London, the train will bring travelers to Victoria Station in Central London in under 30 minutes.
Other London airports include London Heathrow, London Stansted, and London Luton. You may fly to these airports with other airlines.
London is the best city in Europe for finding connecting flights to Mainland European destinations.
All flights arriving and departing from NYC will land at JFK airport.
Norse Atlantic Airways has the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner in a two-class configuration, including an economy class and a premium class with a 3-3-3 setup. Like other budget airlines, Norse Atlantic Airways will charge extra for seat selection, carry-on bags, and meals at the cheapest fares.
However, the fares still work out cheap for American and European travelers, especially if they pack light.
In addition to the NYC to London route, Norse Atlantic Airways will offer a limited-time service from August to late October between London Gatwick Airport and Oslo Airport, Gardermoen (OSL).
What Has The Airline Said?
Bjorn Tore Larsen, CEO of Norse Atlantic Airways, said: “We are very pleased to now be able to welcome customers looking to book great value flights between London Gatwick and New York JFK. Customers now have an affordable option allowing them to book a last-minute trip or a holiday of a lifetime with an airline that offers choice and flexibility.
“The introduction of affordable Norse Atlantic Airways point-to-point flights between Europe and the United States will benefit both local tourism and businesses. Not only are we directly investing in the countries that we operate by employing local staff but also supporting job creation across the wider tourism and service industry.”
Stewart Wingate, CEO of Gatwick Airport, said: “We are delighted to welcome Norse Atlantic Airways to Gatwick. It’s always great to see a new tail on the airfield but the arrival of a new airline following the turbulent past two years for the industry, and one that will be offering fantastic long-haul routes across the Atlantic, is particularly exciting news.
“Passengers across London and the South East will now be able to benefit from another transatlantic service from Gatwick, with Norse offering excellent value for money for those flying out for a dream holiday, or important business trip, to New York, one of the world’s most famous and dynamic cities.”
Final Thoughts
It’s excellent news for Americans and Europeans. The emergence of budget flights between the United Kingdom and the United States will boost travel numbers, increase affordability, and connect the two continents more.
It makes London and Europe an even better destination in August.
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Disclaimer: Current travel rules and restrictions can change without notice. The decision to travel is ultimately your responsibility. Contact your consulate and/or local authorities to confirm your nationality’s entry and/or any changes to travel requirements before traveling. Travel Off Path does not endorse traveling against government advisories
One of America’s largest airline carriers is offering FREE WiFi to all passengers on board some of its flights – up until 10 June.
Having begun the trial just a few days ago (4 May), Southwest Airlines – which is the world’s largest low-cost carrier – is currently offering free WiFi on board a number of its Boeing 737 airplanes.
The trial is part of a test for new hardware – which has recently been installed on 40 of the airline’s fleet – to see if it can cope with large numbers of users at one time, as well as provide faster internet to all passengers that connect to it.
Which Flights Are Offering Free WiFi?
As just mentioned, the trial of free WiFi is currently taking place on board 40 of Southwest’s Boeing 737 planes – with these aircrafts operating flights throughout the western part of the United States.
Will You Be Able To Stream Netflix Using The FREE WiFi?
Passengers that are on board any of Southwest’s flights that are part of the Free WiFi trial will be able to “stream, browse, and engage on the internet,” according to Southwest’s Vice President of Customer Experience and Customer Relations, Tony Roach.
So, it does look like passengers will be able to stream their latest Netflix or HBO series whilst cruising at 30,000 feet in the air.
The airline’s current offering of WiFi – which is available on board Southwest’s WiFi-enabled aircrafts at a cost of $8 – does not allow passengers to stream movies and content from websites such as Netflix, HBO Max, Zoom, and Microsoft Teams.
This is due to the airline’s WiFi blocking access to high-bandwidth websites, applications and video conferencing services.
How Long Will The Trial Last For?
The trial is set to last for six weeks, with all passengers on board the 40 flights – that has the new WiFi hardware installed – being able to connect to the WiFi at no cost.
The trial began on 4 May and will continue up until 10 June.
Is Free WiFi Available On All Southwest Flights?
At this moment in time, no.
However, it could well be in the near future – especially if the newly installed hardware on some of Southwest’s airplanes can cope with large numbers of users at one time.
The airline does currently offer WiFi to all passengers on board its flights at a cost of $8 per passenger to use it – with the service being free to connect to for Southwest’s A-List Preferred Members.
Will Southwest Be Offering FREE WiFi On Board All Of Its Flights In The Future?
At this moment in time, this is unknown.
However, if the trial is a success then it could be that in the future all Southwest passengers will be able to connect to FREE WiFi – which would allow them to stream their favorite movie or TV series whilst flying high in the sky.
Speaking about the airline’s trial of their upgraded WiFi, Southwest’s Vice President of Customer Experience and Customer Relations, Tony Roach, explained the company’s vision:
“Our goal is to evaluate how the new hardware improves performance while delivering a reliable internet experience used by a large volume of Customers.”
Do Any Other Of The Major Airlines In The U.S. Offer Free WiFi?
Right now, only one of America’s major airlines – JetBlue – offers free WiFi to all passengers on board any of its flights.
However, just a month ago we reported that five airlines in the U.S. had lowered the cost of their onboard WiFi services.
And, just last week it was revealed that Hawaiian Airlines will become the first major airline to provide Elon Musk’s Starlink internet service to passengers on board its flights from next year.
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Disclaimer: Current travel rules and restrictions can change without notice. The decision to travel is ultimately your responsibility. Contact your consulate and/or local authorities to confirm your nationality’s entry and/or any changes to travel requirements before traveling. Travel Off Path does not endorse traveling against government advisories
Two words that have polarized this country like no other may soon be something of the past. Well at least at international airports, where millions of Americans will find themselves this summer, eager to travel. I am of course talking about ‘mask mandates’.
On April 18 the federal mask mandate for public transportation is due to expire. Now if this news sounds all too familiar to you, it’s because it is. The federal mask mandate has been extended by President Biden numerous times. In fact, in the past year alone, the mask mandate has been extended on 3 separate occasions.
For the last 2 years frustration, anger, and confusion have been building up for many Americans in the skies. Uncooperative passengers have made air travel a living hell for pilots, flight attendants, and fellow travelers alike. From delayed flights to full-blown cancellations, airlines have seen it all in these past 2 years.
Just earlier this year a London-bound flight had to return to Miami all over a rebellious passenger who refused to comply with the flight attendant and didn’t want to wear a mask.
We’ve seen these events unfold all over the country. Now you can agree with wearing a mask on public transportation or not, but it is undeniably wreaking havoc in the travel world. And U.S. airlines have had enough of it.
Airlines have been pushing the Biden White House to let the mandate, which applies to planes, airports, buses, and transit hubs, expire on April 18.
Airlines aren’t alone with the idea of eliminating the federal mask mandate either. The flight attendants union of Southwest Airlines is urging Biden to let the mask mandate fade into the abyss.
The union sent an open letter to President Biden, pledging with him to let the mandate expire. You can’t blame flight attendants for wanting their job to become less dangerous and unpredictable.
Last year was the worst on record for unruly airplane passenger behavior in the United States, according to Federal Aviation Administration data. A staggering 5,981 reports of unruly passengers were logged by the FAA as of December 31. Of those, 4,290 nearly 72% were mask-related incidents.
Flight attendants didn’t sign up for this kind of behavior, nor did the family sitting in row 20 who just want to get from point A to point B as painless and quick as possible.
Mask mandates have become the most contentious issue of the past years. And airlines, which are already dealing with anxious passengers, are feeling it the most.
With such a great amount of pressure from both sides of the political aisle, corporations, unions, and voters, the question remains whether or not Biden will give in to their demands.
There is currently no indication of if the Biden administration will extend the rule. Most industry experts believe that the federal mask mandate will in fact end on April 18.
What would that mean for domestic and international travel? Well, individuals would of course still have the option to wear a mask on planes, trains, and buses, if they want to. The big difference would be that airport and airline staff wouldn’t be able to force people to wear a mask anymore.
I know that some readers may be ecstatic about the very idea of no more masks on planes, but remember, federal mask mandates only apply in the United States.
On your trip to Greece this summer, be sure to pack a mask. Once you arrive at your international destination, the rules of that government supersede all U.S. rules and regulations.
So, while perhaps you won’t have to wear a mask at LAX airport very soon, you could still be obligated to wear a mask once you arrive in Barcelona.
Over the next few days, we will see what Biden has planned out for the Mask Mandate. All indications however are pointing in the direction of air travel without a mask.
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