Originally Posted by
adampenrith
These fares went up May 1 - kicking myself as I was waiting for the $2000 fare to come down.
I think they have gone up as GA is hoping for lots on Europe travel.
Back in the day - GA was always the cheapest J class to Europe, about $3200 SYD - LGW, via DPS and BKK or DPS JKT BKK.
I doubt if these fares will be sustainable, and am watching for specials to come out.
Just returned from DPS on the $1350 AUD fare - which we booked and paid for in December for May travel. Looking for a great fare for October.
There is nothing else to choose from. JQ have Star Class but they have upped their fares from about 1600 to 2000, but Star Class is a poor imitation of premium economy - not even a pretend business.
The new GA lie flat seats - are more comfortable that EK - but its only on 1 aircraft A330 - 300 at this stage, all of the A330 -200 have them and of course the new 777's for the CGK DXB AMS service.
4 A330-300 have completed the refurbishment with the new seats and the Panasonic AVOD IFE systems. I can confirm that PK-GPF, GPG, GPC, and GPD have been fully converted. GA's plan is to have all the 6 A330-300 converted by the end of July.
On the other hand, 1 or 2 more A330-200 will be arriving sometimes in September again this year.
There is also a rumor that Garuda has managed to wet lease 3 B77W from AI and these aircraft will be arriving soon before October. GA is only scheduled to receive its own B77W from Boeing starting 2011 which by then will be used to serve CGK-AMS non-stop. The current CGK-DXB-AMS route is being flown by A332. Once the B77W arrives, DXB will then be used as a tag on to the 2nd EU city. FRA is now very likely to be that 2nd EU city.