The US has never been more accessible to the Aussie market than it is right now thanks to increased air competition, new direct routes and more importantly, ridiculously low airfares.
Remember last year’s $900 return to L.A.? Or how about Jetstar’s more recent $259 fares to Hawaii?
It’s safe to say we’ve been spoiled with low fares across the Pacific for a good 12 months now and it doesn’t look like they’ll be increasing anytime soon.
Why? Because AirAsia X this week became the first Asian low-cost carrier to receive clearance from the USA’s Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) to operate scheduled passenger flights to the country.
Although the carrier hasn’t decided which US state it will fly to first, the FAA decision does mean Aussies will soon have access to AirAsia X’s notoriously low fares from Sydney, Melbourne, the Gold Coast and Perth and into the US.
AirAsia X Group’s CEO, Datuk Kamarudin Meranun, described the FAA approval as a “major milestone” in the airline’s business as it expands beyond Asia Pacific.
“I’m confident travellers will respond well to our award-winning service and the kind of connectivity we can offer with our Fly-Thru product.”
Datuk Kamarudin Meranun, AsiaAsia X Group CEO
“As part of our expansion plans, we are also looking to resume our very popular London route, and are working towards securing the necessary approvals.”
Now we just have to wait and see which US cities AirAsia X decided to fly to… *puts bets on L.A. and Hawaii*.