Last week a lucky group of Brisbane agents (and now Fokker fans) got to experience what flying in an Alliance Airlines private Fokker jet feels like while learning why private group charters are all the rage right now.
The event, held at Alliance Airlines HQ at Brisbane Airport was hosted by Alliance Airlines Sales Development Manager Michelle Nickleson and National Charter Manager Alex Ananian-Cooper and saw nine lucky agents get to tour the airline’s hangar before boarding a Fokker 70 VIP Jet for a 20-minute joy flight over the city and North Stradbroke Island.
This was no ordinary private jet either. The 24-seat piece of aviation history was formerly the King and Queen of the Netherlands private aircraft that used to zip them all over Europe and beyond back in the 1990s. Oh, the stories I bet this beauty could tell.
With a 2-1 configuration and timelessly fitted out in gorgeous leather and mahogany, this uber-chic aircraft oozes a style and class and fit for royalty and of course, our luxe loving group of agents and yours truly.
Bit of pub trivia for you: The inventor of the Fokker back in 1912, Anthony Fokker was himself Dutch.
Nowadays, you can charter her to host your own royal event or fly to wherever you want to travel within Australia with reasonable rates to boot all things considered.
Alliance Airlines say private charters are all the rage and are seeing a huge demand for trips onboard their fleet of jets with agents taking advantage of pent up demand for domestic bucket list experiences from their clients.
For example, Travel Associates Advisor Debby Rains from Townsville, Mackay & Rockhampton recently put together a number of charter packages for groups of her clients to fly to Uluru for unique weekend adventures out at Voyages Sails In The Desert.
Flying on an Alliance Airlines Fokker-100 which can seat up to 100 people, Ms Rain has been able to offer her clients bespoke weekend adventure packages out at Uluru from $1672 per person twin-share flying from Townsville and Rockhampton. They’ve been so popular that she’s had to put on extra departures this month to meet demand.
So what’s the Fokker experience like? After flying for the first time on this private jet I totally get the appeal as it really does feel very special. How’s this legroom for starters? That’s my kind of flying.
From the walkout on the runway to the plane, the personalised service onboard and the short and zippy takeoff and smooth inflight experience, flying on this jet bring back all the romance of travel.
Onboard our joy flight were Emma Slater (Student Horizons), Fiona Gent MTA – Mobile Travel Agents, Brad Sward (Travel Associates Manly), Francesca La Spina (Flight Centre Travel Group), Marie Hollman (Travel Associates Chirn Park), Pauline Roche (Me Time Experiences), Craig Fyfe (Your Holiday Centre), Cathy Donaghy (Helloworld Strathpine) and Warren Parkes (Travel Managers).
What did they think? Here’s their thoughts about the experience.
Marie Hollman from Travel Associates Chirn Park said, “Met some Fokkers & had a grand time!” while Brad Sward from Travel Associates said, “What a way to enter the sky again, I think I just recharged my love of travel batteries!”.
“It was great to be able to see your aircraft and we at Student Horizons can certainly see a wonderful partnership with Alliance moving forward. We have seen an increase in quote requests coming through and I confident I will be able to send some requests your way very soon!”
Emma Slater, Tour Coordination & Group Flights Manager, Student Horizons
For Alliance Airline’s co-host on the day Michelle Nickleson, the event was another invaluable opportunity to engage with the trade and showcase why Alliance Airlines offers a unique approach for agents looking to offer their own clients something different.
“I am loving introducing Alliance Airlines to the travel trade and the trade are loving having the support of Alliance Airlines in these uncertain times. I hope that the inspections of our Fokker aircraft give the agents confidence in recommending Alliance Airlines to their clients.” She said.
Alliance Airlines also recently launched a new Canberra, Sunshine Coast to Cairns route.
Interested to partner with Alliance Airlines and get yourself on the next tour? Email Michelle at MNickelson@allianceairlines.com.au