TRAVEL BLOG
Tuesday, December 04, 2007
Oasis Hong Kong Flight Review - London to Hong Kong
Oasis Hong Kong is a long-haul low-cost airline based in Hong Kong. They currently fly to London and Vancouver and are expanding to other destinations in 2008.
Oasis Hong Kong at Gatwick
I had not considered flying a low-cost airline long-haul due to the perceived lack of services, but the price difference was enough for me to consider again.
Price
This was what got me through the door. The cheapest advertised price was £99, with an asterisk of course.
Fare Breakdown:
Air Fare GBP 99
Fuel Surcharge GBP 29.96
UK Air Passenger Duty Economy GBP 40.00
UK passenger Service Charge GBP 7.90
Total: GBP 176.86
This is for a one way fare from London to Hong Kong. This was booked about one month before travel, and was about half the price of the next best fare found on expedia/opodo with regular airlines. Booking as a one way flight might have made a difference to the fares with other airlines.
Low-cost and Long-Haul?
The low cost model works well for short haul flights as a cooked meal and entertainment isn't necessary on a 2 hour flight. For inter-continental flights though these extras are required to make the long flight bearable.
My perception was that you would have to pay for your meals and your entertainment. Some long-haul low cost airlines are following this route but Oasis haven't.
Meals
Yes, meals are free. There is a dinner service shortly after take off, then a breakfast service before arrival. You can order other meals any time during the flight for a cost.
Oasis Hong Kong Dinner
Oasis Hong Kong Breakfast
The meals are your standard inflight fare you would find on a BA/Cathay flight, and you get two choices.
Drinks
Juice and soft drinks are free but you have to pay for alcohol.
Entertainment
Another low cost misconception busted. There is inflight entertainment onboard. Each seat has its own tv screen and has 16 channels plus the usual where are we now Air Show.
London - Hong Kong Air Show
Oasis Hong Kong have their own inflight magazine and a selection of newspapars and magazines are provided free as you board.
Free newspapers and magazines
Remarks
Overall the flight was as comfortable as any flight I have taken in enonomy long haul. The winning difference is in the price difference, though if I found a flight with a comparable price with a traditional alliance airline I would have taken that, if only for the frequent flyer points. The large price difference in this case made gaining points irrelevant.
oasishongkong.com
Oasis Hong Kong at Gatwick
I had not considered flying a low-cost airline long-haul due to the perceived lack of services, but the price difference was enough for me to consider again.
Price
This was what got me through the door. The cheapest advertised price was £99, with an asterisk of course.
Fare Breakdown:
Air Fare GBP 99
Fuel Surcharge GBP 29.96
UK Air Passenger Duty Economy GBP 40.00
UK passenger Service Charge GBP 7.90
Total: GBP 176.86
This is for a one way fare from London to Hong Kong. This was booked about one month before travel, and was about half the price of the next best fare found on expedia/opodo with regular airlines. Booking as a one way flight might have made a difference to the fares with other airlines.
Low-cost and Long-Haul?
The low cost model works well for short haul flights as a cooked meal and entertainment isn't necessary on a 2 hour flight. For inter-continental flights though these extras are required to make the long flight bearable.
My perception was that you would have to pay for your meals and your entertainment. Some long-haul low cost airlines are following this route but Oasis haven't.
Meals
Yes, meals are free. There is a dinner service shortly after take off, then a breakfast service before arrival. You can order other meals any time during the flight for a cost.
Oasis Hong Kong Dinner
Oasis Hong Kong Breakfast
The meals are your standard inflight fare you would find on a BA/Cathay flight, and you get two choices.
Drinks
Juice and soft drinks are free but you have to pay for alcohol.
Entertainment
Another low cost misconception busted. There is inflight entertainment onboard. Each seat has its own tv screen and has 16 channels plus the usual where are we now Air Show.
London - Hong Kong Air Show
Oasis Hong Kong have their own inflight magazine and a selection of newspapars and magazines are provided free as you board.
Free newspapers and magazines
Remarks
Overall the flight was as comfortable as any flight I have taken in enonomy long haul. The winning difference is in the price difference, though if I found a flight with a comparable price with a traditional alliance airline I would have taken that, if only for the frequent flyer points. The large price difference in this case made gaining points irrelevant.
oasishongkong.com
Labels: airlines, airport, gatwick, hong-kong, london, oasis-hong-kong
Posted by James Clark - editor of itravelnet.com
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