It really is flavor of the month to shut down your airline, and it doesn't seem to matter which part of the world you're in. The newest victim is Oasis Hong Kong, a long-haul low cost carrier which, until yesterday, was serving routes like Hong Kong to Vancouver and Hong Kong to London.
Not anymore. Wednesday morning's arrival in London was announced as the last flight and stranded passengers are getting deals on Cathay to return to HK. There hasn't been any official reason given, but plenty are now speculating that long-haul and low-cost are simply incompatible concepts. We hope they're wrong.
It used to be that discount carriers avoided going the distance and instead stuck to shorter flights and commuter routes. But that's beginning to change. Today more low-cost carriers are getting in on long-haul routes and saving travelers some coin in the process. Oasis Hong Kong, for example, flies nonstop daily between Hong Kong and London for about $230 each way.
And while Oasis may be among the first to fashion a long-haul discount carrier, they certainly won't be the last. AirAsia is developing its own discount spin-off , AirAsia X, which will begin service between Malaysia and Australia on November 2. And we can't forget Virgin America, which started service between the East and West coasts of the U.S. this summer.
So is saving a buck worth the hassle? As far as we can tell, our readers will try anything once. And while the service on one of these LCCs might not be the same, that super-low ticket price might make you feel better.
We rarely see airlines getting consistent four-star reviews these days. Maybe that's why Oasis Hong Kong Airlines caught our eye: Dozens of customers are talking up the carrier for providing seamless service and amenities that--these days--have gone by the wayside.
Just listen to this:
We have come to the conclusion that this airline is good - not because it is low cost, but because it is good. The service on board was at least equal to that which I have received on occasions in business class on BA, attentive staff who addressed you by name and customer focused. The seats were comfortable ... and both flights took off on time...We had what could have amounted to a three course meal, and with plentiful liquid refreshment we wanted for nothing ... An excellent service for an affordable price.
Another reason we took note?
Flew out to Honk Kong, flight left on time with no hitches. Hot meal served shortly after takeoff. Watched a couple of films, both about six months old. Breakfast served about two hours before touchdown. Flight crew attentive and helpful. Water was freely available and most soft drinks etc were priced at £1 each. Flew back to Gatwick this morning (28th), flight left on time again.
On time departures and free food? From a budget carrier? What's not to love?
FYI, we are moving to Vancouver. As if the awesome weather and gorgeous environs weren't enough, Vancouver has now officially snagged long-haul budget carrier Oasis Hong Kong Airlines. According to Oasis, via the AP, non-stop flights from YVR to Hong Kong will commence in June. Tickets go on sale tomorrow, and the lowest fares ($255 one-way) will probably go like Tickle Me Elmos, so you best get those virtual kneepads ready for the battle.
OHK's competitors on the route are Air Canada and Cathay Pacific, the latter having a good reputation that often seems unshakable. Oasis was supposed to add Oakland, California, as its second destination, but plans to bless us Americans have since been complicated. And to that, we say: Blame Canada!
Don't go away. Or, go away on the cheap if you must. Oasis Hong Kong, Jaunted's travel newcomer of the year, is holding a sale on economy tickets between London and Hong Kong (its only route so far, if you haven't been keeping up.) The long-haul LCC has won passenger raves for its value in both the economy and business class cabins.
It's a nice sale, and enough to rile us Americans up with jealousy for Brits and the London-based. While Oasis IS, consistently as far as we can tell, the best offer on the block, getting from London to Hong Kong isn't as damaging as you'd think. We priced out non-stops on Air New Zealand (note: 34" seat pitch) for as low as $653, and on British Airways for $710.
Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary was just on CNN International commenting on the launch of Air Asia X, the new long-haul, budget airline project of Air Asia and Fly Asian Xpress. Rumors and news regarding the debut have indicated that Air Asia X will partner with Virgin and easyJet, but reports that those deals have already been solidified are premature. As for O'Leary, he doesn't think long-haul low fare airlines can work.
Execs hope to build up to a 20-plane fleet, and the first flights are planned for July. We're assuming that they're on steadier ground than, say, Virgin America, and really do expect to start flying then. Tickets between the airline's hub in Kuala Lumpur and select destinations (Tianjin and Hangzhou, China, and either Manchester or Stansted in the UK) will go on sale next month.
No dice for Americans, as there are no plans for routes into the States. For now, cheapies over here have only those Oasis Hong Kong routes into Oakland and Chicago to look forward to. Let's hope they materialize.
No newcomer to the travel world excited us this year like Oasis Hong Kong Airlines, a new budget long-haul carrier. Though Oasis currently flies only between London-Gatwick and Hong Kong, their take-off was still exciting. The airline is supposedly planning U.S. routes into Chicago and Oakland.
They got us excited about the future of budget airlines (could a transatlantic LCC be coming?). They garnered favorable reviews for their business class from a FlyerTalker. And even the majority of reviews on AirlineQuality.net praise Oasis' excellent economy product value. It was all enough to make us insanely jealous of the London and HK residents who got 'em first.
Congrats on getting on our good side, Oasis! Now get those U.S. destinations running.
Online travel forums are filled with gems, if you have the time to dig for them. Luckily we do the dirrty work for you in our somewhat regular Forum Ferreting feature.
Now that Oasis Hong Kong Airlines is up and running, only the question of quality remains. Is it just a long-haul easyJet with a cabin experience that would be unbearable after more than a few hours? Do you get something besides a death rattle for your hard-earned dough? The introductory prices seem too good to be true, especially if they remain the same for Oasis' eventual U.S. routes.
It's going to take some more time and passengers before any sort of solid opinion on Oasis develops, but at least one review has trickled in on Flyertalk. A poster flying business class reported on how Oasis handled the delay snafu ("brilliantly") and left this detailed description about the cabin setup itself:
As I boarded the Boeing 747-400 door 1 Left, I was amazed at how much room there was in the Nose (A Zone) of this Business Class Cabin, config with 12 seats from rows 18-20 and 21-29 in three other cabins on the main deck, the Upper deck was config 11-17.
The seats in the front row of 18A/C H/J have six rows of windows beside them and Ooddles of space on the floor in front.
Row 21 is config in a 2-3-2 just behind door 1 left/right (still part of the nose section) but the centre seats D E G have poor recline, so avoid these if you want better sleeping.
oasis have used Singapore airlines Old Ultimo seats, seats are noce and comfy with 60 inch pitch (Airlines old First class pitch).
He also calls it a "fantastic value." We wonder if economy passengers will feel the same way. Stay tuned.
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by amandak
No newcomer to the travel world excited us this year like 
