This information is designed to help you to arrange your flights to Australia, and provide some handy hints.

BOOK NOW!

We strongly encourage you to seek the best competitive fares available and to book now. We have always encouraged and continue to encourage all groups to book early and to seek the most competitive fares available in the market without delay. The earliest possible booking is essential to acquire the most competitive fares.

Speak to many travel agents and airlines direct

We also encourage you to speak to as many travel agents and airlines direct to seek a competitive fare. We know a number of groups have successfully negotiated packages direct through airlines. Qantas represents 37 percent of the international inbound Australian flights, there are many other carriers that fly to Australia.
To avoid misinformation ensure you request travel agents to itemise all costs associated with their quote.

How WYD08 can help

While booking tickets is the responsibility of pilgrims, we can assist by pointing you in the right direction and putting you in contact with people we know that can help. For example, alerting you to Bishops Conferences representatives that may be releasing held seats; putting you in contact with travel agents that have blocked seating arrangements and thus capacity; putting you in contact with localised Qantas representatives. Contact the Qantas WYD08 representative in your region - details have been sent to over 4,000 group leaders.

WYD08 continues to work closely with the airline industry with respect to capacity and encourage reasonable pricing and terms and conditions. We work with airline industry forums, the established Transport Sub-Committee of the Local Organising Committee and through consultation of federal government representatives and aviation consultants. Airlines have already put on additional flights to Australia from Europe and the US..

Tips and hints to secure your airline ticket

Ensure you examine the possibility of a less direct route to Australia, ie, coming through a country that is not expected to have many WYD08 pilgrims (such as Japan, China or Malaysia). You will find much less WYD08-related pressure on these routes.
Be flexible with your dates - availability is booking quickly, so you may find you are unable to land the day before WYD08 commences and leave the day it concludes. You may also find a more competitive fare from an airline that requires a stop over, rather than flying direct, non-stop.
Qantas has recently announced extra capacity with its intention to fly direct from Rome for the first time in many years. Qantas has also announced additional flights flying from LA. Qantas will operate four additional services to Australia - three from Rome and one from Los Angeles. The pilgrim flights will operate from Rome on 5, 8 and 12 July, returning to Rome on 21, 25 and 28 July, and from Los Angeles on 9 July 2008, with the return journey on 23 July.
Qantas has published an Individual Pilgrim Fare available from their website in the US and UK markets. Other markets can also access this fare via the Qantas call centre. The Qantas website directs pilgrims to relevant booking options.
The dedicated Pilgrim Fare is designed to offer value and flexibility to the Pilgrim travelers (as individuals, not groups). Fare details include:

• Valid Travel Departure Dates 1 - 20 July 2008
• Pilgrim Fares are discounted and based off available published inventory class at that time
• Flexible Fare conditions
• Discounted domestic sectors available in conjunction with Pilgrim fare

Airline prices

Airline prices have been rising generally for several reasons unconnected to WYD08:

• current strength of the Australian dollar (around 90 US cents, up from mid-70s last year) has made it more expensive for non-Australians.
• increasing popularity of Australia as a travel destination, especially during the northern hemisphere summer. July is categorised as 'shoulder to high season' and airfares are generally higher as a result.
• a delay in the arrival of the new larger aircraft.

Chartering flights

It is best to speak directly to airlines if you wish to inquire about chartering long haul aircraft. The International Association of Travel Agents (IATA) in your region may also be able to assist with your queries on chartering. www.iata.org/worldwide