British backpackers coming to Australia are soon to get their own dedicated charter airline, Backpackers Xpress, featuring one-class jumbo jets with engines painted as beer cans and giant 'smiley' faces on the nose cone and tail.
First class will be gutted and turned into a bar. According to the Sydney Morning Herald, backpackers will be treated to party pies, pizza, a range of beers, personal DVDs with over 300 titles, karaoke and dance competitions, surf 'n sun safety, talks on Australian wildlife with flight attendants who will stir up the fun, including young Aboriginal people who will give an introduction to indigenous culture. It was not said whether the talks will be given before the beer. BackpackersXpress return
fares would start from AUD$1290 (about ST500) with a projected 139,000 backpackers flying in the first 12 months. Neighbours star Ryan Moloney (who?) is lined up to be the promotional face of Backpackers Xpress.
Two Jumbos! The Ausaviation website reports the two 747 jets might be coming from Singapore Airlines while the people behind Backpackers Xpress include Australian Glenn Millen, ex Qantas captain Gordon Layton and ex Sunstate Airlines founder Bevan Whittaker. Stopovers will include Delhi and Bangkok. The site also speculates on a link between BackpackersXpress and Qantas' new budget domestic start-up, Jetstar.
We think: Why Not!? While this market has enjoyed their own dedicated bus tours in Australia and NZ for several years, it's a great idea to fly special planes for them as well. You never know, Melbourne might soon make Ibiza yesterday's destination!
http://www.waywardbus.com.au/xpress.html
1290 AUD$ wären ca. 730Euro. Der Preis (auch wenn er eher für MAN gilt) wird doch sicher in MUC ähnlich sein, aber so wirklich billig ist das ja auch nicht, oder? :