RMIT expert available for comment on international air travel

Dr Chrystal Zhang (0469 333 210 or chrystal.zhang@rmit.edu.au)

Topics: Airline industry, airports, airline business models, route development, airline liberalisation, safety and traveller behaviour.

“With more Australians gaining confidence to book travel overseas, it’s important to take a breath and check the airline’s refund policy and/or terms and conditions before you book.

“Airlines have recently introduced more flexible fares but not all are created equal. It pays to check the fees applicable to changes of flight date or cabin class. Higher fares are more flexible, while cheaper fares are less-so – generally speaking. Check what your travel insurance will cover too.

“Research I’m conducting is showing more people are choosing an airline based on fare flexibility and cancellation policies, rather than cabin amenities.

“There is always a dilemma when making a travel decision: do I book early to take advantage of the appealing fare, or do I wait until there is more certainty?

“While there’s no one-size-fits-all solution, my advice is to keep looking at fares and decide what flexibility you’re comfortable with and what you are happy to pay.

“Another factor Australians traveling further abroad should consider is stopovers – how many, which countries. Generally, the more countries you transit through, the greater the risk of headaches entering your destination.

“Travellers need to be prepared for various scenarios and should consider making a contingency plan to better manage travel-associated risks, including the possibility of quarantine on arrival back in Australia.”

Associate Professor Chrystal Zhang is an airline industry expert in RMIT’s School of Engineering. She is a regular commentator on airline business models, route development, airline liberalisation, safety and traveller behaviour.

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