Arrivals & Departures Weekly Travel News and Views 13 May 2025

GEOGRAPHY 1

Our poor east coast cousins look out at the Pacific, Hawaii, the west coast of USA and New Zealand.

We look out at variety of the far more exciting (in my opinion ) Indian Ocean Rim. Mauritius, Madagascar, South Africa, Mozambique, Kenya, Tanzania, Oman, Seychelles, Maldives, India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Thailand, Indonesia. Sort-of Malaysia and Singapore.

GEOGRAPHY 2

Historically, Western Australia’s geographic position has often been seen as its disadvantage. During the COVID pandemic, of course, that same isolation came to be seen as an advantage. And there are other instances in which our position works for us.

Europe is relatively easy to get to . . . and flying backwards is a good trick . . .

GEOGRAPHY 3

When I say “flying backwards”, I’m not suggesting that a Boeing 777 or Airbus A380 is more aerodynamic flying tail-first, or that any pilot should be asked to hook his elbow out of the window, crane his head around and reverse for hours on end.

But, say, to fly to New York City or (better still at the moment) to Toronto can work better for us if we fly to the Middle East first, and then connect to our destination.

With that thought in mind comes this week’s news that Qatar Airways is increasing its flights to Toronto in Canada and Sao Paulo in Brazil. At first thought, that might seem a long way round. But consider our map, and you might think again.

Flying times:

+ Perth to Doha: 11h 25m.

+ Doha to Toronto: 13h 50m.

+ Doha to Sao Paulo: 14h 50m.

One-stop connection is good for such long-haul travel.

Qatar will fly five weekly flights to Toronto Pearson Airport from June 19, 2025, and 17 weekly flights to Sao Paulo/Guarulhos International Airport from June 25, 2025.

The airline only started flying to Toronto six months ago but has had a very strong response. qatarairways.com

QANTAS STEPS UP

Qantas will start flying direct from Perth to Johannesburg from December 7, 2025, and direct to Auckland from December 8, 2025. You can read more about it here.

CHEAP FLIGHTS

The subject of airfares came up with some friends a few days ago, and I boldly said: “I wouldn’t pay more than $1500 economy return to London”. Very good airfares have been coming through from Qatar Airways, in particular. I suggested they also look at Malaysia Airlines for real value, and Cathay Pacific for excellent service and value. Indeed, Cathay has flights from Perth to London, connecting in Hong Kong (which is great for a stopover) from $1425 economy return in June and $1435 in July. flights.cathaypacific.com/destinations/ en_AU/flights-from-perth-to-london

The subject came up because one of my friends was bemoaning the fact that it had just cost $1000 to fly from Melbourne with Qantas. Both ways there were delays of several hours, he said.

DOING THE BUSINESS

Business class has turned into a costly choice since COVID . . . or has it ?

I have found London return from Perth for September:

Thai Airways business class, connecting in Bangkok, for $8576 for all four legs. thaiairways.com

Malaysia Airlines business class for four legs for $8483. malaysiaairlines.com

Emirates business class for all four legs in September for $9844. emirates.com

JUST A THOUGHT. . .

Q: Will invisible airplanes ever be a thing?

A: Nah, I just can’t see them taking off.

$307-A-DAY DEAL

We all like a good deal, and I’ve spotted Inspiring Vacations’ 26-day Mediterranean Journey, with a stopover in Qatar, from $7999 per person. That includes international airfares. And yes, at $307 a day, it may just be cheaper than being at home. There’s the economy flight to Rome, two nights there, a 20-night Mediterranean cruise with Princess Cruises, calling at Barcelona, Santorini, Ephesus, Corfu and more, two nights in Doha and airport transfers. It leaves on April 30, 2026. 1300 832 370 and inspiringvacations.com

We have a 40-page Travel edition next week, including a Cruising Guide. In that . . .

+ Michael Ferrante will have all the latest news and trends.

+ We pick our 15 top cruises.

+ And there’s an interesting story about a new generation of ships being built as retirement homes.

POSITIVE IMPACT

Touring company Tauck is 100 years old and for more than 60 years it has been committed to making a positive impact, environmentally, socially and economically, in the places it takes groups to. A spokesperson says: “Through thoughtful partnerships and long-term investments, we work to protect cultural heritage, preserve delicate ecosystems, and empower local communities.” Among the projects it supports is the Galapagos Conservancy. On remote Santa Fe Island off South America, scientists are working to reintroduce native tortoises, tracking land iguanas and studying vegetation to help the island’s ecosystem thrive. galapagos.org

BATTLE OF TRAFALGAR

And another big touring company, Trafalgar, is expanding into river cruising. (Which is basically the same, but on water, and without that packing-and-moving-hotels all the time.) Trafalgar is planning to debut two 128-passenger ships, Trafalgar Reverie and Trafalgar Verity, and river cruise journeys along the Rhine and Danube in the northern spring of 2026.

The eight-day Best of the Danube on Trafalgar Reverie is from $4399 per person, twin share, and based on double occupancy.

The 10-day Best of the Rhine and Amsterdam on Trafalgar Verity, is from $5399 per person, twin share.

Travel agents (more often called “travel advisers” now) can make a reservation on a Trafalgar river cruise now, ahead of bookings opening to the wider public.

FROM TRACK TO AIRPORT

Our lad Oscar Piastri showing true Aussie spirit to rise from fourth place on the grid to take the Formula One Miami Grand Prix, and his fourth successive win for McLaren, has led me into thinking about what we travellers might gain from all this.

McLaren’s depth of talent and skill when it comes to data management is excellent — and airports worldwide have taken advantage of that in recent years.

To explain . . . over a race weekend, the McLaren F1 team’s technology very accurately monitors where each car is on the circuit and how fast they’re going. And such accuracy is more than helpful for air traffic controllers keeping track of the location of planes. Heathrow Airport and others use technology created by McLaren to receive live departures and arrivals information, enabling air traffic control to anticipate delays and ease congestion.

SEEING WILDFLOWERS

Still on the road, a reader has asked about multi-day wildflower tours in WA.

I suggest Casey Tours’ four-day northern wildflower tour with a botanical guide. There are three nights’ motel accommodation as it trundles through Coalseam National Park, Geraldton, Lesueur National Park and the Pinnacles in Nambung National Park. There are four departure dates in September, and it is from $1440 for adults, $1390 for seniors, and there’s an extra $330 for a solo room. Chat to this good, local, family company about this and other options on 1800 999 677 or visit caseytours.com.au.

AN ULTIMATUM

And finally, a coach driver’s warning:

“If you’re one minute late you have to sing.

“If you’re two minutes late you have to dance.

“If you’re three minutes late, you can sing and dance all you like, but the coach will have left.”