British Airways puts down Laker flights

Press, 3 February 1981, Page 21

British Airways puts down Laker flights

By

LES BLOXHAM

British Airways is using the well-known actor, Robert Morley, to get its message across to Americans that anything Sir Freddie Laker can do, British Airways can do better.

In an advertisement uncharacteristically aggressive for British Airways, but indicative of the cutthroat, cut-rate air-fare war currently being waged across the United States, Morley promises that “for exactly what , those Laker chaps charge, we’ll fly you standby to London with all the frills.” He then' follows with a quick jab’below the belt: “Tsk, tsk. If you go with them you may have to pay for your meals!” The advertisement takes a further swipe at Sir Freddie Laker, the pioneer of cheap air fares. “There’s a silly rumour going round that our. air; line charges more than Laker does. Rubbfch,” says British. Airways. “Our standby fare is exactly the same as their lowest fare

— 5241 (from Los Angeles). , “But while they take you to Gatwick, we fly you to Heathrow, London’s far more convenient airport. They fly DClOs; ■We fly your favourite 7475. And they, require you to purchase your meals or bring your own. Our standby passengers enjoy the same excellent meals as their fellow passengers.” So far, fare’s fair. Both airlines indeed charge the same low rates: and Laker passengers on the cheapest fares dd have to pay extra for their meals. But Laker doos have the edge over . British Airways on one important point: passengers can reserve seats on any available flight at least eight days ahead of departure, thereby eliminating the uncertainty of British Airways’ standby system. The latter will confirm seats only if any are available, on the proposed day of travel. The $241 one-way fare from Los Angeles to London ($482 round-trip) is available until May 14

when rates will go up to $286 and $572. respectively. (All fares quoted in U.S. dollars). Laker has also just announced new. super-econo-my fares on his routes to London from Los Angeles, New York, and Miami that are completely free of restrictions, fully .refundable, and offer half-rates for children under 12. These new fares from Los Angeles are currently $269 oneway ($538 return), rising to $279 between March 1 and April 30, to $440 in May, and $506 during the peak months of the northern summer. 1 L

The Milford Track, which has earnea international acclaim as the “finest walk in the world, has attracted more than 2000 visitors in the first three months of the current season. Controlled by the Tourist Hotel Corporation, the escorted walks over the track take five days, although only three nights are spent in the Fiordland wilderness. The illustration above shows the route the track follows from Glade House, at the head of Lake Te Anau, over the Mackinnon Pass and down to Lake Ada and Sandfly Point .to Milford. The first night is spent at Glade House, the second at the Pompolona Hut, the third at Quintin, and the fourth in the comparative luxury, of the Milford Hotel. The groups, usually comprising about 40 people, are then taken on. a cruise of Milford Sound before they make their own way back to Te Anau and points beyond. The basic cost of the walk is $2OO for adults and $l3O for children (who should be at least 10 years old). The prices include the launch trip up Lake Te Anau to the start of the track, accommodation and meals for four nights, and the day excursion on Milford Sound. The Tourist Hotel Corporation’s last tour for the season will leave Te Anau on April 3. - . '