Foreign airlines lure passengers with discounts, upgrade options

Foreign airlines are wooing Indian passengers with discount offers and seat upgrade options in the peak winter travel season.

While Singapore Airlines has launched special discount fares from Mumbai and Ahmedabad to Singapore and is offering vouchers for use at the Changi airport to all its passengers, Malaysia Airlines has launched a scheme which allows passengers to bid for the next higher class. Earlier this week Qatar Airways was offering two business class tickets for the price of one ticket in a limited period offer.

Apart from the home market both these South East Asian carriers compete for onward passengers travelling to Australia,  New Zealand and other destinations. Under the scheme called 'Mhupgrade'  Malaysia Airlines passengers can upgrade to next higher class by determining their own price.  The scheme works on the forecast of  empty seats available in the first class and business class sections.

Malaysia Airlines’ Director of Commercial, Dr Hugh Dunleavy said, “This is a great opportunity for guests to get an upgrade to a premium cabin class. Make us an offer and we will only charge once your bidding is successful. There will be no introductory cost and unsuccessful upgrades will not be charged.”