Garuda Indonesia is offering business class passengers the option to book a second seat for just $1 extra plus taxes, on routes to Asia, the Middle East and Europe.
For example, to Europe (Sydney to Amsterdam, Garuda's European landing point), the cost would be $7,158 for the first passenger and $1 for the second passenger plus $158 taxes -- an effective per-passenger cost of $3,579, less than what's charged by most airlines for premium economy, and puts the rest of Europe just a short-hop domestic flight away.
Flights to 15 destinations are covered by the sale, including Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, China, Japan, Korea, United Arab Emirates and Europe.
But you'll have to book quickly if you want to snap up the offer -- the sale ends on 31st of August 2011.
Tickets booked under the promotion are valid for travel until 19th September, and of course they are non-refundable and changes are not permitted.
Garuda says it is not the same airline it was in the 90s -- in 2009 it deployed a new aircraft fleet with a new in-flight product and service concept, leading to a four-star rating upgrade by Skytrax.
Garuda also makes a point of highlighting that it was awarded its most recent IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) in May 2008, certifying that the airline is compliant with international standards for flight operations, aircraft maintenance and safety management.
Some of the return fares on offer
From Sydney
- From Sydney to Jakarta or Denpasar, the first passenger pays $3,250, while the second passenger pays only $109 inc taxes
- From Sydney to Hong Kong, the first passenger pays $3,973, while the second passenger pays only $132 inc taxes
- From Sydney to Amsterdam the first passenger pays $7,158, while the second passenger pays only $159 inc taxes
From Melbourne
- From Melbourne to Kuala Lumpur, the first passenger pays $3,674, while the second passenger pays only $115 inc taxes
- From Melbourne to Singapore, the first passenger pays $3,681, while the second passenger pays only $122 inc taxes
- From Melbourne to Seoul, the first passenger pays $4,194, while the second passenger pays only $124 inc
From Perth
- From Perth to Tokyo, the first passenger pays $3,182, while the second passenger pays only $127 inc taxes
- From Perth to Shanghai, the first passenger pays $3,216, while the second passenger pays only $113 inc taxes
- From Perth to Dubai, the first passenger pays $5,613, while the second passenger pays only $120 inc taxes
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