China Eastern Airlines’ launch of a discount package which allows ticket holders to enjoy unlimited weekend air travel has taken off, with more than 150,000 people flying under the package over the past two weekends.
Billed as the first-of-its-kind in China, the Fly at Will package allows passengers to take unlimited flights on any weekend in 2020. It was released on June 18, and priced at 3,322 yuan (US$474.85).
The promotion saw the average passenger load factor on China Eastern flights from Shanghai to more than ten destinations rise by nearly 20 per cent, with some flights even surpassing 90 per cent. To meet growing demand, the company said that it has dispatched wide-body aircrafts like B777 and A350 to the hot flights.
The success of the Fly at Will package has led other airlines in China to roll out copycat products. China Express launched a similar air ticket package on June 21, while Hainan Airlines announced on July 1 that its 12 airline companies will jointly launch an air ticket package with limited destinations.
China Eastern hopes that its Fly at Will package can help boost businesses in tourism and hospitality, so that relevant industries can tide over these tough times, said an executive of the airline’s service department.
