24

Mar

by: The Global Traveller

This is part of a series of blog entries on how to get to countries and places. Here is a link to the index. I plan to eventually cover every country and some other places. If you have a request for a particular country or place please use the email me link at top right, or leave a comment.

Timor Leste (aka East Timor)

Source: J Patrick Fisher

No major airlines fly to East Timor, and the few airlines that do fly have low frequencies and fares are very high. The options change from time to time. At time of writing this post the following fly to Dili:

  • Airline alliances – none
  • Other – Airnorth from Darwin, AustAsia Airlines from Singapore, Merpati from Denpasar (Bali)

TIP Airnorth is a partner of Qantas Frequent Flyer. If you can get to Darwin cheaply (easy enough from Singapore and Australian capitals on low cost airlines Jetstar and Tiger, difficult & expensive from elsewhere) and manage to get an award Darwin to Dili return, then this is by far the cheapest way to get to Timor Leste / East Timor.

There are no other ways to redeem miles for these flights, or include them on round the world or similar tickets.

Incidentally for those readers who are following my Flyer Tip series, AustAsia Airlines Singapore to Dili route is a classic example of where very limited number of booking classes are on offer. There is one price in business class, and just 1 or 2 prices in economy class.

Musings of the Global Traveller
Thoughts, advice and travel news from around the world by a seasoned frequent flyer.

2 Comments Tags: , , , , , ,

  1. FlashKiwi said,

    Be warned when you fly with Air North that they strictly enforce checked in luggage limits – 13kg (or 20kg if you are on the jet). The other problem is the flight leaves at 6am so you need to stay in Darwin overnight (unless you grab a red eye). I turned up once for a (rare) afternoon flight and found it had been canceled (Air North to their credit did pay for accommodation that night). Also no status points and you cant use the Qantas lounge (unless QF Platinum) :-( Not a cheap flight either – AUD300 for the cheapest fare (1 hour flight).

    Timor Air is supposed to be starting in May.

  2. ozbeachbabe said,

    If you happen to be employed by the United Nations they have a flight Dili/Darwin/Dili on a Beechcraft 1900D model based in Dili – the only catch is you have to be employed by the UN which could be on assignment eg you are civilian police (CIVPOL)for many countries around the world.

    Skytrans also operate a Dash8 100 series for PDL TOLL (Patricks Defence Logistics) based in Darwin which takes Australian/New Zealand/East Timorese military or police between the two countries. This is 0700 departure ex DRW Mon/Wed/Fri & returns after a 45 min turnaround arriving back to DRW 1115.

    PDL TOLL personnel also travel on this flight which could mean anyone even a Catholic Priest.

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