Something To Declare: Asia add-ons; Istanbul; New Zealand
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Your support makes all the difference.Bargain of the week: Asia add-ons
Singapore Airlines may rue the day it ordered the new Airbus A380. The manufacturer of the new double-deck "Superjumbo", for which the Singapore carrier is the launch customer, has finally confirmed that is will not deliver a single aircraft by the end of this year. Even so, the airline (0844 800 2380; www.singaporeair.co.uk) has a handy deal with its existing fleet of Boeings; buy a return ticket to Singapore and you can continue for no extra fare - beyond the additional "taxes, fees and charges" - to a wide range of Asian destinations, including Borneo, Vietnam and Indonesia. For example, flying from Manchester to Singapore on a range of dates in November costs £616 return - but the add-on to Bali is just £20 more.
Warning of the week: no joking at Istanbul
"In Istanbul airport yesterday", reports Henry Palmer, "I bought a 'Turkish bomb', complete with label saying it was hand-made. I proceeded through the final security checks without so much as an eyebrow being raised. My "Turkish bomb" was purchased as a present: it is actually a tin of dried apricots sold in a duty-free shop at the airport and carrying the brand name "Turkish Bomb". But given the hi-jacking of a Turkish Airlines flight from Tirana this week, and the current volatile situation in Turkey, it seems mind-boggling that such a brand is happily allowed to be sold at the airport".
Destination of the week: New Zealand, either way around
From this month, the optimum route to Auckland for Air New Zealand passengers will depend on the quantity and contents of their baggage. When the airline (0800 028 4149; www.airnz.co.nz) introduces a Heathrow-Hong Kong-Auckland link on 29 October, fares will be the same whether you travel via Asia or the existing route via Los Angeles. For the maximum checked-in baggage allowance, choose California; you are allowed 46kg, compared with a meagre 20kg on the Hong Kong route. But travellers who choose the Asian connection will be allowed to take liquids, toothpaste and cosmetics on board - providing these are bought at the airport. All such items are currently banned from US-bound flights.
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