ATC Airline Discounts

[Braun]

Just out of curiosity...in your ATC units do you receive airline discounts or any sort of advantages. I am curious because we do not and we are entering negociations and it would be nice to be able to compare around the world! If you could also mention which country you work in it would be great!

Thanks ladies and gents!

[HEATHROW DIRECTOR]

Hohohohohohoho!!!

In the UK controllers are prohibited from seeking discount travel with the airlines. However, a proper travel club was established and many airlines, hotels, etc, offer slight discounts, or "standby" fares to the club.

I've met a few controllers from overseas who had legit discount travel with British airlines but I do not know if those facilities still exist.

[Plazbot]

In OZ, when we want travel discounts, we are not part of the industry. When we want to perform any kind of Industrial acton, we are bad guys for hurting our own Industry. :rolleyes:

No airline gets any preferental treatment in my wrld, I hate them all the same.

[matsATC]

This used to exist in Belgium until 10 years ago with a few airlines, mostly for standby tickets.

The only discounts we have now, are the ones offered by this UK travel agency (I assume it's the same one HD refers to) but most flights leave from the UK so it's not always very practical.

[BrATCO]

Why ask for discounts ?

Lo-co companies almost pay you to get on board !
Then you almost pay to get out...
That's almost half the price. :p

[niknak]

There are two organisations in the UK which have formal arrangements with airlines for discounted travel for ATCOs.

One is a professional organisation which represents ATCOs interests and the discounts are part of the benifits available, the other organisation is dedicated solely to obtaining discounted travel and other associated benefits.

I used the latter extensively when I was younger and it was rare to be bumped off, if you were there was a lot more flexibility in the industry which allowed discretion by the local airline representive - sometimes travelling via a different airline for no extra cost or even first class on two long haul flights:cool:.

There are still some good deals to be had, but as has been pointed out the flight only deals are almost always standby travel, you've got to be flexible and they're not suitable for family travel or if you have a specific deadline to meet.

If you are travelling on a long haul flight, there's nothing wrong with dressing smartly, subtley mention at check in that you work in the industry and ask if there's any chance of an upgrade.;)

[bigKH]

Travel Industry Services - Travel for Travel People (http://www.traveltis.co.uk) It's not a massive discount but offers trade prices for industry related jobs. I took my family of 4 to Oz this past Xmas on BA. In total for 4 adults tickets £3000. Probably could of got it cheaper on another carrier but there were no hidden extras and it was peak time of year.
My advice would be when you've registered and you want to book a trip, phone them up because most of the time when you enter your trip details the search fails to find availability for your dates.
Good luck!

[055166k]

You deserve a prize for flying BA. I've only done two long distance trips in my life.....one to OZ last year and one to Hong Kong this year. First was QANTAS, paid for upgrade to Prem Econ, service and food were great; second was BA, paid for upgrade to Prem Econ.....dire.....outbound cabin "Team Mogadon"......inbound cabin "Team Invisible"....rubber food thrown at you....tired interior......awful.....never again.
Never had a freebie or discount fare from anyone. Most of my colleagues recommend "Asian" or "Gulf "airlines for overall best service package and price. The WEB seems to throw up the best deals anyway.....just have to search!

[chevvron]

Wife and I travelled to Rio with BA on a deal with one of our travel industry agents. World Traveller Plus seats and 6 nights hotel (just off Copacabana Beach) less than £1000! Excellent night flights with good cabin service. Only snag was you have to stop at Sao Paulo both inbound and outbound.

[11K-AVML]

I stick to frequent flyer miles and hotel points - it seems to offer much better levels of quality than the minor discounts offered through any fax-based travel trade organisation has to offer.
Better overall prices in the long-term when used correctly too.