Staff Travel in Retirement
 

Hi all,
I am doing a bit of research into which airlines offer staff travel to retired airline staff. I'd like to know what is available and how long you need to be in the airline before being eligible.
Please would you kindly state the airline, length of service required and what level of ticket you can get, ie Standby(ID90), or firm. Also for the holiday companies do you get any holiday booking concessions.

Many thanks for your assistance. (BTW, I am not a journalist and have worked for a couple of UK airlines for the last 24 years.

WGA

BA up to 15 years service you get 2yrs staff travel.
Over 15 years service you get the same years you served staff travel in retirement.
Unlimited standbys and i think its 1 "firm" ticket annually - which for us really isnt very firm at all.

Do you get taxed on it? If not, watch out!

Genuine question how can they tax you on it? It is not a nil cost benefit in kind.

Airport taxes, security fee, APD etc. All that is collected by the airline but forwarded to service providers / tax collectors.
Recent example:

Flight fare EUR 647,88

Airline imposed fees
2 Adult EUR 138,00
Fuel fee EUR 392,00

Taxes, fees and expenses
Taxes and other charges EUR 117,88
Security Fee (JJ) EUR 14,90
International Passenger Fee (FI) EUR 23,42
Passenger Service Charge (SI) EUR 37,78
International Flights Security Charge (M6) EUR 8,00
Air Transport Supervisions Charge (XU) EUR 1,80
Security Charge (DQ) EUR 11,98
Airport Service Charge - International (TR) EUR 20,00

TOTAL : EUR 647,88

Ok. Sorry are you saying after retirement you should not be paying any of this and getting flights completely free as in absolutely 0 cost??
If so, yeah good luck with that.

All the taxes you have posted has nothing to do with the airline.

I never use it these days because the whole process is such a pain.

I'm not concerned with the taxes, they are there whether you are retired and get staff travel or are still an employee.

For example our staff travel whilst an employee is nothing for free but we pay a nominal charge for the ticket, PLUS any applicable duties, taxes etc.

I am trying to find out which airlines continue this benefit into retirement.

Thanks, back to topic please.

Qantas gives you two years staff travel if you were employed for 5 years or less. Once over 5 years you keep staff travel in retirement for the amount of years you worked for them. So 15 years before retirement you get 15 years staff travel.

So you are picking your employer based on what they offer staff travel wise in retirement?

If thats your logic???!!!!

No but in the last few weeks running up to retirement, it can be the difference between ringing up the manager responsible for your rosters and telling them where they can stick them, or not. :)

Hardly, I am getting close to retirement and my company offers nothing. I was just curious as to which companies do offer this. Clearly those that offer it see it as a benefit which is designed to further improve and make their employment more attractive.

Lurking about, spotted this. The benefit seems to vary a lot . I served 17 years with a ME Carrier. Length of service was rewarded with various benefits, the top asking for 20 years service in exchange for lifetime benefit which also varied (not allFREE ) .

But the administration was grossly corrupt at Base and indeed across the network.

Also made clear was that the benefit could be amended or withdrawn at any time. The Employment Leaving letter made it look like a retirement gift but in practice, not worth the various lengths of service required.,

In my case, having crossed the line of criticising top admin, it was suddenly amended and then withdrawn once I was retired.. Later, I was told that benefits that had fallen under the hammer were being re-instated but Head of Staff Travel never replied to my inquiry even when directed to do so by her Manager. Looks like she was more powerful than he.

So, now, I slip on me Shell Suit , Trainers, and climb down the back of EZ like everyone else. If I have to.

Oh and yes Wanna, there are some folk who hang on to long service just for the hoped for Staff Travel benefit. Oh bless.