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Via Fly4Free there’s an amazing $266 roundtrip fare right now for September and October travel between New York (JFK) and Turin, Italy.
That’s really all-in, including taxes. And it’s on Meridiana, the Italian airline that’s 49% owned by Qatar Airways. Who needs 5th freedom flights, the kind that Qatar says they aren’t currently interested in operating (between Europe and the US even though they’re based in the Mideast) when they can charge $266 through their Italian proxy?
Use airfare metasearch site Momondo to find this fare.
Here’s detail on the itinerary:
Admittedly it’s odd to fly from Milan to Naples to Turin when Milan and Turin are less than an hour apart by train…
Fly4Free thinks this is a mistake fare, rather than Qatar needling Delta, United and American after they declared a hollow victory for protectionism. And since we don’t know for certain how Meridiana will feel about such a deep discount sale, they might get seller’s remorse. I’d wait a few days after buying tickets before making additional non-refundable travel plans around the fare.
In theory an airline refusing to honor a sale like this would have to reimburse any out of pocket costs you incurred but there’s not much history with enforcement of that particular DOT statement so I’d still not test it.
That’s a crazy routing. The segments between Naples and Turin are operated not by Meridiana’s subsidiary Air Italy but rather by the Romanian airline Blue Air. Outbound you have 7.5 hours in Naples; on the way back you have a 50 minute connection in Naples between the two airlines.
Can’t imagine that this is a genuine fare, but I also don’t imagine too many people will book it (given the inconvenience) so perhaps it will be honored.
That’s a great time of the year to be in Piedmont, however.
Monterey, California to Milan is $419 round trip today with Star Alliance. Rome and Venice on sale too.
Does not seem odd to me to see lower fares from New York to Italy.
Reports aren’t good on this airline.
Meridiana also offers flights to Sardinia, that Italian Island, in the middle of the Mediterranean, just south of Corsica. This is where you’ll find a totally different culture compared to the Italian one, of course, everyone speaks Italian, but also many different ancient dialects. You will try new culinary experiences, fabulous road trips, trek beautiful mountains, and swim in crystal clear waters. The most beautiful beaches of the Mediterranean, if not in the world, are exactly North of Sardinia, in the Archipelago of La Maddalena.
http://www.sardiniaislandtours.com
Hi Gary,
I bought a ticket for myself this October. The website I purchased it through sent me a confirmation and charge my credit card the $266. A few days later, they responded that the fare for that date was no longer available and if I still wanted it, it would be $468. Is there anything I can do? Do you suggest filing a DOT complaint?