There's a new Kind on the European budget carrier block offering certain one-way fares for as little as $20.
Inaugurating its first flights on December 1, 2002, Germanwings, a brand new entrant in the budget air derby, is providing some welcome competition to the current European champions--Ryanair, Go and Easy Jet. Germanwings is offering fares from €19 one way to each of its 11 destinations throughout Europe--Barcelona, Berlin, Istanbul, London, Madrid, Milan, Nice, Paris, Rome, Vienna and Zurich. All their flights depart from Cologne-Bonn Airport.
These fares are good through March 2003. Schedules and rates for spring and summer flights should be released by February (hopefully sooner). The carrier intends to be competitive with other lower-priced airlines when they do. You can sign up for a free e-mail newsletter through the site for notifications of new schedules and sales.
Refreshingly, Germanwings says upfront that only 20% to 30% of seats on each flight are available for the low fare price of €19, which already includes tax and fees for all destinations. The earlier you book, the cheaper your flight. On some days you will be lucky and get the €19 fare, on other days other people may have beaten you to the punch. Your best bet for the cheapest fares is to start by selecting midweek travel dates on a Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday. If the low €19 doesn't come up for that day, you can easily move forward or back a day with the click of a button to check those fares.
Some drawbacks: They don't do connecting flights, so you have to check your luggage again if you want to go somewhere beyond a Germanwings destination, there is no frequent flier program as of yet and, worst of all, they don't have a toll-free number so to speak to someone you'll have to dial the toll number in Germany below.
Germanwings says it is currently making arrangements for expanding its roster to add new destinations beyond the 11 already scheduled. Again, the Newsletter will give you advance information on this.
Go online to www.germanwings.com to check out their new site. You can e-mail them at info@germanwings.com or call that toll number 24 hours a day at 011-49-1-805-955-855.