Fly to Europe and the U.S. at Japanese prices with early-bird airline festival deals — round-trip to Paris from just 9,000 NTD

▲Europe is the top choice for Taiwanese people planning long-distance trips. (Photo / Provided by Tripresso Travel Cafe)

Reporter Yu Jiayun / Comprehensive report

As the year-end approaches, are you worried that your annual leave has run out? Why not start planning your 2018 trip now to enjoy early-bird discounts? Taiwan’s transpacific routes to Europe and the U.S. have seen fierce competition this year, and as the year winds down,Qatar Airways, China Eastern Airlines, and Asiana Airlines have respectively launched ultra-low fare promotions such as round-trip Taiwan-Sydney flights starting at NT$8,000, and buy-one-get-one-free deals on business class tickets,allowing travelers to fly to Europe and the U.S. at prices comparable to those of Northeast Asia, saving a significant amount of money.

To celebrate its 20th anniversary, Qatar Airways is offering three major promotions from November 1 to November 10: “Buy One Get One Free on Business Class,” “One Free for Every Three in Economy Class,” and “Autumn Leaves Early-Bird Airfares.” The promotions include: early-bird Europe round-trip fares starting from NT$20,500 (tax included); Paris round-trip business class fares starting from NT$61,980 (tax included), with one free for every two passengers; as well as one free for every three passengers in economy class flying to Europe, with round-trip fares starting from NT$20,150 (tax included).

China Eastern Airlines is offering early-bird pre-sale promotions for Europe, the U.S., New Zealand, Australia, and other routes, with 60-day and 90-day advance purchase options. Flights from Taiwan to Sydney start as low as NT$8,000 (excluding tax); tickets to European and American destinations such as Paris and Los Angeles start from NT$9,000 (excluding tax). In addition, China Eastern also provides early-bird discounted tickets for cross-strait direct flights and Northeast Asian destinations such as Japan and Korea, with prices starting from NT$4,000.

Welcoming 2018, Asiana Airlines is offering discounted tickets from Taipei via Incheon to destinations worldwide, including: Taipei to Los Angeles, Chicago, and Hawaii round-trip starting from NT$12,000 (excluding tax); flights to Europe, including Istanbul, London, and Paris, starting from NT$13,100 (excluding tax). There are also discounted tickets to Central Asia and Siberia, with valid travel dates up to the end of March next year.