This week we speak to Travel Mike and Travel Elias from Liberty Travel for the very first time. We wish our friend Josh Engstrom safe travels as he heads back home to Australia and can’t wait to visit him when we’re able to make the trip. We talk about travel tips, unaccompanied minors, and availability!
Information is changing regularly so be sure to check back each week for updates.
A little bit about Travel Mike and Travel Elias
Elias has been with Liberty Travel for about 10 years and I’ve been with Liberty for about 9 years.
Our niche in the travel industry for most of that time has been booking airfare; specializing in long-haul flights, complex itineraries, and premium cabins (first class, business class, premium economy).
I am a self-described airplane nerd, I know the ins and outs of nearly every commercial plane in the skies these days. I love to fly and enjoy making that experience possible for others. For me, the excitement starts when I get on the plane heading to a new destination. Going down the runway, picturing the pilot and co-pilot call out “V1…rotate…” then the plane pitches up and we’re off!
That loss of enjoyment of the travel experience has certainly been one of the lower-stakes tolls of this pandemic, but a shame nevertheless.
Like everyone else, I am optimistic that we’ll soon return to the real thrill of travel, not just the necessity of it. I’ll let Elias share a bit more about himself next week!.
How to contact us –
Mike – [email protected]
Elias – [email protected]
(we will create a single email that goes to both of us very soon)
Top Travel Tip for the Week
Unaccompanied minors – kids under 18 traveling alone. Do you have kids heading back home to Australia while you’re staying here in the USA? Kids under 18 traveling alone are exempt from the 14-day hotel quarantine. They must still quarantine, but they can be picked up at the airport by a family member, head directly home and complete quarantine there.
Availability over the next period (17th March – 31st March)
Availability is slim all around, partly because of spring break, and partly because it’s the two weeks before Easter. I suspect folks will want to be done with quarantine in time for the holiday. Most available seats are either premium economy or business class. I suggest booking this sooner rather than later.
Airline news/updates
Air New Zealand (NZ)
Twice a week leaving from Los Angeles with connections onward to Brisbane, Sydney, and Melbourne. Air New Zealand partners with United Airlines, so if you don’t mind a couple of connections you can go via LA from many major cities across the US all on the same ticket.
United (UA)
7 days a week from SFO, 3 days a week from LAX (TUE/THU/SUN)
American Airlines (AA):
4 days a week LAX – SYD (TUE/WED/FRI/SUN)
Air Canada (AC)
Not recommended to book ATM.
Delta (DL)
Flying 7 days a week (LAX-SYD)
Air New Zealand (NZ)
LAX-AKL-SYD/BNEMEL (TUE/SAT).
Virgin Australia (VA)
QANTAS (QF)
Singapore Airlines (SQ) & Cathay Pacific (CX)
NYC-SIN-PER (TUE/WED/FRI/SUN) – departures from JFK or Newark
Emirates (EK), Etihad (EY) and Qatar (QR)
Questions & Bookings
Mike – [email protected]
Elias – [email protected]
(we will create a single email that goes to both of us very soon)
Great work Mike! Great update!