6 Traveller
WEEKEND EDITION
The Sydney Morning Herald
OCTOBER 3-4, 2015
THE PLANE Airbus A330-200, the airline has two in its fleet, each with 24 business and 251 economy class seats.
REVIEW
tomato, onion and capsicum medley. The flavours worked together agreeably, the pasta wasn’t overcooked, and it arrived piping hot. The mustard-flavoured potato and bean salad was an interesting addition, as was the dessert – canned fruit salad chunks served atop a fruit jelly-custard jam-like mixture. It didn’t look that appealing . . . but I finished it (so yes, it tasted OK). I was surprised to be woken for a continental breakfast before landing on this short flight – fruit salad and bakery items.
Flight test
AIR MAURITIUS THE ROUTE Mauritius Island to Perth. THE LOYALTY SCHEME Air Mauritius uses the Kestrelflyer rewards system. Members can use their accumulated points on Air Mauritius products, such as flights, cabin upgrades and additional baggage. CLASS Economy class, seat 26A. It’s an exit-row seat so I have plenty of legroom.
BAGGAGE Economy passengers can check in 23 kilograms and can take a bag up to 7 kilograms on to the aircraft.
DURATION Favourable winds result in a fast flying time of just six hours and 10 minutes. FREQUENCY Mauritius Island to Perth is flown three times a week for six months of the year (January, April, July, August, October and December) and twice a week the remaining six months of the year.
ENTERTAINMENT New releases, loved oldies and international flicks make up the movie selection and the nine-inch (22.9-centimetre) LCD touch screen is simple to use. Because the flight leaves just before 11pm and arrives in Perth in the morning, most passengers choose to eat and then sleep. I get through half a Modern Family episode, eat my dinner and then get some shut-eye.
THE SEAT The economy seats are arranged in a 2-4-2 configuration, which turns into 2-3-2 towards the very back of the cabin. Seats have a 31-inch (78.7-centimetre) pitch.
COMFORT The exit-row window seat ($80 prebooked or payable at the airport) is the most comfortable seat in the house. I have the window to lean my head on and plenty of legroom. I get
up frequently and not having to pester the person next to me is a relief.
SERVICE ‘‘Welcome, Ms Leonov,’’ was the greeting I received when stepping onto the aircraft and I heard other passengers welcomed personally. Soon after the seatbelt sign was off, staff cheerfully distributed champagne to VIP guests (frequent flyers and anyone who asked very nicely), shortly afterwards the standard drinks service commenced, and then came dinner. The mood was almost festive for the duration of the flight, perhaps because of the hospitable and friendly nature of Mauritian people. FOOD My special request vegetarian main was penne pasta with an eggplant,
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ONE MORE THING When sugar cane production had to be radically reduced in Mauritius (due to competitor pricing) the country diversified and added textiles, rum, tea and tourism to the mix. Air Mauritius too has diversified, with the addition of Air Mauritius Holidays, the touroperating arm of Air Mauritius, launched at the end of 2014. THE VERDICT The cabin crew could well be the friendliest I’ve come across. Nothing was too difficult; passenger needs were met quickly and happily; and champagne (frequent flyer bonus) in economy . . . need I say more? See airmauritius.com.
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Tested by Tatyana Leonov, who flew courtesy of Air Mauritius.
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Visit your Travel Agent | celebritycruises.com.au | 1800 754 500 * ‘Was’ and ‘Now’ prices are based on lowest available fare in the listed categories at time of going to print (30 September 2015) compared to standard lead in fares on the listed categories on 7 August 2015. All prices are per person in Australian dollars based on twin occupancy and inclusive of all taxes and fees (which are subject to change) and onboard gratuities (tips). ^Two FREE perks on Europe can be booked on Oceanview categories or higher between 26 August 2015 – 18 October 2015 on a Celebrity Cruises European Itinerary departing between 15 April 2016 – 2 November 2016. To be considered a European itinerary the sailing must start and end in a European port. Bookings must be made under Celebrity Cruises “Go Big, Better, Best” promotion which applies to most Celebrity Cruises sailings of 4 nights or longer departing between 1 October 2015 – 30 April 2017 and excludes Interior staterooms. Other exclusions and terms and conditions apply. For a full version of the terms and conditions please see www.celebritycruises.com.au/specials/Go-better-Europe. Offers and prices are subject to change without notice, are capacity controlled and may be removed if a booking is cancelled and reinstated at any time after deposit payment. Any other changes made to the booking may result in the forfeit of the promotion. All bookings must meet the terms and conditions of the promotions in order to qualify. For full terms and conditions of all promotions visit the Celebrity Cruises website. Passengers are bound by the terms and conditions in the Celebrity Cruises Worldwide Brochure 2015-2016. Celebrity Cruises reserves the right to correct any errors, inaccuracies or omissions and to change or update fares, fees and surcharges at any time without prior notice. ABN 541 5026 3086. J9795_031015_SMH
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