— This is the script of CNBC's news report for China's CCTV on December 11, Thursday.
If you've ever travelled to Australia, you've realized Sydney is just MILES and MILES from anywhere else.
To get around the country, the only real option is to fly.
Most of us, would be content as Passengers.
But capacity wars between Australian airlines like Qantas and Virgin Australia have already raised domestic airfares.
Some are even expecting significant increase like what is seen in the U.S.
According to the International Air Transport Association... U.S. carriers had about 83% of their seats taken up in September.
That's compared to about 79% in Australian airlines.
But In this Month's First Class, Susan Li decides to fly a plane... of sorts.
FOR ALL ITS BEAUTY.. THE ONE DOWNSIDE DOWN-UNDER IS JUST HOW REMOVED YOU ARE FROM.. JUST ABOUT EVERYWHERE ELSE.
NINE HOURS TO HONG KONG, 15 HOURS TO DUBAI, 21 HOURS TO PARIS.
BUT I FOUND A WAY TO GET AROUND THOSE PESKY FLIGHT TIMES.
IN FACT, FOR A MERE $1,200, I DISCOVERED, YOU CAN GO ABSOLUTELY NO WHERE AT ALL!
Now if you're in Sydney and a bit of a plane buff, here's an interesting experience you can do. If you own Qantas points, all you need is a 100,000 and you can get your own experience on a flight simulator thanks to Qantas. Let's see how well I fly a plane!"
P: Hello Susan. Welcome to Qantas flight training.
S: Thank you. I have to say, I think you need to strap in because I'm not the most experienced flyer.
P: Alright, Let's put our seat belts on then, shall we?
NOW I MIGHT HAVE FLOWN IN PLENTY OF PLANES, BUT THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I'VE BEEN BEHIND THE WHEEL.
BUT WITH A LITTLE BIT OF CLIMB, A LITTLE BIT OF THRUST...WE'RE UP, UP AND AWAY!
P: So we're over Paris city at the moment...
S: Where's the Arc De Triomphe?
P: It's down over to our right, down over there.
S: I can't see the Eiffel Tower anywhere.
P: No, it's behind the clouds, just down there.
S: Oh. Well, what's the point then? Pfft.
P: Well, you could turn that way and fly down there.
S: Yeah, let's do that!
A QUICK FLIGHT TO PARIS, AN AFTERNOON OF SHOPPING WITH MY IMAGINARY FRIEND, AND I'M BACK ON THE GROUND AGAIN.
P: We're just aiming for that point just down on the runway where those red and white lights are. So that's it, you're doing a great job. Just keep it on that centre line like that...
I'm Chen Qian, reporting from CNBC's Asian headquarters.
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