How you could soon fly to Australia for £12 a MONTH – but it’ll take a while to pay off
Etihad has launched a new scheme gives customers up to five years to pay for a flight. The airline's 'fly now, pay later' option accepts payment plans from three months to 60 months
ETIHAD Airways have launched a new long-term payment option - so customers can pay off their flight over up to five years.
The airline has launched their "fly now, pay later" option using payment provider PayFort, with payment plans from three months to 60 months.
The cheapest Etihad return flights from London to Sydney on offer currently cost £715.
That means travellers could be paying just under £12 a month for their fare - if they used the maximum five-year payment plan.
But that would mean they would be paying off their trip several years after the holiday glow had faded.
The airline has said the new initiative is designed to target "low-to-medium income travellers".
They also say it will give regular flyers the opportunity to try out more expensive classes above standard economy.
Currently, the offer is only available to customers who live in the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Egypt - but it is expected to be opened up to the rest of the world soon.
Justin Warby, Etihad Airways vice president for digital strategy and innovation said: "We understand travel can be a significant expense, especially for families and those on a tight budget.
So this new initiative is a great way for people to book and enjoy their travel without having to worry about paying in one large sum.
"When we were designing this product, we were really looking at how we can assist those low-to-medium income travellers and families, but of course, spreading the payment over a period of months is also a great way to indulge in premium cabins."
The UAE air operator is not the first company to introduce a payment plan.
Australian budget airline Jetstar launched a "buy now, pay later" scheme earlier this month, which allows customers to pay off flights between AUD$200-$1000 (£120-£580) in four payments spread across eight weeks.
Booking sites also offer payment plan deals on flights, with Expedia allowing travellers to finance their holiday with three, six or twelve-month terms when they book flights and a hotel in a "Bundle Deal".
