Air China return flights to Rome on sale at Flight Centre expo

Return economy flights to Rome are on sale for $999 this weekend flying on Air China.

Other deals available at a Flight Centre travel expo include London for $1099 return, also on Air China, and Bali for $599 return on Virgin Australia.

The London flights are well below typical prices, boosted by high charges and taxes at Heathrow.

While underlying airfares are heading up, Flight Centre NZ general manager product, Sean Berenson, said the fares offered this week prove there are still good promotions available.

The Europe flights are via Beijing from Auckland for travel on selected dates between January and June next year while Virgin's Bali flights are via Australia from the end of next month until next March.

Air China is one of that country's biggest airlines, has been growing rapidly during the last 12 months with a large international network and uses Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners through to Europe from Auckland. In May rival Chinese carrier China Southern sold Rome return for $999 too.

Berenson said the Bali deals were a sign of intense competition on the route now served from Auckland daily by Emirates and up to five times a week by Air New Zealand.

''It's an incredibly good destination for couples and families.''

Travel by Kiwis to Bali, was up last month to more than 10,200 - up by 55 per cent on August last year.

The fall in the value of the New Zealand dollar, especially against the US currency this year, meant more travel to Asia where the kiwi dollar goes further.

''What we're seeing is massive growth over the first six months of this year to Asia in general and part of that has been driven by Emirates to Bali but its also been to the Philippines, Tokyo, Singapore and Hong Kong.''

The fall in the value of the New Zealand dollar, especially against the US currency this year, meant more travel to Asia where the kiwi dollar goes further.

Overall trips overseas were up 7 per cent over the last 12 months to 2.98 million trips and in spite of the weaker currency the US market was holding up.

At the Auckland expo flights to Los Angeles and San Francisco on Fiji Airways are available for $799 from Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch. There would be a stopover at Nadi on those flights.

Bargain fares would provide more on the ground spending leeway in the US, he said.

Standard airfares are heading up as fuel prices hit four-year highs. It is the single biggest cost on long haul flights and the price of oil is now over $US80 a barrel and some analysts say it could climb over to $US100 a barrel over summer as producer keep supply tight.

''The message to me is very loud and clear and that's to take advantage of this golden era of travel right now - because they're (prices) are more than likely to head up,'' said Berenson.

Air New Zealand said this week that rising fuel prices would continue to be a headwind this year. The airline has raised fares and other charges several times, including imposing an extra $10 each way on the Tasman yesterday.

Berenson said travellers were expecting more from their holidays.

''It used to be that airlines simply got you from A to B, hotels offered a place to rest your weary head, tour companies herded tourists around major sights and cruises gave a sea-level view of the world. Now forward thinking companies are putting the experience at the heart of their offering.''