Did you take a long-haul trip lately? Here’s your chance

This just in: According to a recent survey commissioned by British Airways, “one in four residents of the UAE have not taken a long haul trip in the last year” – and we’re taking that to mean that the remaining three did embark on that long-haul journey in 2013.

Now, according to our sources (Wikipedia), a long-haul flight is defined as one that takes more than 6 hours, which means that the annual trip back home for all those from the Subcontinent does not qualify to be one, as flight times to Pakistan, India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka range between three and four-and-a-half hours.

And despite the fact that a majority of UAE expats belong to the Subcontinent, the survey’s findings suggest that most of us did take that long-haul holiday last year.

If, however, you were among the 25 per cent that did not do so, here’s your chance. British Airways is encouraging passengers to take advantage of their discounted fares to cities across the UK, Europe, the US and Canada.

“In an attempt to offer expats increased opportunities to travel back home and visit friends and loved ones, British Airways has announced a special fares campaign running until March 10, allowing for travel until the end of July,” it said in a media statement.

The airline is pegging the airfare sale with Mother’s Day, insisting “there has never been a better time for UAE residents to give their mum a surprise holiday, or the best gift of all – by hopping on a plane and turning up on her doorstep!”

Paolo De Renzis, Area Commercial Manager, Middle East and Central Asia, BA, says: “Being able to travel back to your home country on special occasions such as Mother’s Day allows you to enjoy the traditions of home and still live a professional expat life abroad. Through offering a timely special fares campaign, we hope to encourage residents to visit their families at the end of a busy first quarter and not feel too disconnected from home.”

The discounted BA airfares can be booked until March 10, 2014, and allow for travel until July 31, 2014, the airline said. Fares start from Dh2,745 to the UK and Europe, and Dh4,419 to the USA and Canada.

(Home page image courtesy Shutterstock)

Follow Emirates 24|7 on Google News.