We went to Hong Kong this year for a work/holiday mixture. For a while we were not sure if we were going to be able to afford it, because some friends of ours had just flown out and it cost them £450 per ticket (about $900) and that was way over our budget.

Then I found www.oasishongkong.com, a new low cost airline that started in November 2006 with flights between London Gatwick and Hong Kong. I could not believe the prices they were offering - it cost us £75 ($150) one way per person. So for 2 adults and an infant we paid about £550 ($1100) in total for our tickets.

Some people are put off when the phrase ‘low cost airline’ is mentioned, but with Oasis the service was great - much better than some non-low cost airlines - especially ones that originate in the USA. We had to pay £15 each way to guarentee that we got bulk head seats so that we could have a basinette for our daughter - but that was not big deal. Food, and basic drinks (tea, coffee, water and juice) are free, but if you want harder beverages you have to pay. But given that both flights are red-eye flights a couple of drinks of water are really all you need.

Oasis Hong Kong also offer in flight entertainment with personal TV screens with several movie channels - and while they may not be the latest movies like on some airlines - there were a few recent ones that I had not seen.

The one negative point to Oasis Hong Kong is their booking system on their website.  When you book the flight you have the option of booking seats and meals - but the problem is the website makes it feel like you must book the seats and meals,  when in reality it is just a optional thing. You do have to pay extra if you book meals - because they are specialty meals where as if you don’t book a meal you get a standard one.

Oasis have launched another route in June this year- Vancouver to Hong Kong and they have several planned other routes in Europe and North America.  the latest news is at www.oasishongkong.com.