Mystery tours are magical and cheap

SYDNEY (DPA) - If you loathe airports, hate flying and are prematurely

grey from fretting that taxis won't show and luggage will go astray, this

getaway is not for you.

But if you like the idea of turning up at the departure lounge of a big Australian

airport with a ticket in your hand but not knowing which plane you'll board, the

mystery flights now on offer from Qantas and Ansett Australia could be a

dream come true.

They are incredibly cheap: for around $100 you get a day-return to a domestic

destination chosen by a computer. Departure is usually on the first flight and

you might not be home until way after dark. Qantas guarantees two hours on

the ground at the end of the flight, Ansett four hours.

Mystery tours are a neat way airlines have found to fill up seats on domestic

routes that otherwise would be empty. Tickets come with the usual

bargain-basement caveats: non-transferable and non-refundable.

With Qantas you must purchase your ticket three days in advance.

With Ansett, you can plonk your money down anything from three days to a

fortnight before. Both airlines will keep a secret and not tell you where you are

going until the last moment - if that's what you prefer. If you don't like

surprises, you can find out before you set off for the airport.

Once ensconsed in your economy seat, however, you are just like a regular

passenger. "Cheapo-cheapo" is not printed on your boarding pass. Along with

those paying twice as much, there's a crisp newspaper to read before

breakfast, a cautionary air safety video to watch and cabin crew to josh with.

What you do at your destination is up to you. Go for a swim if it's summer. Hit

the shops if you're flush. Visit a friend if you are lucky.

Qantas and Ansett report that many mystery tour tickets are bought as

presents for relatives and friends. Some are bought by budget travellers

making their way around Australia who just take a chance that the flight they

get will be in the right direction rather than from the place they last visited.