2020 Biennial Dates Released!

[LJG]

Save the date! 

May 23 – May 30, 2020.

Join the IPS and come to La Réunion to see palms on our 2020 Biennial!

You don’t want to miss this trip!

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Hyophorbe indica in habitat. Photo by Olivier Reilhes.

[Tracy S]

Awesome. Looking forward to it.

[Cindy Adair]

I’ll be there!

[Kim]

Thanks for providing the dates well in advance. I look forward to hearing more about the itinerary and pricing. 

La Réunion is a very interesting destination.

[Alberto]

I hope to be there !

 

[LJG]

This is from Bo on another thread:

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As has already been pointed out, airfares from the U.S. to Reunion for May 2020 are clearly on the high side. But keep in mind, Reunion is exactly on the other side of the planet from the U.S. West Coast! The obvious choice would seem to be to fly via Europe (specifically Paris) but another option is via Bangkok, and that can actually be considerably less expensive. The following airlines fly to Reunion (RUN):

Air France - lots of flights from both Paris CDG and Paris ORY (Orly). There is no significant difference in price.

French Bee - flights from Paris ORY.

XL Airways - flights from Paris CDG.

Air Austral - flights from Paris CDG and from Bangkok BKK.

Out of the four, Air France clearly has (by far) the most resources (read "planes") and currently has a total of 70 Boeing 777s which are used for the flights to RUN. Air France also has the advantage of being in the SkyTeam alliance (with KLM, Delta Air Lines and others).

French Bee - only three A350s in the fleet (but very competitive prices).

XL Airways - only four A330s in the fleet (with an additional Portuguese one leased in short term for the summer). Again, competitive prices.

Air Austral - three Boeing 777s and two 787 Dreamliners. The only one of the four that's based at RUN. Currently only two flights a week between BKK and RUN.

In many cases it will be most cost effective to book separate flights, whether flying via Paris or Bangkok and in such a scenario, always good to book in (at least) one night stop at the transit airport. And as has also being pointed out, this is nine months out and prices will definitely be very fluid. For instance, as of right now, Air France is showing very competitive prices for next week but all prices for May 2020 are very high. Likely to change. The question is when...

Another option is to look for flights to Mauritius (MRU). It's a very short flight from MRU to RUN.

[bgl]

Might add that XL Airways is currently in the process of going out of business.

[WNCpalms]

All plans for the 2020 IPS Biennial are complete for me......flying from Charlotte NC to Paris to St. Denis then on for pre tour to Madagascar.  This is a trip of a lifetime and well worth the cost of getting there.

[waykoolplantz]

Will bienniels be rescheduled to 2021 ?  

[Cindy Adair]

Still under discussion as we all await COVID's effects on future travel worldwide.

We have lots of plans for great travel though so stay tuned.

[Mandrew968]

Biennials are back and better than ever. Those loyal and patient members of this wonderful society shall be rewarded-upcoming travel destinations in order: London and reunion 2023. New Caledonia 2024. And soon we will have dates for Peru, Thailand and Vietnam in 2025 and 2026. The IPS is working hard to provide something for everyone-stay tuned for more details.

[Kim]

@Mandrew968 This would be a very good post on its own, rather than in the 2020 thread. Get everyone salivating!