If you're wondering where this is headed at, wonder no longer. For where we, the average Indian, fit into the grand global scheme of things, is with our surefire love of travel, the wanderlust, the inmate curiosity that leads to seeing the world, trying cut new cuisines, shopping etc.

And speaking of travel is where the various airlines step in, trying ever so nonchalantly to build a bridge between them and us with those oh-so-attractive ticket pricing. Yes, that's right, all's fair in air and fare and so they are pretty much back to normal, only, instead of merely quoting a slashed price bag, they have special packages and schemes on offer now.

It was actually British Airways that set the ball rolling for this story, albeit unwittingly. However,spokesperson Rayonna Sequeira denied any slashing in rates, and said firmly that she could be quoted as saying ``BA is the most expensive airline'', so that, I'm afraid, is that. Likewise with German giant Lufthansa, Dutch KLM and Air Canada.

Do not lose heart though -- Swissair has a special scheme ex-Delhi and Mumbai to Rome, Brussels, and major points in Switzerland, Germany and France, at an easy Rs 33,000 (return). To counter that one is SAS; buy one Business Class ticket and pay only Rs 6,996 for your spouse, with a night's free stay at any of the following cities: Amsterdam, London, Oslo, Helsinki, Stockholm, Hamburg, Berlin, and Copenhagen. For the price of an economy class ticket, you get to pick two destinations.

Singapore Airlines has a Rs 17,000 (return) fare ex Delhi-Singapore, and its Rs 14,000 (return) from Madras. Our national carrier Indian Airlines, on the other hand, has a Rs 17,255 fare ex Madras-Singapore. Its return fare Delhi-Bangkok is Rs 14,930 as compared to Thai airways Rs14,720, and IA's Madras-Kuala Lumpur sector is Rs 17,255 as opposed to Malaysian Airlines offer of Rs 15,200 (return). However, it must be said here that IA allows a better baggage deal; its 30 kg per person in the economy class, with an additional 10 kg as hand baggage.

Singapore Airlines further attractive deals to America and Australia. The American package comes to Rs 40,000 (return) with two stops at Los Angeles and San Francisco respectively. While the Australia ticket would cost only Rs 28,000 (return) ex Delhi, with your choice of final destination from Sydney, Brisbane or Melbourne.

Beating that is the Australian carrier Qantas with a promotional excursion fare of Rs 30,000 (return) and two stopovers, ex Mumbai/Delhi, and a three city halt at Rs 40,780 (return).

While US Airways doesn't have direct flights out of India, they do provide a VUSA (Visit USA) program, wherein you purchase coupons as a money saver. Each coupon is exchangeable for one segment of travel; minimum of 2 coupons andmaximum of 12. The program is valid for USA, Canada and Mexico. Fares start at $ 159 per person for a Tri-City Pass, and the good news is that fares remain the same all year round.

India is not doing too badly in the international sector, as witnessed by the Air India promos. It is offering rates that are in keeping with the times. Its promotional excursion fares to major points in the UAE, ex Mumbai, are at Rs 15,030 with a further 15 per cent off, same as Gulf Air. AI also has a Rs 28,125 return fare to Abu Dhabi and Dubai ex Hyderabad, with a 30 per cent off on that. The airline is also heavily into promoting its new sector, i.e., Hyderabad-Singapore, with a return economy class ticket at Rs 13,000, and a Business Class with spouse free offer on the same routing. The offer is on till September 30th.

South African Airways has a Rs 35,870 ex Mumbai-Johannesburg, and Rs 38,370 ex Delhi-Johannesburg offer. A Delhi-Mumbai-Johannesburg-London routing would set you back by Rs 59,750 using Air India andBritish Airways as liaising carriers. Alternatively, it will be Rs 63,345 if you opt for Delhi-Mumbai-Cape Town-London. All prices are for return tickets.

By far the best deal comes from new-kid-on-the-block Austrian Airlines, with an under Rs 25,000 (return) ticket to any point in Western Europe, and a free layover of one night in that beautiful city Vienna. Its also a Rs 20,000 deal (one way) Delhi-New York with them. Best keep an eye on these guys, for, in June, they had a hard-to-beat offer of Rs 18,000 only (return) Delhi-Vienna, and have more goodies planned for later in the year, when they hope to come up with an added flight.

Please bear in mind that all airlines offer differing rates of commission to travel agents, based on which the ticket is much cheaper than actual quoted fare, unless it is a promotion offer on an excursion ticket.