Bali flights

sioban_2

I would absolutely love to surprise my partner with flights to Bali for his 40th Birthday as his uncle is living there. I have kids who are in school so would like to to go there over christmas - dates 18th Dec 2009 - 4th Jan 2009 approx . I have looked but flights are a small fortune - any ideas?
Was told Air Asia was cheap but still working in expensive for these dates.

Incapuppy

What do you call expensive? Christmas is always going to be the most expensive time of year to fly to most destinations.

Bob_the_Saver

Air Asia is going to have a big sale starting Sunday midnight (KL time) keep looking.

Moonchild

I would agree with Incapuppy. It's peak, peak, peak time, you have left it very late, many flights are full already, there is never anything cheap for those times anyway (best bet book 11 months in advance), you are travelling somewhere very few airlines fly to, very far away, (2 1/2 hours from Oz), and would say that anything around £900 fro adults and £600 for children wouldn't be too bad.

Options you could look at would be to fly to Jakarta as more airlines fly their than fly to Bali (i.e. Etihad, Emirates, Kuwaiti, Gulf, KLM, Lufthansa). From there you can book Indonesian Air Asia, Lion Air or Garuda online (I would personally only fly my family on Garuda).

And be very flexible for your return dates, as those will be full already.

If you book Air Asia long haul, remember that they are a point ot point airline (don't guarantee connections) so i'd recommend at least a night in Kuala Lumpur on the return.

And if all else fails, look to book in January for next Xmas.

Bob_the_Saver

"And if all else fails, look to book in January for next Xmas."

We book in May/June usually the best for Air Asia we've found KL Bali return £16 all in.

Incapuppy

If there is any availability left, you may find flights are cheaper if you can fly out Christmas Day and come back a bit later than originally intended.

anna42hmr

have a look at royal brunei, they do a stop at dubai for fueling but thats who we flew with to bali in 2007

sioban_2

Thanks everyone had a look at Air Asia Sale and other airlines but as it is most expensive time to go still working out at between £4000 and £5000. I think we'll be going on a nice all inclusive nearer to home - at least I won't have to dread keeping 2 kids entertained for as long on flights!

Incapuppy

I hope you don't get too much of a shock when you price up a good all inclusive hotel for over the Christmas/New Year period (if that is when you are still intending to travel)

sioban_2

I know - thought about it last year but ended up not going due to the prices as they were more expensive than any time over summer when the weather is almost guaranteed to be good. My OH has to take 2 weeks holiday over christmas as he is in building trade and most sites shut down so when we weigh up the fact that if he takes time off over the summer and doesn't get paid it evens it out a bit. Also kids at school now and taking them out during term time is frowned upon.