Australia 2014

ibizafan_2

Starting to think about flights for next September to visit my son in Brisbane and do a bit of travelling round. My other son has already bought a flight for next March with Cathay Pacific and is planning to stop off on the way back for a few days. I suppose my question is, is the flight do-able without stopping off anywhere for a length of time (ie just waiting for next part of flight for a couple of hours)? Also, thinking of flying into Brisbane and back from Sydney. Anyone got any suggestions of good airlines and the best way to do it? My brain hurts!!

richardw

Yes, or you could even stop for 12 hours and check in to an airport hotel for a rest.

Malaysia, Singapore and Thair are some of the best to Aus.

parcival

We find travel to Aus in 1 journey (couple of hours break in Singapore) is just about OK because you are excited.

Travel back from Sydney in 1 journey is a drudge and would suggest a 2 night break somewhere.

ibizafan_2

Thanks for the replies so far. I think the last poster has given me some food for thought. I think I would be far too excited to stop off too long on the way there, given my inability to sleep the night before any holiday! On the way back, any thoughts on Singapore versus, say, Hong Kong to spend any time in? I had heard that Singapore Airlines is one of the best (thanks to other poster)

littlereddevil

I find very little difference between the good airlines nowadays, especially in business class, don't know about economy as I don't fly that distance in economy.
It depends where you have been before where you would enjoy a stopover. I love Asia and most countries appeal to me for different reasons. Have you been to Asia?

ibizafan_2

No, haven't been to Asia. My sons keep telling me that I'd love Thailand, Vietnam etc, but TBH I've no great desire to visit these countries. I wasn't even bothered about Oz until my son emigrated there! Thanks for everyone's suggestions so far.

zagfles

When we flew to NZ we timed the flights to have a long layover in Singapore - and booked into the transit hotel which was excellent. We arrived in SIN about 3am UK time, 10am local time, and had the hotel for about 9 hours till the onward flight to Auckland at about 9pm local time. (you book it by the hour not night).

This meant we had a good night's (or rather day's!) sleep in the hotel on a proper bed, so didn't need to sleep on either flight and could watch lots of movies, and it helped with the jet lag as it was like going to bed 4 hours late for two nights, couple of early nights in NZ and we were fully into the time zone!

Also if you fly Singapore Airlines they're currently offering $40 transit voucher pp, which paid most of the cost of the transit hotel.

Much better option than paying a silly amount to travel business class and trying to sleep in what's effectively a dorm!

parcival

Singapore Airlines is fab - especially if it's an A380 which I think they mostly are now. Economy is superb.

I would stay 2 or 3 nights in Singapore as the airline will be able to offer you great deals on hotels and sightseeing trips. Afterwards you get back on an A380 and it's only about 12 hours back to London.

Gloomendoom

parcival wrote: »

Singapore Airlines is fab - especially if it's an A380 which I think they mostly are now. Economy is superb

Fab if you enjoy playing musical chairs. I'll reserve judgement on the actual in-flight service until after we are back. Only one leg of our four leg flight is on a an A380.

zagfles

parcival wrote: »

Singapore Airlines is fab - especially if it's an A380 which I think they mostly are now. Economy is superb.

Yup - good entertainment system with loads of the latest films/TV episodes, games etc, good food & drink (all free of course), friendly staff. Contrary to popular belief you don't need to wait for the trolley rounds if you want a drink/snack, you can press the call button, or do what I usually do and have a stroll down to the galley and have a chat with the staff - got some great travel tips!

And if like me you don't like sitting down for ages the A380s have a reasonable size area on the lower deck where you can stretch your legs for a bit (we were upstairs but the stairs are usually open during the flight).

I would stay 2 or 3 nights in Singapore as the airline will be able to offer you great deals on hotels and sightseeing trips. Afterwards you get back on an A380 and it's only about 12 hours back to London.

Yes especially the hop-on hop-off bus tour - these are usually a rip-off but was only (IIRC) about £4 each with a SIA boarding pass.

comeandgo

We usually use Singapore Air but have been looking at Emirates due to their more generous luggage allowance.