Airlines that fly London to Melbourne similar to VA Premium Economy

NiftyDigits

I paid just around £460 to fly to Perth with British Airways/Malaysian, so it's not like I'm advocating the spending of large amounts. It's just about the value for me.

ferf1223

NiftyDigits wrote: »

I paid just around £460 to fly to Perth with British Airways/Malaysian, so it's not like I'm advocating the spending of large amounts. It's just about the value for me.

I don't disagree with you and, as I have said, my husband and I would likely have Thai in the number one position based on the info here...but our perspective is different than others. When we first flew PE on Virgin we liked it, but we decided it wasn't worth the additional money. Then we flew PE a few more times (and were upgraded to business on AA once) and suddenly, the relative value to us altered considerably.

NiftyDigits

ferf1223 wrote: »

also, if the seating configuration is like virgin upper, where you are in your own little space without someone directly next to you, it won't work for them as my MIL is a very nervous flyer and needs someone to clutch onto during take-off and landing.

I thought about that and looked at the seating arrangements beforehand. BA is a lot better for that.

But it's still possible, choosing seats E & F..

Lon-BKK-Lon



The BKK-MEL-BKK legs have a more like Premium Economy seat but with a much bigger seat pitch.

NiftyDigits

BKK-MEL-BKK legs more like this:





Not great. More akin to Premuim Economy. That's likely why they are priced to compete with the purely premium economy flights.

richardw

I'm planning a trip to Perth for November next year and Qantas have told me that I can buy a split class ticket that includes travel in Premium Economy and Business class on different flight sectors, so it's worth doing thorough research that can get closer to your needs where there are so many options on these long flights.

NiftyDigits

richardw wrote: »

I'm planning a trip to Perth for November next year and Qantas have told me that I can buy a split class ticket that includes travel in Premium Economy and Business class on different flight sectors, so it's worth doing thorough research that can get closer to your needs where there are so many options on these long flights.

This for the OP or just another of your general comments?

Qantas fly via Dubai, so out on that point. In addition, Premium Economy would be at the top of(and likely over) their price point anyway, so splitting with Business Class would only put the price up further. So I'm not sure as to what research you imagine can be done.
Hope you aren't going to get grumpy again...

richardw

Qantas fly MEL-SIN as well.
I'm making the split class point, which can include Premium Economy and Economy.

zagfles

Just another thought to maybe consider. Are they in a hurry to get there, or could they spare half a day each way? If they have time, how about a stopover in the transit hotel in Singapore, with a long layover enough for a good sleep say 8-10 hours or so?

Then they get the comfort of a proper bed and private facilities instead of paying a silly amount for a "dorm in the sky"!

They can check bags through to Melbourne and don't need to go through immigration at Singapore. The hotel is reasonably priced, you book by the hour but was well under £100 for a room for about 10 hours as I remember (compare that to the cost of a bed in the sky!). It's also a nice break in the journey.

ferf1223

zagfles wrote: »

Then they get the comfort of a proper bed and private facilities instead of paying a silly amount for a "dorm in the sky"!

It's the comfort of the PE seats on the Vegas flights we took them on recently that is the driving factor. They flew to Oz in economy last year and my FIL, particularly, found it very uncomfortable...to the point that he would almost say he would not do it again. They did have a stopover in Singapore last time and a hotel for a few hours - not as long as your suggestion, but they did have a rest.

I don't think that they're really looking for a dorm in the sky, they will be quite happy similar to Virgin PE which will give them a bit more room and comfort for the journey.

NiftyDigits

zagfles wrote: »

Just another thought to maybe consider. Are they in a hurry to get there, or could they spare half a day each way? If they have time, how about a stopover in the transit hotel in Singapore, with a long layover enough for a good sleep say 8-10 hours or so?

Then they get the comfort of a proper bed and private facilities instead of paying a silly amount for a "dorm in the sky"!

They can check bags through to Melbourne and don't need to go through immigration at Singapore. The hotel is reasonably priced, you book by the hour but was well under £100 for a room for about 10 hours as I remember (compare that to the cost of a bed in the sky!). It's also a nice break in the journey.

We did something similar. We decided not to take the connecting flight to Perth and instead opted for a day in KL. Had a nice meal and went for a two hour massage. £30 for the airport hotel, £10 for the dinner and £32 for the massage for two. Much better than just forcing oneself to do the journey all in one.
Though I wouldn't complain if they upgraded me to the 'dorm in the sky'.
In fact Malaysia offered upgrades to Business Class for a reasonable price, but for me, if they aren't fully flat beds, they are more akin to Premium Economy.

It wasn't worth it as we were fully rested and the flight only being five and a half hours. Melbourne or Sydney perhaps.
They'll upgrade the seating next April.