Flights to Oz, and return

roseview

I've been invited to an event in Oz at the end of October and have started to look at the flight options. I would welcome any hints or tips about the best place to book, when the best time generally is, suggestions on which route, stopover etc.

We need to end up in Sydney but could stop off in Perth on the way out to visit family. We also could consider a short break at a stopover location on route and are flexible about where.

Our travel dates are also fairly flexible but need to include Sydney from about 26th - 31st October.

As always, it does come down to cost and there are two of us travelling, starting from home in Cornwall, so I guess flights will be from London, although Birmingham or Manchester could be possible.

dawyldthing

I went via dublin so East Midlands to Dublin to London to Singapore to Sydney and it cost me £660 return, technically back yo Dublin but due to split airport I just finished at Heathrow. Had to buy a ryanair flight to Dublin, but still saved a few hundred and that was British airways

PeacefulWaters

Using Skyscanner "UK" to "Australia" for outbound October and inbound November uncovers some sub-£600 return fares. That said, many will suggest you avoid the Chinese airlines. So expect to pay nearer £800 in economy.

If the idea of 24+ hours cooped up in a 31" legroom space doesn't appeal, open your mind to Oslo. Starting your business class journey down under in Norway is significantly cheaper than London. At the moment expect to pay £2,000 return for a bit of luxury and comfort. I'm sure I've seen this get down to £1,500 when the gods of sales and dates have combined beautifully. You should also be able to bag airline status for the following year.

This thread on Flyertalk is well worth getting involved in if that appeals.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/british-airways-executive-club/1709344-premium-fare-deals-j-f-new-post.html

zagfles

PeacefulWaters wrote: »

Using Skyscanner "UK" to "Australia" for outbound October and inbound November uncovers some sub-£600 return fares. That said, many will suggest you avoid the Chinese airlines. So expect to pay nearer £800 in economy.

If the idea of 24+ hours cooped up in a 31" legroom space doesn't appeal, open your mind to Oslo. Starting your business class journey down under in Norway is significantly cheaper than London. At the moment expect to pay £2,000 return for a bit of luxury and comfort. I'm sure I've seen this get down to £1,500 when the gods of sales and dates have combined beautifully. You should also be able to bag airline status for the following year.

This thread on Flyertalk is well worth getting involved in if that appeals.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/british-airways-executive-club/1709344-premium-fare-deals-j-f-new-post.html

On the other hand if a "bed" in a "dorm" isn't your idea of luxury, book a flight with a decent length break in Singapore and book the transit hotel - that'll be £100 or less rather than an extra £1000 or more for travelling business class. Private room with ensuite and lovely and dark and quiet even in the middle of the day - you'll likely get a much better sleep than on the plane whatever class you're in. You book by the hour so a daytime booking is possible eg 0900-1900 like we did.

Obviously will take a bit longer to get there but well worth it if you're not in a hurry and can spare an extra 8 hours or so.

Or if you have longer - consider a few days stopover in Singapore/KL/Bangkok/HK, will help with the jet lag as well. Perth is probably a bit out of the way to be a "stopover" rather than a diversion - but no reason not to go there and stop off somewhere else as well, time permitting.

PeacefulWaters

zagfles wrote: »

On the other hand if a "bed" in a "dorm" isn't your idea of luxury, book a flight with a decent length break in Singapore and book the transit hotel - that'll be £100 or less rather than an extra £1000 or more for travelling business class. Private room with ensuite and lovely and dark and quiet even in the middle of the day - you'll likely get a much better sleep than on the plane whatever class you're in. You book by the hour so a daytime booking is possible eg 0900-1900 like we did.

I'm greedy. I'd do both! Excellent suggestion though.

zagfles

PeacefulWaters wrote: »

I'm greedy. I'd do both! Excellent suggestion though.

Fair enough if you have money to burn To me the cost of business class just seems so way OTT for a few superficial extras. The only significant benefit I can see is a seat that converts to a bed, which is useful if you're in a hurry and can't spare 8 hours to get a proper night's kip in a real bed.

Other stuff just seems to be superficial fluff - better food, getting on the plane 10 minutes earlier, champagne instead of wine, more inches of empty space between you and the seat in front. All very nice, but worth a grand or more? Really? I just don't get why any normal leisure traveller would even consider it.

PeacefulWaters

zagfles wrote: »

Fair enough if you have money to burn To me the cost of business class just seems so way OTT for a few superficial extras. The only significant benefit I can see is a seat that converts to a bed, which is useful if you're in a hurry and can't spare 8 hours to get a proper night's kip in a real bed.

Other stuff just seems to be superficial fluff - better food, getting on the plane 10 minutes earlier, champagne instead of wine, more inches of empty space between you and the seat in front. All very nice, but worth a grand or more? Really? I just don't get why any normal leisure traveller would even consider it.

Point taken on the fluff.

The extra comfort is worth c£20-£30 an hour to me though.

dickydonkin

PeacefulWaters wrote: »

The extra comfort is worth c£20-£30 an hour to me though.

Too right.

Fast track security, lounge access (even without status) seat selection at time of booking (except BA - unless you have status) all contribute to a better experience.

Factor in that you can occasionally get crazy cheap J prices - even to OZ - that really make it worth while paying a little extra.

zagfles

dickydonkin wrote: »

Too right.

Fast track security, lounge access (even without status) seat selection at time of booking (except BA - unless you have status) all contribute to a better experience.

Factor in that you can occasionally get crazy cheap J prices - even to OZ - that really make it worth while paying a little extra.

Yes might be worth paying a "little extra" for - last time I looked fast track security was something like £3 if you pay for it at the airport. Seat selection at time of booking is usually free in economy on most long haul flights. Lounge access - £15-20 or so?

Factor in better food, seat etc, and maybe worth £50-100 more to fly business. I think even I'd consider paying that for long haul. But typically, business class seems to be in the region of £1000 more :eek:

I really don't get why anyone pay that sort of amount extra to get a bit of trivial fluff which they could buy separately for a few £ if they really wanted it. Not that I'm complaining - I'm sure they're subsidising my travelling

Gloomendoom

We considered it last time we went to Oz but balked when we realised that we could go twice as often if we flew economy. We tend to split the journey anyway, so our bums and backs get a chance to recover.

dickydonkin

zagfles wrote: »

Yes might be worth paying a "little extra" for - last time I looked fast track security was something like £3 if you pay for it at the airport. Seat selection at time of booking is usually free in economy on most long haul flights. Lounge access - £15-20 or so?

Factor in better food, seat etc, and maybe worth £50-100 more to fly business. I think even I'd consider paying that for long haul. But typically, business class seems to be in the region of £1000 more :eek:

I really don't get why anyone pay that sort of amount extra to get a bit of trivial fluff which they could buy separately for a few £ if they really wanted it. Not that I'm complaining - I'm sure they're subsidising my travelling

So you would refuse an upgrade then? You are way out with your perception of business class fares as well.

I don't think my recent flights have subsidised many passengers.

Bangkok in business (QR) - just under £900
Lihue (Hawaii) in business ----(BA/AA) just under £1,050
Boston in Business - (BA) just under £800

Some upcoming flights have been upgraded to First using Avios earned from previous flights (a benefit you failed to mention).

As for £15.00 lounge access, as one of my departure points is LHR T5, you cannot pay to access a BA lounge (nor fast track security) and for the recently opened Aspire, I understand it is £40 to gain access.

By virtue of the flights I take, I get lounge access anyway irrespective of what seat I fly in, however, having flew for many many years with the kids when flying in a premium cabin was cost prohibitive and certainly more expensive than it is today, now the kids have flown the nest, house is paid off and with more disposable income, the majority of my flights are in business or above - I have worked hard all of my life and the thoughts of being crammed into an economy cabin for numerous hours certainly does not appeal to me -although I accept others don't have an issue with it.

Many may use your argument about a car - a Ford Fiesta or a Rolls Royce both have the capability to get you to a destination - it is just that you will feel a little more comfortable and less fatigued if the trip is done in comfort.

If you are happy to fly in economy, that is fine and I accept that many don't see the value of paying extra to sit at the front - that is their choice.