London to Perth flights - best time to book?

Tlc11

Hello, looking for some advice please. I would like to book 2 adults, 13 year old, 5 year old and 1 year old flights from London to Perth. Dates are December (18/19 or 20) to January 4/5. Some airlines have released prices already, it's showing as 4k with 2 stops or 6k direct.

We have never been before so I don't know what is good in terms of prices or when the best time to book is. Skyscanner website seems to suggest September booking is best price wise but I'm not sure I want to leave it that long as we need to book accomodation too.

So basically my questions are, what would be a good price to pay for the above, and how far in advance should I book for the best deal?

Also interested to hear from anyone who has flown the direct route and if it is a better option with small children

Thank you!

Alan_Bowen

Seats for these dates are at a premium, you are talking of the highest price throughout the year and the direct flights will sell very quickly. The sales are on now, if you have to travel within those dates, book as soon as you can. Fares can vary enormously depending on how fast you want to get there, and in what level of comfort. The fastest is obviously Qantas non-stop, Qatar is already at almost £1500 for those dates pp so I would get booking ASAP. Cathay Pacific also has good fares but a very long stopover in HK on the way back.

If you leave it to September you will have the back seats in a Chinese or Vietnamese airline available but everything else will be either sold out or at £2000 plus for adults

Caz3121

are you booking a seat for the baby also?

Tlc11

Thank you - I suspected the earlier the better. Qantas only has outbound dates released but no January as yet. Might be an idea to just get in quickly.

I didn't price for another seat for the baby as 1. Will push the price up substantially 2. He will probably spend most of the time sitting on my lap as he usually does and 3. When I have travelled long haul with a baby before I have had lovely bulk head seats. In saying that, it does make me very nervous that the journey will be very uncomfortable!

Tlc11

Malaysia airlines is very reasonable priced 😕 not sure I could...

peachyprice

My mum usually books 8-10 months in advance but goes in Oct/Nov, depending on the best price. She usually goes Emirates, she did use Qatar for a while when the price was good but the service declined recently.

The last trip they made in November they came home on the non-stop Qantas PER-LHR, her first words when she stepped off the plane were 'never again'. It took her and my dad a week at least to feel normal, they had fuzzy heads and generally felt 'off', and this is someone who has made the journey regularly for the last 14 years, so well used to the flight. She said the break in the journey just to breath fresh air and have a proper walk is much better. They flew business class, so I hate to think how much worse it would have been in economy.

mgdavid

A grand per head for the absolutely busiest and most expensive time of the year is good!
For comparison a family member just booked a return to Brisbane for next month at under 700 (with Etihad, one stop).

Tlc11

This is really useful information, thank you. The non stop flight does concern me. In theory it sounds great. But in reality, being stuck in a cabin with recirculated air and nowhere to properly stretch your legs for 17 hours does sound difficult. Throw 3 children into the mix and it could be a real headache.

Singapore seem to have some decent prices and times. Does anyone have any experience of them?

Gloomendoom

We fly that route with Singapore fairly regularly. Note that their cheapest economy prices are now stripped down to the basics. So, no luggage, seat selection, cancellation or date changes.

They haven't released prices for your dates yet though.


Edit: My wife's sister uses the non-stop Qantas flight out of choice and loves it. You do pay a premium though. Around £500 p/p extra when I have looked.

Murphy_The_Cat

Tlc11 wrote: »

This is really useful information, thank you. The non stop flight does concern me. In theory it sounds great. But in reality, being stuck in a cabin with recirculated air and nowhere to properly stretch your legs for 17 hours does sound difficult. Throw 3 children into the mix and it could be a real headache.

Singapore seem to have some decent prices and times. Does anyone have any experience of them?

Gloomendoom wrote: »

We fly that route with Singapore fairly regularly. Note that their cheapest economy prices are now stripped down to the basics. So, no luggage, seat selection, cancellation or date changes.

They haven't released prices for your dates yet though.


Edit: My wife's sister uses the non-stop Qantas flight out of choice and loves it. You do pay a premium though. Around £500 p/p extra when I have looked.

Hi OP the age of TC the youngest is going to have a financial impact on your trip. Once the littlest sprog turns 2, he/she will need its own seat - up to age 2 he/she could sit on your lap (IMO, stump up for a seat for TC the Younger, then you can enjoy the flights as well)
Singapore Airlines will be releasing tickets for in 2 days for 4th Jan, 3 days for 5th (if they follow their current pattern). Other airlines like Emirates look 2 be 3- 4 weeks away from publishing their fares.



Singapores website shows that you'll get 30kg baggage allowance per passenger (but seat selection will cost).
It may not be something that you have considered, but have a look at going down the positioning flight route - the savings MAY be considerable, but you'll only know when enough airlines have posted their fares, for you to make a valid comparison.


Happy Fare Hunting.

Tlc11

How would I go about booking a positioning route trip? Where do I search for such a thing?

Sorry if that's a really silly question with an obvious answer!