Best Airline for LHR-SYD?

[phil_2405]

Title says it all really, which is the best airline for travelling LHR-SYD? Having never travelled down under, would a stop (e.g. HKG) be recommended?

Thanks

[BelfastChild]

Done the trip many times - I would recommend QF via HKG. The BKK and SIN flights are both pretty full, but economy class is always half empty via HKG. Gives you a chance to stretch out in the seat next to you.

In terms of a stop over, you don't really need one - the flight is bearable - but I would recommend a few days in HKG because it is a great city. Happy travels......

[phil_2405]

If I was going to stop for a few days, Hong Kong would probably be my first choice tbh. Is the seat pitch good on QF?

My initial thoughts were to go with Virgin.

[BelfastChild]

Seat pitch on QF is pretty ****e - 31 inch I think. But if you get all 4 seats in the centre (not uncommon) then it doesn't really matter. Can't really comment on Virgin as never flown them

[Globaliser]

The pitch experience on QF is improved by their slimline seats, which give you a fraction more knee room at the same pitch. Some people say they're so slim they're not really comfortable, but I actually fit into them better than into a BA economy seat and so I'm more comfortable than on BA.

VS is reportedly very full between LHR and HKG, but relatively lightly-loaded between HKG and SYD.

The pitch on all three of these airlines is much of a muchness. More complaints about VS pitch than the others, I think.

I agree about the comments about the stop being unnecessary. I don't stop unless I have a reason to - which I do in HKG, so if I stop at all I usually only stop in one direction. But I do many trips to SYD which are straight out and straight back.

Via HKG, you also have the option of flying CX, whose service is said to be pretty good. I haven't flown CX for some time now, but the contact I do have with them gives me no reason to doubt the reports.

If you want a different highly-rated option that doesn't go via HKG, then there is SQ.

[OZcabincrew]

Sorry, SQ is very overated too.

[purr777]

JAL are excellent, but some connections mean you get a night in Tokyo.....depends if you're in a hurry!

BA are average as it depends on the crew. You might not get a sip of water in 9 hours as they have to rest (!) Heavy pots!

VS via HKG are good and the A340-600 is a very passenger friendly aircraft with on demand movies in economy.

Emirates have a good reputation, but never flown with them to SYD.

[Crepello]

When I did that route with JAL we'd elderly 742s for some sectors but that was 7 years ago; hopefully they've been updated by now. Good food and service but the pitch was a bit tight - wondered if seating was sized for shorter pax? Narita's a good airport for downtime with dayrooms and showers available cheaply. And Tokyo's well worth a stopover.

An Aussie friend used to fly AMS-SYD and return, four times per year. He favoured Malaysian for value but would pay a little extra for SQ if they had a reasonable fare. I recently did LAX-SIN with them and was impressed. Admittedly, I was flying Business but my seat-neighbour had flown economy and pronounced it good. Food was superb (best Dim Sum in a long time... and at 39,000 ft!), service just embarrasingly amazing. Niggles: No amenity kits (just eyemask and socks/bootees) and seats a tad firm. But slept well regardless.

Agree that VS's 346s are fantastic, good food, great IFE... and tidy hosties :D

[purr777]

On my trip JAL had a 777-300 to NRT and 744 to SYD....Loved the 773 as its ultra modern like the 346.

[gdiphil]

I go to Syd at least twice a year, usually in economy. I tend to use QF as their flight timings are suitable for me. I find the service and food good and despite their 31" pitch a comfortable seat for a straight through run with no stopovers. I have used JAL through Narita and Osaka, and I think they have a good product, good food, clean aircraft and the daytime flight across Asia coming back to the UK can give some fantastic views in the winter if the weather is clear. I like Thai since there is no entertainment system on a 34" pitch which means excellent leg room. I've used Lauda Air once but their seat pitch is very tight. The one I will only use if I have to is BA, it is now so uncomfortable with their new seats and cabin configuration giving a real sardine can feeling. Infact what I really mean is that it would have to be an emergency for me to use them longhaul anywhere now, even for an average build 5'10" tall bloke like me. I've used SQ and I think they are overrated but they are satisfactory and I have no doubt I will use them in the future.

[Globaliser]

Emirates have a good reputation, but never flown with them to SYD.I think that EK flies 777s to SYD, in which case beware of the 10-abreast layout. Not for those of us who are a bit wider in beam.

[1DC]

I fly to Oz at least once each year sometimes in business and sometimes economy. I have settled on Malaysian because they have good fares in business and good seat pitch(34"), entertainment and service in economy. I think they give the best cabin service but they are usually full when i fly..

[ZFT]

Beware - MAS have just increased Business fares by quite a significant amount on some routes.