London - Melbourne - with who?
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I believe SQ is at a premium to the others carrier in general although I haven't looked it up or compared prices yet, I just wanted to get the 'teams' feelings on this first.
We will definitely fly business class, our parameters are - don't want british airways due to previous experiences - have found Virgin to be very good over the years and we collect and use their points, would consider an alternative if justified. (ps, it is a holiday flight)
We will definitely fly business class, our parameters are - don't want british airways due to previous experiences - have found Virgin to be very good over the years and we collect and use their points, would consider an alternative if justified. (ps, it is a holiday flight)
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Any flight UK- Australia will in general be more expensive than via Europe for two reasons - firstly APD and ssecondly a lot of people fly the route cp the number going to/from AMS for example
SQ normally are able to get away with a slight premium on any route long-haul because they have the best product historically - I've never had anything less than a good flight on them in years of traveling about Asia
SQ normally are able to get away with a slight premium on any route long-haul because they have the best product historically - I've never had anything less than a good flight on them in years of traveling about Asia
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Yellow Triumph
Both EK and SQ would be my recommendations in Business on that route, and I use both extensively. I have to say I prefer EK380 as the A/C due to the stand up bar- some where to stretch a bit, and it is quite sociable usually.
As for Dubai / Singapore re the change of planes it is down to personnel preference and Business lounges are much of a muchness, but would probably say Singapore but only just.
Have a good trip.
Both EK and SQ would be my recommendations in Business on that route, and I use both extensively. I have to say I prefer EK380 as the A/C due to the stand up bar- some where to stretch a bit, and it is quite sociable usually.
As for Dubai / Singapore re the change of planes it is down to personnel preference and Business lounges are much of a muchness, but would probably say Singapore but only just.
Have a good trip.
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I believe that EK are now selling access to their F (yes F) and J lounges for a fee. I haven't travelled with EK for years, but their lounges were already cramped then. Can't imagine what they would be like now they have added a few dozen A380s etc - and have opened them to fee-paying punters.
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My wife and I have travelled almost every year to Oz in business for the last 16 years. We started with SQ and since have used Malaysian via KL, Cathay via HK, Qantas via Singapore and Emirates via Dubai and Singapore or direct from Dubai.
All have been good, SQ especially but they are more expensive and do not have the chauffeur transfers as does EK and Malaysian. The last 3 trips have been with EK which charged in Oct 16 what we paid in 2001 with SQ! We consider them the best of the ones listed, both for amenities and price.
The possibility of routing via CDG or AMS for a saving makes sense but, other than timing to allow for delays, one point to bear in mind is the luggage allowances on Business are much higher than the probably Economy allowances on the UK to CDG/AMS leg.
We have not used Etihad or Qatar so cannot comment on these.
Enjoy your trip.
All have been good, SQ especially but they are more expensive and do not have the chauffeur transfers as does EK and Malaysian. The last 3 trips have been with EK which charged in Oct 16 what we paid in 2001 with SQ! We consider them the best of the ones listed, both for amenities and price.
The possibility of routing via CDG or AMS for a saving makes sense but, other than timing to allow for delays, one point to bear in mind is the luggage allowances on Business are much higher than the probably Economy allowances on the UK to CDG/AMS leg.
We have not used Etihad or Qatar so cannot comment on these.
Enjoy your trip.
Last edited by lepidus; 17th Feb 2017 at 10:52.
At the moment Air China are the cheapest followed by Korean, Asiana and ANA. Obviously prices will vary over the course of the year and business class fares have big enough margins to allow for deep discounts.
Connection times with the above are longer on at least one of the legs, but you could have a stopover or a few hours in bed in the transit hotel. Air China would be about GBP2500 cheaper than Qantas.
It comes down to preferences, if you are happy with a B grade business class at a considerable saving then Air China would be worth looking at, however Asiana and ANA are both Skytrax 5* and only marginally more expensive.
Draw up a short list of suitable airlines based on reviews, suitability of connections and FF miles usage/accrual, then take the best price.
My preference would be Qatar but ANA come up GBP1500 cheaper in total and that would swing it for me.
Connection times with the above are longer on at least one of the legs, but you could have a stopover or a few hours in bed in the transit hotel. Air China would be about GBP2500 cheaper than Qantas.
It comes down to preferences, if you are happy with a B grade business class at a considerable saving then Air China would be worth looking at, however Asiana and ANA are both Skytrax 5* and only marginally more expensive.
Draw up a short list of suitable airlines based on reviews, suitability of connections and FF miles usage/accrual, then take the best price.
My preference would be Qatar but ANA come up GBP1500 cheaper in total and that would swing it for me.
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Flight
I believe SQ is at a premium to the others carrier in general although I haven't looked it up or compared prices yet, I just wanted to get the 'teams' feelings on this first.
We will definitely fly business class, our parameters are - don't want british airways due to previous experiences - have found Virgin to be very good over the years and we collect and use their points, would consider an alternative if justified. (ps, it is a holiday flight)
We will definitely fly business class, our parameters are - don't want british airways due to previous experiences - have found Virgin to be very good over the years and we collect and use their points, would consider an alternative if justified. (ps, it is a holiday flight)
I got the fares off Kayak.com the ANA routing is via Hanida with six hours between flights each way. Each leg is roughly equal length.
Try inputting the dates you want as this will affect the price as well.
Asiana are second cheapest but you have a 19.5 hour layover on the way back.
Try inputting the dates you want as this will affect the price as well.
Asiana are second cheapest but you have a 19.5 hour layover on the way back.
Last edited by Metro man; 19th Feb 2017 at 04:33.
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Asiana
Last time I flew to Paris with Asiana I had a free overnight
hotel in Seoul. Decent hotel & was able to go for a walk,
but very cold. Shorter stopover one can take a tour, cold
weather gear provided & I believe you don't have to clear customs.
For me, I'd get to Bangkok or Kuala Lumpur and then onward
with AirAsia. Low cost, but you can get a lie-flat bed.
hotel in Seoul. Decent hotel & was able to go for a walk,
but very cold. Shorter stopover one can take a tour, cold
weather gear provided & I believe you don't have to clear customs.
For me, I'd get to Bangkok or Kuala Lumpur and then onward
with AirAsia. Low cost, but you can get a lie-flat bed.
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Matrix, now owned by google, is a great tool for finding best fares, connections, etc. You can't buy a ticket from them but you can get the fare calculation printed out to take to an agency / airline who can issue the ticket.
Should be the first stop in travel planning.
Should be the first stop in travel planning.
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Have just returned from Oz with Etihad ........ excellent experience and definitely will fly with them again. Price was good too and a great business class product unlike certain legacy carriers!
