Best Flights to Oz?

Hello all,

I've done a 3hour web surf to price a rtn flight to Oz from the UK. I'm working on a budget of 1100 for Economy or 2000 tops for PE/Club/Business. I'll be going for 3weeks in the middle of Jan 08.

Pretty much came up with either VS or SQ on the economy front for 1150 (ish) but the range of PE prices are not looking too good.

I don't mind extra stops and was looking at a few nights in Thailand to catch up with my old work mate if that's possible.

If anyone has some up to date info for me I'd be well chuffed. I've done a search on this forum for similar questions but the closest one was nearly a year old.

Many thanks in advance,

AC.

P.S. I'm in the Military if anyone also knows of discounts out there.

Have you tried Emirates?

Top quality airline and fares are usually lower than anyone else can offer, does mean a stop off in Dubai though!

[Decker]

£859 for China Southern

Id suggest looking at Emirates too - their economy product seems much better suited to a long trip than VS. Their A340-500 is 2-4-2 config in economy with pretty decent seat pitch - and most of the newer planes have the ICE VOD system (which I think is better than vport)

Just got back from Oz myself today. I searched the internet but my local travel agent found me a cheaper flight, although that maybe because of the time of year i chose to go. Depends upon where you want to stop off really.

[mitchja]

What about ANZ [:?]

Not sure if you can get to OZ on them directly, but I know their return HKG fares from LHR very often come in lower than VS or BA. Their Y product looks good as well, better than VS or BA.

Edit to add- just had a look and ANZ are quoting ~£1100 return for Y London-Sydney in mid Jan.

Regards

January is peak season for the Kangaroo route.

I have heard mixed reports on Emirates - those flown on the A345 very good on the 777 not so good. Only the A345 has any certainity of getting the ICE system.

FYI Mel has twice daily flights to/from Dubai one via SIN on a 777 and the other direct on A345 (which costs more) the a/c then goes on to AKL. I imagine SYD has a similar arrangement.

ANZ do Oz direct but the connections are not always that good.

Malaysia have 34' in Y and by all accounts are very good.

Thanks to all that replied with great advice. Still not booked yet, but will be in the next 7days or so. If anyone still has info them please don't be shy.

Thanks again.

[Scrooge]

For low price and decent seating take a look at royal Brunei

take a look at royal Brunei

They are dry[:0][:D]

LHR-SYD in Business China Airlines £1569 1/1/08-31/03/08 price inclusive of tax (conditions apply - taxes are approximate and can vary according to final destination.All prices are in £s)
From here

China Eastern offer some pretty competitive fares via Shanghai, but their Business class isn't much bigger or better than Virgin PE.

I've also heard some pretty favorable reports on Asiana via Seoul, but have only ever traveled ShortHaul with them.

Hope you get this in time, ring the major airlines BA would be the first choice as they are the default airline for travel warrants tell them your status and you should be able to pick up the MOD rate. Then ring the nice guys at VS tell them the BA price and they usually accomodate. Hope that helps... [:D]

Outstanding posts everybody.

Flyingfox, wow I never thought of that. I've flown with BA on duty too and I forgot all about them being the 1st port of call for us. If I can get a good price I'm sure the nice people at VS will do their best to match it.

Something else has changed my situation in the last few days. I have came into some more money (nice timing I know) and I am now looking at PE/Club. For the extra £1k-£1.5k it will be worth it. So from £1,200 ish on average for econ I'm now looking at a serious bit of luxury for the long haul.

So guys, it's now a budget of £3k tops......what do you think I should do? I will try the BA haggle route first though.

All suggestions are always welcome.

AC