What's the best airline for cheap but decent flights to OZ downunder? Me an two mates are thinking of flying out the at the end of june or begining of july.
Probly to brisbane or sumit but not sure yet! An mabey travel around a bit then flight home from a different airport mabey, can this be done?

Mike

The cheapest way is normally to go with some of the smaller airlines(Geruda etc)
But the bigboys are dropping their prices and give some good deals.
Last couple of times we went with Malaysian Airlines and Gulf Air, try airlinenetwork.co.uk always pretty good at the longhaul stuff.

WARNING Do NOT fly Garuda or for that matter any of the real budget airlines.

We fly back and forth to Brisbane a lot. It just is not worth saving the few pounds that the budget boys save you. You will end up with your knees under your chin for 22 hrs. Not pleasent trust me I've done it.
Go with someone like Malasia, JAL, Quantas, Virgin.
Last year I went with European on a budget. It was an old BA plane with chemical toilets half of which broke and were out of service the tv was one of the old tripple gun types in the centre which unless you were 6ft 6in plus you couldn't see. shall I go on?
Try Travel Bag or Oz Travel. Both have web sites and specialise in Australia flights and generally get better deals than you can yourself. They will also sort out internal flights and returns from different airports. This year we got all our 6 internals free with Quantas. Including flights from Brisbane to NZ and Back. We used Oz Travel this time. Also check out the Sunday paper travel suppliments there are sometimes some good deals to be had in there. Just beware of the charters. Go schedule at all costs!

I have been to Oz a few times, and by far the best airline that I have travelled there with are Singapore Airlines. I believe that Malaysian Airlines and Cathay Pacific are pretty good too. Remember you are on the plane for a loooong time, you do need the facilities to be at least pretty good. I can personally recommend Travel Bag and Oz Travel too!

HTH Fozzie

my mate went on malaysian, reckoned it was bearable. 27 hours with a stop in singapore.

There are blacklists of airlines that arent regarded as safe, ie planes too old, insufficient pilot training etc. Not all countries have the same list though! I believe that none are allowed into countries that have them blacklisted, but its worth finding out if the national airline of your destination is on the list!

I travel back and forth a bit, and swear by Malaysian. My GF flew Emirates last time and said that going via dubai was better because the 2 flights are split up into more even times, so you're not up there for 12 hours and 5 (its more like 9 and 8 or something). She did say that service was better on malaysian though. For the service and comfort on their planes, I reckon their prices are worth every penny.

ATB,
Nick

P.S. I'm talking about flights to Perth incase the times don't sound long enough ;o)

[Edited on 3/2/06 by nicksertis]

I do this trip yearly or more. The best I've come across is Royal Brunei Airlines. No booze, but otherwise fantastic service.

Smaller planes with more legroom, and the stops let you get out and move about. Dubai, Brunei, Brisbane, then the local carriers south.Book your aus flights previous and you'll save some dosh.

Total flight time is about the same as the other long hauls, and sometimes they are the cheapest as well.

The back row is usually, but not always, taken up by Gurkas, who take turns to walk up and down the isles. Very comforting, particularly knowing that they sidestep the metal detector things at the stops. Make of that what you will.

After more than 20years of doing this trip, I've settled on RBA for the last few years.


Syd.


[Edited on 3/2/06 by Syd Bridge]

Ok cheers for all the input people

I just need to decide who now:

Travelbag quantas/BA- £653 LON-HONKONG-BRISB.

Royal Brunei- £780 LON-DUBI-BRUI-BRISB.

cathy pacific- £629+tax est. £800 LON-HONKONG-BRISB.

travelocity quantas/BA- £707 LON-SING-BRISB.

I couldn't find a number to call OZ travel so I'v missed them out

And can't get hold of malaysian airlines til monday before the quoters get in but from what i've heard and read it might be worth waiting for. seem to have a good service, but how much dearer?

Mike

Ok despite what every one said I've booked with B.A. allot of the other airlines were said they didn't have allot of seats leaft and so the prices were going up. anyway should be ok!

Mike