Weekend in Australia

[chopper2311]

I know it's mad, but we're looking at flying to Sydney to attend a friends milestone birthday party and catch up with a lot of old friends.

We would ideally be flying from Manchester but could do Heathrow. We've never flown to Aus so are after a little help on which airline to go with. There's the obvious for economy; emirates, BA, Etihad, Cathay Pacific. But we're also looking at premium for BA & Cathay, are either worth the extra £2k?! We don't want to stretch to Business as it's only a quick trip and we hadn't budgeted.

Does anyone have any pros/cons for which economy flight to pick or experience of either of the premium economies are worth it.

Oh, and any recommendations to stay in Sydney??

Thanks!!

I'd look at Premium Economy. It is less punishing and brutal. Also look at the overall flight time. You don't want to spend hours in Dubai airport. And if you can squeeze a couple of days unpaid leave it will make a lot of difference.

In terms of who to fly with I agree the BA economy is shit and their service is getting worse. Have done a lot of flying and Emirates are really good would also highly recommend Singapore airlines - they are my preferred airline to Aus/Nz. Cathay are fine too as are Korean air.

Saying that, my advice would be to pick the shortest route - some of the connection times are really long in the airport, I personally prefer to just get it over with when flying that far, so pick the flight with the shortest connection time in airport as you don't want to be hanging around Dubai airport for example - nothing to do there and just drags it out. I would avoid China eastern as their layover times tend to be really long too.

Changi airport in Singapore is great if you have to wait for 3-4 hours as it was a cinema, pool, shopping etc.

Emirates. Fly direct from Manchester and tend to have a fast switch over in Dubai. Look for ones which have a 60 to 90 minute changeover which will be the absolute quickest way to get to Sydney.

I've done the trip a million times. Economy is economy in any big decent carrier and nothing can inject any redeeming features into a 24 hour flight. Even business is punishing. Nevertheless I choose Emirates every time. Better IFE, food, service, planes and DXB is a fairly easy transit. Singapore and Qantas would be my next picks

Unless you've done that length of trip before or regularly go without sleep two nights in a row don't underestimate the impact on your body and what you will be capable of on arrival.

Nevertheless as a regular NZ/Aus - London flier tried and tested method is to stick to tines at your destination. So once you arrive in Sydney stay awake until 9pm and then sleep. Don't be tempted to nap before that (if you arrive in the morning even staying awake til 9 will be damn difficult! . I find that means everything is totally normal the next day and you'll be raring to go. Aim therefore to arrive the day before the wedding.

You'll need to tell us whereabouts in Sydney the do is to recommend places to stay. It's a big city and public transport is pitiful. You can waste an hour trying to get from Paddington to the Rocks for example so you'll want to be close to the venue to maximise time.

Well I was in Sydney a few weeks ago for five days. We were only flying from Perth so only a four and a half hour flight and three hour time difference. We got delayed two hours going and five hour coming back (golf ball sized hail closed the whole airport!), so be aware delays are possible (but less likely with International flights). We had a ball, but it was pretty tiring! But if you are young and mad I suppose its just about do-able. Emirates economy is good, but we found Qatar to be much the same, all long and boring! Sydney is fab but very busy and full on, like London in the sun, you really need a longer trip to experience the real Australia. Oh and we found it very hot, 29 in Sydney felt like 39 in Perth (probably to do with the humidity). And if you are planning this very soon, there is meant to be a massive heatwave coming!

Sorry I meant Qantas not Qatar.

A. You’re nuts.
B. Avoid BA at all costs.
C. Avoid Emirates unless there is a significant price difference.
D. Call a travel agent (eg flight Centre or similar). I always used to book direct but have recently found better deals through agents.

Buy shedloads of melatonin whilst you're out there!!! The good stuff (that actually works, not the herbal stuff) in only available via prescription, so that will probably not be possible.

Ive flown this route heaps....although never for just a weekend! If you are flying from Manchester, realistically if you only want one stop and not 2, you are looking at Emirates, Qatar, Ethihad, Cathay or Singapore. In my experience, Cathay was terrible and will never fly with them again, their premium is not worth it. Qatar is the best economy but closely followed by Emirates and Singapore. Singapore do a premium economy so if you are willing to pay the extra then that may be the best option. If you are picking economy then Qatar all the way...their food is actually edible! However as you are only going for a short time, it could come down to which airline has the most convenient flight times.

Emirates are good, and as you're only going for a short time, fly out from Manchester. Especially as you're so close to the airport. Cuts out the travelling to Heathrow. Didn't really rate BA. PS I've flown to Australia numerous times and with a variety of airlines. My preference is emirates and Singapore airlines

My bil comes back to the U.K. for 6 days and I thought that was crazy! He flies Emirates Manchester via Dubai economy.

Slightly different (but similar distance-wise) I regularly fly to the Falklands which is a 21 hour flight and in the Southern Hemisphere, with equally gruelling time distances/clock changes to contend with. MUCH colder of course 🥶

I've done Friday flights out/Tuesday flights home (work related) which KILL me!! These take a week to recover from. However, when I've been able to do Friday-Friday it's been fine. Those extra few days made all the difference.

(Of course, longer would be better in Australia 😂😂 but if your options are limited due to other commitments. then you have to make the best of what you've got!)

I’d suggest getting a flight with 4ish hour stop over. This way you get to have an in airport shower. It will make the trip so much more manageable

I'm Australian and have lived in the UK for the past 8 years - I've become an expert in the flying visit for a wedding or similar!

It's a bit mental, but when the alternative is missing it I think it's worth it.

My advice would be to care less about the carrier (for preference Singapore, Cathay, Etihad, Emirates, Qatar, Malaysian, Qantas etc - but any of the big ones are fine), and more about the times. Get a 22hr or under flight if possible and arrive in the evening. If you can ,have something organised so you just head straight out from the airport - brutal, but nothing like it for getting on the right time!

Singapore airlines were fab and we flew out of Manchester with them. Admittedly we went for 3 weeks but for comfort etc they were great so could be useful with your limited time . Enjoy

You are bonkers but I wish you were my friend. Is it a surprise visit or are you telling them in advance?

OP please don't forget you need a visa for Aussie. Free tourist e-visa online. Normally granted immediately or within 24 hours

I have flown Etihad Premium Economy from Manchester to Sydney a few times now and always been great! I think the upgrade from Economy to Premium is well worth the money - Even just for the leg room, snugglier blanket and a seat that leans back a little more :-) Enjoy Sydney, my favourite place!!

Sorry Emirates not Etihad!!

@hellhavenofury Emirates don't have premium economy.

Complete curveball here, but could you webcam it instead?

I didn’t go to my brother’s wedding because I was too pregnant and it was too far away, but my nephew set up a webcam so I could join in a bit.

Similarly, a family funeral was recently webcast on Facebook, as a very significant friend from overseas was unable to get a visa. Many other people logged in too.

I realise it is not at all like being at the actual event, but it might give a little taste for sigbificantjy less cost and disruption.

If you can easily afford it I suppose why not, however when I went to NZ and Australia I hated hated the flight there, I couldn't imagine having to get back on a plane for 24 hours just a day or two after I landed, I can't overestimate how terrible I found sitting in the same seat for that length of time. if you're in business it would be OK because you get to lay down, but I could never do it for economy or premium economy

I've done a short week for a family wedding and it was fine. No jet lag as I went to the first event an hour after arriving and then just kept on going. Had a great sleep first night and that really helped. I flew Etihad economy who were amazing so would recommend them. Slept most of the way back. Went back to work the day after landing and again, all fine, although knackered in the evenings for a week. Go for it and enjoy.

JustJoinedRightNow but Bruce tries it later! In the lovely carpeted bathroom and gives it the 'son of a bitch' approval. So surely we are all saved :)

*I have no life

OP Not everyone gets jet lag. I was absolutely fine when I went to Australia so you might find you are too 👍 Have a fab weekend away!