Australia - trip

[AustraliaFlights]

Hello!

We're booking a family trip to Australia and wondered if people had some wisdom about flights.

I can't work out if its better to travel evening and try sleep or when to stay up to avoid jet lag issues?

I love Changi airport when we last went and liked Singapore airlines. This was 15 odd years ago though.

What are Qatar like? What is Doha airport like? This looks like it has some better prices which makes a difference.

For the way back I was thinking of staying in a Melbourne airport hotel too - if anyone has recommendations.

We are stretching to afford this (visiting family) and I have some mobility problems just to make life more interesting!

I am also a rather "plus size" passenger. This is really worrying me, although I have a while to try and become slight less so. I will sit next to my child so wont impinge on anyone else - but really scared of them saying I have to pay more :(

Watching with interest. I'm flying to Sydney in October with stop at Kuala Lumpa. Having a few nights in Penang on home journey.
Never flown long haul! Visiting family and staying in various places including an RV.
Most useful tips from seasoned travellers would be appreciated...
Enjoy your trip!

Oooh that sounds exciting!

i flew to australia with qatar via doha, airport was fine, the way my flight worked out was it left doha at 9pm and got into melbourne about 6pm local time next day which to me was perfect, got into to the hotel, went out for food and was back in bed asleep for 9pm and was fine the next day, didnt feel any jet lag or anything, and i only managed about 5 hours sleep on the flight going

if i was going back to australia i would def use them, flight to doha was 7 hours then 14 i think to melbourne so the 3ish hours i had in doha airport was enough to stretch got something to eat and have a quick wander about before getting on the longer flight

I travel to Melbourne every couple of years. I really rate Etihad and Cathay Pacific for flights.

Re: times, you're going to get jet lag regardless. I always find it worse on the way home. I try and switch to Australia time when I'm on the plane. I prefer landing in the morning in Melbourne so I can tire myself out properly in the day and go to bed at night. I'm too wired if I land afternoon/evening and struggle to drop off.

Not sure about airport hotels but there's a good shuttle bus from Southern Cross station - probably others as well but that's the only one I've used.

Try and look for a flight with the shortest transfer time rather than the cheapest option, hanging around in between flights is a real pain! I've done the flight about 13 times and never missed a connection!

I have flown many different routes/airlines.

Personally, I like the A380 for space. The only airline that does both sectors to my city (not MEL) is Emirates.

We flew Qatar on our last trip - it was ok. Doha is OK. The stopover was short. Planes were both 777s and VERY squishy.

I originally was looking for longer transfer times !

When we went a billion years ago we used the changi hotel for 6 hours to sleep and then really enjoyed the airport, went for a swim, saw the butterflies etc.

I was hoping to do that again but they didnt have the long transfer time option.

I quite like idea of stretching legs/eating etc. 24 hours in a plane is still filling me with dread tbh :(

We could go shorter transfer....

Mini now that IS helpful. Having space would make the world of difference and we cant afford to upgrade us all to premium economy!

Ah Emirates is about 1k more !!!

Can you stopover for a night each way?

I just want to get there/back as quickly as possible

Flew emirates Manchester to Perth with change in Dubai. It went like clockwork to be honest and I’d definitely do that again.

hope you have the best time, I fell totally in love with Western Australia

I went via Singapore, stopped overnight and then on to Brisbane. Also bought melatonin over the counter at Singapore which helped massively with jet lag.

They aren't offering any stops over 6hours at Singapore. I messaged to ask!

I flew with BA to Sydney via Changi .. the stopover was less than an hour by the time we’d got off and on the plane. I was really lucky and had an empty seat next to me so managed to sleep on both legs, both ways. Jet lag was minimal as with the sleep, plus being outside in the light at lot at either end it was just a dull journey in the best possible way. I was a bit disappointed that I didn’t get to see anything of the wonderful Changi, just a very 70’s departure lounge.

So the Singapore seats are looking slightly wider than Qatar and every inch counts!

Also we could get 6 hours on the way out by paying 500, it makes the arrival time slightly more convenient too.

Still coming in at 7500 for flights. If we could fly a few days later it would be just over 5k but we are tied with work!

We do like changi ...

I don't like a stopover. It's just dragging it out! I like to just get on with it. Going through Qatar is fine. I do prefer a night flight but really it doesn't make that much difference. It's going to be night at some point and you are going to have jet lag.

Yes I think on the way back we are going to catch super late crazy flight as its cheaper and do the quick change.

But it looks like it will work to have 6hours in changi. Pretty sure that will fly by after getting off/on.

They have a waterfall from the ceiling I'd like to see!

Wow has anyone visited Jewel Changi?!?! That wasn't there when we went. It looks like you have to go thru customs/passport but its connected to the airport! Looks amazing

I stopped in Doha earlier this year on the way to Melbourne. The way the flights were meant a 10 hour layover so I went on a transit tour of the city which was great! The company took us through customs, passport control etc and guaranteed we were back in time to catch the connection. I would totally recommend that. I have done SIngapore before and enjoyed the pool but I think I liked the transit tour more!

Jewel Changi hadn’t been open long when I went through - it’s great and the waterfall is amazing! I can’t remember if I went through passport control but it’s really pleasant. Also went through the recently opened Doha airport several years ago on he way to Nepal - not sure if it was just the time of year but it was very calm and smelt just amazing - all that Middle Eastern Oud fragrance.

Paulies I want to do both now!!!

I think Singapore is winning for slightly wider seats.

But I could get longer in doha than. 6hrs max in Singapore!

Anybody flown with Malaysian Airlines with stop over in Kuala Lumpar?

We've done it! Changi with a just under 7 hour stopover

Now looking at places to stay and car hire!!!

Are you just visiting Melbourne or are you going to other cities as well?

I've found it cheaper to book something via Stayz (after hearing so many horror stories about Airbnb and so avoided them) as the cost is an apartment cost rather than a per person cost which makes a massive difference for a family, so much cheaper.

Try to get exit row seats if you can - you might pay a bit more for them but nowhere near the premium economy fare. I always get the exit rows if possible - heaps of leg room, it's bliss. And BTW I'm also plus size ( 24) and it's never been a problem, I get a seat belt extender from the air crew ( they are very discreet about it) and there is nothing to worry about. Have a wonderful time !