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Original poster

Flying to Australia-which airline?

31 replies

Bessymessy · 20/02/2014 20:44

We're planning to visit Australia over Christmas with DS7 and DD6. They've never done a long haul flight before and we don't know which airline is best for trips to Oz with Dc. Price is a consideration but prepared to pay more if it means an easier flight. Don't mind about where the stopoff is as planning to go straight through because of time constraints.

Is there any difference between airlines or are they all essentially the same when flying with Dc? Any good or bad experiences?

OP posts:
specialsubject · 20/02/2014 21:23

with no stopover it really doesn't matter. They all have big planes, seat-back TVs etc.

think about departure times but with this monster journey, you can't really win!

Original poster
Bessymessy · 20/02/2014 21:43

Thanks special. I was sort of thinking that might be the case but hoping otherwise.Smile

OP posts:
Ifcatshadthumbs · 20/02/2014 21:45

We flew with Singapore airlines, no complaints at all, very good service and very efficient stop off in Singapore airport.

TheGonnagle · 20/02/2014 21:45

Singapore Airlines would be my number one choice. Emirates for regional departures and consider Malaysia too (although their service isn't quite as good).
My dd loves Emirates because they give her toy monsters, could be a deal breaker Grin

GoodnessIsThatTheTime · 20/02/2014 21:47

If you plan at least a few hours (can't remember minimum) at Singapore you get a free tour of Singapore. It's o an amazing airport. Lots of lounging bed/chairs u can sleep, a butterfly house, open air swimming pool.

We will go via Singapore next time we go and plan to stop and recover a bit en route.

GoodnessIsThatTheTime · 20/02/2014 21:48

I'm madly considering taking a 3 year old.

AppleYumYum · 20/02/2014 22:15

I fly to Aus quite a bit with dc, either Qantas or Emirates. Out of those two I prefer Qantas as they are much more helpful and friendly etc. I also prefer the way they treat the flight as long haul (assume you're doing the kangaroo route etc, overnight bag of snacks/drink, like the A380 layout with drink/snacks area where you can stretch your legs at the back of plane, also seem to have more toilets) rather than Emirates who are more into sectors and don't care where you are going after Dubai.

I hate stopping in Dubai now though, it gets bigger and bigger, seemingly to fit in more ridiculous fountains and escalators the size of 10 story buildings... last time I had to get on a shuttle train between gates within the same terminal? They do have red maclaren strollers in stands to use everywhere which is handy. It was easier stopping in Hong Kong, Singapore or Bangkok for the transit. It is now a massive trip to go through security again and get to the new gate to connect to your other flight, which is hard work with kids or if you are carrying a few bags.

Emirates do give out a little pack with a monster toy and blanket, although all airlines do child packs. I have found the Emirates flight attendants cold and not usually very friendly or helpful with children. They ignore you pressing the call bell, quite a few flights I've had to request the bassinet over and over from several different flight attendants etc. Even just a glass of water in the night when you are wedged against the window and can't get out is met with annoyance...

Have always heard good things about Singapore airlines.

GoodnessIsThatTheTime · 20/02/2014 22:35

Singapore had fantastic flight attendants last time we went (we've only been once with children though) and kept checking if there was anything they could do - all smiled and tried to entertain children, bought food out separately for each parent so one could eat while other entertained child etc...

sleepdodger · 20/02/2014 22:37

Virgin via hk every time
Great with kids
Decent food and flight times
Good ents

mythbustinggov · 20/02/2014 22:41

Qantas & BA you stay on the same aircraft, most others you change at the stopover. I've had my luggage lost too many times to want to change planes if I don't need to. Having said that, Qantas or Singapore with Cathay (with a Hong Kong stopover) and BA a close second. Don't like Emirates although they are cheaper.

atomicyoghurt · 20/02/2014 22:42

I flew to NZ with dd age 21 months and dd age 5 months. I flew Singapore Airlines and they were AMAZING.

would def. Recommend them.

atomicyoghurt · 20/02/2014 22:43

I flew to NZ with dd age 21 months and dd age 5 months. I flew Singapore Airlines and they were AMAZING.

would def. Recommend them.

verybadhairdoo · 20/02/2014 22:51

they are all pretty much the same tbh. Cathay, Qantas, BA, Emirates that kind of thing. Clearly not Air Vietname or Air China et al

Maryz · 20/02/2014 22:51

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

GoodnessIsThatTheTime · 20/02/2014 23:14

Oooh I'm all excited now. We're going next Easter and just planning whether to actually stopover in Singapore or just stop in the hotel airport for some sleep/explore the airport or just a day stop and sleep wherever.

:) All seems a bit real!

Ifcatshadthumbs · 20/02/2014 23:35

Singapore is fab and IME stopping over for a few days cost us very little. Admittedly it was a few years back but our my return flight to oz with 5 day stop over in Singapore cost less than £1000

GoodnessIsThatTheTime · 20/02/2014 23:39

It comes as an add on with the flight... and is very tempting. However if none of us have slept it might end up as an expensive stop to sleep instead of a time to sightsee...

I didn't have children the times I flew and planned to stop!

ShanghaiDiva · 20/02/2014 23:44

Cathay or Singapore airlines.

MissPlumBroughtALadder · 21/02/2014 00:11

Singapore are amazing with kids. Emirates and Qantas are fine. BA are absolute shit.

GoodnessIsThatTheTime · 21/02/2014 00:14

Oh I want to stay in Singapore too now. There's more I want to do than 2 days worth... and I had no idea they had a universal studios (completely not the point of a stop at Singapore... but if we're there...)

4PlusMum · 21/02/2014 00:16

Book a flight on the A380. Whichever airline you use, they generally have better facilities.

Ifcatshadthumbs · 21/02/2014 00:18

Ooh do singapore night safari that was fab

MrRected · 21/02/2014 00:22

Despite the terrible press in the past few days. Etihad. Every single time.

I have flown - Qantas, British Airways, Singapore and Etihad wins hands down.

MrRected · 21/02/2014 00:23

Or Qatar.

MumofWombat · 21/02/2014 00:37

With children we have travelled between the UK and Oz with Emirates and Malaysia Air.
We said never again with Emirates (flown with them a number of times pre DC with no problems) they were shockingly unhelpful and rude. The difference was obvious the next time we went with Malaysia Air. They gave us our food at separate times (after checking with us about this) checked on us during the flight, allowed us to not put seat belts on until we really had to, interacted with DC, and at one memorable point when a group of parents and kids congregated at the back of the plane where there was a little more space gave us all extra gin and tonics!
We are going to the UK in a few weeks and we have booked with Malaysia Air again.