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Original poster

BA to Australia - what's your experience?

37 replies

sunnydelight · 15/09/2006 14:47

We're currently planning our holiday to Sydney and our travel advisor says the best available flights (price wise) are with BA/Quantas. I dislike BA with a vengence and have never heard great things about flying longhaul with children with them. Can anyone tell me otherwise or is it just better to pay the extra money and fly with Singapore or Thai airlines? (Kids are 3, 7 and 13 BTW so don't need bassinets/food heated etc.).

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littlemadam · 15/09/2006 14:59

We've flown to Perth by BA/Quantas, Singapore and Emirates, and sorry to say IMO the last two beat BA hands down for service, friendliness, etc. Is the price difference really horrific?? I would be tempted to go with Singapore...

suzywong · 15/09/2006 15:01

Never ever been with BA and shan't be changing that
Singapore all the way

RTKangaMummy · 15/09/2006 15:10

Try Air New Zealand

it goes other way round ie via LA and AKL {cos we went to Cook Islands in South Pacific}

but we went Premium Econ -- upstairs in 747 and it was very good

But would deffo go Singapore if you want to go that way round

RTKangaMummy · 15/09/2006 15:11

But our DS is 11 years so not really a child iyswim

Original poster
sunnydelight · 15/09/2006 16:21

Thanks, confirms what I thought. I'll see what the price difference is. Anyone else?

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Gingerbear · 15/09/2006 16:27

Have flown to Australia Quantas, Emirates, Malaysia, Thai and Singapre. I would say Emirates is the best, with Singapore a very close second.

Gingerbear · 15/09/2006 16:29

What am I talking about? Quantas, Emirates and Singapore to Oz, the other 2 to SE Asia only, but still good service long haul.

YeahBut · 15/09/2006 16:30

Singapore, Malaysian or Emirates are your best bet. BA/Quantas were terrible IME.

AttilaTheMeerkat · 15/09/2006 16:42

Would NOT recommend you use Air New Zealand and transit through LAX under any circumstances!. I'll spare you all the details but the transit area at LAX is grim and somewhat prison like to say the least. Also you will all have to complete visa waiver and go through immigration and customs even though you will not be setting foot outside the airport!.

You're far better off therefore going via Singapore or eastwards anyway rather than going west.

Would also suggest you read the airline reviews on www.airlinequality.com before making a final judgment.

quokka · 15/09/2006 16:43

DO NOT GO BA!!!! BAD BAD BAD BAD.

mosschops30 · 15/09/2006 16:47

From my travel days (only a year or so ago) I would actively encourage people not to fly BA/Qantas, for the simple reason that they are awful long-haul (very good short haul tho).

Go Singapore or Malaysian (who are excellent), malaysian will probably be cheaper than singapore but they used to have the biggest seat pitch and often have free stopovers and free flights for penang etc if you want to stop after Kuala Lumpur

Gingerbear · 16/09/2006 05:30

I once paid one whole US dollar to upgrade to first class on a Malaysian flight from KL to Kuantan. (Internal flight, I know) I had an 8 hour wait for the flight after 13 hours or so from the UK, so the Golden Lounge with all the lovely freebies and the chance for a shower and lovely squashy sofas to snooze on was heaven sent.

eidsvold · 16/09/2006 05:49

Can only add to others - ahve done Qantas long haul who code share with BA - pay the money for Singapore - economy has the largest seat pitch of any airline other than american. Service is second to none.

Singapore for us.

Gingerbear · 16/09/2006 05:52

just checked the skytrax website - Malaysia won best longhaul (economy service) for 2006. The seat pitch in economy is 34 inches cf BA's 31 inches

threebob · 16/09/2006 06:50

Pay the extra not to go with BA- don't go via LA either.

Milge · 16/09/2006 08:16

Malaysian, Emirates or Singapore. You will arrive in better shape, which on such a long flight, is the decider. Have never flown BA to Australia, 7 hours to NYC was more than enough for me.

chloeb2002 · 17/09/2006 18:40

have to add to this.. just flown back from aus with gulf.. who's staff on board were far from good. when my daughter was sick on landing during a stopover, so we had to reoccupy the same seat, the air hostess said what do you expect me to do about it! singapore are allways awesome. fantastic with kids and babies. flew a leg with ba, who lost our bags at heathrow.. stiil missing a combi dash stroller! AHHHHH broke a new car seat, bags are trashed. Bas of course claim it was gulf who boke it all but admit theu lost it. only after gulf sent us the schedule of flights bagage landings! Bastrds Normally flysingapore and will pay the extra agin next year. The baggage reclaim at heathrow looked like a jumble sale, no wonder they cant find my stroller. someone probably walked out with it. anyway had my rant! no way BA is what i say.. singapore all the way.

Original poster
sunnydelight · 17/09/2006 18:53

Thanks for all the replies. I'm waiting to hear how much it will cost to fly with Singapore!

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quokka · 18/09/2006 12:57

hey sunny give travelbag a call they are very good with prices

hannahsaunt · 18/09/2006 14:01

PILs had bad experience with Emirates. Mum loved Singapore. We flew with Cathay Pacific via Hong Kong and they were fab.

Original poster
sunnydelight · 19/09/2006 13:58

I e-mailed travelbag quokka but they haven't got back to me. Have found well timed flights with Thai who are supposed to be good with kids so we're probably going to go with them. DH announced last night that he "doesn't rate Singapore" AGHHHHHHH!

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sandcastles · 19/09/2006 14:05

Flown to Oz twice with Signapore.....fantastic, all the way!

RTKangaMummy · 19/09/2006 14:51

Tell him CHANGI AIRPORT is one of the best in the world

With orchids and koi fish

deffo brill shops

play area

etc etc

RTKangaMummy · 19/09/2006 14:54

they also do a special deal if you want to go out of airport for tours or stay in Singapore

Original poster
sunnydelight · 19/09/2006 18:00

He's been through Changi loads RTKangaMummy, and agrees it's a fab airport, the trouble is he's viewing airlines and airports as a single traveller, usually in business class! I've never flown long haul with the kids either, but I think I am more aware of the importance of flying with a family friendly airline. Having said that when I flew to Oz in my 20s I asked for a seat "as far away from any children on the plane as possible please"

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