Nervous of flying alone to Australia from UK

[BigRooLittleRoo]

Hi - I’m hoping for some wisdom! I’m wary 60s and not well travelled. Don’t like flying and not confident at airports etc. Always had OH with me but things are ending after 30 years. 😣 My adult DC, only family, is in Australia and wants me to go over for 1-3 months. After a v difficult time with my marriage, it is appealing. But I’m v nervous of undertaking the long flight. I had a friend who went over and had terrible turbulence and was terrified, which doesn’t help! What if I get there and can’t face the flight back!! 😫

Is it best to do the trip in one go? I kind of lean towards that rather than a lengthy stop-off, alone in some airport.

Is there a better time of day/night to depart (or do you have to go with what’s available)?

I could potentially afford first class - would that be worth it?

Many thanks!

That should be ‘early’ 60s! Although I am also ‘wary’!

If you can afford business then do that… take a night flight and be comfortable! You’ll be fine. Short stop off. You can do a straight 17 hour flight to Australia and then just do a transfer flight once there.

I'm a similar age and I've travelled on my own several times to New Zealand as my daughter lives there. That's a bit different as there is no option but to have a stop, so I didn't get to choose whether to be in an unknown airport on my own (Dubai and Singapore on different trips). It was fine if a little disorientating with time differences. On one trip there was some turbulance when we hit a thunder storm over the Indian Ocean but everyone else seemed pretty calm so I didn't panic.

I can't advise about first class as it was so expensive I didn't consider that option. I did chose airlines carefully though (and can recommend both Singapore and Emirates) However, the actual journey was fine and fairly comfortable as far as flights go. I went well prepared with reading material and music, though there are films to watch in the in flight entertainment.

My mum is in her 70s and travels alone to Australia every year to see my brother. She manages fine, happily does it. Just if that reassures you at all! She goes through Dubai usually and it’s all very organised and easy to do.

You do realise First Class doesn’t protect against turbulence 🤣.

I’m same vintage, it’s fine. Just download lots of stuff onto your device and take a kindle and make sure you can layer up on plane as it gets cold. If you hit turbulence, just remember you have more risk on the road getting to/from the airport.

Leave lots of time and ask for help at every stage. People at the airport are very used to dealing with all sorts of customers. You will be fine. It's easier than managing a train trip.

I'd pay for business.

I hate turbulence but if you are on the flight you just, sort of, crack on with it. It's never as bad as you think it will be.

I travelled to New Zealand alone. I was lucky to be able to go business class and loved it! Had 2 stop offs and both times was whisked away to the business class lounge where I could shower and change. And then relax in a quietly with plenty of refreshments. Not cheap but I knew I was only ever doing it once. I arrived relaxed and ready to go. If you're nervous and can afford it, I'd recommend it. Emirates even came and picked me up and drove me to the airport, so it was totally stress free.

We went to Sydney, BC with Etihad, it was fab. Stop off at Abu Dhabi, only couple of hours there, the lounges are very good. Staff very helpful.

Turbulence can actually be worse in First as you feel it more at the front of the plane! But the crew are absolute pros, if it gets bumpy, look at them and if they’re not worried then there’s no need for you to be. I’d prob go business class, you get a lovely flat bed, fast track security and bag drop at the airport, the good food and booze. When else do you get to sit and watch endless movies, sip wine, eat snacks and nap whenever you feel like it?! And I’m definitely in the camp of shortest possible stopover and just get the journey done. You can do it!

I would say just go for it, take headphones and a few good podcasts to listen to, if you can afford it go premium economy. Don't go via the Middle East as it's tricky as a lone woman if you aren't an experienced traveller. Alternatively if you can afford it, take a ship - they don't go often and take about 6-12 weeks

Agree with others to go business class, definitely worth it. You’ll be totally fine and it’ll be worth it. My Mum isn’t keen on turbulence but always manages and like a PP said look at the crew for reassurance.

I've travelled to Melbourne lots of times. I think it's all doable for inexperienced travellers but here are some things to be aware of.
The best trip I had was on the Qantas non-stop from London to Perth and then a transfer to Melbourne. Do this if you can. I think Qantas is introducing more non-stop services later this year.
Perth is a really small airport and it's easy to ask for advice on where to wait etc. If you go via the more usual routes that means changing in Dubai, Singapore, Abu Dhabi. Those are all huge airports and you usually have to change terminals and / or go through baggage control again. Leave yourself 3hrs to do this comfortably but you also want to avoid transits of more than 5hrs because it's very tedious waiting around.
First Class is nice but not necessary - but if you can afford Business Class or equivalent then that certainly helps. It's a long time to be stuck in a smaller seat.
It doesn't make a huge difference when you travel and if you book the non-stop then there won't be a lot of choice (there used to be just one departure daily). Generally, I usually go via Dubai so I stay awake for the shorter first leg and try to sleep through the longer second leg as you'll usually arrive early in the morning. But it's best to just sleep as much as possible - I use melatonin to help with that.

If you aren't confident with airports, maybe do it in one go. A stop over would be nice but it's an extra go through customs, taxi/transport from airport, then back to airport, another check in.

You ll be fine though. It's Australia, everyone on the plane and at the airport will speak English so just ask someone if you aren't sure.

Turbulence is worse at the back, not the front.

Some airlines do a fear of flying course, might be worth doing?

We did it first from Heathrow to Sydney with our baby and it was amazing.

I slept most of the way there on my lovely bed. Tried all the lovely wines, had the table set for me when I wanted a pot of tea and plate of biscuits and the toilets are bigger with a vase of flowers inside and a changing table you pull down to put your free pj's on.

I flew to China on my own and it was fab. Yes there's turbulence sometimes but most people sleep through it.

Fyi, it is sometimes cheaper to get a non flexible First class ticket than a flexible business ticket.

I've very rarely had bad turbulence on that flight.

My parents swear by the London-Perth Qantas direct flight and fly business now. You do have to clear customs in Perth and then a domestic onwards flight.

We usually fly via Singapore with Singapore Airlines who are amazing. The stopover is all in the same terminal, no collecting baggage or anything, and we usually stay at the airside hotel in the terminal and get a good nap. And often we break the journey in Singapore for three nights.

Ah thanks so much for all this 😀

I'm late 50s and flown to and from Australia about 4 or 5 times. It's really straightforward and quite comfortable. I went economy every time but if you can afford it business is going to be more comfortable. I've never experienced much turbulence as jumbos fly higher and are more stable than short haul. Worst turbulence I've had was flying from London to Scotland and a couple to Brussels. Never really on transatlantic or Australian flights. First time I stopped off in Hong Kong and I think it did ease the jet lag. But I had to get a taxi to a hotel and back. Other times I did it straight with a brief plane change/refuel on the way.

I always remind myself that once we take off I'm the airline's problem, so if one leg is late and I miss my connection they'll have to sort it out (but I've done that route COUNTLESS times and never even come close to missing one!).

I like to leave Heathrow in the early evening. By the time I've had a meal and watched a film then I'm ready for a snooze.

If you don't go business or first then it's worth checking out paid access lounges if you have a longish stopover. For no more than about £60, you can often get a comfortable spot to relax, shower, buffet meal etc. Well worth it!

Have an amazing trip!

I hate flying and had to fly to Melbourne on my own as DH couldn’t get his visa in time. I flew with Singapore airlines business class and it was fine. Had a four hour stop in Singapore so went and had a shower in the lounge. The staff were lovely, would definitely recommend business as you get a flat bed and can have a few glasses of fizz which certainly eased the fear.

You'll be fine. I've done it at age 50 and 65 to and from Aus (and also to and from NZ) and never experienced any turbulence/fear AT ALL. We flew UK to Darwin, and home out of Sydney and Brisbane.

Perfectly doable "in a oner", but we have also done it with a 2 or 3 day stopover in Singapore . Singapore is a great place for a single lady traveller; so clean, polite, safe, well organised, enough interesting stuff to see.
Doing it as a 24-hour flight is quite tiring , but you'll sleep some of the time, watch films, eat food, stretch your legs in a flight-break airport. The stewards will take expert care of you.

Our preferred airline (food, comfort and service ) is Emirates.
If you want a handhold for travel booking, I recommend Trailfinders (branches all over uk) who do an absolutely perfect, seamless job at a great price ( joined-up planes, hotels, taxis, the lot).

So jealous of all the people not fazed by the cost of first class on here. Crikey I'm kind of comfortable but going first class would be ridiculous to me.

OP CBD sweets will be your friend. I hate flying and they helped so much. Imagine what else you could spend the first class ticket money on while you're there

The prices vary wildly depending on dates but Qantas economy at mid-high dates is £1800 return, £6000 business and £12000 first. Business on emirates/Singapore/Qantas is amazing and well worth it and you will really be so well looked after. If you can afford first class then that will be an experience in itself and may spoil you forever for flying cattle class.

having done the uk/southern hemisphere trip around 40 times I would recommend just doing it all in one go.

I've also gathered that going business makes a huge difference over economy.

My godmother was in her late 70s when she came to our wedding, and found the trip in business class perfectly pleasant. Admittedly she'd travelled a moderate amount when she was younger UK to the Far East; but that was the first time she finally made it to Australia.

My parents flew business for my dad's last trip, and my mother realised just how much easier it made some things; jet lag much less even (although, she's just booked economy to come over for a wedding later this year, frugality wins!).

Personally I've always viewed the journey as "a day out of my life", and expect as little as possible out of it.

I believe that "direct" flights are currently via Darwin though I imagine the Perth route will reopen at some point. I don't know how customs is arranged though - be aware that you might well have to clear immigration with your luggage before your onward flight.