Flying Uk to Australia, looking for best tips & advice

[Headabovetheparapets]

Hi planning to visit family & friends in Western Australia later this year with DH.
I’ve not flown further than Mexico before. Would any of you lovely people have any thoughts on
1 the direct flight verses a stop over flight
2 best airline to go with
3 Any tips for making that long on a plane pass quickly!!lol
4 Any tips for essential things to make the holiday easier.
thank you xx

Mentioning travelling by business class is very triggering for a lot of people on MN. Posters are often offended when it’s suggested.

Why? I mean, the fact that some people can afford business class and say so seems an odd thing to get triggered or offended by. What does it trigger, exactly?

I've been to Australia from Manchester twice both with Singapore Airlines I can't fault them they are brilliant. My latest trip was to Perth via Singapore and it was nice to get off the plane for a few hours stretch my legs and get some food and drink. I wouldn't want to be stopping over more than 3 hours.

I tend to go via Doha. It's nice to get feet on the ground and use a non-moving toilet for a couple of hours.

I take a packet of babywipes, toothbrush and toothpaste so can freshen up a bit.

David Attenborough through headphones, eyemask on, blanket over head, sleep for as much of the flight as possible. Last time I'd worked a 23 hour day the day before flying just trying to get everything done and slept about 16 hours across the two flights out, it was bliss (but I am someone who can sleep anywhere).

but I am someone who can sleep anywhere

That reminds me, I had a stopover in Tokyo on the way back from Aus years ago. Bloke next to me was asleep before we took off and stayed asleep the whole flight back to LHR. He was in the middle seat and the woman in the window seat just stood on her seat and stepped over him when she wanted to get out.

If it hasn't already been said, go for a flight that lands in Australia early evening. This gives you time to unwind, unpack, eat, chat and then go to bed Au time. It helps the jet lag.

I'm assuming you don't have a big journey to get to your friends, but factor this in if it's the case.

Mentioning travelling by business class is very triggering for a lot of people on MN. Posters are often offended when it’s suggested

2024 prize for most gratuitous use of a very tired word.

Basically tell yourself it’s only 25 hours and that it has to quite reasonably come to an end at some point. That’s my motto for all things really. It works for dentists and smear tests as well 😂

Wear comfy leggings/trousers and some layered tops as it’s either too hot or too cold on a plane and nothing in between. Take noise cancelling headphones (you can get a special converter for airline seats did a few £) and your own water bottle. Fill before getting on the plane. If you’re a snack-y type a bag of your favourite (non-nutty, non-messy) treat tends to come in handy. I prefer night flights departing the UK but daytime flights on return.

They stick families at the front of the economy cabin. Don’t book there.

Get AirTags for your luggage.

Make sure your stopover is at least 3-4 hours and book a lounge where you can have a shower. Don’t bank on being able to walk up and enter a paid-for lounge as they’re often full when the night flights arrive. May be worth looking at taking out an Amex if you use credit cards for free lounge entry.

I’ve done the trip in the order of 20 ish times in economy and half a dozen in business. Like Singapore, Cathay, Finnair, Qatar. Not fussed on Emirates, Etihad, Malaysian. Don’t fly BA or Qantas.

Basically tell yourself it’s only 25 hours and that it has to quite reasonably come to an end at some point. That’s my motto for all things really. It works for dentists and smear tests as well

You have 25 hour smear tests? 😱

Don’t fly BA or Qantas.

Why, out of interest?

Doha airport has pleasant and free 'quiet rooms' where you can stretch out on lounge chairs and relax between flights after a nice long walk around the terminal.

I’ve been flying UK to Australia/NZ all my fly and my tips are:

Aisle seat towards the rear of the plane
Full change of clothes in case your luggage goes missing + extra knickers
Extra layer as planes can get chilly
Miniature toiletries of everything
Wet wipes (mini pack)
Paracetamol
Ear plugs
Two books or a Kindle (I can get bored with one book and like to switch)
Snacks (no nuts/noisy/smelly)
Water bottle
Don’t drink alcohol as it’s very dehydrating
I prefer to fly direct but for someone flying such long-haul distances for the first time I would suggest stopping overnight

Book business class if you can possibly afford it. It’s a @long flight in an economy seat…

I am flying to Australia next month and all the tips I am going to do so far is…

• fly business class (I’m not rich - I used air miles!)
• take a flight that arrives into Australia early evening/late afternoon
• avoid sleeping on the second leg, sleep on the first leg
• wear comfy clothes
• avoid overeating

@Finallybreathe when I am flying long haul, if I am tired I sleep, even if that is the final leg and is daytime at my destination. I have tried the 'get into the sleep pattern' method and found it just made me worry about if I should be sleeping or awake, now I go with the flow and if I need a nap I have one. To be fair, I have been known to have a mid-afternoon nap on long work days when WFH too.

Are you going to visit family or to explore?

We're flying soon . Stopping at changi but 6 hours was the most we could get. Even asked them if we could stop for longer!

Love changi and hoping to see the jewel area.

Haven't flown for a long time though and as I'm quite overweight I'm a bit worried about dvt...

Planning our Oz trip for Dec 2024-Jan 2025. Three of us so will be economy (would LOVE business but not an option unfortunately) and looking at Emirates or Singapore Airlines. Like the idea of the longer leg of journey being done first. Have been several times (but not for almost 20 years) and am reading with interest. My recommendation would be flight socks, layers of comfortable clothing, comfortable shoes, those neck support sleep pillows and an iPad with good series downloaded.

I’ve done the journey on many occasions (Australian living in the UK). I’ve mostly done the Singapore route, but also via KL and Dubai. However, I’ve just returned from a trip on the direct London to Perth route with Qantas. And I think it might be my favourite.

Yes, it’s a long flight but it’s one flight and the schedule is good, leaving midday and getting into Perth midday. I loved getting there in one flight.

If you travel economy via Singapore or similar, I used to have a Priority Pass which allows you paid access to lounges. I always used it to have a shower and change of clothes in Singapore, and somewhere comfy to wait during the connection time.

@Itsthecatsfault that sounds great! Assume you have family in Perth? I would definitely do that except I have to get to Queensland, so it will probably be a while before a direct flight is a possibility…

My aunt flys to Perth every year to visit my cousin. She says the best airline is Singapore Airlines with a stop over at Singapore Airport. Emirates are OK. Malaysian Airlines not great but can be thr cheaper

I go onto Adelaide- another 2.5 hours. But for me, it’s still a better route than London to Singapore to Sydney/Melbourne then onto Adelaide.

Have a look at the swimming pool at Changi, depending on the terminal you’re transiting through