Qatar / Cathay Pacific / Singapore airlines - London to Sydney with kids?

[Comethefuckonbridget1]

We’re hoping to get to Australia this year with our DC 10 and 6.

Which of the 3 airlines would you recommend and why?

We’ve been before and flew Emirates but based on costs it’s a no go this time.

TIA!

Are you stopping en-route or going straight through? Which Australian city? Singapore used to be really good and if stopping en-route, had various hotel options and free city tours. It really depends on the exact aircraft you are on, more than the overall airline IMO. Emirates are great is going business, as they'll collect you within X km's of the airport and drop you back. I don't think I've flown with Qatar, but recall they had good reviews.

Don't forget that airlines will codeshare- so you might book with Qatar, but end up with 1 leg being a BA plane, or book with emirates and 1 leg is on Qantas- especially when going to Aus.

Skyskanner is good for looking at reviews, routes, best seats, airlines ratings etc.

Compare Cheap Flights & Book Airline Tickets to Everywhere | Skyscanner

It was a while ago but we took the DSs, 10/12, on a triple-badged BA/Singapore/Qantas flight, stopping for 2-3 days each way in Singapore.

Pretty new Airbus A380, Economy, pretty comfortable!

Singapore, without a doubt. Add a couple of days to sightsee, or a long layover just at the airport. There's loads to do and it's worth seeing.

Going to Sydney and stopping en route but not for longer than a few hours, we are visiting family in Sydney so just want to get there really.

Thanks

We would have stopped over but we are visiting family and want to just get there. Coming back will need to do the same due to school and annual leave, trying to get as much time in Aus as possible.

Thanks, I was pretty set on Singapore and this has solidified it for me!

Singapore airport has an open air roof top swimming pool! Pack your cossies in your hand luggage and hire towels at the pool. It's the BEST way to kill a couple of hours at the airport. Done that to and from Australia a couple of times.

Depending which airport in the UK you are flying from and when, China airlines have some deals on currently. Its Taiwanese, not mainland Chinese owned and run. We flew with them to Syd a few years ago and they were very good.

We flew Qatar economy to Thailand, got extra legroom seats on the upper deck. They were good. Flew business class with Qatar, returning from Indonesia. Not as good as BA and Cathay Pacific. From Australia, we flew Air NZ in premium economy. We would recommend.

I always fly that route with Singapore airlines. Economy. Definitely my favourite.

No idea why you quoted my post specifically, but hopefully it helps the OP 😕

My friend does Aus-UK quite a bit and always flies Singapore if she can.

Singapore. Google Changi Jewel - so much to do for kids and grown ups.

Qatar in flight service was pretty good but outside of the flight I found their customer service and policies horrendous. I stupidly didn't book the fare option where you can choose your seats. I didn't mind having seats allocated to us but I wanted to confirm that we wouldn't be split up (eg Emirates have this policy). They couldn't guarantee this (and so couldn't guarantee that our 2 year old wouldn't be by themself for a 17 hour flight!) so had to fork out $600 extra for seat selection at that point. They also had annoying configuration of 3 3 3 in economy which meant we were split over two rows (in a full plane so a poor stranger had to deal with my toddler climbing everywhere). Not sure if this is generally reflective of them but our connection was also delayed 7 hours in Doha.

All that aside the actual flight, food, entertainment was ok. I'd probably fly again but I'd just make sure to factor in the right fare option in the booking.

Well I know BA are not flavor of the month around here and or on your list but if it’s fastest time LHR-SYD that is really important it’s hard to beat the BA 15 direct LHR-SYD (i.e., no change of aircraft, about 90 min transit in SIN)

You might get a similar sort of elapsed time with Singapore (? the SQ 321 ex London, then I think an aircraft change at Changi), failing that QF LHR-PER, then change to a PER-SYD domestic.

Singapore. Singapore airport is good for a transfer and onboard is a pleasant experience. They also (crucially) allow BedBox/PlanePal type leg rests for kids. Emirates/Etihad/Qantas don’t.

Kids meals are great as well, lots of different items. They also run a pantry out of the galley during sleeping hours where you can get chocolate bars, crisps, nuts etc.

I think I’m set on Singapore based on here and some other research. Thanks everyone! Need to get it booked now, happy Australia Day!

Thank you for the Aus Day good wishes 😊 We are enjoying a balmy evening with a couple of glasses of good Hunter Valley red. Definitely Singapore with kids, they are great. I won’t fly Qatar because of the strip searching of the Australian women but lots of my friends think I am being silly.

Just another one chipping in to say Singapore all the way - transit at Changi is such a breeze (and the food in the airport is fabulous).

Just to throw a spanner in the works I found Qatar to be much better than Singapore airlines when we flew last year.
I thought the food was better, the crew were more helpful and generally a better experience.
Have a great time

Which cabin you flying in, OP? I’ve flown all of them in business and found Qatar by far the best then Cathay. Love the way you dine on demand with Qatar plus the A380 bar was great. Cathay is also good but their catering isn’t what it once was.

Wasn’t crazy about Singapore’s A380 as you can’t lie flat on your back and have to lie on your side as the footwell is a bit narrow plus the IFE wasn’t touchscreen and the crew seemed a bit off which didn’t help, plus the lounges aren’t as good as Cathay/Qatar however “Book the Cook” is nice.