Flying to Europe - who do you fly with?

[aussietravellers]

. thanks for that detailed information

Oh I am just a fountain of fabulous information

 

[shushh]

Ms Shuttergirl, can you remind me. Is that 5 adults or 4 adults and 1 child? Your youngest hasn't clicked over right...

 

[Ms. Shuttergirl]

Ms Shuttergirl, can you remind me. Is that 5 adults or 4 adults and 1 child? Your youngest hasn't clicked over right...

Yes 4 adults and 1 child. He will be turning 11 while we are away on this trip.

 

[shushh]

If my calculations are correct, you are paying around $1850 for Virgin/Etihad.
The only cheaper options so far are:
Air China or China Eastern/Southern combination coming in at around $1450 per adult
Korean Air around $1600 per adult

I don't know much about Air China but the connections are good. Only one stop in Beijing and transit times ok.

Korean Air requires an overnight stay in Korea. If you happy with that, they are a decent airline.

Otherwise, I think that the Virgin/Etihad price is decent. THey are both good airlines. Alternatively if you prefer to wait, I think you are safe to wait until around 6 months out. I don't know if the carbon tax that will come into effect very soon will have any effect on prices (the virgin bit) perhaps someone who knows more can comment on this.

When we went to Europe in April/May 2012 (Barcelona), we paid around $1800 return with Singapore airlines. We bought it at one of flight centres Europe travel expo. They should usually have another one closer to the end of the year but I can't find the dates.

This time around, we are flying Emirates at around $1900 per adult (into Paris, out of Rome).

 

[Ms. Shuttergirl]

If my calculations are correct, you are paying around $1850 for Virgin/Etihad.
The only cheaper options so far are:
Air China or China Eastern/Southern combination coming in at around $1450 per adult
Korean Air around $1600 per adult

I don't know much about Air China but the connections are good. Only one stop in Beijing and transit times ok.

Korean Air requires an overnight stay in Korea. If you happy with that, they are a decent airline.

Otherwise, I think that the Virgin/Etihad price is decent. THey are both good airlines. Alternatively if you prefer to wait, I think you are safe to wait until around 6 months out. I don't know if the carbon tax that will come into effect very soon will have any effect on prices (the virgin bit) perhaps someone who knows more can comment on this.

When we went to Europe in April/May 2012 (Barcelona), we paid around $1800 return with Singapore airlines. We bought it at one of flight centres Europe travel expo. They should usually have another one closer to the end of the year but I can't find the dates.

This time around, we are flying Emirates at around $1900 per adult (into Paris, out of Rome).

I definitely wouldn't want to stop overnight on the way over so Korean Air are out. I don't know anything about Air China so may have to read some reviews.

I would be too nervous to wait until closer to December to book the international flights. Happy to wait another month or two but then I will start getting shakey .

Grrrr, not sure what to do on this one.

 

[queenie82]

Air China are a no no no no no no from EVERY person I have ever spoken to. Seriously...

One travel agent said when they landed the air masks came down because they hit so hard.

And the passengers on board are all playing Mahjong with each other so all you hear is click click click with the tiles

 

[AussiePJ]

I was hesitant about Etihad, but they were very good and Abu Dhabi airport is easy and quick to get around.

THey would be my first choice, especially if you have V for a leg. I went the whole way with Etihad last trip but the August one is mixed.

Singapore are the best but pricey.

Cathay the same as Singapore.

Korean are very good, but the overnight is a pain.

Thai can have some very cheap flights which can make them the best value for money choice, plus Bangkok is a good place to break up the trip.

For mine though we now try and stick with V Australia where can. Generally the price is good and the service is top notch.

 

[australiankaren]

i flew korean..loved it..stayed at a decent 4 star, all inclusive..was nice to break up the trip on the way over..on the way back its straight thru....

just my 2 cents

 

[viaggiamo]

Thos Eitihad prices are pretty good. Especially if you want your dates when you want them.
It's sometimes risky to wait for a sale and I agree that the carbon tax may come into play later on.
We love Singapore but I would fly via UAE in a heartbeat, especially if those prices include accommodation there to check it out. Great shopping!
We also don't mind Thai. I would never ever fly BA again unless they were free and Qantas is overpriced for the service you are given. Very lax. DH wont fly them again and we fly V domestically and to the USA, never to Europe though..yet.
Great info on Austrian airways, thanks PP, sometimes I see those cheaper flights from more obscure (for Australia, anyway) airlines and wonder what they are like.
C

 

[BecBennett]

Hong Kong appeals because I could see another Disney Castle.

I'd like to stop off in HK for this reason too. Other then Disney I don't have much of a desire to head over there, so this would be a way of sneaking it into a trip, so I can check it off my list

I want to see Dubai, so I'm thinking that it will be a separate holiday by itself.