Travel to Australia

[CAH706]

Looking to book a flight to Australia. 2 adults and 1 child

Who's the best first class - emirates, BA (though looks to Business on some routes for second leg) or quantas? Am I missing anyone?

Thanks

[HenryJM]

Etihad, excellent in first and business, prices are decent and extras like the chauffeur at both ends works well.

[CAH706]

Thanks

Have you used them for Australia? I'm finding it difficult working out which are first all the way of first/business.

Cheers

[HenryJM]

Yes, many times. I have a business in Sydney and have been to Australia about 40 times with just about every airline over the years, settling on Etihad. I did five trips to Australia with them last year!

All the flights I have been on between London and Abu Dhabi and Abu and Sydney have had first, but if you fly out of Manchester that doesn't. Personally I book business but because I'm now Etihad Gold Elite I pretty much always get upgraded to first.

They have been rolling out 380s recently and first and business on those is supposed to be a leap forwards, but I've not done one of those yet, but first on the 330s is great, a cabin area to yourself or as a couple. Food is pretty much whatever you want when you want it.

Abu Dhabi isn't the greatest airport but it's OK the first lounge is nice, has a spa and a really good restaurant.

I'd certainly rank them well ahead and cheaper than BA or Qantas. I'm not a great fan of Emirates but they are OK. Singapore are good, other possibilities are Cathay Pacific or Virgin. There are others who do the route - I even did it once combining Finnair and Cathay but there's Brunei, Thai, Malaysian, some Chinese ones... Never tried those though.

My ranking would be Etihad, Singapore, Cathay or Emirates. BA or Qantas if necessary, any of the others if desperate.

[CAH706]

Great. That is really helpful and much appreciated.

[LooneyTunes]

Emirates have showers in F on the 380. Worth trying just for the novelty value.

[Kenty]

Not been F class but have used Emirates business quite a bit.
You really will notice the difference in an A380 it really is a cut above anything else at the moment. ( i liken it to travelling 300 miles in a top of the range BMW/Merc or in a ford Ka, it's all about the quality of the trip!)

[carreauchompeur]

One day, Rodney, one day...

[HenryJM]

Kenty said:

Not been F class but have used Emirates business quite a bit.
You really will notice the difference in an A380 it really is a cut above anything else at the moment. ( i liken it to travelling 300 miles in a top of the range BMW/Merc or in a ford Ka, it's all about the quality of the trip!)

Hmm, I'm not a big fan of the 380, too many people and poor service on Emirates in business, it can take a long time to board and disembark and baggage can take a long time as well. There are 70 or more of you in business so little personalisation and getting your luggage first or priority at things is weakened by there being so many of you, better in first of course.

[Jader1973]

Emirates have a chauffeur car either end for Business and First - my parents use them from Glasgow when they come to visit us. Means they just leave their car at home and don't have to get taxis or be picked up at this end.

Car only covers a certain distance from the airport though, so check that.

One of the times they came they upgraded to First on one of the legs and didn't think it was really worth the extra.

[HotJambalaya]

Singapore Air? Cathay Pacific?

[HenryJM]

Jader1973 said:

Emirates have a chauffeur car either end for Business and First - my parents use them from Glasgow when they come to visit us. Means they just leave their car at home and don't have to get taxis or be picked up at this end.

Car only covers a certain distance from the airport though, so check that.

Quite a few do this, Etihad is another as is Virgin