1st Time International Flyer

[RooFlyer]

OK, if you want an A380, then you definitely need to look at Qatar Airways. See article here. You can get a business promo fare for < A$6,500 which is sensational.

They have 1-2-1 seating in business ... that's First Class configuration on Qantas (who run 2-2-2 across their business cabin)

I've flown them a lot and the service and the cabin is terrific. Doha is definitely worth a quick stop-over on the way over. Qatar can offer hotels and probably tours as well.

.. but I'd still hope to get you on one of the Asian carriers. SQ run A380s and their service is also fantastic - the seats are incredibly wide.

 

[Ben6]

Good on you Cruiserman, the only worry you might end with is catching the travel bug. Given that your original itinerary was QF to Singapore, then on to Europe, I would recommend flying Singapore J all the way. Their service is so good and with some planning and flexibility you can fly A380's all the way.

 

[JohnM]

I would agree about considering a DONEx. Point-to-point J fares are costly. A OneWorld DONEx (*Alliance has similar offerings) offers great bangs for the buck. I started doing them annually after my divorce and the kids becoming independent. They are addictive - I'm currently two weeks into a ten weeker, my 14th in 14 years. I wasn't a novice traveller before that, but the freedom (yes!) opened up lots of possibilities.

Unless I missed it, how long are you going for? You really need about six weeks IMO for a RTW.

Use all 16 sectors carefully and you should have no problem going WP.

Regarding the nervousness of a long over-water flight, I think once you do it the first time - especially in J - that will evaporate. You'll be too busy soaking up the experience and probably itching to get back aboard ASAP. That said, though, I'd agree with others about initially getting to Europe from Asia to have it mostly over land if the thought of long over-water sector is too nerve-wracking.

 

[Skyring]

I would agree about considering a DONEx. Point-to-point J fares are costly.

We do love our jargon!
J is business class, Y is economy, and F is dreamland. A DONEx is a oneWorld Explorer, where D = J, ONE is oneWorld, and x is the number of continents, which from Australia is pretty much always going to be 4. They can be bought for different prices around the world - my best was one out of Johannesburg for $6 500 - and they have immense potential and flexibility.

Take one a year, you reach Platinum and stay there, enjoying the best lounges, travelling in style, getting priority service, gathering points twice as fast. And seeing rather a lot of the world. It's a good lurk.

I wouldn't worry about long overwater flights. These big four engine birds are designed to be able to take off at maximum weight (a full load of fuel, passengers, cargo, and champagne) with one engine missing, which is pretty rare. They can maintain level flight and land safely with two engines out, which is another lot of pretty rare on top of the first.

Generally speaking, if something is going to go wrong with a plane, it's during takeoff or landing, when things are happening fast, loads are greatest, the ground is dangerously close. And, of course, you are close to an airport.

At altitude in the cruise. it's not quite sleepytime on the flight deck, but nothing much is happening except that fuel and champagne are being consumed at steady rates. They pack enough of both aboard to last the whole trip plus a fair bit extra. It's actually the safest part of the flight, and even if you are over the middle of a vast ocean, you may be sure that even if a couple of engines drop off, there's enough margin that the pilots can get to an airfield safely.

International air travel, even with the occasional sensational disaster, is far safer than any other form of transport. Get a taxi to the airport, that's the most dangerous part of the journey right there, and yet people do it without a moment's thought beyond worrying about the Cabcharge fee.

 

[TomVexille]

We do love our jargon!
J is business class, Y is economy, and F is dreamland. A DONEx is a oneWorld Explorer, where D = J, ONE is oneWorld, and x is the number of continents, which from Australia is pretty much always going to be 4. They can be bought for different prices around the world - my best was one out of Johannesburg for $6 500 - and they have immense potential and flexibility.

Take one a year, you reach Platinum and stay there, enjoying the best lounges, travelling in style, getting priority service, gathering points twice as fast. And seeing rather a lot of the world. It's a good lurk.

I wouldn't worry about long overwater flights. These big four engine birds are designed to be able to take off at maximum weight (a full load of fuel, passengers, cargo, and champagne) with one engine missing, which is pretty rare. They can maintain level flight and land safely with two engines out, which is another lot of pretty rare on top of the first.

Generally speaking, if something is going to go wrong with a plane, it's during takeoff or landing, when things are happening fast, loads are greatest, the ground is dangerously close. And, of course, you are close to an airport.

At altitude in the cruise. it's not quite sleepytime on the flight deck, but nothing much is happening except that fuel and champagne are being consumed at steady rates. They pack enough of both aboard to last the whole trip plus a fair bit extra. It's actually the safest part of the flight, and even if you are over the middle of a vast ocean, you may be sure that even if a couple of engines drop off, there's enough margin that the pilots can get to an airfield safely.

International air travel, even with the occasional sensational disaster, is far safer than any other form of transport. Get a taxi to the airport, that's the most dangerous part of the journey right there, and yet people do it without a moment's thought beyond worrying about the Cabcharge fee.

Excellent post. Another thing to note is that even the twins can take off at max weight with an engine out. Yes, that's on one engine.

As for flights the Indian Ocean, the routes that the airlines tend to take are mostly within 60-90 minutes of a suitable airfield, there's areas in Australia that are just as remote, so I certainly wouldn't worry about it.

 

[n7of9]

There is A LOT of excellent info in this thread. But if I may chime in with a KIS response (Keep It Simple): if flying over land makes you feel more comfortable, then that is absolutely what you should do!

I've traveled alone and with friends, and I much prefer solo travel, I fell like i get to experience more when I'm left with my own thoughts. Go forth and explore the new you in your new life, there are a lot of wonderful things to experience in the world

 

[Franky]

Hi All.

Planning to rail Europe London-Paris_Turin-Rome-Florence.....only because I think I see more and like the rail trips.

Great idea IMHO..

 

[dajop]

if worried about long stretches over water ... google flightaware and QFA 1 , this shows the actual flight path for the most recent flights between SYD and DXB (sorry, if i was on laptop would post link). Often you'll see the flight crossing Australia then across the sea to southern Indonesia before crossing the Bay of Bengal to southern tip of India then up to Dubai - most of the time fairly close to land. If you go via Singapore the sea crossings are similar - except the last one, but certainly you need to cross between AU and Indonesia and then across Bay of Bengal. if wanting to maximise over land routing - then going via Bangkok may be the best option, as it largely cuts out the Bay of Bengal crossing.

 

[Skyring]

Air travel nowadays is a lot safer and dependable than the early days:

[video=youtube;38N5OcZx3ko]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=38N5OcZx3ko[/video]

 

[dajop]

if worried about long stretches over water ... google flightaware and QFA 1 ,

Here is the route recently taken, contrast it to the PER-DXB flight shown under it, which is much more over the Indian ocean.

 

[futaris]

A lot of good info in this thread.

To the OP (Original Poster):

If you only in the stages of separation and divorce, do consult with a decent family law lawyer.

If there are children or finances/property involved, it would be a good idea.

For the mental stuff, a psychologist will also do wonders.

And in regards to the trip, DONEX is going to give the best bang for buck.

In relation to the trip and finances, "wastage" may come into play if it gets taken to court. Might affect your final settlement.

 

[Cruiserman]

Here is the route recently taken, contrast it to the PER-DXB flight shown under it, which is much more over the Indian ocean.

Thanks so much for that .....more comforting

Its a bit hard to reply to everyone but really appreciate all the fantastic advice and suggestions. Much more to think about now. Have to say the planning part is pretty exciting as well. Just browsing at places to stay in London and Paris.

Still looking at the airlines, will be doing a lot for travel from Sydney to Melbourne and thinking of the Qantas points but have not discounted other airlines.

 

[TomVexille]

Thanks so much for that .....more comforting

Its a bit hard to reply to everyone but really appreciate all the fantastic advice and suggestions. Much more to think about now. Have to saw the planning part is pretty exciting as well. Just browsing at places to stay in London and Paris.

Still looking at the airlines, will be doing a lot for travel from Sydney to Melbourne and thinking of the Qantas points but have not discounted other airlines.

Just remember that you can earn QF points on Oneworld airlines (QR, CX, ect).

 

[samh004]

I'm a bit late responding to this thread. But I too was daunted by a long flight to DXB, so for the same price (at time of booking) I chose to stop in SIN as well, connecting SIN-DXB on EK but with a QF-code. Haven't flown yet, but breaking the adventure up into 7-8 hour segments with a few hours at airports in between will probably feel better on my body. Will take slightly longer to travel, but not by a lot.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I'm a bit late responding to this thread. But I too was daunted by a long flight to DXB, so for the same price (at time of booking) I chose to stop in SIN as well, connecting SIN-DXB on EK but with a QF-code. Haven't flown yet, but breaking the adventure up into 7-8 hour segments with a few hours at airports in between will probably feel better on my body. Will take slightly longer to travel, but not by a lot.

Id recommend this for economy and premium economy... but for first/business I find the break in Singapore really mucks up sleeping time. With two short blocks of air time it can be hard to get good sleep.

 

[Magoo]

For your train travel in Europe, make friends with the Man in Seat 61: The Man in Seat Sixty-One - the train travel guide....

Don't consider a Eurail pass until you've looked at the options.

 

[Kangarucci]

Id recommend this for economy and premium economy... but for first/business I find the break in Singapore really mucks up sleeping time. With two short blocks of air time it can be hard to get good sleep.

We have hopped, skipped and jumped to Europe in Y, which has been much more 'enjoyable', (especially with back problems), and allowed us to spend overnight or so in places that may not be on our 'to do' list. In business, we prefer to fly long haul direct, especially if time is an issue.

 

[Rebekkap]

I just want to put a counter view to everyone who's saying Cathay, Singapore etc are better than Qantas. I've flown with both Cathay and Singapore in business over the last couple of years and disagree - give me Qantas every time. Friendlier service, plus I don't like the beds on Cathay/Singapore as much (particularly Singapore, I find them overly hard, to the point where as a side sleeper I wake up about every 45 minutes with an aching hip, and after a few hours both sides are so sore turning over ceases to make much difference).

Recently flew Qantas to Singapore then Finnair from Singapore to London (via Helsinki, where there's quite a nice lounge to shower and freshen up for arrival in London). Flight to Singapore was on the Qantas A330 with the new business suites, which are the best business class seat around IMO) and the Finnair flights were on their new A350s, which are a great plane. Added advantage of being considerably cheaper than Qantas all the way, and very good service on Finnair as well.

Highly recommend checking this option out. And definitely concur with others who say to avoid BA - their service is excruciatingly bad. I would only fly with them if someone was paying me to do so.

 

[bmam]

Skyring:

"At altitude in the cruise. it's not quite sleepytime on the flight deck, but nothing much is happening except that fuel and champagne are being consumed at steady rates."

LOL. I think I'd rephrase that, particularly the last part - I'm not too sure much champagne is being consumed on the flight deck!\

To the O/P:

When I fly to London, I always fly with QF to Singapore, overnight at the Crown Plaza within the airport complex (you will probably have to use the connecting train service but that's easy) and then breakfast in the Emirates lounge ready for a two hop stretch to London. It will be an A330 to Singapore but business class seating is great on those, I find. The Emirates legs (QF flight number) can be arranged on A380's for both or a Boeing 777 to Dubai and an A380 from there.

I have a problem with long hops so, for example, if I'm flying to/from the US, I break the journey in Honolulu. Don't be concerned about the water , the worst thing about it is the boredom if you enjoy looking out the window. However that can be the same with flying over land above cloud, not to mention the fixation some airlines have with closing the window shades as soon as possible. I've always found the service on QF and EK to be very good, but I'll admit Singapore airlines is also excellent. Also had very good service aboard Malaysian. It's been years since I flew on BA but I found it very comfortable then and I've never flown in business on Cathay so can't comment.

Have a great trip!

 

[Muriel]

Your questions are quite legitimate. First up, don't be afraid of a solo long-haul trip. Rather, look on it as an adventure. I travelled solo to Nepal to celebrate my 60th birthday but that's another story.
My husband and I have flown business class many times using Qantas points. As its often quite difficult to use your points on Qantas, a good alternative is to use their partner airlines. In our case, on one occasion, we flew Cathay to Hong Kong, had a 4 night stop over then British Airways to London. Both excellent flights - we are now 78 & 84 and still travelling! But to answer your questions:

1. Great decision to fly business class. You won't regret it. Make sure you join the FF club of whichever airline you use because you will earn points which will enable you to make a free - or almost free short flight. You will possibly have to pay the taxes only.
As mentioned above, we flew BA from Hong Kong to London arriving very early morning. We were thrilled to find that BA has AN ARRIVALS LOUNGE where we were able to relax before our onward flight to Edinburgh - Also using points. We had breakfast, a
massage & shower - all f.o.c. Caught our onward flight feeling relaxed and refreshed. Make sure that the airlines you fly belong to the same alliance: One World OR Star Alliance. You will earn more points that way. Some airlines offer FREE membership. For example, if you have a Woolworths reward card, I believe you can join Qantas FF club FREE. Look into that.

Although business class is a more comfortable way to travel, it is nice to break the journey - Hong Kong, Singapore wherever you choose. Spend a couple of days exploring somewhere else en route. Try not to worry about flying over water. We have a pilot in the
family and can assure you that pilots on reputable airlines are well trained for emergencies - which seldom arise. They too have families they want to return to!

2. If booking on line, you will need to buy your ticket before you can reserve a particular seat. Since it's your first time, you might feel more comfortable booking through the airline where you have a person to speak to about your concerns.

3. YES they take 2 crews. Believe it or not, they have sleeping/rest areas for crew aboard long haul flights.

We have flown several other airlines over the years - long and short haul, and never had a problem with the aircraft.