Cheap flights coming? - China’s back

[moa999]

With Juneyao starting up (who I understand are more towards the LCC end), probably QF cut and run at the right time.

 

[RSD]

China just dropped Visa fees for <15 day visits. It is on my bucket list, and I would be happy to go on a purchased organized deal, given I hear the airports are chaotic with sudden gate changes between ends.

Yes there were lots of departing flights changing gates when I was flying through a couple of the airports - it seemed like every couple of minutes another flight was changing gates - fortunately mine didn't. To be fair though when I landed in Melbourne on QF30 on Sunday morning it was a 20-30 wait before there was a gate for us.

 

[JohnK]

I received an email from Flybuys today regarding Singapore Airlines early bird sale to Europe from mid-January 2025 until mid-September 2025.

From $2110pp.

Seriously? Is this an early bird sale? I thought airfares were coming down.

 

[Saab34]

I received an email from Flybuys today regarding Singapore Airlines early bird sale to Europe from mid-January 2025 until mid-September 2025.

From $2110pp.

Seriously? Is this an early bird sale? I thought airfares were coming down.

I just got a Flight Centre email advertising Etihad to Europe for $1250, UK is $1400.

Tell SQ their dreaming.

 

[AIRwin]

I received an email from Flybuys today regarding Singapore Airlines early bird sale to Europe from mid-January 2025 until mid-September 2025.

From $2110pp.

Seriously? Is this an early bird sale? I thought airfares were coming down.

The website is showing under $2k:

https://www.singaporeair.com/en_UK/au/plan-travel/local-promotions/australia/early-bird-fares/

 

[JohnK]

The website is showing under $2k:

So Flybuys taking a huge cut? From $2110pp or 422,000 Flybuys points.

Seriously taking the p!ss.

 

[Cloud9]

Seriously taking the p!ss.

You, perhaps, expected something different of Coles?

 

[05flyer]

I received an email from Flybuys today regarding Singapore Airlines early bird sale to Europe from mid-January 2025 until mid-September 2025.

From $2110pp.

Seriously? Is this an early bird sale? I thought airfares were coming down.

Had a laugh at a similar email from Qatar yesterday - "celebrating 15 years of service in Australia" with "special offers to London starting from $1,839 return in Economy Class"

To give QR credit, they do actually have some pretty competitively priced Europe return fares that I've seen for early next year (around $1400 in Feb). But LHR return for $1,839 (as an advertised 'special' price!!!) doesn't actually seem all that special, given what Etihad, Singapore, and the Chinese airlines have been offering recently.

 

[offshore171]

Europe for $1250, UK is $1400.

“For” or “from” $1250?

 

[JohnK]

You, perhaps, expected something different of Coles?

For advertising flights? Yes.

 

[AIRwin]

ZH launching MEL:

Shenzhen Airlines Schedules Melbourne late-Dec 2025 Launch — AeroRoutes

Published at 0200PDT / 0900GMT 08AUG25 Shenzhen Airlines in late-December 2025 plans to launch service to Australia, as the airline opened bookings for Shenzhen – Melbourne route via its Mainland China website. The airline plans to operate this route 3 times weekly with Airbus A330-300, effectiv

www.aeroroutes.com

 

[markis10]

Red eye both ways, no thanks. Did a domestic leg with them last year ex PVG which was good, but not a fan of overnight flights.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Red eye both ways, no thanks. Did a domestic leg with them last year ex PVG which was good, but not a fan of overnight flights.

Indeed. But brings some much needed star alliance capacity AU-China… only air china ATM and very limited at that.

 

[drcam]

Air China are the nut low in my experience.
But I have not tried their business class. $5 wine?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Air China are the nut low in my experience.
But I have not tried their business class. $5 wine?

I don’t think any chinese carrier is going to win awards in economy… except maybe for juneyao airlines, which is sort of private.

I’ve flown Air China’s business class long haul many times, but on the a330 with the full-forward facing seats. They were very comfortable, although lacked privacy. Catering is not the strong point, but the champagne was cold! No a fan of the business class double seats angled in pairs, with tiny footwells. But that equally applies to all airlines with those seats (the ones same ones in this review of royal jordanian Royal Jordanian Boeing 787 Business Class Review)

 

[jase05]

Air China are the nut low in my experience.

Yeah, by far the worst in long haul J in my experience. With plenty of other good and decent direct options from Australia to China I’m happy to steer clear of them