Europe to Melbourne

[nfpguare]

Hi friends,

I am going down under for the firrst time and for such a long flight I would like to get the best option possible.

According to the price, I have two main options. Qantas via London and Emirates via Frankfurt (also Thai is available from Frankfurt).

The main differences are the stopover (Dubai vs. Bangkok vs. Hong Kong) and the timetable, departing from London at noon, arriving at evening or departing from farankfurt at night and arriving at 5 AM.

Which should be the better option? as I have only up to friday to choose.

Thanks

 

[Blue Peter]

Hi. You don't say from where you are starting your journey and ease of access to the airport of origin is a factor. However, for my money, 1 night in transit is better than 2, so the noon departure ex LHR wins hands down, but that assumes you do not have a connecting flight into LHR. If you do, the evening departure may be better.
You may prefer to arrive in MEL and go to bed, ready for the next day, rather than struggle through your first day after an early am arrival.
Of course, if you're in the big seats, this may not bother you so much

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

Welcome to AFF nfpguare

I'd also want more info, eg class of cabin, in the EK option can you take DXB-MEL nonstop flight or are you limited to flying via southeast asia (adds another stop at a horrid time), where are you originating from (somewhere in France?) (some London transits can be horrid), do you have any status benefits that will make the trip more pleasant, etc.

 

[Evan]

Economy/business/first ?

I will assume ecconomy since if you were flying J the emirates options is probably half the price and so an easy decision (or atleast it was about half the price a couple of weeks ago when the inlaws booked, but in the end i think they are flying gulf)

Don't like Thai that much, better if you get a new plane though.
Never flown air france long haul in europe fine, or emirates at all.

So given the times and the stopovers i would choose QF, not to mention you may even find it on the the cheapest in whY.

QF is also available to/from Frankfurt via Singapore, been on that flight myself a couple of time.

Evan

 

[serfty]

Certainly need more information such as airline status (if any), budget, time frame, stopover needs etc.

 

[nfpguare]

Firstly, many thanks for your help, I will try to give you more details.

I am flying economy (and if it'd be possible to fly under-economy, I'd do).

I am flying from Basque Country and connections are not the problem, as I have enough flights per day to allow a reasonable connection time for the first leg.

Also frequentflyer schedule is not a problem, I usually fly to south america and I have almost all the programas available (I know that this is not the best idea, but sometimes I have no choice).

Cost is not the problem, all the options anre very close (in the expensive side).

So the choice should be according to maybe weird details as iPod charger, free beer, or so on.

I have 2 choices as the most interesting ones:

Option 1

London 12:20 Hong Kong Melbourne 20:05

MEL - HKK - LON (23:00 - 13:20)

Option 2

Frankfurt Dubai Melbourne (22:20 - 0640 - 5:30 )

MEL - Dubai - FRA (21:30 - 5:40 - 13:15)

Thanks for your help

 

[Evan]

I agree completely, i would never fly an airline that didn't offer free beer and drinks ! Can't do without my HP's or similar
E

 

[nfpguare]

Sure, my best flight to South America hasn't been a brand new Air France 777 with IFE, or a clean Iberia A340, but a pre-WWII 747 from Aerolineas Argentinas with a Barstool in the middle of the cabin with free access to the fridge...