Feedback on Oslo - Sydney itinerary with 2- and 5-year-old

[Lost Redditor]

We're planning a trip to Norway with our kids for July-August next year and I'm looking for return flights, as we've already booked flights to BRU on SQ.
I have about 750,000 QF points and looking for ways to spend them that involves J seats on the longest leg.

The best option I've seen so far is this


We would go into London to catch up with friends during the 10 hour layover.

For the HKG-SYD we can choose CX or QF. QF is a bit cheaper in points and taxes ($900 lower fees total). I haven't flown CX economy class before, so I can't compare it to QF. Is it worth the extra cash?

Does this seem like a decent itinerary for traveling with 2 kids? I'm banking on everyone getting a bit of sleep on the BA flight and not spending a night in HKG, but I'm open to suggestions from anyone else who've made a similar journey with kids. Not totally against spending the night there.

 

[Lost Redditor]

Also, total fees and taxes for this is $3,900. It sure has gone up since I last redeemed for tickets to Europe

 

[elanshin]

For CX vs QF. I'd say its slightly better on CX but not for the difference in taxes and points especially across 4 tickets. Other thing to note is QF are flying a330 which is a 2-4-2 layout. That CX flight is a 3-3-3 layout. There are Aria 777s flying but I think that departs around 1am.

Also were you able to find 3-4 J seats on BA from LHR-HKG? I'd just lock that in and consider the other portions after.

 

[Lost Redditor]

For CX vs QF. I'd say its slightly better on CX but not for the difference in taxes and points especially across 4 tickets. Other thing to note is QF are flying a330 which is a 2-4-2 layout. That CX flight is a 3-3-3 layout. There are Aria 777s flying but I think that departs around 1am.

Also were you able to find 3-4 J seats on BA from LHR-HKG? I'd just lock that in and consider the other portions after.

I've been checking daily so they would only just have released them. I might just lock them in first on that advice

 

[elanshin]

I've been checking daily so they would only just have released them. I might just lock them in first on that advice

Possibly do it as OSL -LHR-HKG at minimum to avoid the APD departure tax. As for the transit in HKG, personally I did an overnight from AMS -HKG - MEL as a day flight. Still felt pretty tired about a day later.

I think you just have to accept that unless you stay in HK (or nearby) a couple of nights, everyone is going to be a bit groggy for a few couple of days upon returning.

 

[Scr77]

Have you searched via Colombo? Sri Lankan fly from LHR, CDG and FRA. They’ve had reasonable availability lately from FRA to Melbourne.

 

[Lost Redditor]

Booked

Have you searched via Colombo? Sri Lankan fly from LHR and FRA. They’ve had good availability lately.

I did but the ones I found were limited to 2 seats per flight.

Possibly do it as OSL -LHR-HKG at minimum to avoid the APD departure tax. As for the transit in HKG, personally I did an overnight from AMS -HKG - MEL as a day flight. Still felt pretty tired about a day later.

I think you just have to accept that unless you stay in HK (or nearby) a couple of nights, everyone is going to be a bit groggy for a few couple of days upon returning.

The LHR departure tax is steep, indeed.



I've booked OSL-LHR-HKG now so that gives us some freedom is choosing return flights. There's also Hong Kong Airlines which I've never flown. Could also hop over to Singapore and fly SQ PE home, fully depleting my velocity points as well.

 

[Quickstatus]

Impossible to say WRT to how LR2 and LR5 will travel

Some say just do the whole trip as fast as possible

Me thinks stop over in HKG for a few days and maybe do HK Disney. July/Aug will be very hot and humid.