PFO-SYD Cheap Business Class options

[simongr]

Hi all
Just a quick one. My parents are planning to come and visit Oz from Cyprus (PFO or Larnaca) next January (Mid-Jan) and staying for two months. Any ideas of a cheaper business class option? They have been quoted 4,000 sterling for business class. Mum has a bit/lot of arthritis so J class would be great. Just wondering if there is a smart option out there...
Cheers
S

 

[NM]

QF and BA are going to be at the more expensive end of business class fares. BA WT+ is a great option for the cost-conscious who want more leg room and recline and are happy with economy meals.

Some cheaper business class options if they can add on econnecting flights to the major European hubs include Malaysian Airlines (MH), Emirates (EK), Virgin Atlantic (VS), and even NZ (soon to start services LHR-HKG-AKL as well as their old routing via LAX).

For QF, you should check prices from FRA as they are often cheaper than via LHR.

 

[garyjohn951]

Thai and Malaysia have 2 for 1 deals at different times of the year, worth looking at.

 

[serfty]

You could try this tool: ITA Flght/Price search

It shows flights for almost all carriers with connections and the pricing. You can't book using this tool but you can print out a sheet to give to your TA. Most TA should be able to proceed with the printout.

 

[simongr]

Thanks for this - I am just checking now - it seems though that the price is as expected

 

[JohnK]

....My parents are planning to come and visit Oz from Cyprus (PFO or Larnaca) next January (Mid-Jan) and staying for two months. Any ideas of a cheaper business class option? They have been quoted 4,000 sterling for business class. Mum has a bit/lot of arthritis so J class would be great. Just wondering if there is a smart option out there...

Quote of 4,000 sterling is ~A$9,830.

How you tried Gulf Air? A return business class trip (C class) on GF for 2 people ATH-SYD (departing 16/01/07 and returning 27/03/07) is ~4,285 Euro or ~A$6,370. Add on cost of return airfare from PFO-ATH or LCA-ATH on Olympic or similar and the total cost should still be <A$7,000. This airfare is from GF website so you may be able to better through travel agent.

Your father can join the Olympic Icarus FFP for free and since your mother is travelling on the same flights with him the FF points can be accumulated in his account. Olympic calls this a "family account".

 

[clifford]

For what it's worth, just checked fares via TIP.

Emirates has a C class fare to SYD at USD 2485 (including taxes), quoted by Zuji today. Air Malta has a round-trip fare incl taxes LCA-MLA-TIP at USD 620. Thus the total fare via TIP would be USD 3105, or approx AUD 4100.

I know it sounds like a great big hassle and I don't know what the current visa situation is re Libya (not Axis of Evil anymore), but it is certainly quite cheap.

Probably not suitable for your parents, I guess...

 

[simongr]

Thanks again for the info. This is all really useful One thing though i sthat Gulf Air is out of the question - flown it and never to be flown again :shock: