Mr_Gimlet said:
Thanks for that guys - looking at the timetable it is pretty clear which ones go via Brissy on the way out and back.
Yep - I did the same thing. Having selected a non-stop flight, Qantas chose to amend the schedule and go via Brisbane anyway.
Outbound flight is not too bad. You have to waste an hour and a bit in Brisbane airport late afternoon / early evening. You can get a beer or coffee, you can browse in the shops.
The return flight goes overnight - you arrive into Brisbane early morning. If you have been struggling to get some sleep the cabin lights come on just as you are getting some benefit. Brisbane is deserted, there are no other passengers. You are dog tired, everything (bar Downtown Duty Free) is shut - you can't get a coffee, there are no bookshops to browse. All the time you are aware that you are basically within spitting distance of your final destination.
In selecting a long haul flight I focus on comfort and convenience. A direct, non-stop flight is usually the best option, failing that I look at departure times, layovers, and flight duration on each leg. Any flight that enforces a stop one hours flight time from my final destination is a poor option. I've got to admit I don't tend to get too deeply involved in the pedantics of whether the flight number changes, whether my seat number changes. the technicalities of 'direct' versus 'non-stop', I'm pretty much focused on getting comfy in my seat, getting a glass of Shiraz and getting stuck into a book -hopefully having a chance at some sleep when the wine kicks in.