Sydney to Durham (US)

[hedge]

So my brother got into duke university and thus we (my family) will be flying there every 6 months or so. Anyone got any ideas on the best ways to reach there, avoiding United/AA ? My mum is not keen on them at all unfortunately...

My brother worked out he can fly to Canada then take Jazz to NY and then a quick regional carrier to Durham?

 

[Blackadder]

So my brother got into duke university and thus we (my family) will be flying there every 6 months or so. Anyone got any ideas on the best ways to reach there, avoiding United/AA ? My mum is not keen on them at all unfortunately...

My brother worked out he can fly to Canada then take Jazz to NY and then a quick regional carrier to Durham?

Could look at Delta,Continental,South West or Jet Blue if they have routings to Durham

 

[Mal]

Anyone got any ideas on the best ways to reach there, avoiding United/AA ? My mum is not keen on them at all unfortunately...

Perhaps V Australia and then Delta to RDU.

 

[drron]

When our son was in the states we always flew JAL BNE-NRT-JFK.They often have good partner deals(or did prior to their woes).

 

[Maca44]

I have had several friends flying to the USA on V Australia and have heard nothing but good reports about them, and then connecting with V America

 

[ozbeachbabe]

Delta fly LAX/RDU so I would ask DL what the cheapest fare is SYD/RDU/SYD vs SYD/LAX/SYD, compare the difference then find out via www.delta.com the cheapest fare options LAX/RDU/LAX.

Southwest also fly LAX/RDU a "direct" flight - in this case one flight number but with a transit in PHX.

I find within the US, non-stop flights can cost a lot more than going via a hub city but if you go direct to the airline website it will give you the price comparisons between non-stops and via flights.

If trying to avoid AA & UA also consider LAX/RDU on DL via ATL OR CVG/US via CLT or CO via IAH.

What dates are you looking at?

Cheers

Oz

 

[BOZZ]

my wife studied at UNC. She used to get QF ticket to LAX and then use US Airways on LAX - Charlotte - Durham. She was pretty happy with US Airways

 

[NM]

I expect you can find a better routing than my one and only flight into RDU. Twas the week after the Sydney Olympics and there was not a seat to be had west-bound from Australia. So had to route BNE-SYD-SIN-FRA-LGW-RDU. That did involve AA for the LGW-RDU leg, so does not fit your desires.

However, if planning multiple trips it may be worthwhile considering an ATW option or nesting trips.

 

[sr81]

GO Wolfpack! Seriously, your brother will have bundles of fun at Duke. Serious party school and Carolina women are just smashing. I went study abroad at NC State (Raliegh) and have nothing but good things to say about the Carolina's. As for flights - that question has been answered but plenty of my friends you are still living there get around with Southwest or Delta. AA isn't to bad and has plenty of frequency. In fact the best way is still SYD-LAX-JFK-RDU though I think Delta now has SYD-LAX-ATL-RDU. So you can still get through pretty quickly. I have also gone MEL-HKG-JFK-RDU. I like this way as it was easier on the body clock and avoids LAX.

 

[hedge]

Thanks for all the help and sorry it was in vain as he has decided to go to princeton At least getting there is much easier.

edit: Ive just looked at a one way from SYD to Newark and its over $2200 one way? (im using the qantas website)

 

[notzac]

Thanks for all the help and sorry it was in vain as he has decided to go to princeton At least getting there is much easier.

edit: Ive just looked at a one way from SYD to Newark and its over $2200 one way? (im using the qantas website)

One way flights always cost ridiculous $$. You can buy a return SYD-EWR for about $1800 - then once there, call QF and tell them you can't make the return flight for some reason ... who knows, you might even get a partial credit to use on a future flight?

EDIT: Actually, you can do much the same thing on a VA/VX combo fare for about $1300.

 

[hedge]

Thanks notzac. He's actually now decided for duke and has sent the forms so I guess he is going there now.

The cheapest tickets we got for august was on v australia for $1400 one way for my brother (student) and $1600 for my mother (not a student).