Taking Dad to DUB in J

[ChasingDaylight]

Hi AFF'ers,

Courtesy of AA points, I'm taking my aging father to Ireland in November in J. He's 68, and has arthritis in one knee.

As he is in WLG I am proposing to travel there from DRW and fly out with him all the way.

At this point our itinerary will probably be WLG -> MEL, and they stay overnight in Melbourne somewhere.
Then, being the MEL -> DXB -> LHR -> DUB (all largely being whoa to go, with MEL to LHR being on QF9 - A380) leg, going from one plane to another.

I've got special assistance ticked to help Dad getting to and from the gates - whilst WLG ought not to present any problem, MEL / DXB / LHR may be another story.

He is sorting travel insurance for himself, and will get some compression socks for his legs. Given we are in J, the food should be edible, and we will have lounge access (though I ought to be QF SG by that time) for showers etc.

-Any alternative interaries? - The above is just what the AA booking engine spits out.
-Is there anything extra I should consider/take for my father?
-What seats would be reccomended for us? I'd prefer semi-close to toilets so he doesn't have to hobble far.

 

[Pushka]

Um. Great that you are taking your 68 year old dad for this experience. But I don't consider 68 to be ageing. . At that age I'd expect to be able to travel as well as a younger person unless I had significant medical issues. Age alone is not one of them.

 

[The Rok]

Why the hassle of LHR? If departing Melbourne then I would look at either:

QF/EK Codeshare MEL-DXB-DUB

OR

VA/EY Codeshare MEL-AUH-DUB

Either way avoiding LHR. Both Emirates and Etihad fly into the newer T2 @ Dublin. Etihad have their own J/F Lounge there which is quite nice while Emirates use the DAA shared lounge which is also not bad.

 

[ChasingDaylight]

Why the hassle of LHR?

That's what the AAdvantage booking engine spits out at me. DXB - DUB Would be easier, but given it's an award flight I have to take what's on offer.

 

[MYT105]

Using AA miles I don;t think there will be an option to go from DXB to DUB without going via LHR.

Having a quick look at AA for redemptions I would suggest you have better options in and out of SYD, as most of the MEL options rerouted to SYD anyway, and most options ended up going via SIN.

 

[ChasingDaylight]

Using AA miles I don;t think there will be an option to go from DXB to DUB without going via LHR.

Having a quick look at AA for resumptions I would suggest you have better options in and out of SYD, as most of the MEL options rerouted to SYD anyway, and most options ended up going via SIN.

Correct in the first instance

I do have a MEL -> DXB -> LHR option ex MEL with QF9, which is what I have a hold on at the moment, just haven't hit purchase yet (gathering feedback!).

 

[MYT105]

I did only have a quick look, and didn't see any via DXB. Also avoiding a MEL - SYD domestic leg will mean you avoid the terminal change in SYD, which involves a bus or train ride, so easier on you both.

 

[Major]

Um. Great that you are taking your 68 year old dad for this experience. But I don't consider 68 to be ageing. . At that age I'd expect to be able to travel as well as a younger person unless I had significant medical issues. Age alone is not one of them.

Quite right...I do travel as well