which way home from USA

[diningdecadence]

looking to come back to SYD from the USA... ignoring the direct options, there is the potential to come through asia, or via russia/ europe and then asia. perhaps surprisingly the total duration is within a couple of hours difference.

with that in mind, and given price is the same, which way would you choose? is there a direction where jetlag is meant to be less intrusive upon return?

 

[Hvr]

I guess for me the question would be what airlines? I once flew CBR-MEL in Y (QF)-SIN in J (JQ)-HKG-YVR-JFK in F (CX).

Was well worth it to get there a different way and in comfort. As long as you enjoy it then go for it.

 

[diningdecadence]

it's all singapore airlines as trying to use lifemiles on asiana didn't work out.

LAX-NRT-SIN-SYD
SFO-HKG-SIN-SYD
JFK-FRA-SIN-SYD
IAH-DME-SIN-SYD
(EWR-SIN-SYD not available)

had a quick search on FT and it seems like the novelty value of DME probably isn't worth the hassle, however am indifferent about FRA or asia. personally would be ideal to be on an A380, but would be more than happy on a 777.

and yes prepared to double the flight time of a QF Y direct given it will be J comfort!

 

[erkpod]

I'm coming back LAX - NRT - SIN - SYD with a week both in Japan & Singapore. I'm flying SQ on the A380. On the forward trip, I'm going SYD - LAX on VA.

For the time of travel (leave SYD 1/1/14) , it was cheaper at the time of booking to do it that way with a VA/SQ Circle Pacific fare compared to SYD - LAX - SYD on VA in so called discount Y.

 

[ozbeachbabe]

looking to come back to SYD from the USA... ignoring the direct options, there is the potential to come through asia, or via russia/ europe and then asia. perhaps surprisingly the total duration is within a couple of hours difference.

with that in mind, and given price is the same, which way would you choose? is there a direction where jetlag is meant to be less intrusive upon return?

How are you getting from Australia to the USA & have you already booked those tickets? Would it not be more cost effective to book it all as a round trip or return?

What's the driving factor for the return flight? Are you looking for the cheapest fare so earning points not really a priority or are you trying to keep flights within OW or *A for points & SC accrual.

I've often come back from a trip to the USA ex HNL after a couple of nights there as I find that taking a day flight is less tiring that trying to sleep on an overnight flight as you would if flying ex Australia to HNL. Within HNL being 20 hours behind Australia the times are similar so when it's evening in Australia it's slightly later in the evening in HNL. I've never had any trouble going to sleep or waking up the next day.

One thing to bear in mind is if you come back via Asia it may involve two overnight flights USA to Asia & Asia to Australia. I think it would only be worth only returning via Asia if you were plannin to overnight in one of those cities.

 

[diningdecadence]

How are you getting from Australia to the USA & have you already booked those tickets? Would it not be more cost effective to book it all as a round trip or return?

What's the driving factor for the return flight? Are you looking for the cheapest fare so earning points not really a priority or are you trying to keep flights within OW or *A for points & SC accrual.

...

One thing to bear in mind is if you come back via Asia it may involve two overnight flights USA to Asia & Asia to Australia. I think it would only be worth only returning via Asia if you were plannin to overnight in one of those cities.

plenty of considerations there!

the oz-usa flight is the 2nd half of a previously booked return flight ex-usa. usually we'd just set up another return ex-usa but prices are significantly higher than last time. (e.g. got a fare for $1200 rtn last year, vs $2300 at present)

not fussed about SC accrual as neither of us will hit the thresholds this year and while points would be nice, they're not essential given offers to buy cheap-ish points left right and centre.

in the end we have booked a SQ standard J redemption from IAH-SYD via DME and SIN. flying time about doubles from a direct flight, however we're both young-ish and are hoping the stories about russian security during transfer are exaggerated. a flat bed and space to stretch out will make it worthwhile (at least that's what we've told ourselves!)

will try to take a few pics and do a TR on our return.