Vietnam Airlines and Singapore Airlines both have some excellent round-trip Premium Economy fares available now for travel from Sydney and Melbourne to Europe, starting from as low as $1,828 return. Singapore Airlines also has some stellar Premium Economy sale fares available now from Melbourne and Sydney to New York.

Both are full-service airlines. The main catch is that the Vietnam Airlines flights require a long layover in either Ho Chi Minh City or Hanoi on the return journey back to Australia. However, you could make the most of this by stopping over in Vietnam for a few days (or even weeks) for just an extra $10.

The Singapore Airlines sale fares have generally short connection times of a few hours in Singapore.

Vietnam Airlines Premium Economy fares to Europe

The cheapest Vietnam Airlines fare that we found is from Sydney to Frankfurt:

This itinerary offers a short 150-minute connection time in Hanoi on the outbound journey to Frankfurt, but does unfortunately include a long daytime layover in Ho Chi Minh City on the return leg – as all of the Vietnam Airlines itineraries from Europe to Australia do. You would need to stay in the international transit area of the airport during this time unless you applied for a visa to enter Vietnam.

The redeeming factor here is the price. This price is similar to the Economy airfares charged by many other full-service airlines between Australia and Europe. For example, Qantas Economy airfares from Sydney to London and Rome start from $1,844 round-trip.

Vietnam Airlines offers Premium Economy on its Boeing 787 in a 2-3-2 layout and Airbus A350 in a 2-4-2 layout. The seats are wider and have more legroom than Economy Class, and passengers receive amenity kits, better food & drinks, as well as priority check-in.

The SkyTeam member also has similar airfares from Melbourne and Sydney to Frankfurt, Paris and London.

A flight from Sydney to London would cost around $2,166 return in Vietnam Airlines Premium Economy.

These prices are available, subject to “U” class availability, for departure dates after 1 October 2022 – excluding dates between 8 December and 15 January. There is no published end date for these fares and you can book on the Vietnam Airlines website (where the prices might be quoted in Vietnamese Dong) or with a travel agent.

You can discuss this deal on the Australian Frequent Flyer forum: Vietnam Airlines: SYD/MEL-CDG/FRA from AUD 1940 (Prem Eco)

Singapore Airlines early bird sale

Singapore Airlines has also recently launched an early bird sale from Australia to Asia, Europe and the United States for travel in 2023. Discounted Economy and Business fares are available from all Australian cities served by Singapore Airlines, while the Premium Economy deals are offered from Sydney and Melbourne.

Here’s one example from Melbourne to Amsterdam:

Other Premium Economy sale fares include Sydney-Barcelona from $2,753, Melbourne-Milan from $2,836 and Sydney-Rome from $2,863 round-trip.

Flights from Melbourne to San Francisco, Seattle, Los Angeles or New York in Singapore Airlines Premium Economy are also under $3,000 return.

These deals are available when booking by 30 September 2022, for travel between 22 January and 5 September 2023. Free stopovers are permitted in Singapore.

See the Singapore Airlines website for a full list of special airfares. You can also book on the Singapore Airlines website.

Join the discussion on the Australian Frequent Flyer forum: Singapore Airlines early bird sale – book by 30/9/22

Matt Graham

The editor of Australian Frequent Flyer, Matt's passion for travel has taken him to over 90 countries… with the help of frequent flyer points, of course!
Matt's favourite destinations (so far) are Germany, Brazil & Kazakhstan. His interests include aviation, economics & foreign languages, and he has a soft spot for good food and red wine.

You can connect with Matt by posting on the Australian Frequent Flyer community forum and tagging @AFF Editor.