Hello from a lurker from years ago...

[EmmaPeel007]

Hi All! Long time lurker, first time poster...

While I don't qualify as a FF, I will be visiting Melbourne in April to see my best friend now that they'll let the likes of me into the country after February 21st.

In 2018 I flew Virgin Australia nonstop and nabbed an Economy X seat. It hit the sweet spot for price, a bit of comfort, and I could get a seat against a divider so I could lean back at any time without being a jerk to the person behind me. However with all of the changes in the past couple years I'm doing as much research as possible to try and find a fare that I can swing that's not purely economy but also doesn't take me over 19 hours of travel. So far only Qantas are flying direct but their premium economy is too pricey. I see that Delta has Comfort+ if I stopover in Sydney. If anyone has any suggestions or info on additional nonstop flights that might be starting up again it would be truly appreciated!

 

[Steady]

A belated "Welcome aboard" @EmmaPeel007

You don't mention your departure point above

 

[Dr Ralph]

Welcome to AFF.

As this is a welcome thread, using the relevant threads will get you better responses to your question.

 

[Hvr]

Welcome back @EmmaPeel007 you need to learn how to spell Qantas. Or the Avengers will be after you.

 

[EmmaPeel007]

A belated "Welcome aboard" @EmmaPeel007

You don't mention your departure point ab

A belated "Welcome aboard" @EmmaPeel007

You don't mention your departure point above

Ah! That would be helpful! Leaving from Los Angeles.

Post automatically merged: Feb 8, 2022

Welcome back @EmmaPeel007 you need to learn how to spell Qantas. Or the Avengers will be after you.

While I may be a Talented Amateur the emphasis is truly on "Amateur". Fixed

 

[EmmaPeel007]

Welcome to AFF.

As this is a welcome thread, using the relevant threads will get you better responses to your question.

Thanks! Not sure where something like this will fit in, but I'll keep combing the forums and chime in where I hope it's relevant.

 

[Mwenenzi]

Welcome back (to AFF and Oz)
UA AA DL HA & QF are flying USA<--->AU. But some are not every day. And Air NZ (via AKL) & FJ (via NAN).
Most are LAX-SYD but hopefully more routes will now start
Air NZ would be LAX-AKL-MEL compared to LAX-SYD-MEL with some others (so still a transit). Airside AKL transit is better than Inter to Dom SYD transit.
In 2018 Virgin Au VA would have been a DL partner. Now VA is/will be a UA ffp. VA are not flying long haul: had major financial issues. so taken over.

 

[EmmaPeel007]

Welcome back (to AFF and Oz)
UA AA DL HA & QF are flying USA<--->AU. But some are not every day. And Air NZ (via AKL) & FJ (via NAN).
Most are LAX-SYD but hopefully more routes will now start
Air NZ would be LAX-AKL-MEL compared to LAX-SYD-MEL with some others (so still a transit). Airside AKL transit is better than Inter to Dom SYD transit.
In 2018 Virgin Au VA would have been a DL partner. Now VA is/will be a UA ffp. VA are not flying long haul: had major financial issues. so taken over.

Wow - thanks so much for all this info! So even though ANZ would be 3-5 hour longer travel time would you recommend I do that if I get a good deal on a Premium Econ seat? Right now I'm looking at QF nonstop Economy for USD $1,667 and ANZ PE is currently USD $2,915 which is still a bit out of my range.

 

[Mwenenzi]

A non LAX-MEL would be best but if transiting SYD/AKL would not be a lot of difference.
The actual departure time and arrival time then comes into play (for me at least)
But $1248 QF Y to NZ PE is too much. With QF you can buy an exit row seat ($180? not sure of price), but still not as good as real PE

With AU just announced to be open will be many looking for seats:- that may push the prices up (for the short term?)
Around Easter Friday 15 April ~ Easter Monday 18 April) will be a busy travel time

School term dates | australia.gov.au

Entry point for all Australian Commonwealth Government authorised information and services.

info.australia.gov.au

 

[EmmaPeel007]

A non LAX-MEL would be best but if transiting SYD/AKL would not be a lot of difference.
The actual departure time and arrival time then comes into play (for me at least)
But $1248 QF Y to NZ PE is too much. With QF you can buy an exit row seat ($180? not sure of price), but still not as good as real PE

With AU just announced to be open will be many looking for seats:- that may push the prices up (for the short term?)
Around Easter Friday 15 April ~ Easter Monday 18 April) will be a busy travel time

School term dates | australia.gov.au

Entry point for all Australian Commonwealth Government authorised information and services.

info.australia.gov.au

A non LAX-MEL would be best but if transiting SYD/AKL would not be a lot of difference.
The actual departure time and arrival time then comes into play (for me at least)
But $1248 QF Y to NZ PE is too much. With QF you can buy an exit row seat ($180? not sure of price), but still not as good as real PE

With AU just announced to be open will be many looking for seats:- that may push the prices up (for the short term?)
Around Easter Friday 15 April ~ Easter Monday 18 April) will be a busy travel time

School term dates | australia.gov.au

Entry point for all Australian Commonwealth Government authorised information and services.

info.australia.gov.au

Thanks for the info on the long Easter holiday! I'll look to shift my dates a bit. I'd rather travel non econ on an empty plane

 

[Mwenenzi]

Thanks for the info on the long Easter holiday! I'll look to shift my dates a bit. I'd rather travel non econ on an empty plane

Look the school terms. With little travel in ~2 years some (familes) will up for a trip to Disney Land - what ever.