Help required SYD to the UK

[Maca44]

In June 2010 my brother wanted to take his son around the world in Y, but now the 27 year old son bludger who has been on social service benefits since leaving school doesn't want to go (good result all round), so my brother want to visit friends in the UK and is also considering looking around Ireland etc and due to the above circumstances can now travel in PE class.

He resides in Newcastle and their is a travel expo there this Wednesday. He has searched Flight Centre and they have flights in PE on JAL "FROM" $2950 (Ref: EKEBEAU, EKEBEAU); as follows. I have advised him to be very skeptical about FC, and was looking for any advice for PE flights. He does not have any ff points in any program so the carrier does not matter. JAL has apparently only started PE recently, but when considering the difference in costs QF is way out of the picture. Your thoughts and advice please, as I haven't been to Europe for at least 10 years.

Sydney to London return

Japan Airlines Reference Nos. EKEBEAU, EKEBEAU
from $2385.00 + taxes from $565.80 total from $2950.80

British Airways Reference Nos. THEB10, THEB10
from $3941.00 + taxes from $521.30 total from $4462.30

QANTAS Reference Nos. THPX1Y, THPX1Y
from $4672.52 + taxes from $546.30 total from $5218.82

 

[wandering_fred]

Find a cheap seat BNE-HKG then take QF PE HKG-LHR-HKG

Alternatively use SIN (more expensive)
I haven't priced BKK lately.

Happy wandering

Fred

 

[trooper]

Good idea...

You can fly return BNE-HKG on SQ for around $1100 (pretty decent in Y) then pick up either a BA/QF or NZ - HKG-LHR vv in Y+ for $2100-2200-ish respectively...

Given JAL's apparent financial difficulties I'm not sure about them anyway!

 

[newformula]

I'm booked on SYD-NRT-LHR return on JAL in PE in July - total cost 3300 inc. taxes. It wouldn't surprise me if it was cheaper departing from the UK. Seems like a decent deal.

 

[Travel Guru]

I wouldnt have any concerns flying with JAL myself, and if you take out appropriate travel insurance, one with insolvency coverage, if the worst happens you'll be covered (I know Covermore offers insolvency, not sure on other insurers).

I only had a quick glimpse at the PE product as I was travelling JAL in J in Sept, but it looked okay, just really extra legroom, didnt seem any different aside from that.

If he can stretch it, why not consider JAL in Business Class, for just over 5k, it'll be alot more comfortable and some of the best service i've ever experienced.

I certainly wouldnt be paying extra for BA Y+, their product and service is very average. (You couldnt pay me enough to fly BA in Y or Y+)

TG

 

[newformula]

I certainly wouldnt be paying extra for BA Y+, their product and service is very average. (You couldnt pay me enough to fly BA in Y or Y+)

+1. LHR-SYD in Y earlier this month was pretty bad. Trip report coming soon by the way. Y+ didn't look much better than Y to be honest when walking through.

 

[Mal]

You can fly return BNE-HKG on SQ for around $1100 (pretty decent in Y) then pick up either a BA/QF or NZ - HKG-LHR vv in Y+ for $2100-2200-ish respectively...

Qantas (at least) does occasionally have specials down to about $1500-$1600. A great deal ! The last one finished a few weeks ago, but there is likely to be another one soon.

 

[Maca44]

Just an update, my brother booked his return flights through Flight Centre in PE with JAL from SYD-NRT (cost of overnight accommodation included) then NRT-LHR for $2978.00. I don't forsee any problem with JAL, even given their present financial situation, and they have only just started the PE service, but it is a good price.

 

[Worldtraveller8888]

I certainly wouldnt be paying extra for BA Y+, their product and service is very average.

Ditto. Flew their Y+ from Toronto to London last year. It's just Y service and meals with slightly more leg room. Very average indeed.

WT

 

[dajop]

I I only had a quick glimpse at the PE product as I was travelling JAL in J in Sept, but it looked okay, just really extra legroom, didnt seem any different aside from that.

Travelled on PE on JAL in July (opup from Y) , was quite comfortable, probably more than NZ's 777 PE product (my only point of reference). Catering was still economy (compared to NZ where full J catering is offered).

$3K is good value, IMHO.

Did include picture of JL PE seat in my trip report here. (which never did get round to cut and pasting the rest of the report .. must do that one day)

 

[Isabel]

Re insurance to cover insolvency: it won't work for bookings made with JAL. I've been checking insurance out, including with Covermore , and if there was ANY indication at the time of the booking that the 'travel provider' was heading for insolvency then you would not be covered by insurance. And there's been talk about JAL for quite a while.