MEL > SYD - better to fly on 24 or 25 Dec?

[Pollywaffle]

Hello all.

I've never flown around Christmas time and I imagine it's nuts.

I will be in Melbourne for work and can return to Sydney either the evening of 24 Dec or morning/lunch of 25 Dec.

Is one time busier than the other?

I assume that the 24th will be bedlam but wanted to check with the experts.

Thanks in advance, pw.

 

[pauly7]

24th definitely busier! That and Easter would be the 2 busier days of the year.

25th is a cake walk.

I have flown both.

I actually love the airports at Xmas, the business, everyone traveling to be with family, presents etc.

 

[Must...Fly!]

Flew PER-DRW on Christmas eve last year...place was a ghost town!

But I guess Christmas Day would be the obvious choice if you don't need to be home in the morning.

 

[markis10]

This year it's probably easier to fly Dec24, as it falls on a Monday, I am betting many will already be where they need to be for Christmas by then, and I doubt too many will be at work!

 

[Pollywaffle]

Thanks everyone.

... and I doubt too many will be at work!

I am typically the one that does the XMas / NY stint at the office. I am no martyr and actually prefer it. I get so much done during this time.

 

[Simo]

This year 24th won't be as busy as previous years.

Travelling on Xmas day is very quiet and the thing you will notice the PB lines and lounges are very empty.

Have done it a few times as I have family in BNE and also MKY. So we do Xmas lunch in BNE and then do Xmas Dinner in MKY with a few scotch's in the QP in BNE.

 

[file51]

Do you have any status with the airline you are thinking of flying with?

I only ask as in the past 5-6 years I have been upgraded on every flight I have taken on Xmas day.

Mainly flights to LAX (Y to Y+ or Y+ to J) however there have been a few SYD-BNE's & SYD-MEL's all upgraded at check in or at the gate.

(Platinum status on QF flights)

As has been mentioned, the airports are much more tolerable on days like Xmas day, the 24th is usually a nuthouse.

 

[flyingfan]

I flew in the other direction - SYD -> MEL - one recent December 24, expecting it to be a madhouse and if anything it was a bit quieter than usual.

I am betting many will already be where they need to be for Christmas by then, and I doubt too many will be at work!

And I think so too. Start of school holidays and day before school holidays end are a different story though.

 

[markis10]

And I think so too. Start of school holidays and day before school holidays end are a different story though.

Thankfully most states now stagger their holidays, and based on what Sydney airport released for last year, International trends different to domestic:

“The peak period has already started, but the weekend before Christmas – December 17 and 18 – and Christmas Eve are expected to be our busiest for international flights, and January 14 and 16 for return journeys.

“Domestic flights are expected to peak on December 22 and 23, with January 19 set to be the busiest day for return journeys.

 

[Qld4101]

Have flown a couple of times on the 25th and its been quite pleasant - no queues and lounges quiet also - different story on the 26th from my experience - certainly pleased to have priority queues and lounges on that day! Families and bags all directions......

 

[docjames]

I actually like travelling on the 25th, so much less hassle than any other day of the year, and a million % less hassle than a typical 24th December.

 

[flyingfan]

I actually like travelling on the 25th, so much less hassle than any other day of the year, and a million % less hassle than a typical 24th December.

Indeed, almost everything else is closed but you can count on the airport and its facilities to be open, so you might as well be up in the air. Amusing to see Qantas staff wearing reindeer antlers too

 

[Pollywaffle]

Thanks everyone. I ended up booking a lunchtime flight on the 25th. That way I can have a bit of a sleep in and a long breakfast before heading to the airport.