SYD-MAN (via anywhere) in Dec...options?

[Febs]

Hi all,

Trying to do a bit of research for a mate of mine who's heading over to see his fiancée for Christmas. He's hoping to leave Sydney on (or around) 7th Dec, returning on (or around) 6th Jan.

Best quote he's found so far is with Emirates, via DXB - $2,241. I've looked at some other options but can't seem to find anything better.

Before telling him to go with it, I thought I'd see if the brainstrust D) has any ideas for where I should look? He's not fussed which airline he flies with as he has no FF status with anyone, and he's not too fussed where he stops over. An all-OneWorld quote (SYD-BKK-HEL-MAN) on BA and AY was $2,080, but just increased to around $2,380. Given he's not a QFF, I think the Emirates option would be better (cheaper and more direct).

I'd appreciate any advice anyone has. Many thanks.

Cheers,
- Febs.

 

[Febs]

Hmm, this looks reasonable:
Air France Sale Sale to Over 80 Cities Oct 09-Mar 10

Edit: This too:
http://www.bestflights.com.au/cheap...d-europe/klm-royal-dutch-airlines-sale/101540

 

[sr81]

Would he be interested in going an interesting way say via CGK then IST on TK? Last time I looked this was a really cheap way of getting to Europe. Though it did involve a huge amount of messing about in airports and overnight layovers.

You could also look at getting the Air Aisa flights to match up and go LCC the whole way.

That said your time of year isn't great so maybe just getting to Asia on Jetstar then messing about with more options is the way to go.

 

[Dave Noble]

I would be recommending the EK option. Nice 1 stop service each way is definitely a good way to go

Dave

 

[Febs]

Thanks guys. The deals I linked above turned out to be (surprise surprise) bait deals.

I would be recommending the EK option. Nice 1 stop service each way is definitely a good way to go

Dave

Looking like the best option at the moment. Strange routing and stopovers are OK, but overnight stopover add $$$ and hassles. The EK option definitely seems to be the best so far.

Cheers,
- Febs.

 

[Dave Noble]

Looking like the best option at the moment. Strange routing and stopovers are OK, but overnight stopover add $$$ and hassles. The EK option definitely seems to be the best so far.

Plus DXB T3 is a nice place to connect. Also, if he wants a nice daytime service the 0600 SYD-DXb service will have started and has oodles of availability withan easy connection onto MAN

For EK FF mileage earning if concerned about it, do book online in order to get the significant online booking bonus

Dave

 

[docjames]

What about thai via bkk for that price?

 

[Dave Noble]

What about thai via bkk for that price?

I don't think that TG flies to MAN from BKK. Would need to go via London as well as Bangkok

 

[docjames]

I'd rather go TG via BKK and LON than EK via DXB. As I'm 6'4" and 110kg, the better legroom (and width vs the EK A340) in TG offsets the extra stop.

Febs' friend may prefer the simplicity of one stop. Each their own.

 

[Dave Noble]

I'd rather go TG via BKK and LON than EK via DXB. As I'm 6'4" and 110kg, the better legroom (and width vs the EK A340) in TG offsets the extra stop.

Febs' friend may prefer the simplicity of one stop. Each their own.

Emirates 345 - 33" pitch and 17.5" width
Thai 32-34" pitch and 17" width

Wouldn't say that EK is exactly that much different on legroom and has a wider seat

Dave

 

[dajop]

With the state of the AUD at the moment, it maybe worth looking at a flight ex-SYD to an intermediate port and then a separate fare from there.

eg. SYD-HKG $1300 return (QF) HKG-MAN $920 return (BA ) total $2220, but only if QF pts are important. OR SYD-SIN $1030 return (QF) SIN-MAN $960 return (EK) total, $1990. That's without looking if connections work or at any other options.

Based on the pricing ex-AUS to get to places like SIN and HKG though, the EK fare does however look competitive for a single stop.

 

[The Beast]

I agree that the Emirates option looks pretty good. I would like to add that I have just done the AY (Finnair) option from ADL to Brussels, and was very impressed. Helsinki is a very easy place to transit through, and they do fly direct from their to MAN. The attraction for me was the 'mixed class' option, in which I went in Y to/from Asia, but in J to/from Europe. The Finnair product is quite a lot cheaper than their other OW partners' products, and compares pretty favourably. The seats are not quite lie flat, but the service, food, drink etc was second to none. The lounge at HEL has typically artistic designer seating etc - it's the Scandinavian vibe, I guess. If your friend is looking to indulge himself a bit, I'd highly recommend the AY option, otherwise perhaps stick with Emirates.

The 'dark horse' option would be to go with Air Austral via Reunion island and Paris CDG to MAN, but I suspect that it won't work out any cheaper then Emirates, and involves more faffing about.