Airlines - Melbourne to LOS - Current state of play?

[Critical Mass]

Occasionally I like to check out what the airlines are offering.

It keeps me in touch for short notice travel or knowing a good deal when it comes up.

Currently Air Australia has the best deals for Melbourne to Phuket return flights (AUS$760 promo fare).

If you're happy with up to 2 hours stopover, Singapore Airlines & Malaysian Airlines are reliable and include personal entertainment, food and drink.

Their Melbourne to Phuket return flights are (SAL AUD$1,180 & MAL AUD$1,217.00).

Thai Airlines will get you there via Bangkok. Reliable with personal entertainment, food and drink included, Melbourne to Bangkok is currently going from AUD$978.
You can then arrange an AirAsia domestic flight from Bangkok to Phuket return for around AUD$88.

I thought JetStar's prices are a bit laughable considering their supposed to be a low cost airline.
Their Melbourne to Phuket return flights via Singapore, when I last checked, were around AUD$1,077 with checked in luggage but no food or drink, and the kicker, between 13 to 25 hours stopover between planes.

Unless you get JetStar on a special, you'll find they're expensive in comparison with restrictive timetable.
Their direct flights to Bangkok are not much better (you still have to get across to Phuket), and only available 3 times a week, which means you lose valuable time on the ground out of your leave.

The big sleeper is Royal Brunei Airlines.
They used to have long stopover times but have woken up.
Their Melbourne to Bangkok return flights stopover in Brunei for less than 2 hours.
With food and non alcoholic drinks (Muslim country) and entertainment included, at
AUD$730 has to be a bargain.

With this fare you can cab it to Nana or Soi Cowboy for a few beers and a night or two, hopping over to Phuket using AirAsia for as little as AUD$88 return.

If anyone knows any other deals I'm always interested to to learn new ways to save.

[Dave01]

Not a huge Jetstar fan... but.... find a cheap fare MEL _ SYD.. and get on Jetstar's M-W-F direct flight from SYD - HKT... doesn't sound too difficult to me.... or as you say Air Aus direct from Mel... but I would have thought their flights were operating to a "restrictive timetable"... IMHO, the best way to go is SAL...

[fireysteve]

Jetstar are a joke, never again for me unless they were very cheap. Its a pity cause they are the only one's that fly direct Sydney to HKT.

I just got a flight SYD BKK HKT for $885 flying Thai thru Expedia. It looks like they thru in the Thai domestic flights free.

[Critical Mass]

Not a huge Jetstar fan... but.... find a cheap fare MEL _ SYD.. and get on Jetstar's M-W-F direct flight from SYD - HKT... doesn't sound too difficult to me.... or as you say Air Aus direct from Mel... but I would have thought their flights were operating to a "restrictive timetable"... IMHO, the best way to go is SAL...

Hi Dave.

It's nice to have options.

This one could be a little risky, with no apparent benefit.

Melbourne to Sydney return with JetStar is currently about $200 and if your planes don't connect you could either lose your international fare or, on your return, get stuck overnight in Sydney.

The Sydney to Phuket flight is currently about AUD$1,043 making it a total of AUD$1,243 without food and drink and the risk of missing your flight or a long wait at Mascot.

Singapore Airlines at $1,180 is cheaper with end to end carriage.

The Royal Brunei fare for $730 (which also includes a "change time/date" option for $60) will save you over $400 once you include domestic AirAsia to Phuket.

[Dave01]

Sometimes tho a direct flight is very appealing.... I'm not sure of the dates you are pricing in your examples, but again for me, Singapore Airlines is by far the best... great planes, good service and pretty convenient connection times in Singapore...

I do like Thai as well The only drawback being, in my opinion, is that you have to back track from Bangkok to get to Phuket and vice versa going home... at least with SAL, you are heading in the right direction

[Critical Mass]

Sometimes tho a direct flight is very appealing.... I'm not sure of the dates you are pricing in your examples,

For a Sydneysider the direct flights would be appealing.

Coming from Melbourne, Mascot is another stopover with its drawbacks.

I looked in February.

I've just had a look in April and fares are around $1,200 Sydney to Phuket with only 15kg checked in luggage.

JetStar would be my last choice coming from Melbourne.

[kayfabe]

I have gone twice in the past year from Melb - Phuket flying Thai all the way.

Mel - BKK, then BKK - HHT, then reverse for the way home. all up approx $1100.
I know this is more costly than some of the other carriers, but found the times perfect for me.
I would takeoff from Mel at midnight, arrive BKK 4:30am (thai time), a couple hours at airport in transit and get to HKT approx 10:30 am. at Patong at 11:30am....
Then on the way back, because I have stopped over in BKK fro a day or more before going back to Mel, would depart BKK again approx midnight, to arrive Mel around lunchtime. These times to me are perfect as I dont waste day time in the plane, as long as I can get some sleep, and the food and entertainment on the Thai flights have been good enough for me.
I have also been lucky to have a friend of a workmate who is a travel agent and she gives me good flight prices (better than what I would pay via internet).

[K2]

JetStar would be my last choice coming from Melbourne.

Agree - never again - especially if you have any connecting flight.

3 hours late arriving into Melbourne on Xmas Day - McD was about the only place open at 4pm!!

1.5 hours late arriving back into BKK meant missing CNX connection and had to get manager of ground operations at Swampy involved to get Jetstar to sort out accomodation for us - I have to say this is the worst 'service' I have ever encountered in all my years of flying!

[luv u long time]

I have gone twice in the past year from Melb - Phuket flying Thai all the way.

Mel - BKK, then BKK - HHT, then reverse for the way home. all up approx $1100.
I know this is more costly than some of the other carriers, but found the times perfect for me.
I would takeoff from Mel at midnight, arrive BKK 4:30am (thai time), a couple hours at airport in transit and get to HKT approx 10:30 am. at Patong at 11:30am....
Then on the way back, because I have stopped over in BKK fro a day or more before going back to Mel, would depart BKK again approx midnight, to arrive Mel around lunchtime. These times to me are perfect as I dont waste day time in the plane, as long as I can get some sleep, and the food and entertainment on the Thai flights have been good enough for me.
I have also been lucky to have a friend of a workmate who is a travel agent and she gives me good flight prices (better than what I would pay via internet).

I totally agree here...

The times Thai Air offer are perfect going both ways...

I cant see myself flying with anyone one else in the future, even if they are a couple hundred cheaper.. i guess i have the why change it if its not broke attitude..

[kayfabe]

exactly. happy to pay a couple hundred more for good service, flights running like clockwork, perfect travelling times etc etc. Dont want to use Jetstar or other crappy budget airlines.

Also I am 6"5, so I always request the emergency exit seats and get heaps more room. I never have any problem getting this on every flight I have been on. If it was Jetstar, I would probably have to pay more for the priviledge..

[Dave01]

I have flown up to HKT 7 times the last year... I have used various airlines.. Because of where I live, it really doesn't matter which port on the east cost I leave from... I need to get a flight to/from the international port anyway..

I have used Thai, Singapore & Silk, Air Australia (Strategic), Jetstar, Malaysian, V Australia (when they were servicing BRI - HKT)..

Thai are good, but there is the issue of having to go to Bangkok and then fly back to Phuket... makes no sense to me, as I am not a fan of flying any more than I have to... But I can't knock them.. the service is good, the planes are fine and the staff are great...

Singapore and Silk.. IMO, are by far the best way to travel to HKT.. Change planes in Singapore at a reasonable hour, and Changi is just amazing, it is an experience in itself.. The service i catch is an A380 from SYD then a 320 from Singapore to Phuket... Same Same heading back home.. Singapore Airlines have great planes, amazingly good staff, and seem to run pretty close to time.. And the big thing for me, is that you are heading in the right direction all the time... no backtracking.

Air Australia/Strategic.. I have used them on a couple of occassions direct BRI - HKT and return... They do what they say they do... Last time I used them was only a week or so back, they were using a chartered plane from Turkey.. Atlas Jet.. It was pretty good.. the Turkish girls working, put our Aussie girls to shame... Absolute stunners and friendly as well... I can't complain about this mob... You know what you are getting when you pay the ticket price.. you are getting a seat and that is it... They do deliver on this, and the times I have used them, they have run on time. I have been lucky I think, because I have read some pretty ordinary stories about their ontime running..

Jetstar... used em once.. but got a decent fare in Business.. was OK.. ran ontime both ways... don't know about cattle class, but cant complain about their idea of business... it is comfortable and the food is semi OK.. But it is a low cost carrier and again, you get what you pay for...

Malaysian are an interesting mob... I used them as a return from HKT - SYD... the short leg from HKT - KUL was about 100 mins late.. which was a pity because the connection time in KUL was 90".. But they held the connecting SYD flight and rushed us thru the airport.. the plane from KUL was a rattly 747.. I think they all are really... The service was kinda ok... the plane was old and tired, and rattled like mad.. trying to watch a movie with this mob is a trial in itself... because of the heavy Malaysian censorship, following a movie that has violence or sex is just about impossible.. I like this mob for their customer service, but the rest leaves a bit to be desired.

V Australia used to service BRI- HKT and provided a pretty reasonable service... haven't used them for about a year so have lost touch with them... I think the planes they were using on that route are now used on to go to Doha..

[Bello Uomo]

Is this thread for Ozzies or a bunch of foreign poofs? Toughen up princesses!!!

"Oooh the seats are too hard, and it makes my bottom hurt" 55555

[Bawdy]

I've flown to LOS from Melbourne about 14 times in the last 30 months, I started off when Emirates had cheap airfares to Singapore and KL, about $600 return and would hitch a flight with Tiger or AirAsia to LOS from there. I soon started to mix and match, especially when AirAsia had its very cheap flights to KL (like $89 MEL-KL), which you don't see anymore, more around $300 plus on sale one way these days.

Overtime with Skywards I've managed to get a free flight with Emirates to Singapore and a number of upgrades, but aren't really too impressed with their service, it was only the frequent flyer program, and having Gold Status and free lounge access that kept me with them.

Lately I've started flying direct with Jetstar to BKK for about $220 one way and have another in Feb for the same price, leaves in the arvo and arrive in BKK at 8 pm, not bad.

Virgin had a status match promotion and I recently got Silver status and bought a flight home from Phuket for $375 (leaving in the late arvo, maximising time in HKT). I've been with Velocity for a while and will have enough points for a free flight to or from Phuket next time

I've recently started working at Melbourne Airport and for a company that has the contracts to handle ground services (including baggage) for Thai, Cathay, Singapore, Malaysia, Garuda, Royal Brunei, AirAsia and Air Australia/Strategic, and its been pretty painful jumping out of LOS bound aircraft and throwing bags bound for Phuket 555 Luckily thru work I can get return flights to BKK for $300 with Royal Brunei (yes return!), but working 3 jobs now means I have too little time to enjoy the perks 555.

[TheFoxhat]

Thai has sales on at the minute. Take a look at expdia, zuji & direct flights .Don't book thai directly as it's usually dearer

[Bawdy]

Singapore and Silk.. IMO, are by far the best way to travel to HKT.. Change planes in Singapore at a reasonable hour, and Changi is just amazing, it is an experience in itself.. The service i catch is an A380 from SYD then a 320 from Singapore to Phuket... Same Same heading back home.. Singapore Airlines have great planes, amazingly good staff, and seem to run pretty close to time.. And the big thing for me, is that you are heading in the right direction all the time... no backtracking.

I'd like to give Singapore a go sometime and checkout their service. They have great frequency out of MEL too, 3 flights a day, the A380 arriving in the morning and leaving just after the 777 lands before midday, the only thing I hate about the A380 is too many bags 555

[luv u long time]

I'd like to give Singapore a go sometime and checkout their service. They have great frequency out of MEL too, 3 flights a day, the A380 arriving in the morning and leaving just after the 777 lands before midday, the only thing I hate about the A380 is too many bags 555

Do you know when Thai Air will start using the A380? I have read that they will be using them but havnt seen when...

Im hanging t travel in one but am too loyal to Thai so going to have to wait.. Not that Thai Air's planes are bad.. They are perfectly fine, even in cattle class..

[Bawdy]

Do you know when Thai Air will start using the A380? I have read that they will be using them but havnt seen when...

Im hanging t travel in one but am too loyal to Thai so going to have to wait.. Not that Thai Air's planes are bad.. They are perfectly fine, even in cattle class..

Thai Airways should get its 1st A380 in the later half of this year, probably flying to Europe (London/Frankfurt). Hope it doesn't fly here, one A380 a day is enough, just unloaded 16 'cans' from the Singapore flight this morning

I actually flew from Melbourne to Sydney via Auckland with Emirates just to fly the A380 about 6 months ago and for 16 K points upgraded to Business, great experience and the aircraft is considerably quieter than others. If you wanna check it out the Emirates A380 also flies from BKK to Hong Kong, might be a nice side trip sometime.

[Dave01]

I'd like to give Singapore a go sometime and checkout their service. They have great frequency out of MEL too, 3 flights a day, the A380 arriving in the morning and leaving just after the 777 lands before midday, the only thing I hate about the A380 is too many bags 555

Couldn't agree more with ya about the bags.... I booked luggage thru once on a 380.... NEVER AGAIN... the wait at the carousel can be very long indeed with 500 other farkers booking their luggage thru ....hand luggage only now.. They are great to fly on .. quiet as... but the hydraulics are pretty noisey on the few I have been on... no big deal.. I am guessing because it is so quiet the hydraulics are no louder than any other plane, it's just that ya can hear em 555

[mjwx]

With this fare you can cab it to Nana or Soi Cowboy for a few beers and a night or two, hopping over to Phuket using AirAsia for as little as AUD$88 return.

Bastards, I'm paying A$990 PER-HKT-BKK-PER.

BTW, see if you can do a multi-city trip with Thai, that's generally what I do from Perth. the BKK-HKT flights only add A$40-50 for me and you can pick seperate dates for the BKK-HKT leg.

Apart from that, I'll join the SAL bandwagon, easily the best airline I've ever flown and Changi is easily the comfiest airport I've ever been in (Beers expensive though, S$13 for a pint of Carlsberg, I had three before I realised)

[mjwx]

Is this thread for Ozzies or a bunch of foreign poofs? Toughen up princesses!!!

"Oooh the seats are too hard, and it makes my bottom hurt" 55555

LoL

I rate airlines on the attractiveness of the trolly dollies and how little their uniforms leave to the imagination.

Why do you think I like Air Asia X so much.

[Critical Mass]

For the JetStar fans they're doing an International special at the moment.

For the dates I chose (May/June) I returned a figure of AUD$662.78 for Melbourne to Phuket.

For this I had to choose flights via Singapore (direct flights not on special).

I included 20kg checked in luggage but no meals or drinks, nor personal entertainment.

The sting, a whopping 13 hours stopover in Singapore each way and day flights chewing up your valuable leave.
When these good seats ( ) are taken, you can enjoy up to 25 hours stopover.

In comparison Thai Airlines takes off around midnight and I land around 6.30am giving more valuable time on the ground.

If your fare is $662 and your trip is 10 days, that's $62 a day.
Factor that into a higher airfare (such as Brunai Royal with 1hr 20 stopover) which gives you more holiday days and you'll find the fares comparable.

[luv u long time]

For the JetStar fans they're doing an International special at the moment.

For the dates I chose (May/June) I returned a figure of AUD$662.78 for Melbourne to Phuket.

For this I had to choose flights via Singapore (direct flights not on special).

I included 20kg checked in luggage but no meals or drinks, nor personal entertainment.

The sting, a whopping 13 hours stopover in Singapore each way and day flights chewing up your valuable leave.
When these good seats ( ) are taken, you can enjoy up to 25 hours stopover.

In comparison Thai Airlines takes off around midnight and I land around 6.30am giving more valuable time on the ground.

If your fare is $662 and your trip is 10 days, that's $62 a day.
Factor that into a higher airfare (such as Brunai Royal with 1hr 20 stopover) which gives you more holiday days and you'll find the fares comparable.

I was actually looking at similar dates with Thai Air and the cheapest i found was $829 return.

[fireysteve]

Question,
Ive got a flight in Feb with Thai. Syd-Bkk-Hkt and Home Hkt-Bkk-Syd. I was wondering If I decide not take the coming home flight Hkt -Bkk (conecting flights) will this affect the Bkk-Syd flight?
The reason i ask is that i might end up in Krabi and fly from there to Bkk for my flight home to Sydney.
Thanks.

[luv u long time]

Nothing will happen you just lose the flight.. No refund.

If you know in advance might be a good idea to just call and notify them. Otherwise you will be ok just dnt miss the big leg or your in trouble.

[fireysteve]

Nothing will happen you just lose the flight.. No refund.

If you know in advance might be a good idea to just call and notify them. Otherwise you will be ok just dnt miss the big leg or your in trouble.

Thanks Lult,
Thats what I was hoping. The Domestic flights cost sweet FA so im not losing anything there.
Yep dont want to miss the Bkk to Syd that would cause big probs, flights are no refund ,no change.
Thanks Again

[luv u long time]

Thanks Lult,
Thats what I was hoping. The Domestic flights cost sweet FA so im not losing anything there.
Yep dont want to miss the Bkk to Syd that would cause big probs, flights are no refund ,no change.
Thanks Again

No problems FS.. ive missed that many flights over the years so ive learnt my lesson... well sort of.. missed the big flight last year and had to buy a one way back $800 later i was on a flight... thinking i will make a 5am pick up to go to the airport wasnt on my mind in Holloywood on my last night in LOS...

[slimbag]

hmm not sure but from what I heard if you miss the first leg then second leg is void.. (I think it was with klm) you'd better check with the airline...

[fireysteve]

hmm not sure but from what I heard if you miss the first leg then second leg is void.. (I think it was with klm) you'd better check with the airline...

mmm I think I'll ring Thai to make sure. Thanks Slim B

[Evilbaz]

For the JetStar fans they're doing an International special at the moment.

For the dates I chose (May/June) I returned a figure of AUD$662.78 for Melbourne to Phuket.

For this I had to choose flights via Singapore (direct flights not on special).

I included 20kg checked in luggage but no meals or drinks, nor personal entertainment.

The sting, a whopping 13 hours stopover in Singapore each way and day flights chewing up your valuable leave.
When these good seats ( ) are taken, you can enjoy up to 25 hours stopover.

In comparison Thai Airlines takes off around midnight and I land around 6.30am giving more valuable time on the ground.

If your fare is $662 and your trip is 10 days, that's $62 a day.
Factor that into a higher airfare (such as Brunai Royal with 1hr 20 stopover) which gives you more holiday days and you'll find the fares comparable.

Am I missing something?
Why not sector Mel-Sin return Jetstar and SIN-HKT return on any other airline within an hour or two?
I know Changi airport is great but 13 to 25 hours stop-over is silly.
BTW - it's a lot cheaper to book SIN-HKT flights from the Singapore sites than from OZ (just change the country when starting the booking).

[Critical Mass]

Am I missing something?
Why not sector Mel-Sin return Jetstar and SIN-HKT return on any other airline within an hour or two?
I know Changi airport is great but 13 to 25 hours stop-over is silly.
BTW - it's a lot cheaper to book SIN-HKT flights from the Singapore sites than from OZ (just change the country when starting the booking).

Great tip E B.

I should start thinking outside of the box.

Which airlines do you recommend for the SIN-HKT flights?

Do you recommend factoring more than 2 hours in case a delay with this leg on the return?

As it wouldn't be end to end I'd need to claim and recheck in the baggage.