Royal Brunei Air

[Bastet]

They are cheap but don't have good reviews. I don't care about lack if booze (I mention as it was a frequent complaint) or even unfriendly service (to a degree) but I can't stand discomfort and bad entertainment systems or I feel like I'm going insane. Have you flown with them?

Thai Air which is 4 star apparently I found terribly uncomfortable and a crap selection of films to view on a crap screen. Even on a shorter flight my ass went numb. Air India was horrific so I won't go on a flight share. South China Air takes too long.

What about Virgin?

I'm trying to find a flight under $5000 for both of us (inc taxes etc) with one stop only and there aren't many. I want as much time in Europe as possible - not lose 80-110 hours flying!

Is it because July is peak that it looks like many flights are fully booked already? It's the first time we're looking to go back for something fun.

[Phar Lap]

Ria, a family member flew with Singapore Airlines last month and was happy with them. A one hour stopover in HK meant a shorter time from start to end. He booked his flight online four days before departure and from memory the fare was around $1,700.

[crazycat]

Not sure about Melbourne but I've had no real trouble finding flights for just under $5000 for the two of us from Sydney to London. Maybe it's July that's the problem. We've been Singapore, Qantas and Malaysian previously for between $2100 and $2500 each. I would fly any of them again especially now Qantas code shares with Emirates.

[janeyd]

singapore airlines is normally pretty good in terms of entertainment, service and (relative) comfort.

multiple flights from the big australian cities to singapore each day, then at least one flight from singapore to the big european cities each day plus codeshares with Star Alliance)

but yes, flying from Australia to Europe in July is peak season (from your winter to our summer), so prices will be high and availability will be tight.

singapore airlines website itself has a good 3+ day comparison on point point-to-point and multi-city itineraries, in case you can adjust your days of travel slightly.

[lekker123]

Malaysia, Singapore and Emirates are relatively cheap for Europe-Australia. Yes, July is peak. Best to book for June. Still warm enough then.

[shilgia]

If an airline with a crappy entertainment system is a lot cheaper than an airline with a better one, doesn't it make sense to save the money and bring your own entertainment (iPad, computer, books, etc.)?

[Bastet]

Sept 12, 2013 10:02:34 GMT -5 shilgia said:

If an airline with a crappy entertainment system is a lot cheaper than an airline with a better one, doesn't it make sense to save the money and bring your own entertainment (iPad, computer, books, etc.)?

No. The battery run out before the flight is over on my computer and I get too tired to read very quickly. I've tried last year on Thai Air and it was dreadful.

[janeyd]

24 hour flying time in each direction means you tend to use up both their system and whatever you bring!

[leela]

When I used to fly to Australia in the old days, you'd get two films (no choice, obv)shown on a screen at the front of the cabin. That was it for in flight entertainment for 24 hours.

You're all spoiled.

[shilgia]

I don't know. Depending on how big the fare difference is, even buying and bringing 2 or 3 spare batteries for a laptop might be a bargain.

[wombatrois]

You're all spoiled

I reckon!

Having said that, I'd be more inclined to go with Thai, Singapore, Malaysian or Cathay. They will all have relatively new aircraft and their entertainment systems and variety are quite good - it's part of their marketing strategy after all. (All these airlines have excellent connecting times at their home hub and are all one stop to main European centres).

You might have been a) unlucky with your previous seat, or b) like the princess and the pea.

Some airlines have laptop charging available on their aircraft (a quick look here shows Cathay Pacific is one of them):

www.seatguru.com/articles/in-seat_laptop_power.php

Which may be the answer you're looking for. Alternatively, if reading makes you tired quickly, then use it as a way of going to sleep and getting rid of some of those air hours.

[poppy]

I flew with Royal Brunei last year, however I did take advantage of their very cheap business class seats. Flight entertainment was very basic or what was on offer didn't suit me. I read and slept most of the way. They have three flight segments, Melb/Brunei, with approx 3 1/2 stopover then Brunei/Dubai with roughly 1 hr break. Really just enough time to get off the plane, walk down the concourse up the stairs, go thru bag check then walk back to your gate. From their onto London. The times they left Melb arrive London, suited me greatly. The same in reverse though arriving in Melbourne a bit later would have been just that bit better.
JoyVee flew with them earlier this year, she took the economy option and was very happy with the seat and service.
Other times I have flown Emirates, which is very comfortable and has all the whistles and bows. Early bird specials are they available to everyone or just those booking tours with Insight/Trafalgar and the like? Might be worth picking up a brochure and reading up on the flights, which usually come in around $1800.

[no idea @wino]

Hi Ria we used Cathay Pacific and the premium economy..........loved every minute of it (as much as you can flying)great service great entertainment and fantastic leg room for my long legs, use seat guru as mentioned above and you will see what the good seats are

[Bastet]

Sept 12, 2013 17:12:56 GMT -5 leela said:

When I used to fly to Australia in the old days, you'd get two films (no choice, obv)shown on a screen at the front of the cabin. That was it for in flight entertainment for 24 hours.

You're all spoiled.

No it wasn't just in the old days. That was Air India and Thai Air for some parts not long ago.