Star Alliance airlines ANA, Lufthansa, and Austrian Airlines are currently selling discounted flights from London to Sydney. You can basically fly for only £524 (~€592) (with luggage!) deep into 2021. While this is quite a good price, it comes with a catch. The Australian government already announced that it probably won’t open for tourism until late 2021.
The long-haul flights are usually operated by ANA, first flying to Tokyo, before continuing to Sydney. Lufthansa or Austrian will fly between London and Frankfurt, Munich, or Vienna.
We expect further shakeups in the airline industry over the following months. Some services might be cancelled, aircraft changed or downgraded. The schedule we describe may very well change.
Search & Book
The flights to Sydney require a hefty minimum stay length of ten days. That, however, is the only restriction stated. Google Flights accurately displays the flights to Sydney, so you can check the availability there. You should book directly on Lufthansa’s website.
Why is booking with an airline better than with an online travel agency?
More often than not, online travel agencies offer lower fares than airlines do. We still recommend booking with the airlines directly. There are three main reasons for that:
- The Covid-19 Pandemic
During the worldwide outbreak of Covid-19, planning international travel got more and more risky because of ever-changing restrictions. In contrast to many online travel agencies, most airlines modified their terms & conditions to become more customer friendly. Rebooking conditions are eased, change fees are waived and cancellations are much easier when there is no third party involved.
Further, by adding an OTA to your plans, you increase the risk of one service provider involved going bankrupt. Now, the airline and the online travel agency involved could vanish along with your money. - Better Customer Service
In case any problems like delays, cancellations or missed connections arise, you can communicate directly with the airline. The airlines has to take care of you because you have a contract with them.
If a travel agency issues your ticket, you may have to reach out to them first. You also depend on your OTA to forward you information like flight changes instead receiving them directly from the airline. You may get a prime exhibition of responsibility shifting rather than problem solving.
This especially applies for premium tickets. You don’t want to spend more than €1,000 to wind up with some budget OTA’s telephone hotline in case anything goes wrong. - Baggage Fees
Economy fares not including hold luggage are more and more common. In most cases, travel agencies charge much higher baggage fees than the airlines themselves. If bags are not included in your fare, airlines are often the cheaper alternative.
Miles
The tickets are issued in booking class L, meaning that you should roughly get:
- 11,300 on Air China PhoenixMiles
- 11,080 on United MileagePlus
- 10,670 on Etihad Guest
- 10,670 on Aegean Miles+Bonus
- 6,810 on Air Canada Aeroplan
- 6,650 on Ethiopian ShebaMiles
- 6,640 on ANA Mileage Club
- 6,600 on EVA Infinity MileageLands
- 6,600 on Copa ConnectMiles
- 6,400 on Virgin Atlantic Flying Club
- 6,400 on Philippine Airlines
- 6,400 on Garuda Indonesia GarudaMiles
- 6,400 on Avianca LifeMiles
- 6,400 on Vietnam Golden Lotus Plus
- 6,400 on Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles
- 6,400 on Asiana Club
- 6,400 on TAP Miles & Go
- 6,400 on South African Voyager
- 6,400 on Thai Royal Orchid Plus
- 6,400 on EgyptAir Plus
- 6,400 on Air India Flying Returns
- 5,580 on Miles & More
- 5,580 on SAS EuroBonus
- 200 on Asia Miles
Information & Tips for Australia
Australia, also know as ‘Down Under’, is an absolute dream destination because of its distance to Europe and its beautiful countryside. But because it’s so far away, the flights are costly. Nevertheless, there is always Dealz for less than 1.000€.
Best Time to Visit
Australia is a vast country with different climate zones. Summers (November to February) are hot and mostly dry, winters (June to September) are relatively mild.
Entry & Visa
Most European citizens require an eVisa which has to be issued before your arrival. You can apply online, and the process will be free of charge.
All Dealz for Australia
Cover Picture: © pattyjansen - pixabay.com