Heading to Australia for a hunt in August (22-28). Need to get flights booked. Looking for suggestions on airlines and flights. Usually fly LAX but SFO would be fine as well. Hoping to maybe stay an extra day or two in Sydney and maybe a day in Darwin. Also looking for something better than regular economy. Maybe like a comfort class or premium economy. Any suggestions would be great, thank you.

* oh and I'm not taking any firearms.

United can probably find a seat for you at short notice

Try Qantas as most budget airlines only do budget and Sydney to Darwin is a tough flight.

Where do you need to land for the hunt?
It looks like most a a day flying between the two cities mentioned.

So far looks like Qantas premium might be good. About $3000 for LAX to Sydney. Only other one I was really considering what Virgin. Looks like about $400-500 more for premium.

Any domestic (sydney to darwin) airlines I should stay away from?

Jetstar is crap.

Don't use Tiger Airways. Virgin or Qantas will see you right domestically.

I like the service of VIRGIN AIR.
If flying with Qantas and carrying Ammunition then don't forget to apply for their approval to travel with Ammunition letter

quote:

Originally posted by muzza:
Jetstar is crap.

And don't like guns

The local gun dealer told me a few days ago that hunters flying into NSW from o/s were having their rifles held by the police there until they leave the country again - not much use if you're heading for a buffalo hunt.

Is it possible this is true?

looks like Qanatas and Emirates are partners and I can have access to the lounges in Australia being an Emirates Gold member. That is probably enough to sway me towards Qanatas. Now if only I could use my Skywards points to upgrade on Qanatas

The last time I flew to OZ I flew into Brisbane and left out of Sydney, split between Delta and Virgin. Delta, however, only have me half the miles flown for MQMs, so I check now the partner mileage credits.

Qantas lounges are wonderful.

Bobby:
Who you hunting with over there?
For what? Buff, and --?

George

I found Australia to be one of the most anti hunting countries I have visited with the exception of the Northern Territory. Unfortunately, one cannot fly commercially directly to Darwin and are subject to each states unique set of firearms laws. Flew from Sydney to Auckland--like I had died and gone to heaven with the difference in attitude. Hence, only that one trip to Australia and four to New Zealand

quote:

Originally posted by georgeld:
Bobby:
Who you hunting with over there?
For what? Buff, and --?

George

I'm hunting with Simon Kyle Little and taking my dad along. Besides buffalo, we are open to whatever else is legal to hunt in the area

quote:

Originally posted by TOP_PREDATOR:

quote:

Originally posted by muzza:
Jetstar is crap.

And don't like guns

Not so... Jetstar has the same requirements as Qantas....

Cheers,
Mark.

I flew down last year on Virgin Australia, had extra leg room, even in the laboratories. They had real head phones to listen to the movies. Very nice. I had to fly back Delta and it was a HUGE difference. If I go again I will make certain to fly both ways on Virgin.

The damn price jumped over $700 for premium from LAX to Sydney. Thats what I get for waiting... Decided to go LAX to Brisbane premium. Cuts down the flight time a little bit and tickets were right at $3000. I'll check out Sydney another time. Brisbane to Darwin I went with Virgin, had best prices and best flight times.

Bobby
Good move going via Brisbane.virgin to Darwin and back will be fine. They are good with firearms.

Good luck on your hunt.

Nick

Been to Oz 3x, twice via QANTAS and once on Virgin. In my very limited experience, Virgin was more helpful with the rifle and ammo issue than Q. I would take V or Q if I was to go there again.
Cal

quote:

United can probably find a seat for you at short notice

Look for a Black Eye Flight.

quote:

Originally posted by bobby7321:
looks like Qanatas and Emirates are partners and I can have access to the lounges in Australia being an Emirates Gold member. That is probably enough to sway me towards Qanatas. Now if only I could use my Skywards points to upgrade on Qanatas

For the removal of doubt, Bobby, spell it Qantas. It is generally pronounced:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bKH7HAXvzUM

but I prefer the Alf Garnet version of quaint-arse

Mark R - irrespective of their requirements Jetstar is without doubt the most shit airline every to pollute the skies in New Zealand , and not much better in Australia .If you have no desire to get to your destination on the day you are booked , fly Jetstar. I promise you wont be sat next to me , ever.

we flew Virgin from Sydney to Queenstown. They lost my wife's bags. Seemed as if no one gave a damn. It took days to get them. Not impressed.

I've been delayed by ash and snow in NZ, airline bankruptsy in the US, airport strikes in Rome, long unexplained delays in London and missed connections here and there.

I've lost luggage in Christchurch and even on US Greyhound buses, where the clerks were rude as any I've met (but then I guess that was another company started in Oz). We've had the handles ripped off cases carried by Lufthansa and been given Stasi treatment in Dresden, long after the Wall was down.

I even recall the railways losing our locomotive in Naples.

Cut-price carriers will always cut corners but if you travel with any company often enough, you'll have a story about it to dine out on.

quote:

Originally posted by bobby7321:

quote:

Originally posted by georgeld:
Bobby:
Who you hunting with over there?
For what? Buff, and --?

George

I'm hunting with Simon Kyle Little and taking my dad along. Besides buffalo, we are open to whatever else is legal to hunt in the area

I hunted with Simon in 2011. You will be in for a treat. Great hunt