How to Choose a Flight to Sydney

Flying to Sydney, Australia, from the U.S. mainland is a long and arduous flight, so picking the right one is very important. Often, when we travel, the only thing we consider is price, but on a flight that can last as long as 16 hours, there can be more important considerations.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Start with a basic Internet search for flights. Several online travel sites can provide basic flight costs and information. Use these as a starting point to know approximately how much the flight should cost. Round trip flights can cost anywhere from $1,000 to several thousand. Flying in February or March, which is late summer to early fall in Australia is more expensive than flying in August, which is winter there.

2. Call a travel agent. Many travel agents, especially those who specialize in international travel, can offer you better information than booking it yourself. In addition, many travel agents can help you arrange travel visas for the country you are visiting. You should also check online to determine any entry requirements for the country you intend to visit. In Australia, for example, no visitor can bring in food, including snacks bought at the airport or on the plane. At the Travel Team, a Seattle-based agency focusing on trips to New Zealand and Australia, it can often get better prices than what is available online and help arrange for your tourist visa.

3. Make a list of the things that you want to bring. Many airlines have different restrictions for international flights than for domestic flights. One common difference is the alloted size for carry-on baggage. Both the size and weights allowed are generally smaller on international flights. On Air Pacific, for example, a cheaper flight option for trips to Australia, carry-ons are limited to 10 kilos or about 22 pounds, but that does not include a coat or laptop bag.

4. Ask about the planes that are being flown. Larger planes will obviously be more comfortable than smaller planes. You should also ask about in-flight entertainment. Some smaller carriers offer one or two in-flight movies and they are only available at specific times. Qantas, on the other hand, has on-demand in-flight movies and a much larger variety. On Air Pacific, the seats are cramped and an average American man cannot stretch out his legs. On Qantas, the roomier planes make the flight much more comfortable.

5. Discuss stopovers and the restrictions. One airline generally includes a four-hour stopover in Fiji as part of the flight, but since passengers are not issued visas for Fiji, they spend the entire stopover in the airport. You will need a visa anywhere you are going to spend more than a few hours. Apply for your visa directly from the country you are visiting or through your travel agent. Australian tourist visas take about six weeks to be approved.

6. Request information regarding additional fees that are not included in the ticket price. Some airlines have begun charging for everything from checked baggage to in-flgiht refreshments, so know before you book what is included in your flight cost.

Tips & Warnings

• Absolutely remember to get a look at the type of the plane you will be flying in and an estimate of the amount of room available to the coach passenger. Many airlines have tried to save money by adding seats and a 15-hour flight (Los Angeles to Sydney) can be horribly uncomfortable if you can't stretch out your legs.
• Consider flying from San Fransisco instead of Los Angeles. The flight time is virtually identical and you can avoid LAX.
• Avoid discount airlines like Air Pacific. The price difference between it and Qantas or the joint American Airlines/Qantas flight is usually about $100, but the comforts of the larger carrier are well worth it. In addition, Qantas has fewer restrictions regarding luggage and fewer hidden fees.

Resources

• Qantas Airlines
• The Travel Team, Australian Travel Specialists