WiscAZ

Looking to book a flight in early/mid September from PHX (have checked both DFW and LAX) to Sydney, Melbourne, or Brisbane. I'm pretty flexible in dates and where I fly (I plan on flying domestically to potentially all 3 cities while I'm there) provided I'm there for about 5-6 business days. I'm approved to book business class but each segment is around $5500 ($11K Total). Is this pretty standard? Seems a little higher than what I expected (was thinking around $8K).

Side note: Is there a huge difference between business and premium economy?

og

I think you'll be paying about AU$9850 for the cheapest Business fare I can see (on expedia) - Wednesday dep, Wed return. That's on NZ with an Econ/coach segment AKL-SYD. Even UA and DL are showing about $2k more. Nothing on QF even close to that.

I'd look for AC via YVR. Its timings work well for me and their long flat bed is better than QF's or UA's. Don't know how DL compares.

Yes - there is a big difference between J and PE. Flat bed v sitting up all night. Food is supposedly much the same.

wandering_fred

Have you ever fallen asleep in a recliner? Consider that as a PE(Y+) seat. But then I never have set the J seats to full flat for sleeping on those occasions where I have so lucky to be in that cabin. And I prefer the stopover options in HKG.

roundtrip LAX-SYD in PEY seems to be between $2600(QF) and $2900(CX) for the mid September mid week departures. QF does slightly better in pricing connecting flights (eg PHX-LAX) and separate connecting tickets are often less expensive.

Wandering requires decisions...

Fred

WiscAZ

I feel like I'm a little out of my element here in booking. I don't do a whole lot of international travel. I'm a US Airways flyer so I need to book something in One World (used to Star Alliance). Again, I'm approved for business class but I'd feel much better sending in a receipt less than $10K. Open to any options including connections.

Dave Noble

That is the going price for business class from US to Australia

Fiji Airways has a business class fare of $6423 via LAX and NAN and Air New Zealand has a $9367 fare via LAX and AKL

After that then will be past the $10k rate

Fiji Airways is a nice price option

The only other business fare around that mark would be Hawaiian Airlines but its business class is just recliner seats. Better than premium economy offerings with a 45" seat pitch but not on par with the business classes offering lie flat seating

WiscAZ

Any chance that by waiting the fairs drop below $10k or is it best to book now?

Dave Noble

Some of the fares have advanced booking restrictions, so closer to departure they will be unavailable and will increase.

WiscAZ

How about the Fiji Air option? Can I credit to US Airways? If not, American? What are the flight options?

Appreciate the help!!!

Dave Noble

Fiji is an airline where miles can be earned to AAdvantage

The Fiji Airways fare basis is CBULART

I did a random search on ITA and for 9 September - 21 September


Phoenix (PHX) to Sydney (SYD) - Tue, Sep 9
US Airways, Inc. Phoenix (PHX) to Los Angeles (LAX) - Tue, Sep 9
US Airways, Inc. 528 Dep: 6:45PM Arr: 8:14PM 1h 29m Airbus A319 First (F)
Layover in LAX 3h 16m

Fiji Airways Los Angeles (LAX) to Nadi (NAN) - Tue, Sep 9
Fiji Airways 811 Dep: 11:30PM Arr: 5:50AM 11h 20m Airbus A330 Business (C)
Layover in NAN Thu, Sep 11 3h 10m

Fiji Airways Nadi (NAN) to Sydney (SYD) - Thu, Sep 11
Fiji Airways 911 Dep: 9:00AM Arr: 11:45AM 4h 45m Airbus A330 Business (C)


Sydney (SYD) to Phoenix (PHX) - Sun, Sep 21
Fiji Airways Sydney (SYD) to Nadi (NAN) - Sun, Sep 21
Fiji Airways 910 Dep: 1:00PM Arr: 6:50PM 3h 50m Airbus A330 Business (C)
Layover in NAN 2h 50m

Fiji Airways Nadi (NAN) to Los Angeles (LAX) - Sun, Sep 21
Fiji Airways 810 Dep: 9:40PM Arr: 1:25PM 10h 45m Airbus A330 Business (C)
Layover in LAX 4h 20m

US Airways, Inc. Los Angeles (LAX) to Phoenix (PHX) - Sun, Sep 21
US Airways, Inc. 736 Dep: 5:45PM Arr: 7:09PM 1h 24m Airbus A321 First (F)

Cost per passenger (including taxes & fees) $6,422.30

WiscAZ

This is great! A couple more questions?

Can you send the link to where I can find this?

Is business on Fiji Airways a good option compared to say spending $4k extra or EP on QF?

Will I have to clear customs in Fiji?

Dave Noble

Fiji has lie flat beds and a 60" pitch , so pretty decent and imo QF is not worth spending an extra 4k on

You will not have to clear customs in Fiji, just connect to onward flight

The site I used to find the fare was http://matrix.itasoftware.com/

You cannot book it on there, but you can get the information you need to book it.

WiscAZ

Where do I book. Fiji website?

Dave Noble

I have just played with their website and can easily book r.t tickets from LAX-SYD on their site though not from PHX

For LAX-SYD r/t they have a fare online being offered for 3,302.04 USD including taxes ( depending on your travel dates )

Booking that and then booking a separate flight to LAX seems like a v good option. US has a flexible 1st fare of $611

Total price coming in at less than $4000

If those fares are unavailable on your travel dates, then prob worth calling FJ and booking over the phone

og

Be aware that FJ has 3 x 332s. Mechanicals have a dire effect on their schedule.

WiscAZ

Can you explain this in more detail for someone who doesn't understand all the FY lingo? Thanks!