Qantas has started nonstop flights between Australia and UK since late March with their new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner. The flight; QF009 originates from Melbourne with an immediate stop in Perth and arrives in London after 17-18 hours non-stop in the air which makes it the longest B787 Dreamliner flight in the world.
Video Review
Let’s explore the cheapest Business Class to fly the non-stop between UK and Australia. Qantas traditionally have much more expensive fare from its home market Australia. So let’s turn the search from UK and continental Europe to find lower fare!
I use Expertflyer to search the lowest air fare between Europe and Australia. Expertflyer is a web based travel tool that displays vital data from Travel GDS. You can see the fare listings, real time availability, seat map and create seat/fare alert etc. Read my Smart Travel section for more information on Expertflyer.
A fare search returned non-stop one way flight from London to Melbourne starts from USD 3,833 in discount Business Class (D Class) before tax and fuel surcharge.
The fare became USD 4,744 after tax on Qantas website.
The non-stop pair is usually the most expensive as it is convenient and saves time to travel non-stop. If we change the search from London to Paris, the fare dropped almost 1,000 dollars!
After tax it is USD 3,508 (2,834 Euros) one way from Paris via London to Melbourne. This is $1200 cheaper than the direct flight fare from London to Melbourne.
Tips: Although the fare is lower, but you have to remember to factor in your re-positioning cost (and time) to Paris to see if it is worth it.
After more searching, I’ve found even cheaper Business Class fare from Athens to Melbourne on Qantas. You can fly either via London or Dubai to Melbourne from Athens on this fare!
But the cheapest Business Class fare is from Cairo to Melbourne on Qantas/Emirates. It is $1,261 before tax and fees! However this fare does not permit routing via London flying on Qantas B787-9 direct. You have to fly via Dubai on Emirates.
Bottom Line
As we know the non-stop city pair has often the most expensive fare, the trick is to find alternative city with a connection. In the Qantas case, I’ve found much lower airfare from Paris or Athens to fly on the Qantas B787-9 Dreamliner. I am thinking to buy a ticket from Athens to try out the new flight later!
Sam’s Travel Hacks
As a frequent flier, I recommend book flights and compare prices on Skyscanner and JustFly for the best deals on the internet. We have put together many useful travel tips and airfare promotions in my Smart Travel section to guide you travel in more luxury with lower price!
Do you have similar experience on finding lower premium fare from an alternative city of departure? Please share it!
Video Review
Hi Sam
Your video for cheap Business class fare is great
I live in Virginia USA and looking for best Business Class fare to India specifically in Christmas Time
Please suggest me when should i book my tickets and which airline.
Anil
Hi Sam, the expert site video was very useful. How do I book tickets using the site. It only gives me fare options. If I check the same in airline site it is very expensive.
Expertflyer only provides information, they do not sell tickets. You need to check the fare rules on each fare to make sure it qualifies. Also not to forget the tax and surcharges.
I am going to Japan . I am 53yrs old and disabled vet. Where can I find lowest business class or better airfare ( l need room for my leg room . please explain in detail) your help is much appreciated. Thank you. Sam
If flying from the UK also try links from Dublin and Helsinki for cheaper Business Class.
Also, if flying east from the UK also search for cheapest Business Class through hubs such as KL, Bangkok and Hong Kong then pick up another cheaper business class flights from there to you destination, this can save you a fair bit.
Return Business class flights from the UK to KL with Qatar was £1,900 and from KL to Bali return with Malaysian Business Class was only £104!!! – return from the U.K. business class to Bali with Qatar was over £2,600 s so a saving of £600. for an additional stop, and taking into
account layovers there was not much difference in the times
I use Skyscanner, another search engine, which for me has always thrown up the cheapest prices, I found it even better than Momondo
Thanks for sharing us your tips!
Hi Sam, when starting in Paris or Athens and routing via London to catch direct flight to Perth do you have to catch the initial flight to London or can you just board at London? Ie to save me travelling from London to Paris / Athens?
Thanks, Peter
you will have to fly from Paris, otherwise using the ticket out of sequence will be subject to re-pricing penalties.