I'm currently exploring my options for a trip to London.

I'm currently exploring my options for a trip to London. My preference is for Virgin and co.

I looked at using an EK flight to London, but a SQ flight coming back - and VA's website doesn't like it. Has anyone had any success with this combination in the past?

Also open to opinions on other options for flights. This is a trip to visit a friend at his request, so it's an Economy trip done economically where possible.

Which city will you be departing. This is quite important.

Hi, Emirates (EK) is linked with Qantas and not Virgin. Ethiad would be your airline if you wanted to go via the Middle East. However, saying this - I'm still not sure that the Virgin website (or any other website) would allow you to do that. When I try it says there is a pricing error. This might be something that the contact centre (with a fee) or your friendly travel agent could do.

Yes that is correct ji if you are flying from SYD then VA or EY can take you to AUH from MEL and PER EY can get you there and from BNE EY also can but before the 787 takes over that route you'll need to go via SIN. From AUH to LHR (i assume) you can board another EY flight to london. Bear in mind if your going from MEL, SIN or BNE then you could go via LAX. I dont reccomend this but it may be good to go on VA's own metal. It will take.longer too. Then you could take VS or maybe delta? to LHR. You could also consider ANZ if you want to go the long way but im not sure what the deal is there. It does depend on your city of depature though. Dont forget SQ they fly nonstop to MEL SYD BNE ADL PER and silk air to DRW and scoot to OOL

Hi Adam,

I have made two rt first class trips on SQ from Australia to London this year and as new customer to SQ found their in flight service and suites far better than any other carrier,s offering.Their A380 is great and as example i have made four rt first class trips on Qantas..QF 12/11 via Sydney to Brisbane and found SQ in flight service far better in all aspects, quality and portions of food and beverage.Singapore girls at their best,first name greating and nothing is to much.I feel Qantas service has in part improved...just very inconsistant in P and J cabins i have noticed.I also paid for my daughter and two of her friends to travel SQ rt economy from Brisbane to London and they had nothing but praise for SQ economy service.I also actually found the fares paid cheaper than CX,BA and QF.

The Virgin website will actually let you depart with Etihad or SIA and return the other- but only if it's booked under flexi economy. Otherwise you'll have to fly return with the same carrier to access the cheapest fares. It depends what city you're departing, for instance I recommend SIA from BNE but Virgin/Etihad from Sydney etc. 

If you're after Star Alliance have you considered LH? You could catch SQ Brisbane to Singapore then LH via Frankfurt... Depends when you're leaving of course but they've got a fare out for about $800 plus taxes atm. Good luck getting seats on it tho! 

Or if you're after super cheap you could check GA. Bit of a milk run but they're sub-$700 plus tax through to beginning of October.

Are you willing to consider MH? They should have deeply discounted fares now that they're in a bit of a pickle.

Thanks heaps for the thoughts! I'll be departing either from BNE or OOL.

At this stage I'm looking at travelling in October, but if there's a cheaper period or upcoming sales within 6 months of that, I'm happy to push things back a little.

FrequentFlyer - thanks for the tip about the Flexi making the website work when booking with multiple carriers. And ji - I did mean Etihad (EY) just mixed my codes up late at night after a long day.

Am seriously considering going the long way around - getting to LAX then jumping on the ANZ to LHR. Is Gatwick cheaper to land at, and who flies there?

LGW is now an airport that services the holiday charter market, squeezyjet, Ryan air type carriers though emirates do fly there. LHR is the airport of choice for the premium airlines I think. Certainly more choice there. I do not think LGW as a destination would make your fare significantly cheaper to be honest.