I'm looking at flying to and from Singapore out of Sydney for a cruise holiday at the end of the year.

I'm looking at flying to and from Singapore out of Sydney for a cruise holiday at the end of the year. I'm a huge Eihad fan, but they no longer fly to Singapore out of Brisbane.

So, I've been looking at my choices and there's certainly a lot to select from! I put it out to the many experienced travellers on this forum. I'm looking at booking a First class ticket.

Option 1

Fly Singapore Airlines direct Sydney to Singapore. I'm assuming that the A380 is superior to the 777-300ER services?

Option 2

Fly down to Melbourne (and back on the return leg) and pick up the Emirates daily A380 service to Singapore. Price wise it is cheaper to do this than Singapore Airlines, but there's the slight hassle of flying domestic to pick up this service. The advantage is the Emirates A380 bar and use of the showers on board.

Option 3

British Airway 777 service from Sydney to Singapore. I've read many negative and lacklustre reviews of this product. However, it is cheaper still than Singapore and Emirates, plus there is no need to fly to another domestic city to pick up the flight.

Option 4

Do I downgrade and fly Business with Qantas? I'm unsure whether their new Business class product is flying the Sydney to Singapore route, and it so, how consistently it flies it?

Option 5

Any other suggestions? I am open minded with this.

Thanks to all who might message with a helpful response!

Given all those choices I would be heading for QF in J.   While the new J product is not consistently on the SYD SIN route now, by the end of the year all the upgrades will be complete and then that will be the case. 

I would also be looking at timing, in which case SQ might take the lead given their number of flights.

Agree with Greg, Qantas in J and if timing does not suit SQ.

It really depends how much the air trip is part of the holiday and how much you enjoy flying. The QF suggestion is the most practical and you could use the cash balance to splash out on something special by way of a hotel in Sydney, or by upgrading your cabin on board the cruise (far more time to enjoy increased benefits) The BA option should give you access to the Qantas First Class Lounge in Sydney (unless of course your FF status already allows this). A nice choice to have!!

Thanks for the suggestions to date. I'm surprised that Qantas business class is being promoted above first class on other airlines. I did a price check on Qantas and business class with them is more expensive than BA first and only a few hundred dollars cheaper than Emirates first. They're still a $1000 less thanSingapore first though.

I would be going with EK First. Fantastic Product, transfers are super easy at MEL ( just have to walk through) and if the price isnt too high then why settle for Qantas business when you can have one of the worlds finest first class ( Behind Etihad and a few others of course... Depending on preference) 

I've also not heard great things about BA F, but if the price is netter than Qantas I'd be taking that... You'll be able to use the QF F lounge in SYD also. 

I do like Emirates (behind Etihad) and even though the flight is only 7-8 hours the presence of the bar and an onboard shower is always nice.

Was thinking I'd stay over in Melbourne before returning to Sydney too if I go with that option. 

Im shocked by how expensive Qantas is given their inferior product compared to most international fleets. 

Would have not guuessed that BA first costs less than Qantas J.

In that case I would go BA First (have flown it) it is better than Qantas new J.

BA First is cheaper than Qantas Business by $100 roughly on the dates I'm looking at. 

I was surprised at first, but admittedly given that BA First looks like a glorified business product I'm not actually that surprised. However, I'm partially curious to try it, but am leaning towards products with better reviews. 

In Qantas New Business I feel a bit cramped up.  Pitch 78 inch Width 21.5  inch.

BA First Pitch 78 inch Width 22 inch.

Not much dif but on Qantas the seat when flat goes under the seat below. While BA First has its own space.

Blue Label Johhny Walker whisky in First.

JW Blue is my favourite. Emirates also has it, olus Dom Perignon. Sadly, Etihad didn't stock JW on my recent flight. 

I have flown the BA First, Emirates First and the latest Qantas business product in the  last three months to Singapore and all have their advantages. I find the BA offering the most comfortable as I dont like that Emirates have no overhead bins, so your luggage is at your feet. Unfortunately the BA flight back is at a terrible time.

Qantas is the best business product from the three airlines but I only use them if I buy significantly in advance when thr price is reasonable

I will probably switch to Emirates (ticketed through QF) from March onwards as I do like the bar on the A380 and the timing is very good