I've flown a bit with both kids on my own and aside from the meal, I really haven't found much difference between Qantas and the others - except Tiger, they suck.
I've never had a bassinette though, it def depends on the size of the aircraft and often if you're travelling alone they will give those seats to able bodied passengers who don't have someone to look after (just in case there's an emergency - well that's the line they often feed to me anyway).
I've never been charged for anything infant related as luggage, though making sure you can manage all the paraphernalia and DS is the challenge. I rarely fly with a stroller for example and use the sling when travelling, as it's just easier.
Car rental places won't hire the carseat without the car, but there are plenty of baby hire places in capital cities if you do a search. Usually installation is up to you though.
If you do hire a car, many will now get you to install a babyseat yourself as they don't want to be held accountable if it's wrong IYKWIM?
I've flown to Brissy by myself with DD, she was just one though.
I went with Virgin and their service was excellent, I have never even thought to ask about bassinets, I just thought the were for international flights and having flown a LOT across Australia I've never seen one on a domestic flight !
I chose flights at times generally evening flights when I knew that DD would feed on take off and generally go to sleep afterwards which she did, I was then able to enjoy a drink and nibbles. Before the Brisy trip the weekend before we went to Melbourne with DH for a bit of a test run to see how DD would go so I had a bit fo an idea on how she would go.
The staff were always really helpful and I was more than happy with going with Virgin.
Never had any trouble with baggage, last time I took my pram (in a special bag for it) large bag for the two of us, a nappy bag and my handbag. I used a sling or carrier to take DD on and off the plane. You can take what ever you need at no charge, pram, porta cot and carseat
I used to commute weekly to Canberra for 2 1/2 years and we would fly over with Qantas and back with Virgin, and I have to say I really enjoyed flying with Virgin a lot more than flying with Qantas, but that was before kids and these days we just fly Virgin unless Qantas could match the price. I wouldn't go with Jetstar or Tiger, they aren't as baby friendly based on the experiences of quite a few friends
We have hired cars in Brisy, Melb and hired a car seat, which was installed when we picked up the cars, but just note that it is your responsibility to make sure it is firm and tight ~ we did but never had a problem. It wasn't that much more and made it really easy.
We flew jetstar earlier this month. The crew were lovely but it was sooooo cramped with a toddler on my knee. I think with qantas you would have more room so perhaps a better choice.
I just went to Perth a couple of weeks ago, we flew Virgin there, and Qantas back. Virgin were lovely, but Qantas was HEAPS better. Bigger plane, staff were even lovelier and more accommodating and helpful. It was a much more pleasant experience, and the cost difference really wasn't that great. Totally worth it IMO.
As for car seats in rentals, make sure you question them on the phone. We used Europcar, and they were hopeless. The seats weren't fitted when we arrived, so we had to stand in the cold rain with the kids while the guy did it. He had no idea, I had to fix the seats! And I still wasn't 100% happy. Thanks for reminding me, I need to contact them about it, I can't believe they have someone fitting seats who isn't trained.
I think plane size depends on the time you fly rather than carrier
I would recommend either Virgin or Qantas, NOT Jetstar as it is really cramped
I flew on the weekend and Virgin was more roomy than Qantas
Whichever one gets you to your destination at a reasonable time is the best idea IMO
Many of the car companies do not do rear facing seats but they almost all arrange forward facing so best to ring
When you pack go light on your hand luggage. My first time travelling alone with a baby I took the normal nappy bag and my handbag...the baby is like more hand luggage as you have to carry them too
Now i take a small backpack with everything, it helps if it can fit under the seat in front and an Ergo or some kind of carrier that can be truly handsfree (not a ring sling) is a godsend though they will make you take it off in flight
A bassinette is AWESOME My first experience was with DS at 3 months 2 and a but years after travelling with kids and I didn't know myself
Good luck
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