Ok.. Im a first timer with flights (ive never been in a plane).
Im organising for my mum to come down from QLD to melb a few weeks before the baby is born and to fly back about 1-2 weeks after bub is born. See, the thing is.. i know nothing. So I'm after some expertise. Who should she fly with? What are the costs? How long does it take from brissy to melb?
Oh and does she need a passport for this or is that just for going overseas?
But, no passport required.
I would stick with Qantas, Virgin Australia (was Virgin Blue) or Jetstar.. Personally Jetstar aren't high on my good list when travelling with kids, but have no issues with them without the kids..
I think you can use a site called web jet to compare flight prices, or you can go onto the websites of individual airlines. If I'm travelling within Australia, I tend to use Jetstar or Virgin. In their sites, you can select the dates you want to travel on, and then it gives you a selection of times during the day to do it, with the prices. Be careful though, if she's got luggage to bring, that you don't select a fare that only allows carry on luggage (which is usually just one small bag that you take on the plane with you.)
I think it takes about two hours from Brisbane to Melbourne, if my memory serves me correctly. And you don't need a passport, that's only for overseas. Hope that helps
Qantas - you don't have to pay extra for luggage being checked in, you get food.
Virgin - you pay extra to have checked-in luggage, no food
Jetstar - you pay extra to have checked-in luggage, no food (unless you're lucky enough to be on a Qantas flight).
I'd look at webjet for flight times, for comparison between airlines, but book with individual airline websites. There was a $40 difference between the cost of a Qantas flight on webjet to the same flight on the Qantas website (cheaper on the Qantas site).
Yes Beware of Jetstar who fly into Avalon which is HOURS away from Melbourne. Try either webjet or flightcentre, that way it is easier to see price differences. Webjet do charge an extra $30 to book through their site though. Tiger airways are dirt cheap too if your Mum dosnt mind waiting in a tin shed for her flight One way can range from around $60(with tiger) upward. I usually pay around $120. I wouldnt pay mor than $150 personally just because you can get them cheap, you just have to book with plenty of time to spare.
HTH
Pfft Avalon is only about an hour from Melbourne, sometimes less or more depending on traffic.
Its not that bad, the distance thing. The bad thing is that it isn't a good airport... But... I think more Jetstar flights fly into Tullamarine these days anyway so don't be too concerned.
ETA - I would never fly Tiger. Ever. Seen and heard of too many stuff ups.
I also only fly Jetstar if it is a maaaaaajor discount. In my experiences Virgin and Qantas are far superior and you don't actually have to pay that much more for the better service etc.
Definitely hit web jet - it's very easy to use and will show you all the options. Just be sure to check and double check the times so you don't end up with a dawn flight.
I'd also recommend a direct flight, as opposed to one that stops in Sydney or something.
Yeah Jetstar flies to Tullamarine now. Having flown virgin and qantas I would go qantas, but virgin would definitely be cheaper. You shouldn't have a problem booking a return flight later if you just wanted to book her flight coming down first.
If your Mum hasn't flown much I would go with Qantas or virgin who have great customer service.
When she gets to the airport let them know she is apprehensive about finding out where to go etc.
The older you get the more help you get when telling them how you feel.
Ps, if she flies school holiday time it costs more
We've been in Brissy nearly three years, and go back to Melbs 3-4 times a year. We go with Qantas. Every time. It's just the best, athough that self-check baggage thing at Tullamarine is a world of fail.
Getting to Avalon is a pain in the hole, also the cabin fills up with baggage really quickly, and too many idiots in general, I find.
Virgin runs late too often, although it's otherwise good.
I just wanted to add that out own personal experience with Tiger was terrible and I would rather pay extra $$ to fly with another airline. We always fly otu of Tullamarine b/c it is approx. 1 hr to the airport from where we live & I can't be bothered driving the extra for a cheaper flight (if they are cheaper)
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Flights from Brisbane to Melbourne?
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