In the final episode in the first season of Luxury Unpacked host Fiona Dalton chats to Bunnik Tours joint CEO and airline reviewer Dennis Bunnik and Savenio Managing Director David Brandon about the best airlines, seat and plane for your luxury long-haul journey.
“Treat your flight like a hotel,” says Savenio Managing Director David Brandon.
“You don’t always stay at the same hotel. It’s about picking the right seat on the right airline and the right aircraft.”
Bunnik Tours CEO Dennis Bunnik agrees, saying he’s all about variety as he seeks new experiences for his reviews on his highly rated airline review channel on YouTube.
“I’m trying to fly new routes and new airlines for my flight reviews, I look for the same as a hotel, as close as possible to where I need to be … it’s the same with flying, I’m based in Adelaide and we don’t have as many choices so what’s going to get me where I need to go?”
And he adds, you have to consider comfort and the best transfers.
“Doha and Singapore are easy to transfer to, but Dubai can be very crowded, so if you have to change terminals, it can be a nightmare.”
He says airline choice is also a big factor.
“A lot of people don’t take that into account, like in Emirates if you are flying first class you want to be on the A380 because it’s a bigger aircraft, and it has a bar at the back so you can get out and socialise.
“For business class, the 777 has a number of aircraft with old generation seating, and then they have the new 350s, where they squeeze A380 seating in, so the seats are narrower and not as comfortable for sleeping.”
He says hands-down the A380 is the most comfortable aircraft to fly.
“It’s pressurised at a lower altitude so it doesn’t dry out your skin and eyes, and it’s much quieter.”
The pointy end of the plane
If you really want to step things up, Bunnik says nothing compares to The Residence on Etihad – a multi-room suite with a private bedroom, shower, and living area.
But he says if you are sticking to first, “Emirates, Etihad and Singapore first class suites are very different to business and you have a separate bed”.
“It’s a spectacular amount of space, so the jump from business class is the same as if you were going from economy to business.”
Business on a budget
“Finnair has great fares out of Australia,” says Brandon.
“You might fly Qantas to Singapore and then Finnair to Europe, and they about $8K so more competitive, although you might have an extra stop, but this is where the agents know what there is and it’s not so readily available online.”
Bunnik says while you can also try for an upgrade bid, “it’s like putting in for points for an upgrade, so expect not to get it”.
He says as for the ‘early bird flights’, sales aren’t as strong as they used to be.
“It was a big deal then, but now it’s dissipated a bit. Worst case scenario for an airline is to sell out 10 months in advance because they need seats for corporate travellers and frequent flyers, so there’s no simple answer, but if you need to be at a wedding next year, book now because once the seats are gone, they’re gone.”
The Flying Kangaroo
“I’ll give Qantas kudos that in the last six months, I flew Business and First and it seems the crew and staff enjoy working for Qantas again,” says Bunnik.
And he ways watch his space as ‘Project Sunrise’ – a project by Qantas to launch ultra-long-haul, non-stop commercial flights from Australia to destinations like London and New York, is on its way.
“It’ll be on A350s, it’s a good product, not world-leading but a nice Aussie first class experience.”
But both Bunnik and Brandon agree this is going to be an important move for the Australian traveller.
“I think there’s a real market for that. A lot of people will want to go direct and it’ll be a great opportunity,” says Brandon.
Listen to the final episode in this season of Luxury Unpacked here:
For more information, partnership opportunities, or to be a guest on the podcast, contact Karryon’s Partnership Manager Carolyn Nightingale at carolyn@karryon.com.au.
