Re: Flight Entertainment packages
 

I used Emirates in February for my visa validation trip - their ICE in-flight entertainment system is fantastic, although it wasn't available on all legs of my flight (Glasgow-Dubai-Brisbane).

We flew out with Singapore Airlines in June/July (with wife and 2.5 year old this time), and their entertainment system was not nearly as good - although better than most. In Singapore's favour - Changi Airport is first rate, Dubai was chaotic. We stopped over in Singapore, and took night flights for both legs, and our little one slept most of the way.

My advice to anyone traveling with kids would be to bring your own entertainment, and take night flights if possible. If the in-flight entertainment is good then that's a bonus.

Cheers,
Dave

Re: Flight Entertainment packages
 

Sounds like very good advice and a few other people seem to agree with the comments re PSP and DS etc.

Travelling in early April 2008, originally as holiday but if all goes well may be a visa validation trip. Can someone tell me how long you have to actually move to OZ once visa's are validated ??

Thanks to everyone for the advice and comments.

Big Ears.

Re: Flight Entertainment packages
 

Big Ears, Stop worrying! Many folk on here have flown with most of the major airlines and have their favourite.

We're just back from Melbourne, having flown with Qantas for the second time in Two years, in fact we could have flown with Emirates for £200 less, but chose Qantas.

The IFE system is great, our kids are 10 +7 and they had a great time with all the movies and tv programs available. They were so busy planning what to watch next etc, that they hardly looked at the games.

I would agree that it would be best to avoid BA. Qantas are not the most popular airline on this site, but i doubt it would be worth it to pay shed loads more to fly with Singapore/Emirates.

Re: Flight Entertainment packages
 

If you go Qantas straight through then you will have an excellent service - I have tried them all at one stage or another and Qantas is right up there IMHO. Sometimes (and this is true of all airlines) if you mix and match your flights then you may get an older plane on some routes but if you go on the premier routes (eg QF1) you will get the best planes with the best equipment. Qantas in flight entertainment has been great for the past year or so with on demand videos and a huge range of options.

I have yet to encounter a bad crew in Qantas - however I have had several in BA (probably OK if you are an attractive 30 something bloke but dont try being a 30s single woman with kids!!) and even JA, MAS and SAL have had their moments (none compared with All Burma Airlines but that was a while ago!)

Re: Flight Entertainment packages
 

Think you have 5 years from the date the visa was granted, not 5 years after validation.

Re: Flight Entertainment packages
 

Virgin Atlantic have the best IFE, but I'm biased. :thumbsup:

Re: Flight Entertainment packages
 

If I had the choice between BA/QANTAS or Singapore (not flown Rmirates) I'd go Singapore everytime. I hated BA/Q, they were rude, unhelpful and the food was rubbish. I guess the same thing happens with all the others but from my experience and that of others I know, they have the monopoly on crap attitudes:( Whilst 24 hours isn't long, it is if you're not getting good service and the kids aren't happy :ohmy:

I'm sure if you look around you can find Singapore flights cheaper than those you've already found. The other thing - you don't necessarily want a quick turnround between flights. a) you don't want to be worrying about catching the connection and b) after 13 odd hours you really want more than 2 hours to stretch your legs and breathe normal air. Changi can keep you occupied for hours.

Good luck with whichever you go with.