Got my visa on 2nd on July.Need to validate or move.

Can experienced folks suggest any specific airlines to choose?If possible Please mention both good/bad experiences.

This is an easy one - Virgin Australia is the way to go.

I went back from San Francisco to Sydney last month on Qantas. What a shitful time it was. Seats are crammed, flight was expensive as it was last minute, every seat in economy was filled. Within an hour of takeoff the loos were filthy and no-one seemed to want to rectify the situation. Service was poor, they threw out the meal then vanished until 90 minutes before we were due to land and they managed to toss out breakfast. Crews on this flight tend to be senior, so you can use bitter and twisted people-haters as a description. In flight entertainment is only average at best.

We were both so unimpressed with our individual flights on Qantas that we purchased new tickets and came back on Virgin. What a difference. Even though we purchased our ticket on day of departure, premium economy was cheaper than what Qantas wanted for us to change the tickets we had. Seats were roomy, with spare seats next to us. Food was excellent. Flight crew worked the entire flight always with a smile on their face. In flight entertainment was the best I have ever encountered. Even though we flew into LAX which we usually avoid at all costs, there was no wait at immigration and within an hour of landing we had our bags and had checked in for our next flight at Southwest in a diff. terminal.

So do yourself a favour, avoid Qantas at all costs. Virgin, I would highly recommend and if you can afford it, go Premium Economy.

Air NZ

Second that. We flew SFO-AUK-ADL on a brand new B777. Crew was fantastic and the seats comfy.

Saying that, I've also never had any problems with QANTAS. I would think it depends on where in the US you are coming from? If you're in the northwest you could go JAL stopping in Tokyo.

Delta started flying the LAX - SYD route on 1st July - I think they may still have some sweet deals available at the moment. Worth taking a look - the service is a little less spartan than some US carriers with complimentary food, soft drinks, beer, wine etc.

Don't mince words then Vicky! Agree with you 100% tho - avoid Qantas at all costs.

Thanks for the input folks!

As it happens I am stuck up here in the mid west.(Detroit)and all the airlines I have been checking are either from LA/SFO/NYC.

Virgin/Quantas/Singapore and the major airlines dont have direct connection from Motor City.This means I will have to first fly to LA/SFO and then book another to get on to Down Under.

Typically at what times are the rates lowest from September-February?Any suggestions?

Only one realistic choice IMO - Air NZ. It stops in Auckland but worth it for the extra legroom, comfort etc.