Superdeals: 40–80% off flights from Europe to Australia

Direct flight routes to Australia

Currently there are very few non-stop flight options from Europe to Australia.

• London Heathrow (LHR) to Perth (PER) – Qantas Airways – 16h 45m


• Rome (FCO) to Perth (PER) – Qantas Airways – 16h 20m

Layover/stopover options

Singapore (SIN): Singapore Airlines’ main hub offers efficient connections averaging 2-3 hours. Modern terminal facilities with free city tours for longer layovers.

Dubai (DXB): Emirates’ mega-hub connects multiple European cities to Australian destinations. Typical connection times 3-4 hours. Extensive duty-free shopping and complimentary hotel for long layovers.

Doha (DOH): Qatar Airways hub featuring modern facilities and good connection times (2-3 hours). Award-winning airport with quiet rooms and spa facilities.

Bangkok (BKK): Thai Airways’ hub offering budget-friendly options. Connection times average 3-4 hours. Easy access to city during longer layovers.

Time vs money

Direct flights typically command premium prices but save 4-8 hours of total travel time. Routes with one or two stops often offer significantly lower fares, especially through Middle Eastern hubs.

Tips and recommendations

• Book multi-city tickets with extended stopovers (24h+) for similar prices as regular layover flights


• Middle Eastern carriers often offer the best value for one-stop routes


• Avoid tight connections under 2 hours on such long journeys


• Consider departure points from major European hubs like Frankfurt or London for more routing options


• Book mixed-carrier tickets through online travel agencies for better deals on complex routings

• Singapore Airlines and Qantas operate new Airbus A350-900ULR aircraft from London and Paris directly to Singapore and Sydney, offering superior comfort with 32-inch pitch in economy and controlled humidity levels. These ultra-long-haul flights often price competitively at €800-1000 return when booked 4-6 months ahead. Connections through Singapore open up excellent fare opportunities to secondary Australian cities like Adelaide or Cairns.
• Flying through Gulf hubs from secondary European cities like Milan, Brussels, or Vienna via Dubai (Emirates) or Doha (Qatar) typically saves 15-25% compared to major hub departures. Qatar Airways particularly excels with their economy product offering 18-inch seat width and upgraded dining on their A350 fleet. Their current promotion running through June 2024 offers Australia fares from €780 return.
• Chinese carriers like China Southern and China Eastern offer fares up to 40% below market average on routes through Guangzhou or Shanghai to Australian destinations. While longer connection times are common, their new A350 and 787 aircraft feature modern comfort standards, and many airports offer free hotel stays for longer layovers.
• Combining two separate tickets – one to Southeast Asia on budget carriers like Scoot or AirAsia X, then connecting to Australia – can reduce total cost by 25-35%. This strategy works best from Nordic countries or Eastern Europe, where budget carriers offer extensive routes to Singapore and Kuala Lumpur.
• Malaysian Airlines recently expanded their European network with fifth-freedom rights, allowing competitive pricing from London and Frankfurt via Kuala Lumpur to Australian cities. Their A350 economy cabin offers generous 33-inch pitch, and their current partnership with Qatar Airways enables mixed-carrier itineraries at reduced rates.

1. Booking the cheapest possible routing Long multi-stop itineraries through unusual hubs like Guangzhou or Manila can lead to exhaustion and potential delays, making the small savings not worth the added travel time and stress.
2. Ignoring seasonal price fluctuations Failing to book during shoulder seasons (March-May or September-November) means paying premium rates during Australian summer and European holiday periods.
3. Scheduling tight connections in Asian hubs Not allowing enough connection time in major transit points like Singapore, Dubai, or Doha can result in missed flights and lost baggage due to the massive size of these airports.
4. Choosing Sydney as the only arrival point Flying exclusively into Sydney when your final destination is elsewhere in Australia often means paying more and adding unnecessary domestic connections when Melbourne, Brisbane, or Perth might be better options.
5. Booking early morning departures from European cities Selecting 6 AM or earlier departures from European airports can lead to transit complications as many city trains and airport shuttles don’t operate in early morning hours.

Qatar Airways

Best for: Most extensive European network with connections to Australia through its Doha hub.

Operates from 28 European cities to Australia (biggest departure points: London Heathrow, Paris CDG, Frankfurt). Consistently rated among top airlines globally, Qatar offers generous 32-inch seat pitch in Economy and high-quality dining. Single efficient stopover in Doha typically runs 2-3 hours. Passengers particularly praise their attentive service and Doha’s modern transit facilities. Entertainment system features over 4,000 options.

Emirates

Best for: Most frequent daily connections and entertainment options.

Serves Australia from 21 European cities (main hubs: London Heathrow, Manchester, Frankfurt) via Dubai. Economy offers comfortable 32-33 inch pitch seats with adjustable headrests. Multi-course meals with regional specialties and extensive beverage selection. Dubai stopover typically 2-4 hours with excellent shopping opportunities. Their ICE entertainment system is industry-leading with over 5,000 channels.

Singapore Airlines

Best for: Superior comfort and service quality in Economy Class.

Operates from 11 European cities (primary: London Heathrow, Frankfurt, Paris CDG) to Australia via Singapore. Features one of the most spacious Economy seats (32-34 inch pitch) with excellent recline. Known for exceptional Singapore Girl service and high-quality Asian-fusion cuisine. Singapore Changi Airport consistently rated world’s best for transit passengers. Their KrisWorld entertainment system offers extensive Asian content.

Etihad Airways

Best for: Most generous Economy Class baggage allowance (2x23kg).

Connects 8 European cities (main: London Heathrow, Paris CDG, Frankfurt) to Australia through Abu Dhabi. Economy Smart seats provide good comfort with 31-33 inch pitch and fixed-wing headrests. Modern fleet features mood lighting and advanced air filtration. Abu Dhabi transit is typically efficient with 2-3 hour connections. Meals include Arabic and international options with complimentary snack kitchen access.

Using APAC regional carriers to save on Australia flights

Strategic use of Asia-Pacific regional airlines can significantly reduce costs when flying between Europe and Australia. The key is breaking up your journey into segments and leveraging cheaper regional carriers for portions of the trip.

1. Book separate tickets – Rather than a single through-fare, book your Europe-Asia leg separately from your Asia-Australia segment
2. Choose strategic hubs – Focus on major Asian hubs like Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, or Bangkok where regional carriers operate extensive routes
3. Target budget airlines – Consider carriers like AirAsia, Scoot, or Jetstar for the Asia-Australia leg, often saving 40-60% compared to full-service airlines
4. Allow buffer time – Schedule at least 4 hours between flights when self-connecting to avoid issues with delays

For example, flying London to Singapore on a major carrier, then connecting to Melbourne via Scoot or Jetstar can save upwards of €400 compared to a single ticket on a traditional airline. Key regional carriers to consider include Scoot, AirAsia, Jetstar, and Cebu Pacific.

Remember to factor in baggage fees and connection times when calculating total costs, as regional carriers often charge extra for services included with full-service airlines.