When Cruise Lines International Association this week announced 1.3 million Australians took a holiday on the water last year, one sector stood out as a rising star: fly cruise.
So news that Qantas will be ready to fly direct to Europe and the US from Sydney and Melbourne next year should have been greeted with laud applause by the 320,000 Australians who flew to their ships in 2018.
After all, even though it means 21 hours to Europe or 19 hours to New York non-stop, it saves time and may even be cheaper.
But a survey of Cruise Passenger Facebook readers may come as a surprise to CEO Alan Joyce and his fellow Qantas executives.
Over half (51%) said they would rather have a stop over. Only 36% said they would definitely prefer to fly direct, though 13% did say they didn’t mind either way.
Mr Joyce told The Financial Review on Monday that the airline is ready for the flights next year.
But he said what they would do to keep people occupied, entertained and healthy during the longer hop from Sydney and Melbourne is still a work in progress.
Qantas already flies direct Perth to London, a mere 17 hours for the 14,498 km journey.
Our readers were divided over which would be the best way to fly to a cruise. But most felt a stop-over was preferable.
“Would much rather stop over somewhere for a couple of days and get over one flight before starting another. It definitely eases jet lag on long haul flights and we get to enjoy a mini break in another destination too”, commented Linda Brooks.
“Stopover which will allow the body not to suffer the effects of expressed oxygen, especially those with blood thickness problems. Too much time in an aircraft just may expose people to unnecessary health problems,” said John Ashton Whittle.
But Margaret Grandison was in no doubt.
“Much prefer the direct flights. I don’t like wandering around various airports or the stress of getting from one gate to the next in time.”
What’s your view? Leave your comments and join the debate.
I wish they could invent a “healthy flight”, where germs are not spread around, you can access a treadmill for a “walk”, and the atmosphere could be humidified so that it does not make you feel like you’ve been in the desert for a month. My husband and I are over 60 and sitting for hours is just not an option, even business class although more comfortable is still limiting. If I had the time and the money, I would cruise all the way..I know many people who do. A stopover is always preferable unless flight health and comfort can be drastically improved.
We wouldn’t contemplate such a long haul flight unless we could afford business class. Our last long haul flight was to Buenos Aries with transit stops at Auckland & Santiago on a so-called Dreamliner. It was a nightmare in economy – narrow aisles & no legroom. Neither my husband nor I had any sleep & I had badly swollen feet & legs for 2 days ( despite wearing flight socks). We would only fly to Uk or Europe if we had a break inSingapore & could afford an upgrade. Mal B.
I have flown the Melbourne Perth London return 3 times including the inaugural flight. As far as my wife and I are concerned (and we in our mid 60’s) it is the only way to go to anywhere in Europe. Indeed in January we flew to Egypt via London. A comfortable, hassle free stop over in Perth much preferable to a stopover in Dubai or Singapore (we’re not into shopping). We are so glad Qantas has given Dubai a miss. The flight times leaving Perth late afternoon and arriving first thing in the morning with the opportunity to have as many hours uninterrupted sleep as you need really helps to eliminate jet lag. Can’t wait for the direct flight to London. The only issue I have is that the 787 is not nearly as comfortable as the Airbus.
We much prefer a stopover, lets us have a mini vacation on the way. We flew Qantas from Santiago to Perth in February and the food was very mediocre, in fact the dessert was not edible. Didnt even get a little bag with toothpaste etc for such a long flight. Very poor. Obviously Qantas are cutting costs. Wouldn”t choose Qantas except we are frequent flyers and have to use the points. Having said that we wanted to use towards flight to Copenhagen a couple of years ago and no go also for our South American trip and no go. For ordinary folk goin
g on holiday I would think that much better to have a stopover.
definately a stopover. sitting cramped up
and people coughing.
need to stretch legs and fresh air.
1. Direct flights for such a long haul Syd/Melb to US /Europe – great idea! I’ve been looking for something like this for a long time.But how comfy will the economy class seats be??!! It’s Ok for Business Class folk. Plus Qantas on-board service is ‘slap dash’ – the stewards are there doing a ‘job’ they’re paid to do. It lacks the luster provided by other air-lines. I would fly Qantas more often, however for the above reasons choose other air-lines. Come on Australia – where is your courtesy and Aussie flavour?! Is it because there are ‘contract’ staff who are on the job and off the job and probably work for other services and airlines too?on the job, who have no affinity or long-service loyalties to the Company?
2. I like Qantas’ air-plane safety so far – so keep that up.
Allan Joyce wouldn’t know how constricted the seats on Qantas are in Economy. No 1. He’s a leprechaun & No 2, he would only fly First Class. I would love a direct flight to Europe but certainly not on Qantas!!! The worst flights of my life have been on Qantas & I refuse to fly with them any more !!
It was interesting to hear that Alan Joyce thinks it’s a good idea but how often has he ever flown in economy class on any flight, let alone for 21 hours?
I am in my 70’s 6’1″ tall and a simple 5-hour flight from Perth to Singapore in economy leaves me exhausted trying to get comfortable. It’s time to introduce extra legroom seats and space for passengers to move so perhaps Mr. Joyce should consider that option before introducing his 21-hour flights. We always stop over in Singapore as a preference if traveling to the UK or Europe. I couldn’t bear the thought of being squashed like a dog in a cage for 21 hours.
No direct flights to Europe or the Americas for me.
Stopovers are by far preferable.
But why not configure the seating as 100% premium Economy and put up the prices accordingly, then the long flights would be bearable.
I for one would not fly direct as it is too stressful on the body. Added to this the lack of leg room is also an issue especially when you have had a double knee replacement. Stop-overs allow the body to rest and time to experience another culture whilst in transit to your destination.
In economy there is not enough leg room for Long flights, we go to UK at least once per year an 18 hour flight is murder as we are both in our late 60’s
We usually try to minimize stopovers. We’ve visited most of the places you can stop at on the way to Europe and America already so we don’t tend to stop over. The change of flight (or even re-fueling stop) is a lot of time, effort and stress, Already we face a leg of 14 hours or more, so extending that to 21 hours seems worthwhile. There will still be plenty of options for those who prefer to break the journey. Bring on the non-stop flights!
We cruise and fly regularly about 3 times per year, and live in Perth, Western Australia. We prefer a stopover in either Dubai or Doha as we are both 71 the longer flights are too much. We find our bodies respond with minimum jet lag, by breaking a flight. Afterall it’s a holiday!
Only if we were younger, or going for business would we consider the 17 hr non stop flight.