Iain
Do you mean you want to fly from one of the regional airports, as I believe none of the airlines you named fly from Gatwick, all use Heathrow.
I haven't flown with either Qatar or Etihad, I'm not sure if Qatar fly to Oz but they are a highly rated as are Etihad.
I have flown with both Cathay and Singapore, would not fly economy with Cathay as they have very cramped seating, Singapore service is good their seating in economy varies.
I flew to Oz a few years ago in business class with Singapore, very comfortable with excellent service. I have flown long haul business class with BA and found their beds(really flat) more comfortable than Singapore's whose beds slanted somewhat and the service was very good. Business class in lots of airlines is being updated all the time. Malaysia Airlines are excellent, normally good service with good leg room in economy so I imagine their business class would be good, stop over would be in Kuala Lumpur, Thai Airlines in economy are roomy but the entertainment system needs upgrading, their stopover would be in Bangkok.
If you fly Cathay you would have a stopover in Hong Kong. Emirates are also a possibility though I have read lots of reports that their business class doesn't compare with other major airlines. Stopover in Dubai.
I think BA, Singapore Airlines and Qantas use Singapore for their stopover.

check out http://www.airlinequality.com for reviews on all of the above airlines.

Iain, we flew business class with Singapore last month, stopover singapore... can't rate the service highly enough...and you get to use the upper class lounge..... if you do SA then try to get your seats on the upper deck of the 747!

ATB,J.

I have just booked to fly with SA to Singapore and then onward to Auckland as they are the only Airline that fly direct other than Air NZ who fly via Los Angelos.
I am looking at your suggestion re seating. I will be flying from Manchester which is another reason for flying with them. I can take a taxi to the Airport and it just involves the stopover and then direct from Singapore to Auckland.

Looking at booking a stopover package with them as they have groups of hotels of various standards and they include transfers discounts off food and tours etc. I think the flight to Singapore is a 777 and the onward flight 747. It would appear from what you say that they have economy seats upstairs or have I misunderstood. I must look at the aircraft plan.

I require assistance with my baggage and I have booked with Trailfinders whom I have used in the past. I am impressed with their service and they have the ability to identify you from previous bookings. The 2 people who dealt with me were professional and did exactly what they said they would do. I have no hesitation in recommending them.

Sue

Sue
Travelling Business Class with Singapore is a pleasure, you will be well looked after.
Do book the SA stopover program, when I flew to NZ with them a few years ago I found it very useful , you just checkin at the stopoverdesk on arrival at Singapore airport and they give you your vouchers for either free or discounted trips/entry to various attractions,etc and they have free transportation to the hotel arranged. You also have the opportunity to ride the hop on hop off bus for free throughout the city, well worth taking advantage of.
I envy you your trip to New Zealand it's my favourite holiday destination.

Thanks for the info. I am still looking at the stopover hotels and I had thought about booking the E category but there is only hotel available with them.
Better choice in the D category and as I will be paying a single supplement I think it will be fine. With the 10% discount it will be £194 as opposed to £240. Had I been able to get more choice in the E category then I would have gone for that.
Sadly I am travelling economy but I understand that the 777 200e has got a seat pitch of 34" which may not seem much but on a long haul flight that 3" extra can be helpful.

Sue

Sue

Sorry I mixed your post up with Iain's re business class. My last trip to Oz was a couple of years ago in economy with Malaysia Air who also have a 34" seat pitch and those extra inches certainly make a difference. Next time I fly to New Zealand I am going to try the premium economy seats with Air New Zealand using their flight through Hong Kong.
I find hotel rooms in Singapore far too expensive especially for the single traveller, the prices seem to have increased by leaps and bounds over the last few years. My first stopover I stayed in a B class, and the last time a C class, both were reasonable and I didn't have any problems.

Hi Judith

I flew to NY in Feb/March with BA and I was fortunate to be upgraded to Premium Economy both ways. Going I watched a bit of TV read ate etc.
Coming back the flight left at 7pm and once all the usual rounds of drinks food etc the lights went down. I slept until the put the lights up with 50 minutes to landing. I would have slept longer had I had the opportunity but the flight was short as we had tailwinds. Landed 80 minutes ahead of schedule. I used to be that I could not sleep on Aircraft but those days have gone and now I usually manage a few hours.

I leave Manchester at 9.30am so will need to be at the Airport for around 6.30. This means that I will have to leave here at 5am. I had the same early start when I went to NY and I got up at around 4am.
Just have to bite the bullet. At least now I am not worrying as I will have a 13-14 hour flights and then 2 nights in bed before I head off again. The flight from Singapore is overnight leaving at 9pm so this will leave me with hopefully some time to sleep. I arrive just before 12 MD so will have the rest of that afternoon to get my bearings and then probably an early night.

On the day of the cruise I will probably board early around lunch time and come back off for a while if I feel I want to. I will have all of Saturday to have a look around and I do hope that by the time the cruise starts I will be feeling less jet lagged.
Needs must.

Sue

Hi Sue

I was also in New York in March, wasn't as lucky as you though with an upgrade. I had a middle seat on the return journey and was squashed between two men with broad shoulders, the flight seemed never ending as I rarely sleep on flights.
One of the good things about Singapore Airlines, even in economy is the seat back entertainment system which can keep you busy for hours.
The first time I flew to Singapore after checking in at hotel I just rode round on the SA bus for a couple of hours as I was too tired to do anything else, but it gave me an idea where everything was and I really enjoyed exploring the next couple of days.
I am getting more and more envious of your trip, I do hope you enjoy it.

Judith

Hi Judith

Great idea to go on the bus and find my bearings. Never would have thought of that.
Sorry your flight was so uncomfortable. In the PE there are only 2 seats on each side and 2 in the middle. I read you post on your trip and you certainly made good use of your time there. Did a lot more than me but I only had the 2 days. I loved the city and would like to go back sometime,
Yes I was very fortunate. I was also taken up to the business class lounge to have something to eat. This was by the BA member of staff who called my taxi firm to let them know of the change of route. She simply said have you had anything to eat? I said not since lunchtime. Took my hand baggage and put it behind their desk at the gate.
Sent someone to collect me and off I went. It was great. I was so lucky with that entire trip as I also met some great people on board. Made friends with 3 other women travelling on their own and we are still in contact regularly.
Yes I am really looking forward to this trip and now looking at what I might want to do. Have not got any other plans for an earlier in the year cruise as this trip will cost a lot. When you are travelling alone then the single supplements are a huge deal.
But what the heck I just do it and don't worry too much about it and I have my own space and freedom.

Many thanks again Judith.

Sue