Hi We would like to head to Japan in February to go skiing (prob Hakuba) and have a family of four (2 adults x 2 older kids). Older kids are pretty good with travel as long as there is food and some form of entertainment (move, ipad, book). I can get $639 return flights but there is a layover in KL of 4 hrs there / 5 hrs way back. The flights are mostly at night with the layover in the early morning. It is flying Malaysian Airlines. Otherwise prices are over $1k return. We can leave from Gold Coast or Brisbane and won't be taking ski equipment. Book now or wait?
As a general target, pricing under $1000 return for JAL, ANA, QF and the like, is worth jumping on. MAL may also be worth it but have not flown with them. J*star are more trouble than they are worth IMO. If you think the kids can handle the lay over, do it, if not, stump up the extra for direct flights. Pricing is based on flights out of BNE, but you may see similar pricing for GC or SYD departures.
That looks a good deal. Have flown Malaysian some time ago and were fine. KLIA is quite a reasonable airport (as far as airports go). 5 hours would be long enough for a quick trip into town - train from airport was about 45min or so from memory. Check the baggage allowance though if you are taking skis.
Good price............. That would be about 20+ hours all up for the journey (with pre flight waiting, transit in KL etc) ? Yep, airport hotel in Narita would be the go!!!
Don't discount Jetstar direct from gc. Great times flight. Direct. You're not taking ski gear. So no surcharge
Young bloke and 3 friends hired wheels and drove from the Sunshine Coast to Gold Coast last season for that flight. Departed here about 3am from memory. Was stlll cheap with gear ... they paid about $800pp with gear (25kg all up including the $25 per flight board bag fee).
just bit the bullet and booked the flights. Was looking at departures out of Gold Coast and considered these as well.
Flew them last year to Japan. Quality service with a top safety record. https://www.ski.com.au/xf/threads/were-back-otaru-resorts-and-tomamu.80222/#post-3469664
The flight jetstar direct to Narita from the Gold Coast leaves at 10.30 am and arrives around 7.30 pm. Return leaves 8.30 pm and arrives 6.30 am
Yep, the drive from Noosa to Coolangatta takes about 3 hours, + hire car drop off at Bilinga and shuttle to airport, so they would have got to Coolangatta airport by about 7.30 / 8.00am before their flight departed at 10.30am.
