Australia by plane

Major international airports

Major international airports are at Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Darwin, however facilities for international flights also exist at Cairns. Even though we're 'down under...' Australia is not as far as you think. From the West Coast of North America, flight times to Sydney are equivalent to flights to Rome or Hong Kong... It's only a couple of meals, a movie and an in-flight nap.

Many airlines offer competitive fares to Australia on a regular basis. You can fly direct or island hop across the Pacific to a number of international gateways... with Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane being the most popular... Adelaide, Perth, Darwin, Cairns and Hobart also have international terminals.

Peak times for airfares are in the summer months - between November and January - and especially around Christmas. If you are planning a summer trip, book well in advance.

Customs and immigration queues are generally short. The departure and arrival areas include several fine restaurants and bars.

A departure tax of AUD$38 is charged on leaving the country but it is usually incorporated into your airline ticket. If in doubt, ask at the information desk.

For the latest flight information, check out the information below about flights in your area.

Airlines into Australia

Airlines travelling from other countries into Australia include:

• Daily nonstop service from Los Angeles to Sydney and melbourne, and direct to Brisbane
• Weekly direct services ex New York and Canada. Connecting flights across Australia
• The Boomerang Pass offers flexible, discounted flights from the Benelux to Australia and on the way explore New Zealand and the South West Pacific.

Schedule & prices: www.qantasusa.com or 1800 227 4500

• Daily nonstop services from Los Angeles and San Francisco to Sydney with continuing service to Melbourne

Schedules & prices: www.ual.com or 1800 241 6522

• Hawaiian Airlines fly four times weekly
• Departing Honolulu on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday.
• Return flight departs Sydney on Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday.
• Roundtrip airfares are available from six West Coast cities (Seattle, Portland San Francisco, Sacramento, Los Angeles, San Diego, Las Vegas and Phoenix) connection in Honolulu.

Schedules & prices: www.hawaiianair.com or 1800 367 5320

• Daily services from Los Angeles to Sydney (via Auckland) and Los Angeles to Brisbane (via Auckland).
• Codeshare services from across the USA and major Canadian cities.

Schedules & prices: www.airnewzealand.com or 1800 262 2468

• Daily services from Europe

Schedules & prices: www.britishairways.com

• Offering daily flights to Dubai from Sydney, Perth, Melbourne and Brisbane.

Schedules & prices: www.emirates.com or 1300 303 777

• Offering daily flights to Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth.

Schedules & prices: www.singaporeair.com or 131011

• Offers daily flights from Asia and Europe to Sydney, Melbourne, Perth and Brisbane.

Schedules & prices: www.thaiairways.com

• Offers direct flights from Hong Kong to Adelaide, Brisbane, Cairns, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney

Schedules & prices: www.cathaypacific.com or 131 747

• Offers direct flights from Vienna to Melbourne and Sydney

Schedules & prices: www.aua.com or 1800 642 438

Between Cities

Traditionally, buses have been the cheapest transport options, trains more expensive (generally more comfortable than buses and taking about the same amount of time) with planes the most expensive, but of course the fastest.

However, airline competition has increased in the last few years, and consequently the cheapest prices for flying are often not much more than the cost of a bus ticket. But note that the cheapest air tickets are generally non-refundable, non-changeable, so you need to be absolutely certain of when and where you intend to fly.

Those on a budget should factor in the costs of getting to/from airports, which are often on city outskirts, and may not be accessible by regular public transport. By contrast, buses and trains usually service the city centres.

Major airlines flying within Australia

The following domestic airlines service Australia.