If anything, the last couple of weeks have shown just how much we rely on the Middle East, not just for oil and gas, but as an integral part of the world’s connectivity. In years gone past, it was familiar to travel to Australia and New Zealand using one of the large Far Eastern hubs, some of which are much smaller than they used to be because of the massive growth of the Middle Eastern airlines.
Until recently, either transiting through Dubai, Abu Dhabi or Qatar was a regular, and potentially cheaper option. However, if you want to avoid the Middle East completely, and also maybe not travel through the same hub you have always used, there are plenty more unusual ways of getting there, where a stopover is either essential or preferred! These may not all be the prestige of a Qatar Airways or Singapore Airlines, renowned as the top two airlines, but they give you a whole different option of travelling there.
Shanghai
China
Air China via Beijing to Melbourne, Sydney and Auckland
China Eastern via Shanghai to Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide and Auckland
With the new visa-free travel to China, travelling there as a British Citizen has become a whole lot easier this winter. Quite often a cheap, or more often than not they are also the cheapest option of the market with super-low fares through the secondary cities in China – but there are some advantages, like being able to overfly Russia, cutting some of the journey time. It’s a great opportunity to tick off some bucket list attractions as well, including the Great Wall and Tianamen Square.
Seoul
Seoul, South Korea
Korean Air / Asiana to Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Auckland
Seoul has grown massively over the last few years, with it’s biggest two airlines Korean Air and Asiana currently in the process of merging. There’s also the recent addition of partner airline, Virgin Atlantic flying daily from London Heathrow to Seoul, which will allow connections onto their network. Something to note though, is very little connects onto the flight on the way home, so really mandates a night stay there anyway – although who wouldn’t want to especially at this time of year, where it’s Cherry blossom rivals that of Japan, just without the crowds!
Vietnam
Vietnam
Vietnam Airlines via Ho Chi Minh City or Hanoi to Sydney or Melbourne
Vietnam has become a standout of Indochina, well connected with a thriving tourism industry. Normally, we would suggest a top-to-tail itinerary of the country with stops in places like Hue, Hoi An and Danang; but with flights into both Ho Chi Minh and Hanoi, you could have different stopovers each way.
Dambulla, Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka
Sri Lankan Airlines via Colombo to Sydney or Melbourne
With so much on offer, Sri Lanka is a great stopover destination. Of course, you’ll need longer than a normal stopover to explore the whole island, but you could do two different itineraries each way, or maybe a tour taking in the golden triangle and cultural centre and a beach stay on the way home.
Istanbul
Istanbul
Turkish Airlines to Sydney (via Singapore), Melbourne (via Kuala Lumpur)
At the moment, Istanbul is the biggest competitor to the Middle Eastern hubs, with flights to a huge destinations worldwide. Australia is new to their network, with Sydney operated through Singapore and Melbourne through Kuala Lumpur. That extra stop might not appeal to everyone, but it does allow for shorter flights. Istanbul of course, a fabulous city no matter the time of year, and ideal as a mini stopover location.
Delhi
Delhi, India
Air India to Melbourne or Sydney
Now under new ownership and the backing of Singapore Airlines, Air India has an extensive network both domestically in India and internationally. With a longer stopover, you can visit Jama Masjid, the avenues around India Gate and Humayun’s Tomb, as well as getting out of the city to Agra to see the Taj Mahal.
Vancouver
Vancouver, Canada
Air Canada to Sydney, Brisbane and Auckland
To get to Australia and New Zealand you don’t just have to fly eastbound, you can go westbound too. Although there are more options currently travelling through America, and alternative might be though Canada, and specifically Vancouver. It’s one of the few options where you’ll be able to go skiing in the winter on a stopover in somewhere like nearby Whistler, or even take an Alaskan cruise during the summer.
