Best Way to Fly to Australia from the UK: Routes, Airlines & What to Know

Most flights from the UK to Australia involve at least one stopover, typically via a hub in the Middle East or Asia. However, a limited non-stop service does operate between London Heathrow and Perth, with Qantas providing the only direct air link between the UK and Australia. For onward destinations such as Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane, a connection is still required. Ultra-long-haul non-stop services from London to Australia’s east coast (Project Sunrise) are in development, with launch currently expected from 2027.

Note: Emirates has the widest UK departure network — flying from Heathrow, Manchester, Birmingham, Glasgow, Newcastle, and Edinburgh to Dubai with onward connections to Australian cities. This makes it the most accessible option for travellers outside London. 

Best for Comfort: Singapore Airlines 

Singapore Airlines consistently ranks among the world's top airlines and the Changi stopover is genuinely pleasant — arguably the best airport in the world for a layover. Business class on the SQ London to Sydney route is exceptional; economy is competitive. If comfort is the priority, Singapore Airlines is the most consistent performer. 

Best for Value: Emirates or Qatar Airways 

Emirates and Qatar are the most competitively priced carriers on the UK–Australia route, particularly in economy. Both have extensive UK regional coverage (Emirates especially) and their hubs — Dubai and Doha — are efficient transit airports. Qatar's Hamad International is particularly well-regarded. For economy travellers watching the budget, these two are the usual answer. 

Best for the Stopover: Singapore Airlines or Emirates 

If you want to turn the stopover into a destination, Singapore and Dubai are the standout options. Singapore rewards even 24 hours — Gardens by the Bay, the hawker centres, and Jewel Changi are all accessible on a short layover. Dubai offers the Burj Khalifa, desert safaris, and world-class shopping. Both are visa-free for British passport holders. 

Best for Flying Australian: Qantas 

There's an argument for starting your Australian experience before you land. Qantas's service, the Australian crew, the sense that you're already somewhere different — it matters on a 24-hour journey. Qantas flies from Heathrow via Singapore or Dubai to Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Perth. 

Your entry point to Australia shapes your whole itinerary. The main options from the UK: 

• Sydney (SYD): The most connected Australian city from the UK, and the best entry point for east coast itineraries. The Opera House, Harbour Bridge, and Blue Mountains are all on your doorstep. 
• Melbourne (MEL): Slightly fewer direct connections than Sydney but worth it for those heading to Victoria, the Great Ocean Road, or wanting a city with strong food and arts credentials. 
• Perth (PER): The only Australian city with a non-stop flight from the UK (London Heathrow with Qantas), making it the most direct entry point. An excellent gateway to Western Australia, including the Margaret River wine region, the Kimberley and Ningaloo Reef.
• Brisbane (BNE): Gateway to Queensland — the Gold Coast, the Whitsundays, the Daintree. Growing in direct route options from the UK. 

For a multi-city trip, consider flying into one city and out of another — open-jaw itineraries often add very little cost and eliminate backtracking. 

• Choose your seat wisely — window seats give you something to lean against; aisle seats give you freedom to move. Avoid the middle seat at all costs on a 24-hour journey. Use SeatGuru to check aircraft-specific seat layouts before checking in. 
• Move regularly — every 2–3 hours, walk the cabin, do some calf raises, and stretch. Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) risk increases on long-haul flights. Compression socks are worth wearing. 
• Adapt to destination time immediately — set your watch to Australian time when you board and sleep and eat accordingly. Arrive in Australia in daylight and stay awake until local bedtime. 
• Pack a carry-on comfort kit — noise-cancelling headphones, an eye mask, a travel pillow, lip balm, and a small moisturiser. The cabin air is extremely dry over 24 hours. 
• Stay hydrated — alcohol and coffee dehydrate you faster at altitude. Water, herbal tea, and juice are better choices. The best airlines provide water bottles; bring your own if your carrier doesn't. 
• Break the flight mentally — think of it in three phases: the UK to your hub (8–10 hours), the stopover, the hub to Australia (8–10 hours). Two manageable long-haul flights, not one impossible one. 

There's no perfect way to fly to Australia from the UK — it's a long journey however you approach it. But the right airline for your priorities, a well-chosen stopover, and a few sensible in-flight habits will make the difference between arriving exhausted and arriving ready. The journey genuinely is part of the adventure. 

Talk to a Flight Centre UK Travel Expert about flights to Australia — we'll find the routing, the stopover, and the fare that works for you.