In Reply to: fly from Vancouver, Canada to Bali posted by bbcoach on Thursday, 25. September 2008 at 06:06 Bali Time:
Hi, have flown from van to bali 7 times in the last 5 years....no matter how you go, its a long haul.
I prefer the Singapore Air option...Van- Seoul (10 hrs) 1 hour stopover to stretch...then 7 hours to Singapore...arrive at midnight, transit hotel overnight,(book as early as possible) then Sing-Bali at 9:30 AM...arriving in Bali before noon. Singapore Air is above average on service and food, with a great entertainment system.
In March I traveled Eva Air...Van - Taipei (14 hours or so) 4 or 5 hour layover(you arrive very early AM..everything is closed down in the airport, but its empty and quiet if you like to nap)...then 5.5 hours to Bali, arriving at 3:30 PM. Service on Eva was lousy ...food was nasty....entertainment system not bad...but the price can be pretty good if you shop around. Would I fly them again?..No. If you do fly Eva, try to get up top window seats in their rather old 747's..lots of arm room and pretty good leg room too..but don't be surprised if you get to the airport and they have assigned you something else....I had to argue quite vigorously to get the confirmed seats I been assigned on all 4 legs of the journey.
Have done the Van-HK flight a few times...14 hrs, then 3 or 4 hour layover(again early morning, but the HK airport is pretty well 24/7) then 5 or so to bali, arriving early afternoon. Service has always been decent, food okay,and entertainment good.
Another reason I prefer Singapore Air is the return flight connections are good, as compared to Cathay.
I always plan a layover on the return portion, and Singapore is always fun, and flying Singapore Air from North America entitles you to some pretty good discounts on hotels in Singapore. I find good hotels in HK are super expensive.
When I read the stories from Australians and their "long" flights from Melbourne and such, I have to smile. How I wish we were so close to Bali.
No comment on the Aston-Bali, as I haven't stayed there or visited it.
Enjoy your trip, it doesn't matter how long it takes to get to Bali, it is supremely worth it!
And make sure you post a JBR upon your return....love seeing others Canadian's impressions of Bali.