AliQ

Does anyone have any idea how on earth Scott Morrison is going to "count" that allocated 4000 passengers allowed to fly home per week ? Who is going to manage it ? Who gets to decide who travels each day / week ? The airlines can not be expected to decide amongst themselves ! It's no good turning up at the airport for a booked flight, only to be turned away, many people will have no where to go to ! And before anyone else judges and makes comments about not returning earlier, well, the UK went into lockdown, so there were no removalist's working or car sale rooms open. Did people really expect us to walk away and leave a house full of furniture, a car in the garage ?

Well, if that is the case we should be first on. We've paid a lot ++ for premium economy with Singapore.

One more point, I think Australian Citizens should get priority, sorry, I know many will not agree, and yes I do understand the stress of those who worked hard to get a visa etc.

Hi Wanderer Returns, thank you for the update, but now I'm extra stressed ! NO way can we change our plans to return home, our house has already been let to new tenants, sale of furniture and car organised and booked, it's impossible to reverse what's been done. How on earth are they going to manage who can and who can not fly on set days ? they can't split numbers across three or four airlines surely, as then one airline may choose not to fly at all, leaving more people stranded and leaving the quota short ! which is un fair on those trying to fly back. I've been watching the news & updates constantly, and I'll be very interested to see how they aim to implement and manage this "quota" of passengers. IF we could on a plane today, we would, but we can't.

Thanks calNgary, yes, it's been awful. We just want to get home but we seem to take one step forward and two steps back.

Yes, there were, and we actually had flights booked for March BUT the UK then stopped ! No removalist's were working and all car sales rooms were all closed. We could not just walk out of a house and leave all our belongings, and a car, behind in the UK !

Our agent says the flight is going. The flight is now showing on Singapore Airlines website, and is taking bookings for this date and route. But, Singapore Airlines have not released their flight schedule for August yet, it still only shows the schedule for July, so I'm not getting too excited, just yet !

Hi Sean, we lived in Perth for 28 years, we loved it 100% , but I do understand why it's not for everyone and I do understand where you are coming from. We are currently in the UK, on our second "trial" of living back in the UK, but due to return to Australia next month. I really wish I had an answer for you, and for the many many hundred's of others who ask this question on here, but there is no answer really, it's a very personal decision and you need to weigh up what you can live with, and what you can live without, and what compromises you are prepared to accept. Also, what you can afford to spend on moving ! But, I will say the UK is fabulous in summer, it really is, but crikey heck come winter and well, it's a totally different story ! Good luck and I wish you well with your difficult decision.

The agent generally advises the seller on a "market" price, then it's up to a buyer to make an offer, the agent will pass that onto the seller, and then the offer price may backwards and forwards a few times until both parties are happy, or one party decides to walk away. Not sure about fees , we sold two years ago and will be buying again as soon as we return. Look up REIA, Australian Real Estate, I think their site lists fees etc.

Yes, it most certainly is OK and normal to do so. Also, buying a house there is so much easier and simpler than here in the UK, and much less stressful.

Fabulous. Hope we get that when we eventually get there ! Glad you all arrived safely. If you think of anything that you "wish I had bought that with me " for your time in quarantine, can you please post ? Enjoy

This is so stressful, hope you are OK, I'm getting so rattled these days ! Because we booked and paid with Singapore Airlines a while back, we have to "stick" with them now, if WE cancel we lose our money, so we can't go and book with Qatar as much as it's tempting to do so. I just hope Singapore Airlines are allowed to stick to the new schedule that is now up and there are no more retractions ! I can' t cope with all these last minute changes, we've ended our rental, furniture going soon and everything is finalised, we have to get home !!! Good luck Brizzie, we may meet each other on that lovely flight to Brisbane

Hi Brizzie, if you want to go direct to Brisbane, Singapore Airlines are starting their flights. We are booked to fly first week of August and been told our flight is going ahead. Having said that, as we all know, these things can change instantly.

We brought our cat with us, that fee is good. From Australia to UK we used JetPets, had no issues at all.

Hi JinOz, Singapore Airlines are now showing flights from Manchester to Brisbane, we are booked for the first week of August to Brisbane, and at this stage, the flight is going ahead. Having said that, anything can happen !!!

Right, that's a shame for JinOz then. We re booked before 17th June for our August flight, thank goodness, it's a big fee to have to pay

My understanding of the situation is no, you will not have to pay, as long as you can show evidence of the original paid booking.

Hi Wanderer Returns, good to hear your wife arrived safe and sound, and good luck for your future life in Australia. We actually booked our tickets through an agent, way back in March, as at that time the SA website was constantly crashing. Had a few date changes since then ! The agent has been excellent so far, she is monitoring and told us to hold tight as "the situation is changing daily" which is true as shown by the recent developments in new flights and transiting. And, our flight is now showing on the website as open for bookings. Things are looking a bit more positive - but I'm still very very wary.

Yes I did have an panic attack. And, I've just checked the facebook page of Singapore Airlines, and if I have read it and understood correctly, flights are opening up very soon FROM the UK that CAN now transit through Singapore Airport, and then fly directly to Brisbane. If that is true, it's happy days for us, as long as those borders stay open !!!

Just want to say enjoy your flight, good luck, and hope you all have a happy life in Australia You will have days when you think "oh no, what have we done". Those days pass and in time get less frequent, and it's normal too !

Thanks Marisawright. Over reaction on my part I'm sure. It's just so stressful right now worrying about our flight. Will it actually leave the UK and reach Australia ? who knows, the world could change over night again ! Looking forward to quarantine, I will need those two weeks to catch up on sleep !!!

Yes, that is correct. But, I read Dusty Plains comments - see below - and it has seriously unsettled me. It may have been just an "off the cuff" comment by SM - but who knows ? it's just very very unsettling to know he said that.

Well, this is stressful news ! We're citizens, returning in five weeks time (could NOT return earlier due to various restrictions here in the UK) if all flights into Australia get banned, then we'll be stuck, homeless, here in the UK.

I'd suggest that she contacts JetPets and asks them for help. We used them a couple of years back and their service was excellent. I know things are different now, but as transporting animals is their business, they will know how this can be done at the moment. Good luck.

If you can afford it, do it now. You have to explore the experience of these things yourself, and no one can make the decision for you, but once you have "tried it" it will hopefully help you make up your mind. We've ping ponged, been back in the UK again for just over a year now and due to fly back to Aus in August. We've loved our spell here in the UK but it's just not for us anymore. However, it's been money well spent as we've had incredible experiences and thoroughly enjoyed it. There is no shame in returning to the UK, or returning back to Aus, you need to follow through on your feelings, just be prepared to spend a lot of money I wish you well.