Question: do you like snacks and hate long, boring workouts? If so, “fitness snacking”—breaking your workouts down into short, digestible (do-able) chunks—could be your ticket to getting in shape, even if you are one of the 6 million Australians who are sedentary, but too busy to fit a gym session into their schedule.

Fitness snacking was recently tested by Sam Wollaston, journalist at The Guardian, who tried to get fit without dedicating a single chunk of his day to the gym. This new ‘exercise diet’ is guided by the little-but-often mindset of snacking, except that instead of having a mars bar every couple of hours, you go for a quick sprint around the block (or some equivalent exercise).

“The good news,” he points out, is that, “Fitness snacking is the key to getting into shape.” The bad: “There are no actual snacks involved,” so you can put away any mental image you just had of taking a leisurely stroll with a coffee and a donut.

“Fitness snacking is doing short periods of exercise throughout the day. Ideal for sedentary but busy people with little time for spinning classes or swimming,” (The Guardian).

The best way to kickstart your ‘fitness snacking’ routine, is with a high intensity workout—even if it only takes 10 minutes. This, celebrity personal trainer Matt Roberts, told The Telegraph is more effective than a longer, more gentle (and time consuming) one. So (to follow the ‘fitness snacking’ protocol), don’t go for a half hour jog when you get home from work. Instead warm up, then go for a more intense, 10-15 minute run. How do you know it’s intense enough? You’ll be out of breath and sweaty.

Another great way to get the heart rate up, for those whose bodies are not up for sprinting or shuttle runs, is by invoking ‘peripheral heart action.’ This involves working out your extremities, alternating between your arms and legs, to get the blood pumping all around your body (e.g. squats, followed by push ups, followed by lunges, then pull-ups, etc.).

These high intensity workouts give you more ‘fitness snacking’ points, as they are harder to do, and more effective. So doing burpees for 15 minutes will earn you 6 points, where as walking the dog for 30 minutes or taking a yoga class will earn you three (the aim is to hit 10 points per day). Then you just have to work out how to deal with your sweaty clothes, ask your office to install a shower, and you’re sweet! Either that or stick your high intensity workouts before and after work, with a couple of lighter one’s in between.

The post ‘Fitness Snacking’ Is The Latest Rapid Workout Routine Getting People Shredded appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

If there was ever a time to get up close and personal with the future of sports cars then this would be your perfect opportunity.

Whilst we’re still a fair way off from seeing electric supercars dominating our public roads, Sydney-siders will have the chance to experience Porsche’s all new fully electric sportscar that’s due to debut in 2019.

In concept form it’s called the Mission E, a precursor to the production-spec Taycan which will feature two permanently excited synchronous motors (PSM) with a system output of over 440 kW. And given the instantaneous torque of electric motors, the 0-100km/h sprint is set to be dispatched in under 3.5 seconds and under 12 seconds as it hits 200km/h.

Most importantly, the German sportscar maker is spruiking a 500km range per charge to take on industry heavyweights like Tesla.

Those keen on checking out the Mission E can find the car located at the exclusive Future Lab pop-up display in Barangaroo, Sydney. The space will also showcase the past in contrast with the future thanks to a beautifully presented 1962 Porsche 356 alongside interactive VR experiences to tell the story of Porsche.

The post Porsche Mission E Arrives In Sydney To Showcase The Future Of Sportscars appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Not even Bruce Willis could save us from this new threat of armageddon. A recent study has found that the quality of men’s sperm is dropping fast whilst posing a serious problem to male fertility levels and the future of the human race at large.

The issue was raised by fertility clinics who discovered that the number of moving sperm, also known as ‘swimmers’, are dropping by 1.8 percent annually in their pool of male patients. This notion was further backed by U.S data which revealed that male fertility was declining across five out of six American cities.

And the researchers believe they know why: a diet of junk food, lack of exercise and rising pollution levels.

It’s an ominous finding that is further backed by statistics indicating that the sperm count of Western nations have halved in just a generation.

Sidney Kimmel Medical College in Philadelphia and the fertility clinic, IVIRMA, conducted the studies across 120,000 men who were seeking fertility treatment in Spain and the United States between 2002 and 2017. The male subjects were allocated into groups based on the millions of swimming sperm found in their semen samples. This was done because it’s believed that the measurement is more efficient at gauging fertility than just sperm count alone.

For American men under the most fertile category with more than 15 million moving sperm, it was found that their sperm count dropped the aforementioned 1.8 percent each year. On timed scale, the years between 2002 and 2005 showed that 84.7 percent of men were in the most fertile category. In 2014 to 2017 this figure had dropped to 79.1 percent.

RELATED: Penis Enlargements – We Spoke To A Surgeon So You Don’t Have To

Whilst this was happening, the proportion of less fertile men began rising at the same time, showing that low fertility went from five million swimming sperm to zero. In numbers, the low fertility rate in men went from under 9 percent to over 11.6 percent.

“We did not expect to see the same fall in sperm quality in Spain and the US,” said Dr. James Hotaling, a co-author of the study.

“If this trend continues, there is potential for more men to become infertile.”

Numerous experts in the field have cited lifestyle and poor diet choices as the overbearing reason for this decline in sperm health.

Professor Charles Kingsland of CARE fertility said that, “our change to a more sedentary lifestyle has no doubt had an effect, as has our diet because men tend to eat far more rubbish than they did a generation ago”.

In a separate study conducted by the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York, researchers looked at over 2,500 sperm donors and found that their fertility had declined over 11 years in the cities of Los Angeles, Palo Alto, Boston, Houston and Indianapolis – New York, which was also on the list managed to be the only city which defied this trend.

Don’t want to be in the low fertility camp? Experts suggest leaving your sedentary lifestyles behind along with saturated fats from junk food in order to give your swimmers the best chance of survival. They also recommend staying away from bisphenol A (BPA), a chemical commonly found in plastic wrappers and containers which can damage sperm.

Food Standards Australia have regulated the amount of BPA in containers and continue to monitor their levels but the down side is that it’s just a voluntary phase out amongst Australian retailers. We suggest looking for the ‘BPA-free’ mark on your plastic goods.

The post Fertility Decline Has Experts Fearing The Survival Of The Human Race appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

In a country where the “exclusivity talk” doesn’t exist, how do you even know you’re dating? In a city where a coffee date requires the fashion-attention of a formal dinner in America or Australia, what do you wear? In an arrondissement where it is completely acceptable to let your dog besmirch any public space it pleases, why do you get thrown out of the supermarche for walking around barefoot? Wait, that last one actually makes sense…Anyway, the question for wannabe-parisiens, burgeoning bordelais and aspiring avignonnais is this: how do you go about dating in France? Whether you’re a tourist with a bar job, a mid-life cris-ee with a visa, or an exchange student with a Hemingway complex, this article will (try) to help you find love. Or at least to understand why you are currently struggling. How? With the help of a French dating coach, Adeline Breon.Take them with a grain of salt (and a cheese filled baguette), but these rules should help you on your search for love. We look at French dating culture.

If You Really Like Someone, Stop Playing The Field

In France, there’s no such thing as casual dating. So if you’ve been on a few dates with someone you like: Congrats! They probably like you too. On the flip side: if you thought you’d been having casual sex with someone, it might not be as “no strings” as you thought. As Adeline told us, “The biggest difference (between the US and France) is that in France we don’t have this ‘casual dating period’ before any serious relationship, where it’s basically ok to date several people at the same time—and to keep your options open while you try things out with one or several people.”

“In the French culture, we only date one person at a time from day one, so we’re exclusive right away.”

If There’s No Chemistry, Expect To Get Dumped

Just because there’s no casual dating it doesn’t mean that if you’re seeing someone, they are super serious about you; it just means they’re probably not seeing other people at the same time. Consequently, in France, people don’t waste their time ‘getting to know’ someone they don’t really like—and have no qualms ending a mediocre relationship.

Work Things Out For Yourself

Adeline told us, “We don’t have ‘the talk’ like they do in the US to decide if we’re exclusive or not” (because if you’re dating it’s assumed you are). Having said that, she said things have changed a lot in France in the last few years—with the arrival and massive use of online dating—so now, “It’s important to also look at circumstances before assuming you’re in a relationship, because there is way more casual dating in France now than there used to be.”Either way: a great way to identify yourself as an uncultured Aussie bogan or American frat bro is to directly ask, “What are we?” In France you’re expected to read the “circumstances” of your relationship to work out whether or not it’s casual.

You’ll Meet Parents Earlier Than You’re Used To

“In France,” Adeline said, “We tend to let the other person in our life way faster and things tend to get ‘serious’ way faster than in the US.” Also, “When you start dating someone it’s pretty common to meet each other’s friends and family pretty early on—contrary to the US—where meeting the family usually comes after quite a while of being in a relationship and has a lot of pressure on it.”

“Same with sharing feelings; it usually comes way earlier in France than in the US and there is definitely way less pressure around it.”

If You Kiss Someone You May Have Inadvertently Started A Relationship

Unless that kiss takes place on a night club dance floor, “Usually in the French culture if you kiss someone then yes: you’re now in a relationship.”

But If You Think You’re In A Relationship: You Could Still Be Wrong

Adeline emphasised that—as in much of the rest of the world—things have changed quite a lot in the last few years, as people have become more open minded and embraced trends like online dating.

“Now it’s essential to look at circumstances before assuming you’re in a relationship, especially in big cities such as Paris.”

To help you work this out, she said, “We can basically separate things into two situations: If it’s someone you’ve been talking to for quite a while, have been on several dates with (real dates, not ‘let’s watch a movie at home’ kinda dates), that is consistent (not on and off), that you can see a progression in the frequency of texting / calling / dates, then yes, you can assume you’re now in a relationship.”However, “If it’s someone you just met (online or in a bar for example) and kissed on the first or second date, or if it’s someone that has a very on and off behaviour (text a lot for a few days, then no news for a few days), then no, you should not assume that you’re now in a relationship.”

“A lot has changed since the arrival and massive use of online dating where people can very easily talk to and date several people at the same time. Now people want to explore their options way more and are way pickier, they tend to be looking for perfection and don’t take the time to really get to know someone (both in the US and in France) which can make it way harder for people looking for a serious relationship to find the relationship they want.”

When It’s Casual, Things Happen Fast—Or Not At All

“When it’s going to be super casual, things usually happen very fast—or they don’t happen at all,” Adeline said. If it’s casual, “There’s not much texting / calling, they don’t really try to get to know you, they don’t put too much efforts into it (it’s usually ‘let’s hang out at home’ last minutes dates instead of ‘Let’s go out for dinner’ planned in advanced dates), and you can see that you’re not part of their life.”

When It’s Serious, Things Develop Steadily

There are exceptions to every rule, but in Adeline says, for the most part, “When it’s the beginning of a serious relationship, you can clearly see that the other person is into it, there’s texting / calling quite often in between dates, you see each other quite often, you meet their friends, they include you in their life and in their future (like making plans together for next summer for example), they ask you questions about you, your life and your plans and they include you in their future plans.”

You’re Foreignness Is A Ready-Made Wingman—But Use Your Powers For Good

“A lot of French people love to travel,” Adeline says, “So talking about life in the US or Australia and asking questions about France is definitely a good way to start a conversation.” For example, you could start by asking the sultry eyes at the bar for some recommendations about the neighbourhood; “Then start talking about how it’s different from in the US/Australia.”

“When people are just looking for a casual fling, it’s best they let the other person know so that there’s no misunderstanding.”

Save Dinner For The Second Date

When asking someone out, Adeline suggests figuring out what you have in common (or something they really enjoy) and use that to ask them out. “For example if you both love art, you could mention that you have tickets for an art exhibit and ask if she’d like to join. This is a great way to spend some time together, but it doesn’t really feel like a date so there will be less pressure. Then, if the first date goes great it will be easy to ask her out on a more formal date.”

Body Language Is More Important Than Your French Grammar Skills (Or Lack Thereof)

A good attitude will get you a lot further than your mastery of all fifty million subjunctive verb tenses that exist within the French language. Think about it: no one cares how smart you are if you’re a bit of a tool. Or boring. As Adeline told us, “Body language is way more important than what we actually say, so having an open body language definitely helps.”

“Confidence and a good sense of humor are also some of the most attractive traits someone can have, especially in dating, so it’s good to keep that in mind. And of course compliments, if well given, are always great!”

Having said that: making an effort to learn the language will go a long way towards increasing your chances. But it’s more about the effort than the result (which you’ll find out after 10 minutes of humiliating yourself, when she casually reveals that she speaks perfect English. Doh.)

Don’t Dress Like A French Guy

Sorry to crush your dreams, but carrying a baguette around under your arm all day will just make it taste like sweat. And pretentiousness. As Adeline says, “It’s always best to just be yourself (unless you have terrible fashion sense, in which case check out this guide).”

But Also: Don’t Dress Like A Slob

Although Adeline is all down with the whole, “You do you galfriend,” vibe, she said you should definitely, “Dress for the occasion and for the place.”

“So basically, if you’re Australian or American, don’t try to ‘look’ like a French man, just be yourself, but you can definitely try to adapt to the occasion and to the place at the same time.”

“For example,” she said, “People in the US tend to dress way more casually than Parisian people so if you’re going on an afternoon coffee date with a Parisian girl, you could wear what you would usually wear on a night date with a girl in California—so (for example) a pair of jeans with a nice shirt and nice shoes. This way it’s still you and your style will definitely ‘fit in’ with the occasion and for the place.”RELATED: Social Media Flirting Rules You’re Probably Getting Very Wrong 

The post French Dating Culture: Dating In France Rules To Know Before Hooking Up In Paris appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

I wish I had a smaller penis…said no man ever. With that notion in mind, we’re tackling the solid issue of penis enlargement surgery along with a healthy dose of phallic innuendo.

Why do men consider it? Where does the extra length actually come from? Does it hurt? How do you urinate after? All of these are common queries crucial to understanding the complexities of this growing cosmetic procedure amongst men.

And today we’re answering them with the help of Dr. Collin Moore of The Australian Centre for Cosmetic & Penile Surgery.

Why Men Are Up-Sizing

There are countless reasons why men would consider penis enlargement surgery but for a majority of willing men, it all comes down to the extra confidence a bigger penis bears.

Whilst no formal data has been collected on the rate of penis enlargement surgeries, a recent ABC report does suggest that it’s on the rise.

“It probably isn’t so accepted for a man to get cosmetic surgery as it is for women, but it’s definitely becoming more common and less taboo,” said Dr Gavin Scriven, a specialist in penis dermal filling.

Prerequisites You’ll Need Before The Slice

Dr. Collin Moore explains that the precautions and pre-requisites for penis enlargement surgery is the same for any other operation.

“If a person’s fit enough to undergo a 4-5 hour operation under general anaesthetic, then they can do it.”

“There are some lesser procedures on the market which do not produce the same result. They can be done under sedation but it’s best done under general anaesthetic in a properly accredited hospital facility.”

The checklist further involves:

• Assessing if the patient has any psychological problems
• Doctors measure patients up to see where they lie on the international scale of penis sizes
• They then inform patients on where their penis size sits against the ‘stretch penile length’ – an index measurement of the penis which sits under a bell curve (no pun intended)
• This bell curve distributes males in the 50% range (general size penis), 25% range (bigger penis) and remaining 25% (smaller penis)
• 50% of men who undergo the surgery fall under the general penis size group
• Smaller penis men are advised of where they rank in the curve, as are bigger penis men

“Just because someone is bigger than the fiftieth percentile, it doesn’t mean we don’t do the operation,” says Dr. Moore.

“If they genuinely want a bigger penis and everything else is equal then sure we’d be prepared to do that. But the majority of patients are either at the average size or smaller.”

Where The Extra Foreskin Comes From

No, not your eyelids. It’s attained from the pubic area by an arrangement of where the penis protrudes from.

“We don’t have to cut it off from somewhere else like a skin graft. It’s an artful re-arrangement of the infrapubic skin to cloth the extra shaft.”

“What we’ve basically done is lengthened the penis by bringing more of the infrapubic penis to the outside than before.”

Dr. Moore says the best way to understand this is with a simple sink analogy. Think of an S-bend pipe under your sink and that’s basically your penis.

“Whatever the pipe does in between the sink inlet and the floor doesn’t alter the length.”

“Straighten the S-bend though and the pipe becomes longer. And that’s the same principle we use in penis enlargement.”

In other words, there’s spare penis tied up in your body. Surgeons simply cut a few strategic ligaments to extend some of that penis. Simple enough, right?

Choosing Your Bell End & Girth

Here’s where things can get a bit tricky and expensive.

Dr. Moore’s procedure for widening the length of a shaft involves using a pair of dermal fat grafts which surgeons take from the lower abdomen.

“We can use injectable materials but they’re very expensive,” he says.

“To produce a very worthwhile result, as much as you’d get with a dermal fat graft, you’ve got to use a lot of filler and it’s very expensive.”

“We also use filler to enlarge the head of the penis and the glands.”

Is Penis Surgery Painful?

Not if you follow protocol, according to the experts. General anaesthetic during the operation combined with local anaesthetic will usually ensure a pain-free experience which can last for one and a half to two days after the surgery.

“Provided they are resting properly as per our post-operative instructions, there’s very little pain,” says Dr. Moore.

There is however a minor issue of urinating. Post-surgery men may spray a little for a few days and this is normal. They just need to take preventative measures when going to the bathroom to avoid mess. Sitting down is probably the easiest solution here.

Once life is back to normal, so is your urinating.

How Long It Takes To Heal

All soft tissues that involve surgeries take a minimum of six months to heal entirely. Penis enlargement surgery is no different.

Patients spend:

• First two weeks post-surgery in a flat in bed from Dr. Moore’s operation
• This is to prevent the tissue from swelling and interfering with the healing process
• Patients can mobilise over the next couple of weeks

Heading back to work is dependent on the type of work the patient does.

“A labourer or something similar can’t go back to work for six weeks. If they’re desk jockeys they can go back to work after four weeks.”

Scarring On The Penis

Surprisingly, enlargement surgery doesn’t yield any scars on the penis.

“If we do a thermal fat graft then there is a scar across the lower abdomen, but that’s because we have to raise the grafts to widen the penis,” says Dr. Moore.

“The length of the penis determines on how how big that scar is. but it’s in the natural crease, like a tummy tuck scar at the bottom of the abdomen.”

When You Can Have Sex Again

Well there’s certainly no point in extending your pecker if you can’t even give the tip.

There is a six week prohibition period on sex and any form of lifting weights heavier than 0.5kg. This means violent physical activity like hitting the gym.

After six weeks, patients can go back to the gym but Dr. Moore warns that they must ease into it rather than picking up where your last P.B left off.

“The full flexibility of the penis doesn’t come back until six months but intercourse is possible after six weeks.”

Ensuring A Bigger & Healthier Penis

Once everything is done and dusted, there is a 12 month follow up period to make sure everything has run smoothly.

“Part of the problem is having re-arranged the anatomy somewhat, the body tries to undo it,” explains Dr. Moore.

“So we have to prevent it from doing that by getting them to do certain forms of stretching exercises to ensure that scar stays fully stretched out to where it was at the end of surgery.”

“They need to keep on doing that until the scars mature and they may not mature for up to 9 – 12 months.”

The Price Of A Bigger Penis

Prices vary depending on the type of penis enlargement surgery.

Temporary fillers that enhance the penis size can cost up to AU$10,000 whilst more extensive procedures like the phalloplasty one which Dr. Moore performs can cost around AU$29,000.

“It can still go up from there if extra bits and pieces are done.”

Your Final Tip

If you’re serious about penis enlargement then it’s best you speak directly to a professional surgeon who has done this kind of cosmetic work before.

Most surgeons like Dr. Moore have their own techniques patented so it’s important to understand the differences and what each professional is offering.

The post Penis Enlargements In Australia: We Spoke To A Surgeon So You Don’t Have To appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

When men are encouraged to show more skin in public, this probably isn’t the way most were thinking.

Robert Pattinson earlier this week stepped out in a double breasted black suit and baggy short combo for the New York premiere of High Life. Whilst the focus was on the film’s stars, it was hard not to notice Pattinson’s hairy legs and pulled up socks, a look reminiscent of a kilt only this wasn’t a skirt – this was Dior Men’s 2019 collection by designer Kim Jones.

Pattinson is no stranger to wearing edgy and borderline odd formal wear to events (he once stole a kid’s jacket for the red carpet). This latest look is probably his most audacious one yet which sees the Bermuda shorts paired with crocodile derby shoes complete with neon-white soles that’s more reminiscent of the latest sneakers.

Not game enough to try it? Think again. You can also go for a less progressive look as shown in the gallery by men such as Nick Wooster, Pharrell and Tinie Tempah.

The post Robert Pattinson's Latest Suit Requires Sexy Man Legs appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Picture this. You’re on a long-haul flight, twisted into your seat in a position that’s meant only for yogis and pretzels. Your clothes are rumpled. The food is predictably subpar. The movie looks like a straight-to-DVD production from several decades ago.

Your neighbour is snoring and monopolising the arm rest. And on top of all that, your hair looks like you were electrocuted while caught in a tsunami. We can’t solve most of those problems, but we can help you travel-proof your hair with these simple tips anyone can try.

Clean Ahead To Ensure A Good Head Of Hair

The best defence is a good offence. Prepare for your flight by giving your hair a final once-over in the shower using both shampoo and conditioner. This will add a little roughed-up texture to your strands and remove excess oil from your scalp, setting the foundation for the best possible mid-air hair.

Arm Yourself With Travel Size Products

Don’t enter the battle of plane vs. hair unprepared. Arm yourself with travel-sized products, in particular a dry shampoo. Spritz it onto your hair and massage it into the roots to keep oil at bay on your journey. But do it in the bathroom, please, lest your mist hit the poor passenger seated next to you.

Ease Up On The Combing

To combs, that is. A quick pass with a comb seems like an obvious way to keep your mane in check while travelling, but resist the urge. The more you mess with it, the more you activate the sebaceous glands (the ones that secrete oil) in your scalp. Aim for a handsomely undone look instead.

Ease Up On The Product

Send the heavy haircare products the way of the comb. If you can, forgo them completely for your flights. If you have to look put-together immediately upon touch down, stick with lighter gels or water-soluble waxes. You’ll be able to rock your Mad Men style but it will be more comfortable in flight and easier to wash out.

Keep Your Hands Off It

Abide by the rules of your local gentleman’s club. Look but don’t touch. The more you do, the more the natural oils in your fingers and palms blend with the flourishing oil reserves in your scalp. Looking like the after photos of a BP oil spill is a definite don’t.

The post How To Get The Perfect Travel-Proof Hair appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

When you travel, it’s normal to get restless: especially on a five hour flight. In this scenario there are a number of acceptable solutions: go for a brief walk in the aisle, jiggle your ankles, stretch your neck—the list goes on. There are also some borderline unacceptable solutions: drumming the chairs in front of you as if they were bongos, chewing large quantities of pringles, dancing in your seat to the Bee Gees—you get the picture. What one man just did on an American Airlines flight from Phoenix to Boston, however, sits snugly in the “definitely not acceptable” category.

As reported by The Independant, “An (unnamed) passenger reportedly refused to stop doing pull-ups on an overhead compartment,” which resulted in, “American Airlines flight 2763 from Phoenix to Boston” being forced to land in Kansas City, “So authorities could escort the unruly passenger off the plane.” Although American Airlines declined to comment, eyewitness David Markoski told WBZ-TBV news that the man, who boarded the plane with two dogs and appeared to be drunk, was the reason for the diversion.

The trouble started after the man, who’d evidently overindulged in something stronger than club sodas, placed his bags in the overhead compartment. At this point he began leaning against it. This led another passenger, either in a bid to ease the tension (or because they were irritated by the sloppy behaviour) to sarcastically ask whether he was going to do pull-ups.

“The guy actually grabbed on to it and started doing some pull ups on the plane in front of everybody,” Mr Markoski said.

Then, when a flight attendant asked him to stop, the passenger (allegedly) became verbally abusive, and refused to sit down.

“He would not sit down. The flight attendant probably asked him about three or four times to sit down and he refused to sit down and then he really got verbally abusive with her, starting calling her names.”

In response, the plane’s pilots changed course, stopped off at Kansas City where law enforcement officers hauled Mr. I Love Push Ups off the flight, and the plane continued on its planned route. Although American Airlines were able to salvage the situation, they will surely be reviewing it—to prevent such instances from occurring again, as, according to CBS’s source, Markoski, the man was able to order beer and alcohol on board—which shortly coincided with the standoff.

RELATED: United Airlines Paid A Female Passenger Not To Report Her Creepy Seatmate 

The post American Airlines Just Removed A Passenger For Showing Off His Guns Mid-Flight appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

So you’re off to the land of burgers and fries? Great. But before you set off on your trip of a lifetime, you’re going to need to… get there. Of course there are myriad options. However, as a cheapskate discerning flyer, you want value for money, right? Well you’re in luck; we’ve done the sleuthing for you. These are the best economy experiences between the US and Australia.

Virgin Australia International

Route

Direct flight (available from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane) straight to Los Angeles.

Flight Time

14-15 hours.

Seat

Richard Branson saw what some of the other airlines were offering and one-upped them. By one inch. But hey—it’s better than nothing. Pitch: 32 inches (81cm), recline: 6 inches (15cm) and width: 18.5 inches (47cm). Plus a (relatively) spacious 3-3-3 configuration (as opposed to the dreaded 3-4-3).

Food and Drink

Standard economy meals, included in the ticket price.

Luggage

7 kilograms of carry on, plus two checked in suitcases of 23kg each (per person). As most airlines only give you one of these 23kg bad boys, this is a real perk.

Price

From $1,150 return.

Aircraft

Airbus A330-200 or Boeing 777-300ER.

Passenger Reviews

According to Tripadvisor’s aggregated reviews, Virgin Australia International’s seat comfort and legroom are both excellent, its customer service is average (“crew’s attentiveness… ranged from cold to plenty of smiles”), and its entertainment options are also average (“movie choices is enough, but if you flew domestic with Virgin you would come across the same lists”). Of 655 reviews, 335 were excellent, 191 were very good, 71 were average, 24 were poor and 34 said terrible.

Conclusion

Good value for money—especially if you travel with a lot of baggage. Also: competition keeps prices low and Los Angeles (despite its notoriously slow security queues) is a major hub, so when you land it’s easy to connect to another city in the US.

Air New Zealand

Route

From Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane, via Auckland, to Las Angeles.

Flight Time

Between 17 and 20 hours (depending on the layover and which city you fly from).

Seat

With a pitch (legroom) of 31 (79 centimetres), an incline of 5 inches (12.7cm) and a width of 17.2 inches (44cm) Air NZ’s seats are no worse than the industry standard, but—for these flight routes—one inch more sardine-like than Virgin’s.

Food and Drink

Fresh (by airline standards), flavoursome New Zealand food and wine from the Kiwi flagship airline’s world-renowned menus.

Luggage

One carry on of 7kg, one checked in bag of 23kg.

Price

From $999 return.

Aircraft

Boeing 787-9, 777-300 and Boeing 777-200.

Passenger Reviews

Of course, on any review website you are going to have disgruntled passengers who find something to complain about, but despite the odd negative review (mostly about cancelled flights), Air NZ is one of the most (positively) raved about airlines—particularly when it comes to its onboard staff. Comments include,”(For a small company) Air New Zealand always manages to punch above its weight,” as well as, “The service by the crew was beyond excellent.” Of 680 economy reviews of this trip, 425 were excellent, 150 very good, 56 average, 26 poor and 23 terrible.

Conclusion

Not a bad option if you’re travelling from Melbourne, because you may well have to fly domestically to Sydney to get a direct flight to the US anyway. In this case flying via Auckland is a good option—particularly if you want to experiences Air NZ’s famed customer service or its Skycouch facilities. However if your goal is to get to the US as quickly as possible, with no stops, you’re better off going direct with Qantas or United.

Qantas

Route

Direct to Los Angeles from Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane. Or direct to San Francisco (from Sydney only). Or Direct to Dallas Fort Worth (from Sydney only).

Flight Time

13 hours 50 mins (to Los Angeles from Sydney), 12 hours 40 mins (from Brisbane to Los Angeles), 14 hours 30 mins (from Melbourne to Los Angeles) or 15 hours 20 mins (Sydney to Dallas Fort Worth).

Seat

With a pitch (legroom) of 31 inches (79 centimetres), an incline of 5 inches (12.7cm) and a width of 17.2 inches (44cm) Qantas’s international economy seats are of the industry standard.

Food and Drink

At Qantas a welcome drink is offered after take-off, as well as continuous snacks and refreshments throughout the flight. You can pre-select your meal online before takeoff, or leave your fate in the hands of the Qantas chefs.

Luggage

Carry on, plus one piece of checked baggage up to 23kg.

Price

From $1,151 return.

Aircraft

Airbus A380-800.

Passenger Reviews

Of 570 reviews, 253 rated it excellent, 157 rated it very good, 65 rated it average, 48 rated it poor and 47 rated it terrible. Comments include, “From check in to the flight everything ran smoothly… seats were comfortable and plane was very clean,” and, “The food was fairly good.” Tips include: “Travel mid week if possible to increase your chances of having a not so full or crowded flight.”

Conclusion

One of the best ways to traverse the pacific. More direct than Air NZ, slightly quicker (although less legroom than) Virgin. Sydney to Dallas only worth it if you want to visit/have a connecting flight in Dallas, as this is one of the longest long-haul flights in the world. Side note: if you live in Perth, your best option is to fly to Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane and get one of these direct flights.

American Airlines

Route

Direct to Los Angeles from Sydney only. Or via Auckland to Los Angeles, from Melbourne and Brisbane.

Flight Time

14-15 hours (plus the layover, if you’re going via Auckland).

Seat

In a classic 3-4-3 configuration, American Airlines’ seat pitch is 31 inches (79 centimetres), with a width of 17 inches (43 centimetres).

Food and Drink

Although you may be underwhelmed by the brusque, “Beef, fish or chicken?” introduction to your flight, as one review points out, American Airlines’ dinner offering of beef with carrots, broccoli and mash is “unexpectedly tasty”. Same goes for the passionfruit dessert and the salted-caramel ice-cream usually on offer afterwards. Having said that, compared to wine-merchants-of-the-sky like Qantas, American Airlines’ wine options are limited, as are the snacks available during the bulk of the flight, which consist mainly of chips and water.

Luggage

Like Virgin you get two checked bags of up to 23 kilograms each, plus one carry-on bag (no weight restriction) and a personal item.

Price

From $1,100 return.

Aircraft

Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner.

Passenger Reviews

Of the 58 reviews of American Airlines’ main economy cabin from passengers who flew to or from LAX, 14 say excellent, 24 say very good, 11 say average, 5 say poor and 5 say terrible. So you’ve pretty good odds of having a decent trip. Common observations were: better legroom than expected, worse food (or at least, smaller portion sizes) than expected, great movie selection, and decent customer service.

Conclusion

Chances are you’ll be on a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, which were introduced into the fleet last year to phase out the Boeing 777-300ER’s. So from an aircraft (and convenience) perspective, its good value for money, especially if you live in Sydney. Otherwise, if you live in Melbourne or Brisbane we would recommend Air NZ as they stop over in Auckland too, and typically provide better customer service for a comparable price.

United Airlines

Route

Direct to Los Angeles from Sydney and Melbourne only. Or non stop to San Francisco (from Sydney only).

Flight Time

14-15 hours from Sydney to LAX, 15-17 hours from Melbourne to LAX. 13-14 hours from Sydney to San Francisco.

Seat

Configuration: 3-3-3. Pitch: 32 inches (81cm). Recline: 3 inches (7cm). Width: 16.3 – 17.3 inches (41.4 – 43.9cm).

Food and Drink

Complimentary meal service, mid flight snack, beer and wine and a “choice menu snack shop” available if you want to purchase extra.

Luggage

One carry on bag, plus two check in bags of no more than 23kg each.

Price

From $980 return.

Aircraft

Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner.

Passenger Reviews

Of 24 Tripadvisor reviews of United Airlines’ Sydney to LAX flight, 6 rated it excellent, 6 rated it very good, 5 rated it average, 4 rated it poor and 3 called it terrible. It’s worth noting that some of the poor reviews (“Almost missed flight due to horrendous LA Airport”) were complaining about the LAX airport, rather than United Airlines specifically. The common theme was an appreciation for the 787 Dreamliners.

“We flew on the 787 Dreamliner which I was eagerly looking forward to. It did. Not disappoint. The dimming windows versus shades, the difference in air pressure and the more humid cabin made for a much more pleasant.”

The 29 reviews of the Sydney-San Francisco flight (7 said excellent, 12 very good, 9 average, 5 poor and 3 terrible) reveal a slightly higher level of satisfaction. Of the 24 reviews of Melbourne to LAX, 5 were excellent, 7 were very good, 3 were average, 5 were poor and 4 were terrible.

Conclusion

Great option for the price conscious consumer. Little difference in terms of customer satisfaction between Sydney and Melbourne, however there is a discernible difference between Los Angeles and San Francisco in terms of customer satisfaction so avoid LAX if you can (yes, we know, it is often a necessary evil).

Delta

Route

Direct to Los Angeles from Sydney.

Flight Time

14-15 hours.

Seat

Pitch: 31-32 inches (78 – 82cm). Width: 18.5 inches (47cm). Recline: standard. Layout: 3-3-3. Oh and although the legroom is the same, the seat itself isn’t as comfortable as the Virgin counterpart; it’s slightly thinner.

Food and Drink

In Delta’s Basic Economy section, you’ll enjoy complimentary snacks and non-alcoholic beverages like coffee, tea, juice, sodas or water. There’s also a selection of alcoholic drinks, served in moderation, and breakfast, lunch and or dinner depending on the time of day you fly. Some reviewers prefer Delta’s food to Virgins, but really it comes down to personal preference.

Luggage

Carry on, plus one checked bag of a maximum of 23kg.

Price

From $1,000 return.

Aircraft

Boeing 777-200LR.

Passenger Reviews

Stand out reviews include: “Virgin lands you in the heart of LAX madness of Tom Bradley International, while Delta lands at the much quieter Terminal 2 – meaning you’re going to get through customs a hell of a lot quicker” (AU Abroad), and, ““Spend the extra couple hundred to upgrade to Delta Premium…it’s SO worth it!”. Of the 33 TripAdvisor reviews (of this specific journey) 7 rated it excellent, 9 very good, 11 average, 3 poor and 3 terrible.

Conclusion

A decent, budget friendly option for Sydney-siders making the trip to LA. Definitely worth considering an upgrade to Delta Premium.

Fiji Airways

Route

Los Angeles via Fiji. Flights available originating from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.

Flight Time

Total: 17-18 hours. This typically comprises of: 3 hours 50 minutes—Sydney to Nadi, 10 hours 45 mins—Nadi to Los Angeles (plus a two hour layover). The return trip is the same but typically an hour or so slower (due to the West to East jet stream).

Seat

The only airline of this bunch to go with a 2-4-2 economy configuration. Pitch: 31-32 inches (78-81cm). Width: 17.3 inches (44cm). Recline: standard.

Food and Drink

Fiji Airlines will provide you with South Pacific cuisine, alongside a full range of beverages and light snacks.

Luggage

7 kilos carry on, 23 kilos checked.

Price

From $945 return.

Aircraft

Airbus Industrie A330-300 (most flights). Boeing 737-800 (occasionally used for some legs of the flight).

Passenger Reviews

For the Sydney – Fiji leg there were 293 Tripadvisor reviews. 62 rated it excellent, 68 very good, 35 average, 28 poor and 32 terrible. For the Fiji – Los Angeles leg there were 792 Tripadvisor reviews, 213 excellent, 249 very good, 168 average, 72 poor and 90 terrible. One comment sums up the experience fairly well: “The cabin crew were delightful; it’s a shame I can not say the same for the aircraft.” Editor’s note: these aircraft are fine—modern, even!—but as their competitors keep upgrading, Fiji Airway’s Airbus A330-300 is starting to look a bit dated.

Conclusion

There’s no there’s no point flying this route unless you want to spend a couple of nights in Fiji (the overall flight time to Los Angeles via Fiji is at least two hours longer than any of the direct flight routes in this list). However, if you’re looking to break up your trip we’d recommend doing it here, with a few cocktails in the sun, rather than in an Auckland airport lounge, for pretty much the same price.

The post The Best Airlines To Fly Economy Between The USA & Australia appeared first on DMARGE Australia.