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GETTING TO

AUSTRALIA

Visa Requirements

The Australian Government has created an interactive tool for visitors to check the specific visa requirements for their visit.

Click the button below and select "Visit and Tourism" then "attending a conference or expo" and then your specific passport information to determine your personal visa requirements.

Depending on your nationality, you may need a letter of invitation to support your visa application.

Once you’ve checked the requirements via the link provided and confirmed that a letter is needed, please request it as part of your registration.

CHECK REQUIREMENTS

Flying to Melbourne

Melbourne (MEL) is well connected to major international hubs, though most long‑haul journeys involve at least one stopover.

November is late spring in Australia and a popular time to visit, so booking flights early is advisable.

There are several new and existing long‑haul options that can make your journey to the Lipedema World Congress more comfortable, including ultra long‑haul non‑stop flights and direct services from the Americas.

We have compiled the information below to provide some insights into route options from across the globe. In addition to Melbourne (MEL), consider flights to Sydney (SYD), which is a short 1:25hr connecting flight, as this will provide alternative routing options.

Flying-in-to-Melbourne

From Europe

Project Sunrise

  • London (LHR) - from October 2027, Qantas will operate daily non‑stop flights between London and Sydney using specially configured Airbus A350‑1000ULR aircraft.
  • Flight time is around 20–21 hours, removing the traditional stopover on the “Kangaroo Route”.
  • Short 1:25hr domestic connection from Sydney to Melbourne.
  • This is ideal if you want the fastest possible routing with only one change, and the chance to experience the world’s longest commercial flight.
  • Tickets are expected to go on sale in February 2027.


via the Middle East

  • Dubai (DXB) - Emirates Airlines flies direct to Melbourne twice daily, connecting to over 140 worldwide destinations
  • Doha (DOH) - Qatar Airways has multiple daily flights (up to 21 flights per week), connecting to over 170 destinations
  • Abu Dhabi (AUH) - Etihad Airways services Melbourne with direct flights 5 days per week, connecting to over 90 destinations
  • Total travel time from Europe is typically 20-24 hours including a 2-4 hour layover.

via Asia

  • Singapore (SIN) - Singapore Airlines flies direct to Melbourne multiple times a day, with over 60 flights a week, connecting to over 80 European destinations including flights operated by codeshare partners.
  • Bangkok (BKK) - Thai Airways flies direct to Melbourne at least twice daily, with connections through to over 40 European destinations using Star Alliance partners
  • Kuala Lumpur (KUL) - Malaysia Airlines and AirAsia service Melbourne with over 20 weekly flights connecting to over 50 European cities as part of the OneWorld Alliance.
  • Hong Kong (HKG) - Cathay Pacific and Qantas fly direct to Melbourne 4 times daily, each with over 50 European cities in their network for connecting flights.

From the USA

Direct Flights

  • Los Angeles (LAX) - Qantas, United & Delta Airlines each fly direct from Los Angeles to Melbourne with a combined total of over 20 flights per week. Flight duration is just under 16 hours.
  • San Francisco (SFO) - United Airlines has a daily service direct from San Francisco to Melbourne with a flight duration of just under 16 hours.
  • Dallas Fort Worth (DFW) - Qantas (with American Airlines codeshare) flies the ultra-long haul route direct to DFW 3 times per week, with a flight time to Melbourne of 17 hours & 40 minutes. The bonus is on the return to DFW, where the tailwind helps you get home faster - just under 16 hours!
  • Honolulu (HNL) - you're already part way to Australia! Jetstar flies direct to/from Melbourne twice per week, with flight times around 10 hours, 30 minutes.


via Sydney

Sydney to Melbourne is a short 1:25hr domestic flight. Here are flight options direct to Sydney.

  • Los Angeles (LAX) - Qantas, United, American & Delta Airlines each fly direct from Los Angeles to Sydney with a combined total of 4 or 5 flights daily (around 30 flights per week). Flight duration is just over 15 hours.
  • San Francisco (SFO) - Qantas & United Airlines fly direct from San Francisco to Sydney 10+ times per week, with a flight duration of just over 15 hours.
  • Dallas Fort Worth (DFW) - Qantas (with American Airlines codeshare) flies the ultra-long haul route direct to DFW daily, with a flight time to Sydney of 17 hours & 10 minutes. The bonus is on the return to DFW, where the tailwind helps you get home faster - only 15 hours & 25 minutes!
  • Houston (IAH) - United Airlines flies direct to/from Sydney between 3 and 7 times per week, with flight times around the same as to/from DFW.
  • Honolulu (HNL) - you're already part way to Australia! Qantas, Hawaiian Airlines and Jetstar service Sydney with a combined 10 flights per week. Flight time is just under 10 hours.

via Auckland

Auckland to Melbourne is a high-frequency shuttle leg with over 60 flights per week, and a flight time of around 3:30hr. Here are flight options routed through Auckland to Melbourne, with the total time including the Auckland to Melbourne flight and approx 2.5 hour layover.

  • New York City (JFK) - Air New Zealand & Qantas each fly from JFK to Melbourne via Auckland 3 to 4 times per week. Total trip duration is just over 22 hours.
  • Los Angeles (LAX) - Air New Zealand, American & Delta Airlines each fly from Los Angeles to Melbourne via Auckland with a combined total of 3 flights daily. Total trip duration is just over 18 hours.
  • San Francisco (SFO) - Air New Zealand flies from San Francisco to Melbourne via Auckland daily, with a flight duration of just over 18 hours.
  • Houston (IAH) - Air New Zealand flies between Houston & Melbourne, via Auckland, between 3 and 5 times per week, with total trip times around 19 hours.
  • Honolulu (HNL) - Air New Zealand & Hawaiian Airlines fly between Honolulu and Melbourne, via Auckland between 5 and 7 times per week (combined). Flight time is just under 15 hours.

From Canada

Direct to Australia

  • Vancouver (YVR) to Sydney (SYD) - Air Canada flies direct from Vancouver to Sydney daily, with flight time of 15 hours & 20 minutes. From Sydney, it's a short 1:25hr domestic flight to Melbourne.
  • Vancouver (YVR) to Brisbane (BNE) - Air Canada flies direct from Vancouver to Brisbane 6 days per week with a flight time of 14 hours & 30 minutes. From Brisbane, it's a short 2:25hr domestic flight to Melbourne.
  • Vancouver (YVR) to Melbourne (MEL) - Air Canada is actively looking at returning their direct YVR-MEL flights. Keep an eye out for news of this later in 2026.

via Auckland

  • Vancouver (YVR) via Auckland (AKL) - Air New Zealand flies direct from Vancouver into Auckland, where you can then take one of their regular shuttle flights across to Melbourne.

via US West Coast

  • Toronto (YYZ) via Los Angeles (LAX) or San Francisco (SFO) - United and Delta Airlines both have options flying Toronto-Los Angeles-Melbourne. United also has an option of Toronto-San Francisco-Melbourne. Daily flights mean a single stop connection from Toronto to Melbourne.
  • Toronto (YYZ) via Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) - American Airlines & Qantas combine for an alternative option, flying Toronto-Dallas/Fort Worth-Melbourne. This provides another a single stop connection from Toronto to Melbourne, but has a shorter leg and then an ultra-long-haul flight.

via US Dallas/Fort Worth

  • Montreal (YUL) via Los Angeles (LAX) or San Francisco (SFO) - United and Delta Airlines both have options flying Montreal-Los Angeles-Melbourne. United also has an option of Toronto-San Francisco-Melbourne. Daily flights mean a single stop connection from Montreal to Melbourne.
  • Montreal (YUL) via Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) - American Airlines & Qantas combine for an alternative option, flying Montreal-Dallas/Fort Worth-Melbourne. This provides another a single stop connection from Montreal to Melbourne, but has a shorter leg and then an ultra-long-haul flight.

From Central & South America

Direct to Melbourne

  • Santiago (SCL) - LATAM Airlines flies direct from Santiago to Melbourne 3 or 4 times per week, with connections through to destinations in Argentina, Brazil, Peru, Colombia, Ecuador, Uruguay, Paraguay & Mexico. Flight time from SCL to MEL is 14-15 hours.

via Sydney

  • Santiago (SCL) via Sydney (SYD) - Qantas and LATAM Airlines fly from Santiago to Sydney daily, with up to 11 combined flights per week. LATAM offers connections through to destinations in Argentina, Brazil, Peru, Colombia, Ecuador, Uruguay, Paraguay & Mexico. Flight time from SCL to MEL via SYD is around 18.5 hours, including domestic connection in Sydney.

via US West Coast

  • Mexico City (MEX) via Los Angeles (LAX) or San Francisco (SFO) - United and Delta Airlines both have options flying Mexico City-Los Angeles-Melbourne or Mexico City-San Francisco-Melbourne. Daily flights mean a single stop connection from Mexico City to Melbourne. Total travel time is around 22 to 23 hours.

From Africa

From Southern Africa

  • Johannesburg (JNB) via Perth (PER) - Qantas and South African Airways fly JNB to PER 3 or 4 times per week, providing daily flights between the two carriers. Connections through JNB to key African cities depart regularly, though this route is best for those connecting from the Southern African region. Flight time from JNB to MEL via PER is around 16 hours including a 2 hour domestic layover in Perth.
  • Johannesburg (JNB) via Sydney (SYD) - Qantas flies JNB to SYD daily, while various carriers provide regular connections through JNB to key African cities. This route is best for those connecting from the Southern African region. Flight time from JNB to MEL via SYD is around 16.5 hours including a 2 hour domestic layover in Sydney.

From East/Central Africa

East and Central Africa is best connected through the Middle East for ease of connections.

  • Dubai (DXB) - Emirates Airlines flies direct to Melbourne twice daily, connecting to over 140 worldwide destinations
  • Doha (DOH) - Qatar Airways has multiple daily flights (up to 21 flights per week), connecting to over 170 destinations
  • Abu Dhabi (AUH) - Etihad Airways services Melbourne with direct flights 5 days per week, connecting to over 90 destinations
  • Total travel time from East Africa is typically 20-24 hours including a 2-4 hour layover.

From North/West Africa

North and West Africa is best connected through the Middle East for ease of connections.

  • Dubai (DXB) - Emirates Airlines flies direct to Melbourne twice daily, connecting to over 140 worldwide destinations
  • Doha (DOH) - Qatar Airways has multiple daily flights (up to 21 flights per week), connecting to over 170 destinations
  • Abu Dhabi (AUH) - Etihad Airways services Melbourne with direct flights 5 days per week, connecting to over 90 destinations
  • Total travel time from West Africa is typically 20-24 hours including a 2-4 hour layover.