A380 to Hong Kong [from Jan 15th, QF127/QF128]

[katiebell]

the trouble is that the flights are no longer midnight from MEL (so full day at work) arr LHR 1330 (ie it was great for minimising jetlag) & the rtn arr MEL 2000 which was also a great jetlag minimiser. Now its waste most of the departure day arr LHR too early in the morning and the same on the rtn.. CX now offers the only decent schedule MEL-LHR but not as good at hte soon the be dropped QF service. Joyce only cares about SYD. The rest of the country can get used to flying via SYD (never again: too much hassle & wasted time) or forget about QF

 

[JohnM]

awilcockson, it looks like you're posting to two threads about this.

Mate, I was surprised on the other thread to see a claimed degustation on the titchy SYD-HKG flight. I mean to say, they could hardly clear the dishes - let alone the multiple wine glasses :mrgreen:.

Really feel for your disappointment .

I'm booked SYD-HKG in August on QF127 as sector 2 on this year's DONE5. Normally, I'd be registering for a J-F upgrade as early as possible. Not sure whether I'll bother squandering the points for this tiddler. I'm coming to the view that F is really only worth it on truly long haul where the dego is on offer and/or there's plenty of slumber time on the made-up bed.

But, on the other hand, if I'm up in J with the Heidseck, it'll be hard not to think about slurping the Taittinger and the other superior wines down below ... Decisions, decisions... .

 

[moa999]

JohnM,

Why shouldn't QF be able to do the degustation on SYD-HKG, they manage on SYD-SIN which is a shorter leg.

The only difference is the SIN departure is later so more of a dinner than lunch.

 

[JohnM]

JohnM,

Why shouldn't QF be able to do the degustation on SYD-HKG, they manage on SYD-SIN which is a shorter leg.

The only difference is the SIN departure is later so more of a dinner than lunch.

I was half joking - I think the dinner aspect could be a factor but a bigger one is that SYD-SIN is the first sector of the big haul to LHR, so I think they are going to try harder with that.

There's probably no reason why they couldn't manage to do it, but I don't think they are looking to go out of their way like they would on the really long flights to LAX or LHR.

Put it this way: it doesn't surprise me that the dego is not on offer SYD-HKG.

 

[Andyzx]

At Hong Kong do Qantas use multiple air bridges for the A380 or all through the front door?
I want to work out home long it will get out from row 80 as I have a short transfer to Dragon Air.

Appreciate any comments

 

[QPProletarian]

Now that BA flies their A380 to HKG, would've been nice to do QF/BA A380 regardless of Codeshare. However, it seems as though you can't construct the fare, even for Business.

APPLICABLE ADD-ON CONSTRUCTION IS ADDRESSED IN
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS - CATEGORY 23.
OPEN JAWS
FARES MAY BE COMBINED ON A HALF ROUND TRIP BASIS WITH
ANY FARE FOR ANY CARRIER IN ANY RULE AND TARIFF.
-TO FORM SINGLE OR DOUBLE OPEN JAWS WHICH CONSISTS OF NO
MORE THAN 2 INTERNATIONAL FARE COMPONENTS AND THE OPEN
SEGMENT IS IN ONE COUNTRY.
A MAXIMUM OF TWO INTERNATIONAL FARE COMPONENTS
PERMITTED.
END-ON-END
END-ON-END COMBINATIONS PERMITTED WITH BA INTERNATIONAL
FARES. VALIDATE ALL FARE COMPONENTS. SIDE TRIPS
PERMITTED.
OPEN JAWS/ROUND TRIPS/CIRCLE TRIPS
FARES MAY BE COMBINED ON A HALF ROUND TRIP BASIS
-TO FORM SINGLE OR DOUBLE OPEN JAWS WHICH CONSISTS OF NO
MORE THAN 2 INTERNATIONAL FARE COMPONENTS AND THE OPEN
SEGMENT IS IN ONE COUNTRY.
A MAXIMUM OF TWO INTERNATIONAL FARE COMPONENTS
PERMITTED.
MILEAGE OF THE OPEN SEGMENT MUST BE EQUAL/LESS THAN
MILEAGE OF THE LONGEST FLOWN FARE COMPONENT.
-TO FORM ROUND TRIPS WITH BA FARES
-TO FORM CIRCLE TRIPS WITH BA FARES
A MAXIMUM OF TWO INTERNATIONAL FARE COMPONENTS
PERMITTED.
PROVIDED -
COMBINATIONS ARE WITH ANY FARE FOR CARRIER BA IN ANY
RULE IN ANY TARIFF.

 

[Limewood]

One of the best parts of leaving Hong Kong is the newer CX 1st Wing lounge, was in there last Sat night with Mrs Lime, simply brilliant, fabulous food, beautiful layout with so much marble), the cubes are just great etc. etc. and with 3 QF flights leaving for various destinations within the hour most 1st pax come WP were there not in the Q lounge. We only had 3 hours to spare .

 

[LadyC]

One of the best parts of leaving Hong Kong is the newer CX 1st Wing lounge, was in there last Sat night with Mrs Lime, simply brilliant, fabulous food, beautiful layout with so much marble), the cubes are just great etc. etc. and with 3 QF flights leaving for various destinations within the hour most 1st pax come WP were there not in the Q lounge. We only had 3 hours to spare .

Agree totally! It is great and am looking forward to my visit in a few weeks.

 

[Limewood]

Agree totally! It is great and am looking forward to my visit in a few weeks.

Lucky you, not lot of fine wine left as we drank it all .

Tip: makes sure you get there early to savour this fantastic CX lounge, and even if you don't need to go check out the bathroom I kid you not.

 

[dairyfloss]

First visit to The Wing this Sunday... and again a few days later... can't wait, with all the goodness I'm hearing around the place!

 

[QPProletarian]

Hmm... the BA/QF spat must be bad. Looking at ba.com, they want to route you via AKL on codeshares to SYD!

 

[Isochronous]

Now that BA flies their A380 to HKG, would've been nice to do QF/BA A380 regardless of Codeshare. However, it seems as though you can't construct the fare, even for Business.

APPLICABLE ADD-ON CONSTRUCTION IS ADDRESSED IN
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS - CATEGORY 23.
OPEN JAWS
FARES MAY BE COMBINED ON A HALF ROUND TRIP BASIS WITH
ANY FARE FOR ANY CARRIER IN ANY RULE AND TARIFF.
-TO FORM SINGLE OR DOUBLE OPEN JAWS WHICH CONSISTS OF NO
MORE THAN 2 INTERNATIONAL FARE COMPONENTS AND THE OPEN
SEGMENT IS IN ONE COUNTRY.
A MAXIMUM OF TWO INTERNATIONAL FARE COMPONENTS
PERMITTED.
END-ON-END
END-ON-END COMBINATIONS PERMITTED WITH BA INTERNATIONAL
FARES. VALIDATE ALL FARE COMPONENTS. SIDE TRIPS
PERMITTED.
OPEN JAWS/ROUND TRIPS/CIRCLE TRIPS
FARES MAY BE COMBINED ON A HALF ROUND TRIP BASIS
-TO FORM SINGLE OR DOUBLE OPEN JAWS WHICH CONSISTS OF NO
MORE THAN 2 INTERNATIONAL FARE COMPONENTS AND THE OPEN
SEGMENT IS IN ONE COUNTRY.
A MAXIMUM OF TWO INTERNATIONAL FARE COMPONENTS
PERMITTED.
MILEAGE OF THE OPEN SEGMENT MUST BE EQUAL/LESS THAN
MILEAGE OF THE LONGEST FLOWN FARE COMPONENT.
-TO FORM ROUND TRIPS WITH BA FARES
-TO FORM CIRCLE TRIPS WITH BA FARES
A MAXIMUM OF TWO INTERNATIONAL FARE COMPONENTS
PERMITTED.
PROVIDED -
COMBINATIONS ARE WITH ANY FARE FOR CARRIER BA IN ANY
RULE IN ANY TARIFF.

I had a play around with ITA Matrix for days in May 2014 and got it to work. This is the fare construction to give to your TA:

Fare construction (can be useful to travel agents)
SYD QF X/HKG BA LON Q4.25 286.18OKSALEAU BA X/HKG QF SYD Q4.25 286.18OKSALEAU NUC 580.86 END ROE 1.048275 XT 55.00AU 53.26WY 170.60GB 69.90UB 671.80YQ

[TABLE="class: dijitReset fareDetails, width: 450"]
[TR]
[TD]Fare 1: Carrier BA OKSALEAU SYD to LON (rules)
Passenger type ADT, round trip fare, booking code O
Covers SYD-HKG (Economy), HKG-LHR (Economy)
[/TD]
[TD="class: farePrice, align: right"]AU$304.46[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Fare 2: Carrier BA OKSALEAU LON to SYD (rules)
Passenger type ADT, round trip fare, booking code O
Covers LHR-HKG (Economy), HKG-SYD (Economy)
[/TD]
[TD="class: farePrice, align: right"]AU$304.46[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]BA YQ surcharge (YQ)[/TD]
[TD="class: farePrice, align: right"]AU$413.00[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Australian Passenger Movement Charge (AU)[/TD]
[TD="class: farePrice, align: right"]AU$55.00[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Australian Int'l Passenger Service Charge (WY)[/TD]
[TD="class: farePrice, align: right"]AU$26.63[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD](YQ)[/TD]
[TD="class: farePrice, align: right"]AU$258.80[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Australian Int'l Passenger Service Charge (WY)[/TD]
[TD="class: farePrice, align: right"]AU$26.63[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]United Kingdom Air Passengers Duty (GB)[/TD]
[TD="class: farePrice, align: right"]AU$170.60[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]United Kingdom Passenger Service Charge (UB)[/TD]
[TD="class: farePrice, align: right"]AU$69.90[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD][/TD]
[TD="class: fareSubTotalRule"] [/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Subtotal per passenger[/TD]
[TD="class: farePrice, align: right"]AU$1,629.56[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Number of passengers[/TD]
[TD="class: farePrice, align: right"]x1[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD][/TD]
[TD="class: fareTotalRule"] [/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: fareTotal"]
[TD="class: totalLabel"]TOTAL AIRFARE & TAXES[/TD]
[TD="class: farePrice, align: right"]AU$1,629.56[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]



Departure was set as 24 April, returning 3 May.

 

[QPProletarian]

Oh this was HKG-SYD. I have been trying to construct a BA025/BA026 and QF127/QF128 ticket to see how it would price/what else you could do.

There seems to be a fair bit of flexibility when booking with Finnair, including NRT stopovers. Good J price and status earn too. These can be combined with QF127/QF128, although DXB transit doesn't look possible.

 

[Isochronous]

Oh this was HKG-SYD. I have been trying to construct a BA025/BA026 and QF127/QF128 ticket to see how it would price/what else you could do.

There seems to be a fair bit of flexibility when booking with Finnair, including NRT stopovers. Good J price and status earn too. These can be combined with QF127/QF128, although DXB transit doesn't look possible.

What are you trying to book with Finnair exactly?

 

[katiebell]

Hmm... the BA/QF spat must be bad. !

It is: some bad experiences in March and thereafter this year.

A friend was flying BA on QF flight no VIE-LHR. The flight was cancelled, he was not told (those on a BA flight no. automatically contacted & rebooked). Found out vicariously. Contacted BA & then QF. Neither wanted to know. He spent >90 min on mobile ph calls in a foreign country and neither airline took responsibility nor helped.

Shortly thereafter I flew LHR-HKG on BA. I am WP & had preselected front row seat in J. this seat was there in my booking on BA website < 1 hour before check in opened. I tried online check in at 1st opportunity, not long after it started: the seat was gone & I could not check in on line. I arrived at LHR many hours in advance of the flight. The only seat left for me was in the last row of J, just an incomplete partition between me & the screaming child in Y (not that I blame the child: it is very poor design on the part of BA not to give premium pax the quiet they pay megabucks to have).

I approx 12 shorthaul BA flights this year I have had similar problems with preselected seats becoming unavailable just minutes before on line check in opened. This has never been a problem in previous years.

This is not a problem with other oneworld airlines. It is not what is promised or promoted by one world. BA no longer offer exec club to ANZ. When they closed it down here they promised no reduction in benefits for ANZ pax. This has not been the case. A pity as I have found BA to be, on the whole very good and really like their J seats.

I am very disappointed that BA & QF cannot provide the level of service as promised in both airlines' promotions.

 

[eastwest101]

BA and QF management couldn't be trusted to make a sandwich together, even if you personally handed them some bread, butter, knife and vegemite.....

And from some of the other threads I have seen - with alliance partners like that both BA and QF don't need to go out and find more enemies, they have their most dysfunctional relationship within their own alliance!

 

[anat0l]

A friend was flying BA on QF flight no VIE-LHR. The flight was cancelled, he was not told (those on a BA flight no. automatically contacted & rebooked). Found out vicariously. Contacted BA & then QF. Neither wanted to know. He spent >90 min on mobile ph calls in a foreign country and neither airline took responsibility nor helped.

No offence, but I find this a bit hard to believe. How is it possible for your flight to be cancelled and no further arrangements made? Sure, could not be contacted, so to speak, but at least should be rebooked. No reason why the new itinerary would start at LHR for no reason.

If your friend's flight was cancelled within two weeks of departure, or even on the day of departure, they could have pressed BA for EU 261 help and compensation. This is excellent as it has legislative pedigree (compared to other jurisdictions where there is no such legislation). In fact, even if it had been cancelled within two weeks and your friend only realised at the airport, there would still be EU 261 protective measures he could press from BA depending on the timing of his rebooked flight (if any, and the timing of the new flight must be similar to the old one or compensation measures may apply).

Note that although QF wrote the ticket it is BA as the operator who would need to help - if they need QF's help to rewrite the ticket then they have to set up the groundwork so you can (or they can) liaise with QF. This is EU 261 procedure - the operator of the flight is responsible. Pressing QF for an EU 261 case they cannot control is wasting time. If the cancellation was done on the day of departure, then the segment would've been under airport control, so turning up at the airport and approaching the BA counter and pressing them should have yielded a result.

Interesting that contacting BA yielded nothing unless the agents should've been reminded about EU 261, but given that they should realise the flight was in full qualification of that, it would be foolish to assume the customer needs to mention it before they pipe up and do something.

If the flight was cancelled greater than two weeks before departure, then it would still be bizarre if they were left with no rebooked alternative. I'm not clear on this, but they would still be entitled to free assistance if the proposed rebooking jeopardised the rest of the itinerary. Also, I would argue that it is the responsibility of the airline (BA) to prove that they had contacted customers about the cancellation - it does not matter who issued the ticket, as long as they hold a confirmed reservation for a seat on that flight. Without contacting customers (assuming the customers have added their correct contact details), I think the EU regs would not look kindly on carriers who cancel and don't offer their passengers the relevant assistance.

Shortly thereafter I flew LHR-HKG on BA. I am WP & had preselected front row seat in J. this seat was there in my booking on BA website < 1 hour before check in opened. I tried online check in at 1st opportunity, not long after it started: the seat was gone & I could not check in on line. I arrived at LHR many hours in advance of the flight. The only seat left for me was in the last row of J, just an incomplete partition between me & the screaming child in Y (not that I blame the child: it is very poor design on the part of BA not to give premium pax the quiet they pay megabucks to have).

I approx 12 shorthaul BA flights this year I have had similar problems with preselected seats becoming unavailable just minutes before on line check in opened. This has never been a problem in previous years.

This is not a problem with other oneworld airlines. It is not what is promised or promoted by one world. BA no longer offer exec club to ANZ. When they closed it down here they promised no reduction in benefits for ANZ pax. This has not been the case. A pity as I have found BA to be, on the whole very good and really like their J seats.

I am very disappointed that BA & QF cannot provide the level of service as promised in both airlines' promotions.

I wonder if the FT BAEC board has a description of this problem (i.e. seat assignments lost just before check-in). I doubt it is an aircraft change (even a subtle one between equivalent equipment); and I doubt BA would bump for say BA Golds or BA GGLs that close to departure.

Why couldn't you check in? Even if your seat was lost, that's no reason you could not check in, it just means you'd select another seat. If there was some other error preventing you from checking in, that is a real problem. Nevertheless, you had a preassignment which was lost, that is an issue.


In these cases here, though, I see two primary failures rooted at BA. Not too much to do with the QF / BA alliance.

 

[Kangol]

I had a play around with ITA Matrix for days in May 2014 and got it to work. This is the fare construction to give to your TA:

Fare construction (can be useful to travel agents)
SYD QF X/HKG BA LON Q4.25 286.18OKSALEAU BA X/HKG QF SYD Q4.25 286.18OKSALEAU NUC 580.86 END ROE 1.048275 XT 55.00AU 53.26WY 170.60GB 69.90UB 671.80YQ

I had a look for several date ranges next year and it doesn't show any BA award availability in QFF or AA? Mustn't have loaded them yet... or will there be any at all?

 

[anat0l]

I had a look for several date ranges next year and it doesn't show any BA award availability in QFF or AA? Mustn't have loaded them yet... or will there be any at all?

The fare which you quoted from Isochronus is no indication that you can get this routing because it is the fare construction for a specific fare basis which is a revenue class, where as an award will come out of award classes.

If you can't see the BA award availability on QF or AA, it's likely that either there are no award seats or they are not loaded (depending on how far out you're searching, but if well and truly within 300 days then it's more likely that there's no availability).