AFR rumour [confirmed] - SQ to launch SIN-CBR-WLG

[DavidFlynn]

Unless SQ arrange access

Which I believe is the case.

 

[DavidFlynn]

I'll be on the SQ291 CBR-WLG inaugural! Sadly no lounge access for me... can confirm the International Departures zone is right next to the current VA lounge.

Anyone got any idea what we can expect as far as inaugural festivities?

I'd expect the usual stuff: balloons, cake, speeches, photo op with airline & airport execs etc.

 

[Fiches Mouser]

Speaking of which: anybody here going to be on the inaugural? We should set up in our own corner of the Virgin Australia lounge!

I wish I was! What date is the inaugural CBR-WLG? Is that before the inaugural CBR-SIN?

 

[ajd]

I wish I was! What date is the inaugural CBR-WLG? Is that before the inaugural CBR-SIN?

21 September. As far as I'm aware, the inaugural flights are going SIN->CBR->WLG, WLG->CBR->SIN, as they will normally.

 

[ajd]

Less than 2 weeks to go... which reminds me, I should probably book some accommodation in NZ...

Taking the SQ CBR-WLG inaugural, then somehow getting up to AKL so I can try out the EK A380 service to SYD for the first time!

 

[Colin 2905]

then somehow getting up to AKL

If you haven't done it before, don't mind train travel, and have all day to kill, the KiwiRail Northern Explorer might be an option for you.

I work not far from the airport these days, so I might wander over for a stickybeak on the 21st if time permits. Otherwise, I'll see it depart from my office window, assuming the usual departure direction to the north.

I'll be flying to SIN (then on to DUS) on the 25th.

 

[ajd]

If you haven't done it before, don't mind train travel, and have all day to kill, the KiwiRail Northern Explorer might be an option for you.

I work not far from the airport these days, so I might wander over for a stickybeak on the 21st if time permits. Otherwise, I'll see it depart from my office window, assuming the usual departure direction to the north.

I'll be flying to SIN (then on to DUS) on the 25th.

I'm considering it! I do like my trains...

 

[Colin 2905]

I'm considering it! I do like my trains...

A tip that I picked up from The Man in Seat 61's web site is to "appear" to be in NZ when booking online in order to see any cheaper (but less flexible) fares that might be available. There might not be any left this close to your travel date, but there's no harm in looking.

 

[Virgin Bart]

Which I believe is the case.

Any confirmation on this, David? Would've expected an announcement (or update of website) from SQ a week out.

 

[DavidFlynn]

Any confirmation on this, David? Would've expected an announcement (or update of website) from SQ a week out.

We're still waiting on confirmation from SQ, keep an eye on our Twitter account (@AusBT) as we'll share the news there as soon as we have it.

 

[Eggsbenedict]

Not the inaugural flight but I managed 3 J seats SIN-CBR on the 22nd. Really looking forward to the direct flight straight home with 15min drive to our door. Fantastic was to finish our holiday.

 

[kamchatsky]

I went to CBR and back today. When I was at CBR I noticed the International departure, next to VA lounge, it looks like that there are still some fit out work to do at the departure area? I hope it is just some cosmetic finishings left as it is only like 5 days before the inaugural flight.

But I do like the new terminal, feels very roomy and bright.

 

[ajd]

Latest AusBT coverage for those who haven't seen it : Singapore Airlines Singapore-Canberra-Wellington Capital Express flights - Australian Business Traveller

 

[ajd]

Anyone else on the CBR-WLG leg of SQ291 tomorrow?

 

[OzEire]

Photo credit ABC news

Didn't really need the water cannon, it was bucketing down in Canberra today.

CBR is international again!

 

[vertisol]

View attachment 79746
Photo credit ABC news

Didn't really need the water cannon, it was bucketing down in Canberra today.

CBR is international again!

Took the boy down for a look. Plenty of hoopla and lots of chatter from a passing Virgin crew about how they'd love to be doing International


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Colin 2905]

Any other AFF members flying to Singapore on SQ292 tonight? I just received a text message from SQ advising of planned industrial action by Australian Border Force, and to arrive early to check in.

(Just caught a couple of glimpses of SQ291 / 9V-SRM from my back deck as it approached this morning.)

 

[Mattg]

I flew the WLG-CBR leg of SQ292 last night in Y. I thought I'd make a few comments, and this thread seems to be as good a place as any.

Overall I thought it was a pretty good way to get back from New Zealand, particularly as most of my family are in Canberra.

Be aware that Velocity members are not able to access any lounge in Wellington. Apparently Velocity members can access the Virgin lounge in Canberra, or the Singapore Airlines lounge in Singapore - but not the Air NZ (or any other) lounge which SQ sends its own frequent flyers to in Wellington.

There's also no lounge access in CBR if you're in transit, as this is obviously located on the domestic side of the terminal - but an announcement was made that Business class passengers were entitled to a free drink at the bar in the international departures area upon presentation of their boarding passes.

The on-board service was very good. A full hot dinner is served on the WLG-CBR leg, as well as hot towels, peanuts and a choice of drink before dinner. This was dinner:



We were handed printed menus and I noticed that passengers on the CBR-SIN leg receive a light supper after takeoff, followed by a hot breakfast prior to landing.

The Boeing 777-200 was very comfortable, although the IFE screens seemed quite dated with a poor user-interface and low definition. The IFE in the row in front of me wasn't working at all, and the passengers seated there were moved to free seats elsewhere.

In terms of loading, the flight wasn't very full. Economy would have been at around 60% capacity, which is surprisingly low considering it's just after Christmas. Business class looked almost empty. Most of the passengers seemed to be continuing on to Singapore, although quite a few did disembark in Canberra.

All passengers were required to leave the plane in Canberra, with transit passengers heading upstairs and those leaving in CBR heading downstairs to a newly-built international arrivals area. I must admit that I was surprised by the large number of Border Force and quarantine personnel that have been employed in CBR to service this single international flight.

I will almost certainly use this flight again, although probably more so in the opposite direction (CBR to WLG) due to the better timing (mid-morning departure, rather than the late evening departure on the WLG-CBR leg) and the availability of a lounge in Canberra.

 

[Melburnian1]

I have posted separately (because I forgot to look for an existing thread) about patronage of SQ291 and SQ292 ex and to Canberra:

http://www.australianfrequentflyer....-krisflyer/sin-cbr-wlg-sq291-sq292-80293.html

 

[OzEire]

I flew the WLG-CBR leg of SQ292 last night in Y.

All passengers were required to leave the plane in Canberra, with transit passengers heading upstairs and those leaving in CBR heading downstairs to a newly-built international arrivals area. I must admit that I was surprised by the large number of Border Force and quarantine personnel that have been employed in CBR to service this single international flight..

The customs/ABF officials don't work there permanently, they have "day jobs" in the Canberra HQ. It has been possible to clear international aircraft in Canberra for decades, think about all the foreign military and VIP movements into Canberra.