Air Pacific

[Berlin]

Hello everyone,

my partner and me are booked on an Air Pacific flight to Fiji in a few weeks time and I'm not quite clear on a few things so maybe someone here has travelled with them before and knows the answers:

1. We've booked the flight as a QF flight number on the Qantas website. Even though it will be on Air Pacific metal, can we still check in at Qantas check in counters? It's the first time for my partner to come along to the Flounge in Sydney so of course we'd like to extend the time in there as long as possible. If we have to wait for Air Pacific counters to open, we'd probably only get two hours max- anyone know how this works on check in in Sydney?
2. I've heard stories that Air Pacific quite often offers you paid-for upgrades into Business class at the airport. Anyone else ever heard about this and do you think it's worth the money? I'd have check in at their counters for this I'd assume which kind of goes against #1.- anyone know how much before departure their counters open up in Sydney?
3. Booked under a QF flight number, does this flight qualify for the 100% extra points promotion that Qantas has on? The rules only exclude Jetstar codeshare flights so I would interpret this as a "yes"- anyone know for sure?

Thanks a lot already!

 

[markis10]

(You cannot use the F check in at Sydney), although the paid upgrades would be only available at the FJ check in I expect, and yes the flights would earn double points. Most of us have not bothered with trying a paid upgrade given a J fare is $700 or so one way!

http://www.australianfrequentflyer....am/upgrading-sydney-fiji-hnl-lax-13670-2.html

 

[TravelingSmithy]

Hi
My last Air PAC trip was July 2011 I stand to be corrected as things change & QF were in some discussions about selling the Air PAC shares as well as Union action was possible in July. I stayed in Denaru & always find the Fijians very hospitable with no worries evens though spme DFAT information reflects caution

Anyhow I digress
1 Go to the QF First to check in & they will escort you to the Air PAC check in. It opens right on 3 hours & you will be a priority, but yes you need to check on at Air Pac The Seniors at Check In are very experienced & go through to monitor the flight prior to departure

2 They do put out a sign for paid upgrades on the day I am not sure of the price but the service in J both boarding and on board is particularly good. Ex BNE I get BNE-SYD-NAD rt in J for $1550 so good SC earner.

3 You do get full QF SCs & FF points even tough the QF web site won't do the calc for you. Ring FF if you wish to check

The 747s are good aircraft Economy upstairs is the best & can only be confirmed at Airport The two 747s are ex Ansett / SQ aircraft with older technology J Class but plenty of room in the nose.

Enjoy

 

[docjames]

The J seats are quite comfortable on the 744 (old style "recliner" rather than flat/sloped-bed) but more than adequate for what's about a 4-4.5hr flight. Service was adequate without being anything special on the 744 NAN-SYD but was excellent on BNE-NAN. Food was pretty good really on both. Upgrade cost was listed on the board when checking in, subject to availability. FWIW the J cabin was full NAN-SYD (? around 32-36 seats iirc) but only half full BNE-NAN on their 737-700 (only 12 seats).

Have a look on the airpacific website (Fiji Holidays - Fiji Vacations - Air Pacific) and there's good seat maps and info etc.

If your husband gets a J upgrade, try and be in rows 1-4 as the boarding basically walks right in front of row 5 or 6 (cant remember which) and looked pretty annoying (as we got settled in 1A/B!).

 

[GCC]

Thought I'd resurrect this thread rather than start another.

I need suggestions for good Y seats on the Air Pacific 744 Syd – Nan. The family and I are doing our next Fiji holiday on points, and they’ve only stretched as far as Y SYD- NAN, then J return NAN – SYD. Exit rows aren’t an option as our daughter is only 2.

I booked ASA’s, so we have QF flight number & SYD F check in and F lounge. But while seats on the way back (in a 737 ) were allocated in row 1, on the outward flight we have totally unremarkable seat allocation– 3 in a row of 4 in row 35. Flight is in early June and all the bulkhead seats are showing blocked as is the entire upper Y cabin.

I will ring the WF Plat desk with a seat request – but not sure what to request. Any suggestions?

 

[docjames]

Unless you're expecting the flight to be chockers, one option would be to select the two aisle seats of the block of 4 in the middle and one of the middles and then hope the remaining middle stays free?

Block of three upstairs might be an option too (FJ 744 is Y seats on upper deck) - would be a novelty.

 

[TheInsider]

Thought I'd resurrect this thread rather than start another.

I need suggestions for good Y seats on the Air Pacific 744 Syd – Nan. The family and I are doing our next Fiji holiday on points, and they’ve only stretched as far as Y SYD- NAN, then J return NAN – SYD. Exit rows aren’t an option as our daughter is only 2.

I booked ASA’s, so we have QF flight number & SYD F check in and F lounge. But while seats on the way back (in a 737 ) were allocated in row 1, on the outward flight we have totally unremarkable seat allocation– 3 in a row of 4 in row 35. Flight is in early June and all the bulkhead seats are showing blocked as is the entire upper Y cabin.

I will ring the WF Plat desk with a seat request – but not sure what to request. Any suggestions?

Please note, you will NOT be able to check-in at the SYD QF F check-in suite. Air Pacific does not use QF ground staff anymore for their company. This is now all done by Menzies, and you will have to wait until the FJ check-in opens up (3hrs prior).

Seats requests won't help, will need to be done at the airport. QF status does not help with seat selection on FJ.

 

[GCC]

you will NOT be able to check-in at the SYD QF F check-in suite

I'm a bit confused about this - is that the case even with a QF flight number? I asked the plat desk and they said as a WP traveling on a QF code share I was entitled to F check in and Lounge access. I know that this is not the case on FJ flight number.

 

[TheInsider]

I'm a bit confused about this - is that the case even with a QF flight number? I asked the plat desk and they said as a WP traveling on a QF code share I was entitled to F check in and Lounge access. I know that this is not the case on FJ flight number.

Yes that is correct, it's only a codeshare flight. Just like if you have purchased a VAust flight and are travelling on NZ metal, you need to go to NZ.
WP's travelling on QF codes are allowed to access the 1st lounge if it's available.

Say you are flying on QF302 from SYD-LHR, you have to check-in at BA (as they are a different ground handler - Menzies), QF wouldn't be able to check you in at all.

But it's a whole different story if you are coming in from a Domestic flight though.

 

[Wannabee]

Planning on flying SYD-NAN next month for a bit of diving. Am WP (she SG) and will be booking Y on the QF codeshare.

Does anyone have any further information on the following:
1. Bit confusing from the posts above but can I use the QF F check in?
2. I believe that I (and a guest flying with me) can use the QF F lounge
3. What is the baggage limit? Is it the 23 kg as per Air Pacific website or the 64kg as a WP on Qantas?
4. If I book on the QF codeshare and take advantage of the paid upgrade to J, will I then be on a FJ flight number and therefore lose access to the F lounge?

Particularly interested in the baggage question as we will be taking dive gear.

Cheers...

 

[flyingfan]

2. I believe that I (and a guest flying with me) can use the QF F lounge

Yes and this is the only one I can answer from personal experience. Enjoy the lounge with your guest, many others on AFF have having done the NAN run

 

[Danger]

Planning on flying SYD-NAN next month for a bit of diving. Am WP (she SG) and will be booking Y on the QF codeshare.

Does anyone have any further information on the following:
1. Bit confusing from the posts above but can I use the QF F check in?

No. As per general codeshare arrangements, you need to check-in with the operating carrier.

3. What is the baggage limit? Is it the 23 kg as per Air Pacific website or the 64kg as a WP on Qantas?

Again, operating carrier. QF FF benefits only apply to QF-operated flights.

 

[GCC]

I'll be a bit upset if there is no additional luggage allowance and no priority check in for a WP flying on a QF flight number. We are traveling Y on the outbound flight, and traveling heavy with luggage for 10 days, a 2 year old and assorted toddler paraphernalia.

Arte we saying that we have to wait in the Y queue, or is there priority check in?

I did read another post somewhere from a WP who said they went to the Qantas F desk, and were then escorted to the Air Pacific counter. Might give that a try?

 

[TheInsider]

1. Bit confusing from the posts above but can I use the QF F check in?

No, you cannot use the QF F check-in.

2. I believe that I (and a guest flying with me) can use the QF F lounge

Yes you can if the F-lounge is open during that time and only if on a QF ticket.

3. What is the baggage limit? Is it the 23 kg as per Air Pacific website or the 64kg as a WP on Qantas?

23kgs is the limit, otherwise $10 or $15kg for every kilo after.

4. If I book on the QF codeshare and take advantage of the paid upgrade to J, will I then be on a FJ flight number and therefore lose access to the F lounge?

No you stay on the original ticket, it's mearly a 'regrade' in the system

Please don't go the the QF F check-in, especially if you have been told that they won't check you in.

 

[GCC]

I asked the Qantas platinum desk about this. They advised that you cannot use the QF check in, but as a WP you can use priority check in at the FJ Business counter.

 

[sat]

Hi all

I am a QC looking to fly MEL-NAN and LAX-NAN in Y using a classic awards. With the classic awards via the Qantas website you are booked on the FJ flight number rather than the QF code share. I realise there would be no lounge access based on this. Is it possible to book a classic awards seat with the QF code share number via assisted booking in order to get lounge access.

Would the MEL lounge still be open as well for MEL-NAN FJ OMG 2:30am departure on Saturdays?

 

[Danger]

How certain can we be that a WP flying on the QF codeshare MEL/SYD-NAN will have access to the QF F lounge (assuming it's open)?

On the lounge access table page here, at the junction of Qantas Platinum and International First Lounge, it reads

Next onward flight must be on a Qantas, Jetstar Airlines[SUP]+[/SUP] or oneworld flight number.[SUP]#

[/SUP]​

The # footnote seems to contradict the information in the table:[SUP]

[/SUP]

[SUP]#[/SUP] Next onward flight that day must be on a oneworld Airline Members [sic] operated and marketed flight.​

Note: a oneworld marketed flight refers to a flight with a oneworld flight number, eg QF1 or AA222. A oneworld operated flight refers to the actual aircraft or 'metal' on which you fly, eg Finnair aircraft.


​

The table says you only need a Qantas flight number but the footnote says it has to be a oneworld operated and marketed flight. The QF codeshare is operated by a non-oneworld airline which to me suggests access is not granted.

Or am I reading too literally, such that the footnote is only referring to non-Qantas oneworld flights that must be operated and marketed by a oneworld carrier? For example, a QF codeshare on, say, MU would be eligible for F lounge access but a BA codeshare on the same MU flight would not be eligible.

​

 

[TheInsider]

There are 3 options there,

Next onward flight must be on a Qantas, Jetstar Airlines[SUP]+[/SUP] or oneworld flight number.[SUP]#[/SUP]

Since it is a QF flight, this would come under the first option.

But then again, it wouldn't surprise me if QF stopped selling their code on their flights, and if this did happen, you would be removed from the QF flight and put on to the FJ flight number.

 

[Danger]

There are 3 options there,
Since it is a QF flight, this would come under the first option.

But then again, it wouldn't surprise me if QF stopped selling their code on their flights, and if this did happen, you would be removed from the QF flight and put on to the FJ flight number.

Ahhhh. Got it. The # applies to the "oneworld flight number" rather than to "Qantas" and "Jetstar Airlines". It should probably have a comma before "or" then.

Access it is (while on the QF codeshare, should it last).

 

[rotuma1]

My experience this year flying Air Pac from SYD- NAN as an SG on FJ ticket in whY.

6:30am 737 flight in Jan 2012

Checked in at J counters and all others on same PNR.

Got 33KGS as Gold, others on PNR got 23KGs each.
All of us had Priority tags and bags waiting for us at NAN at VIP bagage line near ANZ bank.

Lounge access at QF J lounge, Gold + guest + silver QF one time pass.

Spoke to gate person and got priority boarding as SG + others with me.

Got there early and spoke to service desk, re: exit row seating on 737, row 25 A, 25C, 25K.

747 flight on FJ ticket in Feb 2012

10 of us + 1 infant of that 1 QF Gold + 1 FJ Tabua

Got there early on day, spoke to service desk organised for us to sit on upper deck, express lane cards (was only us plus 2 others on whole upper deck with 2 flight attendants servicing us), down stairs 70% full

Got 10kgs extra baggage
All of us had Priority tags and bags waiting for us at NAN at VIP bagage line near ANZ bank.

Did not use lounge as not enough guesting rights/extra one time cards.

Priority boarding lane at gate for us all.



A friend of mine was in a catch 22 position in Early JAN 2012 as booked on QF J NAN run from BNE and at SYD was told could only take 32Kgs as on QF ticket + 10Kgs extra due to SG and not the 60kgs FJ ticketed J pax can take( now back to 30kgs). He argued the point, then give me 64kgs as QF gold, to no effect.