BA no longer to fly to/out of MEL?

[kooky]

Saw yesterday on BBC World that BA is about to terminate services out of MEL .. does anyone know as of when this is?

Also it would be good to know impact on frequent flyer availability etc .. has anyone an idea exactly how much of Qantas' flights out of MEL internationally consist of BA flights? ie. if QF+BA=100%, what % is BA - ie. this is what we'll be losing in availability!!

 

[kooky]

Ahh I found some info here: http://www.luchtzak.be/article10817.html
2: http://www.etravelblackboard.com/index.asp?id=45841&nav=2
3: http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5478,17695635%5E2862,00.html

Can anyone explain the exact effect on a typical MEL - SIN - LHR journey?

I'll have a crack at it:
MEL - SIN: No change, as BA flights become QF flights?
SIN - LHR: More flights than ever as BA increase numbers?

Nothing at Qantas or BA websites!

 

[JohnK]

Saw yesterday on BBC World that BA is about to terminate services out of MEL .. does anyone know as of when this is?

Not 100% certain but I think towards end March 2006.

Also it would be good to know impact on frequent flyer availability etc .. has anyone an idea exactly how much of Qantas' flights out of MEL internationally consist of BA flights? ie. if QF+BA=100%, what % is BA - ie. this is what we'll be losing in availability!!

It is 7 flights/week QF and 7 flights/week BA on the MEL-SIN-LHR route.

Sometime towards end of March 2006 QF will add 7 flights/week MEL-HKG-LHR. In reality QF MEL-LHR frequent flyer availability should not change as there will still be 14 flights/week but you will have the option to go via SIN or HKG.

Here are a couple of threads from the flyer talk forum discussing the changes. Should answer most of your questions.

BA17/BA18 Melbourne ??

QF387/QF388 SIN-MEL possibly ending

 

[freaky]

As JohnK has stated, QF are keeping the options open for travellers by adding a new service to LHR via HKG. The times on that combination would actually suit me more (2359 departure, 1320 arrive LHR) than the via SIN option.

The only drawback would be options into SIN are limited to 1 direct flight per day (QF009) which will be coughting my old clients no end.

I think they are pulling out just after the Commonwealth Games. (With a plane load of beaten Pommie athletes no doubt!)

 

[DJ737]

Hi there

I have "rellies" coming out on BA to MEL on 27/01 and going back 08/04, BA switched them to the new QF MEL-HKG-LHR service, they said take it or leave it, no other options available, like QF MEL-SIN then BA SIN-LHR or a CX/BA combo via HKG, they used QF on this route a few years ago, and vowed never to step foot on a QF aircraft again.

But they gonna have to :roll:

At least i'll get the FF points via a "family transfer"

Cheers
DJ737

 

[neil_gardner]

Hmm, something to ponder :?

With the cap on SC's earned set at 120 for Y class - say for a straight through trip to London (10516 points) - then there is little difference for a QFF passenger with a routing via HKG or SIN.

LHR - MEL - 120 SC's - 10516 pts

However, if you break your journey then the
LHR - SIN : SIN - MEL - 140 SC's - 10519 pts
LHR - HKG : HKG - MEL - 140 SC's - 10614pts

So there are obvoius benefits not going on the striaght through tickets.

2 Questions.....

1) I wonder how many SC's per year that Qantas have saved not having to issue as a result of this (20 SC's per leg per pax.....wow!)
2) How far out of the way would you have to fly to try to get two 80 SC legs...and are there any "relatively" direct flights that accomplish this for flights to say LHR or JFK?

 

[NM]

So there are obvoius benefits not going on the striaght through tickets.

And big disadvantage with making the stop - an additional fuel fine in each direction. MEL-LHR as a single segment is one international fuel fine. MEL-SIN/HKG/LHR is two international fuel fines. So those extra SCs do cost you extra cash.