Finnair to Europe via HKG in business is cheap

[Buzz53]

I'm looking at MEL-OSL business in mid May, returning beginning June.
Finnair is cheap.
I can book a business flex return for 2 adults at $17,136 on the dates we want to fly.
This costs much less than anything else I can find that would work for us.

The flights are via HKG, using QF29 and QF30 for the MEL-HKG-MEL flights.
At the moment, these flights aren't running.

What's the catch?
What will happen if QF29 and QF30 end up not being scheduled then?

Thanks

 

[RooFlyer]

What will happen if QF29 and QF30 end up not being scheduled then?

Finnair will either arrange alternative routing or they’ll cancel the tickets and refund your money.

 

[FlyingFiona]

Doesn't sound cheap! Here's an example where you can knock off a few thousand by stopping in Helsinki - I'd do it for $3K! (Edit: just noticed you wanted flex...which these possibly aren't as much.)

 

[padders]

I'm looking at a similar itinerary, and tge mel to bkk leg is showing as Economy?

 

[FlyingFiona]

I'm looking at a similar itinerary, and tge mel to bkk leg is showing as Economy?

Hmm something odd's going on. When I choose the flights they all legs are business class. As soon as I select them and expand the above screen shot, one of the legs turns to economy . Needs further investigation...

 

[MELso]

Sure they're not mixed class? Are the fare rules available?

EDIT - just checked on Finnair's site. Avoiding the Jetstar option, the cheapest all-business option I could see from to OSL was $7.1k on 18/5-5/6 (flex is $7.8k). Not bad given the ease of transiting through HEL.

 

[OATEK]

Hmm something odd's going on. When I choose the flights they all legs are business class. As soon as I select them and expand the above screen shot, one of the legs turns to economy . Needs further investigation...

Finnair will usually have a notice at the top of the search page that mentions the possibility of mixed class, but does not disclose which leg until you select the flight.

 

[FlyingFiona]

Finnair will usually have a notice at the top of the search page that mentions the possibility of mixed class, but does not disclose which leg until you select the flight.

I expanded the flight details though and all were J class, however this changes (as does the price) when selected, so it's a bit odd.

(I'd do more searching just to satisfy curiosity but don't have time. If it were me wanting the flights I'd pursue it though - there are cheaper options available than the OP's find.)

 

[Buzz53]

I chose business flex as these are refundable. Finnair give only 2 choices: 0% or 100% refundable.
Using HKG on both legs it's business all flights (outbound 19 May in R, returning 1 June in D).

Thanks for your post RooFlyer.
I suspect Finnair would reroute, hopefully not with a downgrade to economy!
I also prefer not to take the risk of a late cancellation and the need to find another flight at short notice.

We travel onwards from OSL to LYR where we pick up a boat trip. All of that has been paid for, so not getting to OSL on time would be a significant problem.
Travel insurance would help in the worst case scenario, but not cover everything I suspect.

I'll keep looking, but have yet to come up with anything that costs less (that isn't 0% refundable).

 

[Buzz53]

Well, that's interesting. The flights via HKG no longer appear on the Finnair web page.
Lucky I didn't book!

 

[Mattg]

Qantas has just zeroed out the inventory on a bunch of MEL-HKG flights (most likely in preparation for cancelling them).

 

[OATEK]

Have been looking at AY options in last few days, and mostly offering either 15hr layover in BKK, or very expensive options via SIN and HND. And still no multi-city option to allow a stopover in HEL.

 

[anyonebutqantas]

Can you book these with the SYD-HKG segment on QF?