Flying to different city for aircraft preference

[L_MareeB]

I’m planning a trip from BNE to DUB in August with QR/VA. The only option BNE-DOH is the 777-330ER. As I’ve read that QR’s 3-4-3 configuration on the 777 in Y makes it a pretty uncomfortable flight for 15 hours, I’m planning to fly to SYD to take the A380 instead. If there’s a complete balls up with seat selection (see my other posts), at least I’ll be stuck with a marginally more comfortable plane.

Am I being silly? As the ex-BNE flights are more expensive than the ex-SYD ones, it only costs me an extra $100 to fly to SYD return (plus additional points, SC, etc.). It obviously adds a fair bit of travel time. It means coming back a day earlier to get a late enough flight back to BNE (which is not necessarily a bad thing). And because of VA’s asinine booking system, I’ll have to do these as two bookings (and hope that they can link them). So, not the same PNR. I plan to allow 4+ hours in SYD going and 3+ hours coming back. That should be plenty, but would obviously feel more comfortable if it was one booking.

The other option is flying SIA, but that means going through LHR (don’t relish that thought), flying Aer Lingus (mixed reviews), and no lounge access departing LHR or DUB as it’s not an SIA operated flight. My thinking is that if I must add an additional leg, I’d rather do it on the Aus side…

Thoughts?

 

[elanshin]

I’m planning a trip from BNE to DUB in August with QR/VA. The only option BNE-DOH is the 777-330ER. As I’ve read that QR’s 3-4-3 configuration on the 777 in Y makes it a pretty uncomfortable flight for 15 hours, I’m planning to fly to SYD to take the A380 instead. If there’s a complete balls up with seat selection (see my other posts), at least I’ll be stuck with a marginally more comfortable plane.

Am I being silly? As the ex-BNE flights are more expensive than the ex-SYD ones, it only costs me an extra $100 to fly to SYD return (plus additional points, SC, etc.). It obviously adds a fair bit of travel time. It means coming back a day earlier to get a late enough flight back to BNE (which is not necessarily a bad thing). And because of VA’s asinine booking system, I’ll have to do these as two bookings (and hope that they can link them). So, not the same PNR. I plan to allow 4+ hours in SYD going and 3+ hours coming back. That should be plenty, but would obviously feel more comfortable if it was one booking.

The other option is flying SIA, but that means going through LHR (don’t relish that thought), flying Aer Lingus (mixed reviews), and no lounge access departing LHR or DUB as it’s not an SIA operated flight. My thinking is that if I must add an additional leg, I’d rather do it on the Aus side…

Thoughts?

No definitely for super long haul it's a serious consideration. Whether it's worth the connection only you can answer as to the extra cost (both time and money).

I definitely have flown SYD - SFO before using MEL at the time on QF. (SYD -SFO was on the 747 whilst MEL - SFO was their new 787s).

I'd say though, you need to be comfortable troubleshooting your way out of situations before adding unnecessary layovers.

 

[Cynicor]

Adding sectors can make sense for comfort, esp when the price doesn’t change much and if you get paid leave or are retired or similar situations where time is less valuable than money/comfort/whatever.

 

[L_MareeB]

No definitely for super long haul it's a serious consideration. Whether it's worth the connection only you can answer as to the extra cost (both time and money).

I definitely have flown SYD - SFO before using MEL at the time on QF. (SYD -SFO was on the 747 whilst MEL - SFO was their new 787s).

I'd say though, you need to be comfortable troubleshooting your way out of situations before adding unnecessary layovers.

Thanks for sharing I don’t mind the additional cost. The decision is helped by having lounge access!

Other than delay/cancellation what else might I need to troubleshoot my way out of? This is obviously why I’d prefer one booking but I’m getting no joy out of VA Customer Service.

 

[elanshin]

Other than delay/cancellation what else might I need to troubleshoot my way out of? This is obviously why I’d prefer one booking but I’m getting no joy out of VA Customer Service.

Mainly delays and cancellations. Could always have the silly baggage handler not transfer your luggage as well.

 

[muppet]

I think I read somewhere that QR was replacing the A380 with a 777 once it starts flying VA’s wet leased services.

 

[L_MareeB]

Adding sectors can make sense for comfort, esp when the price doesn’t change much and if you get paid leave or are retired or similar situations where time is less valuable than money/comfort/whatever.

I don’t get paid leave. If I was flying to DUB from BNE, I would have left around the same time as I plan to fly to SYD now. I’ll just get to DUB later. I could take an evening flight out of BNE to DUB, but that leaves the option of working that day. I would be rushing around after work if I did. I almost want to force myself to take that day off, if that makes sense.

Also means hubby can stay with me in the lounge in BNE until I board (domestic), rather than say bye once I head to security (international). He’s also in favour of any plan to sees me coming back earlier

Post automatically merged: Friday at 12:55 PM

I think I read somewhere that QR was replacing the A380 with a 777 once it starts flying VA’s wet leased services.

Don’t tell me that!! This won’t be one of the new wet leased VA flights. It’s an existing one (hence no bonus points for me). Or would it apply to those, too?

 

[jase05]

My personal preference is to avoid the woeful domestic transfers at SYD but you need to do what’s best for you

 

[L_MareeB]

I think I read somewhere that QR was replacing the A380 with a 777 once it starts flying VA’s wet leased services.

I’m hoping this still holds true after 6 months…

Qatar Airways eyes new A380 business class

After scrapping plans for an early retirement, the superjumbo is getting a second life at the Gulf airline…

www.executivetraveller.com

Post automatically merged: Friday at 2:26 PM

My personal preference is to avoid the woeful domestic transfers at SYD but you need to do what’s best for you

Last time I did it was almost 20 years ago, and then I was new to Australia, so really had nothing to compare it to!

 

[Mattg]

It's a personal preference but I would go via SYD for the A380 and the cost savings. The aircraft type does make a difference on such a long flight. But I would make sure I allow more than enough time for the connection in case the inbound BNE-SYD is delayed, especially if booking on separate tickets.

 

[L_MareeB]

I think I read somewhere that QR was replacing the A380 with a 777 once it starts flying VA’s wet leased services.

I think you read it here in @AFF Editor piece on the VA/QR thing:

Qatar Airways currently flies Boeing 777-300ERs to Brisbane and Melbourne, and Airbus A380s to Sydney and Perth. From June 2025, Qatar will downgrade its Perth-Doha service from an A380 to a Boeing 777-300ER. This means Perth will lose Qatar Airways First Class service, but Business Class gets an upgrade to Qsuites.

Guide to Virgin Australia's Flights to Doha

Virgin Australia will fly from Sydney, Brisbane and Perth to Doha from June 2025, using Boeing 777-300ERs wet leased from Qatar Airways.

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

So, hopefully, that change only applies to PER. Quick search seems to bear that out - A380s before June, but only 777s after. So any similar changes to the SYD route would be reflected on their system by now as well.

 

[muppet]

I think you read it here in @Matt Graham @AFF Editor piece on the VA/QR thing:

Guide to Virgin Australia's Flights to Doha

Virgin Australia will fly from Sydney, Brisbane and Perth to Doha from June 2025, using Boeing 777-300ERs wet leased from Qatar Airways.

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

So, hopefully, that change only applies to PER. Quick search seems to bear that out - A380s before June, but only 777s after. So any similar changes to the SYD route would be reflected on their system by now as well.

Ah yep, looks like it! Enjoy the A380 then.

 

[L_MareeB]

It's a personal preference but I would go via SYD for the A380 and the cost savings. The aircraft type does make a difference on such a long flight. But I would make sure I allow more than enough time for the connection in case the inbound BNE-SYD is delayed, especially if booking on separate tickets.

Do you think 4 hours might not be enough? I’d be looking to arrive in SYD at 4.40pm and fly SYD-DOH at 8.45pm. I know it’s a bit of a “how long is a piece of string” question.

I am hoping that VA gets back to my complaint letter about how hard it has been to get any kind of solid response from the CS. All they tell me is to call the Guest Contact Centre who can’t seem to help at all and basically tell me to call back once I’ve made the booking. First time I called, they directed me to book with QR because they didn’t have the flights I was trying to book available on their end.

 

[L_MareeB]

UPDATE: Someone at the VA Guest Contact Centre (when I finally got connected after 7 tries!) confirmed that they’d be able to do the two bookings as one for me - over the phone. So, at least I should be able to manage the transit concerns a bit better this way.

Let’s hope when I call to actually book, I speak to someone equally sensible They also confirmed (after consulting with a supervisor) that, as I am unable to make this booking via the website, the would waive the telephone booking fee.

 

[Mattg]

If you can book this all on one ticket that's definitely the way to go. If not, I'd personally prefer 5+ hours between flights (often I stay overnight in Sydney, in fact).

4 hours is fine if everything goes to plan, but all it takes is some bad weather in Sydney with a few BNE-SYD cancellations during the afternoon and suddenly you've no-showed for your QR flight.