Future of QF27/28 travel post covid

[baarg]

The OP obviously booked on QF27 to SCL, with a connecting flight to EZE.

That's right, it was all booked thru Qantas

 

[baarg]

Yep, at the time of booking, it said "subject to govt approval", I booked it cos that fare is fully refundable for cash, I.e. a flexi fare so I hope that they don't hold onto my money if they cancel, which yep, looks like they will. I booked with Qantas, knowing that qf27/28 hasn't been a regular flight for years as I used to fly Syd-Buenos Aires when it used to be direct without Santiago stopover, and did the Santiago stopover to nz as well, etc. So I am familiar with the history of this flight, but I knew Latam wouldn't be able to fly to South America cos NZ hasn't lifted its restrictions therefore there was even a less chance with them, at least the Australian govt is more open to the world than NZ is and I know that they had a special repatriation flight a few months ago with qf27/28 so maybe, maybe it was a possibility, but it seems unlikely in light of this new information. Last year we booked flights to NZ twice when the bubble opened and then when it closed and then in December when it wouldn't open, we cancelled again and we got the money (and points back) pretty quickly so hope we get the money back. The only feasible way of getting there now is through LA/Miami or via Europe, which is looong, especially with a child. So it's all very complicated and sad, I just want to see my family

 

[Mattg]

Yep, at the time of booking, it said "subject to govt approval", I booked it cos that fare is fully refundable for cash, I.e. a flexi fare so I hope that they don't hold onto my money if they cancel, which yep, looks like they will. I booked with Qantas, knowing that qf27/28 hasn't been a regular flight for years as I used to fly Syd-Buenos Aires when it used to be direct without Santiago stopover, and did the Santiago stopover to nz as well, etc. So I am familiar with the history of this flight, but I knew Latam wouldn't be able to fly to South America cos NZ hasn't lifted its restrictions therefore there was even a less chance with them, at least the Australian govt is more open to the world than NZ is and I know that they had a special repatriation flight a few months ago with qf27/28 so maybe, maybe it was a possibility, but it seems unlikely in light of this new information. Last year we booked flights to NZ twice when the bubble opened and then when it closed and then in December when it wouldn't open, we cancelled again and we got the money (and points back) pretty quickly so hope we get the money back. The only feasible way of getting there now is through LA/Miami or via Europe, which is looong, especially with a child. So it's all very complicated and sad, I just want to see my family

A friend of mine flew to EZE this week. There are no direct flights, as you know, so he flew via London! It was a loooonng trip, but he made it in the end and seems very happy to now be there.

If you can get a one-stop flight via Dallas on Qantas/American Airlines, that's probably the shortest option I can think of at the moment.

 

[baarg]

Thanks, yes, I there's no choice I'll do that, but with a child it adds a lot more stress so will need to think about it. Different thing on your own. Ugh!

 

[gveitmic]

We booked QF27/28 too. I can confirm they zeroed out until late October as there are plenty of seats to choose from but flights not being sold at the moment.

They were scheduled to return on the 27th of March, anyone with tickets in March or April heard anything yet? Baarg you on the 30/3 right? Wondering if giving them a call would be of any use to have a better idea of what is going on or just waste time…

 

[Mattg]

Wondering if giving them a call would be of any use to have a better idea of what is going on or just waste time…

Given the current state of the call centre, I suspect calling would indeed be a waste of time, unfortunately. You'll likely wait hours on hold, only to be told by someone who has no idea about this that the flight is still running and they can't do anything.

Hopefully Qantas will start proactively contacting people with bookings soon - it's not that long until the end of March and people need time to make alternative arrangements if Qantas isn't going to rebook people on LATAM.

 

[docjames]

The longer Qantas delay officially cancelling the longer your cash stays in their account……

 

[kpc]

When qf 27/28 was Syd-Eze vv.....we used points and went to Argentina for 2 weeks...BA, Patagonia and Iguazu Falls were great!. Hope Qf / La restart flights to Sth America as it a brilliant holiday destination

 

[baarg]

We booked QF27/28 too. I can confirm they zeroed out until late October as there are plenty of seats to choose from but flights not being sold at the moment.

They were scheduled to return on the 27th of March, anyone with tickets in March or April heard anything yet? Baarg you on the 30/3 right? Wondering if giving them a call would be of any use to have a better idea of what is going on or just waste time…

I called Qantas last week, waited 2 and a half hours to talk someone. They know or couldn't say anything too useful. When I pressed them, they said that the airline probably received directives from the government to stop selling the tickets. I asked if that meant my flights would be cancelled she said it seemed "likely". Now, last night I got an email from qantas re "change", and thought this is it. But it was a change to the flight departing Santiago to bue ai on the 30th (?) The latam flight was moved forward by two extra hs meaning a total wait of 7 hs at Santiago airport I don't even know what that means. I really believed I was getting my cancellation. Also, Unsure if I want to be stuck for that long, I mean, it's two hs away from bue!
When is your flight scheduled for?

 

[baarg]

The longer Qantas delay officially cancelling the longer your cash stays in their account……

I think you're right. My boss said she booked to nz once with air nz and something like this happened but then the flights got put back...but I am too cynical to be hopeful!

 

[baarg]

Given the current state of the call centre, I suspect calling would indeed be a waste of time, unfortunately. You'll likely wait hours on hold, only to be told by someone who has no idea about this that the flight is still running and they can't do anything.

You know it! Exactly what happened!

Hopefully Qantas will start proactively contacting people with bookings soon - it's not that long until the end of March and people need time to make alternative arrangements if Qantas isn't going to rebook people on LATAM.

That's what I think, I need to get stuff ready! Latam has cancelled all their March/April flights. I know this cos someone I know told me a couple of days ago. You'd think that if latam would be flying direct to southamerica, they'd reschedule their passengers first. Plus, Unsure if latam would be allowed to fly direct cos it always stops in akl and nz is currently closed

 

[Mattg]

At this stage, LATAM's SYD-SCL flights are still scheduled to run 3 days per week from early April. The other 3 weekly LATAM flights that were previously scheduled are now "zeroed out" in the GDS, the same as QF27/QF28.

I suspect we'll see more changes in the coming weeks. Not sure if the flights will be cancelled outright, or they might drop the AKL stop.

There's no reason LATAM wouldn't be "allowed" to fly direct from Sydney to Santiago if they wanted to.

 

[baarg]

Thanks for sharing your knowledge. Why would, in your opinion, Qantas zero out qf27/28? My flight was practically booked out.

 

[Mattg]

Thanks for sharing your knowledge. Why would, in your opinion, Qantas zero out qf27/28?

The only reason is that they are planning to cancel it.

 

[docjames]

The only reason is that they are planning to cancel it.

The most likely reason.


One other option would be converting a flight or flight to a charter / large booking requiring large number of seats so being held for a large group - but that tends to be a one off flight (not all flights) and would seem highly unlikely in the current context……

 

[baarg]

I called Qantas again and received a very ermm...unsatisfactory response, dodging my question and after 2hs, the guy hang up on me as I was asking for more information! I cannot believe what the airlines are doing, it's highly unethical, even if this flight goes ahead, it makes no sense that they would zero out all of them, and the rep keeps repeating the same blurb; that my flight is going ahead and that as far as Qantas is concerned, flight is still going ahead (?!). I cannot understand how can it go ahead if there are none on Qantas' website. I don't know what options I have at this point, apart from cancelling the flight myself. They should tell us why the flights have been zeroed out til October.

 

[Mattg]

I called Qantas again and received a very ermm...unsatisfactory response, dodging my question and after 2hs, the guy hang up on me as I was asking for more information! I cannot believe what the airlines are doing, it's highly unethical, even if this flight goes ahead, it makes no sense that they would zero out all of them, and the rep keeps repeating the same blurb; that my flight is going ahead and that as far as Qantas is concerned, flight is still going ahead (?!). I cannot understand how can it go ahead if there are none on Qantas' website. I don't know what options I have at this point, apart from cancelling the flight myself. They should tell us why the flights have been zeroed out til October.

Do not cancel the flight yourself - wait for Qantas to cancel it (it will happen eventually) so that you can at least get a full refund!

The folks at the call centre are not empowered to do anything and probably don't know what's going on. As I said before, there's little point calling at this point.

 

[justin23]

When qf 27/28 was Syd-Eze vv.....we used points and went to Argentina for 2 weeks...BA, Patagonia and Iguazu Falls were great!.

I did that in 2010. I spent a month in Argentina. Since then had to fly into Santiago, which was fine if you could transit and avoid the reciprocity fee...... Thats meant to be gone, but it seems as no one has been able to fly there we have no idea if its gone yet.... I also tried to find details on the visa service. Seems like Covid has shrouded any plans for now

I've been planning a trip to antarctica for a while now. I had found some flight but not booked them. Anyway today I booked flights and they weren't there. Had to book the LATAM codeshare flights, that haven't resumed yet as far as I know. Good news was I got a good price on Business at $4700 ex-CBR (albeit CBR-SYD in economy). Was planning to book Y+ for about $4k on QF.

I have no idea whether these flights even on codeshare will happen.... Mind you the photography group i'm going with are mostly based in WA.... so they keep saying surely we'll be able to leave by then....

 

[kpc]

I did that in 2010. I spent a month in Argentina.

We went in March 2010

 

[Mattg]

LATAM is apparently committed to returning to Sydney from late March, 3x weekly. So perhaps there is still some hope that passengers originally booked on Qantas might be rebooked on a LATAM codeshare flight after all.

If I had a booking on QF27/28, I would wait and see for now.

LATAM Outlines Its Return To Australia & New Zealand

After two years, LATAM Airlines Group is ready to resume its flights to Australia and New Zealand, the airline has just announced!

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