Future of QF27/28 travel post covid

[justin23]

Not necessarily the same plane; last time I flew this route (in reverse: SCL-AKL-SYD) aircraft was a 789 to AKL and a 788 AKL-SYD. Had to collect all our cabin stuff and walk to a different gate.

Was it the same flight number? this is not the norm on this flight which i've done many times. However there would be reasons this could happen. You'll always need to get off the plane at big international airports and reboard.

Some see this as an inconvenience, i see it as a rest and stretch, especially in economy. Although I've booked J for later this year, so i might change my mind and find it an inconvenience, although with the better timing of the LATAM flights, reboarding in in Auckland should be dinner then to bed which is good. Awake and arrive around midday the following day.

 

[Jacques Vert]

Was it the same flight number? this is not the norm on this flight which i've done many times. However there would be reasons this could happen. You'll always need to get off the plane at big international airports and reboard.

Yes, same flight number all the way LA0801.

BTW, I was not suggesting that a change of aircraft is normal procedure; just that it can happen. As @Mattg suggests this can happen for various reasons and I did think it was unusual at the time.

 

[Jacques Vert]

You always have to collect your cabin luggage on these kinds of flights even if remaining on the plane.

When we flew ZRH-GVA-AMM on RJ a couple of years ago, we stayed on the plane while the cleaners came through and gave her a "once over". Our bags stayed in the overhead locker while other bits and pieces stayed in the seat pockets, presumably to allow the cleaners access to vacuum the carpet, etc. I remember watching carefully to make sure nothing disappeared.

Was interesting to watch however I would have preferred to go to the lounge for a glass or two; but it wasn't to be.

 

[gveitmic]

This will literally be a very short layover, i know its inconvenient for some, for others its a chance to stretch legs etc. Its all on the same plane. The Latam flight is also IMO a much better timed flight. The QF flight had worse arrival times IMO.

Interestingly both depart at 12:35 from SYD, but the QF arrives a bit earlier as there is no stop in AKL. I'm not sure if this changed recently or not.

@gveitmic Has your child done much flying previously? If not, don’t expect the worst!
We took Mstr Scarlett on a two month round the world trip when he was 18 months old (18 flights total) and he did it without a hassle.

Sounds like you might need good luck just to even get onto the flights in the first place!

That's great to hear! Ours will be 2yo by then, all she did so far was a trip to Adelaide. Was mostly OK except for a huge tantrum during landing. And yes, at this point I'm happy to just get onto the flights, with or without tantrums hahaha.

 

[justinbrett]

When we flew ZRH-GVA-AMM on RJ a couple of years ago, we stayed on the plane while the cleaners came through and gave her a "once over". Our bags stayed in the overhead locker while other bits and pieces stayed in the seat pockets, presumably to allow the cleaners access to vacuum the carpet, etc. I remember watching carefully to make sure nothing disappeared.

Was interesting to watch however I would have preferred to go to the lounge for a glass or two; but it wasn't to be.

Sorry I meant if going back on the same plane after transit - not literally staying on the plane as you did.

I don't think there's a chance in hell any (responsible) airline (in this security environment) would allow bags to stay onboard if everybody is getting off.

I do remember flying LHR-LAX-SYD with NZ in the mid 90s and a friend of mine left a bag in the locker during the LAX transit. But the LHR aircraft went on to AKL, and we went on a different plane. She didn't know until we reboarded.

She had to tell the FAs who arranged for it to be returned, and she did get it back.

 

[Scarlett]

That's great to hear! Ours will be 2yo by then, all she did so far was a trip to Adelaide. Was mostly OK except for a huge tantrum during landing. And yes, at this point I'm happy to just get onto the flights, with or without tantrums hahaha.

The key we found was to get in early with action before the descent, as that is what causes a lot of children discomfort. They’re too young to valsalva or otherwise equalise pressure in their ears and so many scream from the discomfort. Once the captain told the crew to ‘prepare the cabin for landing’ we’d get Mstr Scarlett onto a bottle (I think he was still breastfeeding, so more likely latched on there). The suckling action helped him equalise, plus he invariably then fell asleep for the descent and landing.

 

[Jacques Vert]

That's great to hear! Ours will be 2yo by then, all she did so far was a trip to Adelaide. Was mostly OK except for a huge tantrum during landing. And yes, at this point I'm happy to just get onto the flights, with or without tantrums hahaha.

Our trick was to take a very small jar (pill bottle) filled with cotton wool soaked in Eucalyptus Oil. A couple of whiffs of that will clear the sinuses and equalise the pressure difference. Works a treat for the adults too.

 

[Sylvana]

Personally, and this is only me, I would ask for a refund based on the fact that the flights are not what was promised and the alternative is not suitable. In my opinion, they are not reliable enough to me that I trust them as a company. Best to fly reliably. Perhaps Latam would be an option once they start flying and we see how those flights go. That's just my point of view after this whole mess anyway.

Post automatically merged: Mar 8, 2022

Good luck!!!! I hope we can travel soon. With the situation in Europe you'd think they'd be demand for South America!

Hi Baarg...any luck with your refund? Flight centre told me it could be around 12 weeks!!!!

 

[baarg]

Hi Baarg...any luck with your refund? Flight centre told me it could be around 12 weeks!!!!

I called a 1300 number yesterday to ask if the refund had been entered cos I never received an email acknowledging my request. They picked up pretty quickly and confirmed it's been lodged but told me it takes 8 weeks. It's bs. I got a response on my complaint from the ACCC and told me my rights, I.e that I am entitled to a refund if services are not delivered, but to contact Qld Office of Fare Trading Make a consumer complaint

I've been very busy this week but I will lodge a complaint because there should be records and evidence of what's been happening. What Qantas is doing is wrong. You imagine getting money, for many months or years, from thousands of people, gaining interest on all these people's money and then not provide a service, it's a great business! You only have to sell a promise to a service and operate for years! Yes, I know airlines lost money, but it's not up to us to fund their losses and keep them afloat while they get back on their feet...
I wouldn't be surprised if refunds take 12 weeks, I think, not sure, but I think we could ask our credit card for a chargeback but would need to look into it to understand how it works.

 

[Sylvana]

I can believe how frustrating this can be...Flight centre is no much help either, they said "leave it with me, I'll be in touch".. I'll wait one more week and I will try the Office of fare trading. I wish you luck, I don't know if your flex airfare will make a difference...let us know.

 

[gveitmic]

Interestingly, our QF27 flight in October was modified by Qantas, to LA800 according to the Qantas booking. However, checking our booking directly with LATAM, it shows LA806, which is a directly flight from SYD to SCL, at the exact same time as QF27. While doing the seat selection with LATAM they confirmed its LA806, not 800.

Sounds like LATAM is simply taking QF27/28 from Qantas?

 

[Sylvana]

It seems that way, they don't care about the customer choice though, but I am wondering if Qantas will ever go that route again....I have always chosen Qantas and I don't particular like Latam, but what else can we do...

 

[Lynda2475]

With Latam no longer part of One World it wouod make more sense for QF to fly into a different city to differentiate itself, maybe a return to EZE or perhaps LIM. Peru is very popular.

 

[Mattg]

Interestingly, our QF27 flight in October was modified by Qantas, to LA800 according to the Qantas booking. However, checking our booking directly with LATAM, it shows LA806, which is a directly flight from SYD to SCL, at the exact same time as QF27. While doing the seat selection with LATAM they confirmed its LA806, not 800.

Sounds like LATAM is simply taking QF27/28 from Qantas?

No, I'd say your booking hasn't been updated yet from LATAM's side.

LATAM is not taking over QF27/28.

 

[justinbrett]

Interestingly, our QF27 flight in October was modified by Qantas, to LA800 according to the Qantas booking. However, checking our booking directly with LATAM, it shows LA806, which is a directly flight from SYD to SCL, at the exact same time as QF27. While doing the seat selection with LATAM they confirmed its LA806, not 800.

Sounds like LATAM is simply taking QF27/28 from Qantas?

LA806 is the codeshare flight operated by QF.

 

[gveitmic]

No, I'd say your booking hasn't been updated yet from LATAM's side.

LATAM is not taking over QF27/28.

That's possible, you mean they will move me from LA806 to LA800 eventually.

LA806 is the codeshare flight operated by QF.

Yup, same as QF27. It still makes little sense to me that Qantas moved us to LATAM, from QF27 to LA806, given its the same flight.

To make it even more confusing, they already allowed me to choose seats on LA806 (codeshare QF27), and the seat layout is obviously LATAM, not Qantas 787. SeatGuru Seat Map LATAM

 

[baarg]

Have Latam flights to Santiago gone today? I think they were meant to recommence today, right?

 

[Mattg]

Have Latam flights to Santiago gone today? I think they were meant to recommence today, right?

The first SCL-SYD flight is in the air now. It’s operating non-stop instead of via AKL, although I think this is only for the first flight.

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[justinbrett]

The first SCL-SYD flight is in the air now. It’s operating non-stop instead of via AKL, although I think this is only for the first flight.

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Regardless of airline, it's so good to have South American flights back.

 

[baarg]

Thanks, Matt. Good to know and we can book with (a bit more) confidence knowing that Latam has definitely started!