Minimum connection time in SIN with other OneWorld flight

[JohnK]

Interesting to note on Monday night Dec 26th waiting for my luggage from flight AY098 SIN-BKK at the carousel in BKK that there was a lot of luggage from QF5 SYD-SIN connecting to the AY098 flight. Most of these seemed to be CBR connections earlier in the day.

I have been told on more than 1 occassion that I cannot have the QF5-AY098 combination at this time of the year as there is not enough time to board. QF5 arrives 9:40pm and AY098 departs 10:30pm. Obviously, as witnessed, more than enough time to get luggage from QF5 to AY098 in under 40 minutes, as well as board flight, and we left on time maybe even a few minutes earlier. No chance you can make this connection in winter as AY098 departs at 9:50pm.

I am confused can anyone shed some light on the subject?

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

I cant help specifically but minimum connection time at SIN for SQ->SQ is 45 minutes. I would have thought another other combination of airlines would be more than this.

 

[JohnK]

Obviously not. Qantas is selling this combination on their website with 40 minute connection time. On Boxing Day QF51 had to circle for 30 minutes in SIN due to severe thunderstorms, I had 3 hour connection time so OK for me. But what if this had happened with QF5 that day. It would mean that passengers would miss connection or Finnair would be sitting around for 30-40 minutes waiting for connecting passengers and their luggage, making life uncomfortable for others that have done the right thing. The next Finnair flight to BKK is not for another 2 days.

I cannot understand the logic of only allowing 40 minute for connection time in SIN. Maybe someone at Qantas can explaing this.

Anyway not my problem, let them worry about it if it happens.

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

To put it into perspective I have had a number of tight connections SQ->SQ at SIN lately

55 minutes
50 minutes
60 minutes
45 minutes

Every single one I had to run to make the connection due to late arrival (I think only one runway was operating at the time). Fortunately I had no checked bags to worry about.

JohnK - even if it is legal because QF sold it, does not help you if you really need to make that onward flight (eg to make a meeting at destination) and the onward flight doesnt wait for you. Especially when it is late in the evening and so you get delayed a day.

 

[JohnK]

JohnK - even if it is legal because QF sold it, does not help you if you really need to make that onward flight (eg to make a meeting at destination) and the onward flight doesnt wait for you. Especially when it is late in the evening and so you get delayed a day.

Totally understand the point you are making Kiwi Flyer.

I can't understand why QF is selling this combination of flights. It is not only an inconvenience but travelling SIN-BKK direct on 1world you only have 2 options, Finnair and Cathay. Finnair flies MON, WED, FRI and SUN. I think Cathay flies everyday but to earn the points you now need to purchase a certain type of airfare otherwise no points. So if you missed your flight you wait 1-2 days for next Finnair flight or you bite your tongue and you end up on Cathay or non 1world carrier the next day but with consequences.

 

[clifford]

To put it into perspective I have had a number of tight connections SQ->SQ at SIN lately

55 minutes
50 minutes
60 minutes
45 minutes

Every single one I had to run to make the connection due to late arrival (I think only one runway was operating at the time). Fortunately I had no checked bags to worry about.

JohnK - even if it is legal because QF sold it, does not help you if you really need to make that onward flight (eg to make a meeting at destination) and the onward flight doesnt wait for you. Especially when it is late in the evening and so you get delayed a day.

Hey Kiwi,

I just wouldn't do it.

What's the alternative?

Have a few more drinks in the Silver Kris / Premier lounge and get a later flight (or arrive earlier).

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

Sometimes there is no choice - due to schedule (if there's only 1 or 2 flights that day) and availability.

Anyway its not like I havent already spent more than enough time in that very nice lounge.

 

[JohnK]

I don't understand QF's logic. :?

I mentioned this in the OP. During our summer months QF on their website has available flights SYD-SIN-BKK (QF5, QF3931(AY098)) with a connection time in Singapore of only 50 minutes.

I had booked flight from QF SYD-MEL-SIN (QF427, QF9) and from AY SIN-BKK (AY098) for travel in April with a connection time in Singapore of 45 minutes.

Here is my dilemma. I rang QF yesterday to get the 2 bookings linked and I was on the phone for over 1/2 an hour and finally told it cannot be done as QF9 just cannot be linked to AY098.

Q) Why I ask?
A) Because IATA has set the minimum connection time in Singapore to 1 hour.

Q) But you sell the above option QF5-QF3931 with only 50 minute connection time!! :?
A) That is because it is QF-QF connection

Q) How can it be QF-QF connection it is AY metal with QF codeshare
A) That is acceptable by IATA

Q) Why can't I link QF9 to AY098
A) Because IATA has set a 1 hour minimum connection time between differnet carriers

Q) But the QF5-QF3931 option is also different carriers
A) That is acceptable by IATA

Q) Why?
A) Those are the rules

By now I can see that the conversation is moving around in circles. It seems that QF does not allow a linked booking under 1 hour connection time in SIN for QF/AY but it is OK for QF/QF (AY metal). :?

So in the end they offered a connection through BNE with QF51 at no additional cost to me. Not happy changing from a 747 to an A330 but if it helps me connect in SIN then I suppose it is OK.

 

[serfty]

That'd be an A330(-300).

Anyway, QF51 is scheduled to Arrive at 19:50 and AY098 to depart at 21:50; so that should give you plenty of time.

Nice place Changi Airport (for an Airport, that is :? )

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

Think of the extra SCs

 

[JohnK]

That'd be an A330(-300).

Sorry A330 not A320 but still no 747.

Anyway, QF51 is scheduled to Arrive at 19:50 and AY098 to depart at 21:50; so that should give you plenty of time.

Nice place Changi Airport (for an Airport, that is :? )

Agree.

 

[JohnK]

Think of the extra SCs

That is why I did it in the first place.

Unfortunately SYD-BNE-SIN is the same SC's as SYD-MEL-SIN. Anyway off to BNE again in April.

 

[serfty]

That'd be an A330(-300).

Sorry A330 not A320 but still no 747.

At least the aircraft will have AVOD installed.

(Just remember to wait 10 seconds after pressing a control button for it to respond :? )

 

[JohnK]

At least the aircraft will have AVOD installed.

(Just remember to wait 10 seconds after pressing a control button for it to respond :? )

AVOD is adequate and the 10 second response time is not an issue....

that is unless the person in front does that naughty thing with their seat...........

 

[serfty]

... AVOD is adequate and the 10 second response time is not an issue....

that is unless the person in front does that naughty thing with their seat...........

IIRC, the personal airvents are quite powerful.

Other than that, Grab a row 23 seat (B,J,A,K) or try for an exit row when you check in SYD.

 

[JohnK]

At least the aircraft will have AVOD installed.

(Just remember to wait 10 seconds after pressing a control button for it to respond :? )

AVOD is adequate and the 10 second response time is not an issue....

that is unless the person in front does that naughty thing with their seat...........

IIRC, the personal airvents are quite powerful.

Other than that, Grab a row 23 seat (B,J,A,K) or try for an exit row when you check in SYD.

I had 23B allocated but just got it changed to 25G as there is someone in 25DE but no one in 25F at the moment, but I forgot there are 3 people in 24EFG. Seats in row 23 are too narrow for my liking because of the tray tables.

 

[serfty]

... I had 23B allocated but just got it changed to 25G as there is someone in 25DE but no one in 25F at the moment, but I forgot there are 3 people in 24EFG. Seats in row 23 are too narrow for my liking because of the tray tables.

Well that cuts out the exit rows as well! :?

Note that seats maps only show those seats wich have been requested for preallocation. There may be 100's of bookings awaiting allocation on a flight; these do not show.

 

[JohnK]

... I had 23B allocated but just got it changed to 25G as there is someone in 25DE but no one in 25F at the moment, but I forgot there are 3 people in 24EFG. Seats in row 23 are too narrow for my liking because of the tray tables.

Well that cuts out the exit rows as well! :?

Note that seats maps only show those seats wich have been requested for preallocation. There may be 100's of bookings awaiting allocation on a flight; these do not show.

Yes I know but when you look at seat map 24DEFG is allocated and 25DEFG is allocated but when I rang QF 24D is available and 25FG were available. So I changed seat to 25G banking on 25F remaining empty.

Is there a chance before check-in the computer can allocate the same seat to more than 1 person?

 

[serfty]

... I had 23B allocated but just got it changed to 25G as there is someone in 25DE but no one in 25F at the moment, but I forgot there are 3 people in 24EFG. Seats in row 23 are too narrow for my liking because of the tray tables.

Well that cuts out the exit rows as well! :?

Note that seats maps only show those seats wich have been requested for preallocation. There may be 100's of bookings awaiting allocation on a flight; these do not show.

Yes I know but when you look at seat map 24DEFG is allocated and 25DEFG is allocated but when I rang QF 24D is available and 25FG were available. So I changed seat to 25G banking on 25F remaining empty.

Is there a chance before check-in the computer can allocate the same seat to more than 1 person?

Unlikely, more often than not it's people, not software who stuff up with things like that.

 

[JohnK]

I spoke with QF yesterday to insure that the bookings were linked and asked again why they sell on their website a connecting flight through SIN with less than 1 hour connection time.

She had confirmed that IATA specifies a minimum connection time of 1 hour in SIN. She asked where on the QF website I had seen the routing and after confirming it she said that she will put the request to IT that it defies IATA regulations and to remove it as connecting option through SIN.

Interesting to see whether QF follows up on this error.