Noumea. Flying Qantas and Aircalin in J.

[Longtoo]

3 h before departure time.

 

[Longtoo]

Anyone know what time SB checkin in SYD opens?

Last time, I went to the airport at about T3h +15 min. They did a change over of the check in counter from another flight to SB. They then started the check in at T3h on the dot.

The airport is very quite at mid day thus you will go straight through immigration and security. The spas will likely be available if you care for it.

PS: I had an interesting incident last time. At the F lounge, the lounge person asked me to join to SB lounge. I told him that I am entitle to use the F lounge and expect it. He said no. I asked for the manager, he said the manager is not available and he would try to check. He made a few phone calls while I was turning on my computer to show him the rule. I was completely unprepared for the situation. Just before i have my computer fully loaded, he said he found my booking and that i booked a QF ticket code-shared with SB, he invited us to the lounge! Cutting a long story short, it is just to show that QF has lots of inexperienced staff atm.

 

[SYD]

Last time, I went to the airport at about T3h +15 min. They did a change over of the check in counter from another flight to SB. They then start the check in at T3h on the dot.

The airport is very quite at mid day thus you will go straight through immigration and security. The spas will likely be available if you care for it.

PS: I had an interesting incident last time. At the F lounge, the lounge person asked me to join to SB lounge. I told him that I am entitle to use the F lounge and expect it. He said no. I asked for the manager, he said the manager is not available and he would try to check. He made a few phone calls while I was turning on my computer to show him the rule. I was completely unprepared for the situation. Just before i have my computer fully loaded, he said he found my booking and that i booked a QF ticket code-shared with SB, he invited us to the lounge! Cutting a long story short, it is just to show that QF has lots of inexperienced staff atm.

Yes, hoping the morning rush has been through by then!

Fortunately I’ve never had that issue at the F Lounge (but seen plenty legitimately turned away eg booked on FJ code in whY ). They normally have a “list” of PAX on the FJ and SB codeshares (and presumably some others) at the desk, if not at the entrance.

Do you recall if there were any distinguishing marks or features on your BP that showed it was sold as QF?

I was actually pondering poking my nose into the ST Lounge off the back of an SB J BPs but I’d rather max the time in the F Lounge!

Interesting question for non-QF WPs travelling in J: ST Lounge or QF J lounge?

 

[Austman]

Do you recall if there were any distinguishing marks or features on your BP that showed it was sold as QF?

I'm pretty sure there wasn't. I remember looking for something. I took a copy of my e-ticket which showed it as a QFxx_ flight, just in case. But the QF F-lounge staff looked me up using the BP and all was OK. For me that time, anyway.

 

[SYD]

I'm pretty sure there wasn't. I took a copy of my e-ticket which showed it as a QFxx_ flight, just in case. But the QF F-lounge staff looked me up using the BP and all was OK. For me that time, anyway.

Yep, I always carry a print of the 1st page of the e-Ticket when travelling internationally.

 

[Duncan]

All prices are plus TAX large hotels you pay tax on everything small hotels only the accommodation component. Think petrol is dear here ROFL! The fresh food markets in town along with local bus transport is very reasonable and Monday many things can be closed, the internet leaves the NBN in the dust even fibre.

 

[SYD]

I'm pretty sure there wasn't. I remember looking for something. I took a copy of my e-ticket which showed it as a QFxx_ flight, just in case. But the QF F-lounge staff looked me up using the BP and all was OK. For me that time, anyway.

Actually, the online BP from SB has "Sold as QF8693" clearly displayed under the SB141 flight number but nothing under FF details (it only had two options - FB or nothing). We'll see what the terminal spits out on the day.

BTW, I found that I couldn't open the QF booking using the QF PNR or Tix# on the SB website until two days out from check-in opening. Before OLCI opens, you can get the SB PNR by entering the Tix#. It then shows an error that you flight is not ready for OLCI but then provides future dates that you can then try again if you date is listed. It then takes you to a "My Booking" page with SB PNR displayed and access to API, FF and Seat selection.

 

[Austman]

Actually, the online BP from SB has "Sold as QF8693" clearly displayed under the SB141 flight number but nothing under FF details (it only had two options - FB or nothing). We'll see what the terminal spits out on the day.

The one I got from Aircalin just showed the SB flight:


I don't think the one I got from Qantas showed the QF number but I'm not 100% sure. I was travelling MEL-SYD-NOU. Qantas cancelled my MEL-SYD flight the night before. After the call centre put me on another MEL-SYD flight I could no longer check-in online. So I had to go to the international connections desk at MEL T1. And there they issued 2 x paper Qantas boarding passes. I *think* the SYD-NOU one just showed SB141.

It probably best to have a copy of your e-ticket regardless.

 

[SYD]

The one I got from Aircalin just showed the SB flight:

View attachment 297715
I don't think the one I got from Qantas showed the QF number but I'm not 100% sure. I was travelling MEL-SYD-NOU. Qantas cancelled my MEL-SYD flight the night before. After the call centre put me on another MEL-SYD flight I could no longer check-in online. So I had to go to the international connections desk at MEL T1. And there they issued 2 x paper Qantas boarding passes. I *think* the SYD-NOU one just showed SB141.

It probably best to have a copy of your e-ticket regardless.

Yeah, the iOS wallet version is like that but the PDF (and hard copy) have the annotation - which I’ll be taking with me!

 

[Longtoo]

I think the agent could not work out how to accept my boarding pass in the system. I made it very clear that my booking was via QF and showed my booking on the phone app.

It is interesting that on the way back, I booked a Y ticket with QF, I was given a priority pass for security (saving literally 30 seconds of my time as the other security line is very short) and entry to SB lounge at Noumea airport.

 

[SYD]

No drama entering QF F lounge. Scanned electronic FF card, typed away and then scanned BP.

I can confirm that SB checkin in SYD opens exactly 3hrs prior. A bit of a conga line formed waiting for it to open but we managed to be first into the J cattle run. The SB BP does indeed have “Sold as QF” printed on it.

Despite School Hols, the airport was quiet and no one in the F/J priority line for immigration and security. But a few non match fit PAX nonetheless…

 

[SYD]

Always reassuring to see your ride land on time (in fact early)…

 

[Longtoo]

SB has very nice hard and soft product in J. The route is mostly for tourism thus you will likely to experience a relaxing and quite cabin. Bon vol!

 

[SYD]

SB has very nice hard and soft product in J. The route is mostly for tourism thus you will likely to experience a relaxing and quite cabin. Bon vol!

School hols. J cabin is full!

 

[Austman]

The SB BP does indeed have “Sold as QF” printed in it.

Good to know. I ended up having paper QF BPs MEL-SYD-NOU, both issued in MEL. There was just the SB flight number on the QF SYD-NOU boarding pass, I'm pretty sure (go figure).

And with no luggage to check-in anyway but it could have all been checked-in by QF in MEL. So no SB check-in desk, at 3 hours before departure, for me.

 

[dairyfloss]

No drama entering QF F lounge. Scanned electronic FF card, typed away and then scanned BP.

I can confirm that SB checkin in SYD opens exactly 3hrs prior. A bit of a conga line formed waiting for it to open but we managed to be first into the J cattle run. The SB BP does indeed have “Sold as QF” printed on it.

Despite School Hols, the airport was quiet and no one in the F/J priority line for immigration and security. But a few non match fit PAX nonetheless…

Glad to hear the airport was quieter than anticipated. We're heading up to NOU next Monday on QF, flying J, and I didn't want to have to check-in much earlier than is really needed for our 7:40AM flight... too risky? I just hate getting up at awful o'clock, and it's even less pleasant with a 6YO

Cheers,
Matt.

 

[SYD]

Glad to hear the airport was quieter than anticipated. We're heading up to NOU next Monday on QF, flying J, and I didn't want to have to check-in much earlier than is really needed for our 7:40AM flight... too risky? I just hate getting up at awful o'clock, and it's even less pleasant with a 6YO

We had the option to do QF metal (apart from being cheaper) but the early arvo timing of SB meant lunch in QF F lounge followed by the better hard product had us leaning towards SB. The downside is you arrive much later (it’s dark) and by the time you get to your hotel it’s pushing 8pm or later. Mind you, after four courses in the QF F lounge then a lunch spread on SB, I’m not exactly pining for dinner!

I think the onboard menu is still the same?



The F&B all came at once but was generally ok.

I’m in two minds about the hard product. I found the seat quite firm (ie a bit hard on the cough) and not readily adjustable to just a comfy recline without launching you into the footwell. We also had two middle seats very close together. You would NOT want one of those odd row number middle seats if travelling solo. Obviously a window seat would be better but there are a limited number of J seats reserved for the QF codeshare.

We were some of the first off the plane and out to the shuttle desk where we were directed to put our bags in the 48 seater . We’ve been there before and it usually means waiting for an hour or so for everyone else to rock up (some with missing luggage etc…). Fortunately, we wandered out of the waiting here and asked to join a smaller mini van and we were on our way.

Tip: if you’re first out, hover by the desk and you might get lucky with a quick transfer…

 

[Longtoo]

Menu is still the same.

SB has an interesting seating configuration. Odd row number middle seats are ideal for couple.

I don't think the seat padding of SB is hard. The flight is only 2h50'. for long flight we would get a mattress to put over the seat.

I like the Number 1 beer. It has a distinctive French taste, very similar to Hanoi or Saigon beer in Vietnam.

 

[Austman]

Obviously a window seat would be better but there are a limited number of J seats reserved for the QF codeshare

And even the solo window seats are different with the even rows offering more "privacy". I managed eventually to snag 2H. True that the QF codeshare seat map was limited but I noticed that, once online check-in opened, the whole J cabin became available unless already occupied.

The downside is you arrive much later (it’s dark) and by the time you get to your hotel it’s pushing 8pm or later. Mind you, after four courses in the QF F lounge then a lunch spread on SB, I’m not exactly pining for dinner!

Yep. That's why I booked a more modest accommodation for my first night. I knew it would be late-ish by the time I was in the room and there'd probably be no need for dinner. It turned out to be the case. The downside of course is having to move hotels the next day. For me it was just to the hotel next door. I walked.

 

[dairyfloss]

Recent article linked below from 'PointHacks' for travel from SYD to NOU on QF and a stay at the DoubleTree by Hilton Noumea Ilot Maitre Resort (which looks even nicer than I thought, from his pics). And, it looks like I should be ok with getting a few extra winks before heading the airport on Monday Dead quiet at all points. Famous last words, though, right?!

Say 'bonjour' to Nouméa for just $217 return using Qantas Points

Nouméa is easy to visit using Qantas Points, with Business Class reward seats readily available. We jetted off: here's how you can too.

www.pointhacks.com.au

Cheers,
Matt.