OWA flights - Email from Qantas notifying of flight change which stuffs up our plans

[gidxg03]

Finally managed to book family of 4 on a OneWorld award RTW in business. We had 4 days in Japan flying into Narita and then out of Fukuoka 4 days later onto Europe. We had planned on taking the bullet train stopping off on the way during the layover. Qantas have just emailed to say they have changed the flight and now we fly out of Fukuoka the day after we land in Narita which means we will spend the 24 hours just travelling airport to airport. Is this normal when booking a oneworld redemption? Can we expect more changes? It's taken away a trip to Japan we were very much looking forward to so not happy but cannot find any other availability.

 

[Mrmaxwell]

You will need to call QF and politely advise them that they need to find a suitable flight for you and your family so your Japan stop is not wiped. Put the onus back on them until they provide a suitable solution.

 

[DC3]

So, Finnair has cancelled the booked flight. That would be out of QF’s control. Are there other scheduled Finnair flights that may fit in with your plans? If so, then QF could request seats to be made available. But that would just be a request. The trick is to find someone at the Call Centre who would submit this and not just fob you off.

You may need to consider other options that would allow some flexibility with this.

Edit: For example, departing from Japan via another airport, and then onto Dublin (via UK?) with CX/JL/BA? Seat availability depending.

 

[gidxg03]

You will need to call QF and politely advise them that they need to find a suitable flight for you and your family so your Japan stop is not wiped. Put the onus back on them until they provide a suitable solution.

Thanks for the advice. Will try giving them a call.

Post automatically merged: Nov 11, 2021

So, Finnair has cancelled the booked flight. That would be out of QF’s control. Are there other scheduled Finnair flights that may fit in with your plans? If so, then QF could request seats to be made available. But that would just be a request. The trick is to find someone at the Call Centre who would submit this and not just fob you off.

You may need to consider other options that would allow some flexibility with this.

Edit: For example, departing from Japan via another airport, and then onto Dublin (via UK?) with CX/JL/BA? Seat availability depending.

Have tried every other option including flying through the US and all other hubs in Asia but cannot get availability for 4 of us. Worst case might try flying in pairs on different times/days.

 

[RichardMEL]

Unfortunately you can likely expect more changes. Schedules are in flux. Demand is in flux even moreso than usual due to pandemic and what's opening, what isn't, hesitancy in forward bookings, or cancels or whatever else.

I really am sorry you have had your trip mucked up by this change. I would be surprised if it was the last depending on how complex the itin is.. and for 4 reward seats in J.. honestly you did very well to get them in the first place in my view.

As a side thought.. you mentioned leaving cough for Europe and AY cancelling flight affecting things... You didn't mention where in europe, but have you tried other destinations in europe (eg: flying on BA, CX, JL to a euro hub) and catching a train or even other internal flight(s)? a PITA for sure,

 

[DC3]

… you mentioned leaving cough for Europe and AY cancelling flight affecting things... You didn't mention where in europe, but have you tried other destinations in europe (eg: flying on BA, CX, JL to a euro hub) and catching a train or even other internal flight(s)? a PITA for sure,

The original booked itinerary, to get to Dublin, from another thread on 23/10/21:

Finally bit the bullet booking flights home to see family in 2022. Was a nightmare to get OWA business for 4 of us but managed to book the following. Risk will be if Japan don't open up or continue to have high cases but if all else fails and we can't change to better flights we can cancel and get a full refund. Price was $2,902 plus 1.27M points:

25 Jun 22	00:35 Melbourne	10h 00m	09:35 Tokyo (Narita)	Japan Airlines
29 Jun 22	10:00 Fukuoka	10h 25m	14:25 Helsinki	Finnair
	16:00 Helsinki	3h 20m	17:20 Dublin	Finnair
27 Jul 22	13:00 Dublin	1h 30m	14:30 London	British Airways
	15:30 London	11h 25m	10:55 Thu Tokyo (Haneda)	British Airways
29 Jul 22	10:30 Tokyo (Narita)	10h 25m	21:55 Melbourne	Japan Airlines

The Finnair flights were the means to an end.

 

[gidxg03]

The original booked itinerary, to get to Dublin, from another thread on 23/10/21:


The Finnair flights were the means to an end.

Thanks DC3 yes the Finnair flights were a means to an end to get to Dublin but the flights in and out of Japan worked well as we wanted to stop off enroute.

Unfortunately you can likely expect more changes. Schedules are in flux. Demand is in flux even moreso than usual due to pandemic and what's opening, what isn't, hesitancy in forward bookings, or cancels or whatever else.

I really am sorry you have had your trip mucked up by this change. I would be surprised if it was the last depending on how complex the itin is.. and for 4 reward seats in J.. honestly you did very well to get them in the first place in my view.

As a side thought.. you mentioned leaving cough for Europe and AY cancelling flight affecting things... You didn't mention where in europe, but have you tried other destinations in europe (eg: flying on BA, CX, JL to a euro hub) and catching a train or even other internal flight(s)? a PITA for sure,

Problem with Ireland is unless we pick another airport (and I cant imagine there will be more availability than into Dublin) it would have to be a flight from other European cities but I've check so many routes without availability (granted it is for 4 so 2 X 2 may have better options) including:

Helsinki
Kuala Lumpur
Bangkok
Hong Kong
Singapore
Shanghai
Tokyo (Narita)
Tokyo (Haneda)
Osaka
Akita
Amami O Shima
Aomori
Asahikawa
Fukuoka
New York
Los Angeles
San Francisco
San Diego
Boston
Beijing
Manila
Vancouver
Paris

 

[RichardMEL]

ah ok. good work on that.

DUB is a little tricker for sure, but even if able to get to somewhere else in the UK may be helpful, or heck even some place FR flies to eg if JL: had seats to say FRA or CDG and make own way over to DUB. That is where I was coming from.

 

[RichardMEL]

Could UL be an option via CMB to get to at least LHR?
(I have no clue if they fly to Japan or not.. probably not). Or what about Royal Jordanian for AMN (is Oman Air in oneworld yet? I don't think so)

 

[gidxg03]

ah ok. good work on that.

DUB is a little tricker for sure, but even if able to get to somewhere else in the UK may be helpful, or heck even some place FR flies to eg if JL: had seats to say FRA or CDG and make own way over to DUB. That is where I was coming from.

It's a good point and we have family in the UK we could drop in on. Flights from UK to Ireland are cheap as chips and plentiful so this may work. Will have a look at this option along with UL and Royal Jordanian as suggested. Will check all of these out before I call Qantas so I can be specific with any requested changes.

 

[robbo135]

As the others have suggested try another airport in the UK (MAN, LHR, LGW) or western Europe (CDG, FRA, AMS) and then get an onward flight to DUB from there. Otherwise you may need to backtrack to KIX or all the way to TYO to get more choices of flights particularly with JL.

 

[gidxg03]

Could UL be an option via CMB to get to at least LHR?
(I have no clue if they fly to Japan or not.. probably not). Or what about Royal Jordanian for AMN (is Oman Air in oneworld yet? I don't think so)

Is CMB Columbo in Sri Lanka? If so no availability from Melbourne anywhere near the dates we are looking to fly.

ah ok. good work on that.

DUB is a little tricker for sure, but even if able to get to somewhere else in the UK may be helpful, or heck even some place FR flies to eg if JL: had seats to say FRA or CDG and make own way over to DUB. That is where I was coming from.

Thanks for this suggestion! This has opened up more options flying from a transit/hub to Europe but the issue is availability for the first leg out of Melbourne (have tried all of the locations I mentioned in my post above). Only availability near the dates we are looking to fly are MEL-HKG, MEL-BKK, MEL-NRT and MEL-HND. The flight via Hong Kong looks good but is via Brisbane which is manageable. BKK, NRT and HND only have availability a few days after the date we are looking to leave. Still Hong Kong is looking good!

 

[RichardMEL]

apologies. I was focusing on Japan-Dublin issue.

Perhaps look for options out of SYD/ADL (ADL-DOH for example)?

 

[gidxg03]

apologies. I was focusing on Japan-Dublin issue.

Perhaps look for options out of SYD/ADL (ADL-DOH for example)?

Good idea! I'll have a look..

 

[docjames]

Whilst obviously costing more (price not included in the RTW), of course you could find seats elsewhere into EU, open jaw the EU end and take a cheap (cough, Ryanair) flight to DUB.....

Not ideal, but a solution to get to DUB.

Agree finding 4 may be difficult - 2x2 may have more luck, and your other issue opening jaw into EU is both the Japan-EU flight and the Ryanair flight may move between now and travel so better if its incorporated and the obligation on the ticketing airline to help solve it.

Agree with suggestions to "give them some alternatives to try" may lead to more success/better outcome than just asking them to fix it (and being stuck with whatever they come up with).

Is it ticketed by QF or Japan Airlines?

 

[jase05]

CGK is my favourite go to in Asia, normally has excellent availability and just had a quick look and I can see a heap of QR award availability to DOH and then onward availability with BA to DUB via LHR.
Also good availability from NRT-DOH on QR

 

[gidxg03]

CGK is my favourite go to in Asia, normally has excellent availability and just had a quick look and I can see a heap of QR award availability to DOH and then onward availability with BA to DUB via LHR.
Also good availability from NRT-DOH on QR

This is a very good idea and the route is pretty straight through to Europe but I can't seem to find availability MEL-CGK for around the 25th/26th of June. Only through Tokyo which makes the flight 19 hours. You are right though there is availability onward from CKG-DOH and then DOH-LHR. Would imagine this would be a more expensive option flying QR and also through London but I hear QR's business package is the best!

I have found a new flight MEL-NRT and then NRT-HEL-DUB which also means avoiding the UK. Currently on hold to Qantas to see if I can book it. Currently on hold 1hr 45mins!

 

[gidxg03]

I have found a new flight MEL-NRT and then NRT-HEL-DUB which also means avoiding the UK. Currently on hold to Qantas to see if I can book it. Currently on hold 1hr 45mins!

Managed to book this through the call centre. Thanks everyone for the advice.

 

[ozflier]

Well done - not easy getting 4 business class seats.
Even more impressive getting 4 of those on Finnair so far out!

 

[gidxg03]

Well done - not easy getting 4 business class seats.
Even more impressive getting 4 of those on Finnair so far out!

Thanks mate. The Helsinki - Dublin is waitlisted but hopefully this will be confirmed soon. Lots of availability on that route so hopefully it won’t be an issue.