Per-sin-per

[JohnK]

Anyone fly this route regularly on QF71/QF72 or QF77/QF78? What are the loads like?

To maximise SC's I normally route through BNE or MEL but these flights are full most of the time. It appears that ADL-SIN-ADL is the same. I don't like full flights because if something goes wrong with IFE or other seating arrangements then no alternative solution.

My final destination as usual is BKK and I normally purchase a D class airfare on AY or CX depending on which is cheaper. I have a ticket for the return leg SYD-PER-SIN on QF577/QF77 after Christmas and also SIN-BKK on AY. I will now need to buy a return ticket BKK-SIN and SIN-SYD for travel in January and April.

Depending on whether I can get a combination of CX/AY business class from BKK-SIN will determine which flight QF78/QF72 I will book from SIN-PER.

If I do have a choice QF78 leaves me in PER around midnight with around a 5 hour wait for first flight to SYD. I guess the QC in PER would not be open between midnight and 5:00am. Otherwise overnight in SIN and go with QF72 in morning and not get into SYD until after 10:00pm. Or stick with the usually full overnight SIN-BNE/MEL/ADL flights?

Any useful advice, other than calling me crazy?

 

[Wunala Dreaming]

John K,

Why don't you consider QF 76! This service operates from Singapore to Perth via Denpasar (Bali). Total flying time is 7hrs 10mins with SIN-DPS taking 2hrs 40mins and DPS-PER 3hrs 30mins. The service departs Singapore at 21.15 with arrival into Perth at 4.25am, allowing for a morning departure back to Sydney.

Only issue with this flight is that it operates on a limited schedule, twice weekly, on Tuesdays and Saturdays.

Note that this service is operated by Qantas' 737-800 and is operated as all-Economy (168Y) meaning it is likey you can preallocate a seat in Rows 1-3.

While this service may not be the most convenient, it provides a stopover in Indonesia and the flight is sold as all-Economy.

Cheers,
Wunala Dreaming

 

[JohnK]

Why don't you consider QF 76! This service operates from Singapore to Perth via Denpasar (Bali). Total flying time is 7hrs 10mins with SIN-DPS taking 2hrs 40mins and DPS-PER 3hrs 30mins. The service departs Singapore at 21.15 with arrival into Perth at 4.25am, allowing for a morning departure back to Sydney.

Only issue with this flight is that it operates on a limited schedule, twice weekly, on Tuesdays and Saturdays.

Thanks Wunala Dreaming. I remember seeing this flight pop up on a search somewhere but have not considered it since. It fits perfectly for the 05:50am flight PER-SYD. Days of operation are not suitable for this trip.

Note that this service is operated by Qantas' 737-800 and is operated as all-Economy (168Y) meaning it is likey you can preallocate a seat in Rows 1-3.

No problem with 737-800 as I am flying WHY anyway.

 

[NM]

No problem with 737-800 as I am flying WHY anyway.

But you said one reason for not liking full flights was the lack of seating flexibility if the IFE play up. I guess IFE problems are not a feature of a 737-800 .

 

[JohnK]

But you said one reason for not liking full flights was the lack of seating flexibility if the IFE play up. I guess IFE problems are not a feature of a 737-800 .

Yes but this flight has a 1hr break in DPS so no real need for IFE for 2 sectors with a duration of 2hr 40min and 3hr 30min.

 

[Chucksta]

Johnk: How many SC do you earn flying business SIN to BKK?

I want to do this ASAP! LOL

I had a look at business class on the AY website. It appears they have lie flat beds on their MD11? Is this the case?

The AY website has business saver tickets SIN to BKK for around $650 SGD

thanks

Chucksta

 

[JohnK]

Johnk: How many SC do you earn flying business SIN to BKK?

120 SC's return.

I had a look at business class on the AY website. It appears they have lie flat beds on their MD11? Is this the case?

Yes the seat does extend out but whether it is lie flat or not I could not tell you as I have only flown AY on short sectors so did not need to sleep.

The AY website has business saver tickets SIN to BKK for around $650 SGD

That sounds right. I normally purchase BKK-SIN-BKK from travel agent in BKK and it is a little cheaper than purchasing from SIN.

 

[NM]

Yes but this flight has a 1hr break in DPS so no real need for IFE for 2 sectors with a duration of 2hr 40min and 3hr 30min.

To me that would be even worse. Its bad enough being an overnight flight, but to force me to be awake for at least 90 mins in the middle of it is just lunacy. Its not like you get to spend an hour at The Wing lounge in HKG as compensation for the transit. I have not been to DPS, but can't imagine it being a great transit point in the wee hours of the morning.

 

[JohnK]

To me that would be even worse. Its bad enough being an overnight flight, but to force me to be awake for at least 90 mins in the middle of it is just lunacy.

Horses for courses. I don't sleep much on a flight anyway especially boarding at 21:15.

I have not been to DPS, but can't imagine it being a great transit point in the wee hours of the morning.

Scheduled to arrive in DPS around midnight. Haven't decided on whether I will take this flight yet, days are not suitable right now, but a break in DPS may be as good as any other.

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

To me that would be even worse. Its bad enough being an overnight flight, but to force me to be awake for at least 90 mins in the middle of it is just lunacy. Its not like you get to spend an hour at The Wing lounge in HKG as compensation for the transit. I have not been to DPS, but can't imagine it being a great transit point in the wee hours of the morning.

Certainly no lounge of the Wing quality, plus you get the pleasure of paying Indonesia departure tax.

 

[NM]

Certainly no lounge of the Wing quality, plus you get the pleasure of paying Indonesia departure tax.

Oh, is that what they call the customs agent bribe these days .

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

Oh, is that what they call the customs agent bribe these days .

haha, no that is extra

departure tax is gate agent bribe - don't pay it and see if you can get on the a/c!

 

[NM]

haha, no that is extra

departure tax is gate agent bribe - don't pay it and see if you can get on the a/c!

where as the customs bribe is a matter of - don't pay it and they shut the gate ... of the cell.

 

[JohnK]

Certainly no lounge of the Wing quality, plus you get the pleasure of paying Indonesia departure tax.

100,000 rupiah! ~A$14! Like that sort of amount will have any bearing on the decision of which flights to take.

Could not care less about lounge access for a 1hr transit!

 

[JohnK]

Anyone fly this route regularly on QF71/QF72 or QF77/QF78? What are the loads like?

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

Anyone fly this route regularly on QF71/QF72 or QF77/QF78? What are the loads like?

If I read your post right, you are flying in January. Normal loads may not be a good indication, since January usually has a lot less business travel and a lot more leisure travel than normal. Also check when CNY is in 2007 - will have a big impact on loads before and after.

 

[serfty]

Anyone fly this route regularly on QF71/QF72 or QF77/QF78? What are the loads like?

Jenny and I flew QF71 in WHY in January this year; booking in October '05. I was able to allocate good seats on the 333 (23J/K).

IIRC, the flight was about 90% full in WHY and v. quiet up front.

 

[JohnK]

Jenny and I flew QF71 in WHY in January this year; booking in October '05. I was able to allocate good seats on the 333 (23J/K).

IIRC, the flight was about 90% full in WHY and v. quiet up front.

These days I don't normally have a problem getting decent seats.

I need to book ASAP a return ticket from SIN-SYD early January returning SYD-SIN just before Easter holidays in April. Then in January I will need to book a return ticket from SIN-SYD mid April returning SYD-SIN after Christmas.

My concern is that SIN-BNE/SYD-MEL and vice versa are always full leaving no margin for error. The SIN-ADL service being only 3 days a week appears to be very full based on Expert Flyer statistics that Mal posted for me recently. The SID-DRW-CNS service has now been taken over by JQ. That only leaves the SIN-PER-SIN services.

There are worse things that could happen, but if flights are always full then there is no alternative seating after you are in the air and you are seated behind a recliner, the IFE does not work, you have a screaming child next to you etc, etc.

If the SIN-PER-SIN flights are full on a regular basis as well then that does not leave any other choice on QF other than J. I don't think I am ready to start paying triple the airfare for a 7 hour flight.

The next choice is to start looking for another airline which throws the plans of QF Lifetime Gold out the window.

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

Sorry I don't understand. Are you saying that you want flights that aren't full so that you can move seats after take off? How often do you need to do this?

If it is really that much of a concern then I suggest there are other airlines with lower loads than Qantas - for example Royal Brunei, Emirates, etc.

 

[wandering_fred]

John

I've been flying SIN-PER-SIN rather more than I probably should be lately

As long as you are able to book a couple weeks in advance availability should not be a problem. OTOH due to some family issues, I had to rebook flights (period last week) and had to use FlexiSaver(H). In the end there were no seats for 5 days. (I think SQ was also full) Why in mid-Oct?
Note Flexi-saver SIN-PER-SIN is cheaper than the normal PER-SIN-PER

Anyway other than maybe Saturdays I very seldom see fares other than the SG$398 (plus about SG$300 in taxes) until the times get real close. Allow some time for holiday periods though. Loads I've seen recently are 50-70% PER-SIN and 80-100% SIN-PER. Just remember to ask for the seat assignment at the time of booking or change. So far QF has been quite reasonable to an AA member, though the H ticket may have been an influence.

Theoretically I'm scheduled
PER-SIN to CX SIN-CMB 10 Nov
CX CMB-BKK and AY BKK-SIN 15 Nov SIN-PER 17 Nov
PER-SIN to AY SIN-BKK 12 Jan
CX HKG-SIN and SIN-PER 18 Jan

Pleased to have a meeting if any of the above matches your schedule.

Happy wandering

Fred