Predictions of when international flights may resume/bans lifted

[Must...Fly!]

So amazing seeing all the advice levels change. 5 minutes ago Turkey was do not travel, now it is high degree of caution. Makes me want to get on a plane come November 1!

 

[OATEK]

Smart Traveller sent me and email with this link:

Travel advice levels are changing ​

It states inter alia that basically any country will be at least level 2 for now, so UK/US now at the "lowest" of current assessments.

 

[jakeseven7]

Qantas showing flights to Bali... status runs back on the menu when the time comes?

This is perfect. Watch WA erupt in anger when they realise they can’t visit their state capital, Bali

Might even drive their vaccination rates up! Allowing international flights to return sooner!

 

[N860CR]

Interested to hear how you go, I'll be following in your footsteps in 3 weeks. From what I have read the lounge (only JAL First currently open) will not be open for the entire lay-over, its closed until 22:00.

Hmm yes. I hadn't noticed that. So no lounge in Sydney or for a few hours in Haneda

 

[PineappleSkip]

Smartraveller seems well updated now. Aserbaijan is back to level 2 with Nagorno-Karabakh level 4 of course. Ukraine is level 3 due to COVID levels there.

 

[justinbrett]

Finally did it - first international trip booked for post Christmas!



Been a while since I flew longhaul Y..... Would have liked J but 12K is a bit ridiculous.

 

[Ade]

status runs back on the menu when the time comes?

Hopefully, waiting to book 2 international trips to India via ANY scenic route possible. With DSC, the routes will get around 900 SC

 

[Pom-DownUnder]

Finally did it - first international trip booked for post Christmas!

View attachment 263261

Been a while since I flew longhaul Y..... Would have liked J but 12K is a bit ridiculous.

Looks like you have some swimming to do inbetween the trips, enjoy!

 

[mviy]

I've booked to go to London before Christmas and come back afterwards. I agree the pricing is ridiculous. I've had to settle for going into the upgrade lottery on the way over and a non-upgradable ticket on Emirates for the way back.

It'll be my first trip overseas in years.

 

[mviy]

QANTAS is reopening its First Class Lounges (first in SYD then MEL) and even opening a pop-up transit lounge in Darwin: https://www.qantasnewsroom.com.au/m...ansit-lounge-at-darwin-international-airport/

 

[justinbrett]

Looks like you have some swimming to do inbetween the trips, enjoy!

There's a lot in between (details soon to be worked out), and I prefer to do it on US airlines, where I can fly J for a fraction of the cost (not to mention the sweet QF SCs flying AA "F").

The HNL-SYD flight is a godsend because it's a day flight so I can tolerate Y, and get a mainland->HNL flight in first class for around $500-600 a few days before (don't mind me a few days or resort lounging).

The ticket cost me ~$1900, which even if you include the AA F flight from LAX-HNL and a night in the resort, is still cheaper than if I flew back from LAX with QF in Y (which is $3050 return).

I've booked to go to London before Christmas and come back afterwards. I agree the pricing is ridiculous. I've had to settle for going into the upgrade lottery on the way over and a non-upgradable ticket on Emirates for the way back.

It'll be my first trip overseas in years.

Yeah I had a friend I was supposed to see in the UK just after covid hit that was my plan A - but just couldn't find many good flight options. I'll delay that for mid year when the weather is nicer.

 

[Flashback]

Patience is rewarded. On Smart Traveller the UK (among other countries) is now back to Level 2 (Exercise High Degree of Caution). A strange feeling to read the familiar broad-brush stuff about terrorism, NI and petty crime. And again I am amused by the understated warning about British weather: ‘Severe weather can disrupt transport’ – which should read ‘Severe weather will disrupt transport’….

Now we can expect the market to offer new and revised travel insurance options.

Severe should be swapped with any i.e. sunny, windy, rainy etc. It'll all affect it

 

[Pom-DownUnder]

I've booked to go to London before Christmas and come back afterwards. I agree the pricing is ridiculous. I've had to settle for going into the upgrade lottery on the way over and a non-upgradable ticket on Emirates for the way back.

It'll be my first trip overseas in years.

Same and going up north in uk so going to go from long days here in 30+ to north east uk with snow, wind, rain, sunrise at 10am and sunset at 3.30pm.

and watch it all through a bar window with a real coal fire going.

cant wait.

Post automatically merged: Oct 28, 2021

QANTAS is reopening its First Class Lounges (first in SYD then MEL) and even opening a pop-up transit lounge in Darwin: https://www.qantasnewsroom.com.au/m...ansit-lounge-at-darwin-international-airport/

do EK have their own first lounge at MEL or is the Qantas one used?

 

[jrfsp]

This is perfect. Watch WA erupt in anger when they realise they can’t visit their state capital, Bali

Might even drive their vaccination rates up! Allowing international flights to return sooner!

Problem with Bali is the entry requirements.

Indonesia reopens Bali to foreign visitors, but Covid-19 rules threaten to keep them away

Travellers face strict quarantine rules and coughbersome visa requirements, including finding a guarantor. Read more at straitstimes.com.

www.straitstimes.com

Until this is relaxed dont expect people to be rushing to visit.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Problem with Bali is the entry requirements.

Indonesia reopens Bali to foreign visitors, but Covid-19 rules threaten to keep them away

Travellers face strict quarantine rules and coughbersome visa requirements, including finding a guarantor. Read more at straitstimes.com.

www.straitstimes.com

Until this is relaxed dont expect people to be rushing to visit.

Thanks for posting that. I was about to pull the trigger for a trip to Bali in February to take advantage of the Jetstar sale. I assume it will be 'ok' by then and they will have dispensed with the requirements for a visa, but I'm in no rush now to book.

 

[jrfsp]

Thanks for posting that. I was about to pull the trigger for a trip to Bali in February to take advantage of the Jetstar sale. I assume it will be 'ok' by then and they will have dispensed with the requirements for a visa, but I'm in no rush now to book.

February seem a bit risky....I have booked for Sept with the sale, great fares, but still added the "fare credit" option - I wish QF would add something similar.

 

[jase05]

Same and going up north in uk so going to go from long days here in 30+ to north east uk with snow, wind, rain, sunrise at 10am and sunset at 3.30pm.

and watch it all through a bar window with a real coal fire going.

cant wait.

Post automatically merged: Oct 28, 2021

do EK have their own first lounge at MEL or is the Qantas one used?

My understanding is that the EK lounges are currently closed in Australia and not sure of opening dates. I have heard that they are/were going to use the Marhaba lounge but I’m sure others might know more

 

[justinbrett]

Ms Tully said Qantas was determined to hold the hands of their customers through the entire flight check-in process.

We'd really prefer you didn't...

New Qantas feature to change the way you fly

Qantas is gearing up for takeoff on Monday, when the long-hated international border ban is finally thrown out.

www.news.com.au

 

[jakeseven7]

Problem with Bali is the entry requirements.

Indonesia reopens Bali to foreign visitors, but Covid-19 rules threaten to keep them away

Travellers face strict quarantine rules and coughbersome visa requirements, including finding a guarantor. Read more at straitstimes.com.

www.straitstimes.com

Until this is relaxed dont expect people to be rushing to visit.

Won’t last… all off this stuff will evaporate once people don’t go

 

[Pushka]

It’s


Won’t last… all off this stuff will evaporate once people don’t go

Like the attempt at the alcohol ban. Previously I think it was bikinis.