Predictions of when international flights may resume/bans lifted

[Flashback]

Son and partner are off to UK for Christmas on Qatar. No need for PCR on way in as both are vaccinated.

Self-tests | Simply Test Me for their day 2 arrival test, LFT @ £12. Much quicker, cheaper and easier than the now gone (for vaccinated people) PCR day 2 test.

To me this makes complete sense. Especially from a passenger perspective from those that are not medically compromised at all.

As it stands, travel will come with multiple PCR tests - if you're on a plane with only vaccinated people, your chances of getting Covid is less, therefore, less risk. Even if catching Covid has nil effect on you personally, you definitely don't want to be stranded somewhere isolating for 2 weeks.

It has no bearing on how likely you'll be to catch COVID - the vaccination helps with the severity of the virus rather than whether you can contract it or not. Alas, it could result in more risk as there may be asymptomatic carriers on there who haven't tested because they have no symptoms and they could be easily passing it around without knowing especially if going to the UK as pre-departure tests may not be required depending on the transit point etc.

 

[Lynda2475]

Alas, it could result in more risk as there may be asymptomatic carriers on there who haven't tested because they have no symptoms and they could be easily passing it around without knowing especially if going to the UK as pre-departure tests may not be required depending on the transit point etc.

But a predeparture PCR test is required by Aust Gvt for all passengers on inetrnational flights flying into Australia. So if the arriving flights only have passengers who are fully vaccinated with vaccines recognised in australia and have a negative PCR, the risk of catching Covid on the flight is pretty low.

 

[Flashback]

But a predeparture PCR test is required by Aust Gvt for all passengers on inetrnational flights flying into Australia. So if the arriving flights only have passengers who are fully vaccinated with vaccines recognised in australia and have a negative PCR, the risk of catching Covid on the flight is pretty low.

The risk level is no different.

 

[andye]

Self-tests | Simply Test Me for their day 2 arrival test, LFT @ £12. Much quicker, cheaper and easier than the now gone (for vaccinated people) PCR day 2 test.

It has no bearing on how likely you'll be to catch COVID - the vaccination helps with the severity of the virus rather than whether you can contract it or not. Alas, it could result in more risk as there may be asymptomatic carriers on there who haven't tested because they have no symptoms and they could be easily passing it around without knowing especially if going to the UK as pre-departure tests may not be required depending on the transit point etc.

Vaccines do reduce risk of becoming infected. This paper quoted 55-80%

COVID-19 vaccines: Keeping pace with SARS-CoV-2 variants

As the SARS-CoV-2 epidemic evolves, new variants continue to emerge. Some highly transmissible variants, such as Delta, also raised concerns about the effectiveness provided by current vaccines. Understanding immunological correlates of protection and how laboratory findings correspond to...

www.cell.com

 

[Lynda2475]

The risk level is no different.

Many would beg to differ.

There is evidence that vacicnated people are less likely to spread covid than unvaccinated, they genrally shed less virus.

All things being equal in terms of exposure to covid prior to boarding, the risk of catching a covid on a flight with only vacicnated people who tested negative before departure on board is most certainly lower than the risk of acquiring covid on a plane with unvaccinated and untested people on board.

 

[Pushka]

Who wants to fly Y to anywhere OS much less on a horrible QF Y product all the way to the UK

My son who can’t afford J

 

[jase05]

My son who can’t afford J

Yes, but the OP mentioned there was heaps of award seats in Y remaining. I’d imagine most people with points up their sleeve wouldn’t be using them for Y redemptions.

 

[mviy]

I’d love to use points to go J. Unfortunately there are no J seats available on the day I need to travel and as a SG I can’t request any get released. Hoping with the delayed resumption of MEL to LHR flights that QF makes the new first few QF flights to LHR points planes, but I guess that’ll become clear in the next few days.

 

[Hillbilly64]

Does Qantas know something we don't know?

 

[jase05]

Does Qantas know something we don't know?

Doesn’t Airnorth fly there daily from various destinations with QF codeshares?

 

[Lynda2475]

Unfortunately there are no J seats available on the day I need to travel

First rule of J rewards is to be flexible with dates and book as soon as seats are released. Expecting late notice J availablity on anything other than MEL-SYD is unrealistic ime unles you have elite status.

Using points for Y can sometimes be justified on very expensive short routes with relatively low points cost such to Lord Howe Island or Chistmas/Cocos Keeling. Or in event of needing to travel for an emmergency where Y cash fare makes the points redemption favourable and your are points rich.

But generally if you have no choice but to fly Y then may as well pay for it with cash, earn some SCs and points and save the points for a time when you can redeem J.

 

[jase05]

I’d love to use points to go J. Unfortunately there are no J seats available on the day I need to travel and as a SG I can’t request any get released. Hoping with the delayed resumption of MEL to LHR flights that QF makes the new first few QF flights to LHR points planes, but I guess that’ll become clear in the next few days.

I’m sorry for your pain, hope it works out.
Perhaps EK will release some seats soon.
I’ve got to investigate further as we will most likely be going on a short trip to the UK in mid January to catch up with rellies and VS have a stack of award availability from HKG-LHR.
I’ve still got a stack of VA points but not sure of rules/regulations regard HKG transfers

 

[Matt_01]

My son who can’t afford J

Isn't that what parents are for MissM who has never flown international Y and is only a teenager has already started asking if I will save some of my points for her or will I pay for her future travel. When I said 'No, you can pay for your own travel' the answer was 'Mummm, dad's being mean again'

 

[Matt_01]

I’d love to use points to go J. Unfortunately there are no J seats available on the day I need to travel and as a SG I can’t request any get released.

Have you got any family (based on the QF rules) that are WP or P1 and could request a seat release on your behalf. I was looking at the QF family relationship categories the other day and it seems there have been a few more added to what I remember. It would be up to you as to how far you are willing to push limits of the listed categories.

 

[Must...Fly!]

I’ve still got a stack of VA points but not sure of rules/regulations regard HKG transfers

Quite sure you have to be on one booking and through checked at your origin port. So using your VA points to fly with VS will not be possible.

 

[jase05]

Quite sure you have to be on one booking and through checked at your origin port. So using your VA points to fly with VS will not be possible.

Do you foresee that changing by mid January?
Might have to have a rethink and revise my options.

 

[MARTINE]

Isn't that what parents are for MissM who has never flown international Y and is only a teenager has already started asking if I will save some of my points for her or will I pay for her future travel. When I said 'No, you can pay for your own travel' the answer was 'Mummm, dad's being mean again'

I’m with MissM here!! I have also seen on many flights mum and dad in J whilst teens languish in goat class. I feel like calling child services

 

[Batterytraveller]

Certainly hoping by early-ish next year. I'm planning to travel then.

The mainichi has some sort of maybe hoping for cherry blossom season next year. It’s not looking too hopeful though. Maybe get some movement after the election on sunday.

There is not a lot of clamour for reopening in the press and the CDP has 10 day quarantine in its election platform. They won’t win but, pre-election, it limited LDP movement on the issue. One thing you can be sure of, nothing moves fast in japanese bureaucracy.

Japan keeps tourism freeze despite plunge in virus cases - The Mainichi

TOKYO (AP) -- Filled with pink and fuzzy things and cuddly bears, 6%DOKIDOKI, a tiny store in the heart of Tokyo's Harajuku district, is bursting with

mainichi.jp

 

[Must...Fly!]

Do you foresee that changing by mid January?
Might have to have a rethink and revise my options.

I personally wouldn't expect it to. China is still manic zero COVID and we all know who calls the shots in HK now.

Your "best" choice would be to stump up the EY surcharge or just pay cash I guess. Unless you can book awards via LAX?

If paying it has been mentioned there are some good fares in Y+ via Japan available from the east coast.

 

[Silvia]

Has anyone applied for family to come? (exemption and tourist visa - not Evisa that many European countries have) - would be useful to know any estimate period