Qantas reopens international bookings from July 2021 [now December]

[blackcat20]

I'm dubious. And I wouldn't want to travel if I still had to do two weeks quarantine on return.

 

[RichardMEL]

Refuse vax (I.e., not compulsory) = no travel from Oz
Take the vax = okay to depart from Oz (and return)

Start rollin’ up those sleeves.

Scomo may be peeping, here.

Except that there is no guarantee of this - they may allow us out, but there may still be requirement to quarantine on return. There is still no notion of how long the vaccines are effective for, and since they are not 100% effective and/or may not stop someone still carrying it and potentially spreading it, that until countries have a number that may reach herd immunity (impossible in some places I should think given push back/conspiracy theories/mistrust etc) that some governments may still require forced quarantine to enter their countries (including Oz). Unlike us all of these things are still up in the air I reckon.

time will tell.

 

[DC3]

Except that there is no guarantee of this - they may allow us out, but there may still be requirement to quarantine on return. There is still no notion of how long the vaccines are effective for, and since they are not 100% effective and/or may not stop someone still carrying it and potentially spreading it, that until countries have a number that may reach herd immunity (impossible in some places I should think given push back/conspiracy theories/mistrust etc) that some governments may still require forced quarantine to enter their countries (including Oz). Unlike us all of these things are still up in the air I reckon.

time will tell.

Is this what’s in the master plan of our leader(s). It would cover these scenarios, wouldn’t it.

 

[cosi]

Post automatically merged: Jan 5, 2021

Government hits back at Qantas on July restart for overseas flights

 

[HappyFlyerFamily]

Good way to find a flight to extend status and then Qantas will be cancelling in a few months time. Just use points or an existing flight credit to save your dough.

 

[oznflfan]

ive booked bali for july just incase

So tempted to as well, although mine mid September this year. Can't do it though as threat of quarantine just messes everything up. July unlikely to happen, Sept prob won't happen (but crossed fingers!), best case for very likely is maybe June/July 2022 (I can't wait that long - will go stir crazy).

 

[DC3]

Government hits back at Qantas on July restart for overseas flights

Airlines are free to schedule flights as they wish. The flights are not really the business of Mr McC or Scomo. How passengers get in/out of Oz, well that’s another matter (paging Scomo).

However, Caveat Emptor.

Edited

 

[Melburnian1]

Government hits back at Qantas on July restart for overseas flights

Airlines are free to schedule flights as they wish. The flights are not really the business of Mr McC or Scomo. How passengers get in/out of Oz, well that’s another matter (paging Scomo).

However, Caveat Emptor.

Edited

Agree, but it was former Labor leader Bill Shorten who opened the batting.

If I'd have been McCormack I'd have just stayed silent, but perhaps numerous media asked the Coalition Government for a comment in response and he unwisely took the bait.

 

[yohy?!]

(Forward Booking) Cash is King

 

[nickfromeastryde]

Is this what’s in the master plan of our leader(s). It would cover these scenarios, wouldn’t it.

After four years of Trump, mismanagement of the pandemic across most of the developed world, trade wars apparently erupting purely out of spite etc etc etc, I'm fairly sure there is no master plan.

Clearly they have no more idea than the rest of us.

 

[AIRwin]

QF has announced a further suspension of scheduled international flights (except NZ) until the end of October 2021:

https://www.qantasnewsroom.com.au/media-releases/qantas-and-jetstar-prepare-to-resume-international-flights-from-late-october/

 

[mviy]

That date still looks overly optimistic. I’m sure QF is trying to lobby the government as hard as they can to try and find a way to make it work but there are too many unknowns at this point.
It looks increasingly likely that we will have a Federal Election before travel bans are lifted.

 

[HappyFlyerFamily]

That date still looks overly optimistic. I’m sure QF is trying to lobby the government as hard as they can to try and find a way to make it work but there are too many unknowns at this point.
It looks increasingly likely that we will have a Federal Election before travel bans are lifted.

Any QF lobbying has to be for a multiple government (perhaps x 4 or 5, for common arrival airports) since seemingly State and Territory governments can insist on at least mandatory quarantine on arrival

 

[mviy]

Well fortunately for QF their main international port in Australia is SYD and the NSW government has the best track record in the country out of all the states for seeking to minimise restrictions.

QF could temporarily do double daily SYD-LHR if the Vic government requires quarantine and NSW doesn’t. Based in VIC I’d prefer not to have that outcome.

 

[Colster]

Can't see any QF award seats in December to JNB or SCL :-(

 

[Jacques Vert]

AJ announced yesterday(?) that international flying would re-commence from 31 Oct, EXCEPT to NYC, SCL & KIX (for the time being).

So no flights to SCL means no award seats.

Award seat availability to JNB has always been poor; don't like your chances in December but I wish you good luck.

 

[k_sheep]

Hmm my award booking to SCL says it's intact for December.

(No I booked that speculatively, I'm 99% sure I won't be taking it!)

 

[Danielb56]

I'm dubious. And I wouldn't want to travel if I still had to do two weeks quarantine on return.

I'm with you on this. Firstly, the way countries and our state premiers (except NSW) handle 1 breakout with a massive lockdown I have no confidence in making any bookings just yet. Secondly, the announcement from Joyce is simply a marketing ploy to bring back 'confidence' even though he is at the mercy of others on this. Thirdly, even with the vaccine roll out it will take time to progressively open borders and have some certainty in the vaccine to bring back confidence for travelers. For me I don't see any realistic overseas travel until the latter part of 2022 - I am more a holiday traveler these days than for work. One of the big issues for me is, it is not so much about Covid but more about countries and how they manage it. I don't want to book something for the future and then there is some kind of lockdown or mandatory quarantine that affects the booking - Insurance companies wont cover you, airlines will stall you and hotels will ignore you when you try and recoup your money....forget that, been there already.

 

[mviy]

I'm prepared to do two weeks quarantine (though I would prefer not to need to do that), meet family in a third country etc.

What I would find unacceptable is to travel overseas and not be able to get back to Australia for months after I had booked to come home. A week or so later than planned, maybe, but certainly not months.

So what I'm looking for is some assurances from the government that there is sufficient capacity for vaccinated travellers departing to return in a timely manner. Once that is given, I'll be looking for the next suitable time for my schedule to travel and most likely booking shortly thereafter.

 

[Seat0B]

I'm prepared to do two weeks quarantine (though I would prefer not to need to do that), meet family in a third country etc.

What I would find unacceptable is to travel overseas and not be able to get back to Australia for months after I had booked to come home. A week or so later than planned, maybe, but certainly not months.

So what I'm looking for is some assurances from the government that there is sufficient capacity for vaccinated travellers departing to return in a timely manner. Once that is given, I'll be looking for the next suitable time for my schedule to travel and most likely booking shortly thereafter.

100% my thoughts exactly. However, I can't see that sort of assurance being given any time soon.