Qantas to Launch SYD-AKL-JFK (June 2023)

[NSun]

I decided to bite the bullet and book a J fare on the Points Plane on the 16th, but just from AKL to save on points. I have family in Auckland so might go over a couple of days earlier and catch up with them. And with ex-LAX award availability still good, booked a direct SYD return a week later. Locks something in for next Northern Summer, but a lot of flexibility of what to do in the USA.

Having seen how much fun the FCO Points Plane was, the temptation was too much to resist.

 

[Princess Fiona]

Love this option.
Brekkie in the Flounge, short transit and arrives at JFK at a perfect time. Off to hotel
Dinner, shower and bed.
Now if only Blade did evening transfers

 

[Mwenenzi]

I remember that with QF25/26 yeah. Absolute pain. Interestingly some D/I fares available, but not significantly cheaper than NZ in all honesty at this stage

Looks like 10980 NZD for the 90 day adv purchase I fare on the direct route … compared with 8760NZD for AKL-SYD-LAX/DF—NYC

quite a significantly premium and higher than the NZ lead in J business fare I believe

When QF25 was B747 MEL-AKL-LAX was my favourite flight to NZ. Left at at a reasonable time and could get upgrade (compared to now were less QF ff points and available on the cheapest fares)

Fascinating, very interesting alternative to restarting LAX-JFK. I wonder what connections this opens up for PER (etc) based travellers instead of DOM>INT transfer in MEL, SYD or BNE.

Did QF ever fly PER-AKL non stop?
Air NZ did/does. The kiwi miner's FIFO flight

Interesting route. AKL-JFK is about 1000 miles less than SYD-JFK. Coming back is against the prevailing head winds
A map from Great Circle Mapper - Great Circle Mapper
Airside transit in AKL is better for those from BNE, MEL, ADL who now endure the T3 Domestic<--->T1 International shuffle
QF close partner, AA have a planned DFW-AKL flight due to start 29 Oct 2022 to 25 Mar 2023(new route)

Looks like QF flights to ORD off the radar.

 

[QF029]

I just added this flight to a OWE in place of LAX-MEL. I'm on first flight JFK-SYD. There was no U availability JFK-AKL to let me bypass Sydney with a direct flight to MEL.

AA flagship lounge not as good as LAX F lounge but it should be fun to try the flight.

 

[aus_flyer]

Interesting that partners BA and CX have access to the U class but not AA or AS.

 

[TheInsider]

Interesting that partners BA and CX have access to the U class but not AA or AS.

Probably more to do with BA and CX using Amadeus and the other two Sabre. Maybe it's a thing that takes some time to come over.

 

[encryptededdy]

As a frequent traveller to New Zealand, I'm looking forward to a new lounge in Auckland. Sadly it being a combined "Premium Lounge" reduces the allure of retaining WP.

 

[aus_flyer]

All the Points Plane seats SYD-JFK are now gone in Business

 

[Mattg]

Assuming/guessing the AKL-JFK sector is probably operated by the New Zealand based Jetconnect crew?

I fully expect this to be the case. Qantas is already using (cheaper) Jetconnect crew exclusively on BNE-LAX and MEL-DEL, and those routes don't even touch New Zealand!

The SYD-AKL sector of that flight will probably also be crewed by Jetconnect.

 

[BD1959]

My guess is it's a temporary married segment / fifth freedom issue.

I thought Oz/NZ had an openskies agreement - so no fifth freedom issues? Early days so I should imagine married segments may be.

Regards,

BD

 

[ShrinkWrapped]

As a frequent traveller to New Zealand, I'm looking forward to a new lounge in Auckland. Sadly it being a combined "Premium Lounge" reduces the allure of retaining WP.

Though the current WP closet really isn't anything to write home about !

 

[encryptededdy]

Though the current WP closet really isn't anything to write home about !

Oh yeah of course, but one can dream for a full first lounge in Auckland. I suppose QF needs to fly their A380s there first...

 

[serfty]

Though the current WP closet really isn't anything to write home about !

Still better F&B than the other Qantas combined "International Lounges" with secret handshake champagne.

 

[Mattg]

Oh yeah of course, but one can dream for a full first lounge in Auckland. I suppose QF needs to fly their A380s there first...

I can't see Qantas flying First Class to AKL any time in the future, so no real need for an F lounge there (other than to keep WPs happy, obviously).

All of the ports where Qantas operates F lounges these days (except AKL where the current F lounge is more of a leftover from a bygone era) do actually have F service.

 

[Rangalad]

Though the current WP closet really isn't anything to write home about !

I'll miss it, like the BNE FCL "room".

 

[sxc]

Interesting that partners BA and CX have access to the U class but not AA or AS.

Strangely I see availability as a QF plat that I can’t see when I search on BA or CX.

 

[NM]

I'll miss it, like the BNE FCL "room".

My experience suggests calling it the QF BNE FCC (First Class Closet). Was more private than the J lounge, but no views.

 

[QLDAviator]

sooooo no more BNE - ORD then?

 

[BD1959]

sooooo no more BNE - ORD then?

QF (ghost) flights to ORD have a habit of materialising and de-materialising!

Regards,

BD

 

[jakeseven7]

Love this option.
Brekkie in the Flounge, short transit and arrives at JFK at a perfect time. Off to hotel
Dinner, shower and bed.

Also loving this option, we have a secondary home office in New York so this is fantastic!

I'm looking at booking on points too for leisure!