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

[Princess Fiona]

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.

Have you ever been to it ?
It’s really not great.

In combined lounges they usually have a slightly better service for P1 and F pax, reserved seating, Champagne etc.
That’s much better than a tiny lounge that’s there currently.

 

[ShrinkWrapped]

Have you ever been to it ?
It’s really not great.

In combined lounges they usually have a slightly better service for P1 and F pax, reserved seating, Champagne etc.
That’s much better than a tiny lounge that’s there currently.

Lounge is generous Fiona....it's more a closet with ice cream.

The last few times I've been in the last month I actually ended up going out to the business side because
a) more seats were available (zoo inside the WP bit)
b) the barista was on the business side

 

[Kangol]

No F = no go

For some people

 

[jakeseven7]

Have you ever been to it ?
It’s really not great.

In combined lounges they usually have a slightly better service for P1 and F pax, reserved seating, Champagne etc.
That’s much better than a tiny lounge that’s there currently.

Agreed, the combined premium lounges have been great. Plus the space at AKL will be much bigger removing all the walls.

 

[aus_flyer]

No F = no go

For some people

I believe the technical term is:
No F = Get F'd

 

[am0985]

Booked QF4 on points plane. JFK - AKL - SYD Friday 16th June.

Bit annoying that the trip back basically kills a NYC weekend though, would've preferred a Sunday departure even if it meant getting back Tuesday morning.

Not 100% sure I'll go, will see if any of my UK friends fancy a trip to NYC and meet them there if so. Will probably book Singapore MEL - SIN - JFK with KF miles - pretty good availability the week before for that.

 

[serfty]

That’s much better than a tiny lounge that’s there currently.

Everyone has their own thoughts. Mine are from a WP perspective, lounge size and view do not matter.

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

 

[ms1]

Booked QF4 on points plane. JFK - AKL - SYD Friday 16th June.

Bit annoying that the trip back basically kills a NYC weekend though, would've preferred a Sunday departure even if it meant getting back Tuesday morning.

Not 100% sure I'll go, will see if any of my UK friends fancy a trip to NYC and meet them there if so. Will probably book Singapore MEL - SIN - JFK with KF miles - pretty good availability the week before for that.

I've booked on the SYD-AKL-JFK flight on the 16th (using CX miles) and now looking at return options around 30th June. Will take a good look over the weekend but would like to get creative with either CX or SQ miles.

 

[docjames]

I’ve decided to interpret it as “similar to the PER Int transit QF9/10 lounge”

No doubt it’s also an interim QF3/4 routing until the A350 arrives. I’d certainly favour it ex-MEL than the SYD transit. Although a narrowbody MEL-AKL wouldn’t be ideal. If it connects to an A330 service then hurrah.

 

[am0985]

I've booked on the SYD-AKL-JFK flight on the 16th (using CX miles) and now looking at return options around 30th June. Will take a good look over the weekend but would like to get creative with either CX or SQ miles.

Ah, good call on Asia Miles!

Have 60,000 Asia miles, but worried about transferring more in due to Cathay's situation and generally poor availability recently.

Though even if CX go bust (unlikely IMO) your Qantas flight is still ticketed at least.

SIN - NYC is a good route. The SIN - EWR SQ22 route is famous due to all business/PE config but availability isn't so good.

SQ24 SIN - JFK much better availability and doubt in flight experience is any different.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

So SYD - AKL will be narrow body aircraft, OR is it the 787 providing the service all the way.
If SYD - AKL can be done by alone, that would be good.

 

[FlyingKangaroo]

This is exciting! Especially if they're actually operated and not cancelled in quarterly chunks at a time like SFO.

Will NZ retaliate by launching direct services from PER-LHR?

 

[ms1]

Ah, good call on Asia Miles!

Have 60,000 Asia miles, but worried about transferring more in due to Cathay's situation and generally poor availability recently.

Though even if CX go bust (unlikely IMO) your Qantas flight is still ticketed at least.

SIN - NYC is a good route. The SIN - EWR SQ22 route is famous due to all business/PE config but availability isn't so good.

SQ24 SIN - JFK much better availability and doubt in flight experience is any different.

I had a quick look at SQ and they have some availability out of both EWR and JFK during the dates I'm looking.
I've flown SQ23 before and it was a pretty long flight with the stop in FRA. If suites had availability I'd definitely give it another go but nothing showing up at this stage.

 

[am0985]

I had a quick look at SQ and they have some availability out of both EWR and JFK during the dates I'm looking.
I've flown SQ23 before and it was a pretty long flight with the stop in FRA. If suites had availability I'd definitely give it another go but nothing showing up at this stage.

SQ23 is direct now!

SQ23 (SIA23) Singapore Airlines Flight Tracking and History - FlightAware

Track Singapore Airlines (SQ) #23 flight from John F Kennedy Intl to Singapore Changi

flightaware.com

 

[docjames]

So SYD - AKL will be narrow body aircraft, OR is it the 787 providing the service all the way.
If SYD - AKL can be done by alone, that would be good.

Schedule is loaded as 787 all the way from SYD.

 

[ms1]

SQ23 is direct now!

SQ23 (SIA23) Singapore Airlines Flight Tracking and History - FlightAware

Track Singapore Airlines (SQ) #23 flight from John F Kennedy Intl to Singapore Changi

flightaware.com

Oh wow TIL

 

[Fergo747]

Agreed, the combined premium lounges have been great. Plus the space at AKL will be much bigger removing all the walls.

Agree that the combined premium lounges have been great - LHR, HKG (though I always chose The Pier), BNE intl, SIN (until they opened the F-lounge) - however I think the point is that the combined lounges removes another benefit from WP/WP1.

 

[AIRwin]

I've flown SQ23 before and it was a pretty long flight with the stop in FRA.

SQ25?

 

[Ecco]

Can’t think of anything worse than being in Y for 17 hours. Hope they have wifi.
wonder how fifth freedom flights are allocated. It’s going to give air nz a run for their money. Although I’d rather go on a flight with the option of those air nz beds.

 

[SYD]

Schedule is loaded as 787 all the way from SYD.

Any hints where the aircraft are cycling to/from in/out of SYD before heading off as QF3/4 and back? Assuming they don’t just turnaround in SYD and head back.

sooooo no more BNE - ORD then?

If the expected demand is there, why not? The previous JFK bound 789 was ex-BNE so that’s no longer required.