Qantas to Norfolk Island

[SYD]

NLK not coping well with a delayed BNE flight and the scheduled SYD flight.

Although it does look more “international” with two red tails at the terminal.

I’ll try and do a seperate TR with some updates when I get home and have fast internet.

 

[Mattg]

Although it does look more “international” with two red tails on at the terminal.

I'd be interested to see a photo of that!

 

[SYD]

Oh, and for those that didn’t see this further Traveller article:

Norfolk Island travel guide and things to do: 20 surprising things visitors will discover

With so many surprising aspects to it, it's a wonder that more people don't make it to Norfolk Island, the natural and historical wonder 1600 kilometres from Australia's east coast.

www.traveller.com.au

 

[SYD]

I'd be interested to see a photo of that!

I couldn’t get them both in shot and my attempt to post seperate pics failed. But pretty much side by side on hard stands with a fare but of wriggle room separating them. The inbound SYD PAX had to wait onboard until BNE boarded and departed!

Mind you, BNE PAX were a day delayed after a turnaround yesterday via AKL for refuel!

 

[michaelk]

Does anyone have any idea of the baggage allowance to Norfolk? I.e. is it limited to 30kg per person?
I understand it was asked on the last page but I'm referring to checked baggage rather than cabin baggage.

I’m travelling tomorrow and received an email titled “Getting ready to fly” and it states :

1. Baggage allowance

· Cabin baggage must not exceed 1 piece, weighing a maximum of 7kgs (15lbs) per passenger.
· Checked baggage allowance is 30kgs per passenger, where the total dimensions for each piece must not exceed 158cm (62in). You can calculate the dimensions by adding together the width, height and depth of the piece of baggage.
Additional baggage information

· Any additional baggage allowances aren’t available for this flight.

Yet the app has been telling us we have QP (42kg) and SG (46kg) baggage limits in Y and the website only limits luggage to Lord Howe Island.

We were bringing some things over that put us over the 60kg as we are in self-catering accommodation and there is still a shortage of some items on the island.

This same email also states:

· Seat selection is also not available.
· Qantas Frequent Flyer benefits (Status Credits, Qantas Points and the option to upgrade with points) will not apply.

Yet this morning point’s upgrades to J came through and seat selection has been available for months.
I’m not sure how status credit and Qantas points will be withheld – hence I’m not sure how truthful the rest of the facts in the email are.

 

[henrus]

That email is clearly a mistake. Things like lounge access, seat selection, points/status credits and upgrade options are all available, I'd expect additional frequent flyer baggage allowances are also the same.

If you've upgraded to business then a luggage allowance of 40kg pp would apply anyway.

 

[SYD]

Yep, normal flight benefits (same as NZ flights).

I got the same email and gave it a good ignoring. It reads like a repat flight.

You do need your inbound NI permit but are not required to do the Home Affairs inbound Oz authorisation….

 

[michaelk]

Thanks @henrus and @SYD - you've both helped the nerves. Last thing I want to do is resort and repack tonight after work.

NI document done and also did the AUS boarder one too yesterday - it came back green so just more paperwork to carry.

 

[SYD]

Hopefully the weather is better. Unfortunately it was pretty coughpy last week

 

[BNEFlyer]

Hopefully the weather is better. Unfortunately it was pretty coughpy last week

That explains why a BNE-NLK flight diverted to AKL spent 3 hours on the ground then went back to BNE.

 

[henrus]

That explains why a BNE-NLK flight diverted to AKL spent 3 hours on the ground then went back to BNE.

At least now unlike previous divisions to AKL, they could unload as everyone on the flight would be eligible for safe zone travel.

 

[SYD]

That explains why a BNE-NLK flight diverted to AKL spent 3 hours on the ground then went back to BNE.

Yep. Fog. The winds had eased but with a bit of rain the place got quite misty…

At least now unlike previous divisions to AKL, they could unload as everyone on the flight would be eligible for safe zone travel.

Except the numpties travelling on a DL…

 

[henrus]

Except the numpties travelling on a DL…

On my flights, I didn't see a single person traveling with just a driver's license. There definitely could have been a few but no one stood out at boarding/check-in either direction.

Diversions are just one reason why it's best to travel with your passport (obviously duty free is the main ). I believe there are ways of dealing with people traveling with just their license but at least from a health point of view they are able to let those into the Auckland green zone departures area (something previously not possible).

 

[SYD]

I did notice quite a few DLs checking in at NLK. I guess some of the older folk no longer have a PP or their are others who haven’t bothered renewing with all the uncertainty.

I was delighted to dust mine off - although sad to still see zero stamps. It was brand new in Jan 2020 and did an NZ trip before C hit the fan....

Speaking of DF, the NI Bond Store was cheaper than the SYD DF albeit with very limited selection. Now that arrivals DF are open (as well as preorder collection), one option is to buy and take what you need while away (no limit) and then see what’s available on the island. If they don’t have what you want, buy it on the way home. The only caveat is you’ll need to pack it in your checked luggage (Due to liquids and gel restrictions).

 

[justin23]

I was delighted to dust mine off - although sad to still see zero stamps. It was brand new in Jan 2020 and did an NZ trip before C hit the fan....

Yes i got a new Passport in November 2019 and managed to use it in December 2019-Jan 2020. I will be getting it out for this trip to Norfolk island in June although I assume no new stamps :-( At least its been to Ethiopia, Djibouti, Kuwait, Bahrain and the UAE!

 

[JohnPhelan]

Does anyone have any idea of the baggage allowance to Norfolk? I.e. is it limited to 30kg per person?
I understand it was asked on the last page but I'm referring to checked baggage rather than cabin baggage.

I’m travelling tomorrow and received an email titled “Getting ready to fly” and it states :

1. Baggage allowance

· Cabin baggage must not exceed 1 piece, weighing a maximum of 7kgs (15lbs) per passenger.
· Checked baggage allowance is 30kgs per passenger, where the total dimensions for each piece must not exceed 158cm (62in). You can calculate the dimensions by adding together the width, height and depth of the piece of baggage.
Additional baggage information

· Any additional baggage allowances aren’t available for this flight.

Yet the app has been telling us we have QP (42kg) and SG (46kg) baggage limits in Y and the website only limits luggage to Lord Howe Island.

We were bringing some things over that put us over the 60kg as we are in self-catering accommodation and there is still a shortage of some items on the island.

This same email also states:

· Seat selection is also not available.
· Qantas Frequent Flyer benefits (Status Credits, Qantas Points and the option to upgrade with points) will not apply.

Yet this morning point’s upgrades to J came through and seat selection has been available for months.
I’m not sure how status credit and Qantas points will be withheld – hence I’m not sure how truthful the rest of the facts in the email are.

It sounds to me like someone at QF has confused Norfolk Island with Lord Howe. Those restrictions listed are those which apply to flights to Lord Howe Island, because the aircraft used are Dash 8-200 series.

 

[Mrsfefe]

Has there been any word about Qantas continuing this route after 19.6.21? It is not currently possible to book beyond that date

 

[justin23]

Has there been any word about Qantas continuing this route after 19.6.21? It is not currently possible to book beyond that date

The bubble may mean Air NZ is able to restart the service they are contracted to provide. Can you book on Air NZ? if so then, thats what will be happening.

Edit: Yes the service is bookable from the 20th of June on Air NZ.

The contracted service to Norfolk, Lord Howe, Christmas and Cocos island are a pain if you want to use point etc. Lord Howe is Qantas, Cocos and Christmas are Virgin and Norfolk is Air NZ.

 

[henrus]

Has there been any word about Qantas continuing this route after 19.6.21? It is not currently possible to book beyond that date

At this stage, Air NZ is expected to continue the route after that date. If you're wanting to travel then it would be best to just book with Air NZ. In the event that Air NZ doesn't operate the route after that date (Qantas continues) then it's likely any booking will be transferred over as they had been during this past period of QF operating.

There are some suggestions that Qantas may actually take over the route permanently but this remains to be seen.

 

[jakeseven7]

Hopefully NZ are kicked off the route!