QF 005 Advice

[kelvedon]

I'm flying a JASA Sydney to Frankfurt which arrives at 06.15. I need to fly on to London so have to buy a separate ticket (BA has some very reasonable deals in Y). I have a few questions that I hope the sea of knowledge of the AFF members have can answer.

1. What is a realisic connection time at FRA?. Does QF 005 usually arrive on time?, in which case the 07.25 BA dep would give me just over the hour to connect, or do you think that's a bit tight especially since the cheap BA ticket would not allow me to transfere to a later flight (?) . The next dep. is 10.55. I believe both QF and BA operate from terminal 2

2. Am I correct in assuming since both flights would be oneworld, the bags would be checked through to London? In which case would Syd issue the boarding card for the BA. FRA-LHR flight, even though that would be more than 24 hours brfore the flight actually departed.

Any advice would be welcome.

 

[medhead]

I've never connected to a flight in FRA. But last time I took QF005, I connected to about an 8:00am train, IIRC. I actually made it from the flight over to the train in enough time to catch the earlier train to my final destination. I've taken QF5 3 times and mum has taken it a few more times as well and I think it is generally on time. Except one of my QF5s was 6 hours late, which was also the longest delay on the route in flight stats for a few years. That really was a one off. In principle I think that is a reasonable connection the airport is pretty easy to get around in, but I've never connected to a flight there. I'm sure someone with actually flight connection experience will chime in.

 

[Adelaide_Matthew]

I think QF5 has been VERY late quite a bit recently - I was diverted off it earlier this year when it was 6-7 hours late, and there were delays on days before and after me I think. I saw a reference somewhere to there being recurring maintenance issues with a particular plane they've been using on that route.

 

[ellen10]

We flew QF005 late last year and it was perfectly on time. And getting off and collecting bags was very smooth and quick.
We were connecting to Strasbourg by train & it would have been cheaper to buy my tickets early but I didn't want to risk it.
But who knows whether your flight will arrive on time. But if it was me I would take the later flight.

 

[Fantic125]

My experience with QF 005 has been that it arrives on time or slightly early.
The few connecting flights I've had have been onto LH, so I've had to clear customs and immigration anyway.
Usually I'll either hire a car or take the 8am train to Stuttgart, and haven't missed the train yet.

Personally I would play it safe and book the later flight.

 

[Brettmcg]

I've taken QF5 at least three times a year over the last 7 years (recently it's been more like 5) and my experiences have usually been pretty good with timing. Baggage, however, can be extremely slow at FRA and often the Business-tagged bags are the last to appear on the belt. I recently waited around 40 minutes for my suitcase. If changing terminals or going to the train station you'll also want to plan at least 20 minutes. I therefore wouldn't be connecting to anything before, say, 9am to be on the safe side.

Recently QF5 was delayed app. 5 hours in Singapore due to a technical issue with VH-OJE (it's flown this route quite often recently and has experienced a number of tech-related lengthy delays). I was lucky that I held a Rail&Fly ticket which gave me the flexibility to catch any train, but a number of passengers were very concerned about missed connections, however I believe Qantas ground staff were at the gate to assist with re-bookings etc.

 

[pauly7]

I've taken QF5 at least three times a year over the last 7 years (recently it's been more like 5) and my experiences have usually been pretty good with timing. Baggage, however, can be extremely slow at FRA and often the Business-tagged bags are the last to appear on the belt. I recently waited around 40 minutes for my suitcase. If changing terminals or going to the train station you'll also want to plan at least 20 minutes. I therefore wouldn't be connecting to anything before, say, 9am to be on the safe side.

Recently QF5 was delayed app. 5 hours in Singapore due to a technical issue with VH-OJE (it's flown this route quite often recently and has experienced a number of tech-related lengthy delays). I was lucky that I held a Rail&Fly ticket which gave me the flexibility to catch any train, but a number of passengers were very concerned about missed connections, however I believe Qantas ground staff were at the gate to assist with re-bookings etc.

My experience of about 4 QF5's has
Been on time or early. Last one was 5 days ago. Early again.

Luggage usually beats me to carousel and I LOVE how most of the time they put J and F tagged luggage on a separate belt to the great unwashed ;p

 

[Brettmcg]

Luggage usually beats me to carousel and I LOVE how most of the time they put J and F tagged luggage on a separate belt to the great unwashed ;p

Probably fair to mention that the 40 minute baggage experience was after the 5 hour delay which meant QF5 was landing at one of FRA's busiest times. Usually, at the 0615 arrival time the airport is considerably less busy and baggage can be considerably quicker. Also, T2, in particular the arrivals area is under construction at the moment which may/has also slowed baggage delivery.

 

[kelvedon]

Thanks for the information. Can anyone advise me on whether the BA flights boarding pass can be issued in SYD given that the flights will be on different PNRs, and more than 24 hours before the FRA-LHR flight ?.

 

[BD1959]

Thanks for the information. Can anyone advise me on whether the BA flights boarding pass can be issued in SYD given that the flights will be on different PNRs, and more than 24 hours before the FRA-LHR flight ?.

Could you not pick-up the BA BP in the Lounge at SIN?

Regards,

BD

 

[kelvedon]

Could you not pick-up the BA BP in the Lounge at SIN?

Regards,

BD

Yes I could do that if its feasible. Is that because it would then be <24 hours, and check in is open ?

 

[serfty]

Thanks for the information. Can anyone advise me on whether the BA flights boarding pass can be issued in SYD given that the flights will be on different PNRs, and more than 24 hours before the FRA-LHR flight ?.

Perhaps you can get some "information/passive/ghost" segments inserted into both the QF and BA PNRs.

No need for a service desk at SIN, if it's < 24h by then you should be able to OLCI and print your own BP.

Certainly your bags can be checked through even if you can't get a BP at SYD.

Even though the MCT is on ¾ hours I would not even consider the 7:25am flight as an option, even if I did not have lounge access.

FlightStats - (QF) Qantas Airways 5 On-time Performance Rating

 

[BD1959]

No need for a service desk at SIN, if it's < 24h by then you should be able to OLCI and print your own BP.

Certainly your bags can be checked through even if you can't get a BP at SYD.

Hmmm ... don't the bags need to be linked to the BA BP at some stage? I was thinking by getting the BP in the Lounge, the OP could present bag-tags for the linking ... or am I soooo 2005??

Regards,

BD

 

[serfty]

Hmmm ... don't the bags need to be linked to the BA BP at some stage? I was thinking by getting the BP in the Lounge, the OP could present bag-tags for the linking ... or am I soooo 2005??

Regards,

BD

Yes, the bags do need to be linked, and yes I have done that at lounge service desks before. The OP will need the bag tag numbers at some stage ...

... it soo much easier travelling without checked luggage ...

 

[pagingjoan]

Even though the MCT is on ¾ hours I would not even consider the 7:25am flight as an option, even if I did not have lounge access.
FlightStats - (QF) Qantas Airways 5 On-time Performance Rating

My experience at FRA would bear out Serfty's assessment. The transfer process is often smooth and relatively fast but there has been more than one occasion in the past twelve months when our transfer times have been quite lengthy, so you would be wise to build in some comfort time.
PJ

 

[medhead]

Part of the reason I tend towards the train for FRA to Munich. Once you build in a buffer for a flight connection the train can be just as quick.

Now for a really left field suggestion. What about the train? Well sorry actually that won't work as the quick options (6 hours) are at 6:38 and 10:32.


Sent from the Throne

 

[Timba-Jet]

In 2010 I flew QF5 SYD-SIN-FRA/-LHR-PRG, with the last 2 legs on BA, but all in same PNR.

Checkin in SYD could not issue BA BPs, had to get this at the gate in FRA by showing my baggage tags.

At 6am in the morning was one of the only people in the JL lounge (QP contacted lounge), very quiet.

 

[kelvedon]

Now for a really left field suggestion. What about the train? Well sorry actually that won't work as the quick options (6 hours) are at 6:38 and 10:32.


Sent from the Throne[/QUOTE]

Now that's more than left field for an AFF forum, it's almost deep mid wicket, but I like your thinking!. I looked up DB and the fare at 69 Euros is cheaper than BA's 81 Euros, but it doesn't get me into London till 4.00pm, so I'll probably choose Orville Wrights' solution over George Stevenson's !! ( or is he the one who wrote Treasure Island!) Many thanks though!.