QF 9 between MEL and PER my thoughts

[justinbrett]

I’d actually preference this flight on QF to get to PER but am glad that some others don’t like it as it increases my chances of an upgrade

Also if you upgrade to Premium Economy, which is actually superior (IMO) to the 737 J experience, it will cost you far fewer points (only 4300 if flex economy, or 10900 discount - vs 10900/27200).

 

[PERLHR]

I’ve done this flight quite a few times by choice (both the short domestic sector and onwards to LHR) and also QF5 and have a completely different opinion to you.

I’d actually preference this flight on QF to get to PER but am glad that some others don’t like it as it increases my chances of an upgrade

Mm..you are welcome to it Fiona. OBS I know you fly a great deal. Just remember I was down the back and not in biz which could make a difference (far prefer the 330 down the back if travelling as a couple. Sure first lounge is a winner but those who say are only in biz and not Plat or Emerald the biz lounge is far from perfect. Windowless and lacks soul..(I went to both the latter briefly). Glad though some.find the "customs" process at Perth easy. It was far from that Sunday. Happy flying....I'll stick to Qatar thanks.

 

[Quickstatus]

I was down the back and not in biz

And there's the rub. The majority of reported good or excellent experiences in the media and here are generally from the J/F cabins.

 

[justinbrett]

And there's the rub. The majority of reported good or excellent experiences in the media and here are generally from the J/F cabins.

The free Bundy in Y helps I'm told. No spirits on domestic flights in Y, but there is on this one because it's international.

In my younger years I used to book QF81 ADL-DRW just for the drinks.

 

[Quickstatus]

Bundy

No use as alcohol on flights is a no no for me

 

[serfty]

I also think that there are no Customs or Quarantine implications either

Just don't try to take home that bottle of Grange in carry-on luggage.

 

[Jet2727]

I agree with Fiona, I’ve done this flight a few times recently including this week in J. The checks etc are relatively quick, nice visit to the F lounge. Service in J very good. all of the passengers in my vicinity were heading to Perth, a few of us discussed the benefits of the flight. For me arriving in Perth at a time I can try have a drink, a bite to eat, watch a bit of tv and get to bed ready for work the next day is key. I was also booked on it a few weeks ago but it was cancelled.

 

[Daver6]

One downside (or some might think upside) of this flight over others on the PER-MEL sector is no wifi.

 

[Hvr]

Just don't try to take home that bottle of Grange in carry-on luggage.

The grief would be immediate, no LAG time at all.

 

[JohnM]

Just don't try to take home that bottle of Grange in carry-on luggage.

I nearly got stung with this back pe-covid on a weekend away travelling HLO, outbound DOM, inbound MEL-PER on the 9 - INT rules.

Went to a winery lunch, bought some wine, then the penny dropped. Fortunately before I left the winery. They took back my wine and refunded me.

Post automatically merged: Mar 9, 2023

One downside (or some might think upside) of this flight over others on the PER-MEL sector is no wifi.

Downside, I can't harass you.
Upside, you can't harass me.

 

[AIRwin]

Went to a winery lunch, bought some wine, then the penny dropped. Fortunately before I left the winery. They took back my wine and refunded me.

You still could have checked it in?

 

[JohnM]

You still could have checked it in?

I know, but I couldn't be bothered with the hassle, given I was HLO.

 

[beenthere]

Qantas has been on record stating that the many people flying to/from LHR are starting/stopping in PER, so I'm not surprised that the majority of QF9 pax on the MEL-PER leg are actually domestic.

You have to clear customs in either direction if you're just taking the domestic leg (QF9 or QF10), but if you're a domestic passenger you don't need a passport. Just some form of ID. Not sure why that's controversial?

As for customs. Yep, you're absolutely spot on. Perth Customs just couldn't be bothered. I'm sure they were all sitting on the other side of the office door just playing cards instead of possibly working on the other side of the airport where the majority of international traffic in Perth is processed, and when QF9 was going to be early then scrambling to get available officers across to Qantas' special terminal.

As an opposite anecdote, I've used QF10 and QF9 domestically a few times mostly without issue. The Melbourne customs hall can sometimes be a bit of chaos, but overall I've had good experiences. I actually look to book these (and the QF5/6 equivalents with SYD) when I can.

Can you please say which lounge you are able to use flying from Perth to Melbourne on QF10? I have Qantas Platinum and would like to see if I get access to the International Transit Lounge or just the usual Business Domestic Lounge.

 

[Port Power]

Can you please say which lounge you are able to use flying from Perth to Melbourne on QF10? I have Qantas Platinum and would like to see if I get access to the International Transit Lounge or just the usual Business Domestic Lounge.

You can use both. If you are early, pop into the J lounge. They will let you know if the transit lounge is open yet. Saves a long walk.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Welcome Onboard Beenthere.

 

[upupandaway]

Given this QF9 domestic hop ends later in the year, I'm keen to book MEL-PER in April for a Flounge but can't seem to get the domestic only sector to price when booking via FCM/corporate travel. Is there a trick to this? The flight appears on Expedia and obviously qantas.com. It worked previously i think but they appear to use a new booking engine now.

 

[CorporateFlyerMEL]

Given this QF9 domestic hop ends later in the year, I'm keen to book MEL-PER in April for a Flounge but can't seem to get the domestic only sector to price when booking via FCM/corporate travel. Is there a trick to this? The flight appears on Expedia and obviously qantas.com. It worked previously i think but they appear to use a new booking engine now.

I have certainly booked the leg through CT, but through agent rather than the online system

 

[upupandaway]

Thanks thats good to know. I will contact an agent.

 

[Cessna 180]

I have done it once a few months back.

Need to put in “the notes to agent section” that you would like the 9.
I rang them first to see if I could book it and that is what they told me.

I found it a decent experience but I would only do it if HLO.

As others said an upgrade to PE was worth the points and a rare visit to F lounge. As I seldom travel internationally.

Just a novelty for me for something different if the timings work.

 

[CorporateFlyerMEL]

Did MEL/LHR in Y on QF9 earlier this month. Checking in at MEL first class kerbside, had previously allocated seats A & C for myself and Mrs CorporateFlyer, to try and keep spare between - at first class check in said unlikely that spare seat would be available as an earlier MEL PER had been cancelled and the sector to LHR was 'oversold'...

Got on board, doors shut and spare seat was not taken. Sector was very full. Told Mrs CorporateFlyer, well at least we had the spare seat to PER.

Upon landing in PER off to transit lounge and thought I would ask about spare seat - no problem said the lounge assistant, she advised that there was only 80 in Y in total, so both myself and Mrs CorporateFlyer had a whole row of 3 seats each...poor mans flat bed.

When I queried why in MEL they could not see this, she could not answer, saying loads are dependent on weather, cargo etc, but 80 in late Dec is low. She said some PER boarding passengers were offloaded to EK.

So all in all very happy passengers - most had rows to themselves. The ones I felt sorry for were the extra leg room passengers - stuck like sardines whilst the rest of the plane spread out.

UK crew to LHR was great, and whilst dinner was nothing special - breakfast was very good (fresh fruit, yoghurt and muesli). Great landing in LHR so early, so no immigration queues and bags out quickly.