QF International via Darwin

[jrfsp]

Maybe we could get direct flights to Athens.

Does JQ 787 have the range ?

 

[justinbrett]

I just think that without MEL leg, 70% will not sustain daily flights PER-LHR. Maybe as you say 3 or 4 days a week.

It had the best load factor of the QFI network. Nothing to say that PER can't fill the gap.

 

[Carrots]

The elephant in the room is travel insurance.
Australia has reciprocal medicare with the UK. In terms of not getting hit with a massive, medical bill if you get Covid while travelling, UK is the only viable option.

This is an important point, but as far as I can tell, there is no problem getting travel insurance that will cover medical bills if you get sick due to COVID while travelling, unless you travel against the advice of the Australian government. At least that is my reading of the Allianz policy. I realise that right now almost any overseas travel would be against the advice of the Australian government, but I assume that will change once the borders reopen? (BTW, just to clarify that there are exclusions related to COVID wrt to other coverage - e.g. having to cancel your trip before you depart).

Additionally, when it comes to reciprocal healthcare arrangements, the UK isn't the only option:

Reciprocal Health Care Agreements - About reciprocal health care agreements - Services Australia

Will be interesting to see if insurance companies distinguish between 'do not travel' on safety grounds as opposed to covid grounds... so for example Vietnam might be perfectly ok safety wise, but not covid wise. Will you be covered if you're hit by a bus in Vietnam despite not being covered for covid?

Interesting question, although I'm not sure it makes much difference in reality (at least to me). I would always want to make sure insurance covers the risks that are most likely to arise, so if medical cover for COVID isn't covered, that would be a deal breaker really.

FWIW though, I think it's fair to assume that any insurer can exclude claims related to any travel to a destination where there is a "do not travel" warning in place. I think that was the case even pre-COVID. Perhaps you could argue that your claim should be honoured if it is unrelated to the reason for the "do not travel" warning, but I wouldn't like to find myself in that situation with perhaps 10s of thousands of $ at stake.

Going off topic somewhat... but....

@Jack_OC is on the money, the travel warnings issued by DFAT are all that matter (mostly) in the insurers eye.

So as of today, given there is the blanket Do Not Travel warning in place, travel anywhere O/S without prior acceptance by the insurer and you'll likely find you have no cover at all irrespective of whether you are hit by a buss or catch covid. Moving forward you'd expect to see (and already do so) exclusions around Covid (and more blanket exclusions using terms such as SARS etc).

As another example, if we wind the clock back 2 years, it was likely certain countries had Do Not Travel warnings due to non health related concerns (ie Afghanistan or Syria for example). Same story - travel there without prior acceptance no claim would be forthcoming.

In terms of where coverage will get to in the new year.... who has a crystal ball?
Medical is available today, but you need prior approval from the insurer.
There's no additional benefits, there's no medical repatriation flights etc, it is literally just the medical expenses.
Missed your flight because you're in hospital on a ventilator in the USA (which would cost a quid or two), and there's no reimbursement.

 

[Mr H]

Missed your flight because you're in hospital on a ventilator in the USA (which would cost a quid or two), and there's no reimbursement.

And my prediction is that in a few months' time, Covid will be treated just like any other medical condition.

 

[jb747]

Does JQ 787 have the range ?

No.

Athens was what was called the VFR market. Visiting friends and relatives. Very marginal at the best of times. I always enjoyed it though, and would love to see it, and Rome, come back.

All a long, long, time ago now. I flew the last QF Athens flight, as an FO on the Classic.

 

[flyer89]

All a long, long, time ago now. I flew the last QF Athens flight, as an FO on the Classic.

What year would that have been? ‘88? ‘90?

 

[jase05]

Are QF planning to run this longer with their announcement today?
“To make getting to the NT more accessible for all, QantasLink will soon operate three weekly return services from Darwin to Townsville, commencing on January 31 and Darwin to Cairns, on March 29.”

 

[CMA222]

Are QF planning to run this longer with their announcement today?
“To make getting to the NT more accessible for all, QantasLink will soon operate three weekly return services from Darwin to Townsville, commencing on January 31 and Darwin to Cairns, on March 29.”

....or perhaps "Bonza" were considering the route and QF are making a pre-emptive announcement.

 

[justinbrett]

Are QF planning to run this longer with their announcement today?
“To make getting to the NT more accessible for all, QantasLink will soon operate three weekly return services from Darwin to Townsville, commencing on January 31 and Darwin to Cairns, on March 29.”

Not exactly new - Qantas used to run twice daily flights to Cairns (one mainline direct, one Qantaslink 717 via Gove), and codeshared on Airnorth E170/E190 to Townsville. In addition to Jetstar flying to Cairns.

I never understood why Qantas didn't do the Townsville route themselves before, there's a lot of government and Defence business on that route.

 

[Mrmaxwell]

ABC newsflash that QF are flying a380 from November 18 - has this been qualified/announced by QF?

Edit. Perhaps they mixed up QF with SG who’ve announced a380 flights from Nov 18?

 

[jrfsp]

Looking at flights (Ex MEL) to LHR middle of next year, unable to find a SIN transit onto QF1 even thought flights can be booked MEL-SIN.

QF is also not selling SYD-SIN on QF1 so guessing QF wont be allowing transits in SIN?

I wonder if this might change when there is a VTL between AU and SIN?

 

[Jenya]

Folks,
If one got SYD-LHR via DAR RT booking and on return leg decided not to continue to SYD and left in Darwin - is it possible scenario at all? if not why?

 

[Daver6]

Folks,
If one got SYD-LHR via DAR RT booking and on return leg decided not to continue to SYD and left in Darwin - is it possible scenario at all? if not why?

If they're not selling that then customers and border patrol might not be operating. You could be stuck in no man's land for a while and have some awkward questions to answer.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Folks,
If one got SYD-LHR via DAR RT booking and on return leg decided not to continue to SYD and left in Darwin - is it possible scenario at all? if not why?

In addition to the customs and immigration issue, my understanding is that unrestricted entry will only occur if a particular state allows it. Which would be fine if that's the case for both NT and NSW. But if NSW allows it and NT doesn't, you'd be subject to any caps in place for NT and whatever quarantine arrangements are applicable. Plus any fines or penalties for arriving unannounced, if applicable.

 

[ozflier]

Folks,
If one got SYD-LHR via DAR RT booking and on return leg decided not to continue to SYD and left in Darwin - is it possible scenario at all? if not why?

You would need to have carry on baggage only!

 

[Mattg]

Qantas today says that the reinstatement of flights to London via Perth (instead of Darwin) from late March is now "under review" in light of yesterday's announcement that WA will delay reopening its border.

https://www.qantasnewsroom.com.au/media-releases/qantas-group-capacity-update-on-western-australian-border-delay/

 

[transpactraveller]

For flyers from the east coast I never quite understood the appeal of Perth as a stopover, unless you wanted to avoid transiting another country? DRW actually seems favourable to PER in terms of time/distance but the schedule is not much fun - QF1 lands at LHR around 4:30am (and Qantas no longer provides arrivals lounge or chauffeur drive).

I’d still choose SIN or DXB if I had the option. Going via PER doesn’t really save you any time… the route via SIN or even Japan is actually a shorter distance.

 

[kangarooflyer88]

Qantas today says that the reinstatement of flights to London via Perth (instead of Darwin) from late March is now "under review" in light of yesterday's announcement that WA will delay reopening its border.

https://www.qantasnewsroom.com.au/media-releases/qantas-group-capacity-update-on-western-australian-border-delay/

Can someone explain why we're still talking about Quarantine in 2022 with the vaccines, treatments and protection available? What risk is there to the Western Australian community of someone transiting at PER? Who does it harm? Whilst WA residents may be supported these measures, you do have to worry about those who work and make a living at PER, and all the businesses with ties to T&T. How much longer can hotels in Perth remain shuttered?

-RooFlyer88

 

[RichardMEL]

There are some individuals (I know a few personally) who would prefer PER (or DRW for that matter) to stopping in certain countries - either for political or social views. It doesn't bother me, but there are some who will definitely avoid even transiting certain places due to either their own personal views, or policies of those countries.

 

[OATEK]

For flyers from the east coast I never quite understood the appeal of Perth as a stopover, unless you wanted to avoid transiting another country? DRW actually seems favourable to PER in terms of time/distance but the schedule is not much fun - QF1 lands at LHR around 4:30am (and Qantas no longer provides arrivals lounge or chauffeur drive).

I’d still choose SIN or DXB if I had the option. Going via PER doesn’t really save you any time… the route via SIN or even Japan is actually a shorter distance.

Via both PER/DRW has a very long second leg out of the east, which I don't particularly look forward to (SYD-DRW-LHR 2/3/22). But at the present time, not transiting in Asia gives a little more confidence that the flights will operate. We used to regularly transit in HKG (with AY/CX), but that is off our list in the foreseeable.