QF to Europe returns to the Kangaroo Route (via SIN)

[Brettmcg]

This document of TA FAQs may be of interest:

https://www.qantas.com/agents/dyn/qf/info/QFEKTRAVELAGENTFAQs310817.pdf

 

[mviy]

Thanks Brettmcg I see this right at the bottom:

• SYD-LHR transferring via SIN will earn the same points and status credits as tickets for SYD-LHR via DXB.
  
• MEL-LHR transferring via PER will earn the same points and status credits as if ticketed MEL-LHR via DXB.
  

I wonder what MEL-SIN then SIN-LHR will earn. If it's less than MEL-DXB-LHR that would be a slight deterrent to fly via SIN which would be a shame.

 

[Quickstatus]

If they timings stay as they currently appear in the GDS (which I imagine they won't!) then it's going to be a pretty long wait for MEL pax wanting to go onto the QF1 (SIN-LHR)
View attachment 105170
View attachment 105171

They would be stupid to re-time the MEL-SIN to tie in with SYD-SIN-LHR as this would cannibalise the MEL-PER-LHR. QF35/36 is just an increase in capacity on an existing A330 slot. Current timing of QF35 allows connections to other parts of Asia via MH or 3K.

Importantly, The new 14.5hr layover of QF1-QF2 will eliminate a lot of the rolling delays due to a late A380 on the DXB routing/ high utilisation schedule.
Rolling delays will likely be more noticeable on the new QF9/10 via PER as the layover in LHR will be 8.3hrs

 

[levelnine]

Looks like MEL-based travelers will be able to get the 332 up to SIN to join QF1 (edit: or the 380 if they don't mind a wait in SIN) and the 380 back from SIN to MEL after leaving QF2.


From AusBT comments:


QF35 MEL/SIN 1255/1755 380
QF37 MEL/SIN 1715/2225 332


QF36 SIN/MEL 1955/0615+1 380
QF38 SIN/MEL 2350/0850+1 332


QF1 SYD/SIN 1655/2215 380
QF1 SIN/LHR 2355/0650+1 380


QF2 LHR/SIN 2115/1725+1 380
QF2 SIN/SYD 1930/0610+1 380

 

[mviy]

Looks like MEL-based travelers will be able to get the 332 up to SIN to join QF1 and the 380 back from SIN to MEL after leaving QF2.

That's a shame. Would have preferred A380 the whole way in both directions. Would love to fly MEL-SIN-LHR return in QF F the whole way sometime. Maybe for those willing to have a long stopover QF35 connecting to QF1 will be an option?

But the 332 doesn't fly every day so that's a potential problem.

 

[levelnine]

Maybe for those willing to have a long stopover QF35 connecting to QF1 will be an option?

Yes, I've added an edit. You can fly the A380 all the way if you don't mind a long stop over in SIN.

 

[BacchusMarsh]

the 332 doesn't fly every day so that's a potential problem.

• From 25 March 2018, one daily Qantas Melbourne – Singapore service will be upgraded from an A330 to an A380 (QF35/36), with the second three per week service increased to a daily A330 service (QF37/38).

 

[mviy]

• From 25 March 2018, one daily Qantas Melbourne – Singapore service will be upgraded from an A330 to an A380 (QF35/36), with the second three per week service increased to a daily A330 service (QF37/38).

So on the four days QF37 isn't operating the only choices to go QF metal will be fly via SYD, fly via PER or have the long stopover in SIN. I think I'd take the long stopover in SIN (subject to considering price, points and status credits from the different options etc.).

Hopefully SIN-LHR on QF earns at a rate that means MEL-SIN-LHR earns the same as SYD-SIN-LHR and MEL-PER-LHR and what MEL-DXB-LHR and SYD-DXB-LHR currently earn.

 

[BacchusMarsh]

So on the four days QF37 isn't operating

daily service

 

[Ansett]

So on the four days QF37 isn't operating the only choices to go QF metal will be fly via SYD, fly via PER or have the long stopover in SIN. I think I'd take the long stopover in SIN (subject to considering price, points and status credits from the different options etc.).

Hopefully SIN-LHR on QF earns at a rate that means MEL-SIN-LHR earns the same as SYD-SIN-LHR and MEL-PER-LHR and what MEL-DXB-LHR and SYD-DXB-LHR currently earn.

QF37 is being increased from 3 to 7 days per week so there is no hole...

 

[mviy]

Ah. I see that now.

Will be interesting to see if booking the A380 service MEL-SIN-LHR is an option on QANTAS and how that prices compared with the A330 MEL-SIN then A380 SIN-LHR.

 

[mrsterryn]

This will be great. Looking forward to next year's England trip

 

[bosox76]

Any news or rumours on the ability to upgrade on EK metal using QF points? That would be a nice holy grail scenario if not flying to LHR but rather a "secondary" European city.

 

[mviy]

Any news or rumours on the ability to upgrade on EK metal using QF points? That would be a nice holy grail scenario if not flying to LHR but rather a "secondary" European city.

I don't think that'll happen. If you want to upgrade part of the way you'll need to fly via SIN and/or LHR.

 

[Ansett]

For me I will take the A380 flight to Singapore as I don't mind a longer stop over in Singapore, nice shower, better shopping and a better atmosphere than DXB and an A380 over an A330 is a no brainer for me

 

[docjames]

Great to have options so a positive announcement.

Wonder if there will be any change to the EK flights to Aus that currently route via SIN?

 

[bosox76]

I don't think that'll happen. If you want to upgrade part of the way you'll need to fly via SIN and/or LHR.

It's really more the long leg to DXB connecting through to Europe that I often used the upgrade. It'll be a shame to
lose that ability. I rarely fly I to LHR anymore. Whilst I love Changi (and have a lot of family in SIN, so this change makes a lot of sense for me) for work reasons I'd prefer a one stop to where I'm headed rather than transit through LHR again. Often managed an upgrade to F on the MEL-DXB leg which then set me up nicely to hit the ground running on arrival into my destination. I guess those days are gone and I'll have to make do with the good but blingy EK product. I wonder if chauffer drive will remain if one is flying MEL-SIN-LHR??

 

[mviy]

Check the Travel Agent guide about the changes posted earlier by Brettmcg in post #41. Chauffeur drive will be available for MEL-SIN-LHR

 

[andy90]

This is good news for me as it looks like I could now fly BNE-LHR on qantas without needing to go to Sydney first which I have done in the past.
I have no idea how the flight times line up, but for me personally I only ever travel to Europe when I'm on holidays to visit family so a day or two to look around in Singapore wouldn't be the worst thing in the world either and now I can make better use of points for upgrades ect.

 

[mviy]

The advantage of separate flight numbers is the ability to pick and choose which legs to upgrade on. So you may not want to upgrade on the MEL-SIN or BNE-SIN or whatever leg, but want to upgrade on the longer SIN-LHR leg. Though having said that it could be hard to secure the upgrades on SIN-LHR. Also with one flight number LHR-DXB-SYD/MEL you could fail to get an upgrade LHR-DXB due to not getting it DXB-SYD/MEL. With a separate flight number you could succeed LHR-SIN and fail SIN-MEL/BNE which is a lot better than no upgrade at all.