Qf19 & qf20

[RooFlyer]

Going to do SYD-MNL for the first time soon. Anyone done these recently, esp in J ... any comments? Are there lounge options at MNL?

I can't remember the last time I was on a A330-300 on Qantas; whats the status of the ones on these flights wrt skybed and IFE, please?

 

[mannej]

Angled skybed with the older IFE systems (AVOD) on them - all the -300's have the same product

 

[whughes3]

Note that the 332's (in 36J/199Y format) are occasionally used on this route, but their fittings are the same as for the 333's.
The lounge options at MNL T1 are fairly basic; the "Manila lounge" near Gate 2 that QF generally use seats about 40 and has
some reasonable food and rather minimal drink options, plus a couple of computers. If you are Platinum and the lounge is likely to
be busy you will probably be given a pass to the "Miascor" lounge near gate 9, which is much larger and has somewhat better
facilities (even a shower!).

 

[RooFlyer]

Note that the 332's (in 36J/199Y format) are occasionally used on this route, but their fittings are the same as for the 333's.
The lounge options at MNL T1 are fairly basic; the "Manila lounge" near Gate 2 that QF generally use seats about 40 and has
some reasonable food and rather minimal drink options, plus a couple of computers. If you are Platinum and the lounge is likely to
be busy you will probably be given a pass to the "Miascor" lounge near gate 9, which is much larger and has somewhat better
facilities (even a shower!).

Thanks; worth knowing. Are there any other 1W lounge options such as AA or CX?

 

[deadfish]

Thanks; worth knowing. Are there any other 1W lounge options such as AA or CX?

There's a CX lounge which is pretty similar to the QF one, except with a F section, no toilets and usually not as crowded. From what I hear the F section isn't much (if any) different to the J section.

 

[whughes3]

The CX F lounge indeed does not have a lot going for it apart from usually being uncrowded; the food and drink offerings are very limited and there is no inside loo. The is also a JL lounge which I have never tried; I don't think it is open a lot of the time.

 

[Ric]

The A330 are pretty much standard stock and nothing to shout about.
I almost always travel MNL-HKG-SYD and vice versa. You get to fly the big bird or 747s on the HK-SYD-HKG and enjoy CX's Wing.
The cost is the same and most times can be even cheaper than direct on QF 19/20.

Re lounge at MNL, prepare to be shocked!
I don't go to the QF lounge. Way over crowded. I go over to CX F lounge, which others have noted, not much offering but I go there for peace and quiet.

As in any big city, there's good and bad. Some common sense and you will enjoy MNL.

 

[RooFlyer]

The A330 are pretty much standard stock and nothing to shout about.
I almost always travel MNL-HKG-SYD and vice versa. You get to fly the big bird or 747s on the HK-SYD-HKG and enjoy CX's Wing.
The cost is the same and most times can be even cheaper than direct on QF 19/20.

Re lounge at MNL, prepare to be shocked!
I don't go to the QF lounge. Way over crowded. I go over to CX F lounge, which others have noted, not much offering but I go there for peace and quiet.

As in any big city, there's good and bad. Some common sense and you will enjoy MNL.

Hmmm.. that sounds attractive; I wasn't looking forward to QF20 on the A330 overnight coming back as I'll be off to LAX from SYD same day as arrival (and no, can't go to LAX from MNL or HKG .) I was going to use QF's current J sale to squeeze in a long standing business invitation to go to MNL. Is there any special ticket or fare basis you did that loop on?

 

[Ric]

I use TA in MNL for my travels. But bear in mind that I start my journey from "outside" Oz which is always cheaper!
J in "I" class and if whY, in "V" class.

However, will be trying MH J for next trip in June. MNL-KUL-SYD return is just under USD2.5K

 

[RooFlyer]

Thanks Have my TA on this, but looking on the QF site, unlikely to get under current QF sale price (SYD-MNL-SYD for A$2888).

Worse things in life than a MK1 skybed.

Update: The fare via HKG well beyond the QF sale price direct there and back. $2,888 SYD-MNL-SYD in J not bad!

 

[ChrisFlyer]

If you leave SYD on a Thursday, the flight has a stopover in BNE, and is usually always a 332 (which I find to be 'fresher' than the 333s). IIRC it has two J mini-cabins (3 rows each), and if you are in Y, both exit seats are extra legroom - not just the aisle (as there is no slide in the way, unlike the 333). You also won't have to clear transit security in BNE when leaving Australia, as you've already been screened in SYD (they usually just let you walk straight through if no other flights are about), and you can leave any (locked) hand luggage on board while the aircraft is on the ground in BNE (just not in the seat pockets).

 

[mikejr]

Interesting info, I was going to post the same question as I am heading over in a couple of weeks and the 19/20 option sounds attractive because of the travel time. Even though lounges are nice I would rather have a 8 hour flight direct, than a hop over to HKG or SIN, a couple of hours layover and then 8 hours after - unless I have other business over there.

Like you say a v1 flat bed is not too bad especially after a couple of glass of champers - a good 5 hours sleep I reckon!

Shame about the lounges but I suppose it is supply and demand and if Manila grows for QF then something better may appear...

 

[Simo]

There's a CX lounge which is pretty similar to the QF one, except with a F section, no toilets and usually not as crowded. From what I hear the F section isn't much (if any) different to the J section.

Yep not much different at all from J lounge at all.

Have to go outside for the toilet.

You have to take all your gear with you when you want to go to the toilet as well.

 

[mikejr]

Any showers in CX F lounge? And as WP on a QF J ticket can I just rock up?

 

[Simo]

I don't remember a shower in there.

Mind you if there is no toilets I would be guessing there is no showers.

CX F lounge in MNL is pretty basic in comparison to other F Lounges.

 

[knightman7]

I fly to Cebu twice a year and always try to go later in the week via HKG on the A380 then onto CEB with CX. If I have to fly early in the week I fly via MNL on QF 19/20 although lounge options are woeful in MNL and the departure gate bag checks are annoying too, but it's the same MK1 skybed on the 747 from HKG on the non A380 flights so there's no point taking the longer route. CX F lounge is quiet with little to no food and the QF lounge's only redeeming feature is the fact it's right next to the departure gate stairs. Don't expect much and you will be fine and allow plenty of time to get through the hothouse that is immigration too.

 

[RooFlyer]

I fly to Cebu twice a year and always try to go later in the week via HKG on the A380 then onto CEB with CX. If I have to fly early in the week I fly via MNL on QF 19/20 although lounge options are woeful in MNL and the departure gate bag checks are annoying too, but it's the same MK1 skybed on the 747 from HKG on the non A380 flights so there's no point taking the longer route. CX F lounge is quiet with little to no food and the QF lounge's only redeeming feature is the fact it's right next to the departure gate stairs. Don't expect much and you will be fine and allow plenty of time to get through the hothouse that is immigration too.

Can you tell me more about the 'departure gate bag checks' ? Is it weight, or just a going-through of the carry-ons?

Looks like a wash on board if after a day in MNL and the airport stuff there's not even a private bathroom at the lounge.

 

[knightman7]

They just open your carry on bags on a table and poke around as you enter the gate area. No X-ray machines. Just 3-4 security people with gloves.

 

[Ric]

They just open your carry on bags on a table and poke around as you enter the gate area. No X-ray machines. Just 3-4 security people with gloves.

Same as in HKG except the do the check at boarding before you enter the aircraft.....Oz's government requirement I believe.

Read somewhere some time last year that CX might be moving to Terminal 3 this year? JAL too IIRC. Don't know about QF.

 

[whughes3]

Read somewhere some time last year that CX might be moving to Terminal 3 this year? JAL too IIRC. Don't know about QF.

There have been reports that T3 will be in full operation by the end of this year; but then they have been saying that for 5+ years...