QF63 SYD to JNB B747 config

[vetrade]

We went to SA, Botswana, Zimbabwe and Zambia (Livingstone only) last December and didn't need to get a Yellow Fever vaccination. It was never even mentioned everywhere we went. I think some of the confusion arises because YF was required previously for Zim. and Zam. but that requirement was dropped 12 - 18 months ago IIRC.

 

[SpudOz]

We visited South Africa in October last year and again in Feb/March this year.

(At the time), there was no need for Yellow Fever entering Sth Africa from Europe or Australia. OTOH, if entering from Zambia it WAS required for entry into Sth Africa and also coming back into Australia.

There was (and I understand still) is some confusion if transiting from Zambia to Australia via Sth Africa, as to whether you will require a Yellow Fiver certificate to merely transit JNB (as against a stopover). From memory, we were asked but not required to show the certificate; however we did need to show it in SYD (as we had been to Zambia) so we required the shot anyway.

So if only going to S Africa you should not need it (IME), but you should check with your doctor who will be able to give you the latest advice.

JV

I am an Aussie expat living in Zambia. I fly back to Oz every 2 months either through JNB (sometimes as a stop over) or DXB, depending on the flight cost. I do not have a Yellow Fever vaccination and have not been asked once in over 18 months.

Yellow Fever jab is not required.

 

[Jacques Vert]

I am an Aussie expat living in Zambia. I fly back to Oz every 2 months either through JNB (sometimes as a stop over) or DXB, depending on the flight cost. I do not have a Yellow Fever vaccination and have not been asked once in over 18 months.

Yellow Fever jab is not required.

Very interesting. +1 and I both remember being asked to show our vaccination cards entering SYD in March 2017.

 

[love_the_life]

Very interesting. +1 and I both remember being asked to show our vaccination cards entering SYD in March 2017.

I don't remember having to show cards when we came back - though we were only in the Livingstone area round the Vic Falls. We did have them in case they were needed.

 

[farstar]

I have been to SA a few times and in Sydney always asked for Yellow fever certificate. The only other time I have been asked is landing at Kilimanjaro airport.

 

[SpudOz]

Given that Zambia and South Africa are not yellow fever risk countries, I would question why you were required to produce the certificate on arrival in Australia.

Apart from HIV, the greatest risk in Zambia is Malaria.

 

[Danger]

I think this thread needs to be renamed (or split).

 

[SYD]

Thanks for the replies. All set to go. Working at Darwin Airport I have the advantage of asking the Qantas staff the load numbers. PE full and only 7 J class seats available 4 days out. Haven't got our hopes up for the requested upgrade. Would much prefer it though on the return QF64 as that's the evening transit back. I'll do a trip report for this one. Thanks again all.

How did you go with the upgrade? Looks like 5 seats in J (stbd side upper deck) and still a few in PE (middle seats). 34A/B taken now.

 

[Jet2727]

I am flying to Johannesburg on QF63 on 7 August. Looking for recommendations for seat selection on what appears to be the new configuration. I've presently selected 5B but have read mixed reviews of the seat and I am unsure if that is a good selection or not. I've selected 2A on the old first configuration on the way home.

 

[N860CR]

I am flying to Johannesburg on QF63 on 7 August. Looking for recommendations for seat selection on what appears to be the new configuration. I've presently selected 5B but have read mixed reviews of the seat and I am unsure if that is a good selection or not. I've selected 2A on the old first configuration on the way home.

I like anywhere in the nose. It's a bit quieter (but further from the bathrooms).

It's a gamble with the new J seats. I fly SYD-JNB-SYD fairly regularly and sometimes it's fine, but as a side sleeper the droopy skybeds can make sleep impossible (and I actually walked off the plane with a shocking back last trip that took me a week to recover from).

I'm trying SYD-SIN-JNB-CPT on SQ next week. Even with the diversion, it might be the better option.