QF97 BNE-HKG to become red-eye

[Emkay]

This change is lousy for me, too. If my destination is HKG, I don't want to arrive at 6:00AM. What a great day that promises to be, even if not working, it means trudging around until i can check into a hotel at 2PM or so. And it's NOT more convenient when connecting with a Europe flight, as i usually use BA 026 (dep HKG 23:15) (better J beds than QF), with just few hrs in the Lounge to kill.

I have a booking that was:
BNE-HKG on May 6 QF97 11:10 - 18:10
HKG-LHR on May 6 BA026 23:15 - 05:05 (+1 days)
LHR-TLS on May 7 BA372 07:50 - 10:45

It NOW says:
BNE-HKG on May 6 QF97 23:05 - 06:05 (+1 days)
HKG-LHR on May 6 BA026 23:15 - 05:05 (+1 days)
LHR-TLS on May 7 BA372 07:50 - 10:45

Gets me to London an hour before I arrive in HK! Looks like I will have to call to sort this out, but i guess I might have to leave BNE the night before, and kill 17 hrs in HKG on the 6th - alternatively get to London a day late? Or, use the QF morning HKG-LHR flight on the 7th and spend an unwanted night in London? AND, to complicate things further, my wife is travelling with me on a J award ticket, so what's the bet this makes one or all of these alternatives impossible because award seats are unavailable on the alt flights?!

Well, quite pleased at Qantas' fix for this. They put is both on QF507 BNE-SYD 07:35 May 6, then QF127 SYD-HKG May 6 (10:45-17:55), BOTH IN J SEATS DESPITE THE FACT THAT THERE WERE NO AWARDS Js TECHNICALLY AVAILABLE. Said it was their problem to find the seats since they made the schedule change. Makbe the Plat status helped a bit too? And now we get a 747-400 SYD-HKG instead of the dodgy 333 that does the BNE-HKG runs. An the extra 40SC won't go astray. If it stays fixed, this is a very satisfactory outcome at minimal disturbance to us. Thanks Qantas.

 

[docjames]

BOTH IN J SEATS DESPITE THE FACT THAT THERE WERE NO AWARDS Js TECHNICALLY AVAILABLE. .

If the original booking was award, then no SCs.

But good news on timings. QF usually do the right thing and just put you on the next best option for you (if they've made a significant chance to timings). Irrespective of the original booking rules.

 

[Emkay]

If the original booking was award, then no SCs.

But good news on timings. QF usually do the right thing and just put you on the next best option for you (if they've made a significant chance to timings). Irrespective of the original booking rules.

Only my wife is on award bookings - mine is paid J (deductible business expense) so will get my bonus SCs

 

[freofan]

As I've posted previously on another forum, I quite like the changes.

I travel PER HKG PEK a few times per year and have always hated the 6am start in PER to be at the airport in time, ending in an 11.30pm arrival in PEK via HKG.

I'd much prefer the overnight flight with an early morning connection in HKG maximising my day time in Beijing.

 

[garyjohn951]

given that the QF97 will arrive into HKG at 6:05am, and QF98 departs at 23:15, they must have plans to use the morning arrival aircraft for a daytime flight back to Australia, perhaps to SYD or MEL. I can only assume this change is to improve aircraft utilisation as its not going to be attractive for many passengers.

There is no way I will be choosing to fly a red-eye to HKG, arrive around 6am and head straight to the office for work! Especially with an economy travel policy :evil:.

Just like passengers out of Melbourne have been doing for months.

 

[dajop]

And now we get a 747-400 SYD-HKG instead of the dodgy 333 that does the BNE-HKG runs.

Can you elaborate, what is (AirFrance aside) so dodgy about the 333 that does BNE-HKG? In J, still get skybeds, do you not? If it was the 763 that would be something to complain about....

 

[dajop]

I However, I understand if you are going to LHR, you prefer day flight to HKG then overnight to LHR. You really don't want to have 2 red eyes in a row.

Actually I don't mind QF29, have done this before. Overnight to HKG then day flight to LHR. Get in a full days work, have a pleasant evening, then head to the airport at 9pm.

I actually found it quite a good way of getting there. Didn't (try to get) a lot of sleep MEL-HKG (just a little given the late departure), then on take off from HKG was so tired I went straight to sleep (which is about midnight London time), awoke hours later and almost synched into London time, and arriving mid afternoon means you don't have to stay up that long before going to bed. Also have done it twice connecting MEL-HKG overnight, then onto HKG-JFK flights and also thought it quite reasonable.

 

[NM]

Can you elaborate, what is (AirFrance aside) so dodgy about the 333 that does BNE-HKG? In J, still get skybeds, do you not? If it was the 763 that would be something to complain about....

In QF J, I think the A333 has some advantages over the 744:

1. no middle seats
2. IFE tends to be more reliable
3. Decent sized overhead lockers for all seats

But are some advantages of 744 over A330:

1. On some routes the chance for F seat (either op-up, points upgrade or F seat sold as J)
2. Faster cruise speed results in slight shorter flight time
3. Slightly wider arm rests and document stowage (except in Zone A on 2-class 744)

But in my opinion, none of these are significant unless you have been allocated a middle seat.

 

[NM]

Actually I don't mind QF29, have done this before. Overnight to HKG then day flight to LHR. Get in a full days work, have a pleasant evening, then head to the airport at 9pm.

If going straight through to London, then QF29 is not all bad. I have taken it several times, but have also been very successful in upgrading J to F which makes it ok. Allows me a full day in the Melbourne office and even dinner with Melbourne colleagues before heading to the airport.

But if just going from home to Hong Kong, I will be avoiding the red-eyes.

 

[dajop]

But if just going from home to Hong Kong, I will be avoiding the red-eyes.

More or less agree with you on that one ... I'm OK with a redeye to HKG (or elsewhere in Asia) in Y iff it's for leisure ... and therefore I can do what I want when I want when I arrive and can just sightsee or sit by a pool. But for work ... avoid at all costs, at least when in the Y cabin.

 

[samh004]

What about switching to CX102/103?

Good arrival and departure times. Hard and soft product in J is ok (fishbone layout). Don't know about Y, but surely you could upgrade using points, if necessary.

Don’t you need AsiaMiles/MarcoPoloClub points to upgrade? I thought Qantas points were only for Qantas upgrades!

 

[docjames]

In QF J, I think the A333 has some advantages over the 744:

1. no middle seats
2. IFE tends to be more reliable
3. Decent sized overhead lockers for all seats

But are some advantages of 744 over A330:

1. On some routes the chance for F seat (either op-up, points upgrade or F seat sold as J)
2. Faster cruise speed results in slight shorter flight time
3. Slightly wider arm rests and document stowage (except in Zone A on 2-class 744)

But in my opinion, none of these are significant unless you have been allocated a middle seat.

Dont forget the 333 has no Y+ seating. Which is bad for a 6-8hr overnight flight.

 

[11sjw]

As I understand it the direct flight from Perth becomes a back of clock flight as well as of the beginning of April.

Just a cough way to start a vacation.

Do you think a 55min connection time in Singapore is enough to go from a QF flight to a CX flight and allow us to travel during the day?

 

[wandering_fred]

Do you think a 55min connection time in Singapore is enough to go from a QF flight to a CX flight and allow us to travel during the day?

As long as the QF flight is on time you will make the CX flight
Your luggage "probably" will. Once upon a time (1998?) the flights were scheduled with adequate connecting times.

Interestingly enough the OW travel planner does list QF77/CX716 as connecting flights so likely the checkin agents in PER will likely check you through.

Good luck with your wandering

Fred

 

[markis10]

As long as the QF flight is on time you will make the CX flight
Your luggage "probably" will. Once upon a time (1998?) the flights were scheduled with adequate connecting times.

Interestingly enough the OW travel planner does list QF77/CX716 as connecting flights so likely the checkin agents in PER will likely check you through.

Good luck with your wandering

Fred

MCT is 60 mins at SIN according to OAG, CX close the flight at t-40 mins.

 

[wandering_fred]

MCT is 60 mins at SIN according to OAG, CX close the flight at t-40 mins.

If you checked in in PER (you have the boarding pass) you are only worried about when they close the gate - T-15 probably - though remember each gate in SIN has its own security.

Fred

 

[markis10]

If you checked in in PER (you have the boarding pass) you are only worried about when they close the gate - T-15 probably - though remember each gate in SIN has its own security.

Fred

If the airlines are happy to ticket it then I dont see an issue, but it is tight!

 

[sinophile888]

11sjw, I was also caught with that change of flight in late March. I was worried as well about the short connection time and the possible late arrival into Hong Kong.
I finally opted to leave Perth a day earlier, book into the Crowne Plaza at Singapore airport and then fly on to Hong Kong on Cathay the next morning.
I am really disappointed about the change of schedule as that daytime flight was an excellent option for us to Hong Kong and beyond. I can't fly at night.

 

[11sjw]

11sjw, I was also caught with that change of flight in late March. I was worried as well about the short connection time and the possible late arrival into Hong Kong.
I finally opted to leave Perth a day earlier, book into the Crowne Plaza at Singapore airport and then fly on to Hong Kong on Cathay the next morning.
I am really disappointed about the change of schedule as that daytime flight was an excellent option for us to Hong Kong and beyond. I can't fly at night.

Try late departures with a Toddler, no fun at all. Funnily enough we're not as concerned about the flight home being 'Back of the Clock.' I guess 8 o/night in whY isn't a way to start a holiday.

We decided to bring the holiday forward into March so we get the flight. Now I just have to prepare a shopping list centred around some new golf apparel!

 

[Emkay]

Can you elaborate, what is (AirFrance aside) so dodgy about the 333 that does BNE-HKG? In J, still get skybeds, do you not? If it was the 763 that would be something to complain about....

Apologies for the tardy response - have been off-line.

I agree with NM's summary of pro & con, and perhaps 'dodgy' is a bit strong, but I can't relax in an A330 until the AirFrance disaster, Qantas autopilot disengagement and sudden altitude losses are explained.

I suppose you could point me to a similar list of incidents with the 744, maybe even a longer list, but please don't!!