Syd-Bom - alternatives

[Foreigner]

hi all
I'm QFF Gold and am planning trip from Sydney to Mumbai. Options are the direct flight (~12hrs) and those with stops (~16+hrs).

I am inclined to fly direct considering that direct flts are a) shorter duration, b) Qf metal therefore eligible for upgrades (except for N,O,Q), and c) arrive at reasonable hours.

Are there any plusses for indirect flights? more SCs maybe? QF codeshares with 9W ex SIN and HKG. Would such flights designated as QF flight numbers allow lounge access, give QFF points and/or SCs?

views appreciated.
f

 

[Febs]

Are there any plusses for indirect flights? more SCs maybe? QF codeshares with 9W ex SIN and HKG. Would such flights designated as QF flight numbers allow lounge access, give QFF points and/or SCs?

9W flights will give you QFF points (minus any status bonus), but not SC's. Not sure about status credits on QF-numbered 9W flights...have only ever flown routes on which there were no codeshares.

9W by the way, are a brilliant airline. Even their domestic economy product is something that QF could learn a lot from. Have flown international business and domestic J/Y with them, and rate them all very highly.

You could fly QF SYD-HKG and CX HKG-BOM if you wanted. Longer flying time in total, but the times may work out better for you. I was originally booked on that routing, but managed to get a seat on the direct SYD-BOM flight...which just ended up being easier.

Cheers,
- Febs.

PS: Sort of on-topic....didn't QF123 used to stop for refuelling in Darwin? I'm sure I remember someone telling me that BOM-SYD was direct, but SYD-BOM stopped in DRW. I flew direct SYD-BOM the other day though...so was someone telling me porkies?

 

[Evan]

PS: Sort of on-topic....didn't QF123 used to stop for refuelling in Darwin? I'm sure I remember someone telling me that BOM-SYD was direct, but SYD-BOM stopped in DRW. I flew direct SYD-BOM the other day though...so was someone telling me porkies?

I used to, when it was being run by a 767 ?? or whatever it was... not its the A332 i believe goes direct.
I am only 95% sure this was the case, memory may serve me incorrectly since i never made the flight myself.
E

 

[luckydog]

The Syd-BOM did stop in Darwin because they used a A330-300.
They switched to a A330-200 which has about 2000km more range.
It was quite strange to be in the first class lounge in Syd and then be deposited in a slightly run down airport waiting lounge which the plane re-fueled.

The A330-300 Syd-Mumbai was the flight on which Ralph Fiennes used the business class toilet for irregular purposes (and BTW the toilets on the A330-300 are not that spacious).

I can also testify to the quality of 9W (Jet Airways). Their service in both the Y and J cabins is very respectable (well above QF standards). On 9W you get QF points but no credits.
However the connection times through Singapore to Mumbai or Chennai (QF to Sin and then 9W to India) are pretty bad (long wait in Sin).

 

[Foreigner]

Yes CX is an alternative, even from syd to bom. requires whole day's stop in hkg for afternoon connection to bom.

i did fly QF syd-bom with stop in darwin. that has now stopped with change of aircraft. darwin airport without airside qf club was very congested but the duty free store enabled pax to buy duty free at reasonable prices.

i have expeienced 9W domestic services and they are comparable to QF and other top airlines.

in all, i think qf with upgrade op and shorter and direct service looks a better choice.

f

 

[browski]

It really dpends which city you depart Oz from.

If you live in SYD, then the direct Qantas flight has good timings but is nearly always delayed. However it is only direct 3 times per week.

The other days you must fly via Singapore but that will require you to route via PER as this is probably the only flight to make the connection time. The (9W flight most definitely can be flown as a QF codeshare so points and Status Credits definitely do apply.)

If you depart from MEL, then the new 10.00AM Malaysian Airlines flight (there are now 3 daily MAS flights from MEL) is the way to go. Arrives KUL at 5.00pm, Depart for BOM at 8.15pm. Arrives BOM at 10.30 PM. Credit points to Velocity.

Finally Singapore Airlines is probably best from BNE.

For the ultra budget traveller, fly one of those AIR AsiaX flights from the Gold Coast/Perth to KUL and then take the thrice weekly Egypt Air (or Air
India) flight from KUL to BOM.

As a rule (if u do not live in SYD) it is nearly always better to connect in SIN, HKG or KUL than tempt fate with a SYD transit.

 

[SeatBackForward]

The other problem with the Direct SYD>BOM flights are the connections out of BOM to other Indian cities. Often you'll need an overnight layover for an early flight the next morning -> not something you want to do at BOM!

 

[Foreigner]

Didnt think of that one...that indeed is a valid consideration if someone is travelling beyond BOM. BOM hotels around airport can be very expensive. And to stay away from airport prescint would mean traffic congestions and possible delays.

 

[browski]

You can also fly SIN-DELHI on a Qantas Codeshare and earn points/status credits (on another 9W flight). Arrives Delhi about 2.00AM i think.