Sydney to Europe without Dubai through Singapore on Qantas!!

[zachary.august]

Hello All,

Not sure if this is exactly 'new' but it just came to my attention that you can book through QF flights to CDG, LHR, FCO and AMS through SIN and HEL on QF/AY code share. Great way to get to continental Europe if you don't like the idea of a transfer in Dubai.

 

[Isochronous]

It is probably even cheaper if you book via the AY website originating out of SIN, and take a cheap QF Y fare to SIN.

Was also interested to note that BA codeshares on MEL-HKG with both QF and CX.

 

[RooFlyer]

Or you can book through a TA, and they can get you the complete AY 'package', where its AY codes all the way, and the QF metal MEL or SYD - SIN or HKG (and return) are included on very cheaply.

Plus you get a free AY return flight from HEL to anywhere in Europe. Yes, free.

Clever people, those Finns.

 

[Isochronous]

Or you can book through a TA, and they can get you the complete AY 'package', where its AY codes all the way, and the QF metal MEL or SYD - SIN or HKG (and return) are included on very cheaply.

Plus you get a free AY return flight from HEL to anywhere in Europe. Yes, free.

Clever people, those Finns.

Can you get the free return flight if you book through AY website too? Or is the package only available through TAs?

 

[RooFlyer]

Don't know, sorry, but I think it would be something only a TA can construct. And I can't give you the fare basis either just now, sorry again.

I book most of my travel through my TA and there are all sorts of cheap fares to Europe they can access - mainly LH and AY. Basically it involves a core Asia - Europe fare on their metal, with intra Europe travel obviously on that airline; then they tack on the Australia - Asia legs, usually on QF metal, much cheaper than we could do. Yes, I thought it was odd that LH would tack on a QF metal connection, but that was how it was.

I wasn't aware of the free flight add-on until I booked SYD-HKG-HEL-SVO and return, then cancelled the HEL-SVO-HEL part and asked how much I would get off the fare. None!

 

[Nizar]

Excuse the slight OT, but how is the J experience on AY ?
Do they use flatbeds ?
What's the config ?

Cheers

 

[TheRealTMA]

Flown FinAir a few times in J, around the world etc, and it's a fine 2nd tier airline but not really up there in comfort, service, meals to with qantas or emirates, or even cathay, simgapore wtc. but, Helsinki lounge is quite even if it adds lots of time to the trip. What's the issue through Dubai? (If I may ask.)

 

[RooFlyer]

Excuse the slight OT, but how is the J experience on AY ?
Do they use flatbeds ?
What's the config ?

Cheers

Besides actual experience of The Real TMA, there are a couple of Finnair J threads on AFF, one being http://www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/community/general-airline-loyalty-program-discussion/finnair-ay-debuts-new-livery-50502-4.html.

 

[TheRealTMA]

Wife and I were amused (in histerics actually, we are shallow) that the FAs on FinAir from SIN-HEL, whenever they served food or drinks, always said 'Your Welcome' when they initially gave you the item.

 

[robw0910]

If you have an early HEL arrival and can arrange a late departure then go through immigration, drop off any excess hand luggage and catch a bus and spend some time exploring Helsinki. Buses every 30 mins

 

[zachary.august]

Flown FinAir a few times in J, around the world etc, and it's a fine 2nd tier airline but not really up there in comfort, service, meals to with qantas or emirates, or even cathay, simgapore wtc. but, Helsinki lounge is quite even if it adds lots of time to the trip. What's the issue through Dubai? (If I may ask.)

No issue with me really, but I know that there are some who wish to avoid Dubai if possible and this appears to offer that.

 

[RooFlyer]

If you have an early HEL arrival and can arrange a late departure then go through immigration, drop off any excess hand luggage and catch a bus and spend some time exploring Helsinki. Buses every 30 mins

That's exactly what I and friends intend to do. Is this the luggage storage you refer to? : Airpro Oy

 

[love_the_life]

We found AY fine last time we flew to Europe. The only downside was that we flew BA to Bangkok to pick up the AY metal and BA J is not high on my favourite list, those stupid reverse seats for one thing and the pretty ordinary service we have had at different times. AY staff were friendly, the planes were fairly new and were clean, food was OK. I did like the FAs' uniforms (though they may have changed by now) - pale blue, button down the front, worn with black leather gloves.

 

[HKGNZL]

AY J was good in my experience. Bed not completely flat but comfortable. Food fine. They attended to my dietary requirement better than any airlines ever had. IFE very poor as well documented. Good for sleep and work. Lounge good. Prices generally better than QF and transit via HEL is fast and easy to other European cities. I will fly them again.

 

[robw0910]

That's exactly what I and friends intend to do. Is this the luggage storage you refer to? : Airpro Oy

Yes it is and from memory in 2010 was EUR10 or less.

 

[TheRealTMA]

AY J was good in my experience. Bed not completely flat but comfortable. Food fine. They attended to my dietary requirement better than any airlines ever had. IFE very poor as well documented. Good for sleep and work. Lounge good. Prices generally better than QF and transit via HEL is fast and easy to other European cities. I will fly them again.

Yes I agree with this. We'll happily fly with them if the circumstances permit. AF has nice new planes (330/340s from SIN-HEL and HEL-NYC), friendly if brisk AFs, acceptable food and wines, nice lounges. Hubbing in HEL can generate slight issues e.g. the 7.30 am LHR-HEL is a bit of a killer thought since means leaving London around 5 am.

Was looking fwd to some good Norsk crime series on the IFE and I asked the FA what was available and just got a blank look (with a smile). When I checked there was none at all and not much else to watch either. Long sleep...

 

[tyrolean]

Flown FinAir a few times in J, around the world etc, and it's a fine 2nd tier airline but not really up there in comfort, service, meals to with qantas or emirates, or even cathay, simgapore wtc. but, Helsinki lounge is quite even if it adds lots of time to the trip. What's the issue through Dubai? (If I may ask.)

Not true. I really like them. The worst you can get is a Skybed MK1 on some planes. On the other they have the LX-Style flat bed. I really like their service - if you are a bit into Northern Europe food they are very good. The international Lounge in HEL is quite nice. The Schengen (Domestic) is comparable to the QF Clubs. Sadly they closed the Sauna.
Service is more personal and consistent than on QF. The food is not "designed" by any fancy cook but I rally like it.

 

[tyrolean]

Yes I agree with this. We'll happily fly with them if the circumstances permit. AF has nice new planes (330/340s from SIN-HEL and HEL-NYC), friendly if brisk AFs, acceptable food and wines, nice lounges. Hubbing in HEL can generate slight issues e.g. the 7.30 am LHR-HEL is a bit of a killer thought since means leaving London around 5 am.

Was looking fwd to some good Norsk crime series on the IFE and I asked the FA what was available and just got a blank look (with a smile). When I checked there was none at all and not much else to watch either. Long sleep...

AF is quite a no go. They lost too many planes in the past. CDG is a nightmare and makes LHR look very good.

 

[Aussie_flyer]

AF is quite a no go. They lost too many planes in the past. CDG is a nightmare and makes LHR look very good.

TheRealTma is actually referring to Finnair not Air France.

 

[TheRealTMA]

TheRealTma is actually referring to Finnair not Air France.

Yup, thanks. Late night. I meant to say AY not AF. At least this time I got the majority of the spellink correct and included all the words.

AF ('the real AF') is, how can one say, 'not one of the best'. J from HKG-CDG and back, old planes, surly crews and surprisingly for the French had some of the worst airline food we've had in years. And less amusingly just to make one feel at home in a french bistro style the air conditioning ducts of the plane were surrounded by 5 cm of dark marks and grott. The aircrew seems to be the same since after leaving the gate 4 hrs late the pilot taxied the 747 for some 30 minutes to get to the correct end of the runway for the wind direction, and after getting there decided that the plane was to heavy to takeoff in the 'current' prevailing wind so then had to taxi back to a holding area and offload luggage. Arrived in Paris 6 hrs late and missed connection. One would have thought he should have known this before he left the gate. But hey, that's AF.

AF FLR - CDG had the smallest seats of any plane we've ever seen (Gerard Depardieu would never have fitted especially with his Evian bottle) and the FA didn't bother to defrost the meals let alone heat them before serving them to J customers.

Travel is fun indeed.