Two-way Trans-Tasman Bubble starting 19 April 2021

[henrus]

Here's another interesting bubble "breach"

Someone is currently on NZ175 (a flight currently in the air) who hasn't spent the last 14 days in either AU or NZ as required. The flew in from Rarotonga, Cook Island to Auckland before connecting onto the flight to Perth.

Now the Cook Islands hasn't had a single confirmed case of COVID so the risk is basically nonexistent however it will be interesting to see how WA reacts when the flight lands in about 4 hours time.

 

[themanfromoz]

So here's my thoughts on my quick visit to Auckland over the past couple of days.

SYD - AKL (QF Economy)
Checked-in just using the terminal.
No requirement to show NZ entry declaration (no-one interested).
No-one else in border control area - body scan as per normal (showed 'shaded areas' despite nothing in pockets of shirt/jeans).
Duty free immediately on entry to air side is open but only a couple of food places staffed (check airport website for details).
Heard announcement for the NZ SYD-WLG that anyone coming from/via Perth since 17 April could not travel NZ at present. No such pre-boarding announcement for the QF flight. Departure time has passed and a few passengers who had come from/via Perth were removed from the flight. Delay was 30 minutes but somewhat made-up during the flight. Not sure whether whose fault this was in terms of checking passengers. NZ staff were aware so not sure why QF staff weren't.
Economy service not much different to pre-COVID except AUS-based crew.
Exited through normal security - a couple of extra questions re COVID on passenger card and on e-gate - but that was it.

AKL - MEL (QF Business)
Checked-in online and straight through security - easy. Both 'green' and 'blue' duty free shops were open. But airport very quiet.
NZ lounge was open with serving staff wearing gloves and those clearing plates also wearing masks. Masks are not mandatory in the lounge and very relaxed but everyone doing some social distancing. All food/drinks were self-serving as well as a staffed bar.

Business service was close to normal. Main meal served and crew offering drink top-ups (water and wine) the entire flight. IFE all working and headphones in seat on boarding.
Arrival into MEL was public servant (PS) overkill. (Please don't give me a hard time over this phrase or what staff do. Have worked in both Federal and State government so on-ground staff only doing what they are told.). Apparently airlines didn't provide all pax names so names and passport numbers manually recorded even though we all had our Vic entry paperwork which all they had to do was scan.

MEL - SYD (QF Business)
QF lounge is open and busy. Masks "mandatory" - but the number of pax just sitting there without wearing them or not wearing them properly while not eating/drinking simply amazed me. Suggest staff do not serve pax that do not wear a mask correctly. All food and drink served by staff (contrast with NZ) and no staff - even those clearing tables - did not wear gloves. Seriously?
On boarding there were no headphones at seat (was half way through a movies from previous day) so asked crew who stated 'not on this short leg or it might be a COVID thing'. Hmmm. A minute later another crew member cam down with the normal J headphones.
Service was pretty much the same as AKL-SYD.

Some inconsistency with requirements regarding masks (still mandatory in NZ on public transport) inside terminals/lounges. Having lived in NZ they have a relatively more relaxed mode than us Aussies but it works for them so perhaps we could follow their lead.

 

[Beano]

Here's another interesting bubble "breach"

Someone is currently on NZ175 (a flight currently in the air) who hasn't spent the last 14 days in either AU or NZ as required. The flew in from Rarotonga, Cook Island to Auckland before connecting onto the flight to Perth.

Now the Cook Islands hasn't had a single confirmed case of COVID so the risk is basically nonexistent however it will be interesting to see how WA reacts when the flight lands in about 4 hours time.

Even if the passenger goes into 14 days quarantine they would have breached the rules and presumably the quota. At least they get to WA!

 

[Berlin]

No requirement to show NZ entry declaration (no-one interested).

Was the same the other way round- super complex forms including ridiculously complicated passwords and “account creation and in the end no one even scans that lovely QR code.

Arrival into MEL was public servant (PS) overkill.

Was exactly the same the other day in Sydney. Some lady from the government coming up to the airplane on arrival and torturing us with a never ending pre-recorded announcement that no one really listened to. But, again, no one checking for those border

Having lived in NZ they have a relatively more relaxed mode than us Aussies but it works for them so perhaps we could follow their lead.

We’ve lived over in NZ over Covid and indeed, the different rules seem very inconsistent but it would be the same the other way round too. In the Air NZ Lounge in Auckland, it’s free for all buffet time but most staff wear masks (hilariously the ones who weren’t were the bar tenders who prepare your drinks). The Domestic lounge in Sydney is totally over the top and you can’t even get a glass of water yourself.

What puzzled me the most though is the fact that literally no one wears masks on public transport here in Australia- squeezed into tiny space on a public bus for example and neither passengers nor driver bother to wear one. Likewise- total chaos with the QR codes and Covid apps and hardly anywhere they are displayed anyway: Mostly restaurants only (and Woolies but not at the chemist- what the heck?) but even there inconsistently so- nowhere near as consistent and well adhered to as in New Zealand.

And my all time favourite is the “sporty look” of wearing your mask on the chin: Seen it with lounge staff both in NZ and AU, Qantas crew on the plane both trans-Tasman and Domestically and with hotel staff at the Hyatt as well. Guys- you might as well not bother at all!

 

[Kiwi_Flyer]

Bubble is again paused for WA. Only made 3 days this time.

 

[NSun]

I did the bubble this week to Auckland from Sydney and I definitely thought NZ were ironically more relaxed. Despite having a slightly longer arrival form it took just as fast to get land-side at AKL as it usually does. As well as this we were all allowed to serve ourselves at the buffet the Air NZ lounge in Auckland whereas in Australia we can't even get ourselves a glass of water.

On the way back to Australia we had to do the two forms and unlike going to NZ we couldn't check in online so that the AKL check-in staff could check both the federal and state declarations - some people at check-in got caught out by the fact you had to do one for the state as well. But after having a biosecurity officer step on the plane and give us a 2 minute lecture it was the typical arrivals process, they only checked the usual arrival document.

 

[Berlin]

Just a word of warning as I had not been aware of it(maybe I should have?): Qantas in Sydney is now strictly enforcing the “No check in earlier than 3 hours prior to departure” rule.

We were super a keen beans just now (the Flounge! Finally! Duty Free shopping! Airport!) but no chance to check in yet so it’s waiting on a bench in the departure area for us. At least it’s all quiet here, spookingly so- feels like a ghost town with literally no one but one customer service lady at the entire QF check in. The latter is really helpful and tried to get at least the auto check in kiosks working but to no avail. That Pommery will have to wait.

 

[Hvr]

Just a word of warning as I had not been aware of it(maybe I should have?): Qantas in Sydney is now strictly enforcing the “No check in earlier than 3 hours prior to departure” rule.

Any word about pax who transit DOM-INT at SYD? E.g. if I fly MEL-SYD-AKL can I waste enjoy several hours in the FLounge?

 

[Berlin]

Any word about pax who transit DOM-INT at SYD? E.g. if I fly MEL-SYD-AKL can I waste enjoy several hours in the FLounge?

Can’t really speak to this specifically, however I’ve been informed that the Flounge also closes after the morning hassle and then only opens again from 3pm. So if your transit happens during the afternoon, it would be bad luck I’m afraid.

 

[serfty]

Being a Melbournite, being aware of such a rule is somewhat ingrained. It has not been unknown for some to book starting with a domestic flight into MEL.

 

[serfty]

So if your transit happens during the afternoon, it would be bad luck I’m afraid.

In which case, plan B is the domestic J lounge on transit - admittedly, much simpler in MEL than SYD.

 

[Alexandraadventuretime]

I'll wait until the fares come down - it's a long time since I spent more than $400 on an economy return trans-Tasman booking.

I just grabbed fares on qantas today 2 adults and 1 infant under $700 return

 

[Berlin]

Speaking of Flounge- so so good to be back and once again, staff too is clearly super happy.

Well- I will continue to support them with my $$$ as long as service and food continues to be that nice!

 

[henrus]

Any word about pax who transit DOM-INT at SYD? E.g. if I fly MEL-SYD-AKL can I waste enjoy several hours in the FLounge?

I'm not sure they're even through checking right now?

Seemless transfer is obviously suspended and anyone going from DOM-INT has to make their own way to the international terminal.

On flights from NZ transferring INT-DOM, QF puts on a landside bus but you have to haul your own luggage across and re-check it at the domestic terminal.

Regarding more time at the F lounge, it's apparently only open 3 hours prior anyway so no benefit of showing up early if there are no other trans Tasman flights around.

 

[Kiwi_Flyer]

I'm not sure they're even through checking right now?

Yes they are, but can only check in by agent (not kiosk). When I left Australia there was a queue at 5am waiting for staff to turn up, to check in for the 6am SYD-MEL to connect to flights to NZ.

 

[jase05]

Direct ADL-AKL flights start tomorrow but unfortunately NZ has only offered up a Y only aircraft so looks like we will still have to head East to get a decent aircraft

 

[serfty]

Regarding more time at the F lounge, it's apparently only open 3 hours prior anyway so no benefit of showing up early if there are no other trans Tasman flights around.

I'm happy to be at the door when it opens - better there than at check in.

 

[Seat0B]

@Berlin - salt and pepper squid!!! So jealous right now. Hope it was as good as ever!

 

[Berlin]

@Berlin - salt and pepper squid!!! So jealous right now. Hope it was as good as ever!

Unfortunately, I can’t enjoy it myself as I am allergic to seafood but my better half assured me it’s as good as ever indeed.

Significantly bigger portion even than in the past

 

[Beano]

Do they serve it for breakfast?