Two-way Trans-Tasman Bubble starting 19 April 2021

[NSun]

Do they serve it for breakfast?

I asked for it last Thursday in the Sydney lounge and they said not until lunch.

I was a bit disappointed as pre-COVID they sometimes would albeit telling me it might take longer than usual as they had to turn the deep fryer on.

 

[Beano]

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.

I had that several times pre-covid. The machines wouldn't check me in but as I was cabin bags only the counter staff let me check in. It was something to do with the baggage handlers and storage before the flight. I also had that on a connecting flight DOM-INT, this time with checked bags, where the layover was greater than 3 hours but they let me check the bag in.

 

[Berlin]

I had that several times pre-covid. The machines wouldn't check me in but as I was cabin bags only the counter staff let me check in. It was something to do with the baggage handlers and storage before the flight. I also had that on a connecting flight DOM-INT, this time with checked bags, where the layover was greater than 3 hours but they let me check the bag in.

Problem nowadays is that there is no counter staff. Zero. One lady at Customer service who tried to do what she could but that was limited to calling someone and trying to "open the flight" earlier (that succeeded, to our luck, about 3.5 hours prior to departure time).

Other than that, all counters deserted, including both check in counters dedicated for "Business". The little First nook, of course, also entirely closed off.

 

[Beano]

Problem nowadays is that there is no counter staff. Zero. One lady at Customer service who tried to do what she could but that was limited to calling someone and trying to "open the flight" earlier (that succeeded, to our luck, about 3.5 hours prior to departure time).

Other than that, all counters deserted, including both check in counters dedicated for "Business". The little First nook, of course, also entirely closed off.

Thanks for that. I was using the F counter. I'll see how it goes. I don't expect to be there earlier than 3 hours before.

 

[karen blancfield]

Quick question.... flying Bris to ChCh next week, is the QF lounge open in Bris International and is food served on the QF flight? Thanks....my travel information has become rusty in the past 14 months

 

[Berlin]

Quick question.... flying Bris to ChCh next week, is the QF lounge open in Bris International and is food served on the QF flight? Thanks....my travel information has become rusty in the past 14 months

Yes and yes though the food offering is a bit more limited on flight than it used to be.

 

[karen blancfield]

Yes and yes though the food offering is a bit more limited on flight than it used to be.

Many thanks, very good to know we don’t have to pack a picnic.

 

[Beano]

Many thanks, very good to know we don’t have to pack a picnic.

Strangely I have lost significant kilos during the year of Covid. I will have to be careful when I start travelling again. All those business expense meals and airline catering!

 

[henrus]

Quick question.... flying Bris to ChCh next week, is the QF lounge open in Bris International and is food served on the QF flight? Thanks....my travel information has become rusty in the past 14 months

Flew the BNE-CHC flight last week. If you check-in online then you can skip the desk (unlike NZ to AU flights) otherwise the check-in desks are at the far end of the terminal (where emirates used to be).

I arrived just after the AKL/NLK flights were called for boarding so the lounge was quite empty. Full bar in the lounge before departure including tea/coffee, beer, spirits, sparkling (+ champers if asked) (could be the AKL flight but most likely the NLK flight which had a lot of mimosas).

Food was a hosted buffet with some toast, pasteries, fruit, and yogurt. Plus a few hot breakfast items and the classic lounge pancake machine. I found it odd and my biggest complaint was no cereal.

Onboard the flight, in Economy food was served which was either a cold Moroccan spiced chickpea and chicken salad or a hot meal - beef curry with veg and rice. Drinks were limited to Heineken, a mini bottle of red or white plus cans of soft drinks. Tea and coffee were also offered slightly after the meal. Water was limited to those mini nu bottles which I find incredibly wasteful.

About 2 hours into the flight they came through offering fresh face masks and hand sanitizer and finally before landing they came through offering more mini water bottles and Lindt milk chocolate balls.

Obviously, no wifi (still no tasman coverage), and the entertainment selection is quite weak right now which didn't bother me as I was able to get some work done (thankfully our 737 had powerpoints).

 

[Berlin]

Onboard the flight, in Economy food was served which was either a cold Moroccan spiced chickpea and chicken salad or a hot meal - beef curry with veg and rice. Drinks were limited to Heineken, a mini bottle of red or white plus cans of soft drinks. Tea and coffee were also offered slightly after the meal. Water was limited to those mini nu bottles which I find incredibly wasteful.

About 2 hours into the flight they came through offering fresh face masks and hand sanitizer and finally before landing they came through offering more mini water bottles and Lindt milk chocolate balls.

Really not much incentive at the moment to pay for J class, especially if on the 737. Meal sounds almost the same as what I had in Business this week- maybe a bit better (and more) wine but besides... Even the same Lindt balls it seems!

 

[Beano]

Is the bubble about to burst? New case in NSW.

Testing clinic hours extended after NSW COVID case

NSW authorities urge anyone with COVID-19 symptoms to get tested, as contact tracers continue to track the movements of a man who tested positive despite no immediate clear links to previous cases.

www.abc.net.au

 

[Berlin]

Is the bubble about to burst? New case in NSW.

Testing clinic hours extended after NSW COVID case

NSW authorities urge anyone with COVID-19 symptoms to get tested, as contact tracers continue to track the movements of a man who tested positive despite no immediate clear links to previous cases.

www.abc.net.au

And I just told my work colleagues here in Auckland that I really enjoyed Bondi over the past weekend. Not that I was at those specific locations but they are going to PANICK no matter what

 

[henrus]

Not that I was at those specific locations but they are going to PANICK no matter what

You're telling us that you weren't hosting a BBQ over the weekend?

 

[henrus]

Really not much incentive at the moment to pay for J class, especially if on the 737. Meal sounds almost the same as what I had in Business this week- maybe a bit better (and more) wine but besides... Even the same Lindt balls it seems!

Yep, I was in row 4 and had a middle seat free which makes it just as good. I had the salad but the beef curry which the person next to me had looked identical to the meal being eaten in row 3 but aside from that I guess J wine is poured into glasses from bottles and a proper knife/fork. They were also happy to serve more drinks in economy you just had to ask.

 

[Lynda2475]

My boss is meant to be flying SYD-CHC this Friday, he is very worried he wont be going with the latest NSW case.

NZ expected to make an announcement re restrictions later tonight. Early commentary indicated NZ will lock out any state that goes into a lockdown, but NSW doesnt do lockdowns so who knows what will happen.

 

[Kiwi_Flyer]

My boss is meant to be flying SYD-CHC this Friday, he is very worried he wont be going with the latest NSW case.

NZ expected to make an announcement re restrictions later tonight. Early commentary indicated NZ will lock out any state that goes into a lockdown, but NSW doesnt do lockdowns so who knows what will happen.

WA flights were halted even though no lockdown. It seems NZ's risk tolerance is one case.

 

[Lynda2475]

I thought NZ closed to WA on Anzac weekend when Perth & Peel were locked down. Whilst WA lifted restrictions before the 3 newest cases, i didnt see that NZ also lifted then reinstated the WA ban in the week between the HQ acquired infection + friend and the next community case of the security guard and his food delivery housemates.

 

[Beano]

My boss is meant to be flying SYD-CHC this Friday, he is very worried he wont be going with the latest NSW case.

NZ expected to make an announcement re restrictions later tonight. Early commentary indicated NZ will lock out any state that goes into a lockdown, but NSW doesnt do lockdowns so who knows what will happen.

I'm due to fly to Sydney on Sunday for a week. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

 

[Kiwi_Flyer]

I thought NZ closed to WA on Anzac weekend when Perth & Peel were locked down. Whilst WA lifted restrictions before the 3 newest cases, i didnt see that NZ also lifted then reinstated the WA ban in the week between the HQ acquired infection + friend and the next community case of the security guard and his food delivery housemates.

Yes the WA bubble burst twice - once for the short lockdown, then the bubble was reinstated, only to burst again 4 days later. It is the 2nd one that there was no WA lockdown?

 

[henrus]

I'm due to fly to Sydney on Sunday for a week. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

You'll be able to go... the question is can you leave?