Two-way Trans-Tasman Bubble starting 19 April 2021

[themanfromoz]

I started to look at booking early in the bubble to take advantage of the points only flights in QF J.
However, with no lounge access in either SYD or AKL and limited in-flight food/beverages (less than QF domestic at the moment) and no IFE there is no way I mam going to use the standard number of points until the level of service returns to somewhat normal levels.
NZ E service appears pretty normal and better use of cash if you're going down that path.

 

[dajop]

So, does anyone have plans to use NZ as a jump off point for movement to elsewhere in the world, and try their luck with returning from elsewhere (and spend a significant amount of money & 2 weeks in HQ) ? That has been raised in media as a concern, although the $3k hotel quarantine + $2-5K in flights per head act as a significant barrier.

 

[henrus]

All of those seem like rather minor issues.

with no lounge access in either SYD or AKL

This is yet to be confirmed. Given Air NZ is opening its lounges I'd expect to see QF do the same.

limited in-flight food/beverages (less than QF domestic at the moment)

I'll have to find it but I remember reading somewhere that QF is currently using normal catering on the trans Tasman flights. Someone who flew SYD-AKL on an A330 recently posted about it.

and no IFE

Again someone said IFE should be back on April 15.

If those are the only things holding you back then I'd suggest just booking right now if you can and then worrying about those things later once an announcement has been made (likely sometime in the next week). Given all redemption tickets are fully refundable right now there isn't that much to lose.

 

[milehighclub]

I'll have to find it but I remember reading somewhere that QF is currently using normal catering on the trans Tasman flights. Someone who flew SYD-AKL on an A330 recently posted about it.

It is not pre covid service - it is single tray service. That may change and they will release the briefs to crew before then but I'd expect it to be similar to what it is now across the Tasman.

 

[Beano]

Thanks for your contributions. It is all looking good. I am seriously looking forward to travelling again.

I get the impression that QF are increasing flights daily. At one time there were no evening flights to WLG until July: now there are flights in may, albeit a later departure.

 

[Berlin]

Thanks for your contributions. It is all looking good. I am seriously looking forward to travelling again.

Likewise. I'm about to 'bubble' over with excitement

 

[milehighclub]

I am also excited about the bubble! I can finally return to the skies! I am sure I will have the pleasure of serving you!

 

[yh786]

I've just booked return flights to Auckland over the Queens Birthday long weekend. Does anyone know if the A330-200s have the new business suites or still sport the older recliners? TIA

 

[Mattg]

I've just booked return flights to Auckland over the Queens Birthday long weekend. Does anyone know if the A330-200 have the new business suites or still sport the older recliners? TIA

All Qantas A330s now have the new business suites.

Enjoy!

 

[themanfromoz]

All of those seem like rather minor issues.

This is yet to be confirmed. Given Air NZ is opening its lounges I'd expect to see QF do the same.


I'll have to find it but I remember reading somewhere that QF is currently using normal catering on the trans Tasman flights. Someone who flew SYD-AKL on an A330 recently posted about it.

Again someone said IFE should be back on April 15.

If those are the only things holding you back then I'd suggest just booking right now if you can and then worrying about those things later once an announcement has been made (likely sometime in the next week). Given all redemption tickets are fully refundable right now there isn't that much to lose.

Hi, while I appreciate the reply, the current information on the website (dated today 9 April) hasn't changed https://www.qantas.com/au/en/travel-info/travel-updates/coronavirus/impact-to-lounges.html

Not sure about being "minor issues" - maybe for you but not for a general member of the public who, due to recent job losses and health issues, really just wants to get out somewhere for a break.
Former Gold status with QF but now dropped down to Bronze through no fault of my own.
Each to their own ...

 

[themanfromoz]

Sorry, forgot to mention that the following is showing in the Flight Information for QF145 on Mon 19th April.

Meal:	Limited for Qantas services - Business, Economy
Stopover:
Total duration:	3h 00m
	Airbus A330-300
No entertainment

 

[RooFlyer]

Hobart-Auckland flights on Air New Zealand starting twice weekly in June.

Subsidised by the Tasmanian government, it’s hard to see that it’s going to be sustainable after the novelty and or subsidised period.

 

[henrus]

Hobart-Auckland flights on Air New Zealand starting twice weekly in June.

Subsidised by the Tasmanian government, it’s hard to see that it’s going to be sustainable after the novelty and or subsidised period.

I agree I don't think it'll last, as others elsewhere have been saying ZQN-HBA would be great but would need a smaller aircraft. At just 1717 km even a Dash 8-400/ATR72 could make the hop (slightly payload restricted) or smaller jet aircraft like the E190 (that QF is now leasing from Alliance) although the E190 could potentially operate many thinner routes across the tasman.

 

[k_sheep]

I optimistically booked J award flights a few months ago for August. Fingers crossed!

Of course with all the changes in schedules we have a misconnect on our connecting flight .... guess I'd better get that sorted before all the J seats are snapped up.

 

[Mattg]

I agree I don't think it'll last, as others elsewhere have been saying ZQN-HBA would be great but would need a smaller aircraft. At just 1717 km even a Dash 8-400/ATR72 could make the hop (slightly payload restricted) or smaller jet aircraft like the E190 (that QF is now leasing from Alliance) although the E190 could potentially operate many thinner routes across the tasman.

An ATR72 across the Tasman?! Don't give them ideas

(Not to mention the flight time would be around 90 minutes longer than an A320 )

 

[henrus]

An ATR72 across the Tasman?! Don't give them ideas

I knew someone would say something like that

On a completely different note, it also seems Air NZ is receiving the demand they want as they've added flights in the last 24-48 hours. There hasn't been any announcement but here are the changes I've noticed:
These are the changes that kick in from early May:
Brisbane – Auckland – from 1-2x daily to 2-3x daily (most days 3x)
Brisbane – Wellington – from 3x weekly to 1x daily
Brisbane – Christchurch – from 5-6x weekly to 1-2x daily (most days 1x)
Brisbane – Queenstown – remains 3x weekly
Melbourne – Auckland – from 1-3x daily to 2-3x daily
Melbourne – Wellington – from 4-6x weekly to 6x weekly
Melbourne – Christchurch – from 6x weekly to 1x daily
Melbourne – Queenstown – from 3-4x weekly to 4x weekly
Sydney – Auckland – from 3-5x daily to 2-5x daily (most days now 4x)
Sydney – Wellington – from 6-8x weekly to 1-2x daily (all days 1x except one day is 2x)
Sydney – Christchurch – from 7-8x weekly to 1-2x daily (50/50 between 1x and 2x)
Sydney – Queenstown – from 4x weekly moves to 5x from late May
Perth – Auckland – remains 6x weekly
Gold Coast – Auckland – from 6x weekly to 1-2x daily (most days 1x)
Gold Coast – Christchurch – from 1-2x weekly to 2x weekly
Hobart – Auckland – remains at 2x weekly
Adelaide – Auckland – from 3-4x weekly to 3x weekly
Sunshine Coast – Auckland – seasonal from 28 June at 3x weekly
Cairns – Auckland – seasonal from 29 June at 4-5x weekly

 

[henrus]

I've just spotted something that is bound to cause someone a headache unless fixed prior to the 19th.

Qantas on their own site says to travel from New Zealand to Australia:

• All travellers into Australia are required to present at check-in an Australian Travel Declaration confirming that you've been in New Zealand 14 days before your date of departure and haven't been in an area designated as a COVID-19 hotspot.

but then to travel from Australia to New Zealand:

• in the 14 day period before travel, you mustn't have visited a country outside of Australia and New Zealand, and not have been in an area designated as a COVID-19 hotspot,

Note the very big difference is that traveling to Australia you must have spent the last 14 days in NZ however for travel to NZ the last 14 days can be spent in AU or NZ.

Air NZ also has a similar message because this seems to be the line given by the Australian government:

COVID-19 and the border

covid19.homeaffairs.gov.au

Currently, everyone travel to Australia needs to fill out a travel delectation and question 6 currently has the following:

6. I declare that I have been in New Zealand for the 14 days prior to my flight to Australia:

Answering no means you don't get a green tick and it gives you a message saying that you're ineligible for a quarantine-free flight. Currently to check-in for a green zone flight, you need to show a confirmation of your green tick/approval.

It's probably me overthinking it all but it seems to be a large oversight from the Australian government whereas the NZ gov seems to have thought this through a bit more.

 

[burmans]

Although the site

Department of Home Affairs Website

Home Affairs brings together Australia's federal law enforcement, national and transport security, criminal justice, emergency management, multicultural affairs, settlement services and immigration and border-related functions, working together to keep Australia safe.

covid19.homeaffairs.gov.au

Says

Exempt categories​

You are automatically exempt from the travel restrictions and can enter Australia (without obtaining an individual exemption) if you are:

• an Australian citizen
• a permanent resident of Australia
• an immediate family member of an Australian citizen or permanent resident*
• a New Zealand citizen usually resident in Australia and their immediate family members
• a person who has been in New Zealand for 14 days or more immediately prior to arrival by air in Australia
• a diplomat accredited to Australia, including their immediate family members (each member of the family unit must hold a valid subclass 995 visa)
• a person transiting Australia for 72 hours or less
• airline crew, maritime crew including marine pilots
• a person recruited under the Government approved Seasonal Worker Program or Pacific Labour Scheme
• a person who holds a Business Innovation and Investment (subclass 188) visa.

* If you hold a temporary visa or do not yet hold a valid visa for Australia, you must provide proof of your relationship (such as your marriage certificate, evidence of your de-facto relationship such as shared finances or property, your birth certificate or birth certificate for your children) to the Department before you travel to Australia. Do not travel until we advise that you can. You can find out more about how to provide this information at Immediate family of Australian citizens or permanent residents or New Zealand citizens usually resident in Australia.

You need to carry evidence that you meet one of the above categories when travelling. Additional evidence may be requested.

 

[oz_mark]

It's probably me overthinking it all but it seems to be a large oversight from the Australian government whereas the NZ gov seems to have thought this through a bit more.

They'll probably change it, but right at the moment it is pretty much how it works. If you go to NZ right now, you'd be struggling to stay less than 2 weeks.

Remember, it is New Zealand that changed rules on their side. I wouldn't get too worked up about it.

 

[Beano]

I knew someone would say something like that

On a completely different note, it also seems Air NZ is receiving the demand they want as they've added flights in the last 24-48 hours. There hasn't been any announcement but here are the changes I've noticed:
These are the changes that kick in from early May:
Brisbane – Auckland – from 1-2x daily to 2-3x daily (most days 3x)
Brisbane – Wellington – from 3x weekly to 1x daily
Brisbane – Christchurch – from 5-6x weekly to 1-2x daily (most days 1x)
Brisbane – Queenstown – remains 3x weekly
Melbourne – Auckland – from 1-3x daily to 2-3x daily
Melbourne – Wellington – from 4-6x weekly to 6x weekly
Melbourne – Christchurch – from 6x weekly to 1x daily
Melbourne – Queenstown – from 3-4x weekly to 4x weekly
Sydney – Auckland – from 3-5x daily to 2-5x daily (most days now 4x)
Sydney – Wellington – from 6-8x weekly to 1-2x daily (all days 1x except one day is 2x)
Sydney – Christchurch – from 7-8x weekly to 1-2x daily (50/50 between 1x and 2x)
Sydney – Queenstown – from 4x weekly moves to 5x from late May
Perth – Auckland – remains 6x weekly
Gold Coast – Auckland – from 6x weekly to 1-2x daily (most days 1x)
Gold Coast – Christchurch – from 1-2x weekly to 2x weekly
Hobart – Auckland – remains at 2x weekly
Adelaide – Auckland – from 3-4x weekly to 3x weekly
Sunshine Coast – Auckland – seasonal from 28 June at 3x weekly
Cairns – Auckland – seasonal from 29 June at 4-5x weekly

Note Perth Auckland but not Auckland Perth! Is WA still closed to NZ travellers?