Destination, A47 - Watch this space.

[dzinh]

This will be the TR for the A47 trip I and some other AFF'ers have booked a while ago when VA were in the transitioning stages to Sabre, we are all booked into Y+.

As this trip needs to depart from Sydney before Lunch, a positioning flight see's me and my partner flying up to Sydney on Thursday Evening scheduled for VA879 at 18:30. (Really didn’t and couldn’t be bothered doing a 6 – 6:30AM MEL – SYD positioning flight)

We will be departing for the airport around 16:00PM from the city, and if luck is on our side we will opt for Fly Ahead once at the airport. I've already selected 5E & 5D for the positioning flight (SG and NS under same PRN).

I am pretty sure that Lobo76 and myself are the first batch of guinea pig’s on this route, BrentH the day after and some other AFF’ers in the following weeks, I know that LiamR is doing the turnaround and will be watching our moves very closely and will wait to see if we end up in Guantanamo bay or not.

As my passport expires in June, I applied for a new one 2 weeks ago and I’m very glad the timeframe for passports live up to its expectations of up to 10 working days, I received it today so it’s now a green light for the trip.

While we are on the subject of passport’s I mistakenly left out my middle name on the VA Velocity account when I signed up quite a few years ago, As I didn’t want to cause inconvenience at the airport, especially Sydney, as well as earn SC, I called up he GCC a few days ago and asked if they could amend my name, the first 2 times the operator’s didn’t / had no clue and said they couldn’t do it, I was sick at that moment so my voice sounded like I ate a pack or razors. The Heaven’s finally opened and I was talking to George from the SG/ WP line up in Brisbane, I told her of the situation and she promptly made the changes as well as corrected my name on my booked PNR’s.

We signed up to the Accor Instant Platinum so we have opted to try out the Sofitel Wentworth and have booked a Superior Room with Garden View.

:!:

 

[drewbles]

You're flying up this Thursday or next week? I have one next Friday. The 7am out of Melbourne gets you in to SYD with ample time to connect. Negates the overnight stay and transfers in SYD too.

If you're off this week I know I and others await info on how smoothly it goes. Are you doing a direct turn around at the destination or spending a day?

 

[dzinh]

We are flying up to SYD tomorrow and off to a47 on Friday. I thought about flying up on Friday morning but thought we would need to be up at 5am, and then the waiting times and connecting times, plus if there was to be a delay we would probably not make the flight. The overnight in Sydney breaks up the journey for us and allows us to "refresh" and fully charge our batteries for the full day of flying on Friday.

we will be spending 1 day and then it's back to Australia for us, I do wish I booked a longer stay but what originally was a SC for myself turned out to be a 1 day holiday for the partner too.

Due to the arrangements for flights to our destination, lounge access at transit are off limits. I don't know what Lobo76 will be doing once we reach transit point, but for the 3.5 hours we are there I'm intending to pre purchase 2 lounge passes for one of the available lounges there.

 

[smit0847]

Will be watching this thread with interest as I very nearly pulled the trigger on this deal but was just too worried the immediate turn-around won't work because of the check-in for the return leg (and dont want an overnight flight in VA 737 Y+!)

 

[dzinh]

Will be watching this thread with interest as I very nearly pulled the trigger on this deal but was just too worried the immediate turn-around won't work because of the check-in for the return leg (and dont want an overnight flight in VA 737 Y+!)

When are you flying Smit0847? Y+ does enhance the trip and make's it more tolerable for the flying time. I'm looking forward to reading the TR's for the quick turnaround from you guys, don't know if they would be able to print the return boarding passes when you check in at sydney?

 

[smit0847]

When are you flying Smit0847? Y+ does enhance the trip and make's it more tolerable for the flying time. I'm looking forward to reading the TR's for the quick turnaround from you guys, don't know if they would be able to print the return boarding passes when you check in at sydney?

I said 'nearly' pulled the trigger......

I personally don't think it will be possible to check in/be issued with boarding passes for the return flight in Australia in order to do an immediate turn-around time and I dont think VA will have a transfer desk airside at the destination because it's such a remote airport but I hope to be proven wrong.

 

[drewbles]

Well, I'll let you all know how I go. And another person is doing the same as me not long after me. Then I have another with the partner in a few weeks too so it'll be fun to see how it goes

 

[smit0847]

Well, I'll let you all know how I go. And another person is doing the same as me not long after me. Then I have another with the partner in a few weeks too so it'll be fun to see how it goes

I would tell VA staff at all time what you are doing (especially the cabin crew to your destination) - they may be able to help/give you tips on how to do it.

Good luck - would love a full trip report!

 

[medhead]

I guess someone must have stuffed up the spreadsheet because A47 ain't that mystical from what I can see. Certainly would not require a passport and there would be no issues at all with getting a BP for the return flight. It also does not depart from Sydney.

 

[dzinh]

I guess someone must have stuffed up the spreadsheet because A47 ain't that mystical from what I can see. Certainly would not require a passport and there would be no issues at all with getting a BP for the return flight. It also does not depart from Sydney.

Its in the archives now. I guess I should put a name to the destination as the bug has been fixed. It's a short haul I international flight..

Good news is I just got a travel reminder email for the trip, glad VA are honouring the trip.

 

[drewbles]

I would tell VA staff at all time what you are doing (especially the cabin crew to your destination) - they may be able to help/give you tips on how to do it.

Good luck - would love a full trip report!

Considering I did a 90 minute turn around in BGI (with a very interesting conversation with a lovely lady at the border who thought I was nuts), I'm no stranger to talking my way out of things. I'm going to ask in MEL if they can issue all necessary BP's. If they cannot, i'll ask at every stop along the way. The destination does have a transit area, so hopefully I can just go straight through there without issue.

 

[drewbles]

I guess someone must have stuffed up the spreadsheet because A47 ain't that mystical from what I can see. Certainly would not require a passport and there would be no issues at all with getting a BP for the return flight. It also does not depart from Sydney.

The return flight is on the next calendar day due to date line changes. That may cause an issue. We're all going to try though

 

[dzinh]

The return flight is on the next calendar day due to date line changes. That may cause an issue. We're all going to try though

Good luck to you guys

 

[docjames]

I guess someone must have stuffed up the spreadsheet because A47 ain't that mystical from what I can see. Certainly would not require a passport and there would be no issues at all with getting a BP for the return flight. It also does not depart from Sydney.

+1, there's still an active A47.?????

If its the "old" A47, was that the rare one from SYD?

 

[dzinh]

These are the 2 bags that will be traveling with us for HLO, we have chosen not to use a wheelie bag for this trip.

We have yet to book travel insurance as yet and will do it via VA for points.

 

[kpc]

Not sure why the need to keep the destination a secret as the deal is no longer. I nearly booked but then procrastinated...

 

[dzinh]

So the positioning flight has been changed from a 6:30 pm flight to a 5:45 pm departure.

Lounge dragon assigned me 4A and B (I just realised they are window and middle seats).

We are in the lounge and are eating hotdogs and having a cider awaiting for our flight.

 

[dzinh]

Some Mel lounge works

 

[smit0847]

Not sure why the need to keep the destination a secret as the deal is no longer. I nearly booked but then procrastinated...

Agreed. I have no idea how you would do a TR without revealing the location!!

 

[drewbles]

Agreed. I have no idea how you would do a TR without revealing the location!!

Whilst it appears the flights are being honoured, i'd still suggest we keep it a little quiet until a few have taken it. The OP is first, I believe I'm second (next week) then there's several others doing it the day after me, and many more from there on.

Either that or i'm just being paranoid