QANTAS launches 2 new international routes, roars back to NZ as Virgin Defers until November

[jakeseven7]

Nope, not even sure how to follow up without getting a generic reply back via a feedback form.

I always get a specific reply, better luck next time. Perhaps they treat status feedback differently. I’ll submit it for you if I can find some time

 

[jakeseven7]

Is anyone flying on the first day of the bubble? Asking for a friend

 

[henrus]

Is anyone flying on the first day of the bubble? Asking for a friend

I wish I was but sadly due to commitments I'm flying a week later. I imagine the first flight to land in NZ - JQ201 SYD-AKL will be quite fun with a full media greeting in Auckland.

If anyone is traveling soon it's worth noting that you will need to fill out electronic travel declarations. These are in addition to the regular arrival cards.

The NZ one will go live tomorrow (14 April)

Upon return/entry to Australia you'll need to fill out the Australian form:
Australia Travel Declaration | COVID-19 and the border

Entering specific states you'll also need to fill out an arrival form:
NSW: Service NSW | NZ Passenger & Crew Arrival Details Form
VIC : COVID-19 border entry
TAS : Coming to Tasmania | Tas e-Travel
SA : SAPOL - Cross border travel
QLD : No form required
WA : G2G PASS

 

[NSun]

I'm flying SYD-AKL on April 29th but that's 11 days into the bubble.

 

[Kiwi_Flyer]

I'm booked to fly on 19th.

 

[Berlin]

I'm heading over on the 23rd, was the first opportunity given work commitments. And they better serve some French champagne or I will be NOT happy

 

[AIRwin]

Start buying up the squid Qantas

Squid Shortage Soon?

 

[Berlin]

Okay: Lounge access tick, champers tick (on the plane at least) and no new Covid cases in sight. Am I the only one getting really excited here?

 

[Kiwi_Flyer]

No. Unfortunately it seems my F lounge visit will be very brief. Flight cancelled and rerouted via MEL, with shortish transit. Grr.

 

[jase05]

Okay: Lounge access tick, champers tick (on the plane at least) and no new Covid cases in sight. Am I the only one getting really excited here?

Yes, I can’t see any A330’s going to CHC at all for the dates I’m after

 

[henrus]

Yes, I can’t see any A330’s going to CHC at all for the dates I’m after

At this stage, the A330 is just scheduled through to 9 July with 1x flight from SYD-CHC. From 10 July the SYD-CHC A330 will be replaced by 2x daily 737 flights, one morning and one afternoon/evening service in both directions.

I really like the QF schedule from 19 April to 9 July however after that date flights revert to more pre-covid times many of which are less desirable in my opinion than the post covid timetable. Hopefully this changes but I won't cross my fingers. The lack of the evening EK flight from CHC-SYD is a bummer

 

[jase05]

At this stage, the A330 is just scheduled through to 9 July with 1x flight from SYD-CHC. From 10 July the SYD-CHC A330 will be replaced by 2x daily 737 flights, one morning and one afternoon/evening service in both directions.

I really like the QF schedule from 19 April to 9 July however after that date flights revert to more pre-covid times many of which are less desirable in my opinion than the post covid timetable. Hopefully this changes but I won't cross my fingers. The lack of the evening EK flight from CHC-SYD is a bummer

At this stage it’s probably going to be October before we get back to NZ and I’m not keen to do it on a 737 in J. Could fly into AKL but I can’t find any of the NZ code shares AKL-CHC so I’m assuming I’ll have to book a seperate flight and won’t have lounge access in AKL

 

[henrus]

Could fly into AKL but I can’t find any of the NZ code shares AKL-CHC so I’m assuming I’ll have to book a seperate flight and won’t have lounge access in AKL

Due to a stuff up I've ranted about elsewhere on AFF, post-COVID Air NZ readjusted flight times/numbers which had led to many routes losing the QF flight number. As of right now most days just have one to two flights with a QF codeshare as opposed to the ~10-15 flights operated in each direction daily.

It doesn't help that the QF website is programmed to show direct flights or preference the QF-operated services (where they exist) which is why it might take an online travel agent/ITA matrix to figure out what's possible before calling QF to book over the phone.

 

[jakeseven7]

Related, my boss had tickets booked on the now defunct VA trans tasman business and was rebooked onto QF flights on request.

Apparently they did offer up some NZ flights first, but apart from my boss loathing Air NZ the times didn’t suit so he’s all onboard a QF A330 to AKL now.

 

[Berlin]

Speaking of schedule changes, with my four bookings since the bubble has been announced, I had three of them already. Most were meh by half an hour etc but just now Qantas has majorly inconvenienced me with yet another one of those. I managed to change flights in this instance but fear there will be plenty more of those coming over the next couple of weeks, while things sort themselves out.

So happy days...

 

[henrus]

Most were meh by half an hour etc but just now Qantas has majorly inconvenienced me with yet another one of those

If it makes you feel any better, Air NZ did the exact same thing which has just been annoying. It seems neither of them flying across the tasman know exactly what they're going to operate yet.

I just went back and checked and one of the schedule changes I received was a flight departing at the same time but arriving 5 minutes earlier. The fact they issued a schedule change for something like that is just trivial.

 

[Kiwi_Flyer]

Were any of them cancellations @Berlin ?

 

[Berlin]

Were any of them cancellations @Berlin ?

No- thank science not. Though the last one was essentially changing timing from late afternoon to super early morning on the same day which totally messed up our travel plans.

 

[Kiwi_Flyer]

No- thank science not. Though the last one was essentially changing timing from late afternoon to super early morning on the same day which totally messed up our travel plans.

That's just as bad as a cancellation.

I've had to change my plans for one night as now super early start the next morning instead of mid morning. Also an extra travel form to complete and loss of F lounge visit.

 

[Berlin]

That's just as bad as a cancellation.

Yep- hence me being quite grumbly about it. I fear there will be many more of those down the track...