Why no Direct Flights for Qantas?

[KimW]

Direct flight

Hi all - I have some very specific queries re qantas frequent flyer. Today I have been mooching around looking at flights as I am about to book a RTW points ticket. What I am noticing is that the qantas website won't let you book direct flights. Have others found this.

For example, I am trying to book a flight Melbourne to Colombo as my first flight. When I put that search in it comes up with flights that go via HK or Sin etc etc. No Melbourne to Colombo flight comes up. However when I search for Sydney to Colombo for the very same time it comes up with a Syd to Mel and a Mel to Colombo direct flight!

I am finding the same when I try and fly from a number of places that a direct flight will not be offered. Is this some conspiracy for Qantas to try and put me off using my points because its all connecting flights or perhaps its making me spend more points for connecting flights?

Is anyone else having this issue? Thanks

 

[straitman]

Hi KimW,

Welcome to AFF.

I have moved your thread to a more appropriate location and where you will get better responses.

 

[KimW]

Just thought I would upload what I am getting. This is what I get when I search Mel to Colombo

And here is what I get when I search Syd to Colombo

 

[Dr Ralph]

What you have described doesn't seem unusual. It could occur where all direct flights available as award bookings have already been claimed. Phantom availability is also a possibility. Calling Qantas is recommended.

 

[JohnK]

Welcome to AFF @KimW.

Sometimes direct flights don't show all award availability. Your best bet is to try multi-city with various combinations. The point cost should still be the same.

 

[Mattg]

It could be that the UL flight from Melbourne to Colombo is only available in conjunction with another connecting flight (this is known as "married segments"). Or it could be phantom award availability that doesn't really exist.

Have you tried calling Qantas to book the direct MEL-CMB flight?

 

[serfty]

There was plenty of UL availability showing up on these direct flights up until Sunday 3rd March.
...
On Monday they simply stopped showing - I actually saw it cheaper via KUL on MH.

 

[love_the_life]

There was plenty of UL availability showing up on these direct flights up until Sunday 3rd March.
...
On Monday they simply stopped showing - I actually saw it cheaper via KUL on MH.

Award or paid flights? The OP looks like they are after award ones.

 

[serfty]

Award or paid flights? The OP looks like they are after award ones.

Award ... goes without saying ...

The reason via KL was cheaper was less or no Fuel Fines.

The reason I know these dates was I was hunting down how to get to CMB easily on an award and was preparing to book UL.

 

[Mattg]

On Monday they simply stopped showing - I actually saw it cheaper via KUL on MH.

Cheaper than what?

I find it hard to believe MEL-KUL-CMB on MH could be cheaper than MEL-CMB direct on UL as, unless something changed recently, there are no fuel fines on Sri Lankan.

 

[jetpack]

Same thing happened with MH flights recently. Qantas website won't show nonstop MH flights but would show up if bundled together with a connecting Qantas flight. The "glitch" lasted for several months until one day they fixed it.

 

[serfty]

Cheaper than what?

I find it hard to believe MEL-KUL-CMB on MH could be cheaper than MEL-CMB direct on UL as, unless something changed recently, there are no fuel fines on Sri Lankan.

Yes there were IIRC - $21 each segment. This for the direct flights.

 

[blu]

similar here too.
LHR-Austin Tx not available. But DUB-LHR-AUS is available.
Also finding AA could be doing non direct routings too with USdom.