Emirates adds SIN-PEN fifth-freedom route

[Mattg]

Emirates will commence daily flights from Singapore to Penang, Malaysia from 9 April 2020 (just over a week after it ends SIN-BNE service). The full routing will be DXB-SIN-PEN, and seats will be sold on the SIN-PEN sector.

Now that's something I didn't see coming!

Schedule as follows:

Emirates to launch services to Penang via Singapore

Penang will become Emirates’ second destination in Malaysia Travellers in northern region of Malaysia to have direct access to Emirates’ global network via Dubai

www.emirates.com

 

[Aeolus]

I wonder if QF would use this flight as their codeshare to PEN, even though the connection time is not ideal for flights arriving into SIN.

 

[Ade]

Emirates will commence daily flights from Singapore to Penang, Malaysia from 9 April 2020 (just over a week after it ends SIN-BNE service). The full routing will be DXB-SIN-PEN, and seats will be sold on the SIN-PEN sector.

Now that's something I didn't see coming!

Schedule as follows:

View attachment 204758

Emirates to launch services to Penang via Singapore

Penang will become Emirates’ second destination in Malaysia Travellers in northern region of Malaysia to have direct access to Emirates’ global network via Dubai

www.emirates.com

And one would be able to use QFF points to book this route? Better yet, depending on the aircraft flown, will we be able to use QFF points to take a F seat?

 

[AIRwin]

Just in time for the Eid holidays in Malaysia and Singapore...

 

[dajop]

And one would be able to use QFF points to book this route? Better yet, depending on the aircraft flown, will we be able to use QFF points to take a F seat?

If the surcharge on the sector is similar to the surcharge they charge for F awards on the slightly shorter DXB-DOH you might be looking at an F redemption with a $600-$700 copay ... 1 way.

 

[Ade]

If the surcharge on the sector is similar to the surcharge they charge for F awards on the slightly shorter DXB-DOH you might be looking at an F redemption with a $600-$700 copay ... 1 way.

Thanks!

 

[Mattg]

If the surcharge on the sector is similar to the surcharge they charge for F awards on the slightly shorter DXB-DOH you might be looking at an F redemption with a $600-$700 copay ... 1 way.

I highly doubt it will be that high.

Could be a good use of Qantas points, actually, as SIN-PEN is under 600 miles (zone 1 in the QFF award chart). Presumably you could also tack this onto an Australia-Singapore redemption on QF for no extra points (just the taxes/charges).

 

[AIRwin]

No chauffeur drive available in PEN:

Chauffeur-drive | The Emirates Experience | Emirates Australia

Fly First Class or Business Class and we’ll drive you to and from the airport.

www.emirates.com

 

[dajop]

I highly doubt it will be that high.

I was going from memory, but now I've checked, the going rate for F awards is $424 AUD one way. This includes short sectors such as DXB-MCT (which is what I originally meant, not DOH, which of course is not a route anyone operates for political reasons) as well as longer sectors, such as SIN-DXB/MEL .

If they do charge this, barely worth it for a a flight where it will be 60-70 mins in the air (like DXB-MCT).

 

[Mattg]

I was going from memory, but now I've checked, the going rate for F awards is $424 AUD one way. This includes short sectors such as DXB-MCT (which is what I originally meant, not DOH, which of course is not a route anyone operates for political reasons) as well as longer sectors, such as SIN-DXB/MEL .

If they do charge this, barely worth it for a a flight where it will be 60-70 mins in the air (like DXB-MCT).

The YQ charged by Emirates is completely dependant on the route and point of origin, though. The carrier charges on the DXB-MCT route (which I agree are obscene) don't really have much correlation to the SIN-PEN route.

For now we'll have to wait and see what the pricing looks like once these flights are loaded onto the Qantas website, but it seems to me that EK is not currently charging any YQ on paid fares for this route, which are already on sale.

 

[Aeolus]

I don’t think the charges will be that high, I’m more concerned that QF won’t use this as codeshare due to the connection time both to/from Penang as it would definitely require overnight stay if flying QF and would exceed 24 hours layover for some. Slightly off topic but I’ve also been very impressed with the 3K SIN/PEN connection service. Always on time and they usually place QF ticketed flyer on exit rows which is great.

 

[Guvner]

DXB-PEN via SIN on EK348 using QF points
First: 85,500 + AUD692.60

DXB-SIN on EK348 using QF points
First 102,600 + AUD682.70 (was 102,000 + $692.60 first time I did it!)

Dummy booking for Oct 30, 2020

 

[Mattg]

If you're just booking SIN-PEN as a standalone QF award, there is no fuel surcharge.

An F award from Singapore to Penang costs 27,600 Qantas points + SGD52.30.

 

[travelislife]

Cheaper to park an aircraft in PEN for a few hours than SIN?

I think that was part of the reason for some of the NZ tags out of Aus at one stage wasn’t it? But if revenue and not have to pay to have it sitting on the ground, even though the flight itself might run at a loss?

 

[Mattg]

Cheaper to park an aircraft in PEN for a few hours than SIN?

I think that was part of the reason for some of the NZ tags out of Aus at one stage wasn’t it? But if revenue and not have to pay to have it sitting on the ground, even though the flight itself might run at a loss?

The EK press release mentions 15 tonnes of cargo space. That may also play a part.

 

[dajop]

If you're just booking SIN-PEN as a standalone QF award, there is no fuel surcharge.

An F award from Singapore to Penang costs 27,600 Qantas points + SGD52.30.

For once my cynicism has not been rewarded! Very happy to eat humble pie on this one. That is definitely good news! Might be a nice way to have an cheap EK lounge experience

 

[Aeolus]

Is the 777 the new configuration version, ie fully enclosed F cabin?

 

[sudoer]

Is the 777 the new configuration version, ie fully enclosed F cabin?

No, seat maps are showing 1-2-1 in F

 

[Guvner]

Surprised nobody commented on the difference in points!

DXB-PEN via SIN is 17,050 points LESS than DXB-SIN

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Surprised nobody commented on the difference in points!

DXB-PEN via SIN is 17,050 points LESS than DXB-SIN

That's correct. DXB-PEN is 3274 miles and as it's the same flight number via SIN it is still considered a DXB-PEN mileage. DXB-SIN pushes the award into the next zone by a measly 33 miles (3633 miles).

As it's a single flight coupon DXB-PEN you won't be able to short check bags. Dunno what the scoop is if you have hand baggage only... whether you'll have to stay on board or not?