MCT at Changi [SIN]

[oliverd]

Apologies in advance if this is the wrong thread... looking for the MCT for QF ->SQ and MH at Changi... arriving on QF51 from Brisbane (which has a 41% on-time performance on Flightstats - doesn't seem to great!) and looking at 60min to transfer to SQ or a safer 140min to a more expensive MH flight to KUL.

And a related question, as the last time I transferred at Changi my incoming JetStar flight was well over an hour late, and I just made it onto a connecting SQ flights as the gate closed... So my question is, if I am transferring across airlines on separate PNRs and within the MCT (hand luggage only), if the incoming flight is late what is a) my legal rights in terms of getting rebooked on a later flight with the second airline and b) regardless of fine print, what would typically happen with non-LCC airlines (generally QF/SQ/MH)? Fortunately I've always made my connections, but my luck will run out one day!

Many thanks for your assistance.

 

[JessicaTam]

Re: Flight Availability/Loadings & Upgrade Probability Help Desk

Apologies in advance if this is the wrong thread... looking for the MCT for QF ->SQ and MH at Changi... arriving on QF51 from Brisbane (which has a 41% on-time performance on Flightstats - doesn't seem to great!) and looking at 60min to transfer to SQ or a safer 140min to a more expensive MH flight to KUL.

And a related question, as the last time I transferred at Changi my incoming JetStar flight was well over an hour late, and I just made it onto a connecting SQ flights as the gate closed... So my question is, if I am transferring across airlines on separate PNRs and within the MCT (hand luggage only), if the incoming flight is late what is a) my legal rights in terms of getting rebooked on a later flight with the second airline and b) regardless of fine print, what would typically happen with non-LCC airlines (generally QF/SQ/MH)? Fortunately I've always made my connections, but my luck will run out one day!

Many thanks for your assistance.

You will need to allow time to get from one gate (and terminal) to another. You will also need time to get your BP from the transit desk. I think 1 hour may be pushing it. Of course it depends on the extra cost of the MH flight as to if the risk is worth the price difference. You will of course now get SC and points with MH as they started with OW today.

 

[oliverd]

Re: Flight Availability/Loadings & Upgrade Probability Help Desk

You will need to allow time to get from one gate (and terminal) to another. You will also need time to get your BP from the transit desk. I think 1 hour may be pushing it. Of course it depends on the extra cost of the MH flight as to if the risk is worth the price difference. You will of course now get SC and points with MH as they started with OW today.

Thanks Jessica - have done this transfer in under 30min a few times (once because I had exactly 18min to make the connection)! But I don't want to risk this connection if it's under the MCT as it really gives me no recourse if I do miss the connecting flight.

 

[MYT105]

Re: Flight Availability/Loadings & Upgrade Probability Help Desk

Oliverd I am doing the same flights in about two weeks time and went with the MH option as it is a safer bet and I can also check out the lounge as long as the flight isn't to late. Personally I prefer to allow a little more time then add additional stress by having to worry will I make my connections, also MH now gives QFF SC's so might as well take them.

 

[yohy?!]

Re: Flight Availability/Loadings & Upgrade Probability Help Desk

absolutely no recourse if you book seperate flights and one is late - SIN is a good airport for transfers but you're tempting fate here...

(please note also that MCT applies to flights on the same booking only also).

 

[dajop]

Re: Flight Availability/Loadings & Upgrade Probability Help Desk

Assume hand luggage only? 1 hr is certainly do-able but would be risky, and you'd want a plan B. No obligation for SQ (MI?) to move you, but most of their fares between SIN & KUL are flexi-savers or higher that allow changes free of charge (but of course you would be stuck in SIN for the night) Check-in/print out BP online is one potential time saving measure. If you miss the flight you may have AK or 3K as a cost effective backup as they usually aren't that expensive at the last minute, particularly the late night flights (eg. for AK the flight leaving tonight, in 1:15 is about $110 AUD, and the later one leaving in 3hrs time - 23:35 is about $100 AUD)

Otherwise stick to MH!

 

[oliverd]

Re: Flight Availability/Loadings & Upgrade Probability Help Desk

Assume hand luggage only? 1 hr is certainly do-able but would be risky, and you'd want a plan B. No obligation for SQ (MI?) to move you, but most of their fares between SIN & KUL are flexi-savers or higher that allow changes free of charge (but of course you would be stuck in SIN for the night) Check-in/print out BP online is one potential time saving measure. If you miss the flight you may have AK or 3K as a cost effective backup as they usually aren't that expensive at the last minute, particularly the late night flights (eg. for AK the flight leaving tonight, in 1:15 is about $110 AUD, and the later one leaving in 3hrs time - 23:35 is about $100 AUD)

Otherwise stick to MH!

yohy?!, dajop - thanks for the advice. Confirms my gut feel that it's pretty risky - especially with your advice that neither airline has any obligation to put you on a later flight or compensate you for a delay. Plan B would be to buy a new ticket on a later MH/3K flight, but that's more cost and hassle. Will do as MYT105 is doing and go on MH, or the even later 3K flight that gives me 20 SC on QF and the pleasure of flying on an LCC after my JASA on QF!

 

[JohnK]

I think MCT in SIN is generally ~55 minutes. Personally I like to leave a safe buffer in between flights in case something goes wrong.

Still remember the time I was going to SIN on QF from SYD or MEL and due to arrive around 10:00pm with a connecting flight on CX at 1:05am and a whole lot of flights the next day. Flight was delayed ~2 hours and I was rushing trying to collect bags, checkin and make flight. Next CX flight was ~8:00 am and would have thrown the remainder of the day into chaos.

There was no way I was going to make it but luckily the CX flight was delayed by ~1 hour and I made the connection.