Search results

Couldn't agree more with this article. Tried searching for availability to Europe at the 353 day mark, as a Platinum, and found zero availability on any Qantas or Emirates flights, and virtually nothing on Oneworld partners. Plenty on Krisflyer, so I'm directing my spending and flying in that...

For me, the biggest benefit of VA Plat is being able to book the business class seats on the 737s between Launceston and Melbourne/Sydney. VA don't sell business class on those flights, but allow plats to reserve the seats. Still economy service, but for short flights this doesn't matter. Given...

Just got back from a business trip to Bali. The mooted extension of visa free travel for another 30 or so countries, including UK citizens, has yet to start. Still had to pay A$50 to get in.

Hi, I second the suggestion that it's not a bad idea to drive to Gaborone, especially if you need a car when you are there. Most car rental agencies don't have a problem with cars going over the border to Botswana, but you have to tell them you are doing that. However, given QF63 arrives in JNB...

Hi, not exactly sure what you meant by the "direct" way, but I imagine the route from PER to GRU that involves the least amount of time in planes and airports is via JNB on SAA. This does necessitate a stopover in JNB for a night, but if you stay in the Sandton part you should be fine (or you...

Interesting that MEL-JNB is scheduled to take 16h20. QF takes about 14h for SYD-JNB, so that implies VA are either going to stop somewhere (can't see anything about that in their info on the website) or they are going to be flying really slowly, or they have to take a much more notherly route...

Hi, last time I flew them they were quite good for a low-cost carrier. They mainly use fairly old B737s, think they are the 200-series (the ones where the back of the engine appears to fall off when it lands presumably to help the plane slow down). They are the only major carrier using Lanseria...

Hi, as I see it there are two reasonably direct options for you. Assuming you're coming from SYD, you can go QF to SIN, then connect to DEL on the QF codeshare using Jet Airways metal. From DEL to LHR you can use BA and return to Australia on QF or BA through either SIN, BKK or HKG. The...

Hi, if my memory serves me correct, having once flown in these seats with my family, there is no space by the closets, it is merely the passageway to the toilets at the back of the J section, and thus a fairly busy area. There is no real area for a child to play, even in business class. That is...

Hi, as a former South African, I can make a few recommendations. However, I don't really know about tour companies, as I have always made my own arrangements. For game viewing around thre Kruger park, the private reserves are by far and away the best, although can be very pricey. Some of the...

I agree that the A380s will offer the best economy class and since you don't appear to be a frequent flyer, I imagine earning points doesn't matter, so go for the best deal. Unfortunately, virtually every airline these days has the same leg room in economy and they are all pretty much cramped...

I would most likely go with the NZ lounge, depending on time of departure. Since UA closed its lounge, the NZ lounge can get quite full around the time of UA departurres as this is where they direct their pax. But both the *A lounges in SYD are fairly disappointing IMHO. They are right next to...

Ah, that's interesting, a conflict between terms and conditions and actual practice. I suggest you take the terms and conditions along with you, as I have previously been denied access to lounges other than the carrier I was flying on. As a SQ PPS I no longer have this problem. Certainly in...

As a non-status *Alliance pax, I doubt you will have any choice in the matter, it will be the SQ lounge only. You need * Gold to access lounges belonging to airlines other than the one you are flying on. That said, the SQ lounge is at best adequate, not a patch on their lounges in Singapore or...

As a non-Pom, non-Aussie, I can perhaps offer an independent perspective. For me QF and BA F is much of a muchness, similar seat, similar catering, although QF AVOD edges BA. I have never had bad service in F on either carrier and would recommend both. The real difference is in J. If you really...

I agree there is probably not enough demand to justify QF flights from MEL to JNB. If you really want to avoid SYD, you can always go via PER on the SA flight, on which QF codeshares. It would probably work out much the same time wise, and SA's A340 better in economy that QF's 744s, IMHO. No F...

Text of QF statement just released. SYDNEY, 7 October 2008: Qantas said today that a number of passengers and crew sustained injuries, including fractures and lacerations, on board QF72 this afternoon en route from Singapore to Perth following a sudden change in altitude. The flight, operated...

Having recently relocated to Singapore, I have switched to SQ from QF for most of my business travel. In my experience, the type of aircraft determines how good SQ is. Yes, the inflight service tends to be very efficient, even if the pleasantness feels a little forced. But the real difference is...

I have been QF Plat for the past 5 years, the biggest benefit is the time-saving and ease of using 1st class check-in and lounges. I have also been op-upped to 1st on 3 occassions, which is always welcome. The bulk of my flying is intl J, occassional domestic Y. I wouldn't say it is part of my...

Press release from Qantas today SYDNEY, 3 July 2008: Qantas said today it would open new, dedicated Domestic Business Class Lounges within its key airport terminals in Sydney and Melbourne in July. Qantas Executive General Manager, Mr John Borghetti, said the new lounges would provide the...