Alan Joyce and Virgin provide new choices SYD-LHR

[Paddy55]

Thanks Alan :shock: and thanks Virgin

Looking at a likely SYD-LHR return next June in J.

Up until about a week ago this would have been a no-brainer for Qantas for two main reasons:

1. Lie flat is absolutely 1st choice, and
2. I like to leave LHR in the middle of the day so I arrive back into SYD in the evening the following day.

Well, Alan's enhanced QFi timetable and stellar code-sharing opportunities with BA mean there are no midday departures for either airline from LHR.

Now Virgin relaunch Velocity, offer status matching and what do you know...

I'm now looking at a choice between:

1. Cathay Pacific, leaving at midday with lie-flats and costing $9.2K :shock:
2. SQ, ditto at $10K or
3. QF, late night departure :evil:, and costing $12.1K :evil::evil:

It's a toss up between 1 & 2... I may try SQ although I do enjoy CX

But, AND ARE YOU LISTENING RED ROO???

I'm now looking at alternatives when you had me locked in pretty well.

... and the alternatives are starting to look pretty good...

Why is QF shooting itself in the foot so unnecessarily?

Paddy

 

[Princess Fiona]

I'm very interested in the SQ options also, think this is great news.
If my Platinum match comes through, I will try DJ for domestic and switch one of my trips to LHR from QF to SQ.Most of my domestic stuff is on JQ where status recognition is pretty much zip, interesting times ahead

 

[Awesom Andy]

Definitely SQ (on the A380 for both legs), until the new Cirrus seats are widely available on the CX fleet anyway.

 

[notzac]

Small sidenote, seeing as you're looking at non-QF options anyway -- have you considered EY? $8417 return in J for the following:

EY6451 (VA29) dep. SYD 15:15 arr. AUH 23:40
EY11 dep. AUH 02:35 arr. LHR 07:20
EY12 dep. LHR 09:10 arr. AUH 19:15
EY454 dep. AUH 22:00 arr. SYD 18:10

Same price is also available booking via the VA codeshare on the same flights, which will get you 100% points bonus as Velocity Platinum (vs. 50% on the EY code)

 

[ozbeachbabe]

I believe there are combo fares on QF in whY to Asia then AY in J via HEL to Europe. I would also compare just the AY J fares ex Asia on their own then look at the cheapest airfare Aust/Asia return. Sometimes this can work out cheaper but it's always a good idea to overnight if doing this method as delays can be a pain especially when you are on separate tickets. :shock:


WhY class can be bearable if you were going to stopover in Asia enroute to Europe.

 

[Paddy55]

I believe there are combo fares on QF in whY to Asia then AY in J via HEL to Europe. I would also compare just the AY J fares ex Asia on their own then look at the cheapest airfare Aust/Asia return. Sometimes this can work out cheaper but it's always a good idea to overnight if doing this method as delays can be a pain especially when you are on separate tickets. :shock:


WhY class can be bearable if you were going to stopover in Asia enroute to Europe.

Have flown AY and they are quite good.
However find 2 stops a small pain, and non-horizontal J a larger pain.

Thanks for the thought

Paddy

 

[Paddy55]

Small sidenote, seeing as you're looking at non-QF options anyway -- have you considered EY? $8417 return in J for the following:

EY6451 (VA29) dep. SYD 15:15 arr. AUH 23:40
EY11 dep. AUH 02:35 arr. LHR 07:20
EY12 dep. LHR 09:10 arr. AUH 19:15
EY454 dep. AUH 22:00 arr. SYD 18:10

Same price is also available booking via the VA codeshare on the same flights, which will get you 100% points bonus as Velocity Platinum (vs. 50% on the EY code)

Actually researched this after I made the original post and EY would definitely be an option

Should have looked for all these choices earlier, shouldn't I?

Still nice, now

Paddy

 

[Awesom Andy]

AY is indeed an option, and it would book as a code share on the first leg, which could be QF to SIN, or CX to HKG (and possibly others). Still, the extra stop is a little annoying.