Booking backup flights to Europe

[Noah Count]

I guess the other thing that will need considering is that if this goes on for too long how will the airlines accommodate the backlog?
I would think plenty of shuffling and maybe even passengers getting bumped to cater for the loads unless a heap of people decide to steer clear of the ME

My decision to book a back up was purely based on MrsN reservation to fly via the ME in around 70 odd days and it was the only way I could convince her the trip could still go ahead. I am lucky as I have a healthy points balance, did I want to book classic+, no but it was the only option available. We are also dealing with me being stuck in the UK, a 2 day visit has turned into 11 and have to means just to book another flight home and will deal with the cancelled flights when I get back.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I guess the other thing that will need considering is that if this goes on for too long how will the airlines accommodate the backlog?
I would think plenty of shuffling and maybe even passengers getting bumped to cater for the loads unless a heap of people decide to steer clear of the ME

If the ME3 resume normal operations other airlines are going to find themselves with thousands (tens of thousands?) of empty ‘backup’ seats that people don’t want, and cancel. Fares should equalise once those bookings start to cancel.

If not, the ME3 will have excess capacity, and fares will reflect that.

I think there’s only going to be about a 2-week backlog. Those caught immediately at the outbreak. Everyone else will either shift their plans to a later date, or have cancelled. It not like there’s 1000 people a day getting added to an airport waiting list.

 

[markis10]

Airfares, the new toilet paper

 

[RooFlyer]

Not so sure it will happen so I’ve just booked a backup of Melbourne-> Singapore-> Helsinki -> Vienna with qantas points. I figure losing 6000 points if I need to cancel will be a very cheap insurance policy!

Welcome to posting on AFF. Thays a pretty good result, cabin class notwithstanding.

 

[henrus]

I had QR Y flights booked using VA points in December and noticed SQ had the day same dates available into CDG instead of GVA. Whilst probably a bit extreme I've decided to cancel the QR and have rebooked on SQ.

 

[frodo]

Initially I was meant to travel on QR to Europe at the end of the month but that's highly unlikely now (even if flights resume by then) so I'm just waiting until I can get a full refund.

Booked rewards flights to CGK on QF and then a cash fare to MXP (via TPE) with EVA air as they had some decent fares available in Y+.

 

[CaptJCool]

Qantas hikes international air fares citing volatile oil prices from war in Middle East

Airline reports spike in ticket sales to Europe in March, as passengers with carriers affected by flight chaos rebook

www.theguardian.com

 

[aaa99]

Currently booked on QR using Avios for mid-May.
WY has some alternatives available for the same routing.

I can see the two sectors individually on the QR website, but it only shows QR options when I try to combine the two.
Is it possible to book multi-city partner redemptions with Avios online?

 

[Vic]

I've come here seeking collective wisdom of the mob.
Flying to Vienna on Thursday from Sydney with Emirates. and the return is next week to Adelaide. It seems that emirates are progressively cancelling the flights to Adelaide, and have pushed back the return by 24 hours to land on Sunday night. This is problematic because that means missing the birthday in Adelaide that is on the Sunday.
And, of course, dubai airport has just been closed because of a drone attack and fuel fire.

I have a backup with Qantas SYD-YVR-LHR-xVIE-DXB-SYD. Return operated by Emrates Arrives back to Sydney on the Sunday morning, so could still make the birthday.
Having trouble deciding:

Emirates:
Pros: arrive Vienna at ~midday, should be able to change to a flight back to SYD or MEL
Cons: no qantas SC, don't know when I'll get back, like to be delayed in Vienna not DXB, could get blown up.

Qantas:
Pros: SC, have ETAs for Canada and UK, same day into Vienna, slightly better chance emirates flights on return will operate to SYD, don't have to play phone hold with emirates, more certainty to get to Vienna.
Cons: about 10 more hours, arrive at ~ 8 pm, return is operated by emirates so subject to potential delays

Interested in thoughts, sorry if this is a thread hijack

 

[Bundy Bear]

I have now booked back up flights on Cathay Pacific.
My original booking was MEL-DXB-LHR with a 1 day stop over in Dubai, after todays effects on Dubai a back up plan seemed like the best option.
I am running the London marathon so I don't have much room for error.
Heading home on QF10 after the marathon.
I might have to make a few flight cancellations, but I am also heading to Berlin in September so I hope to get to the UAE some time this year, although that might mean a little trip on the ICE from Hamburg to Berlin, as Emirates don't fly to Berlin.

 

[HMcM]

I'm looking into backup flights for family who are travelling MEL- Italy mid may to Late June. They're a bit flustered with everything. I have seen relatively cheap flights available with Turkish Airlines. Does anybody have any experience good, bad or otherwise or thoughts if they'd be a decent option? (MEL-KUL-IST-FCO)

Their current flights are with Emirates and FlyDubai stopping in DXB so right in the middle of it all.

 

[chitown_boy]

I have now booked back up flights on Cathay Pacific.
My original booking was MEL-DXB-LHR with a 1 day stop over in Dubai, after todays effects on Dubai a back up plan seemed like the best option.
I am running the London marathon so I don't have much room for error.
Heading home on QF10 after the marathon.
I might have to make a few flight cancellations, but I am also heading to Berlin in September so I hope to get to the UAE some time this year, although that might mean a little trip on the ICE from Hamburg to Berlin, as Emirates don't fly to Berlin.

A bit late for your purposes I suspect, but this may change come northern winter: Emirates' Berlin Gamble: Slots Secured For Winter 2026 Before Regulators Even Say Yes

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I'm looking into backup flights for family who are travelling MEL- Italy mid may to Late June. They're a bit flustered with everything. I have seen relatively cheap flights available with Turkish Airlines. Does anybody have any experience good, bad or otherwise or thoughts if they'd be a decent option? (MEL-KUL-IST-FCO)

Their current flights are with Emirates and FlyDubai stopping in DXB so right in the middle of it all.

Turkish is good, great food. Modern jets. Excellent IFE.

Business class even better.

 

[RooFlyer]

Turkish is good, great food. Modern jets. Excellent IFE.

Business class even better.

As you've read, I'll be taking TK as my back-up flights in a few weeks, if needed. I hope you aren't over-hyping it, leading to my eventual disappoint, as with you and QR

 

[HMcM]

Turkish is good, great food. Modern jets. Excellent IFE.

Business class even better.

I'm sure business would be better, but they're very much economy passengers that I am helping out and the difference between ~$4k and ~$23k for their dates and times will be a bit too much to swallow.