Fly Ahead Question

[cssaus]

I don't actually do all that much domestic travel on VA but in a couple of weeks time I've a got an early morning SYD-MEL flight to connect with an international flight.

I'm Platinum booked on the 7.30am flight in business.

How easy it it to apply for a "fly-ahead" flight and can it only be done when actually at the airport? I notice there's at least two other earlier flights which I could take.

 

[dec540]

Platinum members can call up and request to fly ahead over the phone now. Usually you have to request this on the day of travel but since it's such an early flight they might let you do it the day before if you ask nicely.

 

[Lord_Lenny]

You can request when you're at the airport, or Platinum can call the contact centre as well. But it's only for the day of travel and it's hand luggage only. So depends if you're checking bags through to the international flight.

 

[dec540]

You can request when you're at the airport, or Platinum can call the contact centre as well. But it's only for the day of travel and it's hand luggage only. So depends if you're checking bags through to the international flight.

I've used Fly Ahead with checked luggage probably 20+ times. It's never been an issue, so it seems they rarely enforce this rule.

 

[cssaus]

Thanks for the advice. I think I'll wait until I'm actually at the airport and depending on the time I get there see what earlier flights I can transferred to, will only have carry-on.

 

[jase05]

I've used Fly Ahead with checked luggage probably 20+ times. It's never been an issue, so it seems they rarely enforce this rule.

Yep, do this quite often and if you have checked luggage you have to ask for the fly ahead at the Priority check in counter. If hand luggage only you can do it at the service desk or the lounge

 

[AIRwin]

I think I'll wait until I'm actually at the airport and depending on the time I get there see what earlier flights I can transferred to, will only have carry-on.

That was also going to be my suggestion - when I was a "Go Show" I received my boarding pass with a FCNA (Full Catering Not Assured) sticker but still ended up with a choice of meals as the cabin was not full...

 

[Lord_Lenny]

Yep, do this quite often and if you have checked luggage you have to ask for the fly ahead at the Priority check in counter. If hand luggage only you can do it at the service desk or the lounge

Fair enough I've only ever asked for it in the lounge, I tend to be HLO when travelling for work

 

[clipped_wings]

Check the earlier flights have J class availability. We were offered a fly ahead at the desk once and nearly took it up, only to discover they were putting us in row 7! When I politely reminded them we were in Business, they apologised and said J was full.

Needless to say - I declined the offer.

 

[Matt_01]

Has anyone ever shown up at the lounge a day early and asked to fly forward and had success.

 

[Bagpuss]

Has anyone ever shown up at the lounge a day early and asked to fly forward and had success.

Last year I arrived into Sydney and was flying back (to Perth) the next day and wanted to try to fly ahead.
I popped into the lounge on arrival and asked. The response was they can only do it on the day. However, they were helpful and looked up the flight loads and the flights were mainly full so I thanked them and didn't bother. (Kinda worked OK in the end as high winds in Sydney and the earlier flights were all very delayed and had only just left with the flight I was on only slightly delayed.)