Helping in choosing lhr - syd on qantas

[Davidjseidel]

Not sure if this the right place to ask but i need to travel back from London on 23 or 24 april on qantas in economy unfortunately and wondering if anyone can help me choose the least crowded flight to book. I can book the walkabout fare at a reasonable price from here either return or one way seems to be cheaper than from Sydney, and i will need to return sometime in the next 12 months anyway and by then may have enough points for upgrade but presently they are exhausted, i am in QC and just bronze FF.
Glad to pay for good info!

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Not sure if this the right place to ask but i need to travel back from London on 23 or 24 april on qantas in economy unfortunately and wondering if anyone can help me choose the least crowded flight to book. I can book the walkabout fare at a reasonable price from here either return or one way seems to be cheaper than from Sydney, and i will need to return sometime in the next 12 months anyway and by then may have enough points for upgrade but presently they are exhausted, i am in QC and just bronze FF.
Glad to pay for good info!

The flights on 24 April are looking a lot more empty than the 23rd. Most flights on the 23rd are showing zero availability for the lower classes in economy, thereas on the 24th they are showing '9s' across the board (but of course this can be subject to change).

Can't offer any better advice on the airfare as you have already found the cheapest! The walkabout fare for the 24th of April, returning 10 March (just as a dummy date) is about GBP1047. If you need to change this return then there is a GBP100 change fee. (that fare does not include any domestic sectors, those have to be added separately at the discounted rate if you want them.) The walkabout fare iseligible for an upgrade if you have the points at the time (no guarantees though).

The regular Q deal fare (supposedly ending today) is cheaper - about GBP824, same GBP100 change fee, but the fare is noteligible for upgrade.

Both fares say you may have to pay any additional fare at the time you rebook (if you want to change your return date).

Given the walkabout fare comes in at about AUD1600 - that is a real bargain. It will be cheaper to buy the return than 2 one ways.

 

[Davidjseidel]

Thanks for that! Any advice on which particular flght would be best ? Presuming actual qantas rather than BA operated to bebetter.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Thanks for that! Any advice on which particular flght would be best ? Presuming actual qantas rather than BA operated to bebetter.

Yes I think QF is better. Both the QF10 and QF2 are showing 9's across the board (although this may only mean 10 seats free in economy - so don't get your hopes up!!). QF10 will drop you in MEL, QF2 in SYD, so take your pick.

 

[ozmille]

QF is only operating 1 flight to SYD from LHR. QF1 now goes via SIN and is operated by an A380

 

[Maca44]

The flights on 24 April are looking a lot more empty than the 23rd.

I wonder if this has anything to do with the Anzac public holiday the following day. I don't know, just saying.

 

[vetrade]

I'd bet that it won't matter whether you travel back via HK, SIN or Narita; there's a very good chance all of the flights will be full.
The best possibility might be BA to Narita then QF to Oz but it's still likely to be full.

 

[Davidjseidel]

I'd bet that it won't matter whether you travel back via HK, SIN or Narita; there's a very good chance all of the flights will be full.
The best possibility might be BA to Narita then QF to Oz but it's still likely to be full.

I looked at Narita route, at least gives a few hours to have a sleep at Narita, but does one have to clear customs etc at Narita? And can one use QC for extra baggage seeing as lhr-narita is BA?

 

[vetrade]

Davidjseidel, no need to clear customs at Narita and your bags will be checked through from BA to your QF flight. You just hang around the terminal or, if you have access to the Q lounge you can use that - it has showers, internet connection etc but the food selection is pretty basic though. If you arrive early in the morning at Narita (as I did) you may find that virtually nothing is open. From memory a few places open at around 7.30am local time but you have to wait till about 8.30am for the Q lounge to open. They only have basic rows of seating in the terminal so if you want to have a sleep it might have to be on the floor.

 

[ketsuzei]

They also have day rooms for a reasonable fee:

Airport Guide : Dayrooms & Showers | NARITA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT OFFICIAL WEBSITE

 

[Davidjseidel]

is it also possible to exit the airport and catch train somewhere through the day etc?

They also have day rooms for a reasonable fee:

Airport Guide : Dayrooms & Showers | NARITA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT OFFICIAL WEBSITE

 

[Davidjseidel]

Thanks very much for this. I haven't booked yet but still thinking to use walkabout fare at around $1600 return, is it correct that the flight is most likely to be chockablock? May consider Prem Econ but its about double the $s so the perennial question is it worth it? Presuming qantas PE much better than BA at a bit more premium cost as well?.

The flights on 24 April are looking a lot more empty than the 23rd. Most flights on the 23rd are showing zero availability for the lower classes in economy, thereas on the 24th they are showing '9s' across the board (but of course this can be subject to change).

Can't offer any better advice on the airfare as you have already found the cheapest! The walkabout fare for the 24th of April, returning 10 March (just as a dummy date) is about GBP1047. If you need to change this return then there is a GBP100 change fee. (that fare does not include any domestic sectors, those have to be added separately at the discounted rate if you want them.) The walkabout fare iseligible for an upgrade if you have the points at the time (no guarantees though).

The regular Q deal fare (supposedly ending today) is cheaper - about GBP824, same GBP100 change fee, but the fare is noteligible for upgrade.

Both fares say you may have to pay any additional fare at the time you rebook (if you want to change your return date).

Given the walkabout fare comes in at about AUD1600 - that is a real bargain. It will be cheaper to buy the return than 2 one ways.

 

[admin]

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