LAN vs QANTAS SYD-AKL and back

[Stuser]

Hi

has anyone had any recent experience flying LAN in J between SYD and AKL?

I can't find anything recent on AFF....

How does it compare with Qantas? Also, LAN seem to use Airbus A340. How does this compare to the QF 738?

Now, I won't try to compare these 2 with J in EK 380.... as that would not be fair at all

Does anyone know if you get the express lane cards when travelling with LAN in J?

Any feedback / insights would be useful.

 

[straitman]

Hi

has anyone had any recent experience flying LAN in J between SYD and AKL?

I can't find anything recent on AFF....

How does it compare with Qantas? Also, LAN seem to use Airbus A340. How does this compare to the QF 738?

Now, I won't try to compare these 2 with J in EK 380.... as that would not be fair at all

Does anyone know if you get the express lane cards when travelling with LAN in J?

Any feedback / insights would be useful.

The LAN product is a full international business class versus the Qantas domestic business class.
The LAN flight ex AKL is at O my God o'clock.
The LAN food to AKL is only average but quite good for breakfast on return.
You do get express lane cards ex SYD with the LAN business and sometimes for arrival on return.
You do not get priority emigration out of AKL on LAN. (no big bikkies at that time of morning)
You get all the announcements in Spanish and English on LAN.
Personal, subjective opinion only but the LAN product is much better (and cheaper) if it suits your travel patterns. If the LAN flight is cancelled they simply slide you onto a QF flight.

 

[Alanslegal]

Now, I won't try to compare these 2 with J in EK 380.... as that would not be fair at all

Same route, same price - I'd take the EK 380 But I'm not fussed on FF points, SC or possibly SYD FLounge access (whenever I reach QF WP on 5/10/2010 )

 

[Stuser]

Thanks, Straitman.

Yeah I noticed the omg return. Not sure I can manage that, although LAN is offering J AKL-SYD for less than $300 including taxes for the date I want.... suppose if you can actually sleep in the seat that makes it better. Prob better to book cheaper hotel too the night before given that you need to get up at 4 or so...

The LAN product is a full international business class versus the Qantas domestic business class.
The LAN flight ex AKL is at O my God o'clock.
The LAN food to AKL is only average but quite good for breakfast on return.
You do get express lane cards ex SYD with the LAN business and sometimes for arrival on return.
You do not get priority emigration out of AKL on LAN. (no big bikkies at that time of morning)
You get all the announcements in Spanish and English on LAN.
Personal, subjective opinion only but the LAN product is much better (and cheaper) if it suits your travel patterns. If the LAN flight is cancelled they simply slide you onto a QF flight.

 

[Stuser]

Reckon you're right.

I did manage to get the EK AKL-SYD for just under $400 recently, but can't get that at the moment. LAN can get for about $750 return, while QF is about $1100 each way. QF prob more convenient but not for that money!

Same route, same price - I'd take the EK 380 But I'm not fussed on FF points, SC or possibly SYD FLounge access (whenever I reach QF WP on 5/10/2010 )

 

[straitman]

Thanks, Straitman.

Yeah I noticed the omg return. Not sure I can manage that, although LAN is offering J AKL-SYD for less than $300 including taxes for the date I want.... suppose if you can actually sleep in the seat that makes it better. Prob better to book cheaper hotel too the night before given that you need to get up at 4 or so...

The Ventura Inn is quite OK and there is a HI nearby also. Ventura has a free shuttle and free breakfast. The HI shuttle costs $10 each and sweeps a few hotels. 4am shuttle with check-in about 90min before flight time is OK.
ps The Grand Chancellor is cxxp :!:

 

[Stuser]

... and here's something else I just thought of:

can you use the QF free transfer bus in SYD if transferring from domestic QF to an international one world partner carrier, or do you have to be flying QF?

If so, does this then mean that you have to exit the domestic terminal and get to international terminal by another means, and then go through security AGAIN!

Will QF check my bag through with LAN or?

 

[Stuser]

... does HI mean Hilton International or...?

The Ventura Inn is quite OK and there is a HI nearby also. Ventura has a free shuttle and free breakfast. The HI shuttle costs $10 each and sweeps a few hotels. 4am shuttle with check-in about 90min before flight time is OK.
ps The Grand Chancellor is cxxp :!:

 

[anat0l]

... and here's something else I just thought of:

can you use the QF free transfer bus in SYD if transferring from domestic QF to an international one world partner carrier, or do you have to be flying QF?

If so, does this then mean that you have to exit the domestic terminal and get to international terminal by another means, and then go through security AGAIN!

Will QF check my bag through with LAN or?

For domestic to international transfers, as long as you are transferring from a QF flight or to a QF flight, then you can use the QF transfer service. Indeed, I believe this facility is extended to oneworld customers as well.

QF will check your bags through to your final destination if you decide to fly with LA, so no need to worry about that. Of course, if your preceding flight is JQ, you'll need to do it the long way.

Irrespective of how you transfer from domestic to international, you'll be deposited on the landside of T1 which means you'll need to clear passport control & security screening ("again") anyway. (The QF transfer service - indeed, any current terminal transfer service - does not deposit you as a T1 sterile passenger). Oh yes, and this does mean if you want to carry any LAGs > 100 mL onboard out of SYD, you need to purchase them after clearing SYD T1 security screening.

Finally, HI stands for Holiday Inn.

 

[straitman]

... and here's something else I just thought of:

can you use the QF free transfer bus in SYD if transferring from domestic QF to an international one world partner carrier, or do you have to be flying QF?

If so, does this then mean that you have to exit the domestic terminal and get to international terminal by another means, and then go through security AGAIN!

Will QF check my bag through with LAN or?

I have done this from MEL. I'm not sure where you are travelling from.

In MEL check bags through to AKL. There is an International connections desk at the far right toward the JQ check-in area.
In SYD go to opposite Gate 2 for the transfer bus. They may want to see your baggage tags.
Bus to International.
You will end up in the International terminal. You need to go to the LAN business check-in to get boarding passes. They will give you a lounge access pass if required and an Outbound Express Immigration card.
Proceed air-side and go to the lounge.

If you want duty free either direction then look at Duty Free Stores New Zealand as they are very good especially for booze. Join their frequent buyer club for 20% discount on booze.

HI refers to Holiday Inn.

 

[Stuser]

Irrespective of how you transfer from domestic to international, you'll be deposited on the landside of T1 which means you'll need to clear passport control & security screening ("again") anyway.

"again" = joys of living in the provincial capital of canberra, and having to go through 2 sets of security whenever travelling overseas. So much fun...

I have done this from MEL. I'm not sure where you are travelling from.

In MEL check bags through to AKL. There is an International connections desk at the far right toward the JQ check-in area.
In SYD go to opposite Gate 2 for the transfer bus. They may want to see your baggage tags.
Bus to International.
You will end up in the International terminal. You need to go to the LAN business check-in to get boarding passes. They will give you a lounge access pass if required and an Outbound Express Immigration card.
Proceed air-side and go to the lounge.

If you want duty free either direction then look at Duty Free Stores New Zealand as they are very good especially for booze. Join their frequent buyer club for 20% discount on booze.

HI refers to Holiday Inn.

Thanks for the booze tip!

Assuming LAN lounge in SYD is just QF J lounge, which I can access as Oneworld Sapphire regardless of travel class?

 

[anat0l]

Assuming LAN lounge in SYD is just QF J lounge, which I can access as Oneworld Sapphire regardless of travel class?

Correct, as long as you are flying with QF or oneworld.

 

[straitman]

"again" = joys of living in the provincial capital of canberra, and having to go through 2 sets of security whenever travelling overseas. So much fun...



Thanks for the booze tip!

No worries. I always use them to/from NZ and absolutely no hassle.

Assuming LAN lounge in SYD is just QF J lounge, which I can access as Oneworld Sapphire regardless of travel class?

Yes.

 

[FuzzyAUS]

Well after reading a lot about LAN, I am taking LA800 this Thursday SYD-AKL and returning on the OMG flight on Saturday morning.

Just shy of $700 AUD return for J which is a lot better than QF.

Will be my first time in Syd F lounge (WP) so i am looking forward to that, will get to the airport about 2 hrs before the flight.

Thanks to this group for the fantastic idea, that will give me some nice SC's while a supplier is picking up the flights.

Cheers
Fuzz

 

[Jacques Vert]

Mrs JV & I came back from SCL to SYD via AKL recently. No priority with clearance in SYD; not sure the other way.

LA product was excellent besides the OMG departure time. All announcements in Spanish with recorded English version to follow (why is it the English version seems to be less than half as long as the original?).

Breakfast fine; QP lounge in AKL nice; all good. Price seems good given 160 SCs return in J.

A340 J cabin very nice; just do it.

Regards,

JV

 

[anat0l]

All announcements in Spanish with recorded English version to follow (why is it the English version seems to be less than half as long as the original?).

Ha. Recorded English.

The last time I flew with them, the English announcements were spoken by the crew. They can speak English; yes they have an accent (geez, who around the world doesn't?) and you must speak clearly and perhaps a bit (or a lot) slower than what you're used to.... Oh, and use simpler English...

 

[Stuser]

just do it.

Nice one. I will!

But FuzzyAUS, now you're taking the lead: how did you get under $700 AU? I can't seem to get better than $US668 = about $AU728.... and that's on LAN US site.

S

 

[arraitch]

Nice one. I will!

But FuzzyAUS, now you're taking the lead: how did you get under $700 AU? I can't seem to get better than $US668 = about $AU728.... and that's on LAN US site.

S

Hmm ... an improvement on $1229AUD on the site "nearer" home though! :shock:

 

[Stuser]

Hmm ... an improvement on $1229AUD on the site "nearer" home though! :shock:

HI Arraitch.

Yep that is pretty much the point of this thread.

Seems to be a few airlines between SYD and AKL. QF does offer more flight options, but their J product and price are somewhat inferior to the competition.

 

[arraitch]

HI Arraitch.

Yep that is pretty much the point of this thread.

Seems to be a few airlines between SYD and AKL. QF does offer more flight options, but their J product and price are somewhat inferior to the competition.

My meaning may not have been clear. $1229 AUD is a return fare from the LAN AU web site. QF is in that ballpark each way.