MH to join Skyteam

[Johan]

http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2006/3/3/business/13558049&sec=business
http://www.flyertalk.com:80/forum/showthread.php?t=531842

Does anyone have any info on SkyTeam RTW fares/tickets from Australia?

 

[tuapekastar]

http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2006/3/3/business/13558049&sec=business
http://www.flyertalk.com:80/forum/showthread.php?t=531842

Does anyone have any info on SkyTeam RTW fares/tickets from Australia?

These are the latest I could find...these were valid Oct 2004, so not positive they're current, but if not, they're probably pretty close.

29K Miles 34K Miles 39K Miles
First 11,599 12,899 14,499
Business 8,399 9,199 10,599
Exconomy 2,889 3,399 3,999

Not sure if there are 'seasonal' economy fares to be had. And naturally, there are taxes/surcharges to be added.

I got these from a comprehensive spreasdsheet I downloaded, I think, via FT (last month). This s/sheet covers OW, *A and Skyteam, from most countries, and in a number of currencies. When I search out where I got it from I'll post a link. The s/sheet is compiled by WearyBizTrvlr, from a number of sources.

 

[BlacKnox]

Post subject: MH to join Skyteam

I think MH is considering applying to Skyteam would be more appropriate.

 

[NM]

MH is one of the few major airlines that remains unaligned with one of the alliances.

 

[Johan]

*A has got TG and SQ, while OW and ST doesn't have any Southeast Asian airlines. MH is planning to fly to London and only Amsterdam, Paris and Rome, which are the hubs for ST in Europe.

I wish MH would join OW, as it will increase OW's Southeast Asian network significantly. Then, I can consolidate my miles into UA and QF. Now, I have to join NW too.

It seems likely that MH would be able to join ST as ST needs a SOutheast Asian airline, and MH already has reciprocal FF programmes with quite a few of the ST members.

 

[Damien]

*A has got TG and SQ, while OW and ST doesn't have any Southeast Asian airlines.

I'd be interested to know why you don't class CX as a south-east Asian airline. It certainly covers the geography quite well.

 

[Johan]

CX's hub is in HK, which is more East Asia.

So, if I wanted to fly around SEA, for example, Bali to Singapore, I would have to fly Bali to HK to SIN, on CX. On TG/SQ/MH, the transit in BKK/SIN/JUL is much more time-efficient... I could spend a day travelling Bali to SIN on CX, or just hald a day on one of hte SEA airlines.

 

[JohnK]

I'd be interested to know why you don't class CX as a south-east Asian airline. It certainly covers the geography quite well.

As CX is based in Hong Kong it is a North Asian airline. Yes it does cover south-east Asia quite well but I would think that would be because south-east Asia is only a short hop away and the logical place to fly the majority of it's routes.

 

[NM]

At the moment, with CX being the only Asian OneWorld carrier, getting anywhere means transiting HKG. This is particularly painful for places like KUL, where the options are limited for both OW and *A:

• Use MH direct from Australia to KUL (fastest, no OW or *A rewards)
• Use QF/BA/SQ to SIN and then MH or SQ to KUL (reasonable connections)
• Use CX/QF to HKG and CX back to KUL (longest travel time)

Since KUL is a reasonably regular destination for me, I would prefer to see MH join OW than ST. MH is a good carrier with good service in the typical Asian style.

 

[Mal]

I wasn't impressed with MH last time I flew them... late & indifferent service onboard.

I tend to trust airlines more when they are in an alliance. Whether that is misguided or not I don't know yet...

 

[JohnK]

• Use MH direct from Australia to KUL (fastest, no OW or *A rewards)
• Use QF/BA/SQ to SIN and then MH or SQ to KUL (reasonable connections)
• Use CX/QF to HKG and CX back to KUL (longest travel time)

Option 2 is very good whilst QF31 departs SYD 22:00 and arrives SIN early morning with a short transit in SIN until first SIN-KUL flight 6:30am.

End of March QF31 changes to an afternoon departure ex SYD arriving SIN around 22:00 which means an overnighter in SIN before morning flight to KUL. This option is not that attractive unless you are, or company is, prepared to pay for accommodation.

Agree it would be good to see MH join OW.

 

[Johan]

I would, for selfish reasons, like to see MH join OW.

However, I don't think it is likely, as MH wants KUL to be a hub, while QF already uses SIN and BKK as transit points for SEA. Also, MH would be competing with QF for passengers on the Kangaroo route, as they fly from most Aussie cities to KUL, and then KUL to LHR.

Also KE is also unlikely to mind MH joining ST, as their routes would complement each other (North and Southeast Asia). However, CX has a relatively greater network than KE in SEA, and might not want a competitor in the region. e.g. AA passengers who want to go to KUL now have to go via HK on OW. If MH joins OW, they could fly LAX-KUL directly on MH. nd on to other Southeast Asian destinations.

Additionally, MH already has relationships with many of the ST members.

But, who knows? It would be good for us if MH joins OW.

 

[Johan]

http://www.skyteam.com/EN/aboutSkyteam/pressCenter/pr010706.jsp
Skyteam wins best alliance.

 

[oz_mark]

I would, for selfish reasons, like to see MH join OW.

However, I don't think it is likely, as MH wants KUL to be a hub, while QF already uses SIN and BKK as transit points for SEA. Also, MH would be competing with QF for passengers on the Kangaroo route, as they fly from most Aussie cities to KUL, and then KUL to LHR.

Also KE is also unlikely to mind MH joining ST, as their routes would complement each other (North and Southeast Asia). However, CX has a relatively greater network than KE in SEA, and might not want a competitor in the region. e.g. AA passengers who want to go to KUL now have to go via HK on OW. If MH joins OW, they could fly LAX-KUL directly on MH. nd on to other Southeast Asian destinations.

Additionally, MH already has relationships with many of the ST members.

But, who knows? It would be good for us if MH joins OW.

If MH joins Skyteam, it will mean that I will have all three of the major alliances covered (although, my only real status is with OW)

 

[NM]

Option 2 is very good whilst QF31 departs SYD 22:00 and arrives SIN early morning with a short transit in SIN until first SIN-KUL flight 6:30am.

My usual route to KUL is QF51 BNE-SIN and then MH610 SIN-KUL. All same-day travel (no overnight) and I am in my hotel before midnight. For the return, I usually take MH613 KUL-SIN, connecting with QF52 SIN-BNE (which is unfortunately an overnighter).

 

[JohnK]

Option 2 is very good whilst QF31 departs SYD 22:00 and arrives SIN early morning with a short transit in SIN until first SIN-KUL flight 6:30am.

My usual route to KUL is QF51 BNE-SIN and then MH610 SIN-KUL. All same-day travel (no overnight) and I am in my hotel before midnight. For the return, I usually take MH613 KUL-SIN, connecting with QF52 SIN-BNE (which is unfortunately an overnighter).

Yes I forgot that the BNE, ADL, DRW and PER QF flights all arrive in SIN with plenty of time to get last SQ or MH connection for the night!

 

[NM]

Option 2 is very good whilst QF31 departs SYD 22:00 and arrives SIN early morning with a short transit in SIN until first SIN-KUL flight 6:30am.

My usual route to KUL is QF51 BNE-SIN and then MH610 SIN-KUL. All same-day travel (no overnight) and I am in my hotel before midnight. For the return, I usually take MH613 KUL-SIN, connecting with QF52 SIN-BNE (which is unfortunately an overnighter).

Yes I forgot that the BNE, ADL, DRW and PER QF flights all arrive in SIN with plenty of time to get last SQ or MH connection for the night!

There is a later flight, MH614 departing at 23:05. But that makes for a very late arrival at a hotel in KL, allowing for arrivals procedures, baggage collection and then KLIA Ekspres trip.

SQ's latest departure is SQ118 at 8pm, which would be very tight from most QF arrivals ex-Aus.

 

[Johan]

I usually just fly MH, SQ or TG to KUL and get my luggage checked through all the way. Has anyone faced any problems with lost baggage/transit/late arrivals/missed connections going QF/BA/Emirates/etc from Oz to SIN and then MH from SIN to KUL? Do you need to collect your baggage and re-check-in if you are doing a QF/MH combo via SIN?

It just appeared to be more hassle than it's worth, which was why I've chosen SQ or TG (at least I'm with the same carrier) when flying to KUL. But, I might be wrong, as quire a few of you are flying QF to SIN, connecting with MH/SQ to KUL.

 

[JohnK]

I usually just fly MH, SQ or TG to KUL and get my luggage checked through all the way. Has anyone faced any problems with lost baggage/transit/late arrivals/missed connections going QF/BA/Emirates/etc from Oz to SIN and then MH from SIN to KUL? Do you need to collect your baggage and re-check-in if you are doing a QF/MH combo via SIN?

A couple of years back I flew QF31 SYD-SIN arrived around 4:00am and had 6:30am SQ flight SIN-KUL. I got to KUL around 8:00am but my luggage didn't although they were checked all the way to KUL.

The luggage, travelling unaccompanied on a much later SQ flight, finally arrived at Concorde Hotel, Shah Alam around 5:00pm.

 

[Johan]

ST RTW rules from ST RTW website:
http://skyteam.com/EN/benefits/around07/index.jsp "

Simply book the first flights up to and including the intercontinental flight of your itinerary and leave the remainder of your trip "open". Book the following flights whenever you wish. A last-minute change? More than 2,000 SkyTeam ticket offices worldwide are there to help you!"

"With SkyTeam Round the World you do not have to keep traveling in the same direction.You can always backtrack on the same continent."

It seems quite novel that we only have to book part of our RTW journey before buying the ticket!

ST RTW info can be found here:
http://skyteam.com/EN/benefits/around01/index.jsp