Our QF flight to HKG has been cancelled.

[sinophile888]

This morning, I logged into my QF frequent flyer account to double check my booking from PER to HKG in March. I had booked 2 business class seats using points. Perfect flight times and only one flight. I was rather surprised to see that our flights had been “greyed out” and replaced with a new flight from PER to SIN departing a few hours later than originally booked.

I rang Qantas to be told that the Monday flights direct to HKG will have been cancelled by the time we are flying. We now have to transfer to CX in Singapore and will arrive in HKG about 5 hours later than I had thought.

I only booked our original flights about 3 weeks ago and so I am surprised that Qantas has made this change so suddenly.

I assume we will be allowed access to the CX lounge in SIN if there is enough transit time and that our luggage will be booked through to HKG.

 

[Flashback]

Yes you will have lounge access in SIN (I'd probably use the QF lounge if it were me) and your luggage will be checked through.

I'd also suggest ringing QFF and seeing if they can put you on a direct CX flight PER-HKG.

 

[straitman]

I'd also suggest ringing QFF and seeing if they can put you on a direct CX flight PER-HKG.

Agreed.

It seems like QF have taken the easy way out but with a gentle push you may get something better.

 

[mannej]

I'd also suggest ringing QFF and seeing if they can put you on a direct CX flight PER-HKG.

Please keep in mind that previous posts by the OP has stated that they can not fly at night, something of which CX170 is unfortunately.

 

[sinophile888]

You are quite correct, mannej. It is not a pretty sight if I fly at night. I always have to research my flights carefully. So my disappointment at the cancellation of my original flight. The times suited me perfectly. I would not contemplate the overnight flight on CX.

Flashware, I didn’t realise that we would have a choice of lounges in SIN. Why do you recommend the QF lounge? Is it location or quality of lounge? I thought the CX lounge in HKG was fine when I was there in October.

Thanks for your replies.

 

[Flashback]

You are quite correct, mannej. It is not a pretty sight if I fly at night. I always have to research my flights carefully. So my disappointment at the cancellation of my original flight. The times suited me perfectly. I would not contemplate the overnight flight on CX.

Flashware, I didn’t realise that we would have a choice of lounges in SIN. Why do you recommend the QF lounge? Is it location or quality of lounge? I thought the CX lounge in HKG was fine when I was there in October.

Thanks for your replies.

Because the lounge in SIN is nowhere near as good as what HKG has...

 

[oz_mark]

Please keep in mind that previous posts by the OP has stated that they can not fly at night, something of which CX170 is unfortunately.

Late in March the QF flights PER-HKG switch to overnight flights as well (overnight both ways, so I am not sure how they will work that with aircraft). I would have expected if that was running on the OP's flight day, then QF would have done that. I think Mar 22 is cancelled though, and Mar 29 is the first flight on the new schedule.

 

[samh004]

Flashware, I didn’t realise that we would have a choice of lounges in SIN. Why do you recommend the QF lounge? Is it location or quality of lounge? I thought the CX lounge in HKG was fine when I was there in October.

The CX lounge in HKG is their flagship lounge, as it’s their port, in SIN though neither QF/BA or CX reside, so the lounges would never be as good as SQ’s for instance. But generally speaking, the QF/BA lounge is better than the CX lounge there.

Depending on how long you have there, you can try all the ones you have access to if you like

 

[Sprucegoose]

You are quite correct, mannej. It is not a pretty sight if I fly at night. I always have to research my flights carefully. So my disappointment at the cancellation of my original flight. The times suited me perfectly. I would not contemplate the overnight flight on CX.

Flashware, I didn’t realise that we would have a choice of lounges in SIN. Why do you recommend the QF lounge? Is it location or quality of lounge? I thought the CX lounge in HKG was fine when I was there in October.

Thanks for your replies.

Dear Sinophile888.

Is the issue with night flying class related?

If so, Push for an upgrade, stranger things have happened.

If not, still push for the U/G - the inconvenience is most ridiculous!!!!!

Regards

SPRUCE

 

[mannej]

They are flying in J, so unless CX put a 3 class bird on the SIN-HKG leg, there is no chance of upgrading any higher on their current routing.
PER-HKG is the same, unless CX send a 3-class A333/343 down, and there is no chance on QF.

 

[cosi]

This is bad news for regulars, because it was great to have the choice between QF (day flight) or CX (overnight flight) for the PER-HKG sector.

Obviousily QF was losing too many customers CX who need same day connecting flights to China.

For the new QF schedule, I wonder were the plane will come from?

 

[mannej]

This is bad news for regulars, because it was great to have the choice between QF (day flight) or CX (overnight flight) for the PER-HKG sector.

Obviousily QF was losing too many customers CX who need same day connecting flights to China.

For the new QF schedule, I wonder were the plane will come from?

Although the day flight was a good option, it did not leave much in terms of connections to certain places.

QF have now timed it to come in at similar times to QF127/29, so could this mean the return of a A333 domestically to supply the plane, or would it come from SIN?

To the OP, contact QF and suggest that you go via SYD on QF127, as it is a B744, and it is a day flight. It may mean you have to arrive in SYD a day early to avoid the night flight over, but it could keep you on QF, and you arrive at a fairly similar time (17:55) compared to the original QF67

 

[Dave Noble]

To the OP, contact QF and suggest that you go via SYD on QF127, as it is a B744, and it is a day flight. It may mean you have to arrive in SYD a day early to avoid the night flight over, but it could keep you on QF, and you arrive at a fairly similar time (17:55) compared to the original QF67

Seems a rather unnecessary and long diversion; the service to SIN with a connection onwards to HKG seems far more reasonable a routing; CX business class is quite decent and QF has a reasonable lounge in SIN and the connection is a nice short 1 hour. Total journey time from Perth of 10hrs 15mins. Going via SYD would require an overnight in Sydney or a night flight to Sydney with a 4hr 10 journey to SYD and then 9hrs 10mins onwards to HKG

Dave

 

[aus_flyer]

They are flying in J, so unless CX put a 3 class bird on the SIN-HKG leg, there is no chance of upgrading any higher on their current routing.

CX operate a 3-class service SIN-HKG around 3-5 times a week (depending on time of year).

But there's absolutely no chance QF will upgrade you simply because of the inconvenience.

 

[mannej]

I have not looked at the CX SIN-HKG timings so I am not sure if they are day or night flights. The OP does not fly at night, so I am just floating another alternative up.

Agreed QF will not upgrade due to a cancelled flight.

 

[Dave Noble]

I have not looked at the CX SIN-HKG timings so I am not sure if they are day or night flights. The OP does not fly at night, so I am just floating another alternative up.

Similar to me... night flights are a big nono. The SIN-HKG flight is not an overnight flight, just an early evening one

Dave

 

[sinophile888]

Once again, thanks to everyone for their very welcome suggestions.

It does seem that the option that Qantas has offered is better for me than any other alternatives. Of everything else I have investigated, it would be my no. 2 choice.

Should I ring Qantas and confirm that I will take the option offered? What is the chance that there could be more changes? Could I expect any special consideration from Qantas?

At least with both QF to SIN and CX to HKG, there are multiple daily flights. I feel that we should be safe to go ahead and book other flights, trains, hotels, boats etc. I am keen to start booking everything as I am on holidays at present. Hilton has a nice weekend special which I would like to take advantage of in Bangkok. Also our favourite hotel in Hong Kong has a good deal at present.

 

[freofan]

Slightly OT but this change is excellent for me - previous flight timings have meant for me to get from PER to PEK (Beijing) I've had to leave home at 7am and don't arrive in BJ until 11pm. I much prefer the overnight option.

It seems Qantas has confirmed this change was to enable better connections into Asia via CX et al.

 

[oz_mark]

It seems Qantas has confirmed this change was to enable better connections into Asia via CX et al.

Could be. BNE-HKG is being changed in a similar fashion.

 

[JohnK]

Flashware, I didn’t realise that we would have a choice of lounges in SIN. Why do you recommend the QF lounge? Is it location or quality of lounge? I thought the CX lounge in HKG was fine when I was there in October.

There is nothing wrong with the Skyview Lounge in SIN. Have used it a number of times and it is actually a blessing in disguise when the QF/BA lounges are full of children out of control.