Questions re combined QF - PX flights to PNG

[Happy Dude]

Travelling to Kimbe/Hoskin (HKN) in PNG in September to bag a Black Bass and a Spot Tail Bass. I'm trying to understand the relationship between QF and PX, if any.

The route is CBR-BNE-POM-HKN return. POM-HKN is on PX domestic. CBR-BNE could be QF or even VA, while BNE-POM could be PX or QF.

I can't book any ticket with POM-HKN via the QF website and, annoyingly, there's no flight/availability on the PX website on the date I need for the return POM-BNE flight. I can book the outbound legs on PX though, which suggests there's some relationship.

I can book this all on one ticket via Webjet (QF CBR-BNE-POM vv, then change to PX for POM-HKN), but I really don't want to involve a OTA or a TA for that matter. But if I did, what's the deal with luggage? Would the luggage be checked through to HKN by QF? Or would I need to fetch bags in POM and re-check-in to HKN?

I can't think of any other way to avoid two or more tickets, QF CBR-BNE-POM vv then PX POM-HKN. Protecting the intl legs with enough time to move between terminals in BNE would be a priority.

 

[Franky]

Travelling to Kimbe/Hoskin (HKN) in PNG in September to bag a Black Bass and a Spot Tail Bass. I'm trying to understand the relationship between QF and PX, if any.

The route is CBR-BNE-POM-HKN return. POM-HKN is on PX domestic. CBR-BNE could be QF or even VA, while BNE-POM could be PX or QF.

I can't book any ticket with POM-HKN via the QF website and, annoyingly, there's no flight/availability on the PX website on the date I need for the return POM-BNE flight. I can book the outbound legs on PX though, which suggests there's some relationship.

I can book this all on one ticket via Webjet (QF CBR-BNE-POM vv, then change to PX for POM-HKN), but I really don't want to involve a OTA or a TA for that matter. But if I did, what's the deal with luggage? Would the luggage be checked through to HKN by QF? Or would I need to fetch bags in POM and re-check-in to HKN?

I can't think of any other way to avoid two or more tickets, QF CBR-BNE-POM vv then PX POM-HKN. Protecting the intl legs with enough time to move between terminals in BNE would be a priority.

Given what’s going on in PNG right now, perhaps give it a miss…

 

[henrus]

I'm trying to understand the relationship between QF and PX, if any.

The QF/PX has been slowly winding down over the last 2-3 years, right now it's just a codeshare agreement on some flights. Previously it was a lot more including earning/burning points.

I can't book any ticket with POM-HKN via the QF website

Whilst it's not bookable via the QF website, Qantas does publish fares from CBR to HKN, using the ITA Matrix. In theory this means you could call Qantas reservations and they should be able to book it, obviously in practice this depends on the phone agent you're connected to (with AFFers knowing that QF is rather variable...)

I can book this all on one ticket via Webjet (QF CBR-BNE-POM vv, then change to PX for POM-HKN), but I really don't want to involve a OTA or a TA for that matter.

They're just selling the PX or QF tickets that QF's website is incapable of providing due to to HKN not being a valid port. If you get an ok TA then there shouldn't be that many problems. If you go down the TA path, it is worth checking if they're going to issue the ticket on QF or PX ticket numbers (would make a difference in the case of cancellation etc) the problem is many OTA's fail to display this information.

Would the luggage be checked through to HKN by QF? Or would I need to fetch bags in POM and re-check-in to HKN?

Regardless you'll need to fetch luggage in POM as you need to clear customs in POM before dropping off bags for the domestic flight. This is no different to how it operates in Australia. When flying back if flying HKN-POM-BNE-CBR you'll need to collect bags in BNE as that would be your first point of entry into Australia.

 

[Happy Dude]

Given what’s going on in PNG right now, perhaps give it a miss…

This has crossed our minds and we've asked questions of our tour company. We're awaiting their response but I expect they'll say that we'll be in a part of PNG where election-related violence is not an issue and so forth.

I'm looking at insurance PDS to work out if coverage extends to delays/missed flights due to civil unrest (?). The greatest risk, I'd guess, is that there's trouble at an airport that causes flights to be affected.

 

[Happy Dude]

The QF/PX has been slowly winding down over the last 2-3 years, right now it's just a codeshare agreement on some flights. Previously it was a lot more including earning/burning points.

Whilst it's not bookable via the QF website, Qantas does publish fares from CBR to HKN, using the ITA Matrix. In theory this means you could call Qantas reservations and they should be able to book it, obviously in practice this depends on the phone agent you're connected to (with AFFers knowing that QF is rather variable...)


They're just selling the PX or QF tickets that QF's website is incapable of providing due to to HKN not being a valid port. If you get an ok TA then there shouldn't be that many problems. If you go down the TA path, it is worth checking if they're going to issue the ticket on QF or PX ticket numbers (would make a difference in the case of cancellation etc) the problem is many OTA's fail to display this information.


Regardless you'll need to fetch luggage in POM as you need to clear customs in POM before dropping off bags for the domestic flight. This is no different to how it operates in Australia. When flying back if flying HKN-POM-BNE-CBR you'll need to collect bags in BNE as that would be your first point of entry into Australia.

This is terrific advice and information. Many thanks.

I've highlighted the most frightening/rather rot in hell thing now on my 'to do' list, which includes reading TI PDS, a prostate exam and, separately, driving b/w Canberra-Sydney.....