SYD T3 QFd to T1 QFi (in December)

[AustraliaPoochie]

For those who have done it, Aust to Japan.
((SYD T3 to T1)) 3hrs 40mins, say dom arr 17:10 to int dep 20:40, through ticket, same afternoon/evening departure to Japan.
Or
((MEL T1 to T2)) 1hr 40 mins, say dom arr 7:50 to int dep 10:00 more or less, say 1hr 40 mins MEL T1 to T2 better for a connection, same morning departure to Japan.
Both would be through ticketed, same PNR QF flights.
Not being able to fly internationally without exemption/permission by Home Affairs, thought we could talk about flying internationally, inc transitting MEL/SYD, from ADL to MEL/SYD to HND.
Sanely thinking, MEL would be the best, wouldn't it, for those who have flown from PER/ADL to MEL/SYD to get to Japan in the past.
Or better still, do an overnight transit in MEL.
Could always get that after midnight JAL flight from MEL, but they charge Aud$5k for a window seat cash revenue booking for window seating.
This is my waffly booking.

 

[sudoer]

Sanely thinking, MEL would be the best, wouldn't it

Either is very safe, choose by your preference for a day or night long-haul flight.

Nothing to stop you arriving in Sydney earlier in the day either - search using the multi-city tool.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

My work finishes at a bit before 12 noon on a Mon.
As a outsourced cleaner for a location, if I don't appear, I don't get paid, applying for annual leave is a pain too, ...
If I play it right, eg, Dec 2022, clean finishes on Mon a bit before 12:00 (noon), get by bus to airport to get flight (no QP visit), to SYD at 14:55 to SYD, get to SYD at 17:05, and do the transfer.
Looks like its the only one flight for QF per day from SYD to HND.
I could forgo the QFi J lounge in MEL, the SYD QFi J is a bit better with outside views.
Christmas and Boxing Day fall on Mon and Tues, so the next clean would be Wed of Dec 22, ... so it would be that long break for me.
Maybe if I get a large tax back, I might do the overnight in MEL to get QFi morning flight.
The last time I did it, I got to the gate for QFi flight to NZ, and the line up for that 737 was already very long, if I remember correctly, it was the 18:30 flight SYD to WLG, and that entailed a run up the stairs from the QF transfer bus drop off at SYD T1 .
Now, waiting for news on int border opening, have to keep that in mind, and if Japan will open to Aussies, by then, Dec 22 (2022).

 

[RichardMEL]

Honestly I am so confused by what the actual question(s) are? what's all this about $5k for a window seat? huh?

a >3 hour connection at SYD is more than enough, even including lounge time and all the rest. When things are back as before just wander to gate 15 and they take you over. it's pretty easy and a 10ish minute bus ride. You then go through international processing. 3+ hours is more than enough.

I'm really lost as to whatever other questions are in there though.

 

[justinbrett]

Despite the time required to transit terminals in SYD, it won't take two hours, hence your connection will be safer in SYD than MEL.

Normal international travel should be up and running in December for NSW, so SYD probably a safer option in that regard.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

For RichardMEL, main point is about the transfer/transit timing from T3 to T1, for those who have done it.
As for where the $5 comes in, if a person, from ADL wants to go to Japan, from say, ADL, and wants to feel flying JAL, and wants a window seat, the first flight is with QF, from ADL, at 6:05am to SYD at 8:30am, JL52 goes out at 11:15am, the fare for a window seat, is Aud$5k in J, if aisle seat J, its about Aud$2,500, JAL website booking and JAL PNR.
Earn rate is 6000 QFF and 60 QF SC.
This would be on a Tue, transfer time of a bit over 3 hours.
This one would probably give me some time in the SYD QFi J lounge.
If I wanted to fly QF all the way, earning more QFF points and QFF SC, its about Aud$5,900 return, the 14:55 afternoon flight gets me to SYD about 18:15 on a Mon evening, to get to T1 at SYD by 20:00, for QF25, probably/maybe no lounge, depends on how fast the QF transfer bus takes.
Apologies, just had a much deeper look, I see the error, that ADL flight actually arr into SYD T3 at 17:10/17:15, not 18:30, which from 17:30 to 20:30,is still also 3 hours, so maybe its enough time for the lounge.
Main point/question, is, is this enough time, for those who have done the domestic flight to SYD, then QF25 to HND.
Guess I have to try it one day soon, for myself.
Thanks for the replies though.

 

[RichardMEL]

Poochie, perhaps you should actually try and separate actual questions to bullet points that are concise and to the point. Just a suggestion for the future. It can be really hard to follow your train of thought at times. You did this at the very end - thank you.

Yes, 3 hours - as many have already stated - is more than enough to transfer at SYD. The trip over does not take too long and the busses are reasonably frequent (say 10-15min) that one usually does not wait too long. It's certainly long enough to spend time in a lounge, though the J lounge having potentially near 2h in would be pushing the interest imo.

The only thing to factor is 1700ish is obviously a peak time at SYD domestic in terms of runway use of arrivals and departures. There may be some delay but probably not enough to be an issue.

Generally I would not book under 90min connection at SYD, but 3 hours is almost too much, even in the F lounge. imo.

Also your comment that a "window seat in J" is $5k vs $2.5k for an aisle seat is nonsensical. While some airlines (eg: BA) do charge for a seat assignment in J it sure as heck isn't double the price. Are you implying that perhaps you are looking at different flights where a window is available at a price level of $x and a different flight with only ausle seats available at $y? That may simply reflect that the one flight, with one presumes more open seats is selling at a lower overall fare level (eg: I class fare v a D class). Your comment above implies that the fare for a window seat is costing double ust for that reason. That clearly is not going to be the case for nay airline, ever. You need to look at the overall situation, imo.

 

[justinbrett]

Even if the airside bus isn’t running, it’s pretty quick to self transfer via the train (you’ll have to pay but it’s not much). The trains run frequently to a set timetable, the stations are underneath both terminals so it’s very easy.

There’s plenty of horror stories on the landslide bus and I wouldn’t recommend it.

 

[sudoer]

Also your comment that a "window seat in J" is $5k vs $2.5k for an aisle seat is nonsensical.

In some cases JAL blocks non-status pax from advanced seat selection of window seats - it's definitely the case for award bookings, it wouldn't surprise me if they also did it for the cheapest business fares. They open up at OLCI if still available.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

For RichardMEL, same JAL flight.
If you want to and have some time to spare, go to the JAL website and put ADL as start, to SYD to HND, pick J, and try.
Look at the price.
Ok, waffly turned off now.

 

[Ade]

@AustraliaPoochie - Is it possible that you are looking at the "chair/seat" logo on the Business Flex fare and thinking that it's a "window seat" fare? I do apologize if that's not the case and it was not my intention to ask that rather "simple" question ...

I had a look at the JAL website, ADL to HND return, 1 pax J and I can see the below ...

 

[RichardMEL]

And that seat icon just means the availability is limited..... per the legend displayed at the bottom of the page.

 

[downtheback]

Normal international travel should be up and running in December for NSW, so SYD probably a safer option in that regard.

Both VIC and NSW are going to be 80% DD by end of Oct so both will be fine for international travel from Dec onwards, if not Nov.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

I went to seat map, which comes up under the fare price, "show available seat".
If you put a bulls eye onto the bullet point, available seating will come up, as another line, down below, and then a separate mini page opens up.
Under $2500 per one way booking, window is X out, but if we choose $5000 one way fare, window seat opens up.
I would like to see a dawn/dusk with a wide window on a B787 plane, for once!
Anyway, would most likely do/might do that MEL (then can see what the Marhaba lounge is like!) one, will see how much my tax refund is, and do it in Dec 2023, instead of Dec 22.
Yes, too much info/too much waffle, haven't flown internationally for a long time, and domestic in Jun this year, too idle mind.

 

[RichardMEL]

Sounds to me like whatever specific flight you are looking at that the limit was reached for the less flex "Business Standard" fare, per:

https://www.jal.co.jp/en/inter/reservation/seat_selection/

The range of seats available for selection may be limited based on fare type, required mileage (award ticket) and purchase location. Because only a limited number of seats can be pre-selected, we may not be able to accommodate your preferences.

When you select the Flex (J) fare option the selection opens up because that has a different (or no) limit on pre assigning seats.

it does NOT mean you are being charged double for a window seat per se. It means if you want to preallocate one on that flight then yes, buy a J fare. Or, select a different flight with more availability.

Or wait to OLCI and hope a seat has opened up. using a service like ExpertFlyer can be your friend for this kind of thing.

(I d admit this seems a very frustrating situation for a premium cabin fare and not one I would like at all, but that's up to JAL to do as they please in this regard))