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Ahoy, mileage runners! (Incl. immediate turnarounds)

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Old Jan 23, 2019, 9:42 am
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Last edit by: AhogZ
This Wikipost is community-maintained and For Information Only. Note that not all information may be up to date and should be used at your own risk.

Safe - Immediate turnaround is easy, i.e. according to experience it is possible to reach departure gate quickly and without extra security check when doing same plane turnaround.
Intermediate - Immediate turnaround is doable, but requires e.g. extra security check.
Risky - Immediate turnaround not recommended. (See notes.)

TO KEEP THE WIKI AS COHERENT AS POSSIBLE, PLEASE USE "SAFE", "INTERMEDIATE" OR "RISKY" APPROPRIATELY! (I.e. no "Safe" for stations that require any kind of security or transfer check, not to mention going landside, etc.)

Immediate turnaround information for European AY destinations:

ACE: ?
AGP: Safe (Arrivals pour directly to departure gate.) Details here from August 2022
ALC: Intermediate, Arrivals pour from jetbridge to "funnel pathway" which takes people to baggage claim, but one can look for "Transfer" signage and take escalator up to the gate area. No checkpoints.
AMS: Safe (Arrivals pour directly to departure gate.)
ARN: Safe / Intermediate (Arrivals pour directly to departure gate, except gate 62 arrival pours to baggage claim. ATR flights may be riskier if one ends up with a bus gate.)
ATH: Intermediate at best
AYT: ?
BCN: No direct turnarounds due to operated by IB.
BER: ?
BGO: Safe (Arrivals pour directly to departure gate.)
BLL: ?
BMA: Safe (Transfer door is before going to the terminal exit and boarding will not start before the incoming plane is empty.)
BRU: Safe (Arrivals pour directly to departure gate.)
BUD: Safe (Arrivals pour directly to departure gate.)
CDG: ?
CFU: ?
CHQ: Risky (To landside first and security needed. Long lines possibile.)
CPH: Safe (Arrivals pour directly to departure gate.)
CTA: ?
DBV: ?
DUB: ?
DUS: ?
EDI: ? (Security check required for sure.)
FCO: Intermediate / Risky. Bus transportation can cause long walks.
FNC: Intermediate (Exit via baggage claim and reclear security, but should be doable if you exit among the first from the inbound flight. Mobile BP not available, obtain a BP from HEL.)
FRA: Safe (Even with the bus from stand you can make it.)
FUE: ?
GDN: Risky (Providing it is ATR by Norra, apron position, walking / bussing to the arrivals, queue security (can be very long), sprint upstairs to the gate.)
GOT: Safe / Intermediate(At least on tube arrival, after exit from the tube to the terminal area, turn around and you are at the departure gate. No info on possible bus gates though.)
GVA: ?
GZP: ?
HAJ: Safe (Arrival at departure gate)
HAM: ?
HER: ?
IBZ: ?
INN: Intermediate / Risky (To landside first and then security. No airside transit.)
IVL: Safe, arrivals pour into the gate area.
JOE: Intermediate (Exit via baggage claim and reclear security, but should be doable if you exit among the first from the inbound flight.)
JSI: ?
JTR: ?
JYV: ?
KAJ: ?
KAO: ?
KEF: ?
KEM: ?
KGS: ?
KOK: ?
KRK: Intermediate (AY rarely has a jetty position so bus, arrivals then go upstairs to departures for security, there is a fast track for OW elites - not well signposted - separate B/Pass scanner to the left)
KTT: ?
KUO: Intermediate (Exit via baggage claim and reclear security, but should be doable if you exit among the first from the inbound flight.)
LHR: Intermediate (Need to go via Flight Connections to reclear security, which may take time depending on the time of the day.)
LIS: ?
LIN: Safe, arrivals pour into departures.
LJU: ?
LPA: ?
LYS: ?
MAD: No direct turnarounds due to operated by IB.
MAH: ?
MAN: Intermediate/Risky, requires reclearing security.
MHQ: ?
MSQ: ?
MUC: Safe (Arrivals pour directly to departure gate.)
MXP: Intermediate / Risky (Arrivals come into a different floor, transfer requires walking through a transfer point and distances are quite long.)
NAP: ?
NCE: ?
OSL: Safe / Intermediate (D gates pours directly to departures. E gates also pours to departure gate, follow transit arrow, automatic gate door will open during "normal" hours. IF door doesn't open go upstairs try the transfer security. Very rare reports of stand arrival with bus to exit, but should still be doable, security is usually fast and short distances.)
OUL: Safe (Arrivals pour directly to departure gate.)
PFO: ?
PMI: ?
PRG: Safe (From arrivals walk up to departures to departure gate.)
PVK: ?
RHO: Risky (Arrivals pour to baggage claim, security check usually has long lines before you get to the departure hall.)
RIX: Risky. After deplaning, you walk to the terminal, but boarding is done with buses. My flight was delayed, and they started boarding before the plane was even there.
RMI: ?
RVN: Intermediate (Exit via baggage claim and reclear security, but should be doable if you exit among the first from the inbound flight.)
SPU: ?
SZG: ?
TAY: ?
TFS: ?
TLL: Risky (May have a remote stand arrival, when departing flight has been boarded into a bus with boarding gate already closed.)
TLV: ?
TOS: ?
UME: ?
VAA: Intermediate (Exit via baggage claim and reclear security, but should be doable if you exit among the first from the inbound flight.)
VBY: ?
VCE: ?
VIE: Safe (Arrivals pour directly to departure gate.)
VNO: Risky. (Departing pax board bus when arriving pax still deplaning. Connection corridor available but not sure how straightforward it is).
VRN: ?
WAW: Safe (Arrivals pour to departure gate.)
ZRH: Safe (When exiting the bridge, you are under the gates and there are inclined speedwalks that bring back to the gates upstairs.)

Immediate turnaround information for selected longhaul AY destinations:

DEL: Intermediate (There's plenty of time for the obligatory visit to the transit desk and security. However, you'll need a self-printed visa confirmation to show the gate agent at HEL.)
DOH: ?
DXB: Intermediate (Follow "connections" to security downstairs and after that go to transfer desk if needed.)
JFK: Intermediate (Generous time with the new schedule, but you'll need to clear US immigration so ESTA or visa is needed.)
NRT: Intermediate (OLCI and mobile BP works, no need to go landside. There's transfer security, though.)
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Ahoy, mileage runners! (Incl. immediate turnarounds)

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Old Feb 4, 2016, 5:44 am
  #256  
 
Join Date: May 2014
Location: HEL
Programs: AY+Plat, ALL Plat, Scandic L2
Posts: 3,620
Originally Posted by FFlash
IIRC there is a limit for max exchange and vaguely remember you could exchange only once. Not sure though and I cannot check it now as the Finnair pages crashed again and I cannot access them oh well, again
There is a limit of 50% of tier points needed for (re)qualification.

Note that in many cases, you can perform the points exchange online with the Finnair shop. Unfortunately, not all possible combination are covered (IIRC, 35k and 40k are missing).
Courmisch is offline  
Old Feb 4, 2016, 5:48 am
  #257  
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Helsinki-Vantaa APT, Finland
Programs: AY LUMO
Posts: 6,059
Originally Posted by Courmisch
If I were a border guard, I would be even more suspicious of someone who claims to intend to stay 4hours at DEL air side, than to stay in India without visa...
You wont meet border guards when entering DEL and sneaking to lounge.

If You are lucky, You meet attractive AY stuff waiting you at the gate. Incredible India.
OH-LGG is online now  
Old Feb 4, 2016, 5:49 am
  #258  
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Join Date: Dec 2014
Programs: Accor ALL Platinum
Posts: 1,111
I called to AY CC and they were able to change my award points to tier points. On the internet, it's possible to change the points only once during the tracking period, I was told.
wkndtraveler is offline  
Old Feb 4, 2016, 6:04 am
  #259  
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Helsinki-Vantaa APT, Finland
Programs: AY LUMO
Posts: 6,059
Originally Posted by Courmisch
border guard, .
About border guards, once leaving to DEL MR, borded guard in HEL asked me what kind of trip I do have to India.
Holiday or work? I answered, it should be holiday but it will be quite short holiday.
- how long.
- I should be back here in HEL in 19 hrs.
- whaaat??
- yes, not going to India, only to DEL airport.
- oh.oh....ok. hyvää matkaa!

OH-LGG is online now  
Old Feb 4, 2016, 6:20 am
  #260  
Ambassador: Finnair Plus
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Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: HEL
Programs: AY+ Plat, HHonors Diamond, Hyatt Discoverist, Priority Club Plat Amb, Miles and Smiles Elite
Posts: 5,294
Originally Posted by wkndtraveler
I called to AY CC and they were able to change my award points to tier points.
^
SPBanker is offline  
Old Feb 4, 2016, 6:20 am
  #261  
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Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: HEL
Programs: lots of shiny metal cards
Posts: 14,106
Originally Posted by OH-LGG
No. Not going to India, going to DEL lounge.
Just pray, that the plane doesn't go technical or something - you might be stuck for a long time in that lounge (or does India have a VOA system in place now?)
WilcoRoger is offline  
Old Feb 4, 2016, 6:20 am
  #262  
Ambassador: Finnair Plus
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Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: HEL
Programs: AY+ Plat, HHonors Diamond, Hyatt Discoverist, Priority Club Plat Amb, Miles and Smiles Elite
Posts: 5,294
Originally Posted by OH-LGG
About border guards, once leaving to DEL MR, borded guard in HEL asked me what kind of trip I do have to India.
Holiday or work? I answered, it should be holiday but it will be quite short holiday.
- how long.
- I should be back here in HEL in 19 hrs.
- whaaat??
- yes, not going to India, only to DEL airport.
- oh.oh....ok. hyvää matkaa!

They probably have a separate dossier for you...
SPBanker is offline  
Old Feb 4, 2016, 6:24 am
  #263  
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Helsinki-Vantaa APT, Finland
Programs: AY LUMO
Posts: 6,059
Originally Posted by WilcoRoger
Just pray, that the plane doesn't go technical or something - you might be stuck for a long time in that lounge (or does India have a VOA system in place now?)
With that service and helpful and attractive stuff, I don't mind if it takes a week or two waiting in that lounge. ^
OH-LGG is online now  
Old Feb 4, 2016, 6:31 am
  #264  
Moderator, Finnair
 
Join Date: May 2011
Location: MMX (CPH)
Programs: Eurobonus Diamond, QR Gold, AY+ Platinum, A3*G, Nordic Choice Lifetime Platinum, SJ Prio Black
Posts: 14,174
Originally Posted by WilcoRoger
... (or does India have a VOA system in place now?)
They have just phased out their VOA, which by the way was only available to Finnish citizens and a handful of other countries, mostly Asian.

It is now replaced by a e-visa system which is available to most countries of the world, costs a fortune and has a lot of red tape. They probably learned from China.
intuition is offline  
Old Feb 4, 2016, 6:46 am
  #265  
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Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: HEL
Programs: lots of shiny metal cards
Posts: 14,106
Originally Posted by OH-LGG
OH-LGG's "Platinum Challenge" starts again this spring (2016). Mostly it will be to DEL and will be Sat/Sun trips.
So is mine. Already some 77k worth booked for Mar-Apr and at least 30-40k are in the works for May. If it goes that way, after 150k I might have a shot a BAEC Gold.

====

I might be at around 280k TP before the current period ends. If it goes over 280k I'm tempted to convert some points to TP, so as to make use of the 60k gift at 300k (to make any sense I must be over 280k, obviously)
WilcoRoger is offline  
Old Feb 4, 2016, 9:04 am
  #266  
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 231
Originally Posted by WilcoRoger
Just pray, that the plane doesn't go technical or something - you might be stuck for a long time in that lounge (or does India have a VOA system in place now?)
There is also a transit hotel available on the air side, if one gets desperately bored/tired at the lounge. Been there once and got a decent night's sleep for my 15 hour transit. A lot more convenient than visa/immigration hassle to get to an airport hotel.
theBro is offline  
Old Feb 4, 2016, 9:34 am
  #267  
 
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: HEL
Programs: AY Plat Lumo
Posts: 1,519
Originally Posted by OH-LGG
OH-LGG's "Platinum Challenge" starts again this spring (2016). Mostly it will be to DEL and will be Sat/Sun trips.

So anyone interested or need miles, do not hesitate to contact me. And I would remind that DEL is an excellent place for turnaround with 4 hrs lounge time or whatever after security and hassling is done.
Count me in on the condition that It'll be a DO with more than just us two. It was fun last time! I think I'll make 150k anyway so...
cistavoda is offline  
Old Feb 4, 2016, 1:20 pm
  #268  
Moderator, Finnair
 
Join Date: May 2011
Location: MMX (CPH)
Programs: Eurobonus Diamond, QR Gold, AY+ Platinum, A3*G, Nordic Choice Lifetime Platinum, SJ Prio Black
Posts: 14,174
I don't need any miles for several months, and I see no point in going for 200k.
But like I've said other places I'm happy to DO things H2 2016.

There are dates and routes in my mind, but not so sure this is the right place to discuss.
intuition is offline  
Old Feb 5, 2016, 2:20 am
  #269  
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: HEL
Programs: SPG LTP, hotels, OWE, STE+, *G, Octopus
Posts: 5,785
Originally Posted by niksal
You are right. I usually stay max 2 hours and always in the afternoon or evening. The ARN lounge has also decent food, the OSL is more hit and miss.
2.5hrs down, one to go in the OSL lounge. I'd be slitting my wrists if it weren't for The Internet.

The brie is off, the tap wines are bad and the beer is local (=water with hops). Looking forward to Galleries First after this.
remymartin is offline  
Old Feb 16, 2016, 11:52 pm
  #270  
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: HEL
Programs: Hyatt Diamond, HH Diamond, CC Gold
Posts: 111
I'm not quite sure about pure mileage runs, but I'm seeing cx cheapos again when searching for weeklong holidays to TYO, BKK and KUL.
ghenu is offline  


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