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Ahoy, mileage runners! (Incl. immediate turnarounds)

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Old Jan 23, 2019, 9:42 am
FlyerTalk Forums Expert How-Tos and Guides
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 26, 2017, 12:03 pm
  #796  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: May 2013
Location: HEL
Programs: AY Plat (OWE), SK EBG (*A Gold), KQ Plat (STE+), Accor Plat
Posts: 3,157
I, too, am still assessing my options on how to renew Plat. After LGG's stories qualifying by segments is starting to seem like a more lucrative choice.
lkrt is online now  
Old Feb 26, 2017, 1:42 pm
  #797  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: HEL
Programs: lots of shiny metal cards
Posts: 14,106
The LGG way is for real hardcore fans only...

An easy (though not cheap) way is a few trips to Asia/US in C. If you do it ex-EUR, 3 of those take you to plat (50k per trip) With some careful planning doable for sub-6k€. Of course even faster/cheaper is to make only two of those (100k) and exchange points for the missing 50k TP.
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Old Feb 26, 2017, 2:05 pm
  #798  
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Asia/Europe
Programs: CX, OZ, MU (+AY, DL), Shangri-La, Hilton
Posts: 7,236
Originally Posted by WilcoRoger
PEK is very workable with HEL-ICN/PEK-HEL, with countless of connection ICN-PEK.
Also possible to use AY or other OW mileage for ICN - HKG - PEK on CX/KA. Longer flight time but rather nice J or F class on the two sectors.
mosburger is offline  
Old Feb 26, 2017, 8:46 pm
  #799  
 
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Going around Russian airspace
Posts: 621
HEL-HKG-AKL is around 1100e and earns ~43000 points. I would prefer this or exEU business to Bangkok over segment running.

Last edited by reflektia; Feb 26, 2017 at 8:55 pm
reflektia is offline  
Old Feb 26, 2017, 10:35 pm
  #800  
 
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 280
Originally Posted by lkrt
I, too, am still assessing my options on how to renew Plat. After LGG's stories qualifying by segments is starting to seem like a more lucrative choice.
I'm thinking about this too – 6,3 segments a month isn't that bad. I would prefer LHR runs, though: takes more time but much nicer lounges compared to PRG! And you can get, say, ARN-HEL-LHR-HEL tix for about 60 euros for some dates at least.
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Old Feb 26, 2017, 10:47 pm
  #801  
 
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 280
Originally Posted by reflektia
HEL-HKG-AKL is around 1100e and earns ~43000 points. I would prefer this or exEU business to Bangkok over segment running.
I was about to complain about the difficulty of booking 100% CX tickets, but indeed, you can book this on finnair.com as a value ticket with AY codes. Not a bad idea at all...
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Old Feb 26, 2017, 11:51 pm
  #802  
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Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: HEL
Programs: lots of shiny metal cards
Posts: 14,106
Originally Posted by mosburger
Also possible to use AY or other OW mileage for ICN - HKG - PEK on CX/KA. Longer flight time but rather nice J or F class on the two sectors.
Must be on points, otherwise it's more expensive than the longhaul! I'm looking at 1,6k€ ICN-HKG-PEK in C with CX one-way - or can push down to 1,3k for ICN-TPE-HKG-PEK in mixed C/PEY

OTOH for 200€ OZ will fly me direct in the back of the bus (sub-400€ in the front) and contribute to the *G renewal
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Old Feb 27, 2017, 1:14 am
  #803  
 
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Going around Russian airspace
Posts: 621
Originally Posted by jmmi
I was about to complain about the difficulty of booking 100% CX tickets, but indeed, you can book this on finnair.com as a value ticket with AY codes. Not a bad idea at all...
well, you can book PE on cx HEL-MXP-HKG-AKL for around 1400e (much harder to find) and earn ~41000 points. Might be more convenient

Also you can add akl-chc for extra fun, tho I dont think it earns points.

Last edited by reflektia; Feb 27, 2017 at 1:23 am
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Old Feb 27, 2017, 12:19 pm
  #804  
 
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: BRU/TAY
Programs: AY+ Plat Basic
Posts: 22
Since renewal of Plat is being discussed -- I'm going to qualify for AY Plat for the first time (via segments) by the end of April (and my tracking period runs until the end of June). I intend to renew the status next year, but this time, I'm considering the points route instead of segments.

My "true" travel needs (100% intra-EU) end up as about ~80k points when buying Value tickets. This means I'd possibly need to plan for 2x LH r/t in I to re-qualify (although there's also the award->tier point option). It would definitely be more expensive than doing some segment runs (in my position, they'd be on cheap BA fares which is what I've done for this period), but I'm willing to consider it should a suitable deal present itself.

If there are deals similar to the recent AY sale ex-TLL, I'd possibly try the points route (even for the sake of some "mass tourism" tbh). I'm sure many posters have kept an eye on AY LH deals for a long time - my question would be whether it could be somewhat-reasonably-expected to see similar deals happening in the future.
ottersmacker is offline  
Old Feb 27, 2017, 12:43 pm
  #805  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: HEL
Programs: lots of shiny metal cards
Posts: 14,106
The ex-TLL sale was, in a way, business as usual. What we call here ex-EU fares, via HEL are usually on the same level as those ex-TLL fares were. Not all origins result in good prices at all times - you'll need to play around with cities and dates.

The usual suspects for these ex-EU origins are ARN, WAW, PRG and BUD, but there are often very good prices ex-Germany or ex-OSL. Often you can make them open-jaw. And 99% of the time you can stop at HEL for basically as long as you need. If you browse this forum, you'll see quite a few references and routes mentioned.

Good planning is essential.
WilcoRoger is offline  
Old Feb 27, 2017, 1:07 pm
  #806  
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Helsinki-Vantaa APT, Finland
Programs: AY LUMO
Posts: 6,059
Originally Posted by WilcoRoger
you'll need to play around with cities and dates.
Yes, I just used about 5 hrs to find great deals to Thailand for Christmas/NY 2017/2018.

And now I'm done. ^ Value ticket under 600€. But now talking about mass tourism.
OH-LGG is offline  
Old Feb 27, 2017, 1:32 pm
  #807  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: HEL
Programs: lots of shiny metal cards
Posts: 14,106
Originally Posted by OH-LGG
And now I'm done. ^ Value ticket under 600€. But now talking about mass tourism.
Bring on your sombraro and fanny-pack
WilcoRoger is offline  
Old Feb 27, 2017, 2:08 pm
  #808  
HJP
 
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: HEL
Programs: AY+ Gold
Posts: 428
... and thanks to FT, I just booked one of these 600SEK ARN-HEL-PRG-HEL trips for mass-tourism summer holiday in August with my better half. We will burn some TallinkSilja points for Commodore Cabin and take a ferry to Stockholm, stay one night there and after that a night at home before going to PRG for 2 nights.

IMO pretty nice value for 170€ total (2 pax).
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Old Mar 7, 2017, 7:32 am
  #809  
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Keskellä metsää
Programs: Onko teillä S-etukorttia?
Posts: 918
Originally Posted by WilcoRoger
Bring on your sombraro and fanny-pack
Are white socks in sandals so last season already?
Jorma is online now  
Old Mar 12, 2017, 1:53 am
  #810  
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: 14,176
This seems to be gone now, but there is something to be learnt from it.

Finnair has previously specifically forbidden open jaws on Japan JV, with fare rules states that JV fares can only be combined with JV fares, ie so you can't ticket a EU-JAPAN/CHINA-EU.


Apparently there was a fare without this restriction on AY friday that allowed this and you could get it at 196€. Now gone, but a vector to explore.
intuition is offline  


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