Community
Wiki Posts
Search
Old Apr 8, 2016, 1:18 pm
FlyerTalk Forums Expert How-Tos and Guides
Last edit by: intuition
(This wiki format has been borrowed from the BA forum, and modified to fit the A3 circumstance. Thank you very much BA forum, and BA forum folks.)

(Also note: this is just a guide. Use at your own risk and discretion. But also, please contribute your experiences!)

What Is This?
This community maintained wiki lists out all known airports on the A3 network grading each airport in terms of its practical suitability for quick flight transfers. Three transfer categories are considered (and indicated as traffic lights from left to right in the following order):
  • "Back to back": Immediate turnarounds without checked baggage, with an airside transfer and flying out on the same aircraft that operated the inbound flight
  • "Transfer": Immediate turnarounds without checked baggage, with an airside transfer and flying out on a different aircraft (or airline) to the one that operated the inbound flight
  • "Landside": Full arrival and departure sequence. It is assumed check-in for the onward flight is processed prior to the arrival at the airport.
[New] Please add an entry in the Edit History below if and when you make an edit.

Grading:
Excellent generally means you will leave the aircraft and find yourself in the boarding area for departure.
Good suggests that you may have to clear either security and/or passports before reboarding, but it should still be possible.
Reasonable suggests possible but with potential difficulties
Poor means high difficulty and not advisable
Ungraded means we don't have enough reports/data

Caveats:
  1. Know that sometimes things don't go to plan. E.g. Some airports are unpredictable on bussing, which puts passengers landside and thus needing to reclear security.
  2. The above needs to be combined with the turnaround time. E.g. Some flight schedules offer generous back-to-back time, for example.
Example:

ABC

Back to Back: Excellent (reason, if any) [Date of Report]
Transfer: Reasonable (Arrivals decant directly into Departures. Especially okay if going Schengen again, tricky if non-Schengen) [Dec 2020] (Reasonable even for intra-Schengen, and here's why [...]) [Feb 2021]
Landside: Bad (Bus driver usually gets lost on the way to departures, sometimes stopping at Narnia along the way. See Post #123 and Post #456 as an example.) [Apr 2019]

>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> >> >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> >>>> >>>>>>

Edit Log/History
  • Feb 4, 2023: Added an edit log/history.
  • Nov 12, 2023: Added report for KLX
>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> >> >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> >>>> >>>>>>

Non-Greece List
Note: Some are seasonal. List accurate as of March 2021.
Note-note: Please ensure alphabetization if adding/subtracting a destination, and to update the "accuracy-date" in the previous line.

ADB ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: unknown
Transfer: unknown
Landside: unknown

AGP ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: unknown
Transfer: unknown
Landside: unknown

AMM ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: unknown
Transfer: unknown
Landside: unknown

AMS ☻ ☻
Back to back: unless there is a spotcheck on the flight, forcing you to clear security on arrival, you will be able to almost immediately join the passengers gathering for departure at the gate you just arrived from. No security, no passport check - make sure to have your boarding pass already. [Unknown date]
Transfer: unknown
Landside: unknown

ARN ☻ ☻
Back to back: works the same way as CPH - you are unloaded right into the gate area and should be able to immediately re-board [Unknown Date]
Transfer: unknown
Landside: unknown

BCN ☻ ☻
Back to back: Similar to MAD you are unloaded right into the gate area and can immediately re-board. There is even time to go to the lounge. [Unknown Date]
Transfer: unknown
Landside: unknown

BEG ☻ ☻
Update 2023: Airport is currently under major changes. Centralised security is implemented and you are not offloaded anymore in the same area as departures.
Back to back:
This is outside Schengen and the EU but you are still offloaded into the same area as departures so you should be able to immediately re-board. Security is at each gate. I'm not sure how legal it would be to go there and not pass through passport control (your passport is actually stamped - a novelty there days!) but there are often some VERY cheap flights from ATH. [Unknown Date]
Transfer: unknown
Landside: unknown

BER ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: unknown
Transfer: unknown
Landside: unknown

BES ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: unknown
Transfer: unknown
Landside: unknown

BEY ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: unknown
Transfer: unknown
Landside: unknown

BLQ ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: unknown
Transfer: unknown
Landside: unknown

BOD ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: unknown
Transfer: unknown
Landside: unknown

BRU ☻ ☻
Back to back: fed straight into gate area, so immediate turnaround possible. But big warning: no clue how recent events at BRU might have changed airport ops! [Unknown Date]
Transfer: unknown
Landside: unknown

BUD ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: unknown
Transfer: unknown
Landside: unknown

CAI ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: unknown
Transfer: unknown
Landside: unknown

CDG ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: unknown
Transfer: unknown
Landside: unknown

CPH ☻ ☻
Back to back: should be very doable, as you get straight in the main departure lobby/gate on all my times flying there. [Unknown Date]
Transfer: unknown
Landside: unknown

CTA ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: unknown
Transfer: unknown
Landside: unknown

DBV ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: unknown
Transfer: unknown
Landside: unknown

DME ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: unknown
Transfer: unknown
Landside: unknown

DOL ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: unknown
Transfer: unknown
Landside: unknown

DUB ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: unknown
Transfer: unknown
Landside: unknown

DUS ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: unknown
Transfer: unknown
Landside: unknown

EDI ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: unknown
Transfer: unknown
Landside: unknown

EVN ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: unknown
Transfer: unknown
Landside: unknown

FCO ☻ ☻
Back to back: If docked at a jetty/bridge, simply walk along the long corridor till you come to the common area, then take the escalator one floor up and go to your gate. Should not take more than 5-10 minutes, still could be a long walk. But if a bus is used (this happens every once in a while (10:1)), it gets rather close. You get bussed to the common luggage collecting area, walk out, take a left and take the elevator one floor up. You go through security and once through, add another 5-10 minutes to reach your gate. Security may take long, also bussing, the whole operation might take more than 30 minutes. Unfortunately no way of knowing beforehand whether it will be jetty or bus. [Unknown Date]
Transfer:
Landside:


FRA ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: unknown
Transfer: unknown
Landside: unknown

GVA ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: unknown
Transfer: unknown
Landside: unknown

HAM ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: unknown
Transfer: unknown
Landside: unknown

HBE ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: unknown
Transfer: unknown
Landside: unknown

HEL ☻ ☻
Back to back: Disembarkation is immediately in to the gate area from which boarding takes place. *A flights tend to be allocated the low number gates close to the SAS lounge (closed at the moment).
In the event of a bus, you are dropped into the gate area close to where you would board a bus on departure. There is no security or passport check as it's intra-Schengen.
If/when the SAS lounge reopens, it's OK for a few minutes and a snack but there is no other lounge within easy distance of this area of the terminal.
HEL is probably the longest back to back on the current network alongside LHR & DUB but certainly easier than LHR.
Transfer: See above
Landside: unknown

IST
Back to back: unknown
Transfer: unknown
Landside: unknown

JED ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: unknown
Transfer: unknown
Landside: unknown

KRK ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: unknown
Transfer: unknown
Landside: unknown

LED ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: unknown
Transfer: unknown
Landside: unknown

LGW ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: unknown
Transfer: unknown
Landside: unknown

LHR ☻ ☻
Back to back: The last flight of the day is definitely doable. You have the option of going through Flight Connections (the best option for those with non-UK/EU passports) or going landside and back through security that way. Both will take about 10 minutes at that time of the evening. The earlier flights would be more problematic, as the terminal would be much busier. It should still be doable but will more than likely not be very relaxed. [Unknown Date]
Transfer: unknown
Landside: unknown

LIS ☻ ☻
Back to back: if you end up on a stand with a jetway then you are deposited into the departure area and should be able to reboard. If you end up on a stand, you will be bussed to the terminal and end up on the far end of the departures area. You should still be able to make it to the gate with a boarding pass, but if things are running late, you may have problems. [Unknown Date]
Transfer: unknown
Landside: unknown

LUX ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: unknown
Transfer: unknown
Landside: unknown

LYS ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: unknown
Transfer: unknown
Landside: unknown

MAD ☻ ☻
Back to back: You are unloaded right into the gate area and can immediately re-board. There is even time to go to the lounge. [Unknown Date]
Transfer: unknown
Landside: unknown

MAN ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: unknown
Transfer: unknown
Landside: unknown

MLA ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: unknown
Transfer: unknown
Landside: unknown

MRS ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: unknown
Transfer: unknown
Landside: unknown

MUC ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: unknown
Transfer: unknown
Landside: unknown

MXP ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: unknown
Transfer: unknown
Landside: unknown

NAP ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: unknown
Transfer: unknown
Landside: unknown

NCE ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: unknown
Transfer: unknown
Landside: unknown

NTE ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: unknown
Transfer: unknown
Landside: unknown

NUE ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: unknown
Transfer: unknown
Landside: unknown

OSL ☻ ☻
Back to back: is a little different due to it not being in the EU (but still in Schengen). There you are unloaded into corridor above the main concourse and have to pass through a security check before going downstairs to the departure concourse. It SHOULD be very quick. NOTE that I have only arrived there from France and Germany, NOT from Greece but it should be the same. [Unknown Date]
Transfer: unknown
Landside: unknown

OTP ☻ ☻
Back to back: you will be feeded away from the arrivals hall. Make sure before clearing passport control to find the transit point (not always staffed). Within 5-10 mins from there you should be back into the departures area, after BP is checked/gate agents or ground personell is contacted. Never tried personally myself, but should be very doable what I've read! [Unknown Date]
Transfer: unknown
Landside: unknown

PRG ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: unknown
Transfer: unknown
Landside: unknown

PSA ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: unknown
Transfer: unknown
Landside: unknown

RUH ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: unknown
Transfer: unknown
Landside: unknown

SOF ☻ ☻
Back to back: Forget it. I was bussed to the terminal which was really slow and then there was a reasonable queue at passport control (small airport and no other arrivals but only two desks). [Unknown Date]
Transfer: unknown
Landside: unknown

STR ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: unknown
Transfer: unknown
Landside: unknown

SXB ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: unknown
Transfer: unknown
Landside: unknown

TBS ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: unknown
Transfer: Unknown
Landside: Unknown

TIA ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: unknown
Transfer: Unknown
Landside: Unknown

TLN ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: unknown
Transfer: Unknown
Landside: Unknown

TLS ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: unknown
Transfer: Unknown
Landside: Unknown

TLV ☻ ☻
Back to back: Where the flight has a near 5 hour turnaround time A3928/929 this is a pretty hassle free trip. I landed and cleared in about 30 mins from landing. Advised guy at passport control the purpose of trip ( mileage run ) to which he asked if I had been to Israel before. After that gave me back my passport and said ''Enjoy''. Went to get some fresh air before going back through departures. There is a HBO security line to the right. I was given a full interview for about 10 mins but guy was very pleasant. Put a sticker on my passport with a barcode then I went through a very thorough screening/x ray process. I would advise to do this trip HBO only as with checked bags the process would be a lot longer as they open everything. I would certainly do this MR again. I got some lovely local produce and some nice wines for Xmas. ^ [Unknown Date]
Transfer: Unknown
Landside: Unknown

VCE ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: unknown
Transfer: Unknown
Landside: Unknown

VIE ☻ ☻
Back to back: you are unloaded right into the gate area and should be able to immediately re-board. If you are unlucky and get a remote bus gate, you may have to walk a bit but no need to re-clear security and should be do-able in 10 minutes [Unknown Date]
Transfer: Unknown
Landside: Unknown

VLC ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: unknown
Transfer: Unknown
Landside: Unknown

WAW ☻ ☻
Back to back: Idiot proof (i.e. arrival into the departure hall, back to the plane through the same gate) and time for a quick bite/drink at the Polonez lounge if disembarking through a nearby gate. [Unknown Date]
Transfer: Unknown
Landside: Unknown

ZAG ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: unknown
Transfer: Unknown
Landside: Unknown

ZRH ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: unknown
Transfer: Unknown
Landside: Unknown

>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> >> >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> >>>> >>>>>>

Greece List
Note: Some are seasonal. Some served by subsidiary, Olympic. List accurate as of March 2021.
Note-note: Please ensure alphabetization if adding/subtracting a destination, and to update the "accuracy-date" in the previous line.

CFU ☻ ☻
Back to back: have to reclear security, but airport is very small so only takes a few minutes -- told OA staff what I was doing and they offered to have the GA make sure to hold things in case of any delay [Unknown Date]
Transfer: Unknown
Landside: Unknown

CHQ ☻ ☻
Back to back: bus gates/walk to arrivals on tarmac, so will have to reclear security, but as airport is very small it could surely done in 20-30 mins. High season charter crowds at the wrong hours of the day can complicate this! (Not stopping over for at least a day in CHQ is anyway a crime against humanity). [Unknown Date]
Transfer: Unknown
Landside: Unknown

EFL ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: unknown
Transfer: Unknown
Landside: Unknown

HER ☻ ☻
Back to back: You always get bussed, first waiting for business class to deplane. Once in the terminal, turn left after exiting the building and walk through the CI area to Schengen departures (~150 metres). The CI area may be a zoo in the summer months, push yourself through. Easy in off-season but iffy in the summer due to crowds at security. [Unknown Date]
Transfer: Unknown
Landside: Unknown

JIK ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: unknown
Transfer: Unknown
Landside: Unknown

JKH ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: unknown
Transfer: Unknown
Landside: Unknown

JMK ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: unknown
Transfer: Unknown
Landside: Unknown

JNX ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: unknown
Transfer: Unknown
Landside: Unknown

JSH ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: unknown
Transfer: Unknown
Landside: Unknown

JSI ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: unknown
Transfer: Unknown
Landside: Unknown

JTR ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: unknown
Transfer: Unknown
Landside: Unknown

KGS ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: unknown
Transfer: Unknown
Landside: Unknown

KIT ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: unknown
Transfer: Unknown
Landside: Unknown

KLX
All transfers are landside

Back to back: Tarmac deplaning and short walk to arrivals where passport and customs filter exists (unmanned for schengen arrivals). From here you must exit to landside, where you walk 30-40 meters inside the termial building to the north, passing 3-4 check-in desks (likely closed at the time you pass them) before you find departures security scan where boarding pass and travel documents are checked. 20 meters after security boarding pass is scanned again before entering holding pen at the gate, from where it is a short tarmac walk back to the plane. Business class passengers are held in a separate pen and boarded (led onto tarmac) first. [Nov 2023]

Transfer: Same procedure as B2B - Best practice is to make sure transfer flight is operated by the arriving aircraft. Because of the small size of the airport, this is often the case (but technically it can hold more than one plane at a time on the apron, so do your research). [Nov 2023]

Landside: Same procedure as B2B. If you have a longish layover, pay attention to opening hours of security and check-in desks. It is a very small airport and services may be intermittently closed. [Nov 2023]



KVA ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: unknown
Transfer: Unknown
Landside: Unknown

KZS ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: unknown
Transfer: Unknown
Landside: Unknown

LCA ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: unknown
Transfer: Unknown
Landside: Unknown

LRS ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: unknown
Transfer: Unknown
Landside: Unknown

LXS ☻ ☻
Back to back: 1 minute bus drive from plane to terminal (and same back). Terminal very small but check-in desks likely closed once you get to there so make sure you have boarding pass already. 25 minutes as is typical connection time is enough, when plane is delayed you'll likely need to run. You have to re-clear security. [Unknown Date]
Transfer: Unknown
Landside: Unknown

MJT
Back to back: unknown
Transfer: Tiny airport - off the plane, through security and at the gate in 5-7 minutes. Would be easy as a back-to-back/immediate turn around too. [2022-04-10]
Landside: Unknown

MLO ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: unknown
Transfer: Unknown
Landside: Unknown

PAS ☻ ☻
Back to back: PAS is my home airport and it would be very easy to just walk outside, back into the termal and through security - probably about three minutes from stepping off the aircraft to being ready to board. Also, there is only one flight at once and only 4 or 5 members of staff at the entire airport so just tell somebody what you are doing as you depalane and I'm sure they'd wait for you. I imagine most of the other small airports (Naxos, Syros etc.) work the same. [Unknown Date]
Transfer: Unknown
Landside: Unknown

RHO ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: unknown
Transfer: Unknown
Landside: Unknown

SKG ☻ ☻
Back to back: Tarmac deplane and 20 meter walk to enter terminal building (no bussing on this occasion). There is a transfer-door which let's you stay airside. You need to show onward BP to enter; a back-to-back BP was not an issue on this occasion. Some 20 meters down the hall you'll find the lounge on the right. Boarding can be done from the lounge, so this is a really quick path. If you don't have lounge access, then stairs to departures level is to the left and you can get to the gate in a few minutes.
Only problem would be if the transfer door isn't manned or if your onward BP isn't accepted. Then you will have to do landside. [2022-05-16]

Transfer: Excellent, see back-to-back
Landside: Unknown

SKU ☻ ☻
Back to back: Doable (good, but not excellent). Like PAS, this is a tiny airport, with just one or two flights a day (if even that). Made the short walk to arrivals with other arriving passengers, but quickly joined the single security line, went through security, and walked back out to the plane. Told the ground staff I'd be on the return (not sure if that made a difference). [Oct 2018]
Transfer: Unknown
Landside: Unknown

ZTH ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: unknown
Transfer: Unknown
Landside: Unknown

>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> >> >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> >>>> >>>>>>

Hub Itself

ATH (Non-Schengen to Non-Schengen) ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: unknown
Transfer: Unknown
Landside: Unknown

ATH (Non-GR Schengen to Non-Schengen) ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: unknown
Transfer: Unknown
Landside: Unknown

ATH (GR-Domestic to Non-Schengen) ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: unknown
Transfer: Unknown
Landside: Unknown

ATH (Non-Schengen to Non-GR Schengen) ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: unknown
Transfer: Unknown
Landside: Unknown

ATH (Non-GR Schengen to Non-GR Schengen) ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: unknown
Transfer: Unknown
Landside: Unknown

ATH (GR-Domestic to Non-GR Schengen) ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: unknown
Transfer: Unknown
Landside: Unknown

ATH (Non-Schengen to GR-Domestic) ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: unknown
Transfer: Unknown
Landside: Unknown

ATH (Non-GR Schengen to GR-Domestic) ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: unknown
Transfer: Unknown
Landside: Unknown

ATH (GR-Domestic to GR-Domestic) ☻ ☻ ☻
Back to back: unknown
Transfer: Unknown
Landside: Unknown






Print Wikipost

Immediate turnarounds in Europe on A3

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Sep 10, 2016, 8:58 am
  #76  
 
Join Date: Apr 2016
Programs: A3*G, BA Silver, Accor Le Club Gold
Posts: 5
Originally Posted by huurteinen
Do you guys know if an immediate turnaround is doable in BEY? Do I need to re-enter security or go through immigration? I have already booked a turnaround there and now started wondering.
I did a turnaround ATH-BEY-ATH last night and it wasn't exactly hassle-free. I had 2,5 hours to connect so I had a lot of time to spare though.

For some reason I couldn't check-in for my return flight online nor at Athens airport. A3 check-in agent in ATH told me that their system refuses to do the check-in for BEY-ATH flight in ATH and that I should proceed to landslide check-in desk on arrival in BEY.

When I arrived in BEY, I tried to enter the country to go complete my check-in, but the immigration officer directed me to MEA Skyteam transfer desk where I would get my boarding pass. I certainly got my BP after all, but it took about 40 minutes to get the boarding pass printed, as I first needed to convince the transfer desk agent that I indeed am connecting from ATH to ATH via BEY. When we got that clear, the agent made a number of phone calls and finally he could print the BP.

BEY is a rather small airport so going through two security checks to get back to the departure gate was quite smooth. Getting my BP printed was the more time-consuming part here.. I hope my experience is useful for someone considering to do the same.
huurteinen is offline  
Old Sep 11, 2016, 11:52 am
  #77  
Marriott Contributor Badge
 
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Canada
Programs: AC E50k, A3*G, UA*S, MR Titanium, HHonors Gold, Carlson Gold, NEXUS
Posts: 3,669
Is a 40-min turnaround in ATH-HER-ATH (evening, November 1ish) doable in Y, or should I try to upgrade to J?
pewpew is offline  
Old Sep 11, 2016, 1:12 pm
  #78  
 
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: PAS, Paros Greece
Programs: A3 *G
Posts: 1,372
Originally Posted by pewpew
Is a 40-min turnaround in ATH-HER-ATH (evening, November 1ish) doable in Y, or should I try to upgrade to J?
I doubt it would make any difference to upgrade. You'll take a bus from the aircraft. I'm not sure how they do it at HER, but at CHQ there are two buses, one at each door and they wait for all pax. before leaving so you don't get to the terminal any quicker if you are in J.
Knobbgb is offline  
Old Sep 11, 2016, 6:56 pm
  #79  
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Heraklion, Greece
Posts: 7,566
Originally Posted by Knobbgb
I doubt it would make any difference to upgrade. You'll take a bus from the aircraft. I'm not sure how they do it at HER, but at CHQ there are two buses, one at each door and they wait for all pax. before leaving so you don't get to the terminal any quicker if you are in J.
At HER business class passengers have their own bus, thus they arrive at the terminal 5-10 minutes earlier. Given, though, that it takes about 5 minutes walking between arrivals and gate, and boarding starts, at the earliest, 5-10 minutes after all passengers have left the plane, you should be fine even flying coach.
KLouis is offline  
Old Sep 12, 2016, 4:40 pm
  #80  
 
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: YWG
Posts: 2,272
Booked two separate tickets with a back-to-back turnaround at SKG. The first leg got cancelled so now it's impossible to make the back-to-back turn since the return flight is 2 hours before my re-protected outbound flight.

Coincidentally, I only found out about this because I called in to UG one of the legs.

I'm supposed to call back tomorrow morning when there is a supervisor to see what A3 can do. So much for my plan of not having A3 know my travel plans...

Anyone have any experience what A3 will do in such a situation?
hydrogen is offline  
Old Sep 12, 2016, 8:20 pm
  #81  
:D!
Hilton Contributor BadgeIHG Contributor Badge
 
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: NW London and NW Sydney
Programs: BA Diamond, Hilton Bronze, A3 Diamond, IHG *G
Posts: 6,344
Originally Posted by hydrogen
Booked two separate tickets with a back-to-back turnaround at SKG. The first leg got cancelled so now it's impossible to make the back-to-back turn since the return flight is 2 hours before my re-protected outbound flight.

Coincidentally, I only found out about this because I called in to UG one of the legs.

I'm supposed to call back tomorrow morning when there is a supervisor to see what A3 can do. So much for my plan of not having A3 know my travel plans...

Anyone have any experience what A3 will do in such a situation?


Why did you book them on separate tickets? If A3 is unhappy about this sort of run they would probably have closed my account already given their propensity towards threatening expulsion for having too many members in your Together account or travelling the wrong way across the International Date Line. Plus you would get all 4 flights on the same BP

After going to SKG twice (the second time I managed to take the bus to IKEA and walk around the shore of the bay for a bit) I've decided that I should actually stay overnight for my 3rd visit although the fact that my wife is coming this time also pushed me towards actually doing some tourist stuff

Can you pay the change fee to shift one of the flights by a day?
:D! is offline  
Old Sep 12, 2016, 8:24 pm
  #82  
 
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: YWG
Posts: 2,272
Originally Posted by :D!
Why did you book them on separate tickets?

After going to SKG twice (the second time I managed to take the bus to IKEA and walk around the lakeshore for a bit) I've decided that I should actually stay overnight for my 3rd visit although the fact that my wife is coming this time also pushed me towards actually doing some tourist stuff

Can you pay the change fee to shift one of the flights by a day?
Booked LHR-ATH-SKG-ATH-LHR on one ticket and nested SKG-ATH-SKG on another.

So ATH-SKG on the outbound was cancelled and put on a later flight, making SKG-ATH impossible by 2 hours.

Called and was told to call back in the morning to speak to a supervisor. At worst I pay the change fee and move SKG-ATH back a couple hours. Let's see what A3 can do...
hydrogen is offline  
Old Sep 12, 2016, 11:13 pm
  #83  
 
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: PAS, Paros Greece
Programs: A3 *G
Posts: 1,372
Originally Posted by hydrogen
Booked LHR-ATH-SKG-ATH-LHR on one ticket and nested SKG-ATH-SKG on another.

So ATH-SKG on the outbound was cancelled and put on a later flight, making SKG-ATH impossible by 2 hours.

Called and was told to call back in the morning to speak to a supervisor. At worst I pay the change fee and move SKG-ATH back a couple hours. Let's see what A3 can do...
Your only other option is to refuse the change to your outbound LHR-ATH-SKG and insist they re-book the whole outbound trip, even if that means leaving London earlier. I don't think you HAVE to accept the change they made on your first ATH-SKG leg, although I may be wrong because it's only a short time difference (around 2hrs? The problem is that the EC261 rules don't kick in because they would consider the length of the WHOLE trip (LHR-SKG) and so they have a 3hr time-window in which to get you there before they would have to compensate you, as opposed to 2hrs if it were just ATH-SKG). Even so, if you explain to them that you absolutely HAVE to be in SKG at the original time (the fact that it's to catch your nested flights isn't relevant) then they MAY re-book you on earlier flights, even if the rules don't strictly say they have to. Availability in the same booking class may be an issue there too. How far in the future are these flights? Of course, this all depends on if you actually CAN leave LHR earlier of course! I know it's usually not possible with a mileage run.

Last edited by Knobbgb; Sep 12, 2016 at 11:20 pm
Knobbgb is offline  
Old Sep 13, 2016, 5:31 am
  #84  
 
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: YWG
Posts: 2,272
Originally Posted by Knobbgb
Your only other option is to refuse the change to your outbound LHR-ATH-SKG and insist they re-book the whole outbound trip, even if that means leaving London earlier. I don't think you HAVE to accept the change they made on your first ATH-SKG leg, although I may be wrong because it's only a short time difference (around 2hrs? The problem is that the EC261 rules don't kick in because they would consider the length of the WHOLE trip (LHR-SKG) and so they have a 3hr time-window in which to get you there before they would have to compensate you, as opposed to 2hrs if it were just ATH-SKG). Even so, if you explain to them that you absolutely HAVE to be in SKG at the original time (the fact that it's to catch your nested flights isn't relevant) then they MAY re-book you on earlier flights, even if the rules don't strictly say they have to. Availability in the same booking class may be an issue there too. How far in the future are these flights? Of course, this all depends on if you actually CAN leave LHR earlier of course! I know it's usually not possible with a mileage run.
Nope, can't leave LHR early. They protected me 4 hours later on ATH-SKG. There is an earlier flight, but it's still too late (they pretty much re-wrote the whole schedule). EU261 doesn't apply since this is in November and they've given me 2+ weeks notice.

I'll report back after the call...
hydrogen is offline  
Old Sep 13, 2016, 5:48 am
  #85  
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Programs: A3*G, Marriott Gold, Hilton Honors Gold, Radisson Rewards Premium
Posts: 856
Originally Posted by lsed
I assume the legs were upgraded via the certs, but how did you get this pricing!

I'm still short of about 4K miles to requalify for Gold!
Yes, the flights were upgraded via certs. To get the price, I used ITA Matrix to work out which city in Europe gave me the best combination of price, timings and enough miles for my requalification and then put the route (TXL-LHR-TXL) into expedia and filtered by A3 flights only. I got the same price as I'd found on ITA Matrix. The ticket was issued immediately on A3 stock and then I rang straight up to use the upgrades. I'd checked availabilty on the ANA website before making the booking so I knew I was OK. The upgrade was processed and re-ticketed very quickly. A very straightforward process all together and I'm really looking forward to my quick trip.

Hope that helps.
gpb_croppers63 is offline  
Old Sep 13, 2016, 7:10 am
  #86  
 
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: YWG
Posts: 2,272
Originally Posted by hydrogen
Nope, can't leave LHR early. They protected me 4 hours later on ATH-SKG. There is an earlier flight, but it's still too late (they pretty much re-wrote the whole schedule). EU261 doesn't apply since this is in November and they've given me 2+ weeks notice.

I'll report back after the call...
Just to report back: A3 changed my other ticket to make my flights work. And moved my ATH-SKG flight up to an earlier option.

Another A+ customer service experience! ^^
hydrogen is offline  
Old Sep 13, 2016, 3:02 pm
  #87  
 
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Poland
Programs: BA Bronze, Marriott Platinium Elite, HHonors Diamond
Posts: 29
Originally Posted by gpb_croppers63
Yes, the flights were upgraded via certs. To get the price, I used ITA Matrix to work out which city in Europe gave me the best combination of price, timings and enough miles for my requalification and then put the route (TXL-LHR-TXL) into expedia and filtered by A3 flights only. I got the same price as I'd found on ITA Matrix. The ticket was issued immediately on A3 stock and then I rang straight up to use the upgrades. I'd checked availabilty on the ANA website before making the booking so I knew I was OK. The upgrade was processed and re-ticketed very quickly. A very straightforward process all together and I'm really looking forward to my quick trip.

Hope that helps.
Nice1, I will take it for next requalification for sure.

Funny that more direct flights are more expensive

However looking at the schedule, did you managed to do this without necessity of overnight at ATH taking that late flight from LHR?
FreakySigns is offline  
Old Sep 13, 2016, 7:27 pm
  #88  
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Heraklion, Greece
Posts: 7,566
Originally Posted by FreakySigns
...However looking at the schedule, did you managed to do this without necessity of overnight at ATH taking that late flight from LHR?
Well, looking at the schedule: Earliest arrival in ATH (A3 601) at 17:50, latest departure for LHR (A3 608) at 19:10, no way one could squeeze any trip in between other than one to the lounge, unless that "late flight" (A3 609) is part of the itin or there is an overnight stay in either SKG or ATH.
KLouis is offline  
Old Sep 14, 2016, 12:54 am
  #89  
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Programs: A3*G, Marriott Gold, Hilton Honors Gold, Radisson Rewards Premium
Posts: 856
Originally Posted by FreakySigns
Nice1, I will take it for next requalification for sure.

Funny that more direct flights are more expensive

However looking at the schedule, did you managed to do this without necessity of overnight at ATH taking that late flight from LHR?
Yep, got it in one. I'm landing in to ATH on the overnight at 03:50 and then back to TXL at 14:50.

Originally Posted by KLouis
Well, looking at the schedule: Earliest arrival in ATH (A3 601) at 17:50, latest departure for LHR (A3 608) at 19:10, no way one could squeeze any trip in between other than one to the lounge, unless that "late flight" (A3 609) is part of the itin or there is an overnight stay in either SKG or ATH.
On my dates, I land in ATH at 15:00 from TXL on the Saturday, then leave for LHR at 19:10. Arrive LHR at 21:15, depart at 22:15 and then as above on the Sunday with several hours between the flights in ATH. I'm still undecided whether to grab a hotel for a few hours or not.
gpb_croppers63 is offline  
Old Sep 14, 2016, 8:35 pm
  #90  
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Heraklion, Greece
Posts: 7,566
@gpb_croppers63

Sorry, I thought FreakySigns' question referred to hydrogen's MR that involved SKG, which is why I wrote that It was not possible. I've often promised myself to read more carefully, but it's difficult to change at my age...
KLouis is offline  


Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

This site is owned, operated, and maintained by MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Designated trademarks are the property of their respective owners.