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.)
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.)
Ahoy, mileage runners! (Incl. immediate turnarounds)
#166
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2013
Location: HEL
Programs: AY+ Platinum (OWE), Accor Gold, Hilton Honors Gold
Posts: 2,646
I am not that familiar with AAdvantage or its earning charts, but this could be one contributing factor.
#167
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Seat 1L these days :)
Programs: AF Platinum Ultimate/AY LUMO/SK EBG/baEC S/HYATT Globalist/MR LTP/A3 *G//HH Dia/IHG Dia
Posts: 7,186
I am left in a rather crappy situation where it makes no sense to fly AY even for shorthaul feeders anymore since they wont credit to AA at 100% anymore so I will be onboard more on SK this upcoming year

If AY at somepoint does a status challenge who knows I may add them as my second program and credit feeders and Asia trips to them but if not its star to Asia 👎
But I am mainly only in Y for J flyers especially on AY codes the. AY plus seems fairly good for status while redemptions are bleek...
#168
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Going around Russian airspace
Posts: 602
Actually intra-finland and intra-eu redemptions are not so bad anymore since surcharges have been lowered greatly and as platinum they seem to have extra award space if you call and ask. Not guaranteed of course.
#169
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Seat 1L these days :)
Programs: AF Platinum Ultimate/AY LUMO/SK EBG/baEC S/HYATT Globalist/MR LTP/A3 *G//HH Dia/IHG Dia
Posts: 7,186
#170
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: HEL
Programs: Hyatt Diamond, HH Diamond, CC Gold
Posts: 111
With AA I could have just managed to fly the needed 50 000 miles a year with discount AY Y flights, but it would have been nearly impossible to burn the earned 100 000 (with platinum bonus) the same time. Now that those discount tickets only earn 0,5EQM there's no chance for me. Plus the award chart changes are quite sad. Of course AY+ award flight chart is not even as good as the devalued AA chart, but I could use the points for upgrades or even convert them to status points, if needed. It's also great to have a chance to earn some bonus points from daily shopping with Stockmann and Amex.
Ohh, and I ended up buying the CX flights to OKA today.

#171
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Seat 1L these days :)
Programs: AF Platinum Ultimate/AY LUMO/SK EBG/baEC S/HYATT Globalist/MR LTP/A3 *G//HH Dia/IHG Dia
Posts: 7,186
Well, I'm not sure if it is a lot worse, but seems to me that AY+ would be a bit easier to reach OWS and especially to keep it after the changes.
With AA I could have just managed to fly the needed 50 000 miles a year with discount AY Y flights, but it would have been nearly impossible to burn the earned 100 000 (with platinum bonus) the same time. Now that those discount tickets only earn 0,5EQM there's no chance for me. Plus the award chart changes are quite sad. Of course AY+ award flight chart is not even as good as the devalued AA chart, but I could use the points for upgrades or even convert them to status points, if needed. It's also great to have a chance to earn some bonus points from daily shopping with Stockmann and Amex.
Ohh, and I ended up buying the CX flights to OKA today.
Outbound L, inbound M. The url tip worked very well with Supersaver. ^
With AA I could have just managed to fly the needed 50 000 miles a year with discount AY Y flights, but it would have been nearly impossible to burn the earned 100 000 (with platinum bonus) the same time. Now that those discount tickets only earn 0,5EQM there's no chance for me. Plus the award chart changes are quite sad. Of course AY+ award flight chart is not even as good as the devalued AA chart, but I could use the points for upgrades or even convert them to status points, if needed. It's also great to have a chance to earn some bonus points from daily shopping with Stockmann and Amex.
Ohh, and I ended up buying the CX flights to OKA today.

#172
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: HEL
Programs: Hyatt Diamond, HH Diamond, CC Gold
Posts: 111
True. Let's hope there is not going to be any changes to the CX earnings soon!
#173
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Seat 1L these days :)
Programs: AF Platinum Ultimate/AY LUMO/SK EBG/baEC S/HYATT Globalist/MR LTP/A3 *G//HH Dia/IHG Dia
Posts: 7,186

#174
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: HEL
Programs: Hyatt Diamond, HH Diamond, CC Gold
Posts: 111


#175
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Seat 1L these days :)
Programs: AF Platinum Ultimate/AY LUMO/SK EBG/baEC S/HYATT Globalist/MR LTP/A3 *G//HH Dia/IHG Dia
Posts: 7,186


I plan on doing ALOT of lounge hoppibg this xmas break and using that time to research the best options for cheapo Y flyers or atleast for me 😀😀 next year I am staying with AA as I booked 70k eqm in Q1-2 so the changes wont hit for me until 2017 but after that I need a new home or two... Going to suck for short haul connections on SK but what I wont do for my EQM 😂😂😂
#176
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: HEL
Programs: AA plat
Posts: 84
Although I'm very pissed about AA changes, I think I'm going to stay with them at least for a while as I just renewed my PLT. On many routes I fly with AY, there is also an AA codeshare option which still credit 100%.
Redeeming miles is going to be a ..... though...
Redeeming miles is going to be a ..... though...
#177
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: HEL
Programs: No more status, free agent now
Posts: 163
In my case, AA still came out a little ahead of BA and AY was far behind, so I think I'll stay with AA for now...
The results vary hugely based on how/when/airline/where/which class you fly. Thus I would recommend doing your own personal profile calculations (just put in some typical flights on different airlines, how many annually of each type, and calculate the status/miles you would get for each program), takes just a short time to get pretty good view.
This also helped to understand how the changes in AA FF actually affect me, many things which US FTers complain about loudly, don't really matter for me so much.
Now, if the rumors of IAG(BA) wanting to buy Finnair are true, maybe BA FF would be a better choice in the long run, but there is no long run in FF programs any more...
#178
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: HEL
Programs: lots of shiny metal cards
Posts: 13,201
#179
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Seat 1L these days :)
Programs: AF Platinum Ultimate/AY LUMO/SK EBG/baEC S/HYATT Globalist/MR LTP/A3 *G//HH Dia/IHG Dia
Posts: 7,186
I put my typical annual flights/airlines/routes in Excel and did some calculations and comparisons with earnings/status for the AA/BA/AY FF programs.
In my case, AA still came out a little ahead of BA and AY was far behind, so I think I'll stay with AA for now...
The results vary hugely based on how/when/airline/where/which class you fly. Thus I would recommend doing your own personal profile calculations (just put in some typical flights on different airlines, how many annually of each type, and calculate the status/miles you would get for each program), takes just a short time to get pretty good view.
This also helped to understand how the changes in AA FF actually affect me, many things which US FTers complain about loudly, don't really matter for me so much.
Now, if the rumors of IAG(BA) wanting to buy Finnair are true, maybe BA FF would be a better choice in the long run, but there is no long run in FF programs any more...
In my case, AA still came out a little ahead of BA and AY was far behind, so I think I'll stay with AA for now...
The results vary hugely based on how/when/airline/where/which class you fly. Thus I would recommend doing your own personal profile calculations (just put in some typical flights on different airlines, how many annually of each type, and calculate the status/miles you would get for each program), takes just a short time to get pretty good view.
This also helped to understand how the changes in AA FF actually affect me, many things which US FTers complain about loudly, don't really matter for me so much.
Now, if the rumors of IAG(BA) wanting to buy Finnair are true, maybe BA FF would be a better choice in the long run, but there is no long run in FF programs any more...
Indeed

Since I only rarely fly J the baEC doesnt work for me. I will allready qualify for AA plst 2016/17 but most likely EXP with only one MR more. For 2017/18 I will move to a free range system most likely AS? Perhaps a PP based theory 😂😂😜. Long term plans are harder now for sure
#180
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: HEL
Programs: AY, SK, TK
Posts: 7,220
Well, there could be a worry of Finnair also devaluing given the number of point promos this year. But then, I believe they haven't really given out very much promo points keeping in mind how well they have tried to hide them
