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Ahoy, mileage runners! (Incl. immediate turnarounds)

Old Jan 23, 19, 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)

Old Feb 1, 16, 10:48 am
  #241  
 
Join Date: May 2014
Location: HEL
Programs: AY+Plat, ALL Gold, Scandic L2
Posts: 3,548
In business class, it is a no-brainer: AY codes are the best option by far, earning 200% plus tier bonus vs 125%.

The difference is even more dramatic for AY-operated flights, earning more base points than the actual mileage.
Courmisch is offline  
Old Feb 1, 16, 11:14 am
  #242  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: May 2013
Location: HEL
Programs: AY+ Platinum (OWE), Accor Gold, Hilton Honors Gold
Posts: 2,635
Alright, thanks, that's what I suspected. Will have to make it with the allegedly horrendous BA J (on AY number), though, but I think I'll manage.

I'm also so bankrupt I will probably have to stay at a hostel.
lkrt is offline  
Old Feb 1, 16, 12:06 pm
  #243  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: HEL
Programs: lots of shiny metal cards
Posts: 13,191
Absolutely AY code - it earns at least 200% in C, whereas the same flight with AA or BA code would only get 125%
WilcoRoger is offline  
Old Feb 1, 16, 6:32 pm
  #244  
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Helsinki
Programs: AY Platinum, IHG Gold, Diners
Posts: 1,232
Originally Posted by remymartin
ARN and OSL lounges are horrible. LHR is probably the most realistic.
I don't know what you are comparing against, but I quite like the ARN lounge and the OSL lounge isn't bad either. I compare against for instance the SK lounges, admittedly before they were refurbished. Now they are quite nice.
niksal is offline  
Old Feb 1, 16, 8:20 pm
  #245  
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: HEL
Programs: AY Platinum Lumo, TK Elite, AA, BA, SK, DL, NT, WB + hotels
Posts: 7,917
I, too, find the ARN T2 lounge quite alright. Surprisingly crowded in the afternoon, but you'll always find a seat and the food offerings are far superior to AY's homebase.
ffay005 is offline  
Old Feb 1, 16, 8:30 pm
  #246  
 
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: HEL
Programs: AY Plat Lumo
Posts: 1,497
Originally Posted by lkrt
I'm very tempted to buy the JFK deal in J.

I've had it with the accrual calculator so I wanted to ask you. What is the best way to maximize AY+ points? Do I go with AY-coded flights or is AA or BA better?
For AY+ definitely with AY-coded as you get 200% points whereas oneworld J normally earns 125%.
cistavoda is offline  
Old Feb 2, 16, 3:58 am
  #247  
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: HEL
Programs: SPG-P ALL/HH/IHG-D NCH-P, BA/A3-G AF/QR/AY-P, Octopus
Posts: 5,624
Originally Posted by niksal
I don't know what you are comparing against, but I quite like the ARN lounge and the OSL lounge isn't bad either. I compare against for instance the SK lounges, admittedly before they were refurbished. Now they are quite nice.
I suppose you've never stayed at either for 3+ hours.

ARN - good beer and knäckebröd, decent gin. When the lounge is full, it's a zoo.

OSL - no booze* before 1pm.

The OP is AY Plat - I'd choose a destination which has F lounges. You can buy AY/BA tickets for 110-140€ to LHR. OSL and ARN will give you less miles and are around 88€.


* booze as in liquor.
remymartin is offline  
Old Feb 2, 16, 11:13 am
  #248  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: May 2013
Location: HEL
Programs: AY+ Platinum (OWE), Accor Gold, Hilton Honors Gold
Posts: 2,635
I finally booked the deal. Already so excited to do my first MR in J, I think it's going to be a bit more comfortable than my usual ones.

Champagne, here I come!
lkrt is offline  
Old Feb 2, 16, 5:50 pm
  #249  
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Helsinki
Programs: AY Platinum, IHG Gold, Diners
Posts: 1,232
Originally Posted by remymartin
I suppose you've never stayed at either for 3+ hours.

ARN - good beer and knäckebröd, decent gin. When the lounge is full, it's a zoo.

OSL - no booze* before 1pm.

The OP is AY Plat - I'd choose a destination which has F lounges. You can buy AY/BA tickets for 110-140€ to LHR. OSL and ARN will give you less miles and are around 88€.


* booze as in liquor.
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.
niksal is offline  
Old Feb 4, 16, 3:18 am
  #250  
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Helsinki-Vantaa APT, Finland
Programs: AY LUMO
Posts: 5,748
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.
OH-LGG is offline  
Old Feb 4, 16, 4:01 am
  #251  
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Join Date: Dec 2014
Programs: Accor ALL Platinum
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Sounds tempting, OH-LGG, but unfortunately I'm broke, thanks to my Golden Challenge.

Quickie: I'm now pretty close to Platinum already. But: I've already changed some award points to tier points. AY web doesn't let me change points anymore. Do you guys know if AY customer care can do the trick?
wkndtraveler is offline  
Old Feb 4, 16, 5:16 am
  #252  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: May 2013
Location: HEL
Programs: AY+ Platinum (OWE), Accor Gold, Hilton Honors Gold
Posts: 2,635
Originally Posted by wkndtraveler
Quickie: I'm now pretty close to Platinum already. But: I've already changed some award points to tier points. AY web doesn't let me change points anymore. Do you guys know if AY customer care can do the trick?
As per the rules say, not possible. You can only transfer award points to tier points once per tracking period. You can of course try to bend the rules with them, but I doubt it'll work.

Originally Posted by OH-LGG
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.
No visa required, right?
lkrt is offline  
Old Feb 4, 16, 5:32 am
  #253  
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Helsinki-Vantaa APT, Finland
Programs: AY LUMO
Posts: 5,748
Originally Posted by lkrt
No visa required, right?

No. Not going to India, going to DEL lounge.
OH-LGG is offline  
Old Feb 4, 16, 5:37 am
  #254  
 
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: HEL
Programs: AY, SK, TK
Posts: 7,217
Originally Posted by wkndtraveler
Sounds tempting, OH-LGG, but unfortunately I'm broke, thanks to my Golden Challenge.

Quickie: I'm now pretty close to Platinum already. But: I've already changed some award points to tier points. AY web doesn't let me change points anymore. Do you guys know if AY customer care can do the trick?
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
FFlash is offline  
Old Feb 4, 16, 5:42 am
  #255  
 
Join Date: May 2014
Location: HEL
Programs: AY+Plat, ALL Gold, Scandic L2
Posts: 3,548
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...
Courmisch is offline  

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