Cle to syd in October
#17
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2020
Location: Cleveland ohio in the house I grew up in
Posts: 11
Today the Guardian had an article saying that Qatar airways admits to bumping economy passengers in order to book more business class seats. I would link to it, but I can’t yet, but the headline says
hopefully Delta will not be doing this, but it is more than a rumour.
Australians stranded overseas as airlines fly with as few as four economy passengers
hopefully Delta will not be doing this, but it is more than a rumour.
#19
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: San Francisco/Sydney
Programs: UA 1K/MM, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Something, IHG Gold, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 8,163
The airlines were left with flights that had more passengers than they were legally allowed transport. When that happens, it's not surprising that they chose to bump the passengers that had purchased the cheaper seats.
Going forwards at least some of the the airlines are taking a different approach is that they has basically stopped selling economy tickets outright. UA has zero economy tickets on sale to Australia until October - and on the occasion that they release any they disappear very quickly (eg, there were 2 available for tomorrow as at about 30 mins ago, but they are gone now). This is painful for anyone trying to get to Australia, but again it's hard to blame the airlines - even if they sold 100% economy tickets they would likely sell out incredibly quickly given the limits the government is enforcing.
#20
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: MEL CHC
Posts: 21,057
It's hard to blame them - and really the fault belongs with the Australia Government who added the new limits without any notice.
The airlines were left with flights that had more passengers than they were legally allowed transport. When that happens, it's not surprising that they chose to bump the passengers that had purchased the cheaper seats.
The airlines were left with flights that had more passengers than they were legally allowed transport. When that happens, it's not surprising that they chose to bump the passengers that had purchased the cheaper seats.
Comments about the AU border closure better in the main thread---> https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ocea...l#post32613797
Leave this thread only for the CLE-SYD trip by Debbieann
#22
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2020
Location: Cleveland ohio in the house I grew up in
Posts: 11
We called Delta today to arrange to have one hour in Detroit and three hours at LAX (rather than the other way round) and the Delta rep said that “Sydney has been jerking them around and changing numbers at the last minute”, so we shall see what happens. I hadn’t heard that anywhere else, so thought I would let y’all know.
#23
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2020
Location: Cleveland ohio in the house I grew up in
Posts: 11
Everything went fine, the delta flight was very very empty, we are now in a hotel room, four points by sheraton. Across from UTS in Sydney. Fridge, kettle, desk, couch, not much else. The windows do not open.
#24
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: MEL CHC
Posts: 21,057
I recently spent 14 days in the Crowne Plaza in Auckland. The windows did open
#25
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: RSE
Programs: AA Exp|VA Platinum
Posts: 15,508
ETA: What was the inflight service like out of curiosity?
Last edited by bensyd; Oct 5, 2020 at 8:38 pm
#26
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2020
Location: Cleveland ohio in the house I grew up in
Posts: 11
From cleveland to detroit and detroit to lax they handed out a plastic bag with two small toblerones , a packet w two cookies, and a bottle of water. From lax to syd I slept through dinner, then there was a warm mushroom cheese bread snack in the very early morning, and then an actual breakfast w a cheese egg muffin, chobani yogurt, and fruit. They also offered some snack choices if you were awake. The cabin never got completely dark,. It was nice to be able to sleep across three seats.