Is Jetstar allowed on Global Explorer?
 

Title says it all; I would like to book an Australian domestic sector under the QF code on JQ (it's LST-SYD, for concreteness).

I am aware that
- JQ-operated flights are not allowed on the xONEx fare: this question is about the xGLOBxx fares. (Specifically an LGLOB26.)
- the CX rules (01DEC07 version) listed at http://www.christen.demon.co.uk/CXRule/ indicate this is ok, but the Oneworld rules (listed correct as of 01APR07) at http://www.oneworld.com/ow/air-trave...and-conditions say otherwise.

Anyone with experience?

No experience (one tries to avoid JQ instead of seeking it out!) but 1) the CX rules tend to be quite accurate (more so than the oneworld.com rules); and 2) JQ was definitely added to the GE fare at one point and it is rare for a sub to be removed. So I am fairly confident that it is part of the GE routing.

Wrong source. You should look at the rules pdf, linked in the same page:

http://www.oneworld.com/content/libr..._13dec2007.pdf

which is more up to date (13 Dec 07) and lists JQ as allowed (with conditions):

Thanks. Score another advantage for the Global Explorer! ;)

Jetrats in any itinerary is not an advantage. :td:

Agreed, Jetstar is only a Qantas Group airline when it's convienient for it to be so. :rolleyes: I was suprised it was permitted.

Be aware that you will have to meet Jetstar baggage conditions (20kgs) regardless that you may be on a NA itinerary and there will be no interlining of bags for connecting flights.

Be also aware that most domestic JQ flights are one class only. The exception are domestic legs of international flights.

Does Jetstar use any secondary airports other than Avalon (instead of MEL)? That would be a bigger problem for making connections. I think JQ is at the same airports as QF otherwise, but haven't really checked.

I believe AVV is the only secondary airport used by JQ ... and only for flights to/from SYD/ADL/BNE/PER.

Here's there current domestic schedule: http://www.jetstar.com/~/media/files...7%20290308.pdf

I'm aware that I don't want to take Jetstar when I can avoid it - the point is that if you have to take Jetstar anyway, it's better if you don't have to buy a separate ticket.

I need to leave LST no earlier than 3pm on a Sunday and arrive in ROC (Rochester, NY) by Monday 12 noon, in May (35 hours later). The only feasible routes begin with LST-SYD-HNL on QF/JQ and QF3 (or on Hawaiian, but that's more expensive), then at least one more stop in the US (the easiest is ORD). The transpac nonstops arrive LAX too late (the earliest is QF107, SYD-LAX at 0640) to reach ROC that early, and connecting via NRT doesn't quite work (the earliest I can see is LST-QF-MEL-QF-SYD-QF-NRT-AA-ORD-UA-ROC arriving 1354 on Monday). So, JQ it must be.

So, I save the JQ fare and get a little more protection from QF in case of misconnection (I hope) in case of misconnecting from QF5748 to QF3. It's a three hour connection in Sydney, it should be feasible.

I didn't say in most circumstances this would be a good plan (in particular, QF3 is a 763, not QF's most comfortable aircraft, and then there's more time on AA than I'd prefer), but when it's the only option, it's better when it's cheaper because the SYD-LST flight is included.

Question: if you do misconnect from a JQ-operated QF flight to a QF flight, connecting to other airlines after that, what is QF's obligation? Will they rebook me on Hawaiian SYD-HNL, the only way to catch up to my booked itinerary? (I don't have any Oneworld status right now, so I don't get any favors from them.)

I'm not sure how the "no interlining" policy of JQ affects your protection from mis-connects. If JQ interlined, it would be a non-issue, and status is irrelevant (except for standby priority); QF would rebook you onto HA if necessary (and HA usually has space available). But because JQ does not interline, you will have to check-in at SYD for your QF SYD-HNL flight (after collecting your luggage from JQ at SYD and lugging it over to the international terminal -- quite far at SYD, unfortunately). I would give serious thought to routing LST-MEL-SYD-HNL as transfers are much easier at MEL and there are half-hourly flights MEL-SYD. Much more leeway if something does go wrong (and you can check-in at MEL for HNL, a big advantage).

I just checked the timetable and there is a 2:55pm flight on JQ to MEL (not AVV!) which would connect quite well to SYD and HNL. I would highly recommend going via MEL instead of SYD if you must do your described routing.

That doesn't seem to work: the MCT at MEL from JQ to QF appears to be more than 70 minutes, and on May 18 (sorry, didn't specify that earlier) the JQ LST-MEL flight leaves at 3:20pm, arr MEL 4:20pm, with earliest 'legal' 'connection' to SYD at 6:00pm, arr 7:20pm, way too late to connect to QF3 which departs 7:45pm.

You'll just have to fly in Feb instead, then, when the schedule does work. Fwiw, qantas.com.au shows no legal connections LST-HNL ever during May. The definitive word on this is when you try to book your itin. I've never flown JQ but it is a bit of a nightmare out of SYD for an international connection if you have any checked luggage.

The really long MCT for JQ reflects the reality, I suppose (and my rule of thumb is to add an hour at SYD for MCT compared to MEL, due to the airport layout and staffing).

I've flown to and from Tassie alot, unfortunately mostly on Jetrats.

As far as whether to go via Melb or not, you have just as much chance of missing that connection as the one in Sydney, probably more given the shorter connection time. And then you have to hope that your QF flight is also on time, something else I wouldn't guarantee.

IME, Jetstar are normally on time. I have had a run late last year where three flights in a row I took were delayed >3 hours. But outside that I don't remember any significant delays.

In short, a connection of 3 hours JQ Dom -> QF Int at Sydney should be fine. You pick up your bags, get over to the Int terminal somehow, shouldn't take more than 45 mins. Things happen though, and I wouldn't be expecting QF to do anything, best you could hope for is their next flight to HNL which is probably a couple of days later. FWIW, I'd recommend just having hand luggage if that's possible.

Just a note, there are some QF flights out of Launceston, but if your times are specific, then they may not be of any use...

It would be much easier if the OP relaxed the time constraints. While 35 hours may seem a lot of time it isn't really for travel half way around the world when you need 4 or more flights, on some routes with infrequent services, and dealing with a LCC for the first flight.

For me, if important to get to the destination on time then I'd be unwilling to take the risk of a misconnect JQ->QF. Since JQ doesn't interline I'd guess you'd be put on the next QF flight to HNL with availability which could be days later. Leaving a couple hours earlier from LST reduces that risk to almost nothing.