Connection question
 

Haven't been on here for ages...feel awful asking out of the blue but its a question I'm just not sure of.

Flying to Perth from LHR in March with BA (but on QF metal in Premium as it was 700 pounds cheaper booked this way!!). Land at Singapore and then have an onward flight booked with QF with the usual super quick transfer (75 mins I think but I always make it)

This time I have booked two separate tickets as it was so much cheaper but will get my luggage tagged through. IF the first plane is late getting to Singapore what will happen with my QF ticket seeing as it is a separate ticket? On the same ticket I know they will honour it and rebook me but not sure what the deal would be this way? I am contemplating staying over in Singapore as a precaution and flying the next day but would rather do the straight through option.

Appreciate any knowledgeable insights :)

Been living in the UK and flying a lot less but still check the forum for advice when I do travel. Moving back to Australia permanently this year so hope to catch some of you again for a beer :cool:

My understanding is that separate PNRs make the traveller responsible. Right now I am in a similar situation with LHR-SYD return on one PNR with SYD-NAN on a separate one. My main concern was the return from NAN - SYD because of FJ performance in the past. Like you I considered flying a day early to SYD and spending an evening out on the Rocks. I found a good travel insurance policy however which covers losses experienced by an "independent traveller" in the event of a missed connection on 2 PNRs. I called the insurance broker to specify exactly what I had in mind and he assured me that the policy covers this eventuality.

The policy is with John Lewis, take a look at policies for the independent traveller.

Alternatively when you book with Qantas you are offered QBE insurance but I am not sure if this covers consequential losses arising from missed connections on separate PNRs.

If you choose to stay over in SIN then take a trip to the zoo for an evening tour, it is really interesting.

Thanks mate...I thought the passenger was responsible but wanted confirmation. Will definitely check out the policy with John Lewis..usually QF are good for time and I have done this trip a number of times.

Done the zoo a few times but appreciate the tip and advice :)

Couldn't get that insurance as I am travelling with my father who is "too old". No morning flight to Perth with QF the next day (of course it is the only day of the week they don't fly SIN-PER am) so I am just going to hope for the best and explore other insurance possibilities.

The connection time is 1 hr 20 mins so should be ample unless the aircraft is operiationally delayed for over an hour in the UK. Saying that on the A380 you would think there would be at least 20-30 pax transferring to the connecting PER flight at SIN. Does anyone know if they will hold the PER flight in SIN for a short time for these passengers? I would imagine having to rebook 30+ pax is a hassle though cost associated with delays are obviously not good either :eek:

Cheers guys really appreciate any help.

I would ring them up and explain what you are trying to do (but be very honest about connection times). Age only comes into things if illness causes missed connections etc. Since you are not looking for medical cover or consequential losses arising from medical problems they may quote you a premium for your father that specifically waivers medical cover.

For a start Qantas will check you luggage though given QF->QF, even if on separate tickets. You should be able to OLCI normally.

Also good is that SIN is one of the most efficient ports in the work for that sort of stuff.

However, as indicated, you'd be SOL if your inbound was late enough.

I would not ordinarily risk a 1¼ hour connection on the same ticket, let alone separate ones - and with a companion traveller 'who is "too old"' for insurance - simple.

Have a layover; I know there's probably nothing you haven't done/seen in Singapore that you've ever wanted, but you can still get a good meal and a good rest at the very least.

One of the topics I haven't seen discussed is what will happen after the connection goes off BUT the airlines have already given you the boarding pass(es) on the onward connecting flight. I suspect that this is where airline status of the passenger comes in to play. Comments serfty? I can't see the airlines not assisting where the BP has already been issued. If the OP's flight from LHR is delayed sufficiently (ie the departure), the danger is the connecting BP won't be issued.

Having said that I have connected in SIN on separate tickets many times - but almost always from an Asian connecting flight (CX/JL) and allowing a minimum of 2.5 hours (or more). And ideally an alternative initial flight as a possibility.

Happy wandering (if possible)

Fred

The OP could be SOL or could be protected is some manner; the latter is not guaranteed - in the event of not protection the former applies.

I personally would not risk it.

(I did a QF10->QF10 same day SIN connection in June [with checked through luggage] - however it was the same metal.)

I totally agree. SIN is very efficient but 1.25 hours is cutting it fine for flights on the same PNR.

For flights on different PNRs it is far too tight. Like Serfly I would do an overnight in SIN in such a circumstance.

Cheers guys...as ever, excellent advice. Not sure why all the QF/BA flights have such a tight connection at SIN but they all seem to. Many times when disembarking at SIN you see heaps of passengers rushing to the next flight (usually at an adjoining gate)

Most people who are just connecting will want to get to their destinations as fast as reasonably possible, and those who like spending lots of connecting time in the lounges are relatively few in number. So it's unsurprising that a hub that's primarily operating in one direction at once (Europe -> Australia in the early evening; Australia -> Europe in the late evening) will try to get the wave through in relatively short order.

There is no reason for the aeroplane to spend more time in Singapore than it needs to; the service is running LHR-oz , so the stop is only of the length needed to handle the connection

Yeah I figured that, but am surprised as a few seasoned guys on here said it seemed a short connection time and they wouldn't risk it.. Not wanting to prolong this thread but do the SIN-AUS flights just leave a bit emptier if the A380 or 747 is delayed in from LHR? Just interested :D so pardon the ignorance if its a stupid question.