Transit, connections and CoVID
Oct 29, 2020, 1:57 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 23
Transit, connections and CoVID
So I need to get from London to Sydney. Plan is to take SQ to Singapore, transit, go to NZ and quarantine there, and then use the NZ - NSW bubble to get to Sydney. I have the necessary passports etc
Challenge is that the flight schedule and connections aren’t great.
I have the option between 55 min, 70 min or 11 hour long connections. There is no lounge access at Changi at present; transfer passengers are herded into another area and kept separate from non-transfer passengers. There are some basic facilities, but that’s it.
There is only 1 SIN-AKL flight per day, so a missed connection means at least a 24 hour wait, and not in a hotel etc...
So, would you take the short connections and risk missing the flight, or baggage not making it (and who knows how they’d get baggage to me in NZ!), or take the safe 11 hour option and just tough it out in the holding pen? (Not sure how safe... but being Singapore I assume the necessary arrangements have been made)
Wisdom appreciated!
Cheers
Challenge is that the flight schedule and connections aren’t great.
I have the option between 55 min, 70 min or 11 hour long connections. There is no lounge access at Changi at present; transfer passengers are herded into another area and kept separate from non-transfer passengers. There are some basic facilities, but that’s it.
There is only 1 SIN-AKL flight per day, so a missed connection means at least a 24 hour wait, and not in a hotel etc...
So, would you take the short connections and risk missing the flight, or baggage not making it (and who knows how they’d get baggage to me in NZ!), or take the safe 11 hour option and just tough it out in the holding pen? (Not sure how safe... but being Singapore I assume the necessary arrangements have been made)
Wisdom appreciated!
Cheers
Oct 29, 2020, 8:14 pm
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: MEL CHC
Posts: 21,008
So I need to get from London to Sydney. Plan is to take SQ to Singapore, transit, go to NZ and quarantine there, and then use the NZ - NSW bubble to get to Sydney. I have the necessary passports etc
Challenge is that the flight schedule and connections aren’t great.
I have the option between 55 min, 70 min or 11 hour long connections. There is no lounge access at Changi at present; transfer passengers are herded into another area and kept separate from non-transfer passengers. There are some basic facilities, but that’s it.
There is only 1 SIN-AKL flight per day, so a missed connection means at least a 24 hour wait, and not in a hotel etc...
So, would you take the short connections and risk missing the flight, or baggage not making it (and who knows how they’d get baggage to me in NZ!), or take the safe 11 hour option and just tough it out in the holding pen? (Not sure how safe... but being Singapore I assume the necessary arrangements have been made)
Wisdom appreciated!
Challenge is that the flight schedule and connections aren’t great.
I have the option between 55 min, 70 min or 11 hour long connections. There is no lounge access at Changi at present; transfer passengers are herded into another area and kept separate from non-transfer passengers. There are some basic facilities, but that’s it.
There is only 1 SIN-AKL flight per day, so a missed connection means at least a 24 hour wait, and not in a hotel etc...
So, would you take the short connections and risk missing the flight, or baggage not making it (and who knows how they’d get baggage to me in NZ!), or take the safe 11 hour option and just tough it out in the holding pen? (Not sure how safe... but being Singapore I assume the necessary arrangements have been made)
Wisdom appreciated!
The 14 day stay may cost you ~NZ$3000. The hotel 14 day MIQ must be pre booked now.
https://www.immigration.govt.nz/abou...and-exceptions
Are you eligible to enter AU? AU - NZ citizen/permanent resident or otherwise admissible?
If not an AU or NZ citizen (=permanent resident) you will need a visa/permission for AU
https://covid19.homeaffairs.gov.au/
When?
Would LHR-SIN & SIN-AKL be same ticket or separate tickets? Both SQ?
Separate tickets has other implications.
Checked bags or carry on only?
On separate tickets 55 min or 70 min would be very high risk.
If all 1 ticket its the airlines problem if you miss the second flight
SQ are also flying into CHC a few times a week. Not just AKL
Trans Tasman flights are only from AKL (Air NZ & QF)
A direct flight on 1 ticket would be safer, but getting a flight is hard
What class of travel?
Several airlines EU to SYD/BNE/ADL and maybe MEL later in the year
EK, EY, QR, CX. MH and some other Asian airlines
Main AU thread--> https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ocea...-15-march.html
Edit
Airlines flying to/from AU from https://covid19.homeaffairs.gov.au/leaving-australia
<snip>
Commercial flights are available in several major airports across Australia. These airlines are currently operating flights departing Australia:
Airlines flying include: Air India | Air New Zealand | Emirates | Qatar Airways | United | Singapore Airlines | Cathay Pacific Airways | SriLankan Airlines | Malaysia Airlines | Asiana Airlines | China Airlines | Xiamen Airlines
<snip>
Commercial flights are available in several major airports across Australia. These airlines are currently operating flights departing Australia:
Airlines flying include: Air India | Air New Zealand | Emirates | Qatar Airways | United | Singapore Airlines | Cathay Pacific Airways | SriLankan Airlines | Malaysia Airlines | Asiana Airlines | China Airlines | Xiamen Airlines
<snip>
Last edited by Mwenenzi; Oct 29, 2020 at 8:47 pm Reason: spelling
Oct 29, 2020, 8:27 pm
#4
Join Date: Mar 2016
Posts: 23
So I need to get from London to Sydney. Plan is to take SQ to Singapore, transit, go to NZ and quarantine there, and then use the NZ - NSW bubble to get to Sydney. I have the necessary passports etc
Challenge is that the flight schedule and connections aren’t great.
I have the option between 55 min, 70 min or 11 hour long connections. There is no lounge access at Changi at present; transfer passengers are herded into another area and kept separate from non-transfer passengers. There are some basic facilities, but that’s it.
There is only 1 SIN-AKL flight per day, so a missed connection means at least a 24 hour wait, and not in a hotel etc...
So, would you take the short connections and risk missing the flight, or baggage not making it (and who knows how they’d get baggage to me in NZ!), or take the safe 11 hour option and just tough it out in the holding pen? (Not sure how safe... but being Singapore I assume the necessary arrangements have been made)
Wisdom appreciated!
Cheers
Challenge is that the flight schedule and connections aren’t great.
I have the option between 55 min, 70 min or 11 hour long connections. There is no lounge access at Changi at present; transfer passengers are herded into another area and kept separate from non-transfer passengers. There are some basic facilities, but that’s it.
There is only 1 SIN-AKL flight per day, so a missed connection means at least a 24 hour wait, and not in a hotel etc...
So, would you take the short connections and risk missing the flight, or baggage not making it (and who knows how they’d get baggage to me in NZ!), or take the safe 11 hour option and just tough it out in the holding pen? (Not sure how safe... but being Singapore I assume the necessary arrangements have been made)
Wisdom appreciated!
Cheers
If you choose to take the 11 hour transit, you can book the transit hotel and be confined to a room but at least you'll have a bed and a shower to make the transit palatable and you'll be isolated from other travellers.
Props to you for finding a way around the caps!
Oct 29, 2020, 11:54 pm
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 23
Thanks for the replies. Yes I have AU and NZ passports and a few others as well. Expensive to renew them, but handy in times like this.
Flights would be just all on one booking, via SQ, and with checked baggage. I realise it’s the airline’s problem if I miss the connection, but equally it’s mine - e.g. could be up ton24 hours until next flight, and if that is full then 48 hours, at which point I’d breach the transit time limit and be deported(?)
Reason for not flying directly to Aust is (1) limited chance of getting into the country unless you’re booked on biz class, and even then it’s not guaranteed. I have had friends stuck in Dubai for a month now, and nearly losing a job offer back in Sydney as they can’t get back.
With NZ, they have plenty of capacity in the quarantine system, and you book a confirmed place in Managed Isolation BEFORE you book your flight. So there is far less chance of having flight cancellation issues than if flying into Sydney. Plus by law they let you out for 45 mins per day to exercise, and in general the system does seem much better managed.
As someone pointed out, I’m less worried about the SIN end than delays departing LHR.
I wasn’t aware of the airport hotel, I’ll just do that then with the 11 hour stopover and catch up on some work.
Am flip flopping between paying for Biz class and Premium Econ. With no lounge access and presumably limited soft product on board, the only real reason to pay for J would be for enhanced social distancing; which of course has some value in itself.
I did see the Christchurch option but (1) it’s only a 5 hour layover so any significant delay ex-LHR would be a problem if there isn’t another flight for several days and (2) as someone pointed out, the trans-Tasman flight needs to be from AKL.
Flights would be just all on one booking, via SQ, and with checked baggage. I realise it’s the airline’s problem if I miss the connection, but equally it’s mine - e.g. could be up ton24 hours until next flight, and if that is full then 48 hours, at which point I’d breach the transit time limit and be deported(?)
Reason for not flying directly to Aust is (1) limited chance of getting into the country unless you’re booked on biz class, and even then it’s not guaranteed. I have had friends stuck in Dubai for a month now, and nearly losing a job offer back in Sydney as they can’t get back.
With NZ, they have plenty of capacity in the quarantine system, and you book a confirmed place in Managed Isolation BEFORE you book your flight. So there is far less chance of having flight cancellation issues than if flying into Sydney. Plus by law they let you out for 45 mins per day to exercise, and in general the system does seem much better managed.
As someone pointed out, I’m less worried about the SIN end than delays departing LHR.
I wasn’t aware of the airport hotel, I’ll just do that then with the 11 hour stopover and catch up on some work.
Am flip flopping between paying for Biz class and Premium Econ. With no lounge access and presumably limited soft product on board, the only real reason to pay for J would be for enhanced social distancing; which of course has some value in itself.
I did see the Christchurch option but (1) it’s only a 5 hour layover so any significant delay ex-LHR would be a problem if there isn’t another flight for several days and (2) as someone pointed out, the trans-Tasman flight needs to be from AKL.
Last edited by klan8456; Oct 30, 2020 at 12:06 am
Oct 30, 2020, 12:32 am
#6
Join Date: Jun 2017
Posts: 2,277
Don’t worry so much. They will hold the departing aircraft as well if there are some connecting paxes. Usually the flight time have extra buffer also.
Further nowadays changi is not busy.usually aircraft can land directly instead of holding.
Further nowadays changi is not busy.usually aircraft can land directly instead of holding.
Oct 30, 2020, 12:44 am
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 23
Yes agree, I’m more thinking of there being 2 -3hour + delays ex LHR given this country is a mess right now, and possibly a lot worse in a month’s time.
Oct 30, 2020, 1:49 am
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 23
Also note from the SQ safe travel
guide: “Be patient when leaving the aircraft
Disembarkation may take longer than usual.
If you are transiting in Singapore, you will be
the last group to disembark, regardless of your cabin class. An usher will accompany you to your boarding gate or the transit holding area.”
So the longer layover seems a far less stressful option!
guide: “Be patient when leaving the aircraft
Disembarkation may take longer than usual.
If you are transiting in Singapore, you will be
the last group to disembark, regardless of your cabin class. An usher will accompany you to your boarding gate or the transit holding area.”
So the longer layover seems a far less stressful option!
Oct 30, 2020, 2:28 am
#9
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: MUC/RJK
Programs: SQ G, LH FTL, UA S, Marriott Plat, Hertz PC
Posts: 1,440
Personally, I wouldn't even consider paying for PE. It's very likely you'll get a row all for yourself in Economy, and you can stretch out - seats in PE have fixed armrests, so no such chance. The only reasonable choice I see is Economy vs. Business.
Oct 30, 2020, 2:46 am
#10
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 23
I’m 6’5” so don’t comfortably fit in an Econ seat for long haul. If want to be fairly certain I’ll have the space...
Oct 30, 2020, 3:09 am
#11
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: BRU, SIN, PEK
Programs: SQ TPP, LH SEN
Posts: 3,235
That’s interesting, are the passenger loads LHR - SIN that light now that I’d have a pretty good chance of having a seat’s space next to me in economy? My wife is Singaporean and as recently as 6 weeks ago the London Singaporeans whatsapp group was lit up with loads of messages about people not being able to get flights home.
Oct 30, 2020, 3:31 am
#12
Join Date: Sep 2018
Programs: Alaska
Posts: 2,188
Oct 30, 2020, 3:50 am
#13
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: MUC/RJK
Programs: SQ G, LH FTL, UA S, Marriott Plat, Hertz PC
Posts: 1,440
September PLF on Europe routes was 18.4%... October data should come out in a few days. Unless LHR-SIN is a glitch in the pattern, there should be enough empty seats on the plane 
Looking at SQ317 today, it's going to fly out with 35 people in Economy cabin. SQ319 tonight has about 50-odd people in Economy... and going to singaporeair.com, I can book tickets for a 9-people group for it in Economy
Of course, that's no guarantee that on your travel dates, you'd get a row for yourself, but...
Looking at SQ317 today, it's going to fly out with 35 people in Economy cabin. SQ319 tonight has about 50-odd people in Economy... and going to singaporeair.com, I can book tickets for a 9-people group for it in Economy
Of course, that's no guarantee that on your travel dates, you'd get a row for yourself, but...
Oct 30, 2020, 4:06 pm
#14
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: MEL CHC
Posts: 21,008
Thanks for the replies. Yes I have AU and NZ passports and a few others as well. Expensive to renew them, but handy in times like this.
<snip>
With NZ, they have plenty of capacity in the quarantine system, and you book a confirmed place in Managed Isolation BEFORE you book your flight. So there is far less chance of having flight cancellation issues than if flying into Sydney. Plus by law they let you out for 45 mins per day to exercise, and in general the system does seem much better managed.
<snip>
I did see the Christchurch option but (1) it’s only a 5 hour layover so any significant delay ex-LHR would be a problem if there isn’t another flight for several days and (2) as someone pointed out, the trans-Tasman flight needs to be from AKL.
<snip>
With NZ, they have plenty of capacity in the quarantine system, and you book a confirmed place in Managed Isolation BEFORE you book your flight. So there is far less chance of having flight cancellation issues than if flying into Sydney. Plus by law they let you out for 45 mins per day to exercise, and in general the system does seem much better managed.
<snip>
I did see the Christchurch option but (1) it’s only a 5 hour layover so any significant delay ex-LHR would be a problem if there isn’t another flight for several days and (2) as someone pointed out, the trans-Tasman flight needs to be from AKL.
Excepting Melbourne, would not say NZ system is better managed than AU. NZ was letting people out before the 14 days without testing. Then of those 2 tested positive. NZ have been more lucky than well managed. NZ overhauled the MIQ management structure some weeks ago. Is better now.
No matter what NZ airport you arrive in, can be sent to Auckland, Rotorua, Hamilton Wellington or Christchurch. If you arrive in the morning more chance of being shuttled off to another city. The Air NZ TT flights are AKL-Au-AKL with the same crew and tend to land late afternoon in AKL. So less chance of being sent south for hotel isolation. NZ isolation capacity is not that different to AU, despite AU population 5 times greater.
The "walk" where I did Auckland MIQ was as supervised group walk/exercise in the multilevel level car park. Have read of people in AU doing similar on the hotel roof tops. But will vary by facility.
30 Oct 2020 (suff.co.nz)----> Air New Zealand ordered to freeze international bookings as Kiwis flock home for Christmas
The Government has ordered Air New Zealand to put a freeze on all international bookings to New Zealand as projections show the country’s Covid-19 quarantine facilities nearing capacity. New Zealand has 32 managed isolation and quarantine (MIQ) facilities across the country with operational capacity for 6260 people. Since March 26 there have been 66,441 people pass through the facilities.
<snip>
<snip>
Covid 19 coronavirus isolation hotels: Returnees go without fresh air and outside exercise space
Last edited by Mwenenzi; Oct 31, 2020 at 11:29 am