Everything you need to know about the new alliance

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This was published 11 years ago

Everything you need to know about the new alliance

By Robert Upe
New-look: The Qantas and Emirates alliance will deliver a number of benefits for passengers, including up to 30kg baggage allowance on Qantas interntaional flights.

New-look: The Qantas and Emirates alliance will deliver a number of benefits for passengers, including up to 30kg baggage allowance on Qantas interntaional flights.Credit: Reuters

Up to 10 kilograms more luggage, stopovers in the Middle East instead of Asia and - for a lucky few - chauffeured hire cars ferrying people to and from airports. The new-look Qantas after its alliance with Emirates launched on Sunday marks a significantly different service for consumers, as the Australian carrier ditches Singapore as its traditional hub to Europe in favour of Dubai. With collaboration on ticketing, flight schedules and services, Qantas travellers can expect more than a few changes.

Q: Can I take extra luggage on board? Yes. Qantas's previous international limit of 20kg in economy is now 30kg on international flights (except the Americas). There are more generous limits for other classes and Qantas Club members.

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Q: Do my Qantas frequent flyer points still work? Yes. Qantas frequent flyer and Emirates Skywards members will earn points on planes in the network.

Q: If I am a member of both airlines' frequent flyer clubs, can I combine the points? No.

Q: What happens if there is a long wait in Dubai? Qantas has introduced Dubai Connect, matching Emirates' stopover service in Dubai. Passengers receive accommodations and meals. First and business-class passengers get the service if their connection time is between six and 24 hours, premium economy and economy passengers for stopovers between eight and 24 hours.

Qantas passengers flying first and business class internationally will now get a chauffeured hire car service to and from the airport.

Qantas passengers flying first and business class internationally will now get a chauffeured hire car service to and from the airport.

Q: I've heard Qantas passengers now get a chauffeured hire car service to and from the airport. Is that right? The service is only for first and business class. These passengers are collected from their departure point and picked up in the arrivals hall for a transfer to their chosen destination. The service is being progressively introduced up to July 1.

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Q: What is the flight time to Dubai? From Sydney, 14 hours and 30 minutes; from Melbourne, 14 hours. Transit time for London flights on QF1 is 90 minutes, and on QF9 105 minutes. After that, it's seven-and-a-half hours from Dubai to London.

Q: What happens with lounge access? Qantas Club members will be able to use the Emirates' business lounge in Dubai if their next flight that day is with Qantas or Emirates. Qantas Club members will be able to use Qantas business lounges in Australia, and the American Airlines Admirals Lounge in Heathrow T3 if their next flight is with Qantas or Emirates to Dubai or Australia.

Q: Am I able to book so I am flying on a Qantas or an Emirates plane? There will be only two or so flights a day direct to London on Qantas via Dubai - the rest are codeshare with Emirates - though Qantas will operate point-to-point flights from Australia to Dubai. Qantas may have fewer flights to Europe than Emirates but the latter connects to dozens of European cities.

Q: If I am travelling to London, will I automatically be on an A380 to Dubai? Yes and no. Qantas will operate a few of its own A380s each day direct from Australia to London Heathrow. You can also fly to Dubai with Qantas and connect to Heathrow and London Gatwick (as well as dozens of other European ports) on an Emirates aircraft, which may or may not be an A380.

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