see_the_world7

I'm close to booking our flights for our trip to New Zealand. For the dates we're flying the best rates are on Qantas. On the way back the flights I'm looking at go from Christchurch to Sydney with a plane change and only 1 hour 20 min layover. The second layover is in Singapore. That is only 1 hour 30 minutes, but is the same plane number so I'm assuming that is just a refueling and we wouldn't have to worry about a connection.

What are the chances that we would miss the connection in Sydney? We would buy the flight all as one ticket so I believe Qantas would have to rebook us at no charge to us if we miss the connection, but at that point I'm sure we'll be looking forward to getting home and would not want to deal with the hassle if we could avoid it.

I'm assuming we can check our luggage all the way through to London from Christchurch. Is that correct? Or would we have to pick it up and recheck in Sydney?

There is a different flight out that has a slightly longer layover, but the first one is the A380 versus a 747 and I thought perhaps the A380 might be more comfortable? It sounds like it is supposed to have more entertainment options in economy at least.

Any input appreciated since we'd like to get booked soon. thanks!

MaryD2

If you are flying Qantas all the way then you have no worries and the time of connection would not be a problem. They help up a flight for half an hour for me in Mumbai last year due to connection problems but that cannot always be expected but they would reschedule you for sure.
Use the A380 for sure as its soooooooooo much better if only that the noise is far less let alone the other things. Also the rack for your feet means that that too gives you more stretch out room.
Ring Qantas and ask about the luggage situation but I would assume that it would be all checked through but again assuming you are going Qantas all the way.

Susan7

If the first plane is delayed, then, as you say, Qantas will have to rebook you. I've had that happen when connecting with a Qantas flight at LA with a Continental flight from Chicago.

Personally I would want a 2 hour stop-over just in case, but you will be in transit at Sydney airport so you are not going through customs and you won't collect your luggage. The stop over in Singapore is usually the same plane and that time is certainly enough there.

see_the_world7

I usually would book directly with the airline, but Orbitz fares are coming up significantly cheaper than those on the Qantas site (and those are already lower than all other airlines). I'm looking at the exact same flight numbers all operated by Qantas. Is there any reason NOT to use Orbitz? I often use Orbitz for car rentals, but have never used for flights, and am a bit nervous about booking with anyone other than the airline. Would booking through Orbitz affect anything? Qantas would still need to rebook us if we couldn't make the connection, correct?

MaryD2

If they are all Qantas it won't matter where you have booked them so go ahead and use Orbitz if its cheaper. There is nothing on your booking to say where you book the flight.
As you are booking it all with Qantas I would not be worried about connection but if you are concerned then phone Qantas and you will get an answer and then you can book with Orbitz