Above all, never, ever, ever check in anywhere, anyhow other than for the flight you are about to take. No matter what - UNLESS you are 150% certain that nothing will possibly ever change. You would not believe how complicated life can become if you check in for the return flight (thinking you are saving time) and then find you need to change it. Trust me.
QANTAS On Line Check In
Welcome to QANTAS online Check-in.
Seasoned travellers, click on the QF logo below
(This will go straight to "internet check in" )
Sam Smith Business Travel
If you are new to online check-in then you may want to read some of my notes, first!
Online check-in is currently not available for International Qantas services, so the range of flights you can do an online check-in for is pretty limited. What there is, though, is quite good and reasonably easy to navigate. Online check-in is available for Australian and New Zealand domestic Qantas and QantasLink passengers between 24 hours and 1 hour before departure. Exceptions: Unaccompanied minors, Some passengers travelling with special needs may need to check-in at the airport. If you are travelling domestically within Australia on an International Qantas service (QF1-399) you will need to check-in at the airport.
Unaccompanied Minors - If a child is travelling without the supervision of a parent or guardian who is fifteen years or older they are classified as an unaccompanied minor. To make a booking for an unaccompanied minor contact your local QANTAS office or this may be done through your travel agent. Bookings cannot be made online. Note: A booking fee of up to AUD50.00 (GBP23.00-ish). On most flights, children under 6 must be accompanied by a person 15 years or over who is an immediate family member or who has written permission from the child's parent or guardian. Save for Qantas International services a child of 5 years or more can travel unaccompanied provided the child's flying time (not including ground time) does not exceed 6 hours. International rules apply when international and domestic flights are combined. Some US domestic carriers, including American Airlines, do now allow transfer of Unaccompanied Minors to/from Qantas International flights. Please note that unaccompanied minors are effectively banned from JETSTAR flights.
QANTAS are partners in the "Infotriever" (quite clever) calender management system, which really is rather good. The software download is free and as well as QANTAS you can access information on flights from Cathay Pacific, Air France, ANA, China Eastern, Jet Airways and Royal Brunei, to name a few. (Actually, infotriever need to update their advertised partners as a few have gone bust!). The system works well under all operating systems, Palm, Blackberry and many other soft fruit or plant named communication devices.
Premium Economy will be progressively introduced on selected B747-400 flights for travel from April 2008 departing Sydney to London, Singapore, Bangkok and Johannesburg, for travel from August 2008 departing Sydney to Hong Kong, and for travel from May 2008 departing Melbourne to London, Singapore and Hong Kong. On sale in the coming months, Premium Economy will also be progressively introduced on selected B747-400 services departing Sydney and Melbourne to the US (New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco) from late 2008, and will be available on the Qantas A380, scheduled for delivery from August 2008. Premium Economy will also be available on our new A380 fleet, arriving in August 2008 (in theory....)
Qantas have some very helpful information with regard to wheelchairs and mobility aids. This includes a very useful list of the dimensions that are acceptable in various aircraft for wheelchairs, should you need them on board. There is further, useful information on their website, here >>>>. Generally, passengers who have mobility limitations will not require medical clearance to fly. However, there are times when precautions should be taken and it is advisable at all times to consult with your medical practitioner in relation to flying with your particular disability. If you have a mobility limitation, you only require medical clearance if your disability is new (ie has occurred within six weeks of travel) or is unstable (ie has changed within six weeks of travel), your condition may deteriorate during the flight, or your condition may deteriorate due to a decrease in oxygen levels in the aircraft cabin environment or a decrease in cabin pressure.
Nearly all seats may be selected save for those on very cheap tickets though even then, you may request an aisle or window seat. Exit row seats are only allocated at the airport (even on longhaul). You can add frequent flyer numbers during the booking process. You can also add meal requests and information about sporting equipment you may be carrying.
REMEMBER - If you a Brit going to Australia, YOU MUST get a visa or arrange for the pre-clearance, which you can do through your travel agent. Do not leave it until you get to the airport, if you are refused the pre-clearance, you will need a full visa and that will take time!!
