SexyAdonis From United States of America, joined Mar 2010, 100 posts, RR: 0 Posted (4 months 2 weeks 1 day 5 hours ago) and read 10582 times:
This just in ...
QF rejigs Singapore, Hong Kong, Bangkok flights, cuts Frankfurt
Qantas has just announced some significant changes to its Asia network as part of its strategy for the region, with the retiming of flights, more frequencies to some destinations and the suspension of several routes - including bringing forward the cessation of Frankfurt flights to 15 Apr 2013.
The restructure sees existing services to Asia no longer tied to onward links to Europe, with Qantas International ceo Simon Hickey saying the number of dedicated QF seats to Hong Kong and Singapore is increasing significantly because capacity previously set aside for customers going to Europe via these hubs can be freed up.
"The joint Qantas-Emirates network into Asia gives our customers a fresh set of options, including double daily services to Singapore from Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane," Hickey said.
Effective for sale today and for travel from 31 Mar the changes will see earlier arrival times into HKG, BKK and SIN, with flights brought forward by up to three hours to increase the number of onward connections.
Qantas will cease operating direct flights between Perth and Hong Kong from 31 Mar, and will also suspend its QF81/82 non-stop service from Adelaide to Singapore effective 14 Apr, while Perth-Singapore will reduce to once daily.
The changes also see the addition of Kuala Lumpur to the Qantas network, via a codeshare on the daily EK409 service from Melbourne to KUL.
Frequencies will also increase on Brisbane-Hong Kong (from four to seven weekly) and Sydney-Singapore (four additional weekly flights, increasing to 7 from June).
The Qantas-Emirates partnership remains subject to ACCC approval.
MEANWHILE the new Qantas Asia strategy also includes a range of subsequent phases, including an enhanced customer experience such as a possible refresh of the international A330 fleet to include a lie-flat bed in Business Class.
Hickey also flagged possibly expanding links with local partners in Asia such as Japan Airlines, China Eastern, Jet Airways, Cathay Pacific and Malaysia Airlines.
And from 2016 Qantas is looking at a range of new destinations across the region utilising its new B787-9 optioned aircraft, with direct flights being considered to Beijing, Seoul, Mumbai, Delhi and Tokyo Haneda.
Source: Travel Daily (Australia) - 04 February 2013
DolphinAir747 From United States of America, joined Jun 2012, 232 posts, RR: 0 Reply 2, posted (4 months 2 weeks 1 day 5 hours ago) and read 10396 times:
Bad news for the people in PER and ADL...
Will QF deploy the 744 on any of those routes? Otherwise where will they send all of them?
airbusa322 From Australia, joined Apr 2009, 235 posts, RR: 0 Reply 5, posted (4 months 2 weeks 1 day 4 hours ago) and read 10111 times:
Quoting SexyAdonis (Thread starter): The changes also see the addition of Kuala Lumpur to the Qantas network, via a codeshare on the daily EK409 service from Melbourne to KUL.
qf002 From Australia, joined Jul 2011, 2604 posts, RR: 1 Reply 7, posted (4 months 2 weeks 1 day 3 hours ago) and read 9919 times:
It all seems to make pretty good sense to me, though I do think it's a shame that they're dropping so much service outside the east coast. I'm still curious to know what else they plan to cut (given they still have too many flights for the planned size of their fleet) -- my money is on SYD-BKK next (since they can use EK's flights to cover that market now), followed by MNL or JKT. That should bring them down to a level where they can send an A333 to NRT to replace the 744 and cover reconfigurations.
Quoting vhebb (Reply 1): SYD-SIN-SYD will increase to double daily.
I wish they had released more details on what was happening with SYD-SIN. The QF5/6 timings don't work for a local service (QF6 currently departs before QF5 arrives), and I daresay a 744 would be better suited to the morning service with more potential for connections, with the afternoon departure switching to an A330.
They really need to figure out what they're doing and publish some final schedules. These are changes that are happening in 9 weeks time, not next year some time.
AusA380 From Australia, joined Jan 2009, 290 posts, RR: 0 Reply 8, posted (4 months 2 weeks 1 day 3 hours ago) and read 9821 times:
Not much of a focus on Asia - cutting ADL, reducing PER, effectively handing SYD-HKG to CX (VS fly as frequently as QF now), no new cities fo QF.
QF sold pup to the regulars and the public as to how the EK deal will allow it to be more focused on the emerging (how long has it been emerging) Asian markets.
qf002 From Australia, joined Jul 2011, 2604 posts, RR: 1 Reply 10, posted (4 months 2 weeks 1 day 3 hours ago) and read 9760 times:
Quoting AusA380 (Reply 9): effectively handing SYD-HKG to CX
I disagree. QF offers First to HKG (and will do for a long time to come, given the money they've just spent on a new First Lounge at HKG), which CX doesn't, and will fly more capacity on the route when it goes to a daily A380 compared with 18 months ago.
QF87/88 made sense when they offered alternative timings to QF127/128 but don't add much to the schedule anymore. Going daily from BNE is far more meaningful than having a second SYD departure 4 hours after the first one three days a week.
AusA380 From Australia, joined Jan 2009, 290 posts, RR: 0 Reply 11, posted (4 months 2 weeks 1 day 2 hours ago) and read 9600 times:
Quoting qf002 (Reply 10): I disagree. QF offers First to HKG (and will do for a long time to come, given the money they've just spent on a new First Lounge at HKG), which CX doesn't, and will fly more capacity on the route when it goes to a daily A380 compared with 18 months ago.
I think the issues here is not "capacity" but frequency. SYD and HKG I think is one of the city pairs from Australia (just like SYD-SIN) where frequency is now important.
Not that I have experienced it as yet I understand the CX J product is excellent and there was little value for them in retaining F class.
Flyingsottsman From Australia, joined Oct 2010, 396 posts, RR: 0 Reply 12, posted (4 months 2 weeks 21 hours ago) and read 9026 times:
They are not new desinations, Beijing, Seoul, Mumbai, were served then dropped years ago, not sure about Delhi and Tokyo is already served from NRT how would a Heneda service make a difference?
Quoting qf002 (Reply 7): They really need to figure out what they're doing and publish some final schedules. These are changes that are happening in 9 weeks time, not next year some time.
Agreed, the international side of things are a complete mess. Qantas are not really giving the market confidence in their operations with so many cancellations.
Quoting qf002 (Reply 7): The desert. 9 frames are due to be retired in the next 12-18 months.
IndianicWorld From Australia, joined Jun 2001, 2404 posts, RR: 0 Reply 15, posted (4 months 2 weeks 20 hours ago) and read 8892 times:
Strange to see ADL losing its QF flights to SIN and PER really has been left in no man's land on the QF international network.
For a city that is meant to be booming, QF to have cut NRT and now HKG from PER which leaves a very limited presence. The reliance on EK to service PER seems the main strategic move there, with not much else in it for that market to benefit from. In saying that though, PER is a very competitive market these days, and certainly punching above its weight currently, so maybe they see very little opportunities left there for its own services. Who knows.
I also see it as strange that they are announcing their plans so far down the track. That gives their competition well and truly enough time to start services or increase frequency in the meantime.
All of this seems like a bit of spin really at this point and nothing substantial will come for a few years , if at all.
EK413 From Australia, joined Nov 2003, 3981 posts, RR: 4 Reply 16, posted (4 months 2 weeks 20 hours ago) and read 8842 times:
Quoting airbusa322 (Reply 5): Quoting SexyAdonis (Thread starter):
The changes also see the addition of Kuala Lumpur to the Qantas network, via a codeshare on the daily EK409 service from Melbourne to KUL.
New Destination? What rubbish.
I had to read it twice & then I was disappointed when the code share was thrown in...
Quoting qf002 (Reply 7): They really need to figure out what they're doing and publish some final schedules. These are changes that are happening in 9 weeks time, not next year some time.
Today's announcement is phase 1 with another 3 phases...
NEw codeshare destination and can anyone confirm if QF have ever flown the sector by themselves in the past? I dare say they've probably only ever done MEL-SIN rather than KUL.
It's still the rubbish departure time of 2:45am however.
EK413 From Australia, joined Nov 2003, 3981 posts, RR: 4 Reply 20, posted (4 months 2 weeks 18 hours ago) and read 8421 times:
Quoting tayser (Reply 19): NEw codeshare destination and can anyone confirm if QF have ever flown the sector by themselves in the past? I dare say they've probably only ever done MEL-SIN rather than KUL.
In September 1965 Qantas launched the first V-Jet service through Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, for the Sydney–Kuala Lumpur–London route. In June 1969 Qantas had eleven 707s a week from Sydney to London, taking 29-32 hours...
CXfirst From Norway, joined Jan 2007, 2754 posts, RR: 1 Reply 21, posted (4 months 2 weeks 17 hours ago) and read 8248 times:
Quoting SexyAdonis (Thread starter): Qantas will cease operating direct flights between Perth and Hong Kong from 31 Mar, and will also suspend its QF81/82 non-stop service from Adelaide to Singapore effective 14 Apr, while Perth-Singapore will reduce to once daily.
I booked a TK frequent flyer flight for June back in November. I had the option of flying HKG-IST-OSL or SIN-IST-OSL, it ended up being HKG-IST-OSL, because at the time SQ was very expensive (more reasonable now), CX was reasonable and QF was very reasonable (both to HKG and SIN), but risky. I am very happy I booked CX, simply because I didn't trust QF's schedule, which would have caused problems for me.
Now, why would QF have offered such excellent fares when they seemingly had the cuts in plan the whole time and where waiting for ACCC approval of the EK deal? What happens to those passengers? Moved to CX? Refunds? Flown via SYD/MEL?
As a PER resident I feel like QF is really letting us down. EK deal is excellent, but for us, why bother booking with QF at all, the service from PER would be straight with EK, might as well book EK or any of the other great options.
SYDSpotter From Australia, joined Oct 2012, 123 posts, RR: 0 Reply 22, posted (4 months 2 weeks 17 hours ago) and read 8238 times:
Quoting IndianicWorld (Reply 15): Strange to see ADL losing its QF flights to SIN and PER really has been left in no man's land on the QF international network.
For a city that is meant to be booming, QF to have cut NRT and now HKG from PER which leaves a very limited presence. The reliance on EK to service PER seems the main strategic move there, with not much else in it for that market to benefit from. In saying that though, PER is a very competitive market these days, and certainly punching above its weight currently, so maybe they see very little opportunities left there for its own services. Who knows.
I also see it as strange that they are announcing their plans so far down the track. That gives their competition well and truly enough time to start services or increase frequency in the meantime.
Yes, the cutting of PER-HKG was most surprising. But I hadn't realised that QF were only offering 3x services a week, so not that much of a loss overall but they are conceding the whole PER-Asia market to SQ,CX,MH and co. The PER-HKG services were probably not doing all too well given they were only 3x weekly so they would've captured very little of the corporate market. One can only guess if overall performance would've better had they had a daily service in place. Perhaps once things stablise and they get additional planes on board (i.e. getting A330's back from JQ), they will reintroduce these dropped PER services.
For ADL to SIN, wasn't SIN service from ADL a tag on from SYD?
Hopefully the announced changes are simply short-term until the Intl Division stabilises and they start getting the A330's back from JQ (And Boeing to get their act together with the 787's !!!). Only trouble will be once you drop a service, it will be hard to pick-up/retain the previous traffic (esp the frequent fliers) when you restart.
The retiming of the SYD-HKG is also a bit of a Bringing forward the morning flight 45 mins doesn't add that much additional connectivity. As a comparison, the morning CX flight out of SYD departs 8.30am and gets into HKG at 3pm (vs 5.30pm on the retimed QF flight). I've been on the CX flight a number of flights (for the purposes of connecting into Asia) and found this was ideal for connecting.
StickShaker From Australia, joined Sep 2004, 623 posts, RR: 3 Reply 23, posted (4 months 2 weeks 17 hours ago) and read 8189 times:
Quoting SYDSpotter (Reply 22): Hopefully the announced changes are simply short-term until the Intl Division stabilises and they start getting the A330's back from JQ
I think most of the 330's comming across from JQ to QF will be replacing the 767's to be retired - dont think there will be any net increase in frames.
SYDSpotter From Australia, joined Oct 2012, 123 posts, RR: 0 Reply 24, posted (4 months 2 weeks 17 hours ago) and read 8135 times:
Quoting StickShaker (Reply 23): I think most of the 330's comming across from JQ to QF will be replacing the 767's to be retired - dont think there will be any net increase in frames.
Yes you're right, although some of the A330's could be used internationally in addition to replacing the domestic 767's. I guess the real net increase will only come if/when the 789's are ordered for QF.
25 AirNiugini: LOL, wheres the love?... I will enter a state of mourning when OJM retires... Been on that oldie heaps of times... sigh.. That's a great point. I'm s
26 LuftyMatt: I think I've been living under a rock recently, but do QF actually fly to DXB with their own metal? Or is it another code share with EK?
27 SYDSpotter: They will start from 31 March, so you're not quite under that rock yet
28 LuftyMatt: Ah I see, thanks Well I hope it works out for them.
29 CXB77L: Well I guess if they couldn't make 3x weekly frequencies work for them, then they're probably better off not operating the route at all. Although thi
30 SYDSpotter: Hmm, I thought CX were double or triple daily on this. I'm a little surprised that they're so far behind SQ in terms of frequency (SQ 4x daily) as th
31 CXB77L: They may increase frequency in the future, but as far as I'm aware there's no plans to at this stage. When QF pulls out, CX will have a monopoly on t
32 rutankrd: Both QF01/2 and QF09/10 will route through Dubai instead of Singapore from the 31st March - South bound and 1st April North bound. Emirates applied c
33 Hirnie: Might be a stupid question but what kind of aircraft will they use? The A380?
34 crAAzy: It still amazes me that with all the flights CX has to Australia they can't put a plane with F class on one of them. Has QF announced the date when t
35 gemuser: Yes, LHR will be A380 only with QF, if it isn't now. Gemuser
36 rutankrd: Both QF LHR flights have been 388 for months now. Since the withdrawal of the Hong Kong and day time Sydney route.
37 Zkpilot: Yet more route cuts... Since Joyce SFO, EZE, HKG-LHR, BKK-LHR, SIN-LHR, FRA, ADL-SIN, PER-HKG, PER-NRT, AKL-LAX have all gone! Thats a massive cut and
38 CXfirst: Well, from BNE/SYD/MEL/ADL, connecting through HKG to Europe is about the same length as connecting through SIN. From PER, HKG becomes a bit more of
39 Ben175: CX has found a great niche in passengers flying Perth-USA though. MH, TG and SQ (from later this year) can't offer a one-stop service to Los Angeles
40 SYDSpotter: Yes good point, it is a much shorter hop to SIN vs HKG from PER. I can see PER- West Coast of the US working via HKG, but East Coast might be a stret
41 Ben175: Perth and New York are pretty much dead opposite on the globe, however you'll find journey durations alot shorter routing through Asia. CX: 7.5 hours
42 RyanairGuru: They are also 10 weekly to BNE, as opposed to 3/4 daily on SQ. For me personally the daily BNE-HKG is fantastic news. It is a shame that PER is being
43 nickofatlanta: Aussie media is now reporting that BA is not going to let QF codeshare on any of their Asia-LHR flights in retaliation for the EK alliance. http://fin
44 RyanairGuru: If BA and QF end their codesharing agreement (I'm assuming that the inverse is that BA codes are taken off SIN and HKG to Australia) then that would
45 Ben175: I think a codeshare with QR on DOH-MEL/PER and then perhaps codesharing on MH LHR-KUL-BNE/ADL is the way to go, until BA start sending their own meta
46 QF175: Unsure if this has been announced, however it appears that Melbourne-Singapore and return (QF35/36) will now be operated by A330-300s from April 2013
47 GEsubsea: Looks to be further changes coming regarding QF likely for the better regarding its transcontinental services.... "Qantas recently announced that star
48 EK413: I have a gutt feeling the QF flights will receive a time adjustment "if" they get their hands on a different time slot in and out of LHR... EK413
49 Sydscott: Or you can just fly Emirates all the way and ignore the QF flights unless you're going to LHR. I thought that was the whole point of this deal anyway
50 Sydscott: If you look at current EK departures; LGW @ 2:50am MAN @ 3am LHR @ 3:10am CDG @ 3:20am FRA @ 3:20am MXP @ 3:40am Unless you're going to these cities
51 RyanairGuru: While I agree in principle, I can't help but feel that LON, MAN, FRA, CDG and MXP probably account for the vast majority of passengers anyway, so it
52 tayser: Getting some interesting options when you book a multi-stop trip to Europe (August/Sept) via qantas.com. using QF9 and EK407 as a base line (MEL-DXB d
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From United States of America, joined Mar 2010, 100 posts, 
From Australia, joined Apr 2011, 109 posts, 
As a 747 fan, This is an outrage!!!! 
From Hong Kong, joined Jan 2001, 8803 posts, 
... LOL
From Norway, joined Jan 2007, 2754 posts, 
Bringing forward the morning flight 45 mins doesn't add that much additional connectivity. As a comparison, the morning CX flight out of SYD departs 8.30am and gets into HKG at 3pm (vs 5.30pm on the retimed QF flight). I've been on the CX flight a number of flights (for the purposes of connecting into Asia) and found this was ideal for connecting.
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