Fair bit of coverage on Melbourne radio this morning on the issues Qantas is having with its A380 fleet particularly as it is affecting QF94. It seems 2/8's flight never departed, 3/8's flight was 15 hours late and 4/8 also failed to depart due to a fault after boarding. There are people still in LAX from the 2/8 flight. QF is hopeful of clearing these pax over the next 36 hours on a range of services. Apparently due to peak season, there is little or no capacity for transferring pax to other airlines.

QF is always going to have these issues when aircraft go tech as they have a small longhaul fleet spread over multiple hubs. Recovery is much harder compared to SQ, CX, BA etc. Looking forward i can only seeing this getting worse when the 747s go, as they provide versatile recovery aircraft (for Sydney at least) - able to cover for A330s, A380s and 787s

jrfspa320 wrote:

QF is always going to have these issues when aircraft go tech as they have a small longhaul fleet spread over multiple hubs. Recovery is much harder compared to SQ, CX, BA etc. Looking forward i can only seeing this getting worse when the 747s go, as they provide versatile recovery aircraft (for Sydney at least) - able to cover for A330s, A380s and 787s

All airlines are most susceptible when an aircraft goes unserviceable away from their home base. Had this happened in SYD or MEL, chances are QF could've backfilled within 24 hours. Instead, it has happened 14 hours from their hub and, to make matters worse, it seems that more than one plane may be affected.

QF is already one A380 down due to the cabin refit so the fleet is pretty stretched right now. I don't know what slack they currently have in the A330/747 fleets but it must be tempting for them to take QF35/36 back to an A330 or 747 until the A380 fleet returns to capacity.

qf789 wrote:

Qantas has been sued for $500,000 after a FIFO worker got injured at KTA back in 2012

https://www.watoday.com.au/national/wes ... 52d1s.html

And How is Qantas responsible for this exactly?

Two A380s down with OQK in DRS for refurb, and OQB in AUH for check.

But agree that any issue at an outstation normally has a bigger impact than at home
(Albeit with its own maintenance facilities and long layovers you could argue LAX is almost a home port for QF)

All outbound flights from US to Australia are completely full even if they were re-direct onto UA, AA or FJ or re-directing via HNL/SFO/DFW.

Unfortunately, the cost of this disruption won't outweigh the cost of having a spare A380 lying around.

It looks like QF94 will depart tonight (5/8) using OQA which has been AOG at LAX since Friday. It was scheduled to depart about 40 minutes ago but it still at gate.

It appears OQD which went tech last night may still be stuck in LAX.

In addition to the dramas on QF94 in LAX, it appears QF has also had problems with an A380 in DFW. Tonight there are 2 QF8s coming back to SYD. They have had a pretty horrible few days in fleet scheduling it seems.

tullamarine wrote:

It looks like QF94 will depart tonight (5/8) using OQA which has been AOG at LAX since Friday. It was scheduled to depart about 40 minutes ago but it still at gate.

It appears OQD which went tech last night may still be stuck in LAX.

The reason behind the 24 hour delay was they had to wait for a spare part from Airbus in HAM

As I typed this, I had a quick look at FR24 and VH-OQE, OQJ, OQI and OQG with OEI for good measure are east-southeast of Hawaii

QF 497 left SYD a bit late tonight ? 17 minutes after the curfew. (23.17) Maybe has VIP passengers onboard heading to Crown casino and got dispensation ?

OccasionalVisit wrote:

QF 497 left SYD a bit late tonight ? 17 minutes after the curfew. (23.17) Maybe has VIP passengers onboard heading to Crown casino and got dispensation ?

Strangely, FlightAware shows it as a 2257 departure, SYD airport shows it as 2255. FlightRadar did indeed show it as 2316. I only have a vague understanding of the SYD curfew, if for example the plane had by all means "departed" before curfew (door closed, bridge off), and then encountered a small issue that could be rectified quickly without the need to re-open the aircraft, is it technically allowed to proceed?

As long as you have requested taxi clearance before 11pm, you comply with the curfew. Doesn’t matter how long it takes you to takeoff.

Whatsaptudo is correct, a flight only needs to have obtained taxi clearance prior to 2300. The difference in the times quoted (and, add to those, QF shows 2257) is that flightaware, QF and SYD are showing doors close (the actual departure time as defined in federal legislation), flightradar will have the takeoff time.

EY455 AUH-SYD has diverted to KUL

https://twitter.com/nikphillips666/stat ... 50594?s=21

Hawaiian to add a seasonal 4th weekly flight on BNE-HNL between 16 Sep and 13 Oct 19

https://australianaviation.com.au/2019/ ... ne-flight/

qf789 wrote:

Hawaiian to add a seasonal 4th weekly flight on BNE-HNL between 16 Sep and 13 Oct 19

https://australianaviation.com.au/2019/ ... ne-flight/

This seems really short notice, only six weeks to fill an A330, even if it is school holidays.

VH-YIV now ferrying CHC-MEL. This is supposed to be the first VA 737 with SSW.

qf789 wrote:

moa999 wrote:

qf789 wrote:

I was Referring to virgin but yes they are having some retrofitted

Any idea on whether they're committed to a number, or if it's a trial.

From memory of the initial SSW threads it really only makes sense for longer routes.

Approximately 20-25% of the fleet will be retrofitted, mostly aircraft dedicated to short haul International

They are being fitted to 5 short haul international aircraft (VH-YI*) as a trial at this stage. I am told seatback USB power will be fitted to all short haul international aircraft by end of 2020 also.

Next QF 787 route will be Santiago. Frequency will increase to daily with the switch to dreamliner service from June 2020.

https://www.qantasnewsroom.com.au/media ... -santiago/

bjwonline wrote:

Next QF 787 route will be Santiago. Frequency will increase to daily with the switch to dreamliner service from June 2020.

https://www.qantasnewsroom.com.au/media ... -santiago/

That is a logical next step. Much more competition for QF to South America compared to South Africa (given that JNB will now be the last long haul 744 route).

I knew someone on QF96 last night, and apparently someone lit and smoked a joint in the lavatory, causing the entire J cabin to smell of weed. No alarms were set off and apparently the crew couldn’t identify the smoker.

ben175 wrote:

I knew someone on QF96 last night, and apparently someone lit and smoked a joint in the lavatory, causing the entire J cabin to smell of weed. No alarms were set off and apparently the crew couldn’t identify the smoker.

Probably couldn't identify the culprit because once the weed got into the air conditioning, everyone looked high.

Makes you wonder if the smoke detectors in the lavatory are really a thing or just a threat to discourage!

Virgin post on the split scimitar winglets on its Facebook site

https://www.facebook.com/94622926989/po ... 131651990/

VHOGU wrote:

They are being fitted to 5 short haul international aircraft (VH-YI*) as a trial at this stage. I am told seatback USB power will be fitted to all short haul international aircraft by end of 2020 also.

USB power would be an welcome addition on the Tasman/PI flights.

Now if only they would fit the 777/330 J seat to short haul international aircraft at the same time...

zkncj wrote:

VHOGU wrote:

They are being fitted to 5 short haul international aircraft (VH-YI*) as a trial at this stage. I am told seatback USB power will be fitted to all short haul international aircraft by end of 2020 also.

USB power would be an welcome addition on the Tasman/PI flights.

Now if only they would fit the 777/330 J seat to short haul international aircraft at the same time...

Why would they need to fit a lie-flat seat when the average stage length these planes fly is just over 3 hours? A lie-flat seat like the Rockwell Collins Super Diamond would use about 1.5 times the space of the current seat. Unless pax are prepared to pay much more for a J seat on these short sectors, it doesn't make sense.

tullamarine wrote:

zkncj wrote:

VHOGU wrote:

They are being fitted to 5 short haul international aircraft (VH-YI*) as a trial at this stage. I am told seatback USB power will be fitted to all short haul international aircraft by end of 2020 also.

USB power would be an welcome addition on the Tasman/PI flights.

Now if only they would fit the 777/330 J seat to short haul international aircraft at the same time...

Why would they need to fit a lie-flat seat when the average stage length these planes fly is just over 3 hours? A lie-flat seat like the Rockwell Collins Super Diamond would use about 1.5 times the space of the current seat. Unless pax are prepared to pay much more for a J seat on these short sectors, it doesn't make sense.

Zkncj refuses to accept that both Qantas and Virgin offer a significantly better short haul product than Air New Zealand.

As far as s/he is concerned unless you are offering a lie flat seat on a 3 hour flight you are offering a substandard LCC product. What s/he conveniently ignores is that a really tiny percentage of NZ's flights offer a decent product, and zero to a destination other than AKL.

For the VAST majority of Trans Tasman passengers both Qantas and Virgin offer a MUCH, MUCH better product.

bjwonline wrote:

Next QF 787 route will be Santiago. Frequency will increase to daily with the switch to dreamliner service from June 2020.

https://www.qantasnewsroom.com.au/media ... -santiago/

The schedule remains pretty much the same only 5 minutes longer on SYD-SCL and no change in the other direction

https://www.routesonline.com/news/38/ai ... june-2020/

QF742 wrote:

bjwonline wrote:

Next QF 787 route will be Santiago. Frequency will increase to daily with the switch to dreamliner service from June 2020.

https://www.qantasnewsroom.com.au/media ... -santiago/

That is a logical next step. Much more competition for QF to South America compared to South Africa (given that JNB will now be the last long haul 744 route).

The more logical part of this is the daily service - this will I'm sure see an uptick in passenger numbers in its own right given the flexibility it gives.

Edit, just some numbers:

Total weekly seat count increase - 13% (from 1456 to 1652)
J - 27% increase
W - 36% increase
Y - 8% increase

So not a huge increase (less than 1x 789pw) but spreading the seats out over the whole week. And upping the proportion of premium cabins which given the traffic type I'm sure will lead to SCL becoming even more profitable.

Is EBM now in for reconfiguration?

Just noticed a QFA380 flying overhead which, according to FR24, is QFA6013 flying SYD- MEL. Some sort of recovery or repositioning flight with all these high winds?

allrite wrote:

Just noticed a QFA380 flying overhead which, according to FR24, is QFA6013 flying SYD- MEL. Some sort of recovery or repositioning flight with all these high winds?

Looks like it’s just repositioning to MEL

QF742 wrote:

bjwonline wrote:

Next QF 787 route will be Santiago. Frequency will increase to daily with the switch to dreamliner service from June 2020.

https://www.qantasnewsroom.com.au/media ... -santiago/

That is a logical next step. Much more competition for QF to South America compared to South Africa (given that JNB will now be the last long haul 744 route).

... and Tokyo Haneda (HND)

qf789 wrote:

allrite wrote:

Just noticed a QFA380 flying overhead which, according to FR24, is QFA6013 flying SYD- MEL. Some sort of recovery or repositioning flight with all these high winds?

Looks like it’s just repositioning to MEL

VH-OQF has re-positioned as QF6013 to MEL to do QF35 (MEL-SIN). Usually QF35 would be done by the same plane that operated QF94 but instead OQH has turned around and done QF93 back to LAX. In addition, yesterday's QF35/QF36 was operated by an A332.

This is all a flow-on from the various A380 issues QF has suffered this week. OQD which was AOG in LAX earlier this week is now fixed and operating QF94 today.

There's also been disruption with the A380s in LHR - 24 hour delay on the scheduled Tuesday (UK time) departure, overnight delay on the scheduled Wednesday (UK) departure. I'm not sure but I think they're back on time now?

DeltaB717 wrote:

There's also been disruption with the A380s in LHR - 24 hour delay on the scheduled Tuesday (UK time) departure, overnight delay on the scheduled Wednesday (UK) departure. I'm not sure but I think they're back on time now?

The aircraft involved in that was the one that positioned down to MEL

At least 31 flights out of MEL have been cancelled today due to weather, looks like the next few days will see similar things happen (flight cancellations, reduced take off/landing slots) due to the weather expected

https://www.msn.com/en-au/news/australi ... spartanntp

Alliance has reported a 25.5% increase in full year net profit to $22.7 million

https://australianaviation.com.au/2019/ ... ar-profit/

RainerBoeing777 wrote:

QF742 wrote:

bjwonline wrote:

Next QF 787 route will be Santiago. Frequency will increase to daily with the switch to dreamliner service from June 2020.

https://www.qantasnewsroom.com.au/media ... -santiago/

That is a logical next step. Much more competition for QF to South America compared to South Africa (given that JNB will now be the last long haul 744 route).

... and Tokyo Haneda (HND)

I guess in my mind I considered HND as mid haul and replicable with a 333/332 rather than requiring the legs of the 789. But yes HND remains 744 and I suspect will convert to 789 when the time comes.

tullamarine wrote:

qf789 wrote:

allrite wrote:

Just noticed a QFA380 flying overhead which, according to FR24, is QFA6013 flying SYD- MEL. Some sort of recovery or repositioning flight with all these high winds?

Looks like it’s just repositioning to MEL

VH-OQF has re-positioned as QF6013 to MEL to do QF35 (MEL-SIN). Usually QF35 would be done by the same plane that operated QF94 but instead OQH has turned around and done QF93 back to LAX. In addition, yesterday's QF35/QF36 was operated by an A332.

This is all a flow-on from the various A380 issues QF has suffered this week. OQD which was AOG in LAX earlier this week is now fixed and operating QF94 today.

And to add to this, QF7 today has a 6hr 55min delay. Revised departure is 1930hrs arriving 1955hrs. Most of the passengers connecting out of DFW will now have to overnight in DFW.

QF742 wrote:

RainerBoeing777 wrote:

QF742 wrote:

That is a logical next step. Much more competition for QF to South America compared to South Africa (given that JNB will now be the last long haul 744 route).

... and Tokyo Haneda (HND)

I guess in my mind I considered HND as mid haul and replicable with a 333/332 rather than requiring the legs of the 789. But yes HND remains 744 and I suspect will convert to 789 when the time comes.

HND is a very business premium heavy route and you probably wouldn’t want to convert to an aircraft that only has 1/2 of the original business class capacity.

Of course if you can get another slot from HND but it seems almost impossible at the moment.

My bet would still be 789 to HND and extra daily NRT 332/333.

Just my 2 cents.

a19901213 wrote:

QF742 wrote:

RainerBoeing777 wrote:

... and Tokyo Haneda (HND)

I guess in my mind I considered HND as mid haul and replicable with a 333/332 rather than requiring the legs of the 789. But yes HND remains 744 and I suspect will convert to 789 when the time comes.

HND is a very business premium heavy route and you probably wouldn’t want to convert to an aircraft that only has 1/2 of the original business class capacity.

Of course if you can get another slot from HND but it seems almost impossible at the moment.

My bet would still be 789 to HND and extra daily NRT 332/333.

Just my 2 cents.

Yes I agree that is the likely outcome, unless QF is somehow granted approval to fly the A380 to HND.

Some big news out of Qantas and AusPost yesterday. A321 freighters!!

Australia Post and Qantas have struck a $1.4 billion deal that will see the airline introduce three new Airbus freighters to its network to help meet Australia's surging demand for online shopping.

https://www.smh.com.au/business/compani ... 52ffw.html

Some Hobart news from earlier in the week was Qantas has announced the 4 weekly HBA-SYD afternoon service operates by 717 will be daily over November to March. Link behind a paywall I’m sorry...

https://www.themercury.com.au/lifestyle ... 64258e09f4

Boof wrote:

Some Hobart news from earlier in the week was Qantas has announced the 4 weekly HBA-SYD afternoon service operates by 717 will be daily over November to March. Link behind a paywall I’m sorry...

https://www.themercury.com.au/lifestyle ... 64258e09f4

Yes, the lack of an official press release is frustrating.

One small correction: the service is not increasing to daily over the entire period; coincident with the commencement of NW19-20 the extra service runs on Tuesday and Wednesday to make it six-weekly, then from December 28 to January 25 inclusive a Saturday service operates to make it daily, then it reverts back to five weekly over February and March with the Wednesday and Saturday services dropped. Furthermore, a fourth flight is scheduled for December 23 and January 4; and QANTAS mainline will operate an extra 737 service on December 21, and upguage a 717 service to 737 on both December 22 and January 3.

What the article didn't mention is that JQ is adding an extra weekly HBA-ADL on Mondays, as well as three weekly HBA-SYD on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays year-round commencing NW19-20. I recall a while ago I speculated this would happen.

This QF group capacity increase on HBA-SYD makes it very dominant in this market: over the peak season there will basically be four JQ 320s, a JQ 321, and three NC 717s a day compared with just two VA 737s, although VA has traditionally added a third 737 in the past and I expect they will again this year despite their forecast lack of overall domestic capacity growth. The QF group is also very HBA heavy on the SYD-Tasmania market; LST has been crying out for more services to SYD. Contrast this with the BNE-Tasmania market which is much more evenly spread between HBA and LST.

Boof wrote:

Some big news out of Qantas and AusPost yesterday. A321 freighters!!

I love how QF Freight can run planes that mainline doesn't seem to want/be able to - 763 and now A320family!

Well this is interesting, and kinda of a surprise to me. VA 737-800's with split-scimitar winglets

https://australianaviation.com.au/2019/ ... -737-800s/

But why only 5 aircraft?

qf2220 wrote:

Boof wrote:

Some big news out of Qantas and AusPost yesterday. A321 freighters!!

I love how QF Freight can run planes that mainline doesn't seem to want/be able to - 763 and now A320family!

Don't forget that sole 757 operating for QF Freight as well

danair380 wrote:

Well this is interesting, and kinda of a surprise to me. VA 737-800's with split-scimitar winglets

https://australianaviation.com.au/2019/ ... -737-800s/

But why only 5 aircraft?

As per the article, those aircraft will be used for longer Intl routes where the fuel savings are more pronounced compared with the shorter SYD-MEL-BNE hops.

danair380 wrote:

Well this is interesting, and kinda of a surprise to me. VA 737-800's with split-scimitar winglets

https://australianaviation.com.au/2019/ ... -737-800s/

But why only 5 aircraft?

I would have liked to see more but it comes down to cost and if it goes well I would expect to see more retrofitted. It is expected each plane will save 200,000 litres of fuel or 160,000 kg per plane per year, in total that is 1,000,000 litres or 800,000 kg which is enough fuel for 100 PER-MEL trips or 225-250 MEL-SYD, it is quite a saving, of course the more aircraft that have them the more fuel saved. It would also be interesting to see if QF plan to retrofit any of their 738's

The Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Cities and Regional Development is calling for more capacity into SYD after recent trends see a move away from very large aircraft

https://australianaviation.com.au/2019/ ... stark-now/

In the meantime SYD CEO has called for more flexibility in SYD aircraft movement cap.

https://australianaviation.com.au/2019/ ... ement-cap/