tullamarine wrote:

log0008 wrote:

VA are bringing back more 737s into its fleet and apparently its domestic capacity is now higher than it was pre-Covid. Of course, their overall network capacity is less given it no longer has any international presence for the time being.

REX are also trying to get in on the booming tourist markets and is apparently doing well over school holidays with their OOL services. It'll be interesting if they now try to move onto other markets such as CNS and PPP.

Pentaprism wrote:

tullamarine wrote:

log0008 wrote:

VA are bringing back more 737s into its fleet and apparently its domestic capacity is now higher than it was pre-Covid. Of course, their overall network capacity is less given it no longer has any international presence for the time being.

REX are also trying to get in on the booming tourist markets and is apparently doing well over school holidays with their OOL services. It'll be interesting if they now try to move onto other markets such as CNS and PPP.

I am intrigued at what Virgin are doing, or going to do, with all this capacity. Some routes appear to have been permanently cut (eg HVB-SYD, SYD-CFS), others are still not running (MEL-DRW, SYD-DRW, SYD-TSV, SYD-CBR) and frequency between the 5 main Cities, especially PER, is only a fraction of what it was. As far as I know their ATR's are seeing little or no use, if they even still possess them.

At a very rough guess I would say they are carrying about 1/3 to 1/2 of the Passengers on the Domestic network that they were pre-covid. So I find it very surprising to see statements like this claiming their domestic capacity is higher than pre-covid. I can only imagine they are going to resume NZ flights asap and use the additional 737's for that.

Pentaprism wrote:

tullamarine wrote:

log0008 wrote:

VA are bringing back more 737s into its fleet and apparently its domestic capacity is now higher than it was pre-Covid. Of course, their overall network capacity is less given it no longer has any international presence for the time being.

REX are also trying to get in on the booming tourist markets and is apparently doing well over school holidays with their OOL services. It'll be interesting if they now try to move onto other markets such as CNS and PPP.

I am intrigued at what Virgin are doing, or going to do, with all this capacity. Some routes appear to have been permanently cut (eg HVB-SYD, SYD-CFS), others are still not running (MEL-DRW, SYD-DRW, SYD-TSV, SYD-CBR) and frequency between the 5 main Cities, especially PER, is only a fraction of what it was. As far as I know their ATR's are seeing little or no use, if they even still possess them.

At a very rough guess I would say they are carrying about 1/3 to 1/2 of the Passengers on the Domestic network that they were pre-covid. So I find it very surprising to see statements like this claiming their domestic capacity is higher than pre-covid. I can only imagine they are going to resume NZ flights asap and use the additional 737's for that.

a320fan wrote:

Joyce saying today that it’s highly likely the A380 fleet will return at QF, saying “once demand is there they are going to be good aircraft” and that the fleet can be reactivated in 3-6 months if international demand returns.

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles ... R8cAH1aDg0

Deano969 wrote:

Pentaprism wrote:

tullamarine wrote:

I am intrigued at what Virgin are doing, or going to do, with all this capacity. Some routes appear to have been permanently cut (eg HVB-SYD, SYD-CFS), others are still not running (MEL-DRW, SYD-DRW, SYD-TSV, SYD-CBR) and frequency between the 5 main Cities, especially PER, is only a fraction of what it was. As far as I know their ATR's are seeing little or no use, if they even still possess them.

At a very rough guess I would say they are carrying about 1/3 to 1/2 of the Passengers on the Domestic network that they were pre-covid. So I find it very surprising to see statements like this claiming their domestic capacity is higher than pre-covid. I can only imagine they are going to resume NZ flights asap and use the additional 737's for that.

From where they were pre covid they are down about 20 737s and the 6 a330s
So to bring back a few 737s would seem to be reasonable....

qf789 wrote:

Jetstar will bring 788 back into service on domestic routes, up to 5 frames primarily on SYD/MEL to CNS/OOL

https://twitter.com/exec_traveller/stat ... 16769?s=21

qf789 wrote:

Jetstar will bring 788 back into service on domestic routes, up to 5 frames primarily on SYD/MEL to CNS/OOL

https://twitter.com/exec_traveller/stat ... 16769?s=21

tullamarine wrote:

qf789 wrote:

Jetstar will bring 788 back into service on domestic routes, up to 5 frames primarily on SYD/MEL to CNS/OOL

https://twitter.com/exec_traveller/stat ... 16769?s=21

Good news for domestic markets. QF,VA and JQ are all reporting booming markets to tourist destinations such as CNS, HTI, MCY, DRW and OOL. JH was interviewed this morning and said fleet would be fully occupied over June school holidays servicing domestic markets and she was comfortable with her decision to defer NZ until September though I thought it was originally October. Maybe it depends on how quickly the 10 reactivated 737s come back on-line.

SCFlyer wrote:

tullamarine wrote:

qf789 wrote:

Jetstar will bring 788 back into service on domestic routes, up to 5 frames primarily on SYD/MEL to CNS/OOL

https://twitter.com/exec_traveller/stat ... 16769?s=21

Good news for domestic markets. QF,VA and JQ are all reporting booming markets to tourist destinations such as CNS, HTI, MCY, DRW and OOL. JH was interviewed this morning and said fleet would be fully occupied over June school holidays servicing domestic markets and she was comfortable with her decision to defer NZ until September though I thought it was originally October. Maybe it depends on how quickly the 10 reactivated 737s come back on-line.

Also keeping in mind VARA's A320s will be taking over some VA mainline services between WA/NT and SA, which should also free up at least 2-3 737s for services to/from (or along the) East Coast.

I'll be interested to see if any more 737s get freed up by Alliance doing some of the flying, or whether they're purely going to be additional routes.

tullamarine wrote:

I'll be interested to see if any more 737s get freed up by Alliance doing some of the flying, or whether they're purely going to be additional routes.

You'd think current routes such as MEL-CBR and MEL-LST would be ideal candidates for Alliance's E90s but, as I understand it, the current ACCC approval covered a list of 40 routes. I'm not sure if they can go outside of this list without going back to ACCC.

We're heading back to Norfolk Island

Following the announcement of the trans-Tasman bubble, we're excited to announce that we're resuming flights to and from Norfolk Island from May 27th.

Our timetable has been adjusted to see us flying from New Zealand to Norfolk Island on Thursdays departing Auckland at 10:30am allowing easy connections from domestic flights. Flights will arrive back into Auckland at 4:45pm, again allowing for easy transit to destinations outside of Auckland.

We'll also be introducing a new aircraft type on this route - the Saab 340. If you've travelled between Auckland and Whanganui or Kapiti with us before, you'll have experienced the comfortable and spacious interior of this popular aircraft that will be flying with our famous inflight service of Tim Tams!

Norfolk Island, always a popular short-haul holiday escape for New Zealanders, has remained virus-free through the global pandemic and offers visitors everything needed to relax the mind, enjoy a special holiday and escape from crowds.

With safety and health on everyone's minds and, while the island continues to deliver outdoor, culinary, or historical experiences, there is even more of a focus now on wellbeing.

The island is an ideal spot for a retreat to relax and revive, reconnect to earth and oneself, enjoy nature and participate in adrenalin-rushing or soothing activity and adventure.

tullamarine wrote:

qf789 wrote:

Jetstar will bring 788 back into service on domestic routes, up to 5 frames primarily on SYD/MEL to CNS/OOL

https://twitter.com/exec_traveller/stat ... 16769?s=21

Good news for domestic markets. QF,VA and JQ are all reporting booming markets to tourist destinations such as CNS, HTI, MCY, DRW and OOL. JH was interviewed this morning and said fleet would be fully occupied over June school holidays servicing domestic markets and she was comfortable with her decision to defer NZ until September though I thought it was originally October. Maybe it depends on how quickly the 10 reactivated 737s come back on-line.

The only potential downer are the prices some of the accommodation and rental car providers are now charging. I recently looked for a week at a 2 bedroom apartment on Cairns northern beaches or Port Douglas in September. Typical prices were north of $4000 per week. I understand that some are trying to recover last year's losses but it is not a way to build a long-term market and will drive consumers back to cheaper int'l destinations as soon as they can.

Rental cars are slightly different. Last year, lots of providers sold off their dormant fleets to make use of a booming secondhand vehicle market. Now, they are caught with insufficient capacity. Quoted price for a Camry for a week in Cairns in September was over $1000!!

tullamarine wrote:

Here is a summary of the route expansions VA announced today:

New and extended seasonal services include:

Melbourne – Hamilton Island (3 flights per week from 08 June to 31 October)
Melbourne – Darwin (daily flights from 10 June to 31 October)
Brisbane – Launceston (4 flights per week from 17 June to 25 July) – seasonal extension
Melbourne – Ballina Byron Bay (5 flights per week from 09 June to 31 October) – seasonal extension
Brisbane – Queenstown (4 flights per week from 18 September)
Sydney – Queenstown (4 flights per week from 18 September)

Expanded frequencies include:

Sydney - Perth (up to 4 flights per day by 23 May)
Melbourne - Perth (up to 6 flights per day by 23 May)
Sydney - Adelaide (up to 5 flights per day by 23 May)
Melbourne – Adelaide (Up to 9 flights per day by 20 June)
Brisbane - Adelaide (up to 5 flights per day by 20 June)
Sydney - Gold Coast (up to 9 flights per day by 20 June)
Melbourne - Gold Coast (up to 8 flights per day by 20 June)
Melbourne - Sydney (up to 25 flights per day by 20 June)
Melbourne - Brisbane (up to 13 flights per day by 20 June)
Brisbane - Sydney (up to 15 flights per day by 20 June)
Sunshine Coast - Melbourne (up to 3 flights per day by 20 June)
Sunshine Coast - Sydney (up to 3 flights per day by 20 June)
Brisbane - Townsville (up to 4 flights per day by 20 June)
Brisbane - Mackay (up to 4 flights per day by 20 June)

log0008 wrote:

tullamarine wrote:

Here is a summary of the route expansions VA announced today:

New and extended seasonal services include:

Melbourne – Hamilton Island (3 flights per week from 08 June to 31 October)
Melbourne – Darwin (daily flights from 10 June to 31 October)
Brisbane – Launceston (4 flights per week from 17 June to 25 July) – seasonal extension
Melbourne – Ballina Byron Bay (5 flights per week from 09 June to 31 October) – seasonal extension
Brisbane – Queenstown (4 flights per week from 18 September)
Sydney – Queenstown (4 flights per week from 18 September)

Expanded frequencies include:

Sydney - Perth (up to 4 flights per day by 23 May)
Melbourne - Perth (up to 6 flights per day by 23 May)
Sydney - Adelaide (up to 5 flights per day by 23 May)
Melbourne – Adelaide (Up to 9 flights per day by 20 June)
Brisbane - Adelaide (up to 5 flights per day by 20 June)
Sydney - Gold Coast (up to 9 flights per day by 20 June)
Melbourne - Gold Coast (up to 8 flights per day by 20 June)
Melbourne - Sydney (up to 25 flights per day by 20 June)
Melbourne - Brisbane (up to 13 flights per day by 20 June)
Brisbane - Sydney (up to 15 flights per day by 20 June)
Sunshine Coast - Melbourne (up to 3 flights per day by 20 June)
Sunshine Coast - Sydney (up to 3 flights per day by 20 June)
Brisbane - Townsville (up to 4 flights per day by 20 June)
Brisbane - Mackay (up to 4 flights per day by 20 June)

Thats so hefty increases, expecially on MEL-PER (6 daily up from 2-3 currently) but no suprise with tickets still going for near $1000. Also Brisbane - Mackay 4 daily seems a lot too?
NZ Market limited to Queenstown?

Kent350787 wrote:

tullamarine wrote:

I'll be interested to see if any more 737s get freed up by Alliance doing some of the flying, or whether they're purely going to be additional routes.

You'd think current routes such as MEL-CBR and MEL-LST would be ideal candidates for Alliance's E90s but, as I understand it, the current ACCC approval covered a list of 40 routes. I'm not sure if they can go outside of this list without going back to ACCC.

SYD-CBR is on the list as well, but E90 may even be too much outside peak. Then again, it's a "modern" jet, but smaller than a 737 so could fit well in the minds of customers who've always preferrd jets over props on that route when given a choice.

RyanairGuru wrote:

Mackay appears to be doing well. QF have 737s on BNE-MKY, which has otherwise been Q400 only (with occasional 717s) for as long as I can remember.

freshwater wrote:

Kent350787 wrote:

tullamarine wrote:

You'd think current routes such as MEL-CBR and MEL-LST would be ideal candidates for Alliance's E90s but, as I understand it, the current ACCC approval covered a list of 40 routes. I'm not sure if they can go outside of this list without going back to ACCC.

SYD-CBR is on the list as well, but E90 may even be too much outside peak. Then again, it's a "modern" jet, but smaller than a 737 so could fit well in the minds of customers who've always preferrd jets over props on that route when given a choice.

Would the economics of the E90 be substantially different than VA's previous attempt with their own metal? I understand Alliance would have a much lower cost base than VA circa 2017, as well as their relative bargain on aquisition of the E90 but what exactly is the nature of the Alliance contract with VA? And what does CBR demand look like now? QF seem to be targeting outbound CBR leisure travel. I found the previously mentioned QF CBR-BNK service very interesting, assuming it's only for school holidays?

RyanairGuru wrote:

tullamarine wrote:

qf789 wrote:

Jetstar will bring 788 back into service on domestic routes, up to 5 frames primarily on SYD/MEL to CNS/OOL

https://twitter.com/exec_traveller/stat ... 16769?s=21

Good news for domestic markets. QF,VA and JQ are all reporting booming markets to tourist destinations such as CNS, HTI, MCY, DRW and OOL. JH was interviewed this morning and said fleet would be fully occupied over June school holidays servicing domestic markets and she was comfortable with her decision to defer NZ until September though I thought it was originally October. Maybe it depends on how quickly the 10 reactivated 737s come back on-line.

The only potential downer are the prices some of the accommodation and rental car providers are now charging. I recently looked for a week at a 2 bedroom apartment on Cairns northern beaches or Port Douglas in September. Typical prices were north of $4000 per week. I understand that some are trying to recover last year's losses but it is not a way to build a long-term market and will drive consumers back to cheaper int'l destinations as soon as they can.

Rental cars are slightly different. Last year, lots of providers sold off their dormant fleets to make use of a booming secondhand vehicle market. Now, they are caught with insufficient capacity. Quoted price for a Camry for a week in Cairns in September was over $1000!!

Rental cars are indeed scarce. I’m going to Tasmania next week. I booked a car several months ago for $350 for 5 days, which I was happy with. Out of interest I checked a couple of days ago and the cheapest available now is $1800 for 5 days!

This article says that accommodation providers in regional Tasmania are seeing cancellations are people can’t hire a car, which is basically a requirement to venture outside Hobart or Launceston: https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.abc.ne ... /100036622

Pentaprism wrote:

Deano969 wrote:

Pentaprism wrote:

I am intrigued at what Virgin are doing, or going to do, with all this capacity. Some routes appear to have been permanently cut (eg HVB-SYD, SYD-CFS), others are still not running (MEL-DRW, SYD-DRW, SYD-TSV, SYD-CBR) and frequency between the 5 main Cities, especially PER, is only a fraction of what it was. As far as I know their ATR's are seeing little or no use, if they even still possess them.

At a very rough guess I would say they are carrying about 1/3 to 1/2 of the Passengers on the Domestic network that they were pre-covid. So I find it very surprising to see statements like this claiming their domestic capacity is higher than pre-covid. I can only imagine they are going to resume NZ flights asap and use the additional 737's for that.

From where they were pre covid they are down about 20 737s and the 6 a330s
So to bring back a few 737s would seem to be reasonable....

So Deano969, you are saying they are down 20 737's and 6 A330's which sounds about right. And I think we can all agree the ATR's are gone.


OTOH Log0008 is saying their Domestic Capacity is higher than pre-covid! I don't have the numbers but the assertion they are down 20 737's and 6 A330's seems much more plausible to me than the idea they have increased capacity relative to pre-covid.

freshwater wrote:

Kent350787 wrote:

tullamarine wrote:

You'd think current routes such as MEL-CBR and MEL-LST would be ideal candidates for Alliance's E90s but, as I understand it, the current ACCC approval covered a list of 40 routes. I'm not sure if they can go outside of this list without going back to ACCC.

SYD-CBR is on the list as well, but E90 may even be too much outside peak. Then again, it's a "modern" jet, but smaller than a 737 so could fit well in the minds of customers who've always preferrd jets over props on that route when given a choice.

Would the economics of the E90 be substantially different than VA's previous attempt with their own metal? I understand Alliance would have a much lower cost base than VA circa 2017, as well as their relative bargain on aquisition of the E90 but what exactly is the nature of the Alliance contract with VA? And what does CBR demand look like now? QF seem to be targeting outbound CBR leisure travel. I found the previously mentioned QF CBR-BNK service very interesting, assuming it's only for school holidays?

Deano969 wrote:

Pentaprism wrote:

Deano969 wrote:

From where they were pre covid they are down about 20 737s and the 6 a330s
So to bring back a few 737s would seem to be reasonable....

So Deano969, you are saying they are down 20 737's and 6 A330's which sounds about right. And I think we can all agree the ATR's are gone.


OTOH Log0008 is saying their Domestic Capacity is higher than pre-covid! I don't have the numbers but the assertion they are down 20 737's and 6 A330's seems much more plausible to me than the idea they have increased capacity relative to pre-covid.

Yes
So factor in that
330s were already primarily international at the time
So too were quite a few 737s
ATRs don't carry a lot of pax and they were on their way out
So yes, a lot of the fleet lost were either international or gone anyway
As they said DOMESTIC CAPACITY is up
They never said passenger numbers were...

RyanairGuru wrote:

Even factoring the international 737s, I find it very hard to believe that domestic capacity has reached the equivalent month in 2019 or January - March 2020.

qf789 wrote:

Jetstar will bring 788 back into service on domestic routes, up to 5 frames primarily on SYD/MEL to CNS/OOL

https://twitter.com/exec_traveller/stat ... 16769?s=21

qf2048 wrote:

qf789 wrote:

Jetstar will bring 788 back into service on domestic routes, up to 5 frames primarily on SYD/MEL to CNS/OOL

https://twitter.com/exec_traveller/stat ... 16769?s=21

I flew out of SYD today and there was two JQ 788's parked on the remote international stands next to Emirates, United etc.

zkncj wrote:

https://www.executivetraveller.com/news/qantas-frequent-flyers-can-now-access-some-air-new-zealand-lounges

QF has come to agreement with NZ to use there AKL,WLG,CHC,ZQN lounges from Monday until Qantas is able to bring its AKL/WLG lounges back online.

Hopefully Qantas uses this as chance to refurb the AKL Business Lounge, so its no longer an walk back to the 90s.....

The NZ Lounge in AKL is defiantly an upgrade over the QF Lounge.

mrkerr7474 wrote:

]
I'd be very surprised if QF would redurb the lounge in AKL (even though it's needed as you say) before they upgrade the lounge in SYD and MEL. With the ability to use the Air NZ AKL lounge, that's definitely a bonus and upgrade as mentioned by yourself. I think WLG lounges are a bit on par with one another

RyanairGuru wrote:

Deano969 wrote:

Pentaprism wrote:

So Deano969, you are saying they are down 20 737's and 6 A330's which sounds about right. And I think we can all agree the ATR's are gone.


OTOH Log0008 is saying their Domestic Capacity is higher than pre-covid! I don't have the numbers but the assertion they are down 20 737's and 6 A330's seems much more plausible to me than the idea they have increased capacity relative to pre-covid.

Yes
So factor in that
330s were already primarily international at the time
So too were quite a few 737s
ATRs don't carry a lot of pax and they were on their way out
So yes, a lot of the fleet lost were either international or gone anyway
As they said DOMESTIC CAPACITY is up
They never said passenger numbers were...

The A330s were not primarily international. BNE-HND was to use 1 frame, the other 5 were for Perth and SYD-MEL.

Similarly, the ATR-72s were not on their way out. The 500s had been retired, but there was no plan to retire the 600s pre-Covid/bankruptcy.

Even factoring the international 737s, I find it very hard to believe that domestic capacity has reached the equivalent month in 2019 or January - March 2020.

Deano969 wrote:

RyanairGuru wrote:

Deano969 wrote:

Yes
So factor in that
330s were already primarily international at the time
So too were quite a few 737s
ATRs don't carry a lot of pax and they were on their way out
So yes, a lot of the fleet lost were either international or gone anyway
As they said DOMESTIC CAPACITY is up
They never said passenger numbers were...

The A330s were not primarily international. BNE-HND was to use 1 frame, the other 5 were for Perth and SYD-MEL.

Similarly, the ATR-72s were not on their way out. The 500s had been retired, but there was no plan to retire the 600s pre-Covid/bankruptcy.

Even factoring the international 737s, I find it very hard to believe that domestic capacity has reached the equivalent month in 2019 or January - March 2020.

A330s were also doing Hong Kong and weekends to Fiji

ben175 wrote:

Haven’t seen this posted yet - but I’m currently onboard QF886 PER-ADL... and received a hot meal in Y! Hurray!

Assuming this is just for transcons and all GT flights are still just a snack?

jrfspa320 wrote:

Deano969 wrote:

RyanairGuru wrote:

The A330s were not primarily international. BNE-HND was to use 1 frame, the other 5 were for Perth and SYD-MEL.

Similarly, the ATR-72s were not on their way out. The 500s had been retired, but there was no plan to retire the 600s pre-Covid/bankruptcy.

Even factoring the international 737s, I find it very hard to believe that domestic capacity has reached the equivalent month in 2019 or January - March 2020.

A330s were also doing Hong Kong and weekends to Fiji

HK had been cut to a single daily from SYD (1 frame) and Fiji was weekend peak season (when trans con is quiet) So 5 frames were still used for PER - SYD/MEL

jrfspa320 wrote:

ben175 wrote:

Haven’t seen this posted yet - but I’m currently onboard QF886 PER-ADL... and received a hot meal in Y! Hurray!

Assuming this is just for transcons and all GT flights are still just a snack?

Anything over 3.5 hours. I wish they would bring back the IFE!

ben175 wrote:

jrfspa320 wrote:

ben175 wrote:

Haven’t seen this posted yet - but I’m currently onboard QF886 PER-ADL... and received a hot meal in Y! Hurray!

Assuming this is just for transcons and all GT flights are still just a snack?

Anything over 3.5 hours. I wish they would bring back the IFE!

PER-ADL is only 2 hr 40 but I guess as the return is over 3.5 hours they must do it for consistency then.

zkncj wrote:

mrkerr7474 wrote:

]
I'd be very surprised if QF would redurb the lounge in AKL (even though it's needed as you say) before they upgrade the lounge in SYD and MEL. With the ability to use the Air NZ AKL lounge, that's definitely a bonus and upgrade as mentioned by yourself. I think WLG lounges are a bit on par with one another

The AKL Qantas Lounge refurb has been meant to be happening to the last 5 years, just has never happen. Probably the lack of options for an temporary lounge hasn’t helped.

Both the NZ/QF lounges in WLG Intl are old and need an refresh. WLG would probably best if NZ/QF went into an shared lounge arrangement longer term.

ben175 wrote:

There’s a Volga Dnepr AN-124 parked at the MEL international terminal attached to the aerobridge and all. Anyone know what it’s doing there?

qf2048 wrote:

I'm booked on JQ from CNS-SYD in August. Got email yesterday. Flight has been changed to B788.

tullamarine wrote:

qf2048 wrote:

I'm booked on JQ from CNS-SYD in August. Got email yesterday. Flight has been changed to B788.

Does anybody know what JQ are doing with the J cabin on these flights? I notice that they are not advertising a J class product or price which probably makes sense in case an equipment change is necessary.

Are they allocating these seats to those who have purchased a Max fare? This would be a very good deal given the product is equivalent to what you'd expect in J on a 737 and the price is pretty much what QF are charging for Y. I have flown in J on 788s from Asia a couple of times and it is the equivalent of what you receive in Premium Economy on QF.

tullamarine wrote:

qf2048 wrote:

I'm booked on JQ from CNS-SYD in August. Got email yesterday. Flight has been changed to B788.

Does anybody know what JQ are doing with the J cabin on these flights? I notice that they are not advertising a J class product or price which probably makes sense in case an equipment change is necessary.

Are they allocating these seats to those who have purchased a Max fare? This would be a very good deal given the product is equivalent to what you'd expect in J on a 737 and the price is pretty much what QF are charging for Y. I have flown in J on 788s from Asia a couple of times and it is the equivalent of what you receive in Premium Economy on QF.