Australian aviation thread - October 2021

qf789 · Thu Oct 21, 2021 9:15 pm

Regarding QF A380’s the first one to return back to Australia will be in December

https://twitter.com/djsaviation/status/ ... 43041?s=21

vossitch · Thu Oct 21, 2021 9:24 pm

This might explain why the A380 that's been sitting at LAX was being unwrapped earlier this week (saw some pictures from a guy I follow on Instagram)

Sent from my SM-G998B using Tapatalk

Whatsaptudo · Thu Oct 21, 2021 9:42 pm

This is all very good news. AJ said in an internal email that he “hoped” to have the first A380 back by Christmas for crew training.

Thatcher · Thu Oct 21, 2021 9:52 pm

qf789 wrote:
Singapore Airlines to add A380 to SYD from 1 Dec 22

https://www.executivetraveller.com/news ... december-1

I believe you meant 1 Dec 21?

The A380 will feature on these daily flights from December 1:

SQ231, Singapore- Sydney: departing Changi Airport at 12.45am to reach Sydney at 11.50am
SQ222, Sydney-Singapore: departing Sydney at 4.10pm, arriving at Singapore's Changi Airport at 9.20pm

evanb · Thu Oct 21, 2021 10:37 pm

qf789 wrote:
Qantas has today announced some international flight changes

New route - SYD-DEL beginning on 6 Dec 21 initially 3 weekly increasing to daily operating to end of March 22 with A330, outbound will go via DRW

SYD-SIN to resume from23 Nov 21, initially 3 weekly increasing to daily

JQ to fly to SIN from both DRW and MEL

SYD-NAN brought forward to 7 Dec 21, 4 weekly while JQ will return to the route from 17 Dec 21

SYD -JNB returns 3 months earlier from 5 Jan 22, 3 weekly

SYD-BKK returns from 14 Jan 22, 5 weekly

SYD-HKT, JQ to operate from 12 Jan 22, 3 weekly

A380 will be brought forward to April 22 with 2 returning for SYD-LAX

Qantas looking at taking remaining 3 787-9’s earlier than expected

JQ to return 5 788’s to service to start with

https://www.qantasnewsroom.com.au/media ... r-opening/

Given the tentativeness we've seen over the last 18 months, this is extraordinarily good news to see capacity coming back online!

ASOSpotter · Thu Oct 21, 2021 10:48 pm

More aircraft heading to Alice Springs from the Lion Air/ Batik fleet.
737-900 PK-LFV
A320-214 PK-LAG
A320-214 PK-LAP
737-800 PK-LPV

atal17 · Thu Oct 21, 2021 11:16 pm

Delhi is a huge surprise! Not a huge fan of the outbound schedule as other pax from Australia cannot board this flight without an overnight layover at Sydney.

Hopefully they can make this stick as Australia (and the rest of the world) reopens, maybe even add a codeshare with IndiGo for onward connections out of Delhi.

RyanairGuru · Thu Oct 21, 2021 11:28 pm

Didn’t see DEL to be honest, interesting decision!

I’m surprised it’s via DRW outbound. I would have thought that the A332s with whatever it is they’re doing for BNE-LAX would have been able to operate non-stop.

I’ll be interesting to see the schedule, and whether connections are permitted in DRW, as it would be good if passengers from MEL and BNE could connect there rather than two stops via SYD and DRW.

smi0006 · Thu Oct 21, 2021 11:36 pm

atal17 wrote:
Delhi is a huge surprise! Not a huge fan of the outbound schedule as other pax from Australia cannot board this flight without an overnight layover at Sydney.

Hopefully they can make this stick as Australia (and the rest of the world) reopens, maybe even add a codeshare with IndiGo for onward connections out of Delhi.

Is DRW both ways? If so I wonder if this could be to bring Australians and their families stuck in Indian who are unvaccinated home - with a portion of the flight disembarking in DRW to complete quarantine in Howard springs. Although this would be at odds with QF policy of only letting vaccinated individuals travel - I wonder if this has changed, or discreetly modified to get people home from India at the Governments request.

Alternatively it could simply be a commercially viable route whilst AI isn't flying - hope it sticks! Be good to see a few more surprise routes from QF, and other airlines into AU!

atal17 · Thu Oct 21, 2021 11:38 pm

RyanairGuru wrote:
Didn’t see DEL to be honest, interesting decision!

I’m surprised it’s via DRW outbound. I would have thought that the A332s with whatever it is they’re doing for BNE-LAX would have been able to operate non-stop.

I’ll be interesting to see the schedule, and whether connections are permitted in DRW, as it would be good if passengers from MEL and BNE could connect there rather than two stops via SYD and DRW.

SYD-DEL is about 800nm shorter by GC route - I assume there’s either a lack of requisite frames before then or that there’s technical issues (extreme headwinds) requiring the stop at Darwin

Schedule (cannot find landing time at Darwin):

QF67 SYD0605 - ????DRW1020 - 1535DEL 332 146

QF68 DEL1800 - 1145SYD 332 146

The flight then increases to 6 weekly around Christmas and lasts till March 2022.

So far, one cannot book any connections on this route - seems like its only for O/D pax (pax can book DRW-DEL)

atal17 · Thu Oct 21, 2021 11:41 pm

smi0006 wrote:
atal17 wrote:
Delhi is a huge surprise! Not a huge fan of the outbound schedule as other pax from Australia cannot board this flight without an overnight layover at Sydney.

Hopefully they can make this stick as Australia (and the rest of the world) reopens, maybe even add a codeshare with IndiGo for onward connections out of Delhi.

Is DRW both ways? If so I wonder if this could be to bring Australians and their families stuck in Indian who are unvaccinated home - with a portion of the flight disembarking in DRW to complete quarantine in Howard springs. Although this would be at odds with QF policy of only letting vaccinated individuals travel - I wonder if this has changed, or discreetly modified to get people home from India at the Governments request.

Alternatively it could simply be a commercially viable route whilst AI isn't flying - hope it sticks! Be good to see a few more surprise routes from QF, and other airlines into AU!

It’s only one way at the moment, looking more like a tech stop at this stage.

Australian pax can fly onboard if they’ve got the Covishield/AstraZeneca vaccine as that is TGA-recognised vaccine.

log0008 · Thu Oct 21, 2021 11:49 pm

I think DEL is two things

Qantas jumping in early into a market they we're missing pre covid (India had very few direct flights yet was a massive market)
Qantas betting that direct flights will be in demand in the post covid world, people being worried about stopovers, waiting in airports in other countries

atal17 · Fri Oct 22, 2021 12:07 am

log0008 wrote:
I think DEL is two things

Qantas jumping in early into a market they we're missing pre covid (India had very few direct flights yet was a massive market)
Qantas betting that direct flights will be in demand in the post covid world, people being worried about stopovers, waiting in airports in other countries

Add to the fact that passengers cannot transit via KUL/SIN/BKK on their way to India and back, means that Qantas has got a huge market all to themselves.

What remains to be seen is if they’ll keep the service for the Summer season or will it disappear afterwards.

vhebb · Fri Oct 22, 2021 12:24 am

DEL was always on the radar as a replacement for the cut PEK flight.

When PEK was cut just prior to covid QF said they were looking at a number of new destinations to utilise the PEK A330.

qf789 · Fri Oct 22, 2021 12:38 am

Qatar Airways will restore daily service for both MEL and SYD from 1 Dec 21

https://twitter.com/theaeronetwork/stat ... 41922?s=21

qf789 · Fri Oct 22, 2021 12:40 am

Qantas says flight to DPS could return as early as December

https://www.9news.com.au/national/coron ... 19891ca0ba

log0008 · Fri Oct 22, 2021 1:11 am

Things are getting exciting!

ben175 · Fri Oct 22, 2021 1:12 am

I wonder if SYD-DRW-DEL is a temporary arrangement until McGowan opens WA...

I also think PER-JNB/CPT will be on the radar considering we may not see SA back on that route.

log0008 · Fri Oct 22, 2021 1:34 am

Confirmed, Nov 1 Vic joins NSW in scrapping quarantine

melpax · Fri Oct 22, 2021 2:09 am

log0008 wrote:
Confirmed, Nov 1 Vic joins NSW in scrapping quarantine

Only for those vaxxed with an approved vaccine, or if unable to be vaxxed for medical reasons. Hotel quarantine still a requirement for those unvaxed, or if vaxxed with a non-TGA approved vaccine.

https://www.theage.com.au/national/aust ... 59237.html

Good news, and a big step towards normality.

sierrakilo44 · Fri Oct 22, 2021 2:28 am

ben175 wrote:
I wonder if SYD-DRW-DEL is a temporary arrangement until McGowan opens WA...

I also think PER-JNB/CPT will be on the radar considering we may not see SA back on that route.

QF has confirmed PER-LHR will be back in April. There's also a consideration DRW-LHR may continue in it's own right, but Perth probably has enough passengers to the UK alone to justify a direct flight.

Perth to SA? Yeah, a real possibility, they'd have a monopoly on the route.

RyanairGuru · Fri Oct 22, 2021 2:42 am

melpax wrote:
log0008 wrote:
Confirmed, Nov 1 Vic joins NSW in scrapping quarantine

Only for those vaxxed with an approved vaccine, or if unable to be vaxxed for medical reasons. Hotel quarantine still a requirement for those unvaxed, or if vaxxed with a non-TGA approved vaccine.

https://www.theage.com.au/national/aust ... 59237.html

Good news, and a big step towards normality.

That’s the same rules as NSW re unvaxxed.

a320fan · Fri Oct 22, 2021 2:44 am

Vic will also require a covid test within 24 hours of arrival, which I never saw in the NSW requirements. Not an onerous requirement at all, and says nothing about isolating until a result.

RyanairGuru · Fri Oct 22, 2021 2:45 am

atal17 wrote:
RyanairGuru wrote:
Didn’t see DEL to be honest, interesting decision!

I’m surprised it’s via DRW outbound. I would have thought that the A332s with whatever it is they’re doing for BNE-LAX would have been able to operate non-stop.

I’ll be interesting to see the schedule, and whether connections are permitted in DRW, as it would be good if passengers from MEL and BNE could connect there rather than two stops via SYD and DRW.

SYD-DEL is about 800nm shorter by GC route - I assume there’s either a lack of requisite frames before then or that there’s technical issues (extreme headwinds) requiring the stop at Darwin

Schedule (cannot find landing time at Darwin):

QF67 SYD0605 - ????DRW1020 - 1535DEL 332 146

QF68 DEL1800 - 1145SYD 332 146

The flight then increases to 6 weekly around Christmas and lasts till March 2022.

So far, one cannot book any connections on this route - seems like its only for O/D pax (pax can book DRW-DEL)

Thanks for posting that. The departure from DRW is too early to make connections from BNE or MEL, or even ADL for that matter.

Assuming a 4h30m flight time, they arrive in DRW at 09:05 allowing a 1h15m turn. I doubt passengers would even disembark.

jrfspa320 · Fri Oct 22, 2021 2:47 am

qf789 wrote:
Qantas says flight to DPS could return as early as December

https://www.9news.com.au/national/coron ... 19891ca0ba

I thought Bali isnt an option for aussie travellers until next year?

Also didnt QF fly SYD-DEL non stop (in both directions) for a while with A330-200s previously?

jrfspa320 · Fri Oct 22, 2021 2:55 am

sierrakilo44 wrote:
ben175 wrote:
I wonder if SYD-DRW-DEL is a temporary arrangement until McGowan opens WA...

I also think PER-JNB/CPT will be on the radar considering we may not see SA back on that route.

QF has confirmed PER-LHR will be back in April. There's also a consideration DRW-LHR may continue in it's own right, but Perth probably has enough passengers to the UK alone to justify a direct flight.

Perth to SA? Yeah, a real possibility, they'd have a monopoly on the route.

Definitely demand from PER to SA, i think SAA wont be back internationally? Does QF only have approval for 180mins EDTO for their A330s? Which could be a problem - the BNE-SFO/LAX route would be fine with 180 EDTO.

Whatsaptudo · Fri Oct 22, 2021 3:05 am

jrfspa320 wrote:
qf789 wrote:
Qantas says flight to DPS could return as early as December

https://www.9news.com.au/national/coron ... 19891ca0ba

I thought Bali isnt an option for aussie travellers until next year?

Also didnt QF fly SYD-DEL non stop (in both directions) for a while with A330-200s previously?

It was Syd-Bom. Initially it was done with an A330-300 with a stop in Darwin northbound and back direct. Then the A330-200 took it over direct both ways.

Whatsaptudo · Fri Oct 22, 2021 3:18 am

Does QF only have approval for 180mins EDTO for their A330s? Which could be a problem - the BNE-SFO/LAX route would be fine with 180 EDTO.

Yes, they have 180min EDTO

Kiwings · Fri Oct 22, 2021 3:25 am

Over the DEC-FEB period DEL gets bad fog in the evenings with diversions common. So this could be a reason for the schedules.

jrfspa320 · Fri Oct 22, 2021 3:38 am

Whatsaptudo wrote:
Does QF only have approval for 180mins EDTO for their A330s? Which could be a problem - the BNE-SFO/LAX route would be fine with 180 EDTO.

Yes, they have 180min EDTO

Thanks! SAA (and MK) operated the route with A330s so definitely doable. The 789s are too premium heavy and really only suitable for Europe / Transpacific.

log0008 · Fri Oct 22, 2021 3:49 am

a320fan wrote:
Vic will also require a covid test within 24 hours of arrival, which I never saw in the NSW requirements. Not an onerous requirement at all, and says nothing about isolating until a result.

Expect a PCR testing site at the airport, for a while in many countries getting a PCR test will be just part of the customs experiance.

qf789 · Fri Oct 22, 2021 4:29 am

Qantas will start flights from MEL to LHR Via DRW from 6 November initially 2 weekly, going daily in December

MEL-SIN is also being brought forward to 22 November, 3 weekly A330

JQ to fly to SIN from MEL, 4 weekly 788

https://www.qantasnewsroom.com.au/media ... the-world/

YMHBSpotting · Fri Oct 22, 2021 4:41 am

Tassie reopening to vaccinated Domestic and International passengers from December 15th

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-10-22/tasmania-covid-border-plan-reopening-december-vaccination/100558954

log0008 · Fri Oct 22, 2021 4:51 am

qf789 wrote:
Qantas will start flights from MEL to LHR Via DRW from 6 November initially 2 weekly, going daily in December

MEL-SIN is also being brought forward to 22 November, 3 weekly A330

JQ to fly to SIN from MEL, 4 weekly 788

https://www.qantasnewsroom.com.au/media ... the-world/

For those wondering why Qantas isn't moving quicker on Melbourne for LAX they don't have the staff ready.

EK has already opened up EK408/409 from Melbourne to regular bookings, it was previously a quarantine flight.

zkncj · Fri Oct 22, 2021 5:17 am

qf789 wrote:
Qantas will start flights from MEL to LHR Via DRW from 6 November initially 2 weekly, going daily in December

MEL-SIN is also being brought forward to 22 November, 3 weekly A330

JQ to fly to SIN from MEL, 4 weekly 788

https://www.qantasnewsroom.com.au/media ... the-world/

Suspect that NZ will start taking transit passengers ex MEL now that VIC is opening up too. They just reopened booking this week for SYD-AKL-LAX from early November.

NZ is still flying daily 789s into SYD/MEL/BNE for cargo, so pretty simple to them to switch these to passenger flights as demand ex AU for North America pickups.

They largely have Pilots ready to go, over the past 18months they have been flying to North America 2-4x daily still (without passengers).

csturdiv · Fri Oct 22, 2021 5:39 am

Has QF said or hinted when DFW service would resume? While I am happy for a LAX flight now (trying to confirm my flight with QF right now), DFW is much more convenient for me.

ZK-NBT · Fri Oct 22, 2021 6:17 am

csturdiv wrote:
Has QF said or hinted when DFW service would resume? While I am happy for a LAX flight now (trying to confirm my flight with QF right now), DFW is much more convenient for me.

Scheduled to resume on February 14th. 4 weekly from memory 789 initially

Chipmunk1973 · Fri Oct 22, 2021 6:33 am

With the rapid increase in travel schedules, would there be pressure on QF to make a decision on the NB fleet replacement sooner?

If the market is recovering faster than anticipated, I doubt that manufacturers would be so inclined to offer steep discounts. Personal opinion.

Also, with regard to the ex Silk Air planes going to VA. Honestly I can’t recall if the 737 had the BSI. It was a mid afternoon flight from Phuket to Singapore in early 2020, just before everything shut down. All I can remember was that the J seats looked remarkably similar to a QF J seat but in a toffee brown colour.

kriskim · Fri Oct 22, 2021 8:03 am

Just a recap for MEL:

Qantas:
- 2 weekly MEL-DRW-LHR from 6NOV
- 3 weekly MEL-SIN from 22NOV

Jetstar:
- 4 weekly MEL-SIN from 22NOV

Singapore Airlines
- 2 Daily MEL-SIN from 1NOV

Cathay Pacific
- 9 weekly MEL-HKG from 1NOV

Emirates
- 1 daily MEL-DXB from 1NOV

Qatar Airways
- 1 daily MEL-DOH from 1DEC (up from 3 currently)

Expect to hear more soon!

log0008 · Fri Oct 22, 2021 8:15 am

Etihad
1 Daily MEL-AUH from 1NOV (like EK theses are previously capped flights having all seats released)

atal17 · Fri Oct 22, 2021 10:37 am

Chipmunk1973 wrote:

Also, with regard to the ex Silk Air planes going to VA. Honestly I can’t recall if the 737 had the BSI. It was a mid afternoon flight from Phuket to Singapore in early 2020, just before everything shut down. All I can remember was that the J seats looked remarkably similar to a QF J seat but in a toffee brown colour.

All of ex-MI’s B737s were delivered with BSI interior starting from 2014.

https://boeing.mediaroom.com/2014-02-03 ... -737-Fleet

Gangurru · Fri Oct 22, 2021 10:49 am

atal17 wrote:
Delhi is a huge surprise! Not a huge fan of the outbound schedule as other pax from Australia cannot board this flight without an overnight layover at Sydney.

Hopefully they can make this stick as Australia (and the rest of the world) reopens, maybe even add a codeshare with IndiGo for onward connections out of Delhi.

The connections from BNE, MEL etc are being sold with an overnight in Darwin. There's a couple of airport hotels within walking distance of the terminal.

On the morning of your long haul, would you prefer a tropical swim in Darwin or a 4am Sydney check in?

EK413 · Fri Oct 22, 2021 11:02 am

Gangurru wrote:
atal17 wrote:
Delhi is a huge surprise! Not a huge fan of the outbound schedule as other pax from Australia cannot board this flight without an overnight layover at Sydney.

Hopefully they can make this stick as Australia (and the rest of the world) reopens, maybe even add a codeshare with IndiGo for onward connections out of Delhi.

The connections from BNE, MEL etc are being sold with an overnight in Darwin. There's a couple of airport hotels within walking distance of the terminal.

On the morning of your long haul, would you prefer a tropical swim in Darwin or a 4am Sydney check in?

Clever marketing campaign if you ask me… and DRW would benefit…

You have Emirates have similar arrangements with airfares including accomodation before continuing onto your final destination.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

hOMSaR · Fri Oct 22, 2021 11:10 am

Friendly reminder to include a link to a source when posting information about announcements, service changes, etc.

atal17 · Fri Oct 22, 2021 11:59 am

Gangurru wrote:
atal17 wrote:
Delhi is a huge surprise! Not a huge fan of the outbound schedule as other pax from Australia cannot board this flight without an overnight layover at Sydney.

Hopefully they can make this stick as Australia (and the rest of the world) reopens, maybe even add a codeshare with IndiGo for onward connections out of Delhi.

The connections from BNE, MEL etc are being sold with an overnight in Darwin. There's a couple of airport hotels within walking distance of the terminal.

On the morning of your long haul, would you prefer a tropical swim in Darwin or a 4am Sydney check in?

Out of curiosity, how are you getting flight options via Darwin? Checking them out of QF.com still gives me options via SIN & KUL

Gangurru · Fri Oct 22, 2021 3:31 pm

atal17 wrote:
Gangurru wrote:
atal17 wrote:
Delhi is a huge surprise! Not a huge fan of the outbound schedule as other pax from Australia cannot board this flight without an overnight layover at Sydney.

Hopefully they can make this stick as Australia (and the rest of the world) reopens, maybe even add a codeshare with IndiGo for onward connections out of Delhi.

The connections from BNE, MEL etc are being sold with an overnight in Darwin. There's a couple of airport hotels within walking distance of the terminal.

On the morning of your long haul, would you prefer a tropical swim in Darwin or a 4am Sydney check in?

Out of curiosity, how are you getting flight options via Darwin? Checking them out of QF.com still gives me options via SIN & KUL

I looked at some random dates in January on Qantas.com .

A350OZ · Fri Oct 22, 2021 10:36 pm

Just reading that Malaysian government will open Langkawi for fully vaccinated foreign tourists from 15 November (source: https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-as ... rom-nov-15).

Anyone seeing a chance for nonstop flights between AU and LGK for a few months at least?

qf789 · Sat Oct 23, 2021 2:11 am

United 77W SFO and LAX service to SYD is now operating 16 Dec 21 - 10 Feb 21 instead of finishing as previously planned to 3 Jan 22

https://twitter.com/theaeronetwork/stat ... 10469?s=21

zkncj · Sat Oct 23, 2021 2:31 am

A350OZ wrote:
Just reading that Malaysian government will open Langkawi for fully vaccinated foreign tourists from 15 November (source: https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-as ... rom-nov-15).

Anyone seeing a chance for nonstop flights between AU and LGK for a few months at least?

Could D7 operate an direct flights to SYD/MEL from LGK?

eamondzhang · Sat Oct 23, 2021 4:41 am

zkncj wrote:
A350OZ wrote:
Just reading that Malaysian government will open Langkawi for fully vaccinated foreign tourists from 15 November (source: https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-as ... rom-nov-15).

Anyone seeing a chance for nonstop flights between AU and LGK for a few months at least?

Could D7 operate an direct flights to SYD/MEL from LGK?

D7 might not even survive through Christmas - doubt they'll have any intention to burn cash (I personally doubt this route will work since Australia is reopening to most of the world now)

Michael

Who is online

Popular Searches On Airliners.net