Quoting qf789 (Reply 92):

Quoting qf789 (Reply 92): QF/JQ extra services for AFL GF this week PER-MEL JQ981 PER 240 - 815 MEL 320 Fri, Sat 4 Scheduled JQ flights will be upgraded from A320 to A321 QF1238 PER 700 - 1230 MEL 332 Thu QF1230 PER 700 - 1230 MEL 332 Sat QF1236 PER 700 - 1230 MEL 332 Fri QF1234 PER 1800 - 2330 MEL 332 Fri MEL-PER (after GF) JQ990 MEL 900 - 1015 PER 320Sun JQ992 MEL 1810 - 1925 PER 320 Sun QF1237 MEL 800 - 915 PER 332 Sun QF1241 MEL 1200 - 1305 PER 738 Sun QF1263 MEL 1215 - 1320 PER 744 Sun QF1235 MEL 2000 - 2215 PER 332 Sat MEL-PER extras before GF JQ980 MEL 2345 - 200+1 PER 320 Thu, Fri QF1239 MEL 1330 - 1545 PER 332 Thu QF1231 MEL 1330 - 1545 PER 332 Fri

That's some serious extra metal. Any word on what VA/TT are adding.

Some of my friends got on the extra VA flights. I know there are some A320 flights heading over.

Most of the rest of the people I know are driving and left today!

Quoting QF2220 (Reply 99): QF to add AA codeshares to SYD-YVR vv flights (subject to approval). http://iasc.gov.au/applications/file...plication_for_Variation-Canada.pdf It will be interesting to see what business this might generate. I don't think its any good for onwards travel (AA seems to fly down into the US from there) but point to point might be interesting.

American also codeshares on routes out of YVR to LHR and NRT along with some Alaska Airlines and Westjet services. So this is just another way for AA to build its following in YVR and provides a way for their FF's to burn miles to key destinations in the OW network. (Along with hopefully providing some more Corporate pull for the services)

It'll be interesting to see what else AA does at YVR because at present they don't fly there from ORD, NYC or MIA.

Quoting ItsMike (Reply 100): That's some serious extra metal. Any word on what VA/TT are adding.

According to the AFL, VA is adding an additional 6500 seats between PER and MEL this week. Some of this commences today but the peak days are Thursday and Friday.

Quoting zkncj (Reply 96): Plenty of Chinese over the years, and some still do fly China-Australia-New Zealand with local traffic rights on the tasman.

I don't think there are any current Chinese carriers flying China-Australia-NZ, if you were thinking of China Airlines, well they're not domiciled in the People's Republic of China (PRC)- they're domiciled in Taiwan, a very different kettle of fish

Quoting zkncj (Reply 94): Wouldn't say it would be too hard for NZ to get rights for China, there already in an joint venture with Cathy Pacific and Air China (which is government backed)

In the case of CX, HKG isn't covered by the bilateral with China, it's covered by a separate bilateral with the Hong Kong government.

The 146 tanker and another Herc are coming to Be based in Vic in the coming weeks.

Quoting Sydscott (Reply 101):

Their own virtual network I suppose.

Quoting QF2220 (Reply 105): Their own virtual network I suppose.

Exactly. Given the sparse coverage of Canada within the Oneworld Alliance it's the only real option.

Anyone know of any further update on MU's rumoured BNE-PVG flights starting in JAN 2016? We had that news item which turns out to be unconfirmed. Would have to be announced officially soon if they want a January start.

Quoting TruemanQLD (Reply 107): Anyone know of any further update on MU's rumoured BNE-PVG flights starting in JAN 2016? We had that news item which turns out to be unconfirmed. Would have to be announced officially soon if they want a January start.

Probably just awaiting regulatory approval.

It will happen eventually, but whether the timeframe slips out is another story.

JQ68 WUH-OOL has touched down at OOL this morning, marking the start of Jetstar's new twice weekly service from OOL-WUH. The service was operated by VH-VKE. Interestingly, OOL-WUH does not appear to have been operated yesterday, with the aircraft ferrying MEL-WUH as JQ7991 to operate the first service.

The current schedule of OOL-NRT does not have operations on Tuesday or Saturday so it appears the aircraft will normally fly NRT-OOL-WUH-OOL-NRT and rotate through the network from NRT.

Disappointingly, the service does not appear to be bookable from Australia, I cannot find any mention of it on the JQ website last time I looked (please prove me wrong or otherwise how to book).

Quoting TruemanQLD (Reply 109): JQ68 WUH-OOL has touched down at OOL this morning, marking the start of Jetstar's new twice weekly service from OOL-WUH. The service was operated by VH-VKE. Interestingly, OOL-WUH does not appear to have been operated yesterday, with the aircraft ferrying MEL-WUH as JQ7991 to operate the first service. The current schedule of OOL-NRT does not have operations on Tuesday or Saturday so it appears the aircraft will normally fly NRT-OOL-WUH-OOL-NRT and rotate through the network from NRT. Disappointingly, the service does not appear to be bookable from Australia, I cannot find any mention of it on the JQ website last time I looked (please prove me wrong or otherwise how to book).

This whole service is virtually a charter operation for a Chinese travel company. The lack of an originating OOL-WUH service on 29/9 and the lack of availability from Australia only confirms this.

I assume it makes financial sense for JQ given they are probably operating the flight with a guaranteed revenue share. If the Chinese travel company can't fill the seats, the route will undoubtedly be cancelled.

Quoting tullamarine (Reply 110): This whole service is virtually a charter operation for a Chinese travel company. The lack of an originating OOL-WUH service on 29/9 and the lack of availability from Australia only confirms this.

Apparently there is scope to broaden this type of arrangement moving forward, possibly to other destinations.

We will see if JQ have the aircraft available if it is successful and Wanda or any other organisation wants to look at that option.

Quoting tullamarine (Reply 110): I assume it makes financial sense for JQ given they are probably operating the flight with a guaranteed revenue share. If the Chinese travel company can't fill the seats, the route will undoubtedly be cancelled.

Its a win-win for JQ really. It had the capacity that it could use at a minimal financial risk to itself.

It seems Qantas is looking so much better these days that investors may be further rewarded for their patience/loyalty.

http://m.smh.com.au/business/aviatio...deutsche-bank-20150930-gjxuei.html

Be advised though the amount suggested is 2.4B and NOT 24B!

Quoting TruemanQLD (Reply 109): Disappointingly, the service does not appear to be bookable from Australia, I cannot find any mention of it on the JQ website last time I looked (please prove me wrong or otherwise how to book).

JQ67 Gold Coast - Wuhan is indeed bookable online, however Starter Economy Cabin fares seem to be priced at a flate rate of $1,000 with no fares available for the Business Cabin.

There is a note in the booking system that mentions "Sold by Jetstar for Hubei Wanda"

Quoting dkramer7 (Reply 112): It seems Qantas is looking so much better these days that investors may be further rewarded for their patience/loyalty. http://m.smh.com.au/business/aviatio...deutsche-bank-20150930-gjxuei.html Be advised though the amount suggested is 2.4B and NOT 24B!

Oh please no... use the liquidity to purchase new aircraft and invest in more airport/infrastructure upgrades.

Quoting aerohottie (Reply 114): Quoting dkramer7 (Reply 112): It seems Qantas is looking so much better these days that investors may be further rewarded for their patience/loyalty. http://m.smh.com.au/business/aviatio...deutsche-bank-20150930-gjxuei.html Be advised though the amount suggested is 2.4B and NOT 24B! Oh please no... use the liquidity to purchase new aircraft and invest in more airport/infrastructure upgrades.

Well they cried wolf for so long about not being able to afford to invest in new aircraft (specifically the 787) and have only firmed up a relatively token amount of 787 since and still have the A380 on ice (I guess fair enough if they are expecting an A380NEO within around 5-7 years, otherwise just get the damn thing and use them for the DFW service).

Quoting QF175 (Reply 113): JQ67 Gold Coast - Wuhan is indeed bookable online, however Starter Economy Cabin fares seem to be priced at a flate rate of $1,000 with no fares available for the Business Cabin. There is a note in the booking system that mentions "Sold by Jetstar for Hubei Wanda"

I stand corrected. Not only are all the economy fares $1000, they also all say "Only 3 seats available at this price" and some dates are sold out... it would seem JQ either only has 3 seats left to sell so can afford to offer them at a premium OR it's a token gesture and they are somehow required to be able to sell seats for the service so massively overprice them as to discourage people from actually doing it...

Qatar has formally announced SYD starting 01MAR16 - 7pw

http://www.qatarairways.com/qa/en/de...ghts-to-sydney.page?CID=SMALL81640


EDIT: Added link.

[Edited 2015-09-30 01:45:44]

Quoting zkokq (Reply 117): Qatar has formally announced SYD starting 01MAR16 - 7pw http://www.qatarairways.com/qa/en/de...81640

Thanks for the link, confirms what many were suspecting once the Qatar-Aus bilateral got increased.

QR908 DOH 20:35 - SYD 17:35 77W
QR909 SYD 21:05 - DOH 04:35 77W

QR's service has pretty similar timings to EY's AUH service as well.

If they go well, I would expect them to go an A380 on the route particularly as it is unlikely the bilateral will be increased anytime soon. But they'll sure have their work cut-out given EK/EY are long established and in the case of EK, it'll be hard to compete with their 3x daily service (4x daily if you include the QF DXB flight).

Quoting zkokq (Reply 117): Qatar has formally announced SYD starting 01MAR16 - 7pw

Well done to QR and SYD

Quoting SYDSpotter (Reply 118): If they go well, I would expect them to go an A380 on the route particularly as it is unlikely the bilateral will be increased anytime soon. But they'll sure have their work cut-out given EK/EY are long established and in the case of EK, it'll be hard to compete with their 3x daily service (4x daily if you include the QF DXB flight).

Did a dummy booking for early March, QR & EK are both around $1800 return for SYD-LHR.

Have heard another rumour on QR and their Australia services today, interesting!

Yes, today's move by QR is not the end of the news. Stay tuned.

Quoting IndianicWorld (Reply 120): Yes, today's move by QR is not the end of the news. Stay tuned.

Unless it's a change of gauge for MEL, this is a bit exciting because it has to be a service to a 'secondary' Australian port... ADL, DRW, CNS, CBR...

Malindo Air has received CASA approval to start services to PER next month

http://fw.to/O57o2zM

From 25 Oct 15 LAN will codeshare on the following JQ routes

Auckland – Christchurch
Auckland – Dunedin
Auckland – Gold Coast
Auckland – Melbourne
Auckland – Queenstown
Auckland – Wellington
Sydney – Byron Bay
Sydney – Cairns
Sydney – Darwin
Sydney – Gold Coast
Sydney – Hamilton Island
Sydney – Hobart
Sydney – Maroochydore

http://airlineroute.net/2015/10/01/lajq-codeshare-w15/

Quoting IndianicWorld (Reply 120): Yes, today's move by QR is not the end of the news. Stay tuned.

Does it involve MH or BA?

VA's new business seat upgrades for the 77W have been delayed till early 2016 due to certification issues

http://www.ausbt.com.au/virgin-austr...es-back-boeing-777-upgrade-to-2016

From the CX Facebook page re 77W into SYD

"We are now flying two B777s out of Sydney!
The B777 is deployed on the daily CX100 flight which currently departs Sydney at 1400 and arrives into Hong Kong at 2135; CX101 then departs Hong Kong at 2355 and arrives into Sydney at 1105 the next day. The switch follows the daily deployment of the first 777-300ER earlier this year on CX138/139 which arrives and departs Hong Kong in the morning."

^^ Interesting.

CX were apparently weighing up a 2nd daily SYD 77W flight or a MEL service with that aircraft.

It appears SYD won out this time.

Quoting IndianicWorld (Reply 127):

Perhaps it is not just QF that is SYD centric. Or perhaps SYD centric is just where the pax are?

Was driving past Sydney Airport early this evening and I'm pretty sure I saw a QF 747 docked at T3. NRL Grand Final run? If so, BNE or TSV?

Also, have they started demolishing the Qantas Jetbase already or are the works in the area related to something else?

Quoting allrite (Reply 129): Was driving past Sydney Airport early this evening and I'm pretty sure I saw a QF 747 docked at T3. NRL Grand Final run? If so, BNE or TSV?

VH-OEB operating to MEL, then MEL-PER-SYD tomorrow taking West Coast fans home after the AFL grand final.

[Edited 2015-10-03 05:18:59]

Quoting allrite (Reply 129): Was driving past Sydney Airport early this evening and I'm pretty sure I saw a QF 747 docked at T3. NRL Grand Final run? If so, BNE or TSV?

QF467 SYD-MEL this evening, then MEL-PER-SYD for the AFL crowds tomorrow:

Quoting qf789 (Reply 92): QF1263 MEL 1215 - 1320 PER 744 Sun

I don't think QF were sending anything special to BNE but TSV is getting A330s to cater for the extra traffic after tomorrow night.

Quoting BAeRJ100 (Reply 130): VH-OEB operating to MEL, then MEL-PER-SYD tomorrow taking West Coast fans home after the AFL grand final.

Quoting qf002 (Reply 131): QF467 SYD-MEL this evening, then MEL-PER-SYD for the AFL crowds tomorrow:

Thank you! I'm guessing that the airline accountants probably love finals involving interstate teams but the planning department might get a little stressed.  

Are JQ's BNE-MEL flights on the 788 ending soon? They're tags off JQ6 from HNL on Monday afternoons but they're not showing for booking after October 19 (as I plan a trip to Brisbane for early December...)

So apparently some people don't like airlines deviating from their proper flight paths :P
http://www.news.com.au/travel/travel...stunt/story-e6frfq80-1227557257696

Quoting allrite (Reply 132): but the planning department might get a little stressed.

I wonder how far in advance they start making tentative plans for such events? We know that big events (e.g. World Youth Day a couple of years back and sporting fixtures like the World Cup) are factored into fleet planning, but these smaller ones where the outcome is not known? Surely they would do something in advance rather than wait and see what the outcome is? I mean they know where the game will be played (i.e. SYD or MEL) so have that as a known, its just the place the teams are coming from that they don't, though they should be able to get a fair idea.

Quoting IndianicWorld (Reply 120): Yes, today's move by QR is not the end of the news. Stay tuned.

I'm hearing strong rumors for MEL to go A380 so I assume that will be the big announcement.

Quoting QF2220 (Reply 135): Surely they would do something in advance rather than wait and see what the outcome is? I mean they know where the game will be played (i.e. SYD or MEL) so have that as a known, its just the place the teams are coming from that they don't, though they should be able to get a fair idea.

Not really, it is only till the qualifying finals (i.e. the last 4 teams) will you have reasonable idea and even then, it is dependent on results:

2015 AFL preliminary finals: 1st final-1 Melbourne team vs 1 WA team, 2nd final - 1 Melbourne team vs 1 WA team.
Depending on the results, you could've had 2 Melbourne teams, 2 interstate teams or 1 of both. How are you supposed to plan for that? Put a whole lot of capacity for PER-MEL only to find that both teams playing in the final are Melbourne teams...
(Same story for the NRL).

Quoting XAM2175 (Reply 133): Are JQ's BNE-MEL flights on the 788 ending soon? They're tags off JQ6 from HNL on Monday afternoons but they're not showing for booking after October 19 (as I plan a trip to Brisbane for early December...)

Up until now, they only operate in peak (i.e. holiday) periods. BNE-HNL operates twice weekly normally and the aircraft rotates from MEL through HNL to BNE. However during holidays they operate a third flight which comes MEL-BNE-HNL-BNE-MEL. That may be changing but thats what its been since they launched it last year

Malindo Air has revised PER schedule again

Was originally starting on 11 Nov 15 now pushed back to 19 Nov 15

From 2 Dec 15 services will increase from 10 to 11 services per week

OD151 KUL0825 – 1410PER 739 D
OD153 KUL2315 – 0500+1PER 739 x236

OD152 PER1500 – 2055KUL 739 x7
OD152 PER1505 – 2100KUL 739 7
OD156 PER0700 – 1255KUL 739 x236

http://airlineroute.net/2015/10/05/od-per-w15update4/

Quoting XAM2175 (Reply 133): Are JQ's BNE-MEL flights on the 788 ending soon? They're tags off JQ6 from HNL on Monday afternoons but they're not showing for booking after October 19 (as I plan a trip to Brisbane for early December...)

The service will operate HNL-BNE-DPS-BNE-HNL with aircraft swaps to happen in HNL to rotate the fleet. As you can imagine, the BNE-DPS flight has therefor being re-timed.

Quoting ben175 (Reply 75): KQ has stated they wanted to fly to PER, not SYD. I believe NBO-PER was on the cards with a 787 around 2016-2017. There were articles on it about a year ago.

I think you are right cause I heard that they were thinking or their was talk of them operating to PER, however I doubt that will happen now as they are in a bit of trouble money wise, and recent advents in NBO with terrorist from Somalia would be putting a severe dent in KQ's fortunes. its a shame to go on safari in Kenya would be brilliant, but why go there when you can do the same in South Africa or Botswana and go to the Okavango delta without feeling threatened by scumbag terrorists just over the boarder in Somalia.

Quoting zkokq (Reply 140): The service will operate HNL-BNE-DPS-BNE-HNL with aircraft swaps to happen in HNL to rotate the fleet. As you can imagine, the BNE-DPS flight has therefor being re-timed

Something doesn't quite add up though (you are right on the retimes) as it looks like they aren't running the 3rd weekly HNL service over summer but are running DPS 4x weekly with late afternoon departure 5:40pm (later on one day) but the aircraft still arrives at 6:55am (or 9:20am one day)... Even with the HNL flights, I still see some extended (~10 hour) downtimes in BNE.

Can anyone shed some light or are my calculations wrong?

Quoting IndianicWorld (Reply 36): JQ has been adding frequencies across its MEL international network, which has seen significant growth in the last few years. QF itself will likely wait until it has the 789 to start new MEL flights, which will likely include DFW, with the potential for PVG and other routes it sees a strategic need to be on.

Didn't QF use to fly to PVG from MEL at one time or am I just imaging that they did?


I understand what you are saying about MEL, I am not counting the overseas carriers that come into MEL or really JQ I was talking about actual QF metal serving MEL to the World. I understand Sydney is its home base and is the international gateway to Australia, but it looks like BNE is jumping ahead of MEL which QF through their due diligence must be seeing.

Quoting Flyingsottsman (Reply 143): I understand what you are saying about MEL, I am not counting the overseas carriers that come into MEL or really JQ I was talking about actual QF metal serving MEL to the World. I understand Sydney is its home base and is the international gateway to Australia, but it looks like BNE is jumping ahead of MEL which QF through their due diligence must be seeing.

Lets not forget MEL gets a daily A380 to DXB/LHR and 9 weekly LAX (7 on an A380) vs daily 747 flights to BNE. The only thing that QF has added in BNE is NRT and this is likely as QLD is a much bigger destination for Japanese tourists than VIC and its easier/shorter to connect MEL-BNE-NRT than it is BNE-MEL-NRT

One example of where QF looks at markets are tailors it's offering includes what classes it operates into each city. It does not operate F into BNE, whereas it still does to MEL and SYD for example.

It's operations must be seeking to maximise it's potential advantages of each market. The dual offering of QF and JQ more than positions itself in a strong overall market space, which gives it significant scale in MEL for example.

As yes, MEL-PVG was operated by QF for a while at 3 x weekly, with SYD at 4 x weekly. They decided it needed a stronger offering from one city and moved those frequencies to a daily SYD-PVG.

Things have changed considerably since then, including strong China traffic growth and the MU and CZ deals. The growing of the MU partnership will likely open up further opportunities for QF, which is where the 789 will come in handy for them. This is why I can see MEL-PVG opening up in partnership with MU, with a daily flight each down the track.

VH-QPE returned to service on Sunday 4/10 after being in maintenance for the past 2 months, has now been reconfigured. It operated QF97 BNE-HKG, on arrival it suffered a technical problem resulting in QF30 being delayed overnight.

http://www.theqantassource.com/qanta...turns-from-brisbane-maintenance-2/

This brings the number of reconfigured aircraft to 7 A332's and 6 A333's

A330-200
EBA new config
EBB new config
EBC old config
EBD old config
EBE currently in maintenance
EBF new config
EBG old config
EBJ new config
EBK new config
EBL old config
EBM old config
EBN old config
EBO old config
EBP old config
EBQ old config
EBR old config
EBS new config
EBV new config

A330-300
QPA new config
QPB new config
QPC new config
QPD new config
QPE new config
QPF old config
QPG old config
QPH old config
QPI new config
QPJ old config

Virgin Australia stunt on AFL grand final day criticised on social media

Oct. 5, 2015 from The Age.

Summary of the article:

A major Australian airline company is copping flak online for flying around Melbourne on grand final day in the shape of the AFL Premiership Cup.

Virgin Australia posted about their efforts on social media on Sunday, but were flooded with angry responses.

"Yesterday, we created the largest AFL Premiership Cup in history by 'drawing' a 246km outline of the trophy over Melbourne in our A330 aircraft at 15,000ft," the airline posted on its Facebook account, alongside a short video showing the route.

Facebook users were divided about the stunt, with many criticising the airline for "wasting" money and fuel.

Virgin Australia told Facebook users that "as the official airline of the AFL, we wanted to do something special as part of our flyover".

But many AFL fans complained that the airline should have instead reduced the cost of flights to Melbourne over the grand final weekend. Some domestic flights were more expensive than airfares to Europe.

It took 32 minutes to complete the trophy shape, and involved 43 turns. Virgin Australia said the stunt was completed by three experiences pilots "who are also highly skilled on an Etch-A-Sketch".

http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-new...ay-criticised-20151004-gk12n6.html

------

I don't really follow the football, but I had seen a post on A.net about the exorbitant fares that were offered to get to the Grand Final. Not sure who or how many were willing to pay and whether this is an annual trend myself. Was suprised to see this article today though. I think a flyover is a great thing, and the YouTube video was too - however, when I Googled the event, they did the same thing last year, only then it was reported that attendees and some security officials at the event were quite alarmed and felt threatened when the aircraft did a low flyover.

Back to this year's 'cup pattern flying' - social media tends to bring out negativity but at least VA got some good honest feedback I guess! Only thing is, the YouTube video they posted is from last year's match!

PR gone awry.

Quoting VapourTrails (Reply 147): Virgin Australia stunt on AFL grand final day criticised on social media

This is a little interesting!

With VA targeting higher yielding passengers, their once traditional passenger could be starting to feel a little disenfranchised.

The high cost of seats for passengers wanting to fly to the football grand finals being the major cost for their trips, the VA stunt was probably not appreciated. I have friends who have been loyal VA customers since the early 2000's making complaints on Facebook about the high costs.

It will be interesting to see how VA responds to this! If they don't respond, they could see passengers migrating to Jetstar and TigerAir.

Quoting travelhound (Reply 148): With VA targeting higher yielding passengers, their once traditional passenger could be starting to feel a little disenfranchised. The high cost of seats for passengers wanting to fly to the football grand finals being the major cost for their trips, the VA stunt was probably not appreciated. I have friends who have been loyal VA customers since the early 2000's making complaints on Facebook about the high costs. It will be interesting to see how VA responds to this! If they don't respond, they could see passengers migrating to Jetstar and TigerAir.

  

Yes, and the power of social media is not be underestimated, or worse, ignored. It will be interesting to see what they do or say over this in the next few days or weeks, and do next year! I think discounted fares, as in, the money redirected towards getting pax to the game and service delivery, rather than a fly around, would be so much better for PR and their customer base, for a start.

PR - flypasts are good, but after 2014 and 2015 for the football finals...