I am watching footage of AJ speaking at the National Press Club and when talking about 787 range / routes, he mentioned the following routes in order: SYD-ORD, MEL-DFW and PER-LHR.

The later two have been discussed a lot in here, but how about SYD-ORD for QF? ORD is an AA hub...

Quoting 777Jet (Reply 100): when talking about 787 range / routes, he mentioned the following routes in order: SYD-ORD, MEL-DFW and PER-LHR.

What was his phrasing? Did he actually say that the 787 can make these routes?

I would honestly rate SYD-IAH as having a better chance of being launched than SYD-ORD or PER-LHR.

IAH will be the only destination in QF's top 10 by corporate spend not to have direct service to SYD once SFO has been resumed later in the year. If we are assuming that QF plans for a substantial growth of their 789 order over the next couple of years then I could see SYD-DFW dropping to a 789 with SYD-IAH being launched at the same time (assuming that the market is still there with the resources decline).

Hey guys, i am on tonights QF62 from NRT to BNE but are now going via Cairns. Printed boarding passes lastnight and was still showing NRT- BNE direct. Any one know whats going on? Rung Qantas and they didnt even have updated info. Whats worse is that the Cairns stop makes us miss EK434 back to AKL and now have a 9 hour transit in BNE!

Quoting wstakl (Reply 103): Hey guys, i am on tonights QF62 from NRT to BNE but are now going via Cairns. Printed boarding passes lastnight and was still showing NRT- BNE direct. Any one know whats going on? Rung Qantas and they didnt even have updated info. Whats worse is that the Cairns stop makes us miss EK434 back to AKL and now have a 9 hour transit in BNE!

Flight Aware and FR24 shows QF62 as cancelled. VH-QPE as QF61 is in the air right now operating on schedule. Flightaware is showing it flying a strange path just south east of Guam. Could be a tracking error or a diversion in progress.

Quoting timtam (Reply 98): Maybe an acquisition is back on the cards for Qantas.

Of what?????

Air New Zealand   

Jks

Quoting RyanairGuru (Reply 106): Air New Zealand

More likely Air New Zealand, makes an take overbid for Virgin Australia.

Quoting zkncj (Reply 107):

Agreed, I was definitely joking

Quoting wstakl (Reply 103): Hey guys, i am on tonights QF62 from NRT to BNE but are now going via Cairns. Printed boarding passes lastnight and was still showing NRT- BNE direct. Any one know whats going on? Rung Qantas and they didnt even have updated info. Whats worse is that the Cairns stop makes us miss EK434 back to AKL and now have a 9 hour transit in BNE!

BNE Arrivals has it currently at 8:40am and this was at midday today, barely an hour after QF61 had left BNE and long before any supposed diversion. Strange. Qantas Website has QF62 Cancelled, and replaced by a QF62 that goes via CNS. Sorry to hear you miss your EK flight  

Quoting a320fan (Reply 104): Flight Aware and FR24 shows QF62 as cancelled. VH-QPE as QF61 is in the air right now operating on schedule. Flightaware is showing it flying a strange path just south east of Guam. Could be a tracking error or a diversion in progress.

That appears to be an error, Flight Radar 24 has no problems (though slight diversions around Guam) and aircraft landed in NRT ahead of schedule. As I mentioned above, I noticed the reschedule barely an hour after the outbound flight had left BNE.

[Edited 2015-10-17 03:35:31]

Quoting zkncj (Reply 107): More likely Air New Zealand, makes an take overbid for Virgin Australia.

Hopefully they won't run this one into the ground!   

Does anyone know the name of the 'new' A330-202 / VH-EBF that Qantas recently acquired from Jetstar?
Cheers.

Quoting RyanairGuru (Reply 95): It wouldn't be 49 times a week for EK

I should have been clearer. In 1994 when the agreement was drafted and 1996 when it was signed there was only EK in the picture. At that point they could have chosen any number of destinations but chose unlimited frequencies rather than a total of 49. In my opinion that was the wiser of the two options.

Today that number is no longer relevent except that it is higher than the maximum of 35 allowed to QR, even if the latter is able to fly to a total of five destinations. Overall, the UAE agreement is the more generous and not the Qatar agreement.

Quoting Qantas59 (Reply 111): Does anyone know the name of the 'new' A330-202 / VH-EBF that Qantas recently acquired from Jetstar? Cheers.

King Valley

Quoting QF71 (Reply 70): And before someone mentions it. Piano-X is not an accurate way of determining what routes an aircraft can fly!

I have been able to model a 789 down to less than 200kg fuel difference from an actual flight plan on a ~13hr sector. Dead accurate, no but it beats anything else out there. It is not accurate for field lengths when using high elevation inputs

I have always felt that the last eight, deferred A380s for Qantas would be of an 'upgraded' or stretched model if eventually 'un-deferred' and delivered, as part of the replacement cycle for the current A380-800s. I can see Qantas going for a quick turnaround, with the -neos/-900s replacing the -800s faster than would otherwise be expected for Qantas, to take advantage of the newest technology and cost savings, and to 'rid' Qantas of the seemingly inconvenient order for extra -800s. I forsee Qantas as a launch customer for any A380neo/-900, using up the eight deferred orders and perhaps adding a couple as a part of the deal with Airbus, but not taking delivery of these planes for many years. Such a deal, for another airline besides Emirates, would give the A380neo superficially greater credibility in the general media. I see a deal swapping the eight A380-800 orders for A350s (probably -1000s) as also possible, depending on the outcome of the A380neo launch/no launch.
I think a future Qantas fleet of 12-16 A380s of whatever model, plus a few dozen Dreamliners of various models (and yes, I see the -10 eventually making its way into Qantas' fleet) plus around 80-90 737MAXs or A32Xneos, as being highly likely. If the A380neo isn't launched, I see an eventual fleet of 12-16 777-9s replacing the A380-800s, with possibly a small subfleet of 777-8s for the hinted-at SYD-JFK and any other ULH routes Alan Joyce et al may dream up (Sao Paulo/Rio? Africa? Europe nonstop?). I just can't see the A350-1000 solely replacing the A380 due to its lesser capacity, but it still may enter the QF fleet alongside a smaller 777X fleet. As for thinner domestic (ie. replacing the 717s) and thinner, 'new' international routes (hello PNG, hello secondary Indonesian cities like Surabaya) I suggest the CSeries would be great. QantasLink seems married to the Q400 but what next? ATR seem to be more aggressive in planning for the future of turboprops with Bombardier rightfully focusing on the CSeries development, so perhaps we may see a switch in the medium future?
As for the ULH suggestions, I wouldn't think that there would be enough demand for a daily nonstop SYD-JFK, but I do believe there would be for SYD-LHR. A small fleet of ULH planes (does the proposed range of the A350-900ULH reach JFK from SYD???) operating some prime nonstop routes would be expensive, but a real brand-enhancer for Qantas and certainly snare a small, lucrative but profit-risky niche market.
Just my thoughts.
Cheers,
Bunumuring.

I have just read the EVA Air Dreamliner thread.
There's an interesting diagram showing Sydney and Melbourne to be right on the edge of the assumed capabilities of an EVA Dreamliner 10 from Taipei, plus discussion about EVA expanding here. I hope that they do resume Sydney flights...
The other thought looking at the EVA 787-10 diagram was about possible Qantas Dreamliner 10s flying into Asia. A big assumption I know, but it would appear from the diagram that Tokyo and Chinese cities from SYD/MEL would be right on the edge of QF 787-10 operations as well. I didn't realise this, as I thought that the range of the -10 would be sufficient to easily cover all possible QF Asian routes. Perhaps Qantas just needs the Dreamliner 9 after all, and no -10s, due to the latter's longer range? Anyone have any thoughts or insights into this?
Cheers,
Bunumuring.

Quoting RyanairGuru (Reply 108):

Commedians on the boards!

Quoting bunumuring (Reply 115): and to 'rid' Qantas of the seemingly inconvenient order for extra -800s.

This has merits.

Quoting TruemanQLD (Reply 109):

Seemed like it was a crew (piloting) issue.....albeit a weird one. Boarded, sat on the plane for awhile, purser introduced the flight as going via Cairns due to 'operational reasons' F/O then informs us that they are still waiting for the Captain to board (what?) Then we were informed that it will now be a direct service to BNE as another crew member has arrived (to cheers) to make it happen and that we would be rebooked on our original booking. I am assuming they had to get another member of the flight crew for some reason.

Got to Brisbane at about 07.30, transit desk queue was a mile long so raced up to the EK gate and were told we weren't rebooked onto that flight but instead QF123 back to AKL. Impressed with the onboard crew and ground staff dealing with the issue of all the connecting pax, but am bemused as to why QF phone reps didn't have a clue on what was going on Also, talking to connecting pax in the check-in queue at NRT some were informed via phone while others like myself weren't. I just happened to check my booking online once I arrived at the airport and noticed the change.

Quoting bunumuring (Reply 116): I have just read the EVA Air Dreamliner thread. There's an interesting diagram showing Sydney and Melbourne to be right on the edge of the assumed capabilities of an EVA Dreamliner 10 from Taipei, plus discussion about EVA expanding here. I hope that they do resume Sydney flights... The other thought looking at the EVA 787-10 diagram was about possible Qantas Dreamliner 10s flying into Asia. A big assumption I know, but it would appear from the diagram that Tokyo and Chinese cities from SYD/MEL would be right on the edge of QF 787-10 operations as well. I didn't realise this, as I thought that the range of the -10 would be sufficient to easily cover all possible QF Asian routes. Perhaps Qantas just needs the Dreamliner 9 after all, and no -10s, due to the latter's longer range? Anyone have any thoughts or insights into this?

Alot has to happen in China before any expansion into Australia can happen.

Chinese travelers at this stage can not transit TPE-AUS due to restrictions in place by the Chinese Govt.

Quoting QF2220 (Reply 105): Quoting timtam (Reply 98): Maybe an acquisition is back on the cards for Qantas. Of what?????

Who knows.....but just for the fun of speculating and providing a possible example - a stake in Vietnam Airlines.

Quoting qf002 (Reply 102): I would honestly rate SYD-IAH as having a better chance of being launched than SYD-ORD or PER-LHR. IAH will be the only destination in QF's top 10 by corporate spend not to have direct service to SYD once SFO has been resumed later in the year. If we are assuming that QF plans for a substantial growth of their 789 order over the next couple of years then I could see SYD-DFW dropping to a 789 with SYD-IAH being launched at the same time (assuming that the market is still there with the resources decline).

I can't see QF doing SYD-DFW and SYD-IAH with the same aircraft type and frequency for the sole reason that DFW is a partner fortress hub and IAH has very little but perhaps just some O&D to offer QF given how close DFW is - despite the corporate spend. Most of the O&D folk near IAH would probably be loyal to Star Anyway, as well as the corporates. DFW and IAH are just too close together and way too different to both get QF non-stops to Australia IMHO.

I could see QF pulling the A380 of SYD-DFW and instead do SYD-DFW / MEL-DFW with 789s but even then I still can't see SYD-IAH being very likely despite corporate spend.

Quoting bunumuring (Reply 116): I have just read the EVA Air Dreamliner thread.There's an interesting diagram showing Sydney and Melbourne to be right on the edge of the assumed capabilities of an EVA Dreamliner 10 from Taipei, plus discussion about EVA expanding here. I hope that they do resume Sydney flights...

  

I'd love to be able to fly BR from SYD.

Good news for Badgerys Creek?

http://www.9news.com.au/national/201...rys-to-take-full-range-of-aircraft

Bulldozers at Badgerys Creek next year

The federal government expects bulldozers will be on the ground late next year to start work on Sydney's second airport.

Infrastructure Minister Warren Truss on Monday released the draft airport plan and environmental impact statement for the Badgerys Creek project."

mariner

QF is planning a second retro 737 -- http://www.qantasnewsroom.com.au/med...-announces-plans-for-retro-roo-ii/

It sounds like this will be one of the ZK registered aircraft?

Quoting 777Jet (Reply 121): DFW and IAH are just too close together and way too different to both get QF non-stops to Australia IMHO.

Not a vastly different situation to LAX and SFO, though obviously DFW doesn't have quite the same level of O&D demand that LAX offers. It will be interesting to see how NZ does with AKL-IAH.

Quoting mariner (Reply 122): Good news for Badgerys Creek?

Fingers crossed!

Quoting timtam (Reply 120): Who knows.....but just for the fun of speculating and providing a possible example - a stake in Vietnam Airlines.

I would love this to happen.

I think this would be positive for Vietnam's and Australia's interest. We already have a connection and I think for both countries it could represent the start of coming to age.

Wait and see!

Quoting qf002 (Reply 123): QF is planning a second retro 737 -- http://www.qantasnewsroom.com.au/med...-announces-plans-for-retro-roo-ii/

Cool. Hopefully the original 707 livery.

Quoting qf002 (Reply 123): Not a vastly different situation to LAX and SFO, though obviously DFW doesn't have quite the same level of O&D demand that LAX offers.

The difference being that SFO is the second or third largest O&D market to Australia (I can't remember whether San Francisco or New York is larger). Outside of the corporate demand that you alluded to, Houston is a very marginal destination from an O&D perspective.

Quoting qf002 (Reply 123): It will be interesting to see how NZ does with AKL-IAH.

Probably very well given that it is a hub for United.

For NZ IAH is going to be the equivalent of DFW for QF, a route that they are almost guaranteed to fill as the massive connection opportunities can make up for a lack of O&D. QF doesn't have that benefit. Admittedly QF do have a fairly extensive interline with UA, and UA domestic tags often even show up on qantas.com, but that isn't much use for Frequent Flyer members who earn no points or status credits on those legs. It only really appeals to the price conscious passenger*

*Unsurprisingly SYD-SFO has much better O, Q, N inventory than SYD-LAX, so QF/SYD-SFO, UA/SFO-XXX has become quite a fairly popular option with the value-seekers recently.

http://www.qantasnewsroom.com.au/gal...ntas-historical-aircraft-liveries/

My tip is the V Jet Livery with the name of Sir Hudson Fysh (as worn by VH EBN)

[Edited 2015-10-18 22:25:08]

Quoting timtam (Reply 120):

Im not sure how open the Vietnamese govt would be to that. They were pretty hostile to JQ Pacific until VN took over the other 70%. A couple of execs know Vietnamese gaol cells too remember?!

MH I have thought might be happy to accept an experienced airline investor to help it build back to the black, and QF could get a good distribution hub out of KL into SE Asia. Though the risk on that is quite high.

Im not sure that QF is yet ready for more offshore investment after it's JQ HK experience.....

Quoting qf002 (Reply 123): It sounds like this will be one of the ZK registered aircraft?

I don't think so as I didn't think the Jetconnect aircraft were being refurbished? I think its just meant as a "we fly 737's across Australia and to New Zealand" and the media that will quote the article wouldn't know of Jetconnect and how its different.

Quoting travelhound (Reply 124): Wait and see!

There is nothing to wait and see for, though, QF acquiring anything is pure a.net creation in this very thread! Anything could happen but this 'speculation' is purely of our creation!

Quoting aryonoco (Reply 90): The age of the fleet only makes a difference to its maintenance bill, and however an airline manages that is not up to me, and as a passenger I don't particularly care about.

and to the fuel bill...
and to the amount of time out of service for maintenance...
and to cost associated with going tech more often than a newer a/c (same standard of mx)...

Quoting TN486 (Reply 127): Sir Hudson Fysh (as worn by VH EBN)

A reasonable guess, but VH-OQB is already named for Sir Hudson.

Is it too early for Geoff Dixon?   

Quoting XAM2175 (Reply 132): Is it too early for Geoff Dixon?

How about other more recent departures, like John Borghetti? 

Quoting Zkpilot (Reply 131):

And those "costs" are taken into account and weighed against the capital expenditure needed to purchase new aircraft. Any profit maximizing corporation should balance those costs and come up with the most prudent outcome, and not just buy shiny new toys for the sake of it. Reasonable minds can and do differ on what is prudent, and there really isn't a right or wong answer. Look to the US, United has staked the farm on acquiring as many 737-900ERs, MAXs, 787s and A350s ASAP (as an aside, Continental Airlines was always very highly leveraged with a relatively young fleet post-BK III), whereas Delta's knack of buying second hand aircraft is legendary. Not to knock United, but which one had a 21% margin last quarter?

Quoting allrite (Reply 133): How about other more recent departures, like John Borghetti?

JB's already naming a VA aircraft after himself  

QF doesn't want to be labelled a copycat now do they :P

Quoting XAM2175 (Reply 132): A reasonable guess, but VH-OQB is already named for Sir Hudson.

OOps, as I get older, I do have some memory lapses.

Quoting XAM2175 (Reply 132): A reasonable guess, but VH-OQB is already named for Sir Hudson. Is it too early for Geoff Dixon?

Hahahahaaaaa... Yes, I can see AJ allowing a Dixon inspired plane naming... Or maybe not!

Quoting SYDSpotter (Reply 135): Quoting allrite (Reply 133):How about other more recent departures, like John Borghetti? JB's already naming a VA aircraft after himself

I heard, from a reputable source at VA, he will be naming an entire sub-fleet after himself  

[Edited 2015-10-19 15:16:34]

Was scheduled to fly Jetstar SYD-MEL-SIN last Sunday but things didn't work out as planned and ended up flying QF down to MEL and VA back up to SYD again.

Some points from the trip (read the trip report for the details):

1) Shows the benefit of a LCC connected to a mainline carrier in that Jetstar could shift me to a Qantas flight when the original flight was cancelled.
2) Breakfasts on QF are generous, but I'm not sure an Aussiemite Cheese Scroll is a good thing to serve!
3) MEL International has real issues. The queues at immigration were horrendous, then empty later on!
4) Qantas International Business lounge is small and dark - will they ever move it to somewhere with windows?
5) The Virgin Australia domestic terminal in MEL is tiny and lacks adequate shopping and eating. Very unimpressive!
6) Shiny coats of paint on the outside doesn't mean your VA 738 is a new aircraft.
7) VA's Entertainment app works well, the map just needs more details. Have yet to try the Qantas equivalent (I use Android)
8) The afternoon snack was very small. Do they serve less than Qantas now on the same routes (different time of day so hard to compare)?
9) I should have been arriving back in Sydney in about 20 minutes time. Instead I'm back at work.

Out of the two trips I found the QF and VA experience much of a muchness and, without consideration of the fares, I'd have no reason to swap my main loyalty from the Qantas Group.

Quoting allrite (Reply 139): Qantas International Business lounge is small and dark - will they ever move it to somewhere with windows?

There is apparently a new suite of lounges currently under construction in T2. I understand NZ is moving into this area. I cannot imagine that QF wouldn't also look to move into this area which is above the concourse rather than below.

Quoting allrite (Reply 139): Shiny coats of paint on the outside doesn't mean your VA 738 is a new aircraft.

I think that applies to all airlines. I flew a repainted QF 738 a couple of weeks ago and there was a fair bit of disappointment voiced by boarding pax when they saw the standard of the seats and the lack of individual IFE.

Quoting allrite (Reply 139): VA's Entertainment app works well, the map just needs more details.

The map is good particularly as you can shrink and grow the map and actually work out where you are compared with the old seatback map on QF which sometimes seem to cover half a state.

Quoting allrite (Reply 139): The afternoon snack was very small. Do they serve less than Qantas now on the same routes (different time of day so hard to compare)?

At snack times, both airlines are pretty much the same. At meal times, QF is more generous though QF is less generous than it used to be since it swapped to the boxes.

Quoting allrite (Reply 139): The Virgin Australia domestic terminal in MEL is tiny and lacks adequate shopping and eating. Very unimpressive!

The VA terminal hasn't really changed much since the AN days though there are more food options now than there used to be. The Lounge is much improved however and is superior to the QF Club.

VA do not control or own the terminal. It is owned by the airport. There have been a number of plans put forward for T3 but it is a 43 year old facility so really it needs to be started from scratch. Having said that, T1 is also looking fairly tired. It was modified in the late '90s when the eastern concourse was added but it looks its age in parts also. The western concourse in T1 is also 43 years old.

The southern concourse in T3 is currently getting an extension but it probably won't overcome the main deficiencies of the terminal which is a lack of space for check-in and luggage collection. REX is about to move out but that won't help much.

Quoting tullamarine (Reply 140): The map is good particularly as you can shrink and grow the map and actually work out where you are compared with the old seatback map on QF which sometimes seem to cover half a state.

I missed place names. Google/Open/Nokia maps would be nice!  

Quoting tullamarine (Reply 140): VA do not control or own the terminal. It is owned by the airport. There have been a number of plans put forward for T3 but it is a 43 year old facility so really it needs to be started from scratch. Having said that, T1 is also looking fairly tired. It was modified in the late '90s when the eastern concourse was added but it looks its age in parts also. The western concourse in T1 is also 43 years old.

Ah yes, that's true. But it really doesn't help VA's cause when the experience in the Qantas part of the airport is superior (can't comment on the VA lounge as I no longer have access to their lounges). It just looks unfinished. I have happy memories from T1 and T2 (?) that retain some of their old exterior as that's where I caught my first flights (only a few years less than 43 ago) and greeted and farewell family members. I have a lot of fondness for airports that retain some historical feel to them.

I should also add two more points to my list:

10) The Melbourne Airport medical clinic is a total rip off. At least $100 upfront for a consultation.
11) The Jetstar International ground staff at Melbourne were wonderful. Couldn't have been nicer.

Quoting allrite (Reply 141): I missed place names

I'm pretty sure that the IOS version has place names as I have referred to the App when flying over a town and enjoyed identifying the town. I didn't realise they were any different

Quoting allrite (Reply 141): I have happy memories from T1 and T2 (?) that retain some of their old exterior as that's where I caught my first flights (only a few years less than 43 ago) and greeted and farewell family members.

I think T3 has the most of its original exterior still visible (right down to the dodgy lighting in the Virgin sign which played up back in AN days too). T1 has a bit. Most of T2 has gone as it has expanded and with the planned rebuild of T2 over the next few years, it will all be gone.

Quoting tullamarine (Reply 142): I'm pretty sure that the IOS version has place names as I have referred to the App when flying over a town and enjoyed identifying the town. I didn't realise they were any different

Just had a look at my screenshots. Many town names, the Blue Mountains and Cradle Mountain but not Mount Kosciuszko! I'm just being picky. I'm happy it has a map at all - wish Qantas did.

Quoting RyanairGuru (Reply 126): The difference being that SFO is the second or third largest O&D market to Australia (I can't remember whether San Francisco or New York is larger). Outside of the corporate demand that you alluded to, Houston is a very marginal destination from an O&D perspective.

Fair enough, but I would still stand by my original point (being that SYD-IAH seems more likely to be than SYD-ORD, assuming that traffic figures don't suddenly crash).

Quoting TruemanQLD (Reply 129): I don't think so as I didn't think the Jetconnect aircraft were being refurbished? I think its just meant as a "we fly 737's across Australia and to New Zealand" and the media that will quote the article wouldn't know of Jetconnect and how its different.

You are quite right, I guess QF does still send VH 738s across the Tasman from time to time so there is a remote chance of this one appearing in NZ at some stage!

I wonder then whether it will be an aircraft yet to get the new livery or if they will do one of the newer BSI frames.

Quoting 777Jet (Reply 138): I heard, from a reputable source at VA, he will be naming an entire sub-fleet after himself

Why stop there?

Quoting allrite (Reply 139): 3) MEL International has real issues. The queues at immigration were horrendous, then empty later on!

No different than any Australian airport in peak periods.

Certainly not isolated to MEL.

Quoting allrite (Reply 139): 5) The Virgin Australia domestic terminal in MEL is tiny and lacks adequate shopping and eating. Very unimpressive!

Its not ideal, but the new T4 next door broadens the offering considerably.

Quoting allrite (Reply 139): 4) Qantas International Business lounge is small and dark - will they ever move it to somewhere with windows?

Its larger than one expects actually given its location. No view is annoying though.

It was surprising to see a whole section that I missed even existed until just before I left.

Quoting tullamarine (Reply 140): VA do not control or own the terminal. It is owned by the airport. There have been a number of plans put forward for T3 but it is a 43 year old facility so really it needs to be started from scratch. Having said that, T1 is also looking fairly tired. It was modified in the late '90s when the eastern concourse was added but it looks its age in parts also. The western concourse in T1 is also 43 years old.

T1 isnt too bad. Fairly sterile, but has a fairly good retail selection, good view out of the food court windows and it does its job well.

Quoting IndianicWorld (Reply 145): No different than any Australian airport in peak periods. Certainly not isolated to MEL.

I've never experienced queues that bad departing Sydney. Had a long queue returning from overseas at customs and quarantine one morning, but that's understandably a slow process, especially when there are lots of inbound tourists from Asia. I've been in the airport plenty of different times of day too.

It took an hour to pass through security and immigration in MEL on Sunday and the queue wrapped its way around both sides of check in desks D and up to the corridor. Admittedly, that time included about 10-15 minutes when security just sto It's not a good look, though once on the other side is was dead quiet in many areas. I liked airside in the international terminal.  

Quoting allrite (Reply 146): I've never experienced queues that bad departing Sydney. Had a long queue returning from overseas at customs and quarantine one morning, but that's understandably a slow process, especially when there are lots of inbound tourists from Asia. I've been in the airport plenty of different times of day too.

I went via SYD last year and had the same thing happen while departing. Line took forever to clear and the reason was not enough desks were open. Same thing in this case I am sure.

With all the border force cuts and strikes it seems to be something that is becoming an issue across the country.

MEL's T2 isn't best served to handle the numbers it does now, but even when it is expanded significantly the same issues may well be common as the resourcing will not be available.

CX197 (HKG-AKL) diverted into SYD today due to engine no3 being shutdown in flight.

BNE wise we have an IL76 from Volga-Dnepr based here this week operating some flights to INU (Nauru). Very nice machine. Shame it's got the newer engines, not so noisy.
Some exciting movements in BNE next month. Freight related.

Edit: here is the IL76


[Edited 2015-10-20 05:09:12]

Quoting qf002 (Reply 144): Quoting RyanairGuru (Reply 126):The difference being that SFO is the second or third largest O&D market to Australia (I can't remember whether San Francisco or New York is larger). Outside of the corporate demand that you alluded to, Houston is a very marginal destination from an O&D perspective. Fair enough, but I would still stand by my original point (being that SYD-IAH seems more likely to be than SYD-ORD, assuming that traffic figures don't suddenly crash).

One issue I can see with ORD is that the route will basically be flying over the DFW fortress hub on the way to ORD.

Having said that, I can still see a non-stop to ORD being more likely than IAH for QF possibly one day just for the AA hub / connection factor alone. ORD will also have more O&D pax than the almost total star / UA dominated IAH market. As for connections, ORD will obviously offer better connections to some regions than DFW so a flight to ORD might also give pax more connecting options and attract some away from the DFW flight. A flight to IAH will pretty much be useless for any partner connections, especially with DFW up the road... I just can't see IAH working for QF, ever...   Sorry... The corporate spend alone won't be enough to sustain the flight with just a few O&D pax. DFW is just too close in distance as well as the hub issue. Heck, if QF had a bird with range, I could see JFK in the mix, so in that instance QF would fly non-stops to LAX, SFO, DFW, ORD & JFK. Houston is a big city, but the Dallas / Fort Worth metroplex is just too close and offers sooooooo much more to One World airlines...

Quoting qf002 (Reply 144): Quoting 777Jet (Reply 138):I heard, from a reputable source at VA, he will be naming an entire sub-fleet after himself Why stop there?

Hahaha good pic! But-Ugly livery though  

We could go even further in the chase for the world's ugliest livery and have his face all over the fuselage, kind of like that Scoot 789 with the Singapore 50 years stickers all over it that look like measles...

Quoting thai77w (Reply 148): here is the IL76

Nice!

I saw one in SYD last year and it looked a treat!