Re: Australian Aviation Thread - April 2021

I'm in a rush as my family is in the US and other than on Teams video calls, I haven't seen them since early January 2020. I have a big birthday coming up this year and I'm thinking about what to do. I'm thinking of a trip up to Darwin, never been up there. And over the week use that as a way to ex...

Re: Australian Aviation Thread- February 2021

Wonder if they will be QF branded? Shows the 717 is a good fit capacity wise, but probably struggles on range. I suspect we won’t see QF replace the 717s but perhaps see Cobham, national jet or Alliance pick up more E190s for the contract. I've caught a couple of Alliance operated Fokkers on the Ce...

Re: Australian Aviation Thread - January 2021

I'd say a July restart for travel to anywhere but the most select of destinations is overly optimistic. As discussed by experts, including those involved in the vaccine rollout, there is uncertainty whether the vaccine stops the spread of the virus or just mitigates its severity. The latter does app...

Re: Australian Aviation Thread - September 2020

Claims that Virgin Australia cleared a pilot to fly for three years, despite him telling them that he was not mentally fit for duty.

https://www.theklaxon.com.au/home/suicidal-virgin-pilot-cleared-by-airline-doctors-for-three-years

Re: Australian Aviation Thread - August 2020

An Alliance Fokker F70 just flew low over our house this evening as QQ3391 between Sydney Kingsford Smith and Bankstown airports. Very short hop! Just repositioning or something more? https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/kopa27RQI4p8dcbsU2wsHtNsVhCIy7bWmcZqbvBpZ6ShEku095WdAYIMXn883nInmpeMiQt7gssqs4AThD...

Re: Australian Aviation Thread - August 2020

Here's a sobering thought. Virtually every passenger flying into or out of Australia right now is probably either fleeing COVID-19 for home or is travelling to see a loved one in a bad way. How miserable must those flights be? Actually the majority of passengers travelling in or out of Australia wo...

Re: Australian Aviation Thread - August 2020

Here's a sobering thought. Virtually every passenger flying into or out of Australia right now is probably either fleeing COVID-19 for home or is travelling to see a loved one in a bad way. How miserable must those flights be?

Re: Australian Aviation Thread - July 2020

Technically VH-OJA counts as a four engined aircraft remaining in Australian soil. So does the 747-200 and 707 at the Qantas Founders Museum in Longreach Given all three have been removed from the active register, it is fair to say they don't count but I do believe there are still a few BAe146 flyi...

Re: Australian Aviation Thread - July 2020

Are the any updated details for Qantas' last 747 to fly out of Sydney tomorrow, 22nd July? According to https://www.executivetraveller.com/news/qantas-boeing-747-retirement-flights-for-sydney-brisbane-canberra the scheduled departure is 2pm. Ideas for good spotting locations? The article says it wi...

Re: Australian Aviation Thread - July 2020

Are the any updated details for Qantas' last 747 to fly out of Sydney tomorrow, 22nd July? According to https://www.executivetraveller.com/news/qantas-boeing-747-retirement-flights-for-sydney-brisbane-canberra the scheduled departure is 2pm. Ideas for good spotting locations? The article says it wil...

Re: Australian Aviation Thread - July 2020

One problem with doing this is that it will provide a motivation for people to leave their homes and congregate in places where it will be good to view it from. Unfortunately for that reason i think they won't be able to do such a flyover. Considering that Melbourne is fairly flat most could probab...

Re: Australian Aviation Thread - July 2020

Seems like tickets for the Qantas 747 farewell flights are not on sale right on midday. Anyone else having luck? I can't find any links or anything... Link didn't appear until about 12:10 then already said sold out for Sydney then all other cities sold out in a couple more minutes... Oh well, I got...

Re: Australian Aviation Thread - July 2020

So, apparently today's the day and midday's the hour to book the final QF 747 flights. Anybody heard a peep from Qantas about how to actually go about it?

Re: Australian Aviation Thread - June 2020

After watching 4 Corners tonight I got the impression Rex would be transporting barrels of pork around. Wonder if they would be interested in targeting the National's resources benefactors as well as the farmers/rural workers. With regards to Virgin, it was an interesting program. I have long argued...

Re: Qantas Antarctica Flight 2018 – Part 2 | Queen of the Skies - Boeing 747-438ER VH-OEJ | MEL - ZZF - HBA

Thank you for the coda on this sad day in Qantas' story. You are fortunate indeed to have had the Antarctic experience on their 747. I realise that it is five years since I last flew on a 747 (Qantas). Just have to make do with the aircraft in Wollongong and Longreach. I guess the 717's are the last...

Re: Australian Aviation Thread - June 2020

The long range A35Js that QF want are years away. If we are still as hesitant about international travel by the time these are available, it is safe to say the entire global aviation industry will have collapsed so the whole concept would be probably moot. I think though it increases the propensity...

Re: Australian Aviation Thread - June 2020

According to Executive Traveller Alan Joyce remains confident that Project Sunrise will proceed and that Airbus has agreed to delay the A350s. In my opinion, point to point travel may make sense in the nearer term as it enables you to fly directly to destinations bypassing potential hotspots and tra...

Re: Australian Aviation Thread - June 2020

I consider myself healthy, let me to you my wife & I have no plans to jump on a plane in any great hurry... With QF’s announcement I’d expect things to get worse before they get better... Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk From what I have read there is increasing evidence that even milder case...

Re: Virgin Australia to enter voluntary administration

The only value is to someone who prefers not to deal with QF/JQ. AN was far better than VA, but those were different times. Anyway, this drawn out saga might be over in 2 weeks if the cash runs out and liquidation becomes the default option. Agreed. If it were possible the name that the new airline...

Re: Australian Aviation Thread - May 2020

Don’t take this wrong way but it really amuses me that with everything that is going on right now and thousands of crew stood down or possibly out of a job the pronunciation of beverages (past present or future) is of any importance. As long as the crew, unpolished or not, can save your life that r...

Re: Australian Aviation Thread - May 2020

Each state has its own health authority, so working together can be hard enough, but once you go out of the house you are exposed to more strangers. Each state's CHO as a member of the AHPPC (Australian Health Protection Principal Committee) along with the Federal CMO. They have advised that travel...

Re: Australian Aviation Thread - May 2020

The major reasons for preventing travel are that it exposes people to a wider range of contacts and that contact tracing becomes a lot more difficult. Each state has its own health authority, so working together can be hard enough, but once you go out of the house you are exposed to more strangers. ...

Re: Australian Aviation Thread - April 2020

Most in the aviation industry (airlines, airports, MX, etc) have already established credit committees, composed of selected senior management, advisors, banks, lessors and other major creditors. Banks, lessors and creditors not directly represented (or too remote / unable to travel) nominate reps ...

Re: Qantas Antarctica Flight 2018 – Part 2 | Queen of the Skies - Boeing 747-438ER VH-OEJ | MEL - ZZF - HBA

I must say, when the air travel ceased, as I know you, like me, live near an airport - it was different. Now it's just eerie. I go outside, sit down, and look up - and there is nothing there. There's nearly always something there - it is under the second busiest flight path in the world. It's an al...

Re: Australian Aviation Thread - April 2020

I hate to be pessimistic, but I feel that was dreamed up in someone's head. If those parties do show up then I think it will only be to look at the books. Only the Qatari Government (QR) or Chinese Government (MU) would have the ability to throw down $4 billion or so in the current environment, and...

Re: Qantas Antarctica Flight 2018 – Part 2 | Queen of the Skies - Boeing 747-438ER VH-OEJ | MEL - ZZF - HBA

Thank you so much for sharing part 2. It's lovely to read a detailed report with so many wonderful photos that makes you feel like you are along for the ride, especially at a time like this when we are trapped indoors. Vast vistas of almost uninhabited land, deserts of sand, rock or ice, are so beau...

Re: Australian Aviation Thread - March 2020

Some photos from the last QF 747 flight from Chile https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/VvY19egA15zGEdstizYnQZnj_JkSbTY5LiA4pNg0Q2LMy9hR31PWs4jpP6hw1JoT0VT61u6ZS2ELRyGWG-nStWaGFLkl0_tLFLw4LGNC6DihP_IFTAgpCwK1wXpGJrAcL64njcfIvE3ZUCujy0-3SO2n81zH594IBlF9ACIP-Vq5Zv_C7nvFvUC4dvIP8GQ0MyTKUMsSOXs_McGRbDYWG3w...

Re: Australian Aviation Thread - March 2020

Channel 7 is today claiming that this morning's QF26 was the last Qantas 747 flight before retirement. Anyone know if that's true (my trust level in the station is exceeding low)?

Very sad if it doesn't get a proper farewell when this dies down.

Re: Australian Aviation Thread - March 2020

Insist on a refund, they never offer it first - directing people to credits - but if you insist, you can get cash I'm in a similar situation with JQ, my flight PER-SYD next month has been cancelled but I'm yet to receive official notification plus alternate offers. I've searched through both JQ's a...

Re: Australian Aviation Thread - March 2020

Has anyone cancelled and not yet received a voucher or any notification? I cancelled by starting the process through the app, but the flight is still showing as per normal there. If I search for the flight booking on the QF site now it says page can’t be found or something like this so the booking ...

Re: Australian Aviation Thread - March 2020

I wonder what the result of all those Qantas cancellations being turned into travel vouchers will be once passengers can travel again. Will there be a mini resurgence in travel as passengers attempt to convert them to trips? Will fare increases mean they effectively lose a lot of value? Or will Qant...

Re: TWA Hotel and Virgin Economy Delight aboard the A350

Fascinating to see the contrast between the years and the way that history has been preserved. Great report!

Re: Eurus Australis: one afternoon of travelling across South-Eastern Australia during that summer of 2019-20

It was not my intention to do a report on these short routine trips. However, amid a season of unprecedented weather, and my first go-around in a commercial airliner, I felt the need to share my thoughts. This is also why I haven’t got a lot of photos for a trip report, by my own standards. The amo...

Re: Australian Aviation Thread - February 2020

The Australian is reporting that JQ is touting 3 788s for sale. Apparently this is because they operate loss making routes thought to be SYD-HNL, MEL-HNL and OOL-NRT. Sale would mean 50 pilots would be made redundant or demoted so whether this is a serious sale campaign or an attempt to force pilot...

Re: Ryanair London to Frankfurt

Thanks for another interesting report! I stayed at Hotel Bristol, which is a little boutique hotel near the Hauptbahnhof. It was fun hiring an electric scooter to get there! The rooms are clean, it offers a nice weekend brunch (free for residents) and has a really nice little cocktail bar with a DJ....

Re: Australian Aviation Thread - December 2019

Travel between Australia and Japan has really boomed over the last few years. I count about 7 daily flights which have been added in the last few years alone! Ah, the good old days before so many tourists and you could score some really good Jetstar deals even during school holidays. I still go at ...

Re: Australian Aviation Thread - December 2019

An anecdote about Qantas' ultra-longhaul flights. I know that it's only one data point, but I have a friend who has to travel frequently between Australia, the US and Europe as a partner in a boutique investment bank. Most trips tend to be short in duration, often incorporating destinations. Despite...

Re: Australian Aviation Thread - November 2019

A retiring British Airways 747 breaks record for shortest ever jumbo flight - https://www.traveller.com.au/a-retiring-british-airways-747-breaks-record-for-shortest-ever-jumbo-flight-h1jydx Reckon Qantas will be upset at losing this one after landing VH-OJA at HARS? Project Sunset test with a Qantas...

Re: Australian Aviation Thread - November 2019

Speaking to a passenger who is unable to understand instructions for what ever reason, be it language or disability should be handled with care by crew (and 99.9% of Qantas crew are professionals at doing this) the use of the emergency cards and hand gestures is usually the way to communicate and w...

Re: Australian Aviation Thread - November 2019

These situations are extremely difficult for all involved, as perception is something that seems to be a key ingredient in events and the interpretation of what transpired. We weren’t on the plane, so we can’t know what happened and how each individual involved acted, but will.i.am has certainly ma...

Re: 26 years of Sydney to Hong Kong - Cathay Pacific 1993/4; 2018 & Virgin Australia 2019. Have things changed for the b

I love your historical reports and the links to the old videos. In my economy flights on Cathay (2007, 2010) I found their mains to be very disappointing, so that seems to be consistent with your reports. The personal IFE video (just in business/first?) back in 1994 is interesting. My first internat...

Re: Jewels and Durians: With Qantas to Singapore and Malaysia

I agree - gazing at the stars and clouds for me. My interest has waned for the former since moving to a metropolitan area. Not quite the same. The plane spotting makes up for it though. :goodvibes: Thanks again for posting. Look forward to the next one. It's always astonishing to get out of the cit...

Re: Australian Aviation Thread - November 2019

Does anyone here have any experience of what it's like flying into AVV on an A320 when things get a bit windy? Trying to work out what it may be like tomorrow. My last few experiences flying into MEL haven't been the most pleasant. Melbourne weather doesn't look the nicest over the next couple of da...

Re: Australian Aviation Thread - November 2019

Sydney Airport to get an Aerotel in early 2020. Plaza Premium Group will build the 600 sq m short stay hotel within the international arrivals hall. They are also in negotiations with Melbourne Airport. Link: https://www.commercialrealestate.com.au/news/pay-by-the-hour-sydney-airport-to-get-countrys...

Re: Australian Aviation Thread - October 2019

IndianicWorld wrote:

I am sure by the time stakeholders have had their say, it will be more akin to a functional but uninspiring tin shed than anything grand if we look at past examples. Airlines don’t want a Taj Mahal as that will only increase their usage costs.

Re: Australian Aviation Thread - October 2019

Concept designs for the new Sydney West Airport have been released: https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/first-glimpse-of-terminal-building-at-sydney-s-new-5-billion-airport-20191027-p534mn.html https://static.ffx.io/images/$zoom_0.42%2C$multiply_1.06%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_26%2C$y_0/t_crop_c...

Re: Flying with Korea's Short-Lived Air Philip, Gimpo-Gwangju, October 2018

Looks like a very pleasant flight with some lovely photos. I'd never heard of the airline (A.net features highly in Google searches for it) and it seems such an odd name, which it couldn't live up to, being unable to Phil their flights.

Re: Penang Weekend Jaunt via TR and 3K

Nice report, but one I dare not show my wife due to all the Penang food photos. Interesting how the lounge option lacked much in the way of local cuisine.

Re: Australian Aviation Thread - October 2019

The other thread about a proposal to build a sea wall around SFO made me wonder what/when Australian airports will do to handle rising sea levels. SYD is clearly the most exposed, but BNE could be at risk as well, especially as it is basically built on a mangrove swamp so liquidation could be a con...

Re: Jewels and Durians: With Qantas to Singapore and Malaysia

I agree with another comment, and say this could be your best yet. Thanks for taking us along. Thank you! My philosophy is that travel should not just be about getting from A to B. The journey itself should mean something. Even on a regular commute you should look out the window and observe how the...