ATSB has released preliminary report into Essendon Airport crash

http://australianaviation.com.au/2017/0 ... ort-crash/

777LRF wrote:

What do we all think of the idea of QF restarting AKL-LAX? One of their more interesting routes they did but there's probably too much capacity with AA and UA on the route now.

Very low I'd say with AA as smi006 says. They did AKL-EZE and AKL-PPT and planned AKL-DFW back in the early 2000's plus AKL-CNS and AKL-ADL though at different times, QF were quite diverse with multiple daily 747's from AKL to several cities.

I personally can't see QF changing to much on the Tasman they have re entered CHC-MEL/BNE just more seasonal A330 flying where required I think for now. It would be nice if they could seperate their schedules from EK a bit particularly ex OZ to AKL, it is hard when you want to maximise your aircraft utilisation and crew turns, but SYD/MEL and BNE all have QF and EK flights at similar times in the morning. QF/JQ both do evening MEL flights from AKL/CHC returning as redeyes a few mins apart. And QF's evening MEL-AKL departs now at 1645 arrives AKL 2220, seems to early for business people given it used to depart at 1815/1830 or later. Same the am AKL-MEL leaves AKL at 0715 now arrives MEL 0925 seems to late for Business ppl, it was 0615 ex AKL over summer. Just a few inconsistencies.

Just had a look at QF schedules for July, QF will use 744 on SYD-AKL (QF141/144) from Sunday 9th July to Wednesday 11 July

QF will also operate A332 on PER-SIN (QF71/72) 5 days a week for the month of July, 738's will operate on Mondays and Fridays

qf789 wrote:

Just had a look at QF schedules for July, QF will use 744 on SYD-AKL (QF141/144) from Sunday 9th July to Wednesday 11 July

QF will also operate A332 on PER-SIN (QF71/72) 5 days a week for the month of July, 738's will operate on Mondays and Fridays

End of the lions rugby tour.

qf789 wrote:

Just had a look at QF schedules for July, QF will use 744 on SYD-AKL (QF141/144) from Sunday 9th July to Wednesday 11 July

QF will also operate A332 on PER-SIN (QF71/72) 5 days a week for the month of July, 738's will operate on Mondays and Fridays

The Trans Tasman 744's I think it is in conjunction with the British and Irish Lions Touring New Zealand.

I was privy to some information where the 744 is already half full of tour groups following the British and Irish Lions

And Qantas (strangely not New Zealand or even British Airways for that matter) is the official carrier.

http://www.lionsrugby.com

ZK-NBT wrote:

777LRF wrote:

What do we all think of the idea of QF restarting AKL-LAX? One of their more interesting routes they did but there's probably too much capacity with AA and UA on the route now.

Very low I'd say with AA as smi006 says. They did AKL-EZE and AKL-PPT and planned AKL-DFW back in the early 2000's plus AKL-CNS and AKL-ADL though at different times, QF were quite diverse with multiple daily 747's from AKL to several cities.

I personally can't see QF changing to much on the Tasman they have re entered CHC-MEL/BNE just more seasonal A330 flying where required I think for now. It would be nice if they could seperate their schedules from EK a bit particularly ex OZ to AKL, it is hard when you want to maximise your aircraft utilisation and crew turns, but SYD/MEL and BNE all have QF and EK flights at similar times in the morning. QF/JQ both do evening MEL flights from AKL/CHC returning as redeyes a few mins apart. And QF's evening MEL-AKL departs now at 1645 arrives AKL 2220, seems to early for business people given it used to depart at 1815/1830 or later. Same the am AKL-MEL leaves AKL at 0715 now arrives MEL 0925 seems to late for Business ppl, it was 0615 ex AKL over summer. Just a few inconsistencies.

There is certainly more they could be doing in WLG. WLG-BNE is a gap in their network leaving the route soley to VA. It would also be nice to see SYD upgauged to an A330 to provide wide-body connections to Europe/Asian services. And WLG-PER connecting with PER-LHR would work pretty well I imagine providing the only 1-stop to Europe.

777LRF wrote:

What do we all think of the idea of QF restarting AKL-LAX? One of their more interesting routes they did but there's probably too much capacity with AA and UA on the route now.

I'd say only if AA pulled out or another destination (SFO/DFW/JFK). Too much capacity into LAX between NZ and AA plus FJ/TN/HA

VA launches Economy X extra legroom seats

https://www.ausbt.com.au/virgin-austral ... room-seats

Has Qantas started putting some Australian based cabin crew on the DXB-LHR-DXB sectors again?

My last two flights on that sector have absolutely had Australian based crew on them - whereas 18 months ago they were all London based crew (indeed my neighbour in London works for QF as cabin crew).

VA to begin trials on inflight internet in April

https://www.ausbt.com.au/virgin-austral ... from-april

luftaom wrote:

Has Qantas started putting some Australian based cabin crew on the DXB-LHR-DXB sectors again?

My last two flights on that sector have absolutely had Australian based crew on them - whereas 18 months ago they were all London based crew (indeed my neighbour in London works for QF as cabin crew).

QF opens its London base to AU cabin crew to transfer up there whenever recruitment is due. QAL (legacy crew) had to accept conditions of QCCUK crew which generally meant a pay cut and no roster control. As did QCCA (new Gen, B-scale crew) but due to new contracts conditions were similar. I suppose as more and more QAL retire, more QCCA crew are willing to take up the transfer opportunities.

do believe some LHR crew have been doing trips to SYD/MEL and cross crewing ex-DXB also, must be some cost savings.

I wonder if QCCA crew or QAL crew will operate the 789? Or like NZ a new crew group?

smi0006 wrote:

luftaom wrote:

Has Qantas started putting some Australian based cabin crew on the DXB-LHR-DXB sectors again?

My last two flights on that sector have absolutely had Australian based crew on them - whereas 18 months ago they were all London based crew (indeed my neighbour in London works for QF as cabin crew).

QF opens its London base to AU cabin crew to transfer up there whenever recruitment is due.

This exactly. One of their recent transfer groups included 3 former colleagues of mine.

SQ207/208 will be operated daily with A359 from 12 May 17. Previously it was announced that the route would only see the A359 3 weekly while the other 4 times a week would be serviced by the 772.

http://www.routesonline.com/news/38/air ... perations/

qf789 wrote:

VA launches Economy X extra legroom seats

https://www.ausbt.com.au/virgin-austral ... room-seats

I couldn't see it in the article (unless I miss read) but does anyone know how they are achieving this to create the extra legroom? Are they removing a row of normal seats or reducing the seat pitch on all the standard seats?

747m8te wrote:

qf789 wrote:

VA launches Economy X extra legroom seats

https://www.ausbt.com.au/virgin-austral ... room-seats

I couldn't see it in the article (unless I miss read) but does anyone know how they are achieving this to create the extra legroom? Are they removing a row of normal seats or reducing the seat pitch on all the standard seats?

VA has nudged the bulkhead that separates business and economy forward slightly to create the extra room

a7ala wrote:

ZK-NBT wrote:

777LRF wrote:

What do we all think of the idea of QF restarting AKL-LAX? One of their more interesting routes they did but there's probably too much capacity with AA and UA on the route now.

Very low I'd say with AA as smi006 says. They did AKL-EZE and AKL-PPT and planned AKL-DFW back in the early 2000's plus AKL-CNS and AKL-ADL though at different times, QF were quite diverse with multiple daily 747's from AKL to several cities.

I personally can't see QF changing to much on the Tasman they have re entered CHC-MEL/BNE just more seasonal A330 flying where required I think for now. It would be nice if they could seperate their schedules from EK a bit particularly ex OZ to AKL, it is hard when you want to maximise your aircraft utilisation and crew turns, but SYD/MEL and BNE all have QF and EK flights at similar times in the morning. QF/JQ both do evening MEL flights from AKL/CHC returning as redeyes a few mins apart. And QF's evening MEL-AKL departs now at 1645 arrives AKL 2220, seems to early for business people given it used to depart at 1815/1830 or later. Same the am AKL-MEL leaves AKL at 0715 now arrives MEL 0925 seems to late for Business ppl, it was 0615 ex AKL over summer. Just a few inconsistencies.

There is certainly more they could be doing in WLG. WLG-BNE is a gap in their network leaving the route soley to VA. It would also be nice to see SYD upgauged to an A330 to provide wide-body connections to Europe/Asian services. And WLG-PER connecting with PER-LHR would work pretty well I imagine providing the only 1-stop to Europe.

Fair call re WLG-BNE, CHC-MEL/BNE have been added recently in the last 2 years. No way I can see a widebody on WLG-SYD its about frequency and would probably mean only 1 daily flight. WLG-PER hmm even longer shot, AKL-PER is seasonal 2 weekly.

I asked one of the crew in my cabin where they were based last week and the answer was 'Melbourne'. Must have been an anomaly in the scheduling for some reason or another.

ZK-NBT wrote:

AKL-PER is seasonal 2 weekly.

You mean CHC-PER?

qf789 wrote:

ZK-NBT wrote:

AKL-PER is seasonal 2 weekly.

You mean CHC-PER?

I think he means on QF.

NZ is twice weekly CHC-PER seasonal, and AKL-PER is 10-5 weekly depending on schedule. NZ targets some US traffic ex-PER, but I could still see JQ 3 weekly as a good market, but again no aircraft nor able to route them through PER/AKL. WLG-PER, don't know I can see it being sustainable. Maybe seasonal in 5-10years.

smi0006 wrote:

qf789 wrote:

ZK-NBT wrote:

AKL-PER is seasonal 2 weekly.

You mean CHC-PER?

I think he means on QF.

NZ is twice weekly CHC-PER seasonal, and AKL-PER is 10-5 weekly depending on schedule. NZ targets some US traffic ex-PER, but I could still see JQ 3 weekly as a good market, but again no aircraft nor able to route them through PER/AKL. WLG-PER, don't know I can see it being sustainable. Maybe seasonal in 5-10years.

Yes your right, for some reason I was thinking about NZ instead of QF. I agree that a WLG-PER flight seems very unlikely

The 2nd leg of yesterday's EK405 (MEL-SIN-DXB) was cancelled as a TZ 787 had an altercation with the EK A380 in SIN. More can be seen here

viewtopic.php?f=3&t=1359171

luftaom wrote:

I asked one of the crew in my cabin where they were based last week and the answer was 'Melbourne'. Must have been an anomaly in the scheduling for some reason or another.

The QF9 DXB-LHR-DXB sector was cancelled last week as a result of heavy rain, thunderstorms & hail in DXB. The aircraft had to nightstop in MCT as a result and probably explains the MEL based crew.

EK413

smi0006 wrote:

I wonder if QCCA crew or QAL crew will operate the 789? Or like NZ a new crew group?

Almost certainly QAAC. Adding yet another group (C-Scale?) would probably add more complexity than it's worth in cost savings, but sadly it looks likely that the Legacy QAL crew will basically retire with the 747 fleet. QAL will keep some A330 flying for so long as it takes for the final crew to retire, but the plan looks pretty clear for Domestic (in turn increasingly hired on casual/contract basis) to take over A330 operations and QAAC to take over long haul operations. The Domestic contract provides for sufficient duty time to fly anywhere within the A330's range and Domedtic already operate some Asia routes. I would assume that QAL keep HNL almost until the end due to US visa requirements, but ultimately it wouldn't be a huge deal for SYD-base Domestic crew to be issued US visas.



In other news I used the Preium Lounge Entry at BNE today for the first time and was very impressed with the private checkin, security etc. The Business Class lounge looks great from what I saw through the door but the Qantas Club is currently an absolute joke. Basically a cross between the old lounge and a construction site. The new lounge can't come soon enough.

RyanairGuru wrote:

smi0006 wrote:

I wonder if QCCA crew or QAL crew will operate the 789? Or like NZ a new crew group?

Almost certainly QAAC. Adding yet another group (C-Scale?) would probably add more complexity than it's worth in cost savings, but sadly it looks likely that the Legacy QAL crew will basically retire with the 747 fleet. QAL will keep some A330 flying for so long as it takes for the final crew to retire, but the plan looks pretty clear for Domestic (in turn increasingly hired on casual/contract basis) to take over A330 operations and QAAC to take over long haul operations. The Domestic contract provides for sufficient duty time to fly anywhere within the A330's range and Domedtic already operate some Asia routes. I would assume that QAL keep HNL almost until the end due to US visa requirements, but ultimately it wouldn't be a huge deal for SYD-base Domestic crew to be issued US visas.



In other news I used the Preium Lounge Entry at BNE today for the first time and was very impressed with the private checkin, security etc. The Business Class lounge looks great from what I saw through the door but the Qantas Club is currently an absolute joke. Basically a cross between the old lounge and a construction site. The new lounge can't come soon enough.

True! I suppose between them four scales two divisions plus 3-4 regional groups is a lot!! QAL can move over to the 380, but they loose their ability to bid for rosters, simply assigned. And maybe a slight drop in pay? Not sure. At some point they will be forced across or shrink enough where it becomes one pool.

When is the QF domestic BNE club due to be complete? LHR and AKL have gone quiet too. I wonder if they could trial premium checkin in MEL/SYD? SYD could support it through the smaller screening lane and if some offices shifted.

I thought that International (QAL to keep using that acronym) couldn't cross over to QAAC, only Domestic? Domestic can do a two year secondment to QAAC and then revert to their existing flying. And QAAC is a pretty decent pay cut and a 'quality of life' hit for a Legacy International crew.

One thing I forgot to mention before is that I wouldn't be surprised if LHR is also 787 trained and operate the PER route. Their costs are lower than QAAC, especially with the GBP in the toilet.

QF mainline have Long Haul QAL (legacy contract), Short Haul QAL (legacy contract), QCCA (B-scale Long Haul), QCCUK (LHR based C-scale), QD (B-scale Short Haul), Jetconnect Long Haul (NZ based C-scale Long Haul (737, 380, 747)), Jetconnect Short Haul (NZ based C-scale Short Haul International) and then the MAM Casuals (contracted Short Haul) operating on their aircraft. Short Haul QAL can do secondments to the A380, Mainline Long Haul (747/330), or LHR. QD can also do secondments to LHR. I don't believe Long Haul crew can do secondments to Short Haul though, I also don't know if Jetconnect or QCCA are offered LHR secondments.

As for the 787, there's chatter and whispers, but I would be surprised if it is a new contract. I believe the new LH QAL EBA (which has the QCCA EBA written into it) is due to be renegotiated this year. Makes most sense in my opinion to give it to the A380 QCCA's to increase crew utilisation, but we will see what happens!

qf789 wrote:

kriskim wrote:

Anyone know how MK is doing on its PER flights? Would love to see them back at MEL! There's still quite a large Mauritian community here in Melbourne, the largest in Australia I believe. Though I think MK did try to hold on to MEL for as long as it could before giving it the axe a few years ago.

MK will add a 3rd weekly service from July, previously its only been operated in peak periods

http://www.aviationwa.org.au/2016/09/22 ... and-a330s/

Load factors have been quite good especially during peak times, listed below are load factors (arrival/departure) for last 6 months of 2016

JUL 98%/92%
AUG 80%/79%
SEP 86%/83%
OCT 90%/72%
NOV 73%/75%
DEC 70%/99%

Pretty impressive figures.

Do MK not still have a code share agreement with VA which was put in place after the major cull of Australian and European destinations they had a few years ago?

Is it right in thinking that NZ is the only 767 passenger operator left in Australia?

If so today will mark the last 767 passenger service to/from Australia once NZ108 leaves SYD tonight for AKL.

zkncj wrote:

Is it right in thinking that NZ is the only 767 passenger operator left in Australia?

If so today will mark the last 767 passenger service to/from Australia once NZ108 leaves SYD tonight for AKL.

PX still operate their 767's to BNE and there are still the QF and DHL/Polar freighters, but I believe that's it.

Tassieboy wrote:

QF mainline have Long Haul QAL (legacy contract), Short Haul QAL (legacy contract), QCCA (B-scale Long Haul), QCCUK (LHR based C-scale), QD (B-scale Short Haul), Jetconnect Long Haul (NZ based C-scale Long Haul (737, 380, 747)), Jetconnect Short Haul (NZ based C-scale Short Haul International) and then the MAM Casuals (contracted Short Haul) operating on their aircraft. Short Haul QAL can do secondments to the A380, Mainline Long Haul (747/330), or LHR. QD can also do secondments to LHR. I don't believe Long Haul crew can do secondments to Short Haul though, I also don't know if Jetconnect or QCCA are offered LHR secondments.

As for the 787, there's chatter and whispers, but I would be surprised if it is a new contract. I believe the new LH QAL EBA (which has the QCCA EBA written into it) is due to be renegotiated this year. Makes most sense in my opinion to give it to the A380 QCCA's to increase crew utilisation, but we will see what happens!

Both QCCA and JC are able to do LHR secondments (typically 2 years).

RE MK & MEL: no way. MK did a huge network cull a few years back and MEL can't be justified. The former MEL service was politically motivated.

767: yup, just PX to BNE, I think aside from NZ, Shanghai Airlines to MEL on behalf of China Eastern was the only other operator, but gone now.

zkncj wrote:

Is it right in thinking that NZ is the only 767 passenger operator left in Australia?

If so today will mark the last 767 passenger service to/from Australia once NZ108 leaves SYD tonight for AKL.

I've noticed NZ pretty much make no fanfare over aircraft retirements, correct me if i'm wrong. But compared to the special flight QF did with their 767 and without a doubt they'll make a big deal about the 747 too. I wonder why that is? Ironic given that NZ have some of the most entertaining marketing and safety videos

777LRF wrote:

I've noticed NZ pretty much make no fanfare over aircraft retirements, correct me if i'm wrong.

Headline articles in all the papers with videos, and videos in the tv news, I'm not sure what more you want:

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news ... d=11829230

"Air New Zealand says goodbye to the Dreamliner of its time"

http://www.stuff.co.nz/travel/news/9104 ... al-journey

"Air New Zealand's Boeing 767 makes its final journey video"

http://www.newshub.co.nz/home/new-zeala ... t-767.html

"Air NZ farewells its last 767"

There are more if you're still not convinced.

mariner

mariner wrote:

Headline articles in all the papers with videos, and videos in the tv news, I'm not sure what more you want:

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news ... d=11829230

"Air New Zealand says goodbye to the Dreamliner of its time"

http://www.stuff.co.nz/travel/news/9104 ... al-journey

"Air New Zealand's Boeing 767 makes its final journey video"

http://www.newshub.co.nz/home/new-zeala ... t-767.html

"Air NZ farewells its last 767"

There are more if you're still not convinced.

mariner

I think he meant from Air NZ themselves, not just the media.

Any body have any idea whats happened to QF1 today? showing as unknown on FR24
QF flight tracker is showing OQB as operating the flight for both 30/3 & 31/1 ??

AN767

An767 wrote:

Any body have any idea whats happened to QF1 today? showing as unknown on FR24
QF flight tracker is showing OQB as operating the flight for both 30/3 & 31/1 ??

AN767

OQB is showing like that because the SYD-DXB is operated on the 30/3 and DXB-LHR is operating the following day as it usually does.

QF's website lists todays QF1 delayed to an 8am departure tomorrow to arrive in DXB around 1505, it is then scheduled to depart DXB at 1640 with an arrival time into LHR of 2100, it is then scheduled to depart LHR at 2230 as QF2.

Tonights QF9 which will arrive LHR tomorrow will do a quick turn around and depart as QF10 though it is scheduled to depart at 1600, usual departure time is 1330

qf789 wrote:

An767 wrote:

Any body have any idea whats happened to QF1 today? showing as unknown on FR24
QF flight tracker is showing OQB as operating the flight for both 30/3 & 31/1 ??

AN767

OQB is showing like that because the SYD-DXB is operated on the 30/3 and DXB-LHR is operating the following day as it usually does.

QF's website lists todays QF1 delayed to an 8am departure tomorrow to arrive in DXB around 1505, it is then scheduled to depart DXB at 1640 with an arrival time into LHR of 2100, it is then scheduled to depart LHR at 2230 as QF2.

Tonights QF9 which will arrive LHR tomorrow will do a quick turn around and depart as QF10 though it is scheduled to depart at 1600, usual departure time is 1330

Thanks QF789 I realised the OQB thing to late to re edit post. So whats happened to QF1 for the huge delay? I suppose some pax have been put on EK if they have space.
Quick turn around for 9 / 10 tomorrow

AN767

The April edition of the Australian Aviation thread is now open for discussion. Please continue to add your comments there.

viewtopic.php?f=3&t=1359291