Welcome to the December edition of the Australian Aviation Thread. Please continue to add your comments below. Link to last thread viewtopic.php?f=3&t=1377599

Link to QF Fleet Thread

viewtopic.php?f=3&t=1368283

Latest on QF 787-9's

VH-ZNA (Great Southern Land) delivered
VH-ZNB currently on Boeing Flight Line, first flight expected in next few days
VH-ZNC currently in final assembly
VH-ZND parts should arrive at Boeing later this month
Planned Delivery dates - #2 - 12 December, #3 - 22 January, #4 - 15 February 18, #5 - 12 July 18, #6 - 24 August 18, #7 - 13 November, #8 - 26 November
Domestic sectors to be operated 1 November to 14 December - PER-MEL and MEL-SYD (services also runs on selected dates mid Feb to late March)
MEL-LAX (QF95/96) from 15 Dec - 6 weekly, 5 weekly 3 May -27 June 18
MEL-LAX (QF93/94) will see 3 weekly A388 and 2 weekly 789 12 Feb -24 March 18
MEL-PER-LHR from 24 March 18
BNE will be base for frames 5-8
First BNE based 789 will be named Great Barrier Reef

CA will increase PEK-MEL from 3 weekly to 4 weekly for NS18 and CTU-SYD will see A333 operate instead of A332

https://www.routesonline.com/news/38/ai ... f-30nov17/

Effective 18 Dec 17 Qantas will expand codeshare with Srilankan

https://www.routesonline.com/news/38/ai ... -dec-2017/

smi0006 wrote:

Yeah interesting where the divided between a QF & JQ is. Noticed on a recent JQ flight small items were QF branded too. And know a friend employed by QF in LAX who was sent to HNL to cover both QF and JQ flights.

However back to the point JQ/QF do seem to handle a crisis well, they get complaints about disrupts though. Recent DXB ones a few months back one wonders if this response in a disruptisn’t the national sport of slagging QF.

I think VA cancelled flights yesterday and today - no launch flights launched. Will be a nightmare to clear the back log!

In the DXB case, didn't QF end up chartering an EK A380 to get them home? Not saying they never have disrupts and that everyone's treated perfectly, but they certainly seem to do better than most. I know from my own disrupt situation on JQ, I was put on a QF flight 4 hours later which was, relatively, a great fix.

Just a head's up, the tentative delivery dates for the remaining QF 787-9's have been adjusted

Does anyone know if pacific headwinds are stronger in the southern winter or summer?

Here's the updated QF fleet list. To my knowledge there 17 737-800's with WIFI installed, only have 16 on my list, if anyone knows the other one could you please let me know

A332

VH-EBA (28J/243Y – Cradle Mountain) Qantas 2007 Livery
VH-EBB (28J/243Y – Albany) Qantas 2007 Livery
VH-EBC (28J/243Y – Surfers Paradise) Qantas 2007 Livery
VH-EBD (28J/243Y – Tralalgon) Qantas 2007 Livery
VH-EBE (28J/243Y – Kangaroo Valley) Qantas 2007 Livery
VH-EBF (28J/243Y – King Valley) Qantas 2007 Livery
VH-EBG (36J/199Y – Barossa Valley) Qantas 2007 Livery
VH-EBJ (28J/243Y – Margaret River) Qantas 2007 Livery
VH-EBK (28J/243Y – Savannah Way) Qantas 2007 Livery
VH-EBL (36J/199Y – Whitsundays) Qantas 2007 Livery
VH-EBM (28J/243Y – Tamar Valley) Qantas 2007 Livery
VH-EBN (28J/243Y – Clare Valley) Qantas 2007 Livery
VH-EBO (28J/243Y – Kimberley) Qantas 2007 Livery
VH-EBP (28J/243Y – Ningaloo Reef) Qantas 2007 Livery
VH-EBQ (28J/243Y – Wolgan Valley) Qantas 2007 Livery
VH-EBR (28J/243Y – Lockyer Valley) Qantas 2007 Livery
VH-EBS (28J/243Y – Swan Valley) Qantas 2007 Livery
VH-EBV (28j/243Y – Kangaroo Island) Qantas 2007 Livery/Oneworld

A333

VH-QPA (28J/269Y – Kununnurra) Qantas 2007 Livery
VH-QPB (28J/269Y – Tennant Creek) Qantas 2007 Livery
VH-QPC (28J/269Y – Broken Hill) Qantas 2007 Livery
VH-QPD (28J/269Y – Port Macquarie) Qantas 2007 Livery
VH-QPE (28J/269Y – Port Lincoln) Qantas 2007 Livery
VH-QPF (28J/269Y – Esperance) Qantas 2007 Livery
VH-QPG (28J/269Y – Mt Gambier) Qantas 2007 Livery
VH-QPH (28J/269Y – Noosa) Qantas Silveroo Livery
VH-QPI (28J/269Y – Cairns) Qantas Silveroo Livery
VH-QPJ (28J/269Y – Port Stephens) Qantas Silveroo Livery/Rainbow Roo

A388

VH-OQA (14F/64J/35W/371Y – Nancy Bird Walton) Qantas 2007 Livery
VH-OQB (14F/64J/35W/371Y – Hudson Fysh) Qantas 2007 Livery
VH-OQC (14F/64J/35W/371Y – Paul McGuiness) Qantas 2007 Livery
VH-OQD (14F/64J/35W/371Y – Fergus McMaster) Qantas 2007 Livery
VH-OQE (14F/64J/35W/371Y – Lawrence Hargrave) Qantas 2007 Livery
VH-OQF (14F/64J/35W/371Y – Charles Kingsford Smith) Qantas 2007 Livery
VH-OQG (14F/64J/35W/371Y – Charles Ulm) Qantas 2007 Livery
VH-OQH (14F/64J/35W/371Y – Reginald Ansett) Qantas 2007 Livery
VH-OQI (14F/64J/35W/371Y – David Warren) Qantas 2007 Livery
VH-OQJ (14F/64J/35W/371Y – Bert Hinkler) Qantas 2007 Livery
VH-OQK (14F/64J/35W/371Y – John & Reginald Duigan) Qantas 2007 Livery
VH-OQL (14F/64J/35W/371Y – Phyllis Arnott) Qantas 2007 Livery


717-200

VH-NXD (125Y) QantasLink 2007 Livery
VH-NXE (125Y) QantasLink 2007 Livery
VH-NXG (125Y) QantasLink 2007 Livery
VH-NXH (125Y) QantasLink 2007 Livery
VH-NXI (12J98Y) QantasLink 2007 Livery
VH-NXJ (12J/98Y) QantasLink 2007 Livery
VH-NXK (125Y) QantasLink 1984 Livery
[/color]VH-NXL (125Y) QantasLink 1984 Livery
[/color]VH-NXM (125Y) QantasLink 1984 Livery
[/color]VH-NXN (125Y) QantasLink 2007 Livery
VH-NXO (125Y) QantasLink 2007 Livery
VH-NXQ (12J/98Y) QantasLink 2007 Livery
VH-NXR (12J/98Y) QantasLink 2007 Livery
VH-YQS (12J/98Y) QantasLink 2007 Livery
VH-YQT (12J/98Y) QantasLink 2007 Livery
VH-YQU (12J/98Y) QantasLink 2007 Livery
VH-YQV (12J/98Y) QantasLink 2007 Livery
VH-YQW (12J/98Y) QantasLink 2007 Livery (Visit Tasmania/Tassie Devil)
VH-YQX (12J/98Y) QantasLink 2007 Livery
VH-YQY (12J/98Y) QantasLink 2007 Livery

737-800

VH-VXA (12J/162Y - Broome) Qantas 2007 Livery
VH-VXB (12J/162Y - Yananyi) Qantas 2007 Livery
VH-VXC (12J/162Y – Gippsland) Qantas 2007 Livery
VH-VXD (12J/162Y – Tenterfield) Qantas 2007 Livery
VH-VXE (12J/162Y – Coffs Harbour) Qantas 2007 Livery
VH-VXF (12J/162Y – Sunshine Coast) Qantas 2007 Livery
VH-VXG (12J/162Y – Port Douglas) Qantas 2007 Livery
VH-VXH (12J/162Y – Warnambool) Qantas 2007 Livery
VH-VXI (12J/162Y – Oodnadatta) Qantas 2007 Livery
VH-VXJ (12J/162Y – Coober Pedy) Qantas 2007 Livery
VH-VXK (12J/162Y – Katherine) Qantas 2007 Livery
VH-VXL (12J/162Y – Charleville) Qantas 2007 Livery
VH-VXM (12J/162Y – Mount Hotham) Qantas Silveroo Livery
VH-VXN (12J/162Y – Fremantle) Qantas 2007 Livery
VH-VXO (12J/162Y – Kakadu) Qantas 2007 Livery
VH-VXP (12J/162Y – Logan) Qantas 2007 Livery
VH-VXQ (12J/162Y – Redlands) RetroRoo II
VH-VXR (12J/162Y – Shepparton) Qantas 2007 Livery
VH-VXS (12J/162Y – St Helens) Qantas 2007 Livery
VH-VXT (12J/162Y – Townsville) Qantas 2007 Livery
VH-VXU (12J/162Y – Wollongong) Qantas 2007 Livery
VH-VYA (12J/162Y – Narooma) Qantas 2007 Livery
VH-VYB (12J/162Y – Cape Otway) Qantas 2007 Livery
VH-VYC (12J/162Y – Arnhem Land) Qantas 2007 Livery
VH-VYD (12J/162Y – Eudunda) Qantas Silveroo Livery
VH-VYE (12J/162Y – Alice Springs) Qantas Silveroo Livery
VH-VYF (12J/162Y – Evandale) Qantas 1984 Livery
VH-VYG (12J/162Y – Australind) Qantas Silveroo Livery
VH-VYH (12J/162Y – Queanbeyan) Qantas Silveroo Livery
VH-VYI (12J/162Y – Bathurst Island) Qantas 1984 Livery
VH-VYJ (12J/162Y – Cann River) Qantas 1984 LIvery
VH-VYK (12J/162Y – Moree) Qantas 1984 Livery
VH-VYL (12J/162Y – Wangaratta) Qantas 1984 Livery
VH-VZA (12J/162Y – Port Augusta) Qantas 2007 Livery
VH-VZB (12J/162Y – Lake Macquarie) Qantas 2007 Livery
VH-VZC (12J/162Y – Innisfail) Qantas 2007 Livery
VH-VZD (12J/162Y – Geelong) Qantas 2007 Livery
VH-VZE (12J/162Y – Bunbury) Qantas 2007 Livery
VH-VZF (12J/162Y - Ballarat) Qantas 2007 Livery
VH-VZL (12J/162Y – Newcastle) Qantas 2007 Livery WIFI
VH-VZM (12J/162Y – Bathurst) Qantas 2007 Livery
VH-VZO (12J/162Y – Bendigo) Qantas Silveroo Livery WIFI
VH-VZP (12J/162Y – Whyalla) Qantas 2007 Livery
VH-VZR (12J/162Y – Coral Bay) Qantas Silveroo Livery
VH-VZS (12J/162Y – Tamworth) Qantas 2007 Livery WIFI
VH-VZT (12J/162Y – Kalgoorlie) Qantas 2007 Livery WIFI
VH-VZU (12J/162Y – Lorne) Qantas 2007 Livery
VH-VZV (12J/162Y – Palm Cove) Qantas 2007 Livery WIFI
VH-VZW (12J/162Y – Beaconsfield) Qantas Silveroo Livery
VH-VZX (12J/162Y – Daylesford) Qantas 2007 Livery
VH-VZY (12J/162Y – Temora) Qantas 2007 Livery
VH-VZZ (12J/162Y – Walpole) Qantas 2007 Livery
VH-XZA (12J/162Y – Leeton) Qantas 2007 Livery WIFI
VH-XZB (12J/162Y – Mudgee) Qantas 2007 Livery WIFI
VH-XZC (12J/162Y – Walwa) Qantas 2007 Livery WIFI
VH-XZD (12J/162Y – Moranbah) Qantas 2007 Livery
VH-XZE (12J/162Y – Pine Creek) Qantas 2007 Livery WIFI
VH-XZF (12J/162Y – Cygnet) Qantas 2007 Livery WIFI
VH-XZG (12J/162Y – Bungendore) Qantas 2007 Livery
VH-XZH (12J/162Y – McLaren Vale) Qantas 2007 Livery WIFI
VH-XZI (12J/162Y – Kalbarri) Qantas 2007 Livery
VH-XZJ (12J/162Y – Mendoorwoorrji) Mendoorwoorrji
VH-XZK (12J/162Y – Cook) Qantas 2007 Livery
VH-XZL (12J/162Y – Flinders) Qantas 2007 Livery WIFI
VH-XZM (12J/162Y – Coonawarra) Qantas 2007 Livery WIFI
VH-XZN (12J/162Y – Wagga Wagga) Qantas 2007 Livery WIFI
VH-XZO (12J/162Y – Leichhardt) Qantas 2007 Livery WIFI
VH-XZP (12J/162Y- James Strong) RetroRoo WIFI
ZK-ZQB (12J/162Y – Sir William Hudson) Qantas 2007 Livery
ZK-ZQC (12J/162Y – Katherine Mansfield) Qantas 2007 Livery
ZK-ZQD (12J/162Y – Sir Edmund Hillary) Qantas 2007 Livery
ZK-ZQE (12J/162Y – William Pickering) Qantas 2007 Livery
ZK-ZQF (12J/162Y – Abel Tasman) Qantas 2007 Livery
ZK-ZQG (12J/162Y – Ernest Rutherford) Qantas 2007 Livery
ZK-ZQH (12J/162Y – Charles Upham) Qantas 2007 Livery

747-400

VH-OEB (14F/52J/32W/255Y – Phillip Island) Qantas 2007 Livery Retirement Due 2018
VH-OEE (58J/36W/270Y – Nullabor) Qantas 2007 Livery
VH-OEF (58J/36W/270Y – Sydney) Qantas 2007 Livery/Oneworld
VH-OEG (58J/36W/270Y – Parkes) Qantas 2007 Livery
VH-OEH (58J/36W/270Y – Hervey Bay) Qantas 2007 Livery
VH-OEI (58J/36W/270Y – Ceduna) Qantas 2007 Livery
VH-OEJ (58J/36W/270Y – Wunula) Qantas 2007 Livery
VH-OJS (58J/36W/270Y – Hamilton Island) Qantas 2007 Livery Retirement Due 2018
VH-OJT (58J/36W/270Y – Fraser Island) Qantas 2007 Livery Retirement Due 2018
VH-OJU (58J/36W/270Y – Lord Howe Island) Qantas 2007 Livery Retirement Due 2018

787-9
VH-ZNA (42J/28W/166Y - Great Southern Land) Qantas Silveroo Livery
VH-ZNB (42J/28W/166Y) Delivery 12/12/17
VH-ZNC (42J/28W/166Y) Delivery 22/1/18
VH-ZND (42J/28W/166Y) Delivery 15/2/18
VH-ZNE (42J/28W/166Y) Delivery 12/7/18 Expected to be named Great Barrier Reef
VH-ZNF (42J/28W/166Y) Delivery 24/8/18
VH-ZNG (42J/28W/166Y) Delivery 13/11/18
VH-ZNH (42J/28W/166Y) Delivery 26/11/18

Note: Delivery dates are subject to change

Dash 8 – Q200

VH-TQG (36Y) QantasLink 2007 Livery
VH-TQS (36Y) QantasLink 2007 Livery
VH-TQX (36Y) QantasLink 1984 Livery

Dash 8 – Q300

VH-SBB (50Y - Armidale) QantasLink Silveroo Livery
VH-SBG (50Y) QantasLink Silveroo Livery
VH-SBJ (50Y) QantasLink 2007 Livery
VH-SBT (50Y - Rockhampton) QantasLink Silveroo Livery
VH-SBV (50Y - Devenport) QantasLink Silveroo Livery
[/color]VH-SBW (50Y) QantasLink 1984 Livery - currently all white
VH-SCE (50Y) QantasLink 2007 Livery
VH-TQE (50Y - Launceston) QantasLink Silveroo Livery
VH-TQH (50Y - Dubbo) QantasLink Silveroo Livery
VH-TQY (50Y - Roma) QantasLink Silveroo Livery
VH-TQZ (50Y - Bundaberg) QantasLink Silveroo Livery

Dash 8 - Q400

VH-LQB (74Y) QantasLink 2007 Livery
VH-LQD (74Y) QantasLink 2007 Livery
VH-LQF (74Y) QantasLink 2007 Livery
VH-LQG (74Y) QantasLink 2007 Livery
VH-LQH (74Y) QantasLink 2007 Livery
VH-LQJ (74Y) QantasLink 2007 Livery
VH-LQK (74Y) QantasLink 2007 Livery
VH-LQL (74Y) QantasLink 2007 Livery
VH-LQM (74Y) QantasLink 2007 Livery (Recognise)
VH-LQQ (74Y) QantasLink 2007 Livery
VH-QOA (74Y) QantasLink Silveroo Livery
VH-QOB (74Y - Gladstone) QantasLink 1984 Livery
VH-QOC (74Y) QantasLink 1984 Livery
VH-QOD (74Y) QantasLink 1984 Livery
VH-QOE (74Y) QantasLink 1984 Livery
VH-QOF (74Y) QantasLink 1984 Livery
VH-QOH (74Y) QantasLink 2007 Livery (Breast Cancer Awareness )
VH-QOI (74Y) QantasLink 2007 Livery
VH-QOJ (74Y) QantasLink 2007 Livery
VH-QOK (74Y) QantasLink 2007 Livery
VH-QOM (74Y) QantasLink 2007 Livery
VH-QON (74Y) QantasLink 2007 Livery
VH-QOP (74Y) QantasLink 2007 Livery
VH-QOR (74Y) QantasLink 2007 Livery
VH-QOS (74Y) QantasLink 2007 Livery
VH-QOT (74Y) QantasLink 2007 Livery
VH-QOU (74Y) QantasLink 2007 Livery
VH-QOV (74Y) QantasLink 2007 Livery
VH-QOW (74Y) QantasLink 2007 Livery
VH-QOX (74Y) QantasLink 2007 Livery
VH-QOY (74Y) QantasLink 2007 Livery



Fokker 100

VH-NHA (100Y) QantasLink 2007 Livery
VH-NHC (100Y) QantasLink 2007 Livery
VH-NHF (100Y) QantasLink Silveroo Livery
VH-NHG (100Y) QantasLink 2007 Livery
VH-NHI (100Y) QantasLink 2007 Livery
VH-NHJ (100Y) QantasLink 2007 Livery
VH-NHK (100Y) QantasLink 2007 Livery
VH-NHM (100Y) QantasLink 2007 Livery
VH-NHN (100Y) QantasLink 2007 Livery
VH-NHO (100Y) QantasLink 2007 Livery
VH-NHP (100Y - Paraburdoo) QantasLink Silveroo Livery
VH-NHQ (100Y - Karratha) QantasLink Silveroo Livery
VH-NHV (100Y) QantasLink 2007 Livery
VH-NHY (100Y) QantasLink 2007 Livery
VH-NQE (100Y) QantasLink 2007 Livery

Qantas says that demand for economy passengers on PER-LHR are really strong and exceeded the airlines expectations, no numbers have been revealed

AJ has also said

So we're actually very optimistic about that service, it's actually performing at, or ahead of, our expectations and we think it's going to be a very, very strong route."

http://www.smh.com.au/business/aviation ... zuqku.html

Qantas/Jetstar will operate 10 scheduled flights from DPS on Friday and up to another 8 relief flights. According to the article all flights will ferry to DPS, no passengers to be carried to DPS

https://thewest.com.au/news/bali/more-q ... b88677073z

The VN 787 is about to touch down in PER

BITRE for September is out

VA HKG flights, low 60% LFS both way

https://bitre.gov.au/publications/ongoi ... y_1709.pdf

BITRE for September is out

VA HKG flights, low 60% LFS both way

https://bitre.gov.au/publications/ongoi ... y_1709.pdf

VH-ZNB currently undergoing first test flight as BOE270

VH-ZNB currently undergoing first test flight as BOE270

https://twitter.com/AeroimagesChris/sta ... 5129013248

Qantas16 wrote:

In the DXB case, didn't QF end up chartering an EK A380 to get them home? Not saying they never have disrupts and that everyone's treated perfectly, but they certainly seem to do better than most. I know from my own disrupt situation on JQ, I was put on a QF flight 4 hours later which was, relatively, a great fix.

They did, after 2 cancellation 2 days in a row. I was on the initial QF2 but got rebooked on QF10 while other passengers flew on a chartered EK 380.

Another AirAsia incident out of PER

Last Friday Indonesia AirAsia operating flight QZ535 PER-DPS departing from runway 21 the crew initiated a left turn at 300 feet, ATC intervened and instructed the aircraft to remain on a southerly track, ATSB is now investigating

http://avherald.com/h?article=4b1bba71&opt=0

Qantas16 wrote:

In the DXB case, didn't QF end up chartering an EK A380 to get them home? Not saying they never have disrupts and that everyone's treated perfectly, but they certainly seem to do better than most. I know from my own disrupt situation on JQ, I was put on a QF flight 4 hours later which was, relatively, a great fix.

I absolutely concur. I was booked on QF30 HKG-MEL on Saturday which was cancelled about 5 hours before scheduled departure. Simply called up and they straightaway offered to put me on CX135 that left just an hour later. It probably helped that I was in J, and I still got a great seat in J on the A350 which is a fantastic aircraft btw. I couldn't have asked for a better service recovery. I already had my bags checked in earlier that day at HK Station, but even that wasn't a problem. I always assumed they would need to manually pull and re-tag it, but they came out with just the QF30 label on arrival in MEL.

PS: Long time reader & lurker here and finally decided to sign up and contribute.

China Airlines B-18909 will operate Sydney's first commercial A350 service due to arrive @ 19.55 Friday evening as CI55. It's then scheduled to depart @ 22.10 as CI52.

Saturday morning will see the second daily service commence with CI51 scheduled to arrive @ 11.50 and departing 1400 as CI56.

Just saw a post on Instagram - QF will move two JQ 320s to PER to operate with network to release two 738s back east. Checked the QF press release nothing.

Is this a rumour, or truth?

qf789 wrote:

BITRE for September is out

VA HKG flights, low 60% LFS both way

https://bitre.gov.au/publications/ongoi ... y_1709.pdf

Don't seem to have any luck, is it because Chinese tourist just prefer to use their own carriers do we think?
You wait these services will be binned and another adhoc idea will come up.

qf789 wrote:

The VN 787 is about to touch down in PER

What was the reason for the visit?

waoz1 wrote:

qf789 wrote:

BITRE for September is out

VA HKG flights, low 60% LFS both way

https://bitre.gov.au/publications/ongoi ... y_1709.pdf

Don't seem to have any luck, is it because Chinese tourist just prefer to use their own carriers do we think?
You wait these services will be binned and another adhoc idea will come up.

Whilst we can't compare with CX/QF's numbers for MEL, their overall Australian numbers were ~85% so yeah, that's not good. I don't think it could be entirely contributed to Chinese tourist preferences given QFs load factors and I doubt that VA is really targeting Chinese tourists which are likely a lot lower yielding than Hong Kong - Australia O&D traffic. If VA is only able to fill it's services with connecting Chinese tourists from mainland than yeah, the service will be cancelled quickly. As it stands, it's not a great result but hopefully will pick up in next 6 months.

Aside from that, a few other key points from BITRE:

-American Airlines (LAX-SYD) maintained good load factors of 84% inbound and 91% outbound.
-EVA Air (TPE-BNE) also had good load factors of 84%/89%- BNE market seems to be coping with recent increases in capacity to TPE.
-Hong Kong Airlines (HKG-OOL-CNS-HKG) had load factors of 63.8%/53.3% - Not great!
-Jetstar's Bali flights were 93%/91% - better than VA's 85%/75%
- Honiara - Solomon Airlines was able to have (reasonably) good load factors of 66%/68% in comparison to VA's 30/37% - whilst freight is meant to be good, you'd wonder whether VA would be better off running freighters on this route.
-Port Moresby - VA's BNE-POM was 35%/39%, QF's BNE-POM was 71%/60% and PX managed 62%/59% across their Australian network (CNS/TSV/BNE/SYD). Similar to HIR, you'd have to wonder why VA is hanging around with pax services. Before QF entered last year they likely got a good chunk of the Australian passengers who wanted to avoid PX, but now pax have QF they are leaving VA in droves.
-Aside from POM, all of QF services had good/great load factors.

Before anyone jumps in, I know Load Factors =/= yields... but a well managed airline with 100% LF is likely to be doing a lot better than one with 50%!

waoz1 wrote:

qf789 wrote:

BITRE for September is out

VA HKG flights, low 60% LFS both way

https://bitre.gov.au/publications/ongoi ... y_1709.pdf

Don't seem to have any luck, is it because Chinese tourist just prefer to use their own carriers do we think?
You wait these services will be binned and another adhoc idea will come up.

Why would Chinese tourists choose to transfer in HKG when they have scores of direct services from even 3rd tier cities?

VA already have another adhoc idea which is to launch another service into Mainland China to compete with Chinese airlines with below cost fares. There is zero business case. Another suicide mission I would imagine.

Qantas16 wrote:

American Airlines (LAX-SYD) maintained good load factors of 84% inbound and 91% outbound.

Yet, AA still feels the need to follow through with a downgrade of SYD in peak season, to a 789 - yields must be an issue.

Qantas16 wrote:

EVA Air (TPE-BNE) also had good load factors of 84%/89%- BNE market seems to be coping with recent increases in capacity to TPE.

CI is only increasing TPE - BNE this month - wait until that is implemented, before judging the sustainability of BR's loads.

Qantas16 wrote:

VA HKG flights.

IMHO, VA should have flown BNE - HKG over MEL - HKG, because (among other reasons):

- BNE has more quirky VA connections, to the likes of DUD, HIR, PPP, VLI, WLG and ZQN
- BNE is also more suited geographically than MEL for connections to the likes of CBR and NTL
- BNE has lower yields than MEL, but higher yields than OOL, which is suited to the VA brand
- Chinese carriers have been slower to get in on BNE (e.g. CA is only launching BNE this month)

Cheers,

C.

qf789 wrote:

VH-SBW (50Y) QantasLink 1984 Livery - currently all white

SBW seems to be an 'hot swap' aircraft between QLink and JQNZ, Its currently back in New Zealand operateing as Jetstar.

planemanofnz wrote:

Qantas16 wrote:

EVA Air (TPE-BNE) also had good load factors of 84%/89%- BNE market seems to be coping with recent increases in capacity to TPE.

CI is only increasing TPE - BNE this month - wait until that is implemented, before judging the sustainability of BR's loads.

Actually, TPE capacity has increased significantly in the last few years already. Went from being 2x weekly BR and 3x weekly CI to being 4-5x weekly BR and 4-5x weekly CI - nearly double the capacity.

See: http://www.smh.com.au/business/aviation ... pcd5f.html
See: https://www.routesonline.com/news/38/ai ... -sep-2016/

Qantas16 wrote:

Actually, TPE capacity has increased significantly in the last few years already. Went from being 2x weekly BR and 3x weekly CI to being 4-5x weekly BR and 4-5x weekly CI - nearly double the capacity.

Oh, when you said "recent," I assumed that you meant more recent than a "few years" ago, or even 18 months ago, but okay.

BR will struggle to compete, based on product (CI's new A350), frequency (CI's new daily service), and code-shares (by QF).

Cheers,

C.

xiaotung wrote:

Why would Chinese tourists choose to transfer in HKG when they have scores of direct services from even 3rd tier cities?

Perhaps some of them are looking for a better quality product offering, or more flexible frequencies? Not that VA is strong on these.

In FY2017, CX was the largest one-stop competitor in the Australia - China market, with a 10% share of total bookings (as per OAG).

See: https://blueswandaily.com/rapid-chinese ... airasia-x/.

Cheers,

C.

planemanofnz wrote:

Qantas16 wrote:

Actually, TPE capacity has increased significantly in the last few years already. Went from being 2x weekly BR and 3x weekly CI to being 4-5x weekly BR and 4-5x weekly CI - nearly double the capacity.

Oh, when you said "recent," I assumed that you meant more recent than a "few years" ago, or even 18 months ago, but okay.

BR will struggle to compete, based on product (CI's new A350), frequency (CI's new daily service), and code-shares (by QF).

Well technically, as you can read in the articles, BR only increased in October 2016 and CI in September 2016 so both increases were within the last 12 months (of the BITRE figures) so I misspoke... I should have said "TPE capacity has increased significantly in the last year already" - which would be a realistic time frame for an airlines load factors to stabilise and I think that would fall in the realm of 'recent'.

planemanofnz wrote:

xiaotung wrote:

Why would Chinese tourists choose to transfer in HKG when they have scores of direct services from even 3rd tier cities?

Perhaps some of them are looking for a better quality product offering, or more flexible frequencies? Not that VA is strong on these.

In FY2017, CX was the largest one-stop competitor in the Australia - China market, with a 10% share of total bookings (as per OAG).

See: https://blueswandaily.com/rapid-chinese ... airasia-x/.

Cheers,

C.

So VA would find it even more difficult competing with CX/KA. Those who are after quality and have brand awareness are far more likely to choose CX/KA which will give them more consistent offering from a single carrier group rather HX/HU-VA combination. HX also do not have the best reputation given recent scandal and many also consider it a LCC. Other than some O&D traffic, I just don't see VA attracting significant business from anyone else. VA would have a better chance surviving this route had they been in Star Alliance.

Qantas16 wrote:

planemanofnz wrote:

Qantas16 wrote:

Actually, TPE capacity has increased significantly in the last few years already. Went from being 2x weekly BR and 3x weekly CI to being 4-5x weekly BR and 4-5x weekly CI - nearly double the capacity.

Oh, when you said "recent," I assumed that you meant more recent than a "few years" ago, or even 18 months ago, but okay.

BR will struggle to compete, based on product (CI's new A350), frequency (CI's new daily service), and code-shares (by QF).

Well technically, as you can read in the articles, BR only increased in October 2016 and CI in September 2016 so both increases were within the last 12 months (of the BITRE figures) so I misspoke... I should have said "TPE capacity has increased significantly in the last year already" - which would be a realistic time frame for an airlines load factors to stabilise and I think that would fall in the realm of 'recent'.

BR will probably be flying B787s TPE/BNE by end of 2018

USAOZ wrote:

Qantas16 wrote:

planemanofnz wrote:

Oh, when you said "recent," I assumed that you meant more recent than a "few years" ago, or even 18 months ago, but okay.

BR will struggle to compete, based on product (CI's new A350), frequency (CI's new daily service), and code-shares (by QF).

Well technically, as you can read in the articles, BR only increased in October 2016 and CI in September 2016 so both increases were within the last 12 months (of the BITRE figures) so I misspoke... I should have said "TPE capacity has increased significantly in the last year already" - which would be a realistic time frame for an airlines load factors to stabilise and I think that would fall in the realm of 'recent'.

BR will probably be flying B787s TPE/BNE by end of 2018

I can't say I'm an expert on BR's fleet plans but they have 9 A333's, would they not likely change to that? Per Wiki, they only have 4 789s on order and the rest are 787-10s - I wouldn't have thought they would order such a small fleet of 789s and then dedicate one of them to a relatively regional route whilst the 787-10 would be a big increase in capacity vs the A332.

Qantas16 wrote:

I can't say I'm an expert on BR's fleet plans but they have 9 A333's, would they not likely change to that? Per Wiki, they only have 4 789s on order and the rest are 787-10s - I wouldn't have thought they would order such a small fleet of 789s and then dedicate one of them to a relatively regional route whilst the 787-10 would be a big increase in capacity vs the A332.

BR is comparatively weak in Australia, so it probably needs the cost efficiency of the 789 at BNE more than elsewhere.

Further, given the duration of TPE - BNE, BR need only dedicate 1x frame per day of operation to BNE (unlike to the US).

Cheers,

C.

planemanofnz wrote:

Qantas16 wrote:

I can't say I'm an expert on BR's fleet plans but they have 9 A333's, would they not likely change to that? Per Wiki, they only have 4 789s on order and the rest are 787-10s - I wouldn't have thought they would order such a small fleet of 789s and then dedicate one of them to a relatively regional route whilst the 787-10 would be a big increase in capacity vs the A332.

BR is comparatively weak in Australia, so it probably needs the cost efficiency of the 789 at BNE more than elsewhere.

Further, given the duration of TPE - BNE, BR need only dedicate 1x frame per day of operation to BNE (unlike to the US).

Cheers,

C.

yep, it's been decided apparently, but did here this 3rd hand.

xiaotung wrote:

planemanofnz wrote:

xiaotung wrote:

Why would Chinese tourists choose to transfer in HKG when they have scores of direct services from even 3rd tier cities?

Perhaps some of them are looking for a better quality product offering, or more flexible frequencies? Not that VA is strong on these.

In FY2017, CX was the largest one-stop competitor in the Australia - China market, with a 10% share of total bookings (as per OAG).

See: https://blueswandaily.com/rapid-chinese ... airasia-x/.

Cheers,

C.

So VA would find it even more difficult competing with CX/KA. Those who are after quality and have brand awareness are far more likely to choose CX/KA which will give them more consistent offering from a single carrier group rather HX/HU-VA combination. HX also do not have the best reputation given recent scandal and many also consider it a LCC. Other than some O&D traffic, I just don't see VA attracting significant business from anyone else. VA would have a better chance surviving this route had they been in Star Alliance.

NZ and VA burned bridges with each other to make up at this point, and are basically frenemies until their Tran-Tasman partnership ends. SQ being coy over their future in VA's shareholding and DL not specifically ruling out a stake in VA in the future, VA is more likely to be leaning towards Skyteam if they were to be pushed into any Alliance. With talk of Chinese carriers swapping Alliances and all, I wouldn't be surprised if ST try to talk the Hainan group into joining if one of their carriers jumps ship to Oneworld or Star Alliance.

With EY moving away from Hogan's legacy of investing in other airlines, I wouldn't be surprised if they also divest from their VA stake, but still remain close to VA (and perhaps make up any differences with DL caused by the US3 v ME3 battles).

Also JB had said in the past (back in the 2012) that if he was being pushed to bring VA into any Alliance, it would likely be Skyteam.
https://www.ausbt.com.au/virgin-austral ... to-skyteam

Both JQ and QF have cancelled all flights to DPS as the wind has changed and looks like another eruption is imminent

https://www.perthnow.com.au/news/bali/b ... b88677555z

qf789 wrote:

Both JQ and QF have cancelled all flights to DPS as the wind has changed and looks like another eruption is imminent

https://www.perthnow.com.au/news/bali/b ... b88677555z

If anyone is stranded get out now I’m glad we’ve rerouted via SUB.

Flight JQ8999 from Cairns
https://fr24.com/JST8999/fb22467 Just about touchdown.

EK413

qf789 wrote:

Effective 18 Dec 17 Qantas will expand codeshare with Srilankan
https://www.routesonline.com/news/38/ai ... -dec-2017/

I don't understand how QF benefits from having CMB-HKG and CMB-BKK flights here. I would have thought flights into India would have been far more useful.

Is there anything stopping QF and UL doing more for the India market? It has similarities to HKG and CX so might be competition issues, and Id see that UL may want to keep the traffic for itself but surely QF could push a huge volume of traffic via UL if it had flights into India?

qf2220 wrote:

qf789 wrote:

Effective 18 Dec 17 Qantas will expand codeshare with Srilankan
https://www.routesonline.com/news/38/ai ... -dec-2017/

I don't understand how QF benefits from having CMB-HKG and CMB-BKK flights here. I would have thought flights into India would have been far more useful.

Is there anything stopping QF and UL doing more for the India market? It has similarities to HKG and CX so might be competition issues, and Id see that UL may want to keep the traffic for itself but surely QF could push a huge volume of traffic via UL if it had flights into India?

It allows QF to route pax BNE/SYD-HKG/BKK-CMB... I would be very surprised if it was for MEL-CMB-HKG/BKK pax.

Qantas16 wrote:

It allows QF to route pax BNE/SYD-HKG/BKK-CMB... I would be very surprised if it was for MEL-CMB-HKG/BKK pax.

That makes sense for BKK, but not HKG - that would be a huge way out of the way and id expect pax would likely go via SIN on SG instead of HK. Im wondering if it was really just some throwaway routes so that both sides could say they had a win?

Qantas to operate daily service to JNB (instead of 6 weekly) 4 Jul - 7 August 18

https://www.routesonline.com/news/38/ai ... july-2018/

qf2220 wrote:

Qantas16 wrote:

It allows QF to route pax BNE/SYD-HKG/BKK-CMB... I would be very surprised if it was for MEL-CMB-HKG/BKK pax.

That makes sense for BKK, but not HKG - that would be a huge way out of the way and id expect pax would likely go via SIN on SG instead of HK. Im wondering if it was really just some throwaway routes so that both sides could say they had a win?

HKG currently holds the largest market share of Australia - CMB traffic (Pre CMB-MEL direct)

VA to announce next week the cost of WIFI service

https://www.ausbt.com.au/virgin-austral ... light-wifi

Alan Joyce has joked that he would need to be very drunk to order any more A380's

Has also hinted that the 778 or A350 will replace the A388 when the time comes

https://www.flightglobal.com/news/artic ... 0s-443685/

smi0006 wrote:
ben175 wrote:
I’d love to see QF go with the 320/321Neo for Domestic simply because of some on the new concept cabin design I’ve seen on them.

May happen sooner than expected - but not in a way we expected after all. It appears that Network Aviation are exploring the viability of operating a couple of former JQ A320 on intra WA sectors - retaining the all economy layout. Maybe those former Skywest A320's still with VARA are onto something. I suppose the only question if this happens - will they be in the Network colours, retain the JQ colours or will we actually see a A320 in QantasLink colours with a Red Roo Tail??? I hope we see it with a roo on the tail soon.

From the November thread. I too read something to this effect on a certain pilot forum..

JQ/QF are operating 8 scheduled flights from DPS along with another 4 recovery flights according to Jetstars facebook page

Jetstar is also under fire as one of the recovery flights to PER on Thursday had 57 empty seats, of course these could have been no shows, people rebooking on other airlines etc

https://thewest.com.au/news/wa/bali-vol ... b88678416z

qf789 wrote:

JQ/QF are operating 8 scheduled flights from DPS along with another 4 recovery flights according to Jetstars facebook page

Jetstar is also under fire as one of the recovery flights to PER on Thursday had 57 empty seats, of course these could have been no shows, people rebooking on other airlines etc

https://thewest.com.au/news/wa/bali-vol ... b88678416z

That’s the problem in these situations- Airlines are much much better at communicating with passengers via text and email these days. But travel agents and online booking engines desperate to hold on to their relevance add their phone numbers and emails as contacts into the PNR, not the passengers. So the text bounce back as they are landlines or 1800 numbers, and the emails don’t get passed on out of hours. Then passenger blame the airline for not contacting them with updates and rebooking.

I believe there is an IATA mandate coming that passenger contact details must be in the PNR not travel agents, but it’s a while off, and how will it be policed?

log0008 wrote:

qf2220 wrote:

Qantas16 wrote:

It allows QF to route pax BNE/SYD-HKG/BKK-CMB... I would be very surprised if it was for MEL-CMB-HKG/BKK pax.

That makes sense for BKK, but not HKG - that would be a huge way out of the way and id expect pax would likely go via SIN on SG instead of HK. Im wondering if it was really just some throwaway routes so that both sides could say they had a win?

HKG currently holds the largest market share of Australia - CMB traffic (Pre CMB-MEL direct)

Also I believe QF already codeshares on CMB-SIN, so would simply be another option for pax in BNE/SYD/MEL/PER.

Oh yip I see the usual pearl clutching heart palpitations are underway re Virgin's MEL-HKG service. Leading to the usual wild conclusions of adhoc/crappy service/why bother/shut up shop/go home.

But before all the faux outrage it's perhaps worth remembering that, shock horror, this is a new route for VA, getting itself established for the airline. The figures are based on a total of 21 return flights. 61% LF in one direction, 63% in the other. Since then they've tidied up the schedule and secured daily services.

Yes it may ultimately fail to deliver. We'll see after a year once they're established. But it's worth trying and frankly makes a lot more sense than flying long range 300 wearers on 1-4 hour domestic sectors in a saturated market.

For someone who's actually travelled on this service, as well as with CX and QF, the seats were on par with QF and better than CX, IFE was great, the staff were super friendly and it was hands down the nicest economy meal I've ever had. Hopefully that gets reflected in the numbers soon.

The Honiara and PNG routes I can't explain. Presumably there's a profit in there somewhere and I'm assuming it's in freight? Have these routes always been 738s or have they been upgauged from E190s? Otherwise you'd think these would be up for the chop.

Any updates on when QF A332s EBG/EBL will be getting cabin upgrades? It was announced in August.

aerokiwi wrote:

The Honiara and PNG routes I can't explain. Presumably there's a profit in there somewhere and I'm assuming it's in freight? Have these routes always been 738s or have they been upgauged from E190s? Otherwise you'd think these would be up for the chop.

They have always been 738s as far as I'm aware. It's almost certainly in freight but you'd think they'd be better off running their own freighters and save the cost of running passenger aircraft. Low load factors on these services are not new though, particularly HIR, so I wouldn't expect any immediate change. I have seen HIR-BNE flights before with less than 10pax on them (not commonly though).