QF2 - 5:10AM Arrival @ Sydney?

[adam010289]

Long time reader, but first time poster. I'm hoping to share some experiences but first have a question.

Looking at booking a QF2 flight from LHR - SYD for April and noticed the arrival time is 5:10am. This is obviously before the curfew, however I understand there are certain exceptions such as quota and approach.

Should I really expect the wheels to touch the runway at 5:10am? Has anyone else flown this route and can account for their punctuality?

 

[markis10]

Yes, you can expect to land at that time, from memory there are four arrivals allowed between 5-6AM

 

[adam010289]

Thank you. That answer has confirmed that I can solve a few problems!

 

[Barks]

Yes, we flew back on QF2 last July and it arrived at 5:15am. It was a great time to arrive as no other plane had landed and we got through customs, bag pickup and quarantine EXTREMELY quickly :mrgreen:

 

[Awesom Andy]

The only problem you'll have is being stuck behind up to 299 other pax who are due to arrive at 5:05am on BA15.

 

[kelvedon]

Yes, you can expect to land at that time, from memory there are four arrivals allowed between 5-6AM

I understand these flights have to land over Botany. What happens if the wind direction prevents this, do they have to circle till the curfew finishes?.

 

[Sprucegoose]

Yes, you can expect to land at that time, from memory there are four arrivals allowed between 5-6AM

And hopefully yours won't be past 6am!!

 

[Sprucegoose]

I understand these flights have to land over Botany. What happens if the wind direction prevents this, do they have to circle till the curfew finishes?.

They are mostly labor seats so I can't see why the wind would matter greatly

 

[adam010289]

Well, today was the day I tested this flight. The flight was very much unsold and I had an entire row to myself in economy.

We left DXB 15 minutes late and arrived SYD touching the runway at 5:10am. I immediately checked Flight Radar and noticed BA15 making the right turn into Botany.

Waiting for the sky bridge, walking to immigraiton and passing through the ePassport gate I was walking out of the arrivals hall by 5:30am. I did not have any checked bags which obviously speed things up.

I thought I would share this should anyone else also be trying to make this flight in time for work on the same day.

 

[Pushka]

<snip>
I thought I would share this should anyone else also be trying to make this flight in time for work on the same day.

That's depressing after hours in economy.

 

[JessicaTam]

Well, today was the day I tested this flight. The flight was very much unsold and I had an entire row to myself in economy.

We left DXB 15 minutes late and arrived SYD touching the runway at 5:10am. I immediately checked Flight Radar and noticed BA15 making the right turn into Botany.

Waiting for the sky bridge, walking to immigraiton and passing through the ePassport gate I was walking out of the arrivals hall by 5:30am. I did not have any checked bags which obviously speed things up.

I thought I would share this should anyone else also be trying to make this flight in time for work on the same day.

Thanks for the information. Glad it went well.

 

[Princess Fiona]

That would be a tough gig going to work the same day from QF2.
I usually find it not too bad flying west to LHR but stuffs me around on the return trip.

 

[adam010289]

That's depressing after hours in economy.

If I didn't have the row to myself, today would have been a very sleepy day!

 

[Pushka]

If I didn't have the row to myself, today would have been a very sleepy day!

I just don't do time changes well let alone the travel and sleep deprivation you would have done. I need at least a couple of days to Nanna nap before contemplating work.

 

[prozac]

If I didn't have the row to myself, today would have been a very sleepy day!

Never mind though b/c today's a public holiday.

 

[legroom]

That would be a tough gig going to work the same day from QF2.
I usually find it not too bad flying west to LHR but stuffs me around on the return trip.

I did that last week - full day at the office and the usual stuff at home (+/- office).

After F resting all the way from LHR T3 !

Turned out I needed one Red Bull at 2pm to function as normal until midnight.

So, yes, it is entirely feasible but IMO only if you fly J or F.

Being squashed in Y would ruin your body (and your mind) I'm sure.

 

[Simo]

I did a overnight flight a few years ago into SYD and we had a tail wind and had to do laps on the way so we didn't land before curfew. It was annoying looking at the screen and seeing us doing loops when we could have been on the ground probably an hour early but due to a curfew no can do..

I mentioned it to the FA and she said one morning they went nearly all the way out to Lord Howe Island and back down to Sydney.

 

[Himeno]

I mentioned it to the FA and she said one morning they went nearly all the way out to Lord Howe Island and back down to Sydney.

When QF10 still went though SIN, we sat at the gate for almost an hour because tailwinds would mean we arrived at MEL "before the needed runway opened". Apparently only 09/27 is open overnight and the flight crew were waiting for 16/34.

 

[Sprucegoose]

That would be a tough gig going to work the same day from QF2.
I usually find it not too bad flying west to LHR but stuffs me around on the return trip.

Princess there is an APP (of course there is an app for everything) that has been 'scientifically' calibrated to determine your habits to minimise jet lag. I believe it will advise when you should be sleeping etc

It has just been released and I believe boffins in Boston created it. Maybe worth a try??