Qantas' first international flight in months has taken off

[Mattg]

It's off! QF143 from Sydney to Auckland is now in the air. VH-XZE has the honours.

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It will return this afternoon as QF146, bringing in people from New Zealand that will no longer have to quarantine when they arrive in Sydney.

This is the first Qantas international passenger flight since June.

 

[jakeseven7]

And some 'interesting' routes London-Darwin / Mumbai-Darwin coming in a couple of weeks as well, regular charter operations for the AU government.

(Assuming the 'India' announcement is Mumbai)

 

[Mattg]

And some 'interesting' routes London-Darwin / Mumbai-Darwin coming in a couple of weeks as well, regular charter operations for the AU government.

(Assuming the 'India' announcement is Mumbai)

I think that was Delhi.

Yes, it will be good to see a few more Qantas flights in the air carrying passengers to/from other countries.

 

[NickCorr]

Looks like it just passed a Jetstar flight JQ 204 going the other way from AKL to SYD...

 

[DC3]

So, we now have the half-bubble.

 

[mrsterryn]

Ok when do we start booking overseas again lol

 

[jakeseven7]

Scomo just announced Qantas repatriation flights from South Africa as well.

Could a QF 789 make it from Joburg - Darwin?

 

[dajop]

Scomo just announced Qantas repatriation flights from South Africa as well.

Could a QF 789 make it from Joburg - Darwin?

Very easily. It's 1300mi (3hrs) shorter than MEL-LAX. Also only short detour if it has to meet ETOPS 120 (not sure what the ETOPS requirement is for the aircraft).

Great Circle Mapper

Displays a map on which the great circle path for one or more routes is plotted and calculates the distance along each route. Ranges from one or more locations may also be plotted, along with go/no-go areas for ETOPS operations at various rule times.

gc.kls2.com

 

[justinbrett]

Very easily. It's 1300mi (3hrs) shorter than MEL-LAX. Also only short detour if it has to meet ETOPS 120 (not sure what the ETOPS requirement is for the aircraft).

Great Circle Mapper

Displays a map on which the great circle path for one or more routes is plotted and calculates the distance along each route. Ranges from one or more locations may also be plotted, along with go/no-go areas for ETOPS operations at various rule times.

gc.kls2.com

ETOPS 330... it’s not an issue

 

[Pushka]

I think that was Delhi.

Yes, it will be good to see a few more Qantas flights in the air carrying passengers to/from other countries.

So the outgoing flight could be taken my Aussies approved for travel outside Australia?

 

[justinbrett]

So the outgoing flight could be taken my Aussies approved for travel outside Australia?

Qantas already have details of the first flight on their website:

• QF9, departing Sydney at 4.10pm on 19 October, arriving London Heathrow at 5.05am on 20 October 2020.
• QF9, departing Perth at 7.10pm on 19 October, arriving London Heathrow at 5.05am on 20 October 2020.

They are government repatriation flights so no FF/SCs, though seems to suggest anybody allowed to travel can book.

Link Here

 

[TheInsider]

Quite piss poor restrictions and cut backs:

• limited onboard food and beverage service. Should you wish to bring food and non-alcoholic drinks for your flight, you’re welcome to do so. Note: as galley storage space is restricted, items you bring will need to be stored in your carry-on baggage. Drinks you choose to bring will also need to comply with any powders, liquids, aerosols and gels screening requirements where applicable.
• Inflight entertainment will be unavailable and we recommend you bring alternative material for your entertainment.
• Qantas Frequent Flyer benefits (Status Credits, Qantas Points and the option to upgrade with points) will not apply.
• Seat selection is unavailable.

 

[levelnine]

And no price discounts. You're better off flying with EK, CX or QR and getting points.status credits for a lower price.

 

[AIRwin]

Quite piss poor restrictions and cut backs

It ain't no scenic flight...

 

[TheInsider]

It ain't no scenic flight...

Looks like minimal food, NO IFE. Not a great experience when QF is still making money from the govt and then it's passengers too. You may as well travel EK/QR/EY etc etc.
But at least this flight won't be reduced with the passengers numbers like the other carriers are.

 

[Pushka]

Looks like minimal food, NO IFE. Not a great experience when QF is still making money from the govt and then it's passengers too. You may as well travel EK/QR/EY etc etc.
But at least this flight won't be reduced with the passengers numbers like the other carriers are.

Qatar provided full service for son in J last week. #covidexcuse maybe?

 

[jakeseven7]

And no price discounts. You're better off flying with EK, CX or QR and getting points.status credits for a lower price.

This flight is guaranteed to get you home by the Federal Government. You could easily be bumped from regular commercial flights. These are just charters.

 

[levelnine]

This flight is guaranteed to get you home by the Federal Government. You could easily be bumped from regular commercial flights. These are just charters.

I'm talking about the outbound flights from Australia to London. No one is getting bumped off those flights.

 

[jakeseven7]

I'm talking about the outbound flights from Australia to London. No one is getting bumped off those flights.

Well it doesn't really matter, its the Federal Government chartering the airline and have ticked which boxes they want fulfilled and what they are prepared to pay. Its our tax money underwriting these flights, I think it is entirely prudent the government is running a basic service, but that is my opinion.

 

[jb747]

ETOPS 330... it’s not an issue

Has CASA given the 787 the 330 minute ETOPs? I haven't followed it, but last time I spoke to a 787 pilot, it was still 180. Given that the rest of the world gave the 330 to Boeing largely on a basis of 'trust us', I don't know that I'd be handing it out.

I expect that the IFE is not available because QF has not been paying the cost of renting content, given that the aircraft have been largely grounded.