A380 SYD-MEL Today

[QF029]

I just heard on the radio that an A380 shuttle preparing for MEL-SIN today will take domestic passengers SYD-MEL to help clear the backlog from last night's MEL weather related delays. I can't see it in EF but that would be a pleasant surprise for some delayed commuters, particularly if you are sitting upstairs or in the nose.

 

[Awesom Andy]

I never knew the domestic gates were A388 capable... or are there going to be loads of "D" pax today with possibly quite a few having an F lounge experience?

And I always thought that they have a spare 744 somehwere in AU... that would be perfect for such situations (although it's not as nice to fly on as the A388).

 

[Limewood]

Article HERE about it, be a nice surprise for many.

 

[Austman]

QF6161 is showing SYD-MEL 11:55-13:30

also there is now

QF6160 which is showing MEL-SYD 12:00-13:25 (now delayed 12:55-14:20)

It's a problem still in MEL with many flights delayed or cancelled.

 

[Kendall Roy]

I never knew the domestic gates were A388 capable... or are there going to be loads of "D" pax today with possibly quite a few having an F lounge experience

Perhaps the DOM gates can handle the lower deck only (given there's no issues with the 744).

 

[Standby]

Info provided by a mate at Sydney T3 is the A380 operated a Dom leg but from the Int terminal.,also the return QF6160 quoted is actually a 738.
2 dash 8's also operated return direct today a Q400 and a Q300 all to help clear backlogs from yesterdays storm.

 

[simongr]

I am delayed tonight MEL - SYD already notified Looks like I will have a couple of hours in the J lounge - might finally experience island dining though...

 

[pm3207]

Pretty wild and wooly in MEL at the moment. Imagine there'll be a few white knuckle rides this afternoon.

 

[jb747]

Perhaps the DOM gates can handle the lower deck only (given there's no issues with the 744).

Domestic gates cannot handle the A380. Most international ones can't either.

Only a couple are 747 capable (from memory one each in Sydney and Melbourne, but it might be two). Not many anyway.

 

[ajca]

Domestic gates cannot handle the A380. Most international ones can't either.

Only a couple are 747 capable (from memory one each in Sydney and Melbourne, but it might be two). Not many anyway.

Just out of curiousity, how would they have gotten pax onto the A380 that did the SYD-MEL flight today? Would / could they have used stairs?

 

[jb747]

Just out of curiousity, how would they have gotten pax onto the A380 that did the SYD-MEL flight today? Would / could they have used stairs?

I expect someone will pop up and tell us, but I would expect the passengers would have been bussed from domestic over to the international terminal, and boarded normally there. In Melbourne I'd expect it to have parked at international, with passengers exiting into the terminal with D boarding passes.
I very much doubt that they'd use stairs.

 

[tuapekastar]

Just out of curiousity, how would they have gotten pax onto the A380 that did the SYD-MEL flight today? Would / could they have used stairs?

Quote from this article in The Australian:

Domestic passengers were today bussed to the A380 to take the 11.55am flight from Sydney

 

[lovetravellingoz]

Just out of curiousity, how would they have gotten pax onto the A380 that did the SYD-MEL flight today? Would / could they have used stairs?

See my trip report:
http://www.australianfrequentflyer....rip-photos/qf6161-syd-mel-21-hours-33350.html

Stairs & bus in SYD and MEL

 

[lovetravellingoz]

Quote from this article in The Australian:

Flight left late...and arrived a lot later than the 1.30PM in the article...more like 3PM

 

[moa999]

Had a colleague flying MEL-SYD on Tue.
Landed in Syd about an hour before curfew - plane was needed for an intl departure (assume a330)
so deplaned at international terminal,
down to bus area
bused to domestic terminal
required to clear security at the bus gates to get back airside,
then outside to home