Airlines eye new slots at Haneda (Tokyo)

[p--and--t]

Last September HND-BNE in J on QF was one of the best flights I have experienced in the last decade or so. The crew were absolutely fantastic and the new J fitout suited me fine.

QF can be very variable from so-so to really great. If only they were a bit more consistent.

 

[drron]

Like on the QF HND-SYD flight in J being asked what i would like to drink with the mea.
Me-what wines have you got.
FA-red or white.
Me-what red wines have you got.
FA-I don't know.I will have a look and tell you after I have finished with the other passengers.

Never had anything remotely like that happen on JAL on the OZ-Japan flights.

 

[pauly7]

Did I read somewhere QF are keeping the 747s longer to take advantage of Japan travel boom? Trying to find source...

Wonder when there will be an announcement?

 

[sudoer]

Have flown business a number of times either SYD-HND (Qantas) or SIN-HND (through JAL). To be honest and to counter the standard anti-Qantas narrative have always found the SYD-HND (& return) to be a superior service experience (not that JAL was bad at all).

Agree with you - I've flown JL36/38 a few times as part of JAL's crazy cheap KUL-xSIN-xHND-xx_ fares - but I think the flight times are a significant disadvantage for JAL in this comparison.

Given there's only ~7hrs gate to gate, it's an overnight flight, and there's a full meal and refreshment to serve, the cabin crew rush through service to maximise sleep. In contrast I've flown JL37 going back the other way which is a day flight, and had excellent service at a more relaxed pace. Drink constantly refilled and a few staff checking in to see if they can get me anything.

It's also worth noting the JAL J cabin on SIN-HND vv is absolutely packed with JMB Diamond/JGC Premier type salarymen who aren't the easiest to please. Sadly, I've seen a few instances of terrible behaviour towards FAs on these flights from cranky old men, which would be exhausting to deal with.

 

[soorox]

It would be nice to see:

- QF move MEL-NRT to HND
- QF launch second daily SYD-HND
- NH launch MEL-HND
- JL move SYD-NRT to HND

That would mean that SYD would see all Tokyo services moved to HND.

Any chance that we could see QF do MEL-KIX down the line, say 3 weekly seasonally even?

 

[drron]

To me it would be terrible to move all SYD services to HND.As a person who often transfers to another international flight out of Tokyo would mean several more Limousine bus transfers to NRT.Ok if Tokyo is your destination.

 

[sudoer]

- NH launch MEL-HND
- JL move SYD-NRT to HND

This is likely to happen.. or at least in the JL case they may launch a SYD-HND vv in addition to the existing SYD-NRT.

Japanese MLIT announced a few weeks ago that both JL and NH were each awarded a HND slot pair for flights to Australia. Announcement in Japanese here: http://www.mlit.go.jp/report/press/content/001305161.pdf

As a person who often transfers to another international flight out of Tokyo would mean several more Limousine bus transfers to NRT.

Of course it would depend where you usually fly, but JL has some ex HND options to some major EU/US cities already so may not be the end of the world.

 

[drron]

Though JL have talked about reintroducing a BNE service so it could be BNE-HND.Or possibly BNE-HND/SYD-HND on different days of the week.

 

[Himeno]

Though JL have talked about reintroducing a BNE service so it could be BNE-HND.Or possibly BNE-HND/SYD-HND on different days of the week.

BNE-TYO doesn't really have the yield to accommodate the premiums that can be charged for HND. I see it more likely for JL to change an existing flight to HND (looking at MEL before SYD, don't need 3/3 SYD-TYO going to HND), then open a new flight on BNE-NRT.

 

[sevenfourtyseven]

Looks like MEL-HND and another SYD-HND

https://www.iasc.gov.au/applications/files/20190916_PUBLIC_VERSION_QF_Application_Japan.pdf

 

[jpp42]

That submission mentions that the A380 is now approved to fly to Japan. Would this just be for special charters or contingency situations? I would think that with double daily B787 services on SYD-HND, that the A380 wouldn't be required to replace the B747 here?

Also, it's buried in there but it's worth noting that the MEL-HND will replace MEL-NRT and remain an A330, so there's not any change in number of seats overall from MEL-TYO.

 

[dajop]

That submission mentions that the A380 is now approved to fly to Japan. Would this just be for special charters or contingency situations?

There is an A380 going there in October. MEL-NRT on 21 Oct ... on their "lots of free press" flight, oops I mean points plane.

 

[pauly7]

Looks like MEL-HND and another SYD-HND

https://www.iasc.gov.au/applications/files/20190916_PUBLIC_VERSION_QF_Application_Japan.pdf

Very happy with the MEL news

 

[TomJones]

Interesting, and very unexpected to see VA apply for a slot too, presumably opening the door to some sort of tieup with NH.

Qantas shakes up Tokyo flights

Qantas is shifting its focus from Tokyo’s Narita airport in favour of Haneda.

www.executivetraveller.com

If QF were only assigned the one slot, do they keep MEL-NRT and go 2x daily on SYD-HND?

 

[Isochronous]

Interesting, and very unexpected to see VA apply for a slot too, presumably opening the door to some sort of tieup with NH.

Qantas shakes up Tokyo flights

Qantas is shifting its focus from Tokyo’s Narita airport in favour of Haneda.

www.executivetraveller.com

If QF were only assigned the one slot, do they keep MEL-NRT and go 2x daily on SYD-HND?

Do VA have spare 333 to put on the route? Would be good to see them collaborate with NH as you suggest.

 

[p--and--t]

Strange, as an outside casual observer, I would have thought VA would concentrate on sorting out the sh.. pile they are currently drowning in before launching into a new route for which have have no experience in, no established on the ground infrastructure, and will probably be loss making for at least 12 months while they buildup marketing, clientele and familiarity with the option being available.

 

[seritonin]

Perhaps the demand on this route would help VA out of their trouble..

 

[Pleb Status]

It is very interesting that VA are going to apply for the HND route (I assume SYD-HND with the A332).

I had assumed the whole application process was just a rubber stamping exercise for QF, as the external QF PR website (link below) had already announced the new QF routes and start dates....

Qantas plans new Sydney, Melbourne flights to Tokyo/Haneda

Qantas eyes a second Sydney-Haneda service plus a Melbourne-Haneda flight to replace the current Narita service.

www.executivetraveller.com

As QF propose to use one slot pair to move the MEL-NRT flight to HND (with no real advantage to Australia or Japan), you would think VA have a decent chance of winning a slot pair as the VA service would be a new service (with an advantage to Australia and Japan), not a relocated one.

 

[woodborer]

, as the external QF PR website (link below)

 

[Pleb Status]

The external QF PR website (link below) may have acknowledged that they could have got a bit ahead of themselves earlier this morning....

Qantas shakes up Tokyo flights

Qantas is shifting its focus from Tokyo’s Narita airport in favour of Haneda.

www.executivetraveller.com