Are QF Dash-8s really this good?

[Conrad_S]

The are noisy and the seats are narrow. They can be bumpy but they are quick to get on and off and they fly lower so there is often a great view.

 

[gaz0303]

The are noisy and the seats are narrow. They can be bumpy but they are quick to get on and off and they fly lower so there is often a great view.

Not so quick if they involve a bus trip too. Lost count how many times Ive been herded onto a bus like cattle, then stood for a while waiting until the plane is ready to accept passengers, and also how many times the dash8 has arrived in SYD to have no buses waiting or close by.

Despite that, I do like the Dash8s. I have had more sleep on Dash8s than Y in any other aircraft. The noise must be just in the right range to put me to sleep. Much better than the Saabs that compete on some routes.

 

[Conrad_S]

Not so quick if they involve a bus trip too. Lost count how many times Ive been herded onto a bus like cattle, then stood for a while waiting until the plane is ready to accept passengers, and also how many times the dash8 has arrived in SYD to have no buses waiting or close by.

Despite that, I do like the Dash8s. I have had more sleep on Dash8s than Y in any other aircraft. The noise must be just in the right range to put me to sleep. Much better than the Saabs that compete on some routes.

The bus trip and taxi to take off regularly takes as long as the flight to PQQ TBH the regular bumping of the taxi and the drone of the engines puts me to sleep even before take off.

 

[samh004]

Actually, this route already exists. QF191/QF192 operates almost daily between CNS and POM using a regular Q400 - no Dash 8-ERs required.

I intend to do this one day, but it prices quite high and I'd love to see some of PNG too, not just turnaround straight away.

 

[Mattg]

I intend to do this one day, but it prices quite high and I'd love to see some of PNG too, not just turnaround straight away.

The route is under 600 miles, so it should price as 8,000 QF points plus tax

 

[chrisishere]

I don't mind the Dash, get on and off a lot quicker, do get a better view of outside on them.

 

[CaptJCool]

Yesterday's view. Didn't really mind the nosie, snoozed anyway

 

[wanderer_au]

Dash 8s are revolting. There might be a novelty value for some, but if you have to fly them a lot, it wears off quickly. The fact that our largest city and our national capital are largely serviced by the national carrier via Dash 8s is a disgrace and an embarrassment to Australia. The 717s are ok though I guess. I try to arrange my SYD-CBR return flights exclusively through them and really dislike using the Dash 8s.

 

[gaz0303]

The dash8-400s that service CBR are deluxe compared to the old 200s that service smaller regional towns! I still enjoy getting on a 400 for a change when flying to LRE or EMR.

 

[Mattg]

The dash8-400s that service CBR are deluxe compared to the old 200s that service smaller regional towns! I still enjoy getting on a 400 for a change when flying to LRE or EMR.

As a semi-regular flyer on the CBR-SYD route, I actually like when I occasionally get the smaller Q300 for a change! But I think it's because it's just that - something different. Still prefer the 717 on that route overall though.

 

[kermatu]

What makes the Dash 8s even worse in CBR and SYD is they use the furthermost gates and leave pax exposed to the weather -- negating any 'advantage'. That said, it is a short flight and the views are better - can't argue with those points. I will do my absolute best to avoid flying a Dash 8 to BNE however!

 

[waflyer]

Dash 8s are revolting. There might be a novelty value for some, but if you have to fly them a lot, it wears off quickly. The fact that our largest city and our national capital are largely serviced by the national carrier via Dash 8s is a disgrace and an embarrassment to Australia. The 717s are ok though I guess. I try to arrange my SYD-CBR return flights exclusively through them and really dislike using the Dash 8s.

I disagree. The Q400's are a great plane for a turboprop. The size of the plane is determined by the length of the flight and the demand (including frequency demand). For the length of the flights they are used for, a jet is only marginally quicker. Here in WA the Q400's have been swapped out for F100's and while the flights are marginally quicker, the Q400 definitely has a more 'modern' interior and the confort and noise levels are similar (the F100 is probably noisier if you are at the back of the plane). In my experience, the B717 is relatively similar in comfort to the F100, though I am yet to experience a two class 717.

 

[Mattg]

In my experience, the B717 is relatively similar in comfort to the F100, though I am yet to experience a two class 717.

I've flown on both the one and two class 717 varieties and found the two-class version to be vastly superior, with fewer and more comfortable seats, a more modern interior and iPads at every seat.

 

[waflyer]

I've flown on both the one and two class 717 varieties and found the two-class version to be vastly superior, with fewer and more comfortable seats, a more modern interior and iPads at every seat.

Fair enough. I had forgotten about the IFE on the 2 class B717's. I am looking forward to my flight in J on the B717 later in the year to compare

 

[Mick1969]

I intend to do this one day, but it prices quite high and I'd love to see some of PNG too, not just turnaround straight away.

I recently did POM - CNS and it was around $200 which I thought was reasonable, returned on Air Niugini and I must say their catering was superior.

 

[juddles]

View attachment 70411Yesterday's view. Didn't really mind the nosie, snoozed anyway

omg! They do vertical takeoff! Wow!!

 

[wanderer_au]

What makes the Dash 8s even worse in CBR and SYD is they use the furthermost gates and leave pax exposed to the weather -- negating any 'advantage'.

There are few things I find more annoying on that route, than the umbrellas they have for pax to use across the tarmac. It's a real shame that the new CBR terminal (which I really like) couldn't come up with some sort of Dash 8 aerobridge. Truly, I'd like the place to grow a bit so the full Cityflyer network could be extended to CBR.

 

[kermatu]

There are few things I find more annoying on that route, than the umbrellas they have for pax to use across the tarmac. It's a real shame that the new CBR terminal (which I really like) couldn't come up with some sort of Dash 8 aerobridge. Truly, I'd like the place to grow a bit so the full Cityflyer network could be extended to CBR.

Getting OT here - but actually what I hate more is departing or arriving in a 717 or 737 yet still having to board or offload via stairs - when there are empty gates with aerobridges available. I won't pretend to know all the reasons and schedules but it's happened more than enough times to be very frustrating. Virgin gates are often empty too - can QF not use those? (Genuine question).

On the upside I've been on several full 737s recently in and out of Canberra. might be a good sign. Usually early morning or early evening though. In the middle of the day, it sadly doesn't make sense to operate anything other than the Dash 8s and one-class 717s. Frustratig though if you have an international J connection and can't get the J benefits (SCs; seats etc) on the CBR leg.

 

[Mattg]

Getting OT here - but actually what I hate more is departing or arriving in a 717 or 737 yet still having to board or offload via stairs - when there are empty gates with aerobridges available. I won't pretend to know all the reasons and schedules but it's happened more than enough times to be very frustrating. Virgin gates are often empty too - can QF not use those? (Genuine question).

This post on the Ask the Pilot forum might shed some light:

Yes they may have to pay more, but it depends on the airport and individual contracts with the company. For example, the two centre aerobridges at Canberra have never been used to date because the airport wants to charge the airlines significantly more to use them (as they are right in public view and therefore considered premium apparently).

 

[kermatu]

I recall that post - and recall posting my exact same frustration a few posts later!!