Delta will introduce seasonal BNE-LAX flights

[HS-TQE]

Amazing news. May the fares continue to drop and the award seats continue to flow.

Considering reports over at a.net of plenty of award seats on LAX-Australia routes in general over December-February, that can't be a good thing for the airlines bottom line. However, if the states are funding some of those services, it would probably benefit some of the taxpayers that have FF accounts with their Australian partners and/or a US3 carrier.

 

[chrisbris]

Wow - didn’t see that one coming

 

[HS-TQE]

Scheduled now released in the GDS.

Delta Schedules Los Angeles – Brisbane Dec 2024 Launch — AeroRoutes

Published at 0200GMT 24FEB24 Delta in Northern winter 2024/25 season plans to expand service to Australia, as the airline announced Los Angeles – Brisbane route launch on 04DEC24. The Skyteam member will operate this route 3 times weekly, with A350-900XWB aircraft. Reservation and configuration

www.aeroroutes.com

DL093 LAX2310 – 0745+2BNE 359 135
DL092 BNE1045 – 0615LAX 359 357

 

[dajop]

Yeah MEL doesn't get much love these days

So BNE gets AA to DFW (QF already does MEL-DFW) and seasonal DL and UA services to LAX (vs year around services that MEL has on UA). Hmmm..

MEL is getting TK and has carriers like Thai, Malaysian, Garuda, Etihad, Royal Brunei, Vietnam Airlines, Air India, Sri Lankan and LATAM., Scoot, Cebu Pacific, Air Asia and a few extra Chinese carriers ... all year around.. To be fair I guess BNE also gets AC, BR, KE and few SW Pacific carriers.

 

[justinbrett]

Now added

Queensland’s tourism and export industries Delta a massive boost

Can't see BNE-ORD (or SYD/MEL-AKL-ORD) started anytime soon, but with Premier Miles in a election year for Queensland, who knows. It would be a "Rob Peter to Pay Paul" situation as a existing 787 route would need to be downgauged in order for the 787s to serve a Queensland-USA route funded by the Queensland taxpayers.

I would think the Queensland Government would have better chance approaching QF to replace the pair of A330s on BNE-LAX with the 787 then start ORD. Would allow Queensland to mention the "national carrier" and their Queensland roots plus advertise the "flagship, premium" aircraft and service in such a scenario

Since when is the 787 QF’s flagship aircraft? What on earth does the QLD government care if they fly an A330 or a 787? Other than the lack of premium economy there’s no functional difference to the average pax. I flew the route a few days ago and it was fine, I’d have no problems doing so again (although the lack of a Flounge is another matter). I’d actually say it’s superior in Y.

 

[SYD]

I flew the route a few days ago and it was fine, I’d have no problems doing so again (although the lack of a Flounge is another matter). I’d actually say it’s superior in Y.

Pre Covid, it wasn’t unusual to see the cheapest QF SYD-X-JFK J fares return via BNE (with a substantial saving). No loss of F lounge if heading out via LAX etc and back via BNE. If we start seeing that again, I’d consider it.

 

[clifford]

I think this may be relevant...

Why US Airlines Are Flocking To Brisbane (Or Is It Bri$bane?)

Queensland is offering massive incentives for airlines to fly to Brisbane, which is why airlines are suddenly flocking there.

ml.onemileatatime.com

And, yes the A330 is much nicer for Y pax. My wife just flew the 787 service ex SYD and said it was the most uncomfortable flight ever.

 

[HS-TQE]

Ben from OMAAT talking about the recent increase of US to Bri$bane service courtesy of the Queensland Government's (partial taxpayer) funded AAIF subsidies.

Why US Airlines Are Flocking To Brisbane (Or Is It Bri$bane?)

Queensland is offering massive incentives for airlines to fly to Brisbane, which is why airlines are suddenly flocking there.

onemileatatime.com

 

[AIRwin]

Why US Airlines Are Flocking To Brisbane (Or Is It Bri$bane?)

Queensland is offering massive incentives for airlines to fly to Brisbane, which is why airlines are suddenly flocking there.

onemileatatime.com

They think it's Vegas?

 

[justinbrett]

Ben from OMAAT talking about the recent increase of US to Bri$bane service courtesy of the Queensland Government's (partial taxpayer) funded AAIF subsidies.

Why US Airlines Are Flocking To Brisbane (Or Is It Bri$bane?)

Queensland is offering massive incentives for airlines to fly to Brisbane, which is why airlines are suddenly flocking there.

onemileatatime.com

Some wild conjecture in that article.

AAIF is funded for 200 million over 3 years, for a total of 5.3 million seats per year (15.9 over the life of the fund). If distributed pro rota, that makes the subsidy in the order of $12.50 per seat. Of course the way it works is commercial in confidence and it has not been released publicly, it’s possible long haul flights get more, it could be based on the number of jobs created, the amount of additional tourism spend, who knows. I doubt they’re getting anywhere near “hundreds of dollars per seat”.

it looks like the article has used the current annual inbound seats for a single year, for the full value of the fund.

 

[Mattg]

United has just announced it is cancelling its seasonal BNE-LAX route, which was due to operate from December 2024.

 

[toastau]

Does anyone know if these flights have Wi-Fi coverage? The overall Delta page says no coverage over the pacific: 404 - Page Not Found

The ticket purchase page says seats do include Wi-Fi.
A review of LAX-Sydney from July implies there was Wi-Fi available? Review: Delta Air Lines Airbus A350 Delta One (Los Angeles – Sydney)

Cheers