How many AFFers will be on the first JQ787 commercial service MEL OOL Nov 13?

[Mattg]

I have flown both JQ (with unsmiling staff) and TT (with overenthusiastic fairly smiley staff) and so prefer TT, but both are not as good as D7, 5J or 2P to name three LCCs that quickly come to mind. The latter either have diversions such as onboard games (5J), excellent beds in the equivalent of J (D7) or good snacks and what I have found to be staff that look after passengers (all three of the latter).

I have experienced very surly, un-smiling staff on BA, including one particular FA who seemed like his wife had just left him. In fact, I have even seen FAs on QF who weren't smiling!

In any case, this is about the inaugural JQ 787 flight, not a comparison of LCCs.

 

[mono88]

Will not be on it. No reason to fly to OOL at this time.

 

[Catweazle]

I'm tempted to go up and back, despite being on the tail end of the university semester around then, since it'd only be a day-trip with a 3.5 hour turnaround.

Question is, assuming it's all on time and all, what shall we do for 3.5 hours since I have no reason to be in OOL in the first place, lol? Anyone got lounge access? Then again, how about a BBQ on the beach across the road from the airport?

 

[Aussie_flyer]

Will not be on it. No reason to fly to OOL at this time.

I would suggest most of the passengers have no reason to be in OOL. The point is to be on an inaugural

 

[Saab34]

Price beat with Virgin for the return and plenty of seats still left up front.

 

[mindthegap2154]

Ill be onboard in 2F. -- I seemed to of selected the final open Star Class seat. Anyone planning a QC meet up prior to the flight? Also anyone wanna take a stab as to if there will actually be any pomp and ceremony or if they will be treating it as a stock standard experience? Something tells me we won't be treated to the typical star class experience :mrgreen: but you never know! Anyone done an inaugural with JQ before?

 

[Mattg]

Ill be onboard in 2F. -- I seemed to of selected the final open Star Class seat. Anyone planning a QC meet up prior to the flight? Also anyone wanna take a stab as to if there will actually be any pomp and ceremony or if they will be treating it as a stock standard experience? Something tells me we won't be treated to the typical star class experience :mrgreen: but you never know! Anyone done an inaugural with JQ before?

I expect there will be a fair bit of fuss

 

[file51]

Personally I find some of the comments in this thread, bordering on pathetic, if not just plain stupid.

This is not a LCC comparison flight, nor a competition, it is plain and simple, an inaugural flight of a specific aircraft by a domestic carrier.

It can also be considered a social event, much like the recent gatherings for the final QF81 flight to ADL and last years return to OOL by QF.

Neither of those were on new or different aircraft, a 330 & 738, however it was a fun day, a great opportunity to put faces to names, and do something that we have a common interest in... flying.

Obviously various airlines have there detractors, so why the negative comments, if one does not want to fly with JQ, so be it. If someone thinks the 787 is not safe, so be it. Everybody is entitled to an opinion, yet if you are not interested in going on such a flight, why comment on it.

Like the good old saying goes... 'If you don't have anything good to say, don't say anything at all' unless it is constructive...

<rant over>

 

[mindthegap2154]

I expect there will be a fair bit of fuss

thats what I like to hear! now to chose my flight attire - no way am I getting overly dressed for a JQ flight historic or not) tempted to wear my tshirt that says "Got Batteries?" but will most likely end up with "If it ain't Boeing I ain't going".

Now to talk myself into booking the OOL MEL as a price beat. Otherwise it will be back to SYD on VA.

 

[mono88]

I would suggest most of the passengers have no reason to be in OOL. The point is to be on an inaugural

I don't know why all the passengers would be on that or any other flight. They will all have their reasons as will any AFFers on it.
Just answering thread question.

 

[Simo]

Cost of return flight is well up there cost wise.

Have to do a price match if I was travelling on that flight.

 

[mindthegap2154]

Cost of return flight is well up there cost wise.

Have to do a price match if I was travelling on that flight.

Yeah makes me wonder why it is so high? Maybe its the "real" VIP flight?

 

[Mattg]

Anyone know if $429 was the "starting" price or have they just sold a bucketload in the first few hours?

I'm only speculating, but perhaps the return flight will have a large media contingent/important people/competition winners etc. Or maybe someone bought 100 seats? Not sure why this would be on the return flight and not the MEL-OOL, perhaps they don't want to risk the embarrassment if the first flight is delayed etc.

 

[mindthegap2154]

Anyone know if $429 was the "starting" price or have they just sold a bucketload in the first few hours?

I'm only speculating, but perhaps the return flight will have a large media contingent/important people/competition winners etc. Or maybe someone bought 100 seats? Not sure why this would be on the return flight and not the MEL-OOL, perhaps they don't want to risk the embarrassment if the first flight is delayed etc.

That was the price yesterday before it was confirmed as a 788 service. Hence me thinking to that it would be the media flight. Problem is that it won't give the 6pm east coast bulletins any inflight footage.

 

[Mattg]

That was the price yesterday before it was confirmed as a 788 service. Hence me thinking to that it would be the media flight. Problem is that it won't give the 6pm east coast bulletins any inflight footage.

You're probably right. They must be planning something special if that was the starting price. Come to think of it, most people would not choose to get on that flight at the price, unless they know about price beat so there could be a large proportion of AFFers on that flight - or what's left for sale to the public.

 

[mindthegap2154]

You're probably right. They must be planning something special if that was the starting price. Come to think of it, most people would not choose to get on that flight at the price, unless they know about price beat so there could be a large proportion of AFFers on that flight - or what's left for sale to the public.

a huh. your not helping my case for saving money Mattg (with the move to a year round base in YVR money has been tightening up here in the 2154). Very tempted to buy into the conspiracy and get the price match. haha

 

[Mattg]

a huh. your not helping my case for saving money Mattg (with the move to a year round base in YVR money has been tightening up here in the 2154). Very tempted to buy into the conspiracy and get the price match. haha

TBH being on the inaugural flight would be enough for me. If you live in/are based in Sydney, you might as well just head back there. But it's up to you, you never know unless you try it

 

[mindthegap2154]

TBH being on the inaugural flight would be enough for me. If you live in/are based in Sydney, you might as well just head back there. But it's up to you, you never know unless you try it

Hope you work in sales Mattg because I'm sold . Its only money there must be a way it could be considered a tax deduction. Plus it will be easier to con someone into picking me up from the airport later on in the evening as opposed to the afternoon. Am I the only one so far booked on the return?

Couple of points:

1. Are there any AFF plans pre flight in MEL or during the turn around in OOL?

2. Does anyone think RedRoo could assist in getting AFF'ers an invite to any OOL party in the turn around? (I'm approaching it with they may be more able to get us in contact with someone over anything else, however being a QF Group event maybe...)

3. Do we want to create a seat list of who is where?

EDIT: I am more than happy to coordinate any or all of the above

 

[blackcat20]

Hope you work in sales Mattg because I'm sold . Its only money there must be a way it could be considered a tax deduction. Plus it will be easier to con someone into picking me up from the airport later on in the evening as opposed to the afternoon. Am I the only one so far booked on the return?

Couple of points:

1. Are there any AFF plans pre flight in MEL or during the turn around in OOL?

2. Does anyone think RedRoo could assist in getting AFF'ers an invite to any OOL party in the turn around? (I'm approaching it with they may be more able to get us in contact with someone over anything else, however being a QF Group event maybe...)

3. Do we want to create a seat list of who is where?

EDIT: I am more than happy to coordinate any or all of the above

Going to try to book on the return if I get time today.

 

[phily]

It'll be a long time before I fly in a 787. The problem for me isn't so much JQ but the 787.

I don't trust Lithium batteries in the air. They are a major fire risk. The FAA requires that all Lithium batteries on passenger flights to be carried in the passenger cabin, not in checked luggage, due to their known fire risk. Yet they've allowed Boeing to power their 787 with Lithium batteries, and one pack of batteries is right under the flight deck! Boeing's solution to the onboard battery fire earlier this year was to put a metal box around the batteries and a vent to outside to get rid of the smoke and toxic fumes. It took airport firefighters 90 minutes to extinguish that fire. What's going to happen if there's such a battery fire in the middle of the Pacific?