Jetstarisation of CNS Routes

[Qld4101]

I have to say these is nothing slow about Virgin getting my business - they have it all now where I can possibly use them, apart from regional up here. Certainly pleased I made the switch. Was using my matched status with them from last year, but have now requal'd again as a plat with them so sticking with them from here on.......

 

[ozbeachbabe]

I hope this isn't right (JQ is to take-over all QANTAS operation on this route) SWMBO, her brother, his wife and I have booked J SYD - CNS and VV in March 2013.

Are you saying that this flight will be conducted by JQ and therefore no J? Or have I missed something? I am already booked with Virgin to/from SYD - HTI and VV because QF won't fly there. they're slowly getting all my business.

I'm not saying that because I have no idea what's going on as I was just quoting the article than someone else had posted. I mentioned that if you take a JQi flight CNS/SYD which would offer 'J' if operated by an A330, would be able to through check your bags CNS/xSYD/LAX etc as opposed to a JQd flight where you'd have to collect your bags in SYD T2 then make your way around to T1 & checkin again.

You can't believe everything you read in the papers or hear in the media as they are notoriously inept at reporting on all matters aviation. I will say that I find it a bit strange that the article published actual proposed flight numbers between CNS/SYD because if that comes to fruition one would think that it doesn't leave much space for flights operated by QF metal.

If anyone happens to be flying ex CNS in the near future, why not ask one of the staff there what the plan is?

 

[samh004]

If anyone happens to be flying ex CNS in the near future, why not ask one of the staff there what the plan is?

I’m up to Palm Cove in July, I shall try remember to ask someone.

 

[FrustratedQP]

I'm not saying that because I have no idea what's going on as I was just quoting the article than someone else had posted. I mentioned that if you take a JQi flight CNS/SYD which would offer 'J' if operated by an A330, would be able to through check your bags CNS/xSYD/LAX etc as opposed to a JQd flight where you'd have to collect your bags in SYD T2 then make your way around to T1 & checkin again.

You can't believe everything you read in the papers or hear in the media as they are notoriously inept at reporting on all matters aviation. I will say that I find it a bit strange that the article published actual proposed flight numbers between CNS/SYD because if that comes to fruition one would think that it doesn't leave much space for flights operated by QF metal.

If anyone happens to be flying ex CNS in the near future, why not ask one of the staff there what the plan is?

Yeah, sorry OZ, just saw the thread, panicked and wrote the first thing that came to my head.

I've just had a look at the QF site and they're still selling QF J seats to/from CNS in March 2013 so I guess we're safe?????

PS I wasn't referring to the post (in #145) I tried to delete it and replace it with the one in #146, but it didn't go. Sorry

 

[lovestotravel]

So with Virgin announcing their CNS lounge, did we every confirm if QF is making JQ the airline of choice for the QF GROUP in CNS ?

 

[eastwest101]

Kind of difficult to tell, if you are talking direct CNS-SYD for example flights its really difficult to compare apples with apples as the route is fairly seasonal and for some reason all the JQ flights are appearing in the QF booking page around the 31st Aug but when you go out beyond early Oct then all the JQ flights have gone completely AWOL. Whilst it would be nice if this was the case I can only assume that a lot of the JQ flights/schedules haven't been loaded into the QF booking site.

Anyway as it stands now - the following direct options are avialable CNS-SYD on Fri 31st Aug (for example)

JQ953 (A320)
JQ955 (A321)
QF925 (B763) * fairly high airfares imply this flight is quite popular
QF923 (B738)
JQ957 (A320)
QF927 (B738)
JQ959 (A320)

So thats 4 JQ flights and 3 QF flights (excluding all indirect flights via BNE) - does that match up with what the local CNS folks expected or is this the reduced QF service in action?

 

[ozbeachbabe]

So with Virgin announcing their CNS lounge, did we every confirm if QF is making JQ the airline of choice for the QF GROUP in CNS ?

If that happened would that not be the Coolangatta scenario revisited?

Just because QF mainline withdraws from a city does not mean that people will just 'suck it up' & automatically fly JQ. They will vote with their feet.

 

[dfcatch]

Kind of difficult to tell, if you are talking direct CNS-SYD for example flights its really difficult to compare apples with apples as the route is fairly seasonal and for some reason all the JQ flights are appearing in the QF booking page around the 31st Aug but when you go out beyond early Oct then all the JQ flights have gone completely AWOL. Whilst it would be nice if this was the case I can only assume that a lot of the JQ flights/schedules haven't been loaded into the QF booking site.

Anyway as it stands now - the following direct options are avialable CNS-SYD on Fri 31st Aug (for example)

JQ953 (A320)
JQ955 (A321)
QF925 (B763) * fairly high airfares imply this flight is quite popular
QF923 (B738)
JQ957 (A320)
QF927 (B738)
JQ959 (A320)

So thats 4 JQ flights and 3 QF flights (excluding all indirect flights via BNE) - does that match up with what the local CNS folks expected or is this the reduced QF service in action?

This is the reduced QF service.

And Ozbeachbabe is right - people won't fly JQ. (those that would are already flying JQ or non-QF). QF customers will move to VA, or for Int pax, will be more likely to choose other options including NZ or VA codeshare itineraries.

Basically - JQ is no substitute for QF - and I'm not sure that QF really understands this point.

I was at a local tourism / business lunch last week, and there is a lot of concern about this being the thin end of the wedge and that we might get Coolangatted.

 

[eastwest101]

Basically - JQ is no substitute for QF - and I'm not sure that QF really understands this point.

I was at a local tourism / business lunch last week, and there is a lot of concern about this being the thin end of the wedge and that we might get Coolangatted.

Agree with those sentiments - I think like the OOL people - the CNS folks just have to discourage them, whether by choosing QF over JQ where at all possible (through some sort of misguided loyalty?) or voting with their feet and choosing to fly with VA.

That seems the only way to get the message through to QF management at the moment - fly VA.

At least there are a few more International options for different carriers in CNS. I hope the tourism industry in CNS can survive the high AUD and get back on their feet in the future, I think they actually have a great future long-term, even if QF can't see it.

 

[serfty]

... we might get Coolangatted.

I had to reread that a couple of times ...

I though you posted "Coolangutted" (but it does seem a more appropriate term )

 

[markis10]

Expect CNS to lose mainline operated QF services over the summer to Brisbane, replaced its the new reconfig 717s with 125 seats and no IFE. This will free up capacity where it is needed over the low season and also allow better maintenance swaps with aircraft operating the DRW routes versus the GLT/ MKY services.

 

[Limewood]

Expect CNS to lose mainline operated QF services over the summer to Brisbane, replaced its the new reconfig 717s with 125 seats and no IFE. This will free up capacity where it is needed over the low season and also allow better maintenance swaps with aircraft operating the DRW routes versus the GLT/ MKY services.

If so what will happen to the nice QFF lounge in Cairns?, personally I can't see it happening.

 

[samh004]

Expect CNS to lose mainline operated QF services over the summer to Brisbane, replaced its the new reconfig 717s with 125 seats and no IFE. This will free up capacity where it is needed over the low season and also allow better maintenance swaps with aircraft operating the DRW routes versus the GLT/ MKY services.

QantasLink is so much better than Mainline anyway.

On Friday I found out just how wrong things are, when you get a free beer with your afternoon snack on a Q300, but have to pay for one with dinner on a 738.

If so what will happen to the nice QFF lounge in Cairns?, personally I can't see it happening.

QantasLink uses lounges as well.




 

[ozbeachbabe]

Where's the Jetstarisation bit?

Already read the above on the 717 thread.

 

[markis10]

Where's the Jetstarisation bit?

Already read the above on the 717 thread.

That comes in the next dry

 

[dfcatch]

Yes it's a further concern - but - the CNS-BNE flights are well patronized, all the more so with the dumping of the SYD routes.

I was at a business-tourism forum last month, and the backlash is pretty big.

Anecdotally - VA are the big winners from QF's decision to replace SYD services with JQ.

Most are simply not interested in flying JQ - period.

 

[markis10]

Yes it's a further concern - but - the CNS-BNE flights are well patronized, all the more so with the dumping of the SYD routes.

I was at a business-tourism forum last month, and the backlash is pretty big.

Anecdotally - VA are the big winners from QF's decision to replace SYD services with JQ.

Most are simply not interested in flying JQ - period.

I would expect them to try the 717s on the more marginal flights with its 125 seats (there are 5 more coming I believe) and move the others across to JQ. I would be surprised if J options existed ex CNS next year, lets put it that way.

 

[dfcatch]

It's interesting.......

I'm looking at flights ex-USA to CNS next Feb/Mar - and will no doubt arrive into SYD on QF12 (haven't decided class of travel yet - but for sake of discussion let's assume I fly F).

(I mean - why wouldn't I take advantage of the great promotional advertising that QF spends on luring US customers to the Great Barrier Reef....?? And, according to the promotional advertising - I get to enjoy the A380 aircraft, points and status credits, inflight service and entertainment.......... what a great way to travel to the Great Barrier Reef and an enticing offer to persuade me to fly QF and not NZ/DL/UA/CO/VA).........

So I will arrive on QF's flagship aircraft as a WP and F passenger.

Given the booking engine wants to steer me onto a JQ connection to CNS - I have some questions for QF:

(Red Roo - feel free to actually respond anytime you like)..........


1/ Will Qantas provide me with a voucher/refund/credit or similar to cover my expenses in transferring from T1 to T2?

(Remember - I would like to fly QF - but you're not letting me - therefore I'm not entitled to the T3 transfer bus)


2/ Will Qantas provide me with free WP baggage allowance on JQ in-line with my QF12 baggage allowance?
How will the interlining (or lack thereof) work?


3/ Will I have to transfer my own luggage to T2 and re-check in at JQ in the non-existent-priority checkin line?


4/ Will I receive Points and SCs on a standard booking for the JQ flight portion of the itinerary?


5/ Will I receive premium seat selection on the SYD-CNS JQ segment as a WP and/or F passenger?


6/ Will I receive any inflight service on the SYD-CNS JQ segment as a WP and/or F passenger?



They are serious questions Qantas - and they deserve serious answers....... You obviously already have a policy/procedure for this and I would like to know what it is????


EDIT - The more I reflect on the above questions - for the average punter (lucky for QF I'm still loyal), it's too difficult - VA is so much simpler and a consistent service right through.......


Alternatively - if the answers to the above questions are all "NO" - then I respectfully suggest that you immediately cease advertising the Great Barrier Reef (CNS) as a destination to your American customers as Qantas is not offering the service as advertised.

 

[brad330]

It's interesting.......

I'm looking at flights ex-USA to CNS next Feb/Mar - and will no doubt arrive into SYD on QF12 (haven't decided class of travel yet - but for sake of discussion let's assume I fly F).

(I mean - why wouldn't I take advantage of the great promotional advertising that QF spends on luring US customers to the Great Barrier Reef....?? And, according to the promotional advertising - I get to enjoy the A380 aircraft, points and status credits, inflight service and entertainment.......... what a great way to travel to the Great Barrier Reef and an enticing offer to persuade me to fly QF and not NZ/DL/UA/CO/VA).........

So I will arrive on QF's flagship aircraft as a WP and F passenger.

Given the booking engine wants to steer me onto a JQ connection to CNS - I have some questions for QF:

(Red Roo - feel free to actually respond anytime you like)..........


1/ Will Qantas provide me with a voucher/refund/credit or similar to cover my expenses in transferring from T1 to T2?

(Remember - I would like to fly QF - but you're not letting me - therefore I'm not entitled to the T3 transfer bus)


2/ Will Qantas provide me with free WP baggage allowance on JQ in-line with my QF12 baggage allowance?
How will the interlining (or lack thereof) work?


3/ Will I have to transfer my own luggage to T2 and re-check in at JQ in the non-existent-priority checkin line?


4/ Will I receive Points and SCs on a standard booking for the JQ flight portion of the itinerary?


5/ Will I receive premium seat selection on the SYD-CNS JQ segment as a WP and/or F passenger?


6/ Will I receive any inflight service on the SYD-CNS JQ segment as a WP and/or F passenger?



They are serious questions Qantas - and they deserve serious answers....... You obviously already have a policy/procedure for this and I would like to know what it is????



Alternatively - if the answers to the above questions are all "NO" - then I respectfully suggest that you immediately cease advertising the Great Barrier Reef (CNS) as a destination to your American customers as Qantas is not offering the service as advertised.

Tell it like it is!

 

[ozbeachbabe]

A good marketing opportunity for VA SYD/CNS on their A330 maybe? Even if VA have a 737 BNE/CNS they can at least offer a premium cabin all the way to CNS ex SYD/MEL/BNE.