PER-SIN to return from June.

[TheInsider]

737 too small for the 5hr+ flight too crammed, they are getting the numbers now so why not a better plane?

So many airlines use the 737 for the international routes.
What planes, they don't have any.

 

[Pleb Status]

I was scheduled to fly 3K on the evening direct service SIN-PER this week. On presenting for check-in close to two hours before departure I was told they weren't checking all passengers in at that point due to some weight and balance issues. I was told to return at 4.50pm, one hour prior to departure. This was a massive inconvenience for me as (a) I had planned to go to Terminal 3 and get my e-passport and (b) I had duty free to get which, due to the Australian government's protectionist policy on behalf of domestic duty free providers, had to be ordered no less than 90 minutes before departure. I offered to be transferred to the QF flight but that wasn't happening at that point.

I returned just prior to 5.05pm given check-in closes 45 minutes prior and I had been accommodated on QF72 at 6.50pm.

The flight was full in J and almost chockers in Y. Service was good but the flight attendants seemed like they could have used another couple pairs of hands. It was two hours after take-off before they started the hot drink service. An English lady behind me complained politely to the FAs that service was far too slow. The meal service was done entirely from the front with two FA on two trolleys, rather than a trolley at the front of Y and another halfway back. One trolley had the drinks and the other the meal. The meals were presented unlike anything I've seen on QF before (although, courtesy of living in Perth, it's been a long time since I've flown QF Y). The meal is presented in a large container (not a box and larger than the old domestic containers) that fits neatly into a plastic tray. The FAs sit a bread roll on the top and that's it. There's no salad or chocolate or anything else. It actually comes across as quite sparse. Alcoholic spirits are served from bottles, rather than the miniatures that were once given and given the time it takes to serve the cabin it's, pardon the pun, a long time between drinks. The snack or dessert service was mini chocolates or fresh whole fruit.

Cabin baggage was huge. The bins were full to the brim. Priority boarding was offered.

I asked an FA if he crewed the route regularly and he said yes and he that he used to do the original service before it was canned. His wife also flew that route often for business. He he was always very well patronised. When I mentioned that the CEO said it was canned because of low numbers he nodded and rolled his eyes. He said that it's his understanding Qantas is adding an extra flight in July or August although he wasn't sure if it was permanent. It would leave Perth later with a circa 10pm arrival into Singapore which I thought was an odd time.

I had the same thing happen to me when flying 3K SIN-PER in late January. They are lying about the weight and balance issues however.

The real issue is they are blocking nine (9) seats as crew rests because they are wanting the FA's to fly SIN-PER-SIN (~12 hours). 3K are selling all of the seats on the aircraft however. Therefore, they are overselling the flights when busy. I know this because I made it onto the 3K flight after waiting an hour hanging around check in (the last one) and was sitting in 1C, so I made my displeasure known to the CSM sitting opposite.

To rub salt into the wounds of those who did not make it onto the flight, we arrived about 30 minutes early into PER, so head winds were certainly not an issue....

Overall, with 3K at ~AUD220 return (as a PBG off Scoot), it beats QF at AUD620 and SQ at AUD720 for a quick weekend away.

 

[eastwest101]

Overall, with 3K at ~AUD220 return (as a PBG off Scoot), it beats QF at AUD620 and SQ at AUD720 for a quick weekend away.

I am seeing Scoot Biz return fares of $598 between PER and SIN - $598 for Scoot Biz on their B787 vs $620 to fly Y on a QF B737, I know which one I'd pick.

 

[Awesom Andy]

They are lying about the weight and balance issues however.

The A320 and the 738 has roughly the same range, so if QF is fine flying the 738, I can't see why the A320 can't make the same trip. Although when weather or fog comes along, it can be a bit of a problem as after making the trip from SIN, there's only really about half an hour of holding fuel available, and alternates around PER aren't all that nice to divert to. So the next size up, such as the the 788 or the A332, may be a better fit for this mission, as long as there is demand to fill most of the seats (which appears to be the case).

 

[Pleb Status]

I am seeing Scoot Biz return fares of $598 between PER and SIN - $598 for Scoot Biz on their B787 vs $620 to fly Y on a QF B737, I know which one I'd pick.

The biggest issue with the Scoot flights is the timings for ex PER travel. You end up having to fly up to SIN on Friday night meaning an extra nights accommodation for a weekend trip.

Although 3K is the worst airline I have ever flown on, you cannot beat the PBG price (which was less than half of what 3K wanted originally).

 

[exceladdict]

The A320 and the 738 has roughly the same range, so if QF is fine flying the 738, I can't see why the A320 can't make the same trip. Although when weather or fog comes along, it can be a bit of a problem as after making the trip from SIN, there's only really about half an hour of holding fuel available, and alternates around PER aren't all that nice to divert to. So the next size up, such as the the 788 or the A332, may be a better fit for this mission, as long as there is demand to fill most of the seats (which appears to be the case).

Per-sin-cdg on the new arrivals perhaps?

 

[wandering_fred]

Per-sin-cdg on the new arrivals perhaps?

I wonder what the odds would be that this routing would have better patronage than via DXB?

Interesting that the QF sale fares (PER-SIN) compete quite well with the 3K bundles.

Happy wandering

Fred

 

[Jos888]

So many airlines use the 737 for the international routes.

That maybe so, but they are still crammed.

 

[N860CR]

I had the same thing happen to me when flying 3K SIN-PER in late January. They are lying about the weight and balance issues however.

The real issue is they are blocking nine (9) seats as crew rests because they are wanting the FA's to fly SIN-PER-SIN (~12 hours). 3K are selling all of the seats on the aircraft however. Therefore, they are overselling the flights when busy. I know this because I made it onto the 3K flight after waiting an hour hanging around check in (the last one) and was sitting in 1C, so I made my displeasure known to the CSM sitting opposite.

To rub salt into the wounds of those who did not make it onto the flight, we arrived about 30 minutes early into PER, so head winds were certainly not an issue....

Overall, with 3K at ~AUD220 return (as a PBG off Scoot), it beats QF at AUD620 and SQ at AUD720 for a quick weekend away.

This sounds about right. The cabin crew also do return SYD-DPS-SYD. I guess Jetstar bank on a decent number of no shows - but it doesn't workout sometimes

 

[Mattg]

A QF CSM told me a while back the QF 737 crews are also doing PER-SIN-PER as a same-day return.

 

[Danger]

I had the same thing happen to me when flying 3K SIN-PER in late January. They are lying about the weight and balance issues however.

The real issue is they are blocking nine (9) seats as crew rests because they are wanting the FA's to fly SIN-PER-SIN (~12 hours). 3K are selling all of the seats on the aircraft however. Therefore, they are overselling the flights when busy. I know this because I made it onto the 3K flight after waiting an hour hanging around check in (the last one) and was sitting in 1C, so I made my displeasure known to the CSM sitting opposite.

To rub salt into the wounds of those who did not make it onto the flight, we arrived about 30 minutes early into PER, so head winds were certainly not an issue....

Overall, with 3K at ~AUD220 return (as a PBG off Scoot), it beats QF at AUD620 and SQ at AUD720 for a quick weekend away.

Very interesting.

I should point out that despite the big disappointment of missing out on registering for the e-passport, the move to QF was actually a big win for me. Not only did I get SCs and points (I hadn't added the bundle on 3K) but I got them at the full Y rate. I had extra time in the Singapore lounge. I didn't have to buy food or drink on board. And by the time I'd landed in Perth Jetstar had already emailed me a SGD150 voucher.

 

[esseeeayeenn]

Very interesting.

I should point out that despite the big disappointment of missing out on registering for the e-passport, the move to QF was actually a big win for me. Not only did I get SCs and points (I hadn't added the bundle on 3K) but I got them at the full Y rate. I had extra time in the Singapore lounge. I didn't have to buy food or drink on board. And by the time I'd landed in Perth Jetstar had already emailed me a SGD150 voucher.

Great outcome. I would try it, except it would involve the risk of actually flying Jetstar!

 

[JohnK]

737 too small for the 5hr+ flight too crammed, they are getting the numbers now so why not a better plane?

Agreed. No reason why they can't schedule an A333 or A332 again now the 737 service is a success.

 

[Pleb Status]

Very interesting.

I should point out that despite the big disappointment of missing out on registering for the e-passport, the move to QF was actually a big win for me. Not only did I get SCs and points (I hadn't added the bundle on 3K) but I got them at the full Y rate. I had extra time in the Singapore lounge. I didn't have to buy food or drink on board. And by the time I'd landed in Perth Jetstar had already emailed me a SGD150 voucher.

You were very lucky at the end of the day. While I was waiting for 3K, I wandered over to the QF service counter to see if they had availability on QF72 and they stated it was full. Also, when I finally ended up getting my 3K boarding pass, I had to go straight to the gate so missed the lounge (and food) completely.

On my 3K flights since then, as I always book an exit row seat and cannot check in online, I have checked availability at lunch time and if they are still selling seats at a reasonable price, I know there is no need to rush out to the airport. If they are not, I get out there early.

 

[Franky]

It then departs SIN at 23:00, and arrive PER at an equally odd 04:20.

That's not odd, that's dreadful.

 

[Cynicor]

QF78 is back from mid year, evening/late arvo flight out from PER, late from SIN.

Looks like horrible timings. 3 days a week.

 

[Danger]

QF78 is back from mid year, evening/late arvo flight out from PER, late from SIN.

Looks like horrible timings. 3 days a week.

A 4.15am arrival? Mother of God.

 

[JessicaTam]

A 4.15am arrival? Mother of God.

That's what I was thinking. What time does PERd open for any onward connections? 5am?

 

[esseeeayeenn]

Sad that we get extra capacity through really poorly timed flights on the same small aircraft instead of a larger aircraft.

 

[dajop]

That's what I was thinking. What time does PERd open for any onward connections? 5am?

Aren't there heaps of domestic departures out of PER around 6am? Plus the transfer time across to domestic ....