Qantas announces one off Anzac service

[PaulST]

One-off flights from SYD-PER-Istanbul for Anzac services

Apologies if this is already posted somewhere.
QF, it seems, are flying a single aircraft from SYD-PER-Istanbul on 21st April and returning on the 28th April.
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The Perth members will be happy.

EDIT: Yep someone had already posted this. As usual, I'm the last to hear anything.

 

[Red Roo]

Together with the Australian Government, today we announced a collaboration to support ANZAC centenary activities: bit.ly/1C9aT7t

We have a very strong connection to Gallipoli, with 2 of our founding members (Sir William Hudson Fysh KBE DFC and Paul McGuinness) having served there.

 

[Danger]

It looks like QF100 is full tonight which is a great result. I reckon that would be a pretty special service to be on.

Red Roo, are you able tell us a little about the service? For example, will there be souvenirs of any kind, maybe special catering (Anzac biscuits would obviously have to feature)?

 

[Cynicor]

It looks like QF100 is full tonight which is a great result. I reckon that would be a pretty special service to be on.

Red Roo, are you able tell us a little about the service? For example, will there be souvenirs of any kind, maybe special catering (Anzac biscuits would obviously have to feature)?

Can you pay more to not get ANZAC biscuits?

 

[Mattg]

I notice that Boeing 747 VH-OEI is now in Istanbul, where it will apparently remain for the week. Any ideas what it'll be doing until the return flight? Maintenance?

 

[Danger]

I notice that Boeing 747 VH-OEI is now in Istanbul, where it will apparently remain for the week. Any ideas what it'll be doing until the return flight? Maintenance?

Avoiding militants and ISIS stowaways.

 

[Mattg]

In case anyone is interested, the officially published load factors for these IST flights were as follows:

Outbound: 96.3%
Inbound: 60.4%

 

[docjames]

I assume the 744 just sat there for the 6 days?

Inbound not a surprise to be less but surprised it was that much less.

 

[Blackswan]

I assume the 744 just sat there for the 6 days?

Inbound not a surprise to be less but surprised it was that much less.

Are those figures including the SYD-PER and PER-SYD sectors?

I was on both outbound and inbound (PER-SAW-PER). It felt like a lot less than the 60% on the inbound in Y.

All in all, an enjoyable flight. Great service, and great atmosphere. The planning was very well executed - e.g. they had proper check-in signs (including for the priority counters), priority luggage tags, and lounge arrangements were made with a 3rd party lounge for status pax.

 

[Awesom Andy]

In case anyone is interested, the officially published load factors for these IST flights were as follows:

Outbound: 96.3%
Inbound: 60.4%

A lot of poeple didn't want to come back!

 

[Mattg]

Are those figures including the SYD-PER and PER-SYD sectors?

I believe it only takes into account passengers on the international legs.

 

[Danger]

Are those figures including the SYD-PER and PER-SYD sectors?

I was on both outbound and inbound (PER-SAW-PER). It felt like a lot less than the 60% on the inbound in Y.

All in all, an enjoyable flight. Great service, and great atmosphere. The planning was very well executed - e.g. they had proper check-in signs (including for the priority counters), priority luggage tags, and lounge arrangements were made with a 3rd party lounge for status pax.

Was there anything special on-board?

 

[Blackswan]

Those head-rest protectors had a special motif, and there was a small booklet at each seat explaining the reason behind the service, and explaining the connection each staff member had to the ANZACs. There were ANZAC biscuits available as snacks (and were available in the lounge in PER before departure). We did get a water cannon salute on arrival into SAW.

On the return sector, they uploaded the Crew's ANZAC service footage onto the channel normally used for the news. I think it's now also on Youtube.