Qantas boosts international capacity, wet lease Finnair aircraft

[jase05]

re ADL service - the A321XLR's may actually be just the answer here. I know certain ADL based AFF members would turn their nose up and demand a widebody, but this is the sort of place this aircraft could work for economically - ADL-SIN(a return) or even perhaps to KUL, or some other SEA destination(s) and/or NZ.

Would consider it to NZ definitely, not sure about Asia though

 

[Quickstatus]

No QF international services from ADL. Who cares?

Exactly. I don't understand why Adelaideans still hope for QF's return when the airline gave up on it a long time ago.

BFOD

 

[justinbrett]

[dons flameproof suit] On the flipside, connectivity to LHR on QF from ADL is pretty good, even though it is not a "direct" international service. One stop, no backtracking and with connections time of 1:20 outbound and 2:35 inbound, is basically as good as it is from SYD on QF1/2, which has the 2 hr layover in SIN in both directions, and of course immigration formalities to complete in SYD on arrival (which are taken care of during PER layover for ADL bound pax).

Of course this is not speaking to having to spend 3-3.5 hrs on a 737, nor affordability of fares or availability of award seats on the connections to QF9/10

My thoughts exactly - apparently that was the logic for basing the RAAF P-3s (and later P-8s) in Edinburgh (Adelaide), as they could deploy North, East or West easily without too much logistical hassle.

We're a bit spoilt in Australia - when I first started travelling domestic in the US it blew my mind that some pairs of cities, with metro areas well into the millions - had no direct flights; you had to fly via a hub.

Las Vegas - a city much larger than Adelaide with a lot of tourist appeal - has no direct long haul international flights by a US carrier; but is reasonably well served by foreign carriers.

As I've said in other threads, it's very common for local carriers to concentrate in a few hubs (BA with LHR and LGW, AA/UA/DL with their various hubs) - but leave foreign carriers to serve the smaller cities.

 

[ma930407]

Any news on any increase / reduction / rescheduling of the SYD to ICN flight? I’ve heard it is doing comparatively worse than other Qantas long haul fights.

 

[Melburnian1]

Another example of Joyce's incompetent fleet management, having to wet lease aircraft.
The sooner this fool is gone the better.
On the bright side, I'm sure the hard product & service will be superior on the Finnair metal.....

There's another lengthy (and amusing, though apt) column by Mr Aston in the 'Australian Financial Review' "Rear Window" criticising Mr Joyce this morning and discussing that.

The article also reminds us how Mr Joyce failed to order sufficient new aircraft in a timely manner, with one glaring example being the ageing A332s/A333s (six of which Aston says are over 20 years old, easily confirmed via the Airfleets website).

Any fool could increase profits short term by not investing enough money in a business. By adopting this strategy, Mr Joyce ensures he'll walk away with even more shareholders' funds, arguably to the detriment of the business. Passengers are left to experience much older planes than rival airlines have.

Better choices (often at lower fares) out there than Qantas/Jetstar!

 

[PineappleSkip]

Better choices (often at lower fares) out there than Qantas/Jetstar!

And generally in newer planes...

 

[jb747]

My thoughts exactly - apparently that was the logic for basing the RAAF P-3s (and later P-8s) in Edinburgh (Adelaide), as they could deploy North, East or West easily without too much logistical hassle.

Oh, I thought that was to keep them as far as possible from any submarines.

The article also reminds us how Mr Joyce failed to order sufficient new aircraft in a timely manner, with one glaring example being the ageing A332s/A333s (six of which Aston says are over 20 years old, easily confirmed via the Airfleets website).

Any fool could increase profits short term by not investing enough money in a business. By adopting this strategy, Mr Joyce ensures he'll walk away with even more shareholders' funds, arguably to the detriment of the business. Passengers are left to experience much older planes than rival airlines have.

Alan will retire, having never put any new aircraft into mainline that he'd ordered.

 

[RSD]

They won't be. But El Al will.

No thanks - flew El Al once and it made Alitalia look great

 

[AIRwin]

The article also reminds us how Mr Joyce failed to order sufficient new aircraft in a timely manner, with one glaring example being the ageing A332s/A333s (six of which Aston says are over 20 years old, easily confirmed via the Airfleets website).

Speaking of which:

Prices on the way up = more duct tape?

I just read another post about record profits for Qantas, I think they need to invest in some replacement parts rather than duct tape. Anyone else noticed the amount of duct tape on the Qantas planes? On a recent flight back and forth to the UK via Singapore, SYD to LHR then LHR to BNE. I...

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

 

[OATEK]

I had classic rewards SYD-MEL-SIN-MEL-SYD in PE booked for later in the year, which had 787s on the SIN legs. QF has done aircraft changes and gone to A330s, and I was downgraded to economy both ways so rang up to look at options. the agent (in Hobart) immediately asked if I had heard of the Finnair planes and how about we try to move to direct SYD-SIN-SYD flights (yes please). Managed to snag QF291 in PE for the outbound, so will be very interested to see what the Finnair flight is like (and got QF2 on the A380 for return - so a good result).

 

[AIRwin]

Managed to snag QF291 in PE for the outbound, so will be very interested to see what the Finnair flight is like (and got QF2 on the A380 for return - so a good result).

Best of both (one)worlds!

 

[AIRwin]

Tokyo Red Tail sale now on:

https://www.qantas.com/au/en/flight-deals/flights-to-japan.html/jp/economy?int_cam=au%3Aen%3Ahomepage-promotion%3Afas-japan%3Aen%3Ann

 

[ozflier]

I had classic rewards SYD-MEL-SIN-MEL-SYD in PE booked for later in the year, which had 787s on the SIN legs. QF has done aircraft changes and gone to A330s, and I was downgraded to economy both ways so rang up to look at options. the agent (in Hobart) immediately asked if I had heard of the Finnair planes and how about we try to move to direct SYD-SIN-SYD flights (yes please). Managed to snag QF291 in PE for the outbound, so will be very interested to see what the Finnair flight is like (and got QF2 on the A380 for return - so a good result).

You wont be disappointed with Finnair .
I haven't travelled on their wet leased services in PE but have done so in J when they were providing services for Lufthansa ( USA to Frankfurt )- great service and food and beverage.

 

[Tad]

Having flown with Finnair HEL-HKG-HEL few times in the last 5 months, I feel disappointment Qantas even considers this level of service.

Finnair focus: Save the Environment (really cost cutting), not customer satisfaction. The airfares are not competitive either.

Example in economy:
- meal choice - 1 i.e. no choice and very sub standard,
- non-alcoholic drinks: 1 "choice" of juice (orange), one fruit drink (blueberry), water and some soft drinks;
- long haul flights - blankets yes, but pillows - no.

It may not be much for many, but leaves a really bad taste.
I will not fly with them again under Finnair banner, and not even when they hide under Qantas logo.

 

[encryptededdy]

Having flown with Finnair HEL-HKG-HEL few times in the last 5 months, I feel disappointment Qantas even considers this level of service.

Finnair focus: Save the Environment (really cost cutting), not customer satisfaction. The airfares are not competitive either.

Example in economy:
- meal choice - 1 i.e. no choice and very sub standard,
- non-alcoholic drinks: 1 "choice" of juice (orange), one fruit drink (blueberry), water and some soft drinks;
- long haul flights - blankets yes, but pillows - no.

It may not be much for many, but leaves a really bad taste.
I will not fly with them again under Finnair banner, and not even when they hide under Qantas logo.

Given under this agreement Qantas provides the catering, I would expect your meal and drink options in economy to be identical to a Qantas flight on the same route.

 

[dajop]

I haven't travelled on their wet leased services in PE but have done so in J when they were providing services for Lufthansa ( USA to )- great service and food and beverage.

Example in economy:
- meal choice - 1 i.e. no choice and very sub standard,
- non-alcoholic drinks: 1 "choice" of juice (orange), one fruit drink (blueberry), water and some soft drinks;
- long haul flights - blankets yes, but pillows - no.

The In-flight amenities, food and beverages that Finnair provides either on their own services or wet leases they provide for other carriers are irrelevant. Take note of the following quote from the media statement that is linked in the first post of this thread:

For the first two-and-a-half years of this agreement, flights will be operated by Finnair pilots and cabin crew, with customers continuing to receive Qantas’ inflight food and beverage service, amenities, inflight entertainment and baggage allowance.

 

[trendwhore]

Tokyo Red Tail sale now on:

https://www.qantas.com/au/en/flight-deals/flights-to-japan.html/jp/economy?int_cam=au%3Aen%3Ahomepage-promotion%3Afas-japan%3Aen%3Ann

Timing couldn't be better, awesome!

 

[Tad]

The In-flight amenities, food and beverages that Finnair provides either on their own services or wet leases they provide for other carriers are irrelevant. Take note of the following quote from the media statement that is linked in the first post of this thread:

Good luck believing what you see in media! Wait for the fine print of the agreement.
I am cured though and little things are not irrelevant to me especially on the well above base airfare; obviously not for others (some).
Time will show how changes to agreements quietly occur and I am sure they will, like pillows (available only 5 months ago; not now).

 

[RichardMEL]

Good luck believing what you see in media! Wait for the fine print of the agreement.
I am cured though and little things are not irrelevant to me especially on the well above base airfare; obviously not for others (some).
Time will show how changes to agreements quietly occur and I am sure they will, like pillows (available only 5 months ago; not now).

What AY charges for any airfare is irrelevant to this deal as thse are QF marketed and sold airfares apply to these services.

Anyway, AY has usually (and still is) been good value for combo Business Class europe return and RTW fares. Last I checked a month or so back $7200ish for a RTW in J is pretty good.

I realise you're talking about economy and not business and are cynical about the proposed arrangement. I guess proof will be in the pudding, but seems pretty clear about aircraft amenity that will be provided. Basically AY provide the hard product and staffing, QF provide the soft product (though the IFE is a bit of a question mark?)

 

[Pele]

Timing couldn't be better, awesome!

ANA are also having a sale now. Way better than Qantas in every way and significantly cheaper....