Qantas boosts international capacity, wet lease Finnair aircraft

[elanshin]

Just received the flight change notification email from QF for late Nov. SYD+1 and I are now on QF292 SIN-SYD!

My friend did too and just got the notice for QF291. He's keeping his QF2 return flight though although he did consider asking if they can move him.

Im now a bit jealous of him as I chose to fly MEL > SIN instead of with him from SYD for that trip.

 

[SYD]

My friend did too and just got the notice for QF291. He's keeping his QF2 return flight though although he did consider asking if they can move him.

Im now a bit jealous I chose to fly MEL > SIN instead of with him from SYD for that trip.

Ah, QF81 -> QF291. We’re the reverse and based on most reports, the mainly overnight sleeping option for the new AY seat is the best.

I doubt the QF2 sector would be in play for change (well, apart from for a fee).

 

[elanshin]

Ah, QF81 -> QF291. We’re the reverse and based on most reports, the mainly overnight sleeping option for the new AY seat is the best.

I doubt the QF2 sector would be in play for change (well, apart from for a fee).

It probably isn't, but he could ask for a seat released as WP and changed over.

 

[SYD]

It probably isn't, but he could ask for a seat released as WP and changed over.

There is/was plenty of CR availability on QF291/292 already!

 

[snabbu]

Just recieved an email about my DSC 81/82 flights changing to 291/292 in early november, was kinda concerned. Checked the ET article and those AY J seats look great, can't wait to try them out.

 

[tdimdad]

“Etuoikeus Lennolle” is Finnish for Priority Boarding. Maybe some new signs in Finnish would be more effective since Qantas ground handling crew don’t give a shart.

That's Google Translate? The word Finnair uses on their website is 'Priority-koneeseennousu' which, in turn, is poor "Finglish" but could be translated directly to 'priority plane boarding'.

Finnair uses and enforces boarding groups on all flights. The crew on QF flights will be confused about the lack of any priority here.

 

[RSD]

Finnair uses and enforces boarding groups on all flights. The crew on QF flights will be confused about the lack of any priority here. slightly concerned that QF boarding resembles a riot on the West Bank

Fixed

 

[RickyT84]

I understood the statement differently - namely that it will only be the pilots that extend their flying from HEL to SIN/BKK and then onward to AU, not the aircraft. You would have to think the aircraft will be based in Australia during the lease period. I can't imagine QF would enter into or tolerate an arrangement where their leased aircraft are tied up upline due to AY issues.

These are not AY services in any way, shape or form. They are not being sold as an AY codeshare (according to QF Industry) so there is no underwriting in that sense.

Its interesting when you look at the seat map for the wet leased 333 it shows the rego for the seven re-configured aircrafts (noting one aircraft OH-LTN is yet to be refurbished) so maybe the aircraft also continues on to SYD.

Or maybe I am just reliant on QF on getting their seat maps right....

 

[encryptededdy]

It would appear that, during the wet lease period, the Asia-Sydney flights operated for Qantas will be any one of the AY A330s that just happened to be flying the HEL-BKK/SIN flight that day and will then operate on to SYD for Qantas.

Hmm, I note that the press release states (emphasis mine)

customers continuing to receive Qantas’ inflight food and beverage service, amenities, inflight entertainment and baggage allowance

I know both Qantas and Finnair use Panasonic eX3 IFE systems, but I assume by this statement they mean it will have Qantas' user interface and media library. Would they actually be re-programming the IFE system in Singapore every stop to switch between Qantas and Finnair systems?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I understood the statement differently - namely that it will only be the pilots that extend their flying from HEL to SIN/BKK and then onward to AU, not the aircraft. You would have to think the aircraft will be based in Australia during the lease period. I can't imagine QF would enter into or tolerate an arrangement where their leased aircraft are tied up upline due to AY issues.

These are not AY services in any way, shape or form. They are not being sold as an AY codeshare (according to QF Industry) so there is no underwriting in that sense.

Agree. And it’s completely different aircraft. HEL-SIN and BKK are 359s. The AU services to asia are 330s. You’d expect the 330s to be based in either Asia or AU, guess it doesn’t make much of a difference.

 

[Princess Fiona]

That's Google Translate? The word Finnair uses on their website is 'Priority-koneeseennousu' which, in turn, is poor "Finglish" but could be translated directly to 'priority plane boarding'.

Finnair uses and enforces boarding groups on all flights. The crew on QF flights will be confused about the lack of any priority here.

HEL Int departures are frequently a free for all.
Everyone gets scanned and put into the departure gate. Pre boarding occurs and then the glass doors open and everyone goes through.

Was pleasantly surprised going to JFK last month when there was an AY agent at least trying to stem the tide of boarding but that’s far from the norm on these flights.

 

[frodo]

I can see premium economy being sold on QF25/QF26, looks like those flights will be operated by a 787.
QF26 is currently listed as departing HND at 07:00 and arriving in SYD at 18:50 - a little early but a day flight nonetheless.

 

[elanshin]

Also looks like qf25/26 to tokyo will be using a b787. Qf59/60 will still be a330 so I guess Prem Econ back for Tokyo.

 

[elanshin]

I can see premium economy being sold on QF25/QF26, looks like those flights will be operated by a 787.
QF26 is currently listed as departing HND at 07:00 and arriving in SYD at 18:50 - a little early but a day flight nonetheless.

I just realised 7am at HND is going to be terrible timing as there's no public transport that can make it to HND by 5am so you'll probably best stay at a HND airport hotel if you plan on catching this or take a very early morning taxi.

 

[frodo]

I just realised 7am at HND is going to be terrible timing as there's no public transport that can make it to HND by 5am so you'll probably best stay at a HND airport hotel if you plan on catching this or take a very early morning taxi.

Looks like the Tokyo monorail gets to Haneda T3 at 5.12am and the Keikyu airport line will get you there at 5.26am, which should be sufficient time

 

[encryptededdy]

Wondering if Finnair's Wifi will be enabled. I assume no.

 

[elanshin]

Looks like the Tokyo monorail gets to Haneda T3 at 5.12am and the Keikyu airport line will get you there at 5.26am, which should be sufficient time

I guess first monorail is possible from Tokyo station side of town. From Shinjuku for example i think around 5:30 is the earliest by trains.

Some people may be ok with arriving 1.5hr before an international flight others may want more time. Also JAL sakura lounge only opens at 6am and I've heard it gets packed in the morning so not a lot of lounge time.

 

[Quickstatus]

Outbound, you can't get a better service for managing jetlag than SYD-BKK during afternoon, overnighting in BKK and then a morning flight to HEL

Agree,
similar to my SYD-SIN-LHR SQ242/318
Overnight in SIN
Evening arrival in LHR
JetLag minimal (though J/F helped as well)

 

[Himeno]

I just realised 7am at HND is going to be terrible timing as there's no public transport that can make it to HND by 5am so you'll probably best stay at a HND airport hotel if you plan on catching this or take a very early morning taxi.

The first trains of the day arrive at HND shortly after 5am. The early morning buses from major stations/hotels around Tokyo (that are currently operating, some suspended due Covid) arrive just before 5am.

They can't really make QF26 depart Tokyo later otherwise the aircraft won't be back in SYD in time to turn around again (assuming it will go back to Tokyo and there isn't another destination to pair it with like the old 747 flights rotated between HND, SCL and JNB).

 

[Princess Fiona]

Wondering if Finnair's Wifi will be enabled. I assume no.

I mentioned this above.
I’m not hopeful as anything other than the aircraft and crew is branded QF