Qantas Delays/Cancellations

[Melburnian1]

The B744 operating QF73 from SYD to SFO on Wednesday 6 April departed at 1701, a minute more than four hours late. Arrival is suggested as 1320 hours same day, three hours and 50 minutes late.

QF2086 (1855 hours MEL to often sunny MQL on the Murray River) is expected to take off at about 2155. The QF MQL route ex and to MEL has been quite good in recent weeks for punctuality, but some months ago this was not the case.

The Tuesday 5 April 2016 B744, QF18, from LAX (due out 2335 hours) to SYD departed at 0252 on Wednesday 6, arriving at a forecast 0940, 140 minutes late.

QF130 from PVG is estimated to depart an hour and 45 minutes late at 2140 for a Thursday 7 April SYD morning arrival at 1015 instead of 0830 hours. QF129 had earlier arrived at PVG tonight (Tuesday) bang on time at 1830 local time.

The overnight delayed QF2 originally timetabled to depart LHR on Tuesday evening (but which departed at 0642 on Wednesday) has reached DXB, arriving at 1624 for a suggested 1800 hours departure local time. This is fairly tight for the DXB stop but has been previously bettered, though not by a lot if I recall. The estimated 1345 hours Thursday 7 April SYD arrival looks to then have this A388 forming the 1550 hours QF1 back to DXB and LHR, so there is not a huge amount of leeway in the turnaround time - though again, if fingers are successfully crossed, the theoretical times can become reality.

The quickest QF A388 turnaround between revenue flights in Oz that I have observed is an hour and 38 minutes, which is extremely impressive given the multitude of staff, contractors and tasks involved, not to mention the need for a crew change.

 

[Melburnian1]

QF2106 (Thursday 7 April 0830 SYD to often sunny CFS) has been delayed in leaving until a forecast 1010, meaning arrival at 1120 not 0940 hours.

Earlier, QantasLink cancelled ex MEL QF2051, the 0815 to DPO and QF2078, the 0825 to MQL, while Qantas mainline QF420, the 0930 hours MEL to SYD also got the gong.

The 1030 hours MEL to CBR, QF1530 is forecast to depart an hour late while QF2130, the 1130 MEL to CBR has been also cancelled. This brings to mind the message on QF monitors at airports "PASSENGERS ACCOMMODATED ON QF---' which in this case will be QF1530 if there are available seats.

QF35, the 1145 MEL to SIN is not expected to push back until 1400 hours.

The delayed Tuesday evening QF2 (that departed LHR at 0642 on Wednesday 6 April) referred to in more than one post above managed to only spend an hour and 35 minutes at DXB so should be in SYD at 1335 this afternoon (Thursday 7 April), which in theory should not delay the 1550 hours QF1 back to DXB and LHR.

Wednesday 6 April's QF9 from MEL was as usual timetabled out at 2255 (but on this occasion had been formed by a special working ex LHR with a different '60XX" series flight number, possibly for Exclusive Brethren members, with QF10 unusually showing publicly as 'cancelled' rather than not appearing at all which is the usual practice when no bookings from Joe and Jill Public are taken) but did not depart until 0205 hours this morning. the DXB stop should be from 1010 to 1140 instead of 0705-0905 hours, meaning QF-forecasted LHR arrival at 1650 rather than 1415, but still in plenty of time to form the Thursday evening 7 April QF2 back to DXB and SYD.

 

[Melburnian1]

On Thursday 7 April 2016 QF23 (0950 hours SYD to BKK, fairly unusually today with A332 VH-EBL) took off at 1046 after pushing back at 1010 - so quite a bit of congestion - with arrival suggested as about 1720 hours, 40 minutes late.

QF81 (VH-QPF, an A333), the 1020 hours SYD to SIN departed at 1034 but was not airborne until 1105, so arrival is suggested as 1715, half an hour late.

 

[Melburnian1]

QF96, the B744-operated later flight to MEL ex LAX on Wednesday 6 April was scheduled to depart at 2335 hours but has been delayed until an expected 0115 hours on Thursday 7, with it expected to arrive MEL 80 minutes late on Friday 8 April at 0920 hours. QF94 is by contrast only 20 minutes late while the three in total flights to SYD or BNE are marginally late while the connecting B744 ex JFK arrived LAX only a minute late, so this looks like a standalone delay for QF96.

QF96 returns on Friday as QF95 to LAX but as this is not timetabled to depart until 1315 hours in the early afternoon an 80 minute delay to its predecessor should not - touch wood - cause any problems re timeliness.

 

[Melburnian1]

On Friday 8 April 2016, QF1501 from MEL to HBA is significantly delayed in its departure from 0815 to 1025. This is because the first of the morning from HBA, naturally QF1500 with QF's good sequential flight numbering has been altered to depart at 1215 rather than 0605 - a disaster for any businessmen and women, or even leisure travellers, with urgent business, funerals to attend or connections elsewhere in Australia through Melbourne Airport. Presumably a B717 has become defective this morning in HBA.

While yet to be disclosed publicly on the QF website, this unfortunate far from a cheery 'top o' the morn' start to the day will result in delays to QF flights between MEL - HBA - MEL for the rest of the day.

QF1525, the B717 at 1030 ex MEL to CBR has been cancelled so that aircraft will be 'pinched' to head down to HBA as QF1521. It arrived in MEL at 0942, eight minutes early as QF1529 ex CBR.

It is extremely costly for airlines with smaller sub-fleets (in this case the B717s) to have a spare aircraft sitting around and in any case even if in an ideal world it had a continual 'spare' in MEL that is not optimal if the failure occurs at the other end of a sector. Nonetheless the HBA - MEL route has been in quite a few months QF's by far worst performing major interstate route. This is one route where VA tends to have a far better punctuality record, while for many captains of industry, senior public servants or parliamentarians the mere thought of 'having' to fly JQ creates an allergic reaction - and on a Friday that is the end of some states' school holidays one might not expect JQ to have many spare seats.

QF426 (1100 MEL north to SYD) is also cancelled while the 0955 hours SYD - AKL, QF143, should have departed at 1030 but has yet to do so as at 1045.

The B744-operated QF63 is expected to depart 50 minutes late at 1140 from SYD on its long trek to JNB.

UPDATE: QF1501 departed MEL two hours and 26 minutes late at 1041 with arrival expected at 1148. The QF website shows the delayed 0605 hours QF1500 (revised to 1215) and QF1504, the 1200 high noon flight also to MEL as both departing from gate 5. This cannot be correct.

QF29 (1020 hours MEL - HKG, A333 VH-QPF) took off at 1137 but will regain substantial time, as predicted arrival is about 35 minutes late at 1835.

 

[OATEK]

UPDATE: QF1501 departed MEL two hours and 26 minutes late at 1041 with arrival expected at 1148. The QF website shows the delayed 0605 hours QF1500 (revised to 1215) and QF1504, the 1200 high noon flight also to MEL as both departing from gate 5. This cannot be correct.

Don't most QF flights from HBA go through the same gate - before you trek accross the tarmac and up the steps?

 

[Melburnian1]

OATEK, many thanks. QF1500 departed HBA at 1228, six hours and 23 minutes late: with a second aircraft 'stolen' from MEL - CBR, QF1504 was only two minutes late departing at 1202, but notably departed before the very late QF1500.

I was incorrect above asserting that the delays would continue all day: they have not, but at the cost of taking an aircraft that should be flying elsewhere.

QF127 departed SYD on Friday 8 April at 1111, 66 minutes behind time with HKG arrival forecast at 1805 hours, 45 minutes late. QF81 departed SYD at 1052 (32 minutes tardy) for the 'Lion City' in SIN with its lateness expected to increase to 45 minutes for a 1730 hours arrival. earlier, while QF23, the 0950 hours SYD - BKK only departed 16 minutes late, QF suggests that it will arrive half an hour behind the schedule at 1710.

While QF63 was as above only expected to depart SYD on 8 April 40 minutes late, this ballooned to 68 minutes with JNB arrival suggested as 1740 same day, half an hour late.

In contrast, in a different direction (northeast), QF7 from SYD to DFW departed 52 minutes late (1352) but same day arrival is suggested as 1340 - only five minutes late.

The scheduled 1155 hours QF2209 from SYD to ABX departed at 1343 this afternoon instead of 1155, arriving two and a quarter hours late at 1540.

 

[Melburnian1]

The Thursday 7 April 2255 hours QF9 from MEL did not depart until 0052 this morning (Friday 8 April.) It diverted to MCT in Oman, arriving at 0813 and departing at 1019.

Was this due to either fog or sandstorms?

It then arrived DXB at 1127, four hours and 22 minutes late; departure was at 1320, four and a quarter hours late. It is winging its way to LHR where arrival is predicted as 1750 instead of 1415. As QF2 is not timetabled to depart until 2130 that should - touch wood - be plenty of time to allow for an on time departure.

These pages recorded a MCT diversion of either QF2 or QF10 within the last three or four months but I cannot recall a recent one for QF9. Doubtless it has occurred before as one of our esteemed contributors noted that these Oz - LHR - Oz flights had also on occasion diverted to Bahrain and presumably other suitable Middle Eastern airports, sometimes due to weather and on occasion for medical reasons.

 

[Melburnian1]

On Saturday 9 April, QF30 (redeye ex HKG) should arrive MEL at about 0945, an hour and three quarters late. Aircraft is A333 VH-QPF.

Subsequently, QF29 from MEL to HKG departed 42 minutes behind at 1102 but arrival should be only 20 down at 1820 this evening.

The first of the morning with a timetabled 0600 hours pushback, B738 VH-VXP on QF730 from ADL did not takeoff until 0753 with SYD arrival suggested as about 1000, an hour and 40 minutes late. This aircraft appears to be then forming QF1042, the 1025 to BME which is not publicly depicted as delayed, although it will be if the rotation remains.

QF2248 (0715 hours SYD to LDH) did not depart until 0804 so arrival is suggested as 45 minutes late at 1025.

QF127 was 25 minutes late departing SYD this morning at 1030; QF83 on the same route was 13 minutes late, so it pushed back at 1028 ahead of QF127.

While slots, aircraft utilisation and many other matters may be relevant and reasons why it cannot easily happen, surely it would make sense for one of these SYD - HKG flights to depart SYD at night and arrive HKG in the morning, with a daylight return flight HKG - SYD? Spacing the departures is generally preferable to having two in quick succession whether it is an airline, a railway operator, ferry company or bus line. Some passengers want day flights; others prefer overnight flights. Why not meet both expectations?

 

[Flying mermaid]

QF35 Mel-Sin delayed for 2 hours ( so they have been told) due to having to change a bulb in the coughpit.

 

[Melburnian1]

Flying mermaid, great information although the QF website suggests that QF35 on Saturday 9 April will depart at 1250 which is 65 minutes late not 120. As always, information on the spot is terrific and often shows up airline websites as not having been updated.

A few of us have probably heard sufficient jokes about 'how many XX does it take to change a lightbulb' but one could now insert 'Qantas staff' into that.

Perhaps one of our esteemed members could indicate (no pun intended) if there are some finicky, hard to reach bulbs/ LED lights in the coughpit that require dismantling of screens or other such careful work if replacement is required. I assume that most of these lights have a very long life to minimise the need for tricky changeovers.

 

[Flying mermaid]

Miss FM did start her facebook message to me with "how long does it take to change a light bulb - two hours if you are Qantas". Anyway it does seem to have been done more quickly as I had another message at 12:15 to say they were boarding.

 

[Melburnian1]

QF35 indeed departed MEL at 1253 on 9 April, 68 minutes late and is expected 45 minutes behind into SIN at 1840 hours local time.

 

[milehighclub]

Was this due to either fog or sandstorms?

QF9 was a medical diversion.

 

[Melburnian1]

milehighclub, you must have ESP, because the Sydney Morning Herald website has just posted a lead article 'Qantas plane makes emergency descent' discussing the Friday 8 April landing of QF9 ex MEL in MCT (Muscat, Oman.) Perhaps the journalist reads AFF.

Sadly a gentleman suffered a heart attack and died after the plane commenced a 'rapid descent' but before the flight reached the airport.

Given that QF's A380s probably carry an average of 2000 passengers a day on the MEL/SYD - DXB - LHR routes (including some one sector only trips), one might expect a small number of these medical diversions each year. While small compared with QFi's annual revenue on such a major route, nonetheless this sudden cost must be many thousands of dollars a time. Of course it cannot be helped.

 

[Flyerqf]

QF61 has returned to BNE. VH-QPA is the operating aircraft.

 

[Melburnian1]

Thank you Flyerqf. QF61 is indicated as now departing at 0900 hours on Sunday 10 April instead of 1045 today (Saturday) with expected arrival ex BNE in NRT at 1715 hours on Sunday. Instead of departing at 2030 hours this evening, the overnight delayed QF62 back from NRT will do so at a forecast 1930 hours for an early morning 0535 hours Monday 11 April BNE arrival.

The aircraft (VH-QPA) appears to have landed back in BNE at 1141 after spending just 49 minutes in the air - takeoff was allegedly at 1052.

Whether this delay was medical or something not operating correctly on the aircraft, it may have meant that given the expected time on the ground back in BNE the crew would have run out of permissible hours.

On Sunday 10, QF418 (0900 hours MEL - SYD) is cancelled.

 

[Himeno]

While slots, aircraft utilisation and many other matters may be relevant and reasons why it cannot easily happen, surely it would make sense for one of these SYD - HKG flights to depart SYD at night and arrive HKG in the morning, with a daylight return flight HKG - SYD? Spacing the departures is generally preferable to having two in quick succession whether it is an airline, a railway operator, ferry company or bus line. Some passengers want day flights; others prefer overnight flights. Why not meet both expectations?

That's what I've said about TYO for years. Given the right timing, there is no reason QF can't have 2 SYD-TYO flights a day, a day and night flight in both directions, without needing any other aircraft.

While there were 2 (or 3) SYD/MEL-LAX flights, the ex-AU flights were good, spaced throughout the day, but the returns ex-LAX all still departed within the same 3 hour period.

 

[ozbeachbabe]

QF61 is indicated as now departing at 0900 hours on Sunday 10 April instead of 1045 today (Saturday) with expected arrival ex BNE in NRT at 1715 hours on Sunday.

Instead of departing at 2030 hours this evening, the overnight delayed QF62 back from NRT will do so at a forecast 1930 hours for an early morning 0535 hours Monday 11 April BNE arrival.

The aircraft (VH-QPA) appears to have landed back in BNE at 1141 after spending just 49 minutes in the air - takeoff was allegedly at 1052.

Whether this delay was medical or something not operating correctly on the aircraft, it may have meant that given the expected time on the ground back in BNE the crew would have run out of permissible hours.

It wasn't due to medical.

 

[Melburnian1]

Thank you, ozbeachbabe: there is a leading article at the 'Brisbane Times' and 'Sydney Morning Herald' websites headlined 'Qantas jet turned back after vibrating engine' regarding the Saturday 9 April QF61 return to BNE.

Apart from that and the usual 'landed safely' and 'engineers are now inspecting the engine' comment from a Qantas spokesman, and confirmation that it turned back about half an hour out of Brisbane, there is not much more to the article. Presumably passengers whose domicile is not Brisbane are now in an hotel ready for a morning 0530 or 0600 checkout.

Irrespective, given that the media is highlighting how it is 'the second such incident in five days', wait on Monday morning for possible talkback radio segment(s) about 'is QF still safe?' The only saving grace might be that this A333 turnback did not happen on a Sunday or Monday, so it is a little more removed timewise from when the not-so-dulcet voices of the shriller talkback hosts assail the airwaves.