Qantas Delays/Cancellations

[Melburnian1]

36J/199Y for 117/118

Thank you Flyerqf. That's another loss of 62 seats (297 - 235) for QF117 and QF118 if my calculations are correct, meaning 249 seats today ex SYD for HKG (and the same returning) that in theory could have been sold (minus any blocked off for crew rest or other reasons) and for which passengers may have to be found alternative flights.

Put another way, on a combined each way basis, 31.9 per cent of the seats nominally normally available for these two flights are not available today.

It would be unusual if during this time of the year an airline such as QFi was running flights with only 68.1 per cent of seats occupied. While loadings will not be identical in each direction, there must be many passengers having to be transferred to other flights.

If any AFFers have experiences such as being changed by QF to a different flight today or tonight or accommodated in a SYD or HKG hotel overnight for a flight tomorrow, it would be great to hear those stories through AFF.

The failed A388 - VH-OQF - looks to still be in DXB. Apart from the repairs (if needed) plus crewing arrangements, we must bear in mind the curfew in SYD as another operating restriction as per an esteemed contributor's reminder a few pages back on AFF about what to consider when there are these QFi (or other airlines') longhaul failures or other delays. The QF website suggests that it will depart DXB on Friday 30 December at 1100 for an 0755 hours Saturday 31 December SYD arrival. It might be numbered flight QF2D to distinguish it from the next departure (which may arrive in Oz earlier) from LHR and DXB to SYD.

 

[Melburnian1]

There must still be fog or other unsuitable conditions in the UAE as the Thursday 29 December 2016 QF1 ex SYD (that took off late at 2000 hours last night) is diverting to MCT, meaning that in three days, a QF A388 has diverted to three different Middle Eastern airports - perhaps unmatched since QF began its flights through DXB, although these aircraft have previously diverted to MCT on multiple separate occasions. Some instances have been recorded in these pages.

QF1 is estimated to arrive in MCT at 0312 hours and depart at 0420 for an 0500 hours on blocks time in DXB compared with the timetabled arrival at the latter of 0040 hours. DXB departure has been estimated at 0620 - which would be fast for this intermediate stop, but may be attainable give or take a few minutes - and a subsequent LHR arrival time of 1020 on Friday 30 December, three and a half hours late (210 minutes.)

This aircraft normally then forms QF10, the 1155 hours back to DXB and on to MEL. It looks like being late departing.

The Internet indicates that heavy fog in Dubai is most likely in January and February during its winter. Is this correct?

 

[jb747]

Kind of you to post this: I've noted the subsequent comment from you that 'the data is out there - you aren't seeing it.'

One other AFF member (not Quickstatus) contacted me by private message to say 'he'd have no idea how to interpret it.'

A 'sticky' (that in some cases on AFF turns into what the moderators call a 'Wiki') might be useful for many AFF users.

You deal with these weather reports every time you fly or do a SIM exercise, so it's natural that you're an expert at quickly interpreting them. AFF members who are also aviators presumably need to be able to quickly read and interpret them.

For the rest of us, who in many cases are writing from a passenger perspective and not that of an airline staff member's, a 'sticky' could be of assistance. You have explained the weather reports at times (maybe a year ago?) but as with many blogs and sites like this it can be difficult to search back to find such contributions unless one knows what search terms to use.

The reason that comment was made was because you are making editorial comments, basically by pulling them out of thin air. A very small amount of research will, in many cases, show that the comments you've made are in some cases, completely wrong...whilst in others I'm sure that same research would point you to accurate conclusions.

Web pages that can decode aviation weather reports are common enough, but it shouldn't hard to recognise the time, wind, and comments about TS or FG.

You muse as to why QF didn't hurry things so that the diverted 9 would arrive at a similar time to the 2. Firstly the 9 diverted after holding for about 30 minutes at about the same time that the 2 was arriving at the holding fix. It (2) then proceeded to hold for about an hour and half, before flying an approach. The fog HAD NOT cleared at that time, but the aircraft had sufficient holding to ultimately reach to the top of the queue. Diverted traffic has no place in the queue, and even if allowed to take off (unlikely) the 9 would have been straight back to the hold. In any event, Al Ain is an offline port, and a turnaround of 90 minutes is a good effort.

 

[Melburnian1]

You muse as to why QF didn't hurry things so that the diverted 9 would arrive at a similar time to the 2.

In my contribution, I said 'One reason why QF9 could not depart AAN a little earlier to more or less match the post-fog arrival time of 0921 of QF2 might be the congested airspace and runways, so an approximate 1050 hours arrival in DXB for QF9 might be the earliest that air traffic controllers could allocate.'

 

[Quickstatus]

Is DXB capable of autoland in fog?

 

[Melburnian1]

The delayed, diverted (to MCT) QF1 that left SYD on Thursday 29 December is now expected to depart MCT at 0945 hours for a DXB suggested 1055 hours arrival. QF predicts that the flight will then depart DXB at 1225 instead of the normal 0240 hours, arriving LHR at 1600 in the afternoon instead of the usual timetabled 0650 hours early morning on blocks time.

QF is asserting that QF10 and QF2 on Friday 30 December will depart punctually at their respective times of 1155 and 2045 hours. This is not possible: if the delayed QF1 forms QF10, it may depart at 1800 in the early evening provided the inbound QF1 does not lose further time.

On some previous occasions with delays like this, QF has cancelled one of its two daillies between DXB - LHR - DXB. At this time of year seats may be scarce on EK (and the next day's QF flights.)

 

[Melburnian1]

The Friday 30 December QF127 (1100 hours SYD - HKG) was downgraded from an A388 to an A333 (VH-QPH) due to A388 VH-OQF having failed in DXB on teh way back to SYD from LHR as QF2.

QF128 did not depart until 1228 this afternoon; arrival in HKG is suggested as 1830 rather than 1725.

 

[Flyerqf]

QF is asserting that QF10 and QF2 on Friday 30 December will depart punctually at their respective times of 1155 and 2045 hours. This is not possible: if the delayed QF1 forms QF10, it may depart at 1800 in the early evening provided the inbound QF1 does not lose further time.

QF9 is 17 mins from DXB - assuming it gets into DXB and departs with a 1.5 hr turnaround it should arrive at LHR around 12pm so could turnaround to operate QF10 with a 2 hour delay.

QF1 should still arrive well in advance of QF2's departure later that evening.

 

[Melburnian1]

QF9 is 17 mins from DXB - assuming it gets into DXB and departs with a 1.5 hr turnaround it should arrive at LHR around 12pm so could turnaround to operate QF10 with a 2 hour delay.

Flyerqf, time will tell and the QF flights between DXB and LHR take less on many days than the timetabled gate-to-gate times.

However today, many flights are delayed. QF's website suggests that the QF9 stop at DXB will be 0715 to 0830 hours - pretty fast (though not impossible) with arrival in LHR at 1240, which would make the earliest QF10 could depart around 1430. If I was a betting man, I'd suggest on the balance of probabilities that the stop at DXB will take longer due to so many other aircraft also needing to be accommodated.

If you are correct as to times I need to buy you a Tatts ticket!

QF81 (A332 VH-EBV, the 1115 hours SYD - SIN) on Friday 30 December was airborne at 1237; arrival should be at about 1715 hours, 45 minutes late.

The B744 operating QF63 from SYD to JNB, the 1135 hours scheduled departure should instead depart at 1500 mid afternoon with expected JNB arrival being 1915 rather than 1635 hours. This will delay tonight's (local time) JNB - SYD QF64.

 

[Flyerqf]

DXB is a zoo at the moment. QF2 is now delayed 4 hrs for a departure at 12.30 and late morning arrival into Sydney tomorrow.

QF1 is still at Muscat

 

[Flyerqf]

Crew hours must becoming an issue at Muscat. Keep in mind the flight was 4 hrs late leaving SYD.

Also today's QF2 has been delayed til 12.30 so that the aircraft can be used to operate yesterday's QF2 (as QF2D) which indicates there MAY still be an issue with OQF.

 

[Melburnian1]

The scheduled Thursday 29 December QF9 ex MEL (A388 VH-OQD) departed DXB at 1008 on Friday 30, 98 minutes late. It is estimated to arrive LHR at about 1314, 34 minutes late.

The diverted, delayed QF1 from Thursday 29 remains in MCT as at 1732 AEDT on Friday 30 (1032 local time in the Middle East.) QF had anticipated that it would depart at 0945 for the relatively short hop to DXB. Would passengers be instructed to alight in MCT and wait in a transit area (with limited food and beverages?) to reboard slightly before expected departure or would they either be able to choose to, or be told to, remain on the aircraft despite a lengthy stay?

 

[Himeno]

Parents are booked on tonight's QF128.
I found out about the aircraft change when I got up this morning and saw this thread. Sent them a message (at 2am HKG time...) telling them to check the booking. Haven't heard anything from them. Just looked at the booking, it shows the aircraft change, but still lists them in the old seats (seats which don't exist on the 333).

Assuming they get on 128, mum will be happy about getting the new suites. I was telling her about them before they left, then when I saw their itinerary and saw that it was 128 (and thus not normally a 330) I had to tell her they weren't on that flight.

 

[Melburnian1]

Parents are booked on tonight's QF128.

You must rise with the corellas. 0200 HKG time = 0500 AEDT. Please keep us posted as to anything your parents relay about their experience (any delays, change of seats, unexpected food and beverage vouchers before departure for those not in a lounge and so on.)

 

[Flyerqf]

Parents are booked on tonight's QF128.
I found out about the aircraft change when I got up this morning and saw this thread. Sent them a message (at 2am HKG time...) telling them to check the booking. Haven't heard anything from them. Just looked at the booking, it shows the aircraft change, but still lists them in the old seats (seats which don't exist on the 333).

Assuming they get on 128, mum will be happy about getting the new suites. I was telling her about them before they left, then when I saw their itinerary and saw that it was 128 (and thus not normally a 330) I had to tell her they weren't on that flight.

Have they been moved to QF118 as that's an A330-200 with the old seats today?

 

[Flyerqf]

The scheduled Thursday 29 December QF9 ex MEL (A388 VH-OQD) departed DXB at 1008 on Friday 30, 98 minutes late. It is estimated to arrive LHR at about 1314, 34 minutes late.

If it arrives in LHR at 13.14, QF10 back to MEL (via DXB) should be able to get out by 15.30, some 3.5 hrs late.

My guess would be that QF1 won't leave Muscat today as they won't have a spare crew there.

 

[Melburnian1]

QF is suggesting that QF10 today (Friday 30 December) will depart LHR three hours and 35 minutes late at 1530 - presumably after being formed by the delayed QF10 arrival of VH-OQD that is expected in LHR at 1314 this afternoon.

Sorry Flyerqf, you won't be receiving a Tatts ticket as you suggested that QF10 could depart at around 1400 hours.

Unless rabbits are produced out of hats it looks like the Saturday 31 December 2325 hours late evening QF9 ex MEL will be delayed. Perhaps F passengers will still be in the F lounge in MEL as the New Year arrives.

 

[Himeno]

You must rise with the corellas. 0200 HKG time = 0500 AEDT.

Up at 0430 to be ready for work and at a bus stop by 0550.

Have they been moved to QF118 as that's an A330-200 with the old seats today?

The booking still shows them on QF128, but online check in is blocked. They haven't heard anything from QF about the change and are heading to the airport earlier then they had planned.

I gave them a list of options (QF128, QF118, QF30, QF98, transfer to CX) with the seat types on the QF flights... Won't know much more until they get to the QF desks at HKG.
They are in J, so would just go to a lounge once they are all sorted out. (I gave them a map of HKG with all the oneworld lounges they could access marked when they left)
Mum asked what I'd pick if offered other QF options. I'd take QF30, for the easier connection at MEL, but she wants the new suites, so if 128 isn't an option, take 98 and go via BNE.
Prefer to remain on 128, but since 127 is delayed, it is possible 128 will be late anyway. (she replied to that with "complicated".)

 

[Melburnian1]

Thursday 29 December's QF12 departed JFK 49 minutes late at 1849, arriving LAX at 2149, 54 minutes behind schedule.

QF12 then departed for SYD at 2315, 45 late with Saturday 31 December arrival estimated as 35 minutes tardy at 0905.

QF16 was 50 minutes late departing LAX at 0010 on Friday 30 December with Saturday 31 arrival estimated at 0745, 40 minutes late.

The late running QF9 has been altered to arrive LHR at 1335, 21 minutes later than previously suggested on Friday 30.

 

[Quickstatus]

If it arrives in LHR at 13.14, QF10 back to MEL (via DXB) should be able to get out by 15.30, some 3.5 hrs late.

My guess would be that QF1 won't leave Muscat today as they won't have a spare crew there.

EK operates several 777 flights and it's ugly duckling sibling FDB operates 737-800 between DXB and MCT. This may alleviate the situation somewhat at MCT if QF takes the "evacuation" option and gets the passengers and crew out of MCT.

Or a fresh crew may be flown in from DXB. As the flight time DXB-MCT is a little over 1 hour a fresh crew could be flown in to immediately get an operable A380 out of MCT (unlike the impossible alternative of a replacement crew flown from AUS).

Is The aircraft operable and just awaiting a fresh crew?