Qantas Delays/Cancellations

[milehighclub]

Thanks. Clearly I need a lesson reading the timetable.

Well the flight is daily, but as I mentioned there are few charters and small schedule changes of otherwise daily flights.

 

[Melburnian1]

Despite the Tuesday 9 May QF12 from JFK to LAX arriving at 2050 hours, 10 minutes early, the continuing flight (albeit with a different aircraft registration) departed the USA's movie city at 2317 hours, 47 minutes behind schedule with Thursday 11 May arrival expected in SYD at about 0657 hours, 37 minutes late.

QF23 departed SYD on Wednesday 11 May at 1023, 33 late with BKK arrival predicted at 1710, half an hour late.

The 1145 hours QF35 from MEL to SIN departed 89 minutes late at 1314 this afternoon with arrival expected 75 late at 1910 hours.

 

[Melburnian1]

Over the month of May there are about 11 charters for the A380 so you may see some services not operate. Generally they will operate as a charter in one direction and as a normal flight in the other.

Irrespective of demand levels, one problem for QF is that on some days of the week (Thursdays to Mondays inclusive, and sometimes seven days a week if Christmas holidays or Easter period), its larger aircraft (B744/A388) longhaul fleet may be fully utilised (bearing in mind that sometimes it has an A388, or a B744 or both undergoing scheduled maintenance.)

Nonetheless cancelling a key flight such as QF1/QF2/QF9/QF10 that passengers expect to operate daily is hardly ideal and does not help to build patronage.

As with any airline, railway or coach company, it would be preferable to operate these 'specials' (whether for Exclusive Brethren or anyone else who desires a charter) with spare equipment.

We all understand airlines are not altruists, but the damage cancelling flights (even in advance) does to perceptions of frequency (and reliability, as in lack of cancellations) must be significant.

I may not observe every CX/JL/SQ flight to name a few, but it doesn't stand out that these competitors fairly regularly cancel flights normally on sale to the general corporate and leisure traveller so that a charter can operate. And while there are many other factors involved, look at CX and SQ's frequencies out of major east coat Australian ports (to their home ports) compared with QF's fairly meagre offerings (in terms of frequency) on most of these mid length routes.

 

[Melburnian1]

On Thursday 11 May's evening, QF482 (mid evening 2045 hours MEL - SYD) has been cancelled.

The 1935 hours arrival in MEL ex CBR, QF833 also did not operate. QF495, the 0750 hours timetabled arrival in MEL ex SYD is also to receive the boot, as is the 1425 hours arrival in MEL ex CBR, QF1425.

On Friday 12 May, the 0930 hours MEL - SYD (QF420) is cancelled as is QF1528, the mid morning 1030 hours MEL - CBR. During the evening, QF466 (1945 hours also MEL up to SYD) is also to receive the gong.

 

[Melburnian1]

On Friday 12 May, QF23, the 0950 hours SYD - BKK (A333 VH-QPE) took off at 1024 and so is not expected to arrive until 1715 hours, 35 minutes tardy.

The 1025 hours SYd - SIN, QF81, departed at 1112 so arrival is predicted for 1745, 55 minutes late. VH-EBQ is the A332.

The 1050 hours SYD - JNB, QF63, has been delayed in its departure until at least 1155 but provided it does not face a long queue of other aircraft for takeoff, it should pick up a bit of time on its point-to-point journey.

Yesterday afternoon (Tuesday 11 May) QF1, the 1550 hours ex SYD flagship did not depart until 1804. This is pretty unusual for this flight. It subsequently arrived DXB 125 minutes late at 0230 hours and departed at 0404 hours, 114 minutes tardy for an estimated LHR arrival at 0855 (1755 AEST), 120 minutes late.

 

[docjames]

Nonetheless cancelling a key flight such as QF1/QF2/QF9/QF10 that passengers expect to operate daily is hardly ideal and does not help to build patronage.

Yes however there are multiple daily flights with QF codeshares (EK metal) on these routings so for the majority of pax they will book that if the QF "metal" flight is not operating on a particular day. Those "particular days" also being chosen due to reduced demand anyway.

Note it is much rarer for QF 11/12/15/16/93/94 not to operate.

 

[Melburnian1]

Continuing with Friday 12 May, QF73, the 1300 hours from SYD to SFO (B744) has been delayed in its departure until at least 1355 hours.

UPDATE: B744 VH-OJT on QF73 was airborne at 1410 hours.

 

[ayebee]

Yes however there are multiple daily flights with QF codeshares (EK metal) on these routings so for the majority of pax they will book that if the QF "metal" flight is not operating on a particular day. Those "particular days" also being chosen due to reduced demand anyway.

Note it is much rarer for QF 11/12/15/16/93/94 not to operate.

I note QF16 10 May did not operate, but QF 6052 did operate LAX-BNE-SYD with an A380 (VH-OQF).
Number suggests a charter but maybe other customers for Brisbane & Sydney also got a ride.
The B747 (VH-OJT) that operated QF12 JFK-LAX continued on to Sydney as QF12 rather than the usual A380, delayed over 2 hours. The Sydney regulars would not have been greatly impressed.

 

[Melburnian1]

I note QF16 10 May did not operate, but QF 6052 did operate LAX-BNE-SYD with an A380 (VH-OQF)....
The B747 (VH-OJT) that operated QF12 JFK-LAX continued on to Sydney as QF12 rather than the usual A380, delayed over 2 hours...

ayebee, many thanks. Although Vh-OQF landed at 0949 today (Friday 12 May) in SYD, it then did not depart as QF1 until 1609 this afternoon, 19 minutes late. DXB arrival is expected about half an hour late at 0055 hours on Saturday 13 May.

 

[Flyerqf]

I note QF16 10 May did not operate, but QF 6052 did operate LAX-BNE-SYD with an A380 (VH-OQF).
Number suggests a charter but maybe other customers for Brisbane & Sydney also got a ride.
The B747 (VH-OJT) that operated QF12 JFK-LAX continued on to Sydney as QF12 rather than the usual A380, delayed over 2 hours. The Sydney regulars would not have been greatly impressed.

QF6052 was diverted to BNE. According to the flight plan it looks to be a late diversion.

Incidentally QF16 is currently diverting to HNL... Late arrival expected into BNE tomorrow.

 

[JohnPhelan]

Incidentally QF16 is currently diverting to HNL... Late arrival expected into BNE tomorrow.

Medical diversion apparently. Now expected in BNE around 0900, so the departure of Saturday's QF15 may be pushed back a bit.

 

[Melburnian1]

On Saturday 13 May, QF415 (0800 hours SYD - MEL) did not take off until 0848 hours, so arrival of A332 VH-EBK is likely at about 1009, 34 minutes tardy.

 

[Flyerqf]

Medical diversion apparently. Now expected in BNE around 0900, so the departure of Saturday's QF15 may be pushed back a bit.

Hopefully all ok for the passenger needing attention. The flight was >2.5 hrs from HNL when the diversion was activated.

 

[Melburnian1]

Continuing with Saturday 13 May, QF790 (0840 hours SYD - ASP that was airborne at 1426, B738 VH-VZC) should be at its destination at 1306, 41 minutes late.

A332 VH-EBP on QF81 (1025 hours morning SYD - SIN) took off at 1123, with arrival suggested at 1743, 53 late.

 

[Flyerqf]

QF118 was cancelled last night and EBG remains in HKG.

 

[Melburnian1]

(QF16)... now expected in BNE around 0900, so the departure of Saturday's QF15 may be pushed back a bit.

On Saturday 13 May, QF15 departed BNE at 1213 hours, 113 minutes late with predicted arrival in LAX at 0730, 90 minutes late. This will delay the same day QF11 (also the B744) across the USA from LAX to JFK, as it is supposed to depart at 0820 hours.

 

[Melburnian1]

QF118 was cancelled last night and EBG remains in HKG.

Perhaps as a result, QF83, the scheduled 1050 hours Saturday 13 May SYD - HKG was cancelled.

Friday 12 May's QF1 has diverted to MCT (Oman) where it spent from 0030 to 0154 hours this morning before arriving in DXB at about 0304 instead of 0025. It then departed at 0437, 147 minutes late with LHR arrival projected at 0915, 140 late. Fog or sandstorms, or medical?

 

[Flyerqf]

Perhaps as a result, QF83, the scheduled 1050 hours Saturday 13 May SYD - HKG was cancelled.

Friday 12 May's QF1 has diverted to MCT (Oman) where it spent from 0030 to 0154 hours this morning before arriving in DXB at about 0304 instead of 0025. It then departed at 0437, 147 minutes late with LHR arrival projected at 0915, 140 late. Fog or sandstorms, or medical?

Qantas says it diverted due to "operational reasons". I am no weather expert but wouldn't have thought fog would be an issue at 1am? Doesn't appear that other aircraft diverted. Maybe operational reasons is refuel due to long hold times?

 

[mannej]

Qantas says it diverted due to "operational reasons". I am no weather expert but wouldn't have thought fog would be an issue at 1am? Doesn't appear that other aircraft diverted. Maybe operational reasons is refuel due to long hold times?

I am no weather expert either but have seen fog cause diversions after dark so not sure what the timing has to do with anything?

 

[Flyerqf]

QF26 is delayed 7 hours into SYD today.

QF12 JFK to LAX is delayed 1.5 hrs although it's still taxiing so this could be delayed further. There is no QF16 scheduled but it will delay the QF12 A380 onto SYD.