Qantas Delays/Cancellations

[Melburnian1]

(in presenter mode) Jessica, could you please inform us about how many were booked on the QF37 and how many spare seats are made available for you and your colleagues on EK405, which tonight has A380 A6-EOV?

There is also (the unmentionable) competitor offering, SQ208 at a scheduled 1925 hours ex MEL, then nothing timetabled until SQ218 (the redeye on which I've been) at 0105 on Saturday 21 October ex MEL, and then SQ238, JQ7 and QF35 in relatively quick succession respectively at 1130, 1210 and 1245 hours, followed by TR25 at a scheduled 1300 hours.

It would be surprising if EK405 had more than 15 - 20 per cent of its either (I think 389 or 443, depending on which version of the four class A380 is in use) seats vacant on a Friday night. 20 per cent of the higher capacity version gives about 90 seats to 'play with.'

It is too late in the day for QF passengers to be flown to SYD to connect with an outbound to SIN and in any case the only offering left is a TR flight at 2145 hours, which is an SQ subsidiary not a member of the QF group or an affiliate.

 

[JessicaTam]

There were about 140 pax on QF37.

We were advised in the lounge to go to gate 9 to check in for EK405. A very small queue was waiting there as they had only advised premium passengers of the arrangements. This was to give WPs etc a chance to grab seats before the hoi-poloi.

EK405 has been delayed an hour so they can accommodate the QF cancellation.

Fortunately QF made the call early enough.

As to how busy the EK flight is ... "It wasn't until now" was the reply when I asked the gate agent. So I would think most if not all will get a seat. There are some who are going on to LHR, so they may get moved to QF9.

Edit: I wonder if I will get my first 'beep at the gate' for EK.

 

[JessicaTam]

EK405 now will not be boarding until about 1850. So the 1900 departure might be optimistic.

 

[Melburnian1]

Great information JessicaTam, although you did inform us that EK405 was to be delayed an hour (to 2000 ex MEL) so I'm unsure why your latest comment suggests that 1900 may not be the departure time when you already know that.

The low number of passengers (c. 50 per cent occupancy on QF37) shows either how 'off peak' the month of October is, or alternatively how much competition there is for international travellers among the airlines (and hence the low yields that various airline managements have publicly discussed.) 140 passengers may not be remunerative, although return flight QF38 may have had more booked and hence QF37 has to operate, and in any case it's a bad look to cancel flights as it may also leave cargo behind let alone the delay for VIPs like Jessica, as well as the important matter of crew rostering keeping as intended. The comment from the EK check in individual buttresses the evidence of relatively low loadings...it isn't a Christmas or Easter situation.

 

[JessicaTam]

We were informed that the flight was originally due to depart at 1800.



P.S. confirmed that 120 put on EK405. So I suspect that the other 20 or so are on QF9.

 

[Melburnian1]

In further on Friday 20 October, after arriving in SYD this morning on QF118 and then operating SYD - MEL - SYD - MEL as (respectively) QF427, QF436 and QF447 (the first two domestics each 45 minutes late, the final one with passengers about half an hour late), A333 VH-QPJ is running QF6156, a northbound 'ferry flight' (or charter) back to SYD.

There will be a reason for it but at first glance it seems wasteful to use an A333 on domestics when a return flight (often well loaded on Fridays) such as QF19/QF20 (SYD - MNL return) could benefit in passenger comfort from an A333 rather than the usual A332.

 

[Melburnian1]

As a matter of record, the delayed EK405 with most of the 'refugees' from QF37 took off at about 1949 tonight, 49 minutes after scheduled pushback and quite creditable given the extra 120 passengers on board with not much notice. In these circumstances I always wonder how on board food services cope as surely normal practice is not to have 120 spare evening meals and snacks loaded 'just in case', as that would be a lot of wastage. A few extra in each class for each 'service' but not 120.

Continuing with Friday 20 October, QF634 (1915 hours MEL - BNE that was in the sky at 2018 tonight with B738 VH-VYC) should arrive at 2112 hours, 47 late.

 

[Flyerqf]

In further on Friday 20 October, after arriving in SYD this morning on QF118 and then operating SYD - MEL - SYD - MEL as (respectively) QF427, QF436 and QF447 (the first two domestics each 45 minutes late, the final one with passengers about half an hour late), A333 VH-QPJ is running QF6156, a northbound 'ferry flight' (or charter) back to SYD.

There will be a reason for it but at first glance it seems wasteful to use an A333 on domestics when a return flight (often well loaded on Fridays) such as QF19/QF20 (SYD - MNL return) could benefit in passenger comfort from an A333 rather than the usual A332.

It needs to get back to SYD to operate QF3 to HNL.

 

[milehighclub]

In these circumstances I always wonder how on board food services cope as surely normal practice is not to have 120 spare evening meals and snacks loaded 'just in case', as that would be a lot of wastage. A few extra in each class for each 'service' but not 120..

Economy meals are usually prepared well in advance and pretty much always snap frozen. Whilst I can't speak for Alpha, who cater for EK out of Melbourne, it would be a safe bet that given the number of EK flights a day, there is more than enough buffer to cater to a sudden increase like that.

 

[JessicaTam]

As a matter of record, the delayed EK405 with most of the 'refugees' from QF37 took off at about 1949 tonight, 49 minutes after scheduled pushback and quite creditable given the extra 120 passengers on board with not much notice. In these circumstances I always wonder how on board food services cope as surely normal practice is not to have 120 spare evening meals and snacks loaded 'just in case', as that would be a lot of wastage. A few extra in each class for each 'service' but not 120.

Continuing with Friday 20 October, QF634 (1915 hours MEL - BNE that was in the sky at 2018 tonight with B738 VH-VYC) should arrive at 2112 hours, 47 late.

We departed 30 minutes late at 1930. And we all got fed.

 

[Melburnian1]

JessicaTam, what class were you in? Just economy?

Due to the delayed QF23 on Friday 20 October, the overnight returning QF24 from BKK to SYD is arriving on Saturday 21 at about 0912 hours, 102 minutes late with A333 VH-QPG.

QF128 from HKG down to SYD is 38 late with arrival suggested at 0848 hours.

As previously noted, Friday 21's QF15 from BNE to LAX was rescheduled to a 24 hour late anticipated departure at 1020 hours on Saturday 22. The scheduled QF15 today (22) is also suffering a delay with departure retimed to 1430 this afternoon, 250 minutes late and expected same day LAX arrival at 1015 hours, 255 late. The Saturday QF11 is still displaying as operating across the USA to JFK.

This is the first time since these delay pages commenced that one recalls QF15 being badly delayed on two consecutive days.

Friday 20's QF16 from LAX to BNE, normally departing late night at 2320 has been altered to commence its trip at 1025 hours mid morning on Saturday 21 October with predicted BNE arrival on Sunday 22 at 1720 rather than the timetabled early morning 0610 hours.

QF15 on Sunday 22 from BNE to LAX is apparently to punctually depart despite the late inbound QF16.

UPDATE: The delayed QF15 from Friday did not depart until today (Saturday 21) at 1116 (B744 VH-OJS), with arrival in LAX expected at 0650 hours.

 

[Melburnian1]

Oh dear. Saturday 21 October's QF15 from BNE to LAX has had its projected departure delay further extended to 1630 AEST (1730 AEDT) with estimated same day arrival blowing out to 1215 hours, 375 minutes late. Depending on when they signed on, might this require a fresh crew? This may be problematical in BNE.

 

[JessicaTam]

“Just” economy?

 

[Melburnian1]

The Friday 20 October 2017 QF16, the 2320 hours from LAX to BNE has been cancelled.

B744 VH-OJS that is on the 25 hour late QF15 (BNE - LAX) that departed on Saturday 21 October may instead travel from LAX to JFK and back as QF11 and then QF12.

While the media focus is on the B789's first flight and March 2018 introduction, the existing B744-operated BNE - LAX - JFK and return route is chaotic.

 

[Melburnian1]

Well, well, well.

QF15 from BNE to LAX that was meant to depart a bit more than six hours late today (Saturday 21) has now become a 1300 hours Sunday 22 October anticipated departure for LAX same day arrival at 0845.

So both Friday's and Saturday's QF15 are more than 24 hours late, presumably meaning hotel stays provided by QF for at least some out of towners in both BNE and LAX (given that at least one QF16 back, as noted above, is also cancelled.)

 

[Flyerqf]

Well, well, well.

QF15 from BNE to LAX that was meant to depart a bit more than six hours late today (Saturday 21) has now become a 1300 hours Sunday 22 October anticipated departure for LAX same day arrival at 0845.

So both Friday's and Saturday's QF15 are more than 24 hours late, presumably meaning hotel stays provided by QF for at least some out of towners in both BNE and LAX (given that at least one QF16 back, as noted above, is also cancelled.)

Sunday’s QF15 is cancelled as there will not be a spare 744.

Flow on effect from Friday’s and Saturday’s 24 hr delays to QF15.

 

[Melburnian1]

Contributions from any BNE - LAX - BNE or LAX - JFK and return QF travellers affected by these cancellations and delays would be welcome as to what alternative arrangements (transfers, meals, hotels, flight rebookings) were made.

As always, one has to feel sorry for those having to attend (say) a funeral at the usual short notice as it is these travellers who are perhaps the hardest hit at an emotional level. In contrast, many leisure travellers will have allowed a bit of a 'buffer' and while the cancellations and delays can also be immensely annoying to business travellers, sometimes a percentage of meetings can be rescheduled.

This is a lot of disruption on one of QF's longer routes. It is unfortunate that it has occurred over a weekend period as had the delays commenced on a Monday or Tuesday, things might not have been quite so bad due to the typical 'spare' B744 (from memory) available on days like Tuesday.

 

[Flyerqf]

QF73 returned to Sydney earlier. However is now back on its way. Had to wait a while before landing as it dumped fuel.

 

[Melburnian1]

Thank you Flyerqf. QF73 on Saturday 21 October is B744 VH-OEH; it finally took off from SYD (second time) at 1845. SFO arrival is suggested as 1323 hours, 233 minutes late.

 

[Flyerqf]

An aircraft swap between OEG and OEJ is currently taking place. OEJ down to SYD after bring grounded since Friday and OEG up to BNE to operate the delayed QF15 from yesterday.
If OEJ isnt back in service by later today one of today’s outbound SYD 744 services may be impacted.