Qantas Delays/Cancellations

[Melburnian1]

In further on 15 January 2017, QF419 (0900 hours SYD down to MEL, B738 VH-XZE) did not take off until 0945 (behind the scheduled 0930 hours flight) and so arrival is expected at 1124, 49 late.

 

[milehighclub]

That pesky fog is back in DXB. The QF2 has gone to MCT.

 

[jb747]

TAF: OMDB 150500Z 1506/1612 18005KT 3000 BR NSC BECMG 1506/1508 8000 NSW BECMG 1508/1510 29010KT BECMG 1516/1518 17005KT PROB40 1522/1606 4000 HZ BKN014 PROB30 1600/1605 0100 FG VV/// BECMG 1605/1607 7000 NSW BECMG 1608/1610 29014KT

The really pertinent bit, is the 100 metres visibility in fog, with no vertical visibility (VV//). Below takeoff minima, and barely within CAT IIIB. Basically, it will close the airport, as it will be pretty well impossible to taxi.

 

[Melburnian1]

The QF website incorrectly suggests that the Sunday 14 January 2018 QF2 ex LHR initially went to DXB. After departing London at 2146 hours, 61 late - usually it's on time or close to it ex LHR - the MCT stop was (on Monday 15) 0942 to 1058, surprisingly short. The DXB stop for passengers, freight and the crew change was from 1208 to 1412 hours, so this morning (Tuesday 16) SYD arrival has become an estimated 1125, 295 minutes tardy.

 

[Melburnian1]

QF23 from SYD to BKK, a day flight, used to be generally punctual or within 15 minutes of the scheduled arrival. It has become much worse during the past few months, a situation that is the case on Tuesday 16 January when its 1030 hours scheduled departure has become 1320. with predicted arrival at 1845 tonight, 145 minutes late, meaning a long day for travellers, many of whom may have risen in places like the Central Coast at 0400 or so.

While which plane goes where is determined by numerous factors and within the same model of aircraft (or sometimes A332 to A333, or A388 to B744 if feasible) there can be last minute changes to a rostered plane, it would be interesting to know if there is, all other things being equal, a QFi pecking order that in the event of a delay, the (as example) PVG flight QF129 or SIN-bound QF81 is prioritised above say QF23. Happy to be corrected but historically the BKK route has had a preponderance of travellers on holidays/ visiting friends and relatives and may give QF a lower yield per occupied or available seat kilometre than say the SYD - SIN route or SYD - LAX.

 

[Quickstatus]

That pesky fog is back in DXB. The QF2 has gone to MCT.

Time to head back to SIN

 

[jb747]

No fog...but I suspect the total number of diversions would be similar. Thunderstorms. It's actually easier to deal with fog.

 

[Quickstatus]

No fog...but I suspect the total number of diversions would be similar. Thunderstorms. It's actually easier to deal with fog.

Your divert airports for your type of aircraft if destination is SIN?
Do you have any photos of the ITCZ?. (Intertropical convergence zone). Thunderstorms and lightning?

 

[jb747]

Your divert airports for your type of aircraft if destination is SIN?

KL. Bataam.

 

[Himeno]

No fog...but I suspect the total number of diversions would be similar. Thunderstorms. It's actually easier to deal with fog.

While QF hubbed to Europe through SIN, I don't remember nearly as many diversions as there has been through DXB. The odd landing in BKK or KUL, but not nearly as often as the DXB diversions seem to be.

 

[Must...Fly!]

I imagine the fact you are taking off 7 hours before landing rather than 13-14 makes things (a little) more predictable.

 

[Flyerqf]

The QF website incorrectly suggests that the Sunday 14 January 2018 QF2 ex LHR initially went to DXB. After departing London at 2146 hours, 61 late - usually it's on time or close to it ex LHR - the MCT stop was (on Monday 15) 0942 to 1058, surprisingly short. The DXB stop for passengers, freight and the crew change was from 1208 to 1412 hours, so this morning (Tuesday 16) SYD arrival has become an estimated 1125, 295 minutes tardy.

Why did they need a crew change?

 

[ayebee]

Dubai fog ... looks pretty when landing not required.
Video shows fog descending over Dubai | Daily Mail Online

 

[jb747]

Why did they need a crew change?

Crews are always changed at the intermediates stops. One crew cannot legally, or safely, go from Melbourne/Sydney through to London in one tour of duty.

 

[docjames]

jb747 - how does the diversion rate into DXB ex-AUS due to weather/delays compare to delays into LHR on the old (soon to be new) routing SIN-LHR?

 

[jb747]

jb747 - how does the diversion rate into DXB ex-AUS due to weather/delays compare to delays into LHR on the old (soon to be new) routing SIN-LHR?

I don't know specific numbers, but diversions happened when the flew via Singapore, and I don't think the rates were all that different. I've not had to in either place (touching wood), but have come very close a number of times. I suspect that I'd rather be in KL than Bataam, and I know I'd rather be there than Al Ain.

Part of the issue with Dubai is the massive amount of traffic that belongs to the Emirates, etc. They literally fill the airspace, and when the diversions start happening, they take ALL of the slots at the various surrounding airports. "Doesn't play well with others" is a term that you could apply.

 

[Flyerqf]

Crews are always changed at the intermediates stops. One crew cannot legally, or safely, go from Melbourne/Sydney through to London in one tour of duty.

Sorry, I misread the post as a crew change at MCT.

 

[Flyerqf]

Friday’s QF96 from LAX to MEL has been delayed overnight. Aircraft is the Dreamliner #1 ZNA.

As a result Sunday’s QF95 is cancelled.

 

[serfty]

QF9 will be late tonight. it was already going to be delayed 30 minutes but a lightning/thunderstorm has stopped going to the gate.

 

[serfty]

Clearing, but still no movement.