Qantas Delays/Cancellations

[OATEK]

The wind still playing havoc Sunday morning in Sydney with QF2 departing SIN on time and arriving just on an hour late. Announcements on board referred to the wind (and not the volcano).

 

[Quickstatus]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but is that because they are unsuitable for using runways 7 or 25?

Even with the crosswinds takeoff performance is often better with the longer runways - more takeoff weight and better for the engines. It’s not a problem for the smaller aircraft so they happily will use 7/25.

Takeoff max crosswind is more than landing max crosswinds. I recall vaguely that in a 747-400, max crosswinds for takeoff on a dry runway c/w landing is 45 vs 35 kts. I’m sure there are other factors that come into play.

The other interesting bit of trivia for passengers (but not to flight crew) is the wind limitation for door opening. In the 747-400 it is 40kts I read somewhere. But usually the door is opened after the air bridge is deployed so protected from the elements somewhat. I don’t know what the air bridge wind limitation is.

 

[Melburnian1]

The wind still playing havoc Sunday morning in Sydney with QF2 departing SIN on time and arriving just on an hour late. Announcements on board referred to the wind (and not the volcano).

OATEK, as always thank you for the fantastic 'man-on-the-spot' report.

At 0630, BOM advised winds were gusting to 59kmh at Sydney Airport. It's a bit less now, down to around 48kmh. However operations are pretty normal at 0810 from FR24.

QF20 arrived from MNL into SYD at 0747, 97 late.

 

[jb747]

Even with the crosswinds takeoff performance is often better with the longer runways - more takeoff weight and better for the engines. It’s not a problem for the smaller aircraft so they happily will use 7/25.

A longer runway is much gentler on the engines. No point in spitting their life out the back end for no good reason.

Takeoff max crosswind is more than landing max crosswinds. I recall vaguely that in a 747-400, max crosswinds for takeoff on a dry runway c/w landing is 45 vs 35 kts. I’m sure there are other factors that come into play.

Crosswind limits are like the proverbial bit of string. There are many permutations. The 747 max was 35 knots (for takeoff or landing), inclusive of any gusts. So gusting 40 would be out of limits. On a wet runway, it would reduce to 25 knots. Autoland, fog, it just keeps reducing.

The 380 has a 35 knot take off limit, and a 40 knot landing limit. The reason for the reduced take off limit is engine related.

 

[Melburnian1]

Monday 14 May 2018 is somewhat foggy in MEL but as at 0730 it doesn't appear to be causing delays.

However earlier, QF400, first of the morning at a scheduled 0600 ex the southern capital (A332 VH-EBG) did not become airborne until 0643 so a 36 minute late arrival at 0801 hours looks to be the case.

 

[farstar]

I'm on QF495 with 7.10 scheduled departure boarding at 8.00 maybe so arriving probably an hour late. I saw three SYD-MEL flights before 9am cancelled.

 

[Melburnian1]

I'm on QF495 with 7.10 scheduled departure boarding at 8.00 maybe so arriving probably an hour late. I saw three SYD-MEL flights before 9am cancelled.

farstar, thanks.

QF495 conveying farstar took\ off at 0855; suggested arrival is 1011 hours, 86 minutes late. B738 VH-VZE has the task.

Upon a deeper look, the following SYD down to MEL flights are cancelled this morning - QF405, the 0630 hours ex SYD; QF407 (0720); QF415 (0800 hours); QF417 (the 0830) and QF461 (the 0845 hours.)

QF409 (B738 VH-VXT, the 0700 hours SYD - MEL that took off at 0839) should arrive at 0952 hours, 77 late.

The following QF411, the 0730 hours was airborne at 0901 so arrival should be at roughly 1015, 70 late. VH-VXU is the B738. QF413 is an estimated 78 late as this 0745 hours southbound was in the sky at 0913,.

It's not only on these mornings, but this sort of disruption is one of many reasons why our parliamentarians have to give the green light to proper planning, funding and construction of high speed trains on Oz's lower east coast.

Given that video conferencing has not taken off to the extent some thought it might have, because businessmen and women want face to face contact, they and the heaps of VFR/ leisure tourists cannot have a situation where Australia's two largest cities aren't reliably connected.

QF96 from LAX to MEL is arriving 80 minutes late at 0945 hours.

'The 38' from SIN down to MEL is expected at its arrival gate at 0953, 38 minutes tardy.

QF670 from ADL arrived 45 late at 0835 hours, while the ex BNE QF605 shoyuld arrive 49 minutes behind schedule at 0914 hours.

QF471 from SYD arrived in MEL at 0821, 31 minutes late.

 

[Melburnian1]

Earlier on Monday 14 May 2018, QF73 from SYD on the long haul to SFO departed 63 minutes late at 1348 hours with arrival suggested as 1000, 55 late.

The 1015 hours SYD - KIX was 20 minutes late away but arrived at its Japanese destination 37 late at 1947.

QF63 in the opposite direction from SYD to JNB was 38 minutes late off blocks at 1133 hours. Arrival is predicted as 1745 hours, 45 minutes down, slightly delaying the returning QF64, but it may pick up time on a gate-to-gate basis.

 

[Melburnian1]

Tuesday 15 May 2018 has QF508 (0800 hoirs SYD up to BNE that did not take off until 0911) arriving at a suggested 1025, 55 minutes late in the form of A332 VH-EBV.

This aircraft is supposedly next on QF51, the 1200 'high noon' BNE to SIN, so this will probably suffer a delay.

 

[Quickstatus]

15/5/18
Transpacific QF11 SYD-LAX due to depart at 1800 hrs. The engineering issue has been fixed (apparently).
$15 voucher for non lounge pax (apparently)

$9 for bottle of water . What can be bought for $6?

 

[Melburnian1]

15/5/18
Transpacific QF11 SYD-LAX due to depart at 1800 hrs...$9 for bottle of water . What can be bought for $6?

Quickstatus, I'm always surprised in Oz capital cities (possible exception Adelaide) that anyone would buy bottled water when tap water is generally good - excellent in Melbourne.

Are you serious that this is the cost? 500ml bottle?

 

[Quickstatus]

Quickstatus, I'm always surprised in Oz capital cities (possible exception Adelaide) that anyone would buy bottled water when tap water is generally good - excellent in Melbourne.

Are you serious that this is the cost? 500ml bottle?

1.25L
‘If they could charge for oxygen they probably would’

Tim Tams - I believe a packet of TimTams is around $6

 

[Melburnian1]

On Tuesday 15 May 2018, QF11 departed at 1814 hours from SYD for LAX. Arrival same day is expected at 1335 instead of 0620 hours, 435 minutes late. Passengers for JFK usually are placed on AA flights when this happens. It isn't typical for them to overnight in LAX for the next day's QF11.

Earlier, QF129, the 0930 hours SYD up to PVG departed 61 minutes late with arrival suggested 65 late at 1930. This will delay redeye QF130 back to SYD.

This morning this aircraft (A333 VH-QPF) had arrived only 13 minutes late at 0743 on QF34 ex KIX, so there was no standout reason for the late departure of 'the 129.'

 

[Melburnian1]

QF19, the Wednesday 16 May 2018 1210 hours SYD to MNL, departed at 1312 with arrival estimated at 1940 hours, 70 minutes late, which will delay redeye QF20, the 2000 hours timetabled return.

 

[Melburnian1]

Earlier on Thursday 17 May 2018, QF63 (the late morning 1055 hours SYD across to JNB B744) departed 64 minutes late. Arrival is suggested as an hour behind schedule at bang on 1800 hours, so the redeye QF64 back to SYD will be late departing. On a gate-to-gate basis it often makes up time.

The 1155 hours MEL - SIN (QF35) departed 26 late at 1221 hours with arrival on the cards for 1830 tonight, 35 late.

QF449 (1630 hours SYD - MEL, A332 VH-EBG) was in the sky at 1728, about 40 late, so it should be at its southern state gate at roughly 1847, 42 minutes tardy.

The much longer trip QF476 makes (PER across to MEL) is delayed until 1834 in its projected arrival, 34 late for B738 VH-VYL.

Unusually, QF1 that is so often punctual did not become airborne until 1755, two hours after its scheduled commencement of SYD pushback from the gate. A388 VH-OQD should arrive in SIN at 2340, 85 minutes late and depart at 0105, 70 late for a predicted LHR arrival on Friday 18 at 0800, 65 late. No obvious reason for the delay as the plane had arrived in SYD this morning at 0616, only 11 late on QF8 ex DFW.

 

[Melburnian1]

Although the LAX - JFK only arrived six minutes late on Wednesday 16 May - a creditable performance - the return QF12 pushed back 34 late at 1844, arriving LAX at 2215, 75 late. The connecting QF12 then departed LAX at 2333 hours, 63 minutes tardy (reasonable in the circumstances) with Friday 18 May arrival suggested as 0709 hours, 39 late.

'The 16' was 78 minutes late off its LAX blocks at 0038 this morning so Friday BrisVegas arrival is predicted at 0644, 50 minutes late.

 

[Quickstatus]

Sorry this is not contemporaneous.

16/5/18
QF121 SYD-ZQN 0950-1430
On approach to ZQN (would have otherwise been on time) but aborted approach at 4500 ft

Alternates are
DUD 95miles runway 1900m
IVC 98 miles runway length 2210m
CHC 216 miles runway length 3200m

QF121 diverted to IVC probably because of longer runway capable of more than a 737 while being much closer to ZQN than from CHC by Road.

Immigration officials arrived from DUD and ZQN by road so passengers remained on board until then?. Minimum 2.5 hours from DUD and ZQN according to relative who lives in that region. But likely to have taken a bit longer as immigration would have needed to organise the troops and transport.

Catering was made available. There really is nothing like small town NZ hospitality - wait- all NZ towns are small
Passengers were later bussed to ZQN

The aircraft after some time flew to CHC presumably for repairs

Apparently a flaps issue

(Credit: AVH)

 

[Melburnian1]

Quickstatus, QF122 (ZQN = SYD_ was cancelled yesterday so it seems.

Yes, it was QF6013 to CHC.

This morning, it was 25 minutes early on QF138 from CHC to SYD, and then spent 85. hours there before its current flight, QF569 from SYD across to PER that is punctual. So it may have had an inspection or three in Sydney today as 8.5 hours inoperable on a weekday towards the end of the week is low utilisation (although May is not one of the busier months.)

 

[Quickstatus]

I have been unable to find any social media comment about this and so presumably no major immediate complaints.

Arrived into IVC at 1530hr then Immigration probably arrived say 1830
Processing and ground transport would have seen passengers travelling in the dark unable to experience the beautiful scenery of the road between IVC and ZQN especially around Lake Wakatipu. Very pretty around that part of the world.

Arrival into ZQN and then their respective accomodation would be close to midnight

 

[Melburnian1]

On Friday 18 May 2018, QF93 (A388 VH-OQA) departed MEL 76 late at 1016, but it is expected to regain a lot of time with a suggested LAX arrival at 0658 hours, 33 late.

QF117 is predicted to depart SYD 35 minutes late at 1110 hours for HKG.

Thursday 17's QF1 departed SYD 96 late at 1731, with the SIN intermediate stop 2344 (89 late) to 0130 Friday 18 (95 late and projected LHR arrival today at 0805, 70 minutes behind time.