Qantas Delays/Cancellations

[Melburnian1]

B738 VH-VXD on QF407 (0715 hours SYD down to MEL not pointing skywards until 0757 hours) should arrive at its gate at 0920 hours, half an hour behind schedule.

A332 VH-EBD on a following flight, QF415, was the 0800 hours taking off at 0830 but not arriving at gate until 1030 hours, 55 down. QF417 is similar: B738 VH-VXK is on this scheduled 0830 hours ex SYD that took off at 0923 hours. It had to hold above Mt Buller so arrival should be at 1102 hours, 57 late. QF461 (timetabled at 0845 ex SYD, B738 VH-VXP) was in the sky at 0928 so an 1111 hours - easy to remember - gate arrival is on the cards, 51 minutes behind the schedule.

QF421 (A332 VH-EBE) is the 0930 hours SYD - MEL airborne about 15 - 20 late at 1002 hours, but arriving after a holding pattern at about 1143 hours, 38 minutes late.

Because it's Friday - probably fewer 'lunchtime offpeak breaks' - some or most of these SYD - MEL delayed aircraft will be late all day, although it depends on what allowances there are for turnarounds in the QFd timetables.

QF38, the SIN - MEL with A332 VH-EBV should arrive at 1040, half an hour tardy.

 

[Melburnian1]

..Wednesday 5 February's QF50 (B789 VH-ZNI) departed SFO a minute late at 0716 hours but unusually diverted to SYD (with its rain.) It arrived on Friday 7 at 0651 then promptly departed at 0736 hours, becoming airborne at 0759. Arrival in the southern capital that is subject this morning to some fog patches and smoke haze should be 0905 hours, 140 minutes late. This however is better than some A388 QF94 delays that on occasion in similar circumstances tend to be around three hours.

Given it's peak period, to only be on the ground in SYD for 45 minutes is impressive.

Looking at its flight path, where it diverted when southeast of West Wyalong NSW, this may well have been a sudden medical diversion.

Later on 7 February, VH-ZNI is operating empty ('ferry') flight QF6002, which took off from MEL at 1105 hours. Its heading indicates it is bound for wet BNE.

 

[Melburnian1]

There must be a problem with the QF website's 'flight status' pages as QF63, the 1135 hours late morning SYD to JNB B744 is displaying as 'departed' at 1535 and is showing as 'in flight' (but as I write it's 1345 hours AEDT.) Can probably assume it's meant to be 'will be delayed' until that time. I checked to make sure it's today's date.

However another B744 looks accurate - QF27 should have departed at 1340 hours, 55 minutes late, for SCL where arrival is estimated at 1210 hours, an hour behind, same day.

QF678 (B738 VH-VXD, the 1105 hours ADL - MEL airborne at 1152) should be arriving at 1402, 67 late. This morning (go back two posts, above) it was half an hour late on QF407, the 0715 hours SYD - MEL, so delays have compounded. As one needs to stress, this isn't a 'given' - but occurs quite often.

UPDATE: At 1620 hours, Google Flights suggested the delayed QF63 (B744 VH-OEJ) would depart at 1755 hours, 380 minutes late. The QF flight status website page hasn't altered from '1535 hours' but AFAIK that is incorrect. Going by gate numbers, QF63(D) is being formed by the QF64 (ex JNB) arrival that came in a few minutes ago at 1615 hours, 40 minutes late. A 100 minute turnaround is pretty much 'minimum' for this aircraft size and should mean JNB arrival on Friday night (local time) at about 2200 hours.

QF has however adjusted the proposed pushback time for QF64 ex JNB on Friday, with the estimate becoming 2355 hours - 305 minutes late - with arrival at 2045 on Saturday night, 310 minutes behind schedule.

QF2006 (Friday 7, the 1515 hours SYD - TMW not airborne until 1626, Q300 VH-SBB) should arrive at about 1724 hours, 54 minutes tardy. Looking at BOM's site, Tamworth may shortly receive much rain.

 

[Melburnian1]

One that I missed earlier on Friday 7 February was 'WUH coronavirus rescue flight - to be trendy let's add the USA-style #2' - that took off from SYD (B744 VH-OEE) at 1224 hours, having been scheduled for pushback at 1140. HKG arrival should be 1751, nine minutes early.

This doesn't help the B744 availability for 'normal flights' so it's a contributor to how QF63 is so badly delayed today.

 

[Silvia]

Rain in Sydney really affecting delays and cancellations.
Husband is currently at the QP which is absolutely packed. Has advised that there have been several cancellations.
For instance, on SYD-MEL, QF469 the 16 15 hours service, QF453 17 00 hours, QF451 17 15 have been canned. Of course QF459 as it's on an A332 will be running at capacity.

 

[Melburnian1]

Rain in Sydney really affecting delays and cancellations...

As regular lurkers here may be aware, delays often compound in such weather conditions. B738 VH-XZO arrived in MEL from DRW at 1728 hours late this afternoon, two minutes early, as QF839. However its next flight, QF460, the 1830 hours MEL - SYD has just taken off at 1916 hours to the west so it will arrive at about 2029 hours, 34 minutes late. On occasion these delays may be due to ATC imposing revised (later) set pushback times - 'controlled departures' or similar in an attempt to minimise holding.

 

[Flyerqf]

QF9 is delayed 5 hours tonight. Looks like it may have pushed back and returned to gate in MEL.

 

[Melburnian1]

There must be a problem with the QF website's 'flight status' pages as QF63, the 1135 hours late morning SYD to JNB B744 is displaying as 'departed' at 1535 and is showing as 'in flight' (but as I write it's 1345 hours AEDT.) Can probably assume it's meant to be 'will be delayed' until that time. I checked to make sure it's today's date...

UPDATE: At 1620 hours, Google Flights suggested the delayed QF63 (B744 VH-OEJ) would depart at 1755 hours, 380 minutes late. The QF flight status website page hasn't altered from '1535 hours' but AFAIK that is incorrect. Going by gate numbers, QF63(D) is being formed by the QF64 (ex JNB) arrival that came in a few minutes ago at 1615 hours, 40 minutes late. A 100 minute turnaround is pretty much 'minimum' for this aircraft size and should mean JNB arrival on Friday night (local time) at about 2200 hours.

QF has however adjusted the proposed pushback time for QF64 ex JNB on Friday, with the estimate becoming 2355 hours - 305 minutes late - with arrival at 2045 on Saturday night, 310 minutes behind schedule.

QF63 pushed back in SYD at 1906 hours, 451 minutes late, the latest it has been for many months IIRC. JNB arrival should be 2330 hours, 415 minutes behind schedule. QF predicts QF64 will then depart on Saturday 8 at 0105 hours (375 late) for SYD arrival at 2155 hours, 340 minutes tardy.

 

[Melburnian1]

QF9 is delayed 5 hours tonight. Looks like it may have pushed back and returned to gate in MEL.

QF states departure on 7 February ex MEL will be at 2230, the PER stop becoming 2305 to (Saturday 8) 0050 hours and LHR at gate arrival 1030 hours, 325 minutes behind the timetable. Int heory the 1155 hours Saturday QF10 should be (just) able to depart punctually.

Meanwhile, about 700 air kilometres north, QF3, the 1915 hours early evening SYD - HNL did not push back until 2216 hours, so same day arrival has become 1110 hours, 175 minutes behind the timetable. QF4, the Saturday 8 returning flight should depart at 1235 (155 minutes late), arriving in SYD at the gate at 2015 hours, 160 late. VH-EBV is the A332, that after arriving ex MEL in AKL at 1804 hours, nine minutes late, quickly turned around and ran empty ('ferried') to SYD as QF6005, taking off at 1923 and arriving at 2039 hours. This gives one the impression another A332 (in Sydney) became defective.

In the 13 hours to 2200 tonight, 38.6mm of rain has been recorded at SYD (airport.) While not like BNE or CFS in the last day or so, it's substantial.

UPDATE: QF9 (B789 VH-ZNA) pushed back at 2228 hours, taking off at 2237, a very fast time for taxiing at most major airports. Ot had arrived as QF10 ex LHR and then PER at 2028 hours, three minutes late. Having 'the 10' form 'the 9' in MEL is not usual.

QF95, the non-daily (but operating tonight) 2220 hours MEL - LAX is estimated to be on its way at 0100 hours on Saturday 8 with at gate arrival turning into 2025 hours on Friday 7, 165 minutes tardy. VH-ZND has sat in MEL all day after arriving on QF30 ex HKG, while ZNJ is also in MEL ex QF96 from LAX.

QF583 (A332 VH-EBF) is the 1955 hours SYD - PER airborne at 2131, so at gate arrival has become a suggested 2258 hours, 68 minutes behind time.

 

[Melburnian1]

QF12, the 2230 hours LAX - SYD on Thursday 6 February was difficult to track last night AEDT as while one FR24 showed it had 'diverted to LAX', the flight path (incorrectly) displayed it as proceeding on its long journey. However this morning, QF's flight status page confirms that it will depart Los Angeles at 2000 hours on Friday night, arriving at 0610 hours on Sunday 9, 1295 minutes behind schedule. It had taken off on Thursday night at 2256 but landed back in LAX at 2339, so did not get very far. VH-OQE is the marooned A388.

As a result, QF127, the 0935 hours SYD - HKG has been cancelled on Saturday 8 while the 1820 hours HKG redeye back to SYD, QF128 is also booted.

 

[Melburnian1]

..QF95, the non-daily (but operating tonight) 2220 hours MEL - LAX is estimated to be on its way at 0100 hours on Saturday 8 with at gate arrival turning into 2025 hours on Friday 7, 165 minutes tardy. VH-ZND has sat in MEL all day after arriving on QF30 ex HKG, while ZNJ is also in MEL ex QF96 from LAX.

QF95 on Saturday 8 February pushed back in MEL at 0207, 227 minutes late with LAX arrival estimated as 2110 hours mid evening, 210 minutes behind the schedule. This should still be plenty of time to form an on time QF(6, the 2350 hours redeye back down to MEL.

 

[Melburnian1]

QF63 pushed back in SYD at 1906 hours, 451 minutes late, the latest it has been for many months IIRC. JNB arrival should be 2330 hours, 415 minutes behind schedule. QF predicts QF64 will then depart on Saturday 8 at 0105 hours (375 late) for SYD arrival at 2155 hours, 340 minutes tardy.

On Friday 7, QF63 arrived JNB at 2327 hours, 412 minutes late.

Expected departure for the returning QF64 has slightly altered to 0115 hours (385 minutes behind schedule) with SYD Saturday 8 arrival 2135 mid evening (360 tardy.)

QF25, the 2135 hours SYD - HND B744 is showing as departing from gate 33, the same one as which into QF64 is arriving. 'The 25' is not displaying as delayed, so I am unsure if it is being formed by a different B744.

Another AFFer indicated this second QFi 'WUH rescue flight''s travails may be because mainland Chinese authorities are "annoyed" with Australia's travel restrictions affecting students. QF6031 arrived HKG six minutes early at 1754 hours on Friday 7 February, but is departing HKG at 1930 on Saturday - exactly 24 hours late - for WUH. The WUH - DRW - SYD legs will also be adversely affected timewise.

Whether that means a delay to other revenue flights remains to be seen.

 

[goo57l]

QF12 seems to have returned to LAX, Anyone aware of what's happened to this flight?

 

[Melburnian1]

On Friday 7, QF63 arrived JNB at 2327 hours, 412 minutes late.

Expected departure for the returning QF64 has slightly altered to 0115 hours (385 minutes behind schedule) with SYD Saturday 8 arrival 2135 mid evening (360 tardy.)

QF64 on Saturday 8 February pushed back in JNB at 0140- hours, 410 late with SYD evening arrival expected as 2153, 378 behind the timetable.

 

[sashmanash]

On Friday 7, QF63 arrived JNB at 2327 hours, 412 minutes late.

Expected departure for the returning QF64 has slightly altered to 0115 hours (385 minutes behind schedule) with SYD Saturday 8 arrival 2135 mid evening (360 tardy.)

QF25, the 2135 hours SYD - HND B744 is showing as departing from gate 33, the same one as which into QF64 is arriving. 'The 25' is not displaying as delayed, so I am unsure if it is being formed by a different B744.

Another AFFer indicated this second QFi 'WUH rescue flight''s travails may be because mainland Chinese authorities are "annoyed" with Australia's travel restrictions affecting students. QF6031 arrived HKG six minutes early at 1754 hours on Friday 7 February, but is departing HKG at 1930 on Saturday - exactly 24 hours late - for WUH. The WUH - DRW - SYD legs will also be adversely affected timewise.

Whether that means a delay to other revenue flights remains to be seen.

QF 27 is delayed about 18 hours - not sure if VH-OEE was supposed to operate it or whether it’s just the delayed QF28

 

[Flyerqf]

QF 27 is delayed about 18 hours - not sure if VH-OEE was supposed to operate it or whether it’s just the delayed QF28

No - OEG is the problem. It’s grounded. This aircraft was due to operate yesterday’s QF63. There was a swap to QF63 and then OEG was operating QF27 today. But it’s still out of action.

Because QF64 isn’t due to arrive in SYD until 2200 tonight, QF25 has been delayed overnight to a 1440 departure.

I look ahead until tomorrow and there will be a problem with tomorrow’s schedule. With only 4 B744 available and 2 x HND, 2 x SCL and 1 x JNB to all depart on Sunday, looks like they are short by 1 aircraft. And that’s assuming OEG is back in service.

 

[Melburnian1]

No - OEG is the problem. It’s grounded. This aircraft was due to operate yesterday’s QF63. There was a swap to QF63 and then OEG was operating QF27 today. But it’s still out of action.

Because QF64 isn’t due to arrive in SYD until 2200 tonight, QF25 has been delayed overnight to a 1440 departure.

I look ahead until tomorrow and there will be a problem with tomorrow’s schedule. With only 4 B744 available and 2 x HND, 2 x SCL and 1 x JNB to all depart on Sunday, looks like they are short by 1 aircraft. And that’s assuming OEG is back in service.

What a terrible schedule for delayed passengers on the Saturday 8 February QF27. It should depart SYD at 0630 hours on Sunday 9 (so 'rise and shine at 0300 folks") and is suggested as arriving at gate at 0500 hours in Chile (therefore in local time, an 0230 hours breakfast.)

 

[Melburnian1]

Continuing with Saturday 8 February, QF129, the 1055 hours SYD - PVG (second last run?) departed at 1138 with likely arrival becoming 1911 tonight, 41 behind.

The A388 from SYD to DFW, QF7 is expected to depart 70 late at 1550 hours, arriving at gate at 1410 same day, 75 down.

Tonight's QF1 should depart 150 minutes late at 1930, eventually arriving LHR (Sunday 9) at about 0745, 90 minutes tardy if QFi's predictions prove correct.

With lots of rain continuing around Sydney (and Brisbane), QF862 (1405 hours Saturday SYD - BNE airborne at 1512 hours) has B738 VH-VZR likely to arrive at 1520 hours, 50 minutes late.

 

[sashmanash]

What a terrible schedule for delayed passengers on the Saturday 8 February QF27. It should depart SYD at 0630 hours on Sunday 9 (so 'rise and shine at 0300 folks") and is suggested as arriving at gate at 0500 hours in Chile (therefore in local time, an 0230 hours breakfast.)

Yes I am one of them, not looking forward to a second early wake up! As we flew in from BNE Qantas has put us up for the night in a hotel. Hope there’s common sense with the catering due to huge change in meal times.

QF27 that was scheduled for 9 Feb is now also pushed back a day.

 

[Melburnian1]

Yes I am one of them, not looking forward to a second early wake up! As we flew in from BNE Qantas has put us up for the night in a hotel. Hope there’s common sense with the catering due to huge change in meal times.

Out of interest, which hotel? Are all meals included - buffets or a la carte, and I assume no alcohol included? Did you transfer by bus and was it relatively quick (not that anyone expects QFi or hotel staff to be magicians)?

Yes, you don't want to be eating "lunch" 75 minutes after an 0650 hours takeoff.