Qantas Delays/Cancellations

[ayebee]

Was it simply that passengers were co-operative and all ready to go, or is it more that, plus loadings northbound now being extremely low due to Australians being strongly discouraged from travelling?

economy looked pretty full - I wonder where and why all these people are going

 

[Melburnian1]

economy looked pretty full - I wonder where and why all these people are going

Are they all Poms and Europeans returning to their domiciles?

By the way, this flight seems to be altered to depart SIN at 2315 not 2355. Goodness knows why it deviates from the normal timetable when there's dramatically fewer flights operating.

 

[milehighclub]

QF1 is going via DRW tomorrow as well as QF2 from LHR. Crew are positioning to DRW now. Some will still go via SIN to get people (and crew) out.

As far as repatriation flights, last one I heard about was one to Cape Town but looks like that didn't go ahead (was meant to depart today). No doubt there will be some in the future.

The last flights vary on route and will be between 25th and 28th network wide. As always, things change in the blink of an eye.

And OQC/E are resting in MEL and OQL in SYD.

 

[Melburnian1]

..And OQC/E are resting in MEL and OQL in SYD.

My memory is imperfect but surely must be the first time that two A388s are stabled in MEL at night, apart from a pilot or other strike, as SYD is the normal hub. Amazing. History before our eyes (although we could do without the tragic consequences.)

 

[Melburnian1]

...As far as repatriation flights, last one I heard about was one to Cape Town but looks like that didn't go ahead (was meant to depart today). No doubt there will be some in the future.

The last flights vary on route and will be between 25th and 28th network wide. As always, things change in the blink of an eye...

mile, this may be because QF has yet to change its online timetables - understandable - but QF2 and QF82 appear to be both operating overnight from SIN on Saturday 4 April 2020 down to SYD.

Similarly QF19 and QF20 are spasmodically operating SYD-MNL-SYD on a minority of days.

I don't know if these are pared down regularly scheduled flights or 'repatriation' ones. To a traveller booking, whether one was more costly than the other would be a major fixation.

 

[milehighclub]

To be perfectly honest, they probably cannot keep up. Every time they blink, a government changes the rules. No one can go from SYD to LHR on QF1 or the return - SIN won't allow it. Given that the network is slowly about to stop, I imagine imminent flights are the priority. All international crew begin stand down on the 30th so I don't see how any flights will operate beyond this date. And I don't think anyone is booking, if they were, we'd still be flying.

 

[Melburnian1]

QF11, the Tuesday 24 March 2020 scheduled morning 1010 hours SYD - LAX departed at 1236 with same day arrival suggested as 0809 hours, 129 minutes tardy. VH-OQJ is the A388, it having arrived this morning as QF12 at 0905 hours, 90 minutes late. The delay may have been because QF11/QF12 are no longer operating across the USA LAX - JFK and vice versa, so presumably any connecting passengers from New York were on an AA flight.

Monday 23's QF2 (that milehighclub refers to above) was retimed to do depart LHR at 2205 but did so at 2219, then took off at 2236 hours. Its DRW refuelling stop on Wednesday 25 is estimated from 0035 (40 late) to 0130 (15 late) with SYD arrival at 0720 hours, 20 minutes late on the changed timetable. Class leader VH-OQA is the aircraft. The changed route is apparently due to SIN imposing restrictions in line with what is widely acclaimed as one of the 'best' handlings of the COVID-19 situation by any nation state.

Tuesday 24's changed QF1, the 1700 hours but via DRW not SIN, is estimated to depart an hour late with the DRW stop 2120 to 2300 hours. Confusingly the QF website shows QF1 as operating via either SIN, or nonstop to LHR for an 0620 hours Wednesday 25 estimated arrival. I believe the latter is correct.

 

[Melburnian1]

...Tuesday 24's changed QF1, the 1700 hours but via DRW not SIN, is estimated to depart an hour late with the DRW stop 2120 to 2300 hours. Confusingly the QF website shows QF1 as operating via either SIN, or nonstop to LHR for an 0620 hours Wednesday 25 estimated arrival. I believe the latter is correct.

The changed in departure time QF1 pushed back in SYD at 1815 hours and should reach DRW at 2128 hours, 73 late (based on the original departure scheduled for 1700 not 1800 hours.) VH-OQL is the aircraft. DRW is not a stop where passengers can alight or board (sadly for AFFers who'd love a 'special' domestic trip on an A388: it's only to refuel.)

QF43, the 1650 hours SYD up to DPS (A332 VH-EBM) departed only 12 late but arrival in Bali should be 2032 hours, 32 late.

 

[jb747]

My memory is imperfect but surely must be the first time that two A388s are stabled in MEL at night, apart from a pilot or other strike, as SYD is the normal hub. Amazing. History before our eyes (although we could do without the tragic consequences.

Oh, and when was there a pilot strike in the life of the 380? We know that you hate unions, but come on....

 

[Melburnian1]

Oh, and when was there a pilot strike in the life of the 380? We know that you hate unions, but come on....

Fair point re the A388s' timeline, but my dislike of unions is much more re the militant ones, of which the pilots' is not.

From the occasional media tidbit it appears that the pilots' union is working constructively with QFi (and QFd) during the current 'unprecedented' situation.

 

[Melburnian1]

Tuesday 24 March's rerouted QF1 spent longer in DRW than expected, as the stop was from 2133 hours to 2328. Anticipated LHR arrival today (Wednesday 25) is 0702 hours.

Similarly the southbound QF2 (ex LHR Monday 23) was in DRW this morning from 0040 to 0257, far more than the unrealistic allowance in the amended timetable of 0040 to 0115, so SYD arrival was at 0825 hours. VH-OQA was the A388 aircraft. It appears to be 'forming its own' as in the QF1 tonight, but that has been amended from its usual 1700 hours to much later: 2200 hours. Is this to give the crew already in DRW sufficient mandated rest?

 

[Kangol]

QF1 is going via DRW tomorrow as well as QF2 from LHR. Crew are positioning to DRW now. Some will still go via SIN to get people (and crew) out.

This is only for discussion purposes, but what usually happens with the catering at a time like this? Will they be able to load more Taittinger CDC BDB 2007 in DRW?

 

[Melburnian1]

Confusingly, the QF website continues to show (for a second consecutive day) a QF1 schedule that has it flying from SYD to DRW, and another from SYD to SIN. This must be a programming problem.

The former is true. Latter would be difficult unless it was a European, UK or Indian night train that splits its cars in half at a junction station. An Australian example is at Werris Creek daily with the combined Armidale/Moree railcars. I've been on many of those here and overseas, but lack a wish to have that occur in the sky.

The 2035 hours Tuesday 24 March QF2 departed LHR at 2217 with DRW arrival on Thursday 26 estimated as 0035 and departure at 0145, more realistic than the much shorter timeframe QF predicted for this morning's similar fuel stop. SYD arrival is estimated tomorrow as 0735 hours.

QF93 departed MEL on Wednesday at 1201 hours, 141 late with same day LAX arrival suggested as 0731 hours, 81 minutes late.

The 1340 hours '7' from SYD to distant DFW is expected to depart at 1430 hours (as I type) with same day arrival at 1330, 35 down. Given the drastically reduced frequency of golden triangle flights, maybe it has to wait for connecting passengers from BNE or MEL among others.

While it displays as a 'timetable' rather than an 'amended time', QF63 from SYD to JNB is departing at a predicted 1900 tonight rather than the usual 1135 hours.

 

[milehighclub]

This is only for discussion purposes, but what usually happens with the catering at a time like this? Will they be able to load more Taittinger CDC BDB 2007 in DRW?

So addressing the 2nd part of your question first. First class wine is double catered on the QF1/QF2! So nothing to worry about there.

In regards to catering in general, I imagine what has taken place, would be the flight is double catered. A huge task to pull off at short notice.

QF has done this before. A few years ago, JNB caterers went on strike, and QF was able to double cater a 747 to ensure two meal services in both directions.

This would mean a reduction/change to the service in all cabins in order to get it to all fit. They can also do things like pre-setting water bottles which gives them more space again (that would free up 2 carts for food). From memory I don't think any A330 aircraft visit Darwin, so they would mostly have 737 equipment which is not compatible with the A380 so all the more reason it will be all loaded ex SYD. During the refuel, they will probably only change the bins and clean and empty the toilets.

 

[Melburnian1]

...This would mean a reduction/change to the service in all cabins in order to get it to all fit. ..

"Enhancement."

 

[Kangol]

So addressing the 2nd part of your question first. First class wine is double catered on the QF1/QF2! So nothing to worry about there.

In regards to catering in general, I imagine what has taken place, would be the flight is double catered. A huge task to pull off at short notice.

QF has done this before. A few years ago, JNB caterers went on strike, and QF was able to double cater a 747 to ensure two meal services in both directions.

This would mean a reduction/change to the service in all cabins in order to get it to all fit. They can also do things like pre-setting water bottles which gives them more space again (that would free up 2 carts for food). From memory I don't think any A330 aircraft visit Darwin, so they would mostly have 737 equipment which is not compatible with the A380 so all the more reason it will be all loaded ex SYD. During the refuel, they will probably only change the bins and clean and empty the toilets.

Phew. Such a relief! For those pax that is..

Interesting they would have space to double cater an A380. Does that mean on a regular service, there are empty carts (or space for extra catering) just in case?

 

[milehighclub]

Interesting they would have space to double cater an A380. Does that mean on a regular service, there are empty carts (or space for extra catering) just in case?

On a regular flight, there is very little room left over. That's why I mentioned a reduction/change. Anything that could be removed, creates space for something else. Water bottles come on in carts. If catering place them on the seats, that's two carts for food they could load. Ice cream takes up a whole cart in economy. It would probably be deemed something that could be removed on this occasion. Already - you've now got room for 300 meals with those 3 carts. Amenity kits could also be removed or preset in economy and that gives you half a cart. Perhaps meals in business have to be served in dishes instead of being plated. Every little change helps.

Also something else that would assist is the short flight to Darwin. SIN flights have a full meal service and then a light snack. You wouldn't serve a light snack to Darwin as you'd be landing not long after the meal anyway. So in essence you don't need to cater for 4 services, but rather 3.

 

[Melburnian1]

Continuing with Wednesday 25 March 2020, QF63 (oin its changed timetable) departed SYD five minutes late at 1905 with predicted JNB at gate arrival 2355 hours local time, 10 early.

The second consecutive QF2 via DRW is expected to stop there on Thursday 26 from 0040 to 0225 with SYD arrival at 0815 hours, 125 minutes late.

QF1 arrived LHR on Wednesday 25 at 0706 hours, 51 minutes late on the amended timetable.

The same flight ex SYD on 25 March (A388 VH-OQA) departed at 2235, 335 minutes late with the intermediate DRW stop suggested as (Thursday 26) 0150 to 0315 hours and consequently, arrival in LHR at the gate at 1035 hours, 260 minutes tardy.

 

[Melburnian1]

The Tuesday 24 LHR - SYD QF2 had its intermediate DRW stop from 0034 to 0315, so on the two nights so far that QF2 has operated this way, the time taken has been a fair amount more than timetabled. SYD arrival should be 0848 hours compared to the usual 0610.

Wednesday 25 March's QF2 is also operating via DRW. This 2035 hours scheduled flight is expected to depart LHR 90 late at 2205 hours.

Again, presumably due to the need for DRW-resting crew to have minimum mandated time off their duty tour, tonight's (Thursday's) QF1 should push back in SYD at 2200 hours, 300 minutes late.

 

[Kangol]

On a regular flight, there is very little room left over. That's why I mentioned a reduction/change. Anything that could be removed, creates space for something else. Water bottles come on in carts. If catering place them on the seats, that's two carts for food they could load. Ice cream takes up a whole cart in economy. It would probably be deemed something that could be removed on this occasion. Already - you've now got room for 300 meals with those 3 carts. Amenity kits could also be removed or preset in economy and that gives you half a cart. Perhaps meals in business have to be served in dishes instead of being plated. Every little change helps.

Also something else that would assist is the short flight to Darwin. SIN flights have a full meal service and then a light snack. You wouldn't serve a light snack to Darwin as you'd be landing not long after the meal anyway. So in essence you don't need to cater for 4 services, but rather 3.

I've always wondered why some cabins are set up "better" than others. Water, headphones, amenity kit, arrival documents, bed cover pre placed over the seat, etc. Sometimes it's all ready to go, other times it's completely bare.
This makes sense now. Thanks