Qantas Delays/Cancellations

[789nerd]

789 ZNI positioning as QF6004 has just pushed back at Melbourne, 18 minutes late, so QF75, still showing a 2200 departure (95 minutes late), is likely to be delayed a bit more.

Edit : QF75 eventually left 2 hours 22 minutes (142 min) late.

 

[ole nimeton]

Was just reading the other thread about DFW problems so thought I’d post here for the record/comparison sake -

I was scheduled on a Norfolk Island-SYD flight a few weeks back that hit a bird coming into Norfolk. Was a significant delay but great expectation management by qantas - the pilot personally kept us informed about what was going on (bird, engineers trying to remotely troubleshoot etc, possibility of another plane). Eventually Qantas arranged for us to have a meal in town while they arranged for another plane to fly in from Brisbane due to no accommodation on Norfolk.

Seemed to suit a lot of people who’s final destination was BNE anyway and they had someone meet other people at Brisbane who needed accomodation and to be rebooked to their final destination.

Inconvenient as I got back home 24 hours after origionally planned but can’t fault Qantas in this instance - expectation management was pretty spot on and they assisted every step of the way.

Appreciate it might be harder to resolve delays from more ‘international’ destinations but pretty good effort for a very remote destination with basically only the crew that flew in on the plane to troubleshoot.

 

[Melburnian1]

Three of the first four "resumed" QF1s operating via SIN (not DRW) have not gone well.

On Monday 20 June 2022, A388 VH-OQD as the 1555 hours SYD - SIN took off at 1740, arriving at 2341 hours, 86 minutes late. Its second sector was airborne at 0150 hours on Tuesday 21, more than two hours after scheduled pushback of 2345 hours, so LHR arrival became 0827 hours, 112 minutes late.

Tuesday 21's had VH-OQK, taking off from SYD at 1649 and being in SIN from 2235 (only 20 late) to 0119 hours on Wednesday 22, arriving LHR at 0752 hours, 77 minutes tardy.

Although Wednesday 22's QF1 recahed its gate at SIN at 2228 hours, only 13 late, it did not then become airborne until 0110 so suggested LHR arrival for VH-OQJ becomes 0720, 45 late.

I don't know if there's a nexus - insufficient mandatory crew rest times if the inbound is delayed, for instance - but QF2 seems to be departing LHR late. On 22 June, this 2105 hours scheduled flight took off at 2256 so expected SIN arrival at gate today becomes 1851, 86 late for VH-OQK.

It's too early to conclude this is a constant pattern, but if it continues, eventually QFi may be called in by LHR management to discuss why it's so constantly late, as it was a few short years ago.

One AFFer previously remarked with the change to the via SIN QF1/2 having an A380 and QF9/10 via PER retaining their B789s, delays on the LHR routes would become more commonplace as the aircraft (and crews) can't be switched as was the case with the 'both via DRW B789' recent operations. Then, it was possible for a late QF9 to form QF2 at night ex London, and the aircraft from 'the 1' to operate a timely QF10.

 

[Melburnian1]

B789 VH-ZNA on QF11, the Wednesday 22 June 1015 hours SYD - LAX took off at 1139, arriving same day at 0745 hours, 45 late.

A333 VH-QPF on yesterday's QF23 (0950 hours SYD - BKK) took off at 1058 hours, arriving at gate at 1719 hours, 39 minutes tardy. The 1810 hours returning QF24 took off at 1859 with Thursday 23 SYD arrival 0711 hours, 41 late.

Class leader VH-QPA on QF103 yesterday (SYD - HNL) arrived at 0945 hours, 35 late. The return into SYD (scheduled to arrive late this afternoon at 1725 hours) is an estimated 31 minutes late.

 

[Melburnian1]

After four consecutive days when it was at most 17 minutes late arriving in AKL, a pleasant change, QF143, the 0930 hours nicley timed ex SYD on Wednesday 22 June arrived at 1509 hours, 34 minutes late with A333 VH-QPA.

Today (Thursday 23) is worse, with B738 VH-XZC taking off at 1052, suggesting at gate arrival 56 late at 1531 hours. This will delay the 1610 hours returning flight, QF146.

 

[Melburnian1]

It isn't just LHR-bound (via SIN) QF1 that's running late.

The alternative of QF9 via PER hasn't had a spectacular few days.

On Tuesday 21 June, this 1515 hours MEL - PER (B789 VH-ZNG) was airborne at 2146 hours, arriving at its WA capital airport gate at 2324 hours, 369 minutes late. It was then airborne at 0119 hours on Wednesday 22, arriving LHR at 1122 hours, 367 late. This meant the 1155 hours LHR - PER QF10 did not get in the sky until 1349 hours, arriving PER today at 1301 hours, 81 minutes tardy, so it made a little time on that lengthy sector. It is spending excess time on the ground in Perth, as by 1500 hours local time, it hadn't taken off.

Today's (23 June) QF9 was expected to depart MEL at 1700 hours, 105 minutes tardy, so it will be late arriving in PER and almost certainly in LHR.

There must have been a B789 unexpectedly inoperable recently as from memory, QF75/76 SYD - YVR and return have been badly delayed at times.

 

[789nerd]

There must have been a B789 unexpectedly inoperable recently as from memory, QF75/76 SYD - YVR and return have been badly delayed at times.

After being out for 5 days in Jo'burg at the end of May, VH-ZND was out for another 5+ days last week in Melbourne, not returning to service until two days after the route change over. Once again, caused multiple delays across the 789 routes of between ~3 and ~12 hours, the latter on one rotation of QF75/76.

 

[Melburnian1]

QF9 from PER to LHR used to be very good with punctuality but partly due to what 789nerd (and I) suggest above, it's slipped somewhat.

On Thursday 23 June, this 1515 hours from MEL-originating flight took off at 1822, arriving in the Golden West at gate at 2030 hours, 185 minute sbehind schedule. Takeoff for LHR for aircraft B789 VH-ZNE occurred at 2219 (pushback schedule says '1850') so expected arrival today (Friday 24) becomes 0754, 169 minutes past the allotted.

The southeast bound QF10 from LHR arrived PER yesterday (23 June) at 1301 hours, 81 minutes late, and subsequently was at its designated MEL gate by 2013 hours, 93 minutes tardy, the aircraft being B789 VH-ZNG. Today (24) the same flight has VH-ZNI. It arrived PER at 1241 hours local time, 61 late and has taken off for distant MEL at 1428, so if arrival at gate occurs at the expected 1936 hours, that will be 56 minutes behind the timetable. Thankfully it won't have lost further time since the Perth arrival.

Last night, A388 VH-OQD on QF1 arrived SIN at 2251 hours, 36 minutes tardy. Takeoff for its final sector to London Heathrow was at 0111 hours this morning, so suggested at gate arrival is 0738 hours, 63 minutes tardy.

Southbound, the A380 on QF2 is regularly running an hour or so late into SYD, where arrival is scheduled at the ridiculously early time of 0510 hours, longstanding practice and presumably to do with slot availability in LHR, remembering that these pre-COVID-19 were valuable (and IIRC, able to be 'leased' to other airlines). On Friday 24, VH-OQK arrived 77 late at 0627 hours.

The 23 June departure from LHR (the 2105 hours, VH-OQJ) didn't take off until 2309 so today, expected SIN arrival has become 1904 hours, 99 minutes late. This guarantees a delayed arrival in SYD on Saturday 25 June's early morning.

 

[Melburnian1]

Additionally on Friday 24 June 2022, QF43 (1625 hours SYD - DPS) is expected to depart an even two hours late.

 

[789nerd]

After being out for 5 days in Jo'burg at the end of May, VH-ZND was out for another 5+ days last week in Melbourne, not returning to service until two days after the route change over. Once again, caused multiple delays across the 789 routes of between ~3 and ~12 hours, the latter on one rotation of QF75/76.

After further inspection, it turns out ZNG was also 'grounded' in LAX for the first 4½ days of this latest period that ZND was out - hard to maintain an 11 aircraft schedule with only 9 aircraft.

 

[Melburnian1]

On Sunday 26 June 2022, the early evening SYD - CHC QF139 (the 1925 hours) was (unexpectedly?) delayed overnight. B738 VH-XZK has not long taken off at 0713 hours on Monday 27 so expected arrival is 1150 hours, 680 minutes late.

This flight has a very poor timekeeping record: an arrival at CHC after 0130 (due 0030) is not uncommon. If businessmen have an 0900 or 0930 meeting scheduled, many must be very tired. The problem though is catching an earlier flight across the Tasman means a possible loss in productivity given limited flight schedules that may involve travelling via AKL.

 

[Melburnian1]

QF103/QF104 are frequently delayed.

On Monday 27 June 2022, 'the 103' took off from SYD at 2108 hours with A333 VH-QPD, arriving same day (given the significant time difference) at 1009 hours, 59 minutes late. This meant the returning QF104 (the 1055 hours) did not become airborne until 1222 hours, so Tuesday 28 SYD arrival is estimated as 1826 hours, a very similar 61 minutes behind the schedule.

The previous day, the same aircraft had been similar, arriving HNL at 1004, and arriving back in SYD at gate at 1844, the latter being 79 minutes late.

The biggest problem seems on the three or four days each week QF143/QF146 SYD-AKL-SYD are an A333 (noting soon one day, an A332 is showing, perhaps a one off), these flights typically are delayed and hence there's a flow on to QF103.

 

[Melburnian1]

QF94, the Monday 27 June 2130 hours LAX down to MEL (B789 VH-ZNB) is estimated to depart in about two and a half hours time at 2245 LAX time, 75 minutes tardy.

ZND is on QF63, the 28 June 0935 hours SYD across to JNB that was in the sky at 1038, meaning likely arrival at 1624 hours, 44 minutes tardy. This will mean that QF64 back will be slightly delayed.

 

[Melburnian1]

On Monday 27 June, QF2 arrived in SYD at 0600 hours, 50 minutes late with A388 VH-OQJ.

The same day saw VH-OQD taking off from LHR at 2229 hours as QF2, arriving SIN on Tuesday 28 at 1833, 68 minutes late. It did not then become airborne from Lion City until 2234 so SYD arrival this morning, Wednesday 29, was 0746 hours, 156 minutes tardy.

The 28 June QF2 has VH-OQK. It took off from LHR at 2217 so SIN arrival today (29 June) ies estimated as 1823 hours, 58 minutes tardy.

Today's 1555 hours mid afternoon QF1 from SYD to SIN is suggested as departing mid evening at 2130 hours. The LHR estimated arrival tomorrow is 1210 hours, 335 minutes late. This may mean that QF2 ex LHR on Thursday 30 will be delayed, although QFi is not showing anything to this effect yet on its 'flight status' page.

B789 VH-ZNB on QF94, the 28 June 2130 hours LAX down to MEL was airborne at 2359 hours so this morning (Wednesday 29) it arrived MEL at 0748 hours, 108 minutes late. Quite often this flight is punctual or early.

Recently commenced QF5 has been punctual each time, but QF6 is experiencing its first (though relatively minor) delay with the 28 June departure at 1050 hours (B789 VH-ZNE) from ROM airborne at 1116 meaning 29 June expected PER at gate arrival at 0909 hours, 34 minutes late.

A332 VH-EBQ on QF151, the early morning 0710 hours MEL - AKL took off at 0808 hours so arrival should be at around 1317 hours, 32 minutes late.

 

[flydoc]

Exact events as yet unverified but the B738 that operated QF728 SYD-AYQ today has positioned to ASP as QF6161, with QF729 AYQ-SYD cancelled. QF791 departure ASP-SYD is delayed approx 3 hrs to 1630-ish. Potentially the B738 that operated QF790 SYD-ASP is unserviceable for the return leg.

 

[Kiwi_Flyer]

On Monday 27 June, QF2 arrived in SYD at 0600 hours, 50 minutes late with A388 VH-OQJ

This is not correct. I was on that flight and it landed at 0502, pulled into the gate a couple of minutes later. The pilot even mentioned having to slow down so as to not break SYD curfew.

 

[tomlee1986]

This is not correct. I was on that flight and it landed at 0502, pulled into the gate a couple of minutes later. The pilot even mentioned having to slow down so as to not break SYD curfew.

thanks for updating us that... and welcome home back in Australia

 

[Melburnian1]

This is not correct. I was on that flight and it landed at 0502, pulled into the gate a couple of minutes later. The pilot even mentioned having to slow down so as to not break SYD curfew.

Yes, apologies. It was 28, not 27 June when the arrival in SYD of QF2 became 0600 hours.

 

[Melburnian1]

The Wednesday 29 June 2022 QF1 (1555 hours SYD - SIN - LHR, an A388) that was supposedly departing at 2130 this evening has subsequently been delayed overnight until 1755 hours tomorrow from SYD, so 26 hours late.

Given that QF9 (and QF10 southbound) are half the capacity as B789s with just 236 seats, it's likely that many QFi passengers on 'the 1' and 'the 2' will be delayed more than a day. I don't know in such circumstances if QFi books passengers (who complain, or who are 'high status') instead onto airlines such as SQ via SIN or others via 'the ME3' airports.

 

[Melburnian1]

After arriving in SYD at on Wednesday 29 June at 1649 hours, 44 minutes late, as QF6 (ex PER and earlier, FCO), B789 VH-ZNE quickly turned around.

It is running the opposite number, QF5, the 1755 hours SYD - PER and back up to FCO that took off from our mainland harbour city at 1924. PER arrival is estimated as 2144 hours, 54 minutes tardy, so even if it manages to make up half an hour as some earlier QF5s have on the second sector, it's likely that FCO arrival will be more than 20 minutes late.

I lack the roster but while not impossible, doubtful that the inbound QF6 today was planned days ago to form the outbound QF5.

The 28 June QF9 from MEL and PER arrived LHR today (29 June) at 0639 hours, 94 minutes behind schedule with class leader ZNA.

QF10 from LHR and PER arrived MEL (B789 VH-ZNK) at 2010 an hour ago this evening, and is forming a delayed QF11 to LAX, supposedly at 2130 tonight, somewhat optimistic.

While this can be true of any transport operator with a limited fleet (here, one is treating QFi's B789s as 'separate') of passenger or freight, air or rail/coach/ferry/container or bulk ship, the B789 operations seem to have little or no allowance for something going wrong, even if a problem occurs adjacent to the SYD base for aircraft and staff.

There may be maintenance time factored in but at a quick look and without being au fait with the pattern for say the next month, that also isn't apparent.