Qantas Delays/Cancellations

[Melburnian1]

Also on Monday 24 July 2023, QF19, the 1215 hours lunchtime SYD-MNL (A333 VH-QPE) was not airborne until 1432, arriving at gate at 2109 hours, 139 minutes tardy. There was no standout reason for this as the aircraft had been in Sydney overnight.

The return QF20 (scheduled departure 2035 hours) was airborne at 2309 so arrival this morning back in Sydney should be at 0854, a very similar 134 late.

A388 VH-OQL on yesterday's QF35 from MEL to SIN was also badly delayed, with this 1200 'high noon' timetabled pushback becoming lift off at 1806 in the early evening. Consequently gate arrival in the Lion City was at 2322 hours, a shocking 322 minutes late.

The reason was that when QF35 operates as an A388 every couple of days, QFi has to send the A380 empty down from Sydney, Very inefficient but a consequence of SYD being the base for these aircraft. Yesterday QF6001 took off from Sydney at 1213, arriving MEL at 1325 hours. Not sure why it then could not turnaround in say two and a half hours to travel to Singapore.

QF36, the 24 July 2015 hours, took off this morning at the uncomfortable time of 0250 - who wants to have an 0400 'supper' - with suggested gate arrival this morning at 1132, 352 minutes late, so further time has been lost since the northbound journey.

IIRC the A380 then will normally operate an empty flight back to Sydney, in this case due to late running, this afternoon.

Colleague VH-OQH is on 'the 1' that arrived SIN (ex SYD) last night at 2130 hours, bang on time. However (I assume due to UK-based cabin crew from a previous late arrival requiring mandatory rest hours) it then took off for LHR at 0108, fortunately allowing a QF35 to QF1 connection. I gather every night there are passengers booked from MEL this way, rather than them catching a domestic flight MEL-SYD.

 

[Melburnian1]

In more on 25 July 2023, QF87, the 0930 hours SYD-ICN that's been reduced to thrice weekly did not become airborne until 1053 hours, so expected arrival at gate becomes 2012 hours, 52 minutes tardy. QF88 back down overnight is only expected to be 20 minutes late pushing back.

Colleague ZNF on QF63 (identically timed departure, but to JNB) took off at 1015 hours from SYD with arrival likely at about 1614 hours, 39 late.

 

[Melburnian1]

Continuing with 25 July, QF146 (B738 VH-XZD, the 1605 hours AKL down to SYD airborne at 1738 hours) is arriving at gate at 1841 hours, 51 behind.

Last night's QF135 from BNE to CHC arrived at 0034 with this aircraft, 39 late, and then this morning it operated QF132 (0630 hours CHC-MEL in the sky at 0745, arriving 67 late at 0922) and then QF151 from MEL to AKL, the 0920 hours pointing skywards at 1114 for gate arrival of 1629, 94 late.

A333 VH-QPI on QF104 from HNL down to SYD is this service's usual unpunctual self, with gate arrival suggested as 1955, 75 behind as this 1200 'high noon' 24 July departure did not get in the air until 1403. HNL seems notorious for delays on the ground: in theory, QF103 has sufficient time to turn around to form 'the 104' but in practice, it's almost a perpetual refrain of losing time. (Its previous offering, QF103, had arrived HNL on Monday at 1109 hours, 44 late).

'The 104's' delay means QF25 which the former becomes should depart SYD at 2120 or later for Japan's HND, an hour behind.

 

[Melburnian1]

Although on Tuesday 25 July QF5 (B789 VH-ZNE) only arrived FCO in Italy 12 minutes late at 0902 hours, the returning QF6 (the 1050 hours) didn't become airborne until 1301 hours, so PER arrival today (Wednesday 26) becomes an estimated 1013 hours, 103 late. Departure for SYD is optimistically suggested as 1115 hours (schedule is 1000).

A333 VH-QPE on 'the 88' from ICN to SYD should arrive at 0909, 39 late as it was delayed on QF87 from SYD yesterday morning.

 

[Melburnian1]

QF64, the Wednesday 26 July's 1740 hours redeye from JNB to SYD took off at 1938 with B789 VH-ZNB. Arrival on Thursday 27 should be at gate at 1444 hours mid afternoon, 79 late. The plane is then to form the QF7, the 1540 hours SYD up to DFW rather optimistically only delayed until a projected 1610 hours.

However with the prevailing winds even if it departs an hour late it should arrive DFW about on time, judging by previous recent flights.

Yesterday, QF71, the 1150 hours lunchtime PER up to SIN wasn't airborne until 1256, arriving at 1817 hours, 57 minutes late with A332 VH-EBA. The return scheduled 1840 hours pushback (QF72) was far worse, taking off at 2208 for PER gate arrival this morning at an uncomfortable 0242 hours, 172 minutes behind the timetable.

 

[789nerd]

Thursday's QF10 PER-MEL (B789 VH-ZND) having arrived from Heathrow just 23 minutes late, eventually pushed back at 15:20 AWST, 130 minutes late. With a tail wind, arrival in Melbourne is now estimated as 20:35 AEST, 115 minutes late.
Meanwhile in the opposite direction, QF9 MEL-PER-LHR is the first revenue flight for the newest B789 VH-ZNN, and currently on time.

 

[789nerd]

In a flow-on from the QF10 delay, tonight's QF93 SYD-LAX is delayed 90 minutes for a revised departure of 21:55 AEST.
Hindsight is a wonderful thing - the spare B789 in Melbourne, VH-ZNA created by the introduction of VH-ZNN into service, was moved to Sydney this morning as QF6002.

 

[789nerd]

Although on Tuesday 25 July QF5 (B789 VH-ZNE) only arrived FCO in Italy 12 minutes late at 0902 hours, the returning QF6 (the 1050 hours) didn't become airborne until 1301 hours, so PER arrival today (Wednesday 26) becomes an estimated 1013 hours, 103 late. Departure for SYD is optimistically suggested as 1115 hours (schedule is 1000).

This QF6 eventually left Perth on Wednesday at 11:45 AWST, 105 minutes late, and arrived in Sydney 72 minutes late. As the aircraft turned around to operate Wednesday's QF5 SYD-PER-FCO, that flight was 27 minutes late departing Sydney, and further delayed to depart Perth 44 minutes late. The return QF6 FCO-PER-SYD is shown as being delayed until 12:05 CEST (20:05 AEST) on FR24, however both Qantas & FlightAware still show it on time for a 10:50 CEST (18:50 AEST) departure - said time is long gone.

 

[Melburnian1]

QF6 on Thursday 27 July ended up taking off from FCO at 1212 hours, so on Friday 28, PER arrival is suggested at gate as 0921 hours, 51 late for B789 VH-ZNE. It is beginning to be somewhat like Honolulu: even if the flight arrives close to time, or early, it loses time at the airport and departs quite late for Perth.

A333 VH-QPC was delayed (again!) on the overnight SYD-HND QF25 due to the late arrival of QF104 from HNL, a flight that almost constantly is tardy. 'The 25' arrived this morning in Japan at 0617 hours, 52 minutes behind schedule.

QF12 from LAX to SYD has A388 VH-OQB with suggested at gate time this morning becoming 33 behind at 0818.

Because QF69 (MEL-DEL, A332 VH-EBN) arrived last night 85 minutes behind schedule at 1805, teh return QF70 should pull into its MEL gate this afternoon at about 1340 hours, 70 minutes late.

FR24 suggests that QF82 (2030 hours mid evening redeye SIN to SYD) is cancelled on Friday 28 and Saturday 29 July. Tonight it was supposedly to be an A333 and tomorrow night an A332. QF81 however today (1150 hours SYD-SIN) is operating with an A332. However, QF's 'flight status' claims all these flights are operating.

 

[Melburnian1]

Continuing with Friday 28 July, QF19 (1215 hours lunchtime SYD-MNL) has VH-QPD (A333) that despite arriving from PER at the domestic terminal at 0725 hours as QF654 80 late did not take off for MNL until 1349 hours this afternoon. Expected gate arrival becomes 1838, 48 down, meaning the 2035 hours redeye QF20 back down to Sydney will be tardy.

QPI arrived in MEL this morning as QF80 at HND at 1019 hours, 104 minutes late.

B789 VH-ZNF on QF21 (another lunchtime scheduled departure at 1245 hours) on 28 July didn't take off until 1513 so arrival ex MEL in DFW at gate should be 1521 hours, 96 minutes behind.

QPC on 'the 103' arrived HNL on Thursday 27 morning at 1119 hours, 54 minutes late. QF104 should arrive SYD tonight at 2007 hours, 87 minutes behind the timetable.

QF39, the A333 at 1510 hours from MEL up to CGK is showing as delayed until 1615: that time has passed.

I don't know why but tonight's A333 to HND from SYD, QF25 (normally an early to mid evening pushback at easy to remember 2020 hours) is delayed until 1300 hours tomorrow in expected pushback from Sydney. There are limited alternative time slots available at HND (and NRT) for delayed flights.

 

[789nerd]

Both Thursday red-eye B789 flights out of LAX have been delayed : QF94 LAX-MEL by 60 minutes and QF18 LAX-SYD by 85 minutes. These flights are to be serviced by ZND which arrived 79 minutes late with QF93 MEL-LAX earlier on Thursday, & ZNI which has spent 24+ hrs at LAX maintenance, not sure which order.
Currently arrival times tomorrow (Saturday) morning, are reflecting the same delays.

 

[789nerd]

B789 VH-ZNF on QF21 (another lunchtime scheduled departure at 1245 hours) on 28 July didn't take off until 1513 so arrival ex MEL in DFW at gate should be 1521 hours, 96 minutes behind.

Neither of the possible return flights (QF22 or QF8) are showing a delay at this point in time. ZNA operating the on-time QF7 SYD-DFW will take the other flight.

 

[789nerd]

Both Thursday red-eye B789 flights out of LAX have been delayed : QF94 LAX-MEL by 60 minutes and QF18 LAX-SYD by 85 minutes. These flights are to be serviced by ZND which arrived 79 minutes late with QF93 MEL-LAX earlier on Thursday, & ZNI which has spent 24+ hrs at LAX maintenance, not sure which order.
Currently arrival times tomorrow (Saturday) morning, are reflecting the same delays.

VH-ZNI has just pushed back with QF94, 111 minutes late, with arrival into Melbourne posted as 08:10 AEST Saturday, 85 minutes late.
VH-ZND is thus taking QF18, which has been delayed further until 00:30 PST Friday.
Meanwhile A388 VH-OQI is also delayed with QF12 LAX-SYD ... at 00:19 PST is is still showing as departing at 00:10 PST, 30 minutes late +

 

[789nerd]

VH-ZND is thus taking QF18, which has been delayed further until 00:30 PST Friday.

Qantas has just put off QF18 departure until 22:25 PST Friday - a 24 hour delay

 

[789nerd]

Meanwhile A388 VH-OQI is also delayed with QF12 LAX-SYD ... at 00:19 PST is is still showing as departing at 00:10 PST, 30 minutes late +

Now running 70 minutes late with no update to the departure time. It appears this delay is partly due to the aircraft arriving at the gate from the Qantas maintenance area, only 44 minutes before scheduled departure.
It also appears that Qantas don't have enough staff at LAX to clear one A388 & two B789s at the same time.

Edit : despite Qantas showing a 01:00 PST departure, FR24 shows a 01:09 PST push back, 89 minutes late. Optimistically Qantas show a Sydney arrival at 08:15 AEST Saturday morning, 30 minutes late !?

 

[Melburnian1]

On Saturday 29 July, QF127, the 1015 hours SYD-HKG (A332 VH-EBO) took off at 1213 hours with gate arrival suggested as 1908 hours, 73 late. This was despite the aircraft on its previous flight, QF68 from BLR, arriving SYD due to favourable winds 61 minutes early at 0904. That this A332 timetabled in at 1005 formed a 1015 hours departure suggests another aircraft had failed.

 

[svendownunder]

QF41 Sydney to Jakarta shows again a 6-hour delayed departure today (19:45 instead of 13:45). This is the 3rd massive delay in 9 days time (20 July 7 hours late, 26 July 6 hours late). Is this a case of a plane having to be pulled out at the last minute due to technical issues and that finding and flying in a new plane causes all the delays? Or do you know whether this is related to other issues?

 

[Melburnian1]

QF41 Sydney to Jakarta shows again a 6-hour delayed departure today (19:45 instead of 13:45). This is the 3rd massive delay in 9 days time (20 July 7 hours late, 26 July 6 hours late). Is this a case of a plane having to be pulled out at the last minute due to technical issues and that finding and flying in a new plane causes all the delays? Or do you know whether this is related to other issues?

Could be either maintenance required, or QFi was short of an available flight crew.

The aircraft (A333 VH-QPI) ran QF652, the 1625 hours latish afternoon from PER to SYD on Friday 28 July, arriving 18 minutes early at 2212 hours, and then spent overnight in SYD. While one can't rule it out - perhaps QPI needed a lengthy stint in the hangar - I'd be leaning towards 'it was always the plane allocated for this trip'. (But I lack proof).

On Saturday, it was airborne at 2013, arriving CGK at 0024 on Sunday 30, 334 minutes late. The return QF42 arrived in SYD at 1108 hours this morning, 283 minutes behind schedule. It is probably forming QF63, the 1000 hours SYD-JNB as this is expected to push back at 1300 hours early this afternoon.

QF63 yesterday had VH-ZNE, arriving at 1713, 63 behind. It is however only a predicted 24 late on the return, arriving at gate today at 1349 in Sydney as 'the 64'.

B789 VH-ZNJ arrived MEL as QF94 (ex LAX) at 0911 hours, 146 minutes late on Sunday 30.

A388 VH-OQH is on QF11 (1020 hours midmonring SYD-LAX) predicted to push back very shortly at 1140 hours. Based on previous recent flights, it may only be a few minutes late arriving at its LAX gate same day as the westerlies are very helpful in taking a lot of time from the schedule.

 

[Melburnian1]

In more on Sunday 30 July, QF23 (that's had a good timekeeping record in recent weeks) was not airborne until 1108 hours, so A333 VH-QPE on its second consecutive trip to this Asian desrination should arrive 50 late at 1730 late this afternoon Thai local time. The 1810 hours QF24 back overnight to SYD should be similarly delayed in pushing back tonight.

 

[Melburnian1]

Just when we might have considered most things were going OK with QF1, today (30 July) it's suddenly inexplicably delayed two hours to a proposed pushback at 1710 this afternoon.