Qantas Link... What is Its Future ?

[bertair]

Living on the NSW North Coast, I fly out of CFS to SYD with Qantas Link.
For decades it seems that the DASH aircraft in either model of its prop jet aircraft as they have evolved has been the plane of choice by Qantas for regional routes.
I have never flown in any Jets with Qantas on this route as I can recall, although Virgin do fly a twice daily jet service in competition (of sorts) with a once a week jet direct to MEL.
Neither airline provide a service to BNE or OOL.
As I am a QF FF, I stick with them as I am mostly going overseas on QF or JQ services rather than opt for Virgin.
I do not like the DASH at all; too noisy, and no IFE, the seats are narrow nor can they be moved. The overheads are tiny and the headroom under them is too low.
Qantas still go through the charade of providing a snack in the 50 minutes or so the flight takes. Usually it comprises of a small "beaker" of water, a roll, muffin or cookie, plus a choice of tea, coffee or paid beverage. There is hardly time for the crew to serve and collect this snack, so what is the point of such megre in flight catering anyway ?
Keep the snack and give me a cheaper fare, as this route has one of the highest fares per mile in the world most of the time anyway.
I am wondering if others here have experienced Qantas Link and their thoughts on whether Qantas should consider shifting these Qantas Link routes to Jetstar (where airports are capable of handling their smallest jets of course). I believe CFS was upgraded 10 to 20 years ago to be capable of handling up to Boeing 777 aircraft.
While the frequencies of Qantas Link servicing CFS are ok, I would much prefer a jet service if it meant less flights available and cheaper fares.
A fellow pax recently informed me that across NSW it is mostly Qantas Link servicing regionals due to some sort of historical regulation, dating back decades, that the NSW Government had in place with Qantas being able service the intrastate ports and had given them protection from competition.
Can anyone throw some light on this history please?
Is the regulation still in place ?
Do members think it time for a change and has Qantas Link passed its use by date ?

 

[elbarto]

Economics and demand on the route would suggest to QF that the Dash is the best aircraft in the fleet for the job. I recall hearing once that the E-Jet was once demoed to Qantas, but whether they were genuinely interested or Embraer were just spruking business I have no idea.

 

[Greggsy]

Qantaslink is the lifeblood to many regional towns in Qld and have upgraded some routes (ROK & MKY) to jets using leased Alliance F100s.

They're here to stay for a long time.

 

[yohy?!]

I suspect it comes down to QFlink's cost base in comparison to the mainline and JQ. If they don't have as high legacy labour costs for cabin crew or pilots for example then they are likely low on the list for being targeted in the way QF International currently is.

 

[Justchecking]

There's a big difference between filling up a 78 seat dash and a 180 seat A320. Although you might be happy to have the choice of just one flight a day, not everyone thinks the same. The DJ jet is much smaller, 104 seat capacity which is why they can run it there.

 

[Undercover Brother]

More Qlink (and other turboprop aircraft from other operators for that matter) are being added to regional routes in NSW and QLD all of the time. In Qlink's case, they are introducing new Dash 8 400's to more and more routes, which are bigger and faster than the older ones (and in some cases a tad faster than an E-Jet on certain short routes )

As noted above, with their low cost base and growing bases, they are not going anywhere.

 

[mosanator]

I travel to PQQ regularly and that too is a DASH service. Yes it would be nice to be a jet but the run up isn't too bad. There is a Lounge at CFS to now isn't there?

You think the service of a snack is pointless between SYD to CFS, you should see the crew run through the cabin between SYD and CBR ! Having said that I always have time for a coffee and snack (fingers crossed for the apple strudel). I never have a problem between PQQ and SYD, it's even worthwhile opening the Kindle for a read.

The service on these regional Qlink flights is still better than BA's services between major European capital cities.

 

[VHOEJ]

QFLink is a money spinner and can't get enough aircraft - they are expanding all the time.

The Dashie is a perfect fit for thier network and gives them frequency, which is what people want. None of thier routes are that long that require any sort of entertainment - BNE/LRE would be one of the longest (and also POM from CNS).......those would be the only two that could possibly have a jet like a 717 to operate it. The rest are so short that there is no point.

 

[MarkD]

During the 80s and 90s Ansett served coffs with f28 jets, they also flew them to casino, dubbo , and broken hill. Obviously the income wasn't there to sustain ops, similar to the current situation with dj, where they are replacing erjs with atrs. Can't make$$$$ with jets on short small routes such as those


Sent from my iPhone using AustFreqFly app

 

[fjc]

What would you rather? One service a day with one large plane, or 2-3 services a day with smaller planes? It comes down to economics balanced against what the customer wants.

Some years ago, during the GFC and the rotten drought, Qantas cut services to Dubbo to only 1 plane x Sydney on a Saturday. People flying in from overseas couldn't connect, so had to wait a day. A number complained (including myself) and the 2nd service was quickly installed.

And remember that there are alternatives in many of the regional towns. eg Dubbo is also serviced by Rex and I'm sure that Qantas would very quickly loose customers to Rex if Qantas had only 1 large plane a day compared to Rex's schedule.

 

[ozbeachbabe]

Qantaslink is the lifeblood to many regional towns in Qld and have upgraded some routes (ROK & MKY) to jets using leased Alliance F100s.

They're here to stay for a long time.

QLink will shortly be replacing the Alliance F100 services with the QLink B717 (operated by Cobham crew formerly known as National Jet Systems) on flights to ROK & MKY.

Living on the NSW North Coast, I fly out of CFS to SYD with Qantas Link. For decades it seems that the DASH aircraft in either model of its prop jet aircraft as they have evolved has been the plane of choice by Qantas for regional routes. I have never flown in any Jets with Qantas on this route as I can recall, although Virgin do fly a twice daily jet service in competition (of sorts) with a once a week jet direct to MEL.

Neither airline provide a service to BNE or OOL.

You could always fly on Brindabella Airlines (FQ) between CFS & BNE who use either a Metro or Jetstream aircraft on these services. They are also a partner airline of the QF Freq Flyer program.

 

[11sjw]

Look into Q Link's loadings top Newman and Paraburdoo and see what they charge for a seat. They're doing ok.

 

[Greggsy]

Look into Q Link's loadings top Newman and Paraburdoo and see what they charge for a seat. They're doing ok.

Not to mention Moranbah in QLD ..... talk about a cash cow.

 

[Justchecking]

The OP perfectly illustrates the reason why regional centers will be serviced by turboprops and not jets (or ub-100 loads) He says he wants a jet, He has a jet service at his airport but he will not use it. I guess the 'jet' is not the real want at all otherwise he would use it. Airlines the world over including DJ have discovered that despite what people say they do not really give a toss between jet and turboprop. What they actually care about is...frequency, price, network and FF points. This, and running costs of a jet is the reason why DJ are choosing props for regional routes.

 

[drron]

I Like my crash 8 flights to DPO.
And the DPO-MEL sector usually costs more than the MEL-BNE sector.

 

[david870mdg]

Qantas should consider shifting these Qantas Link routes to Jetstar

NO NO NO NO NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Regularaly fly the CFS-SYD route and would throw that in the bin if JQ took over...

 

[Jacques Vert]

NO NO NO NO NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Regularaly fly the CFS-SYD route and would throw that in the bin if JQ took over...

+1.

If noise is your issue then change your profile to the rear of the aircraft. IME the back end is far quieter than the fromt.

 

[bertair]

'I guess the 'jet' is not the real want at all otherwise he would use it. Airlines the world over including DJ have discovered that despite what people say they do not really give a toss between jet and turboprop. What they actually care about is...frequency, price, network and FF points. ...

"FYI. I do not use Virgin, despite it being a "Jet" for a number of reasons. Most of my flights are international and QF or Jetstar fly to my destinations, plus I get transfers, service + from QF/JQ, mostly superior to that of Virgin in my experience. As for frequency, I am flexible, and QF points are always coming to me.The point of my posting was to ascertain why Qantas Link has evolved this regional flavour and its choice of aircraft.I am still looking for answers as to how the NSW Government regulated the intrastate airlines or if they still do. My wish would be is to have equipment and service that I feel is within Qantas' ability to provide. As for their standard of snack in flight, I can do without that, considering how paltry it is. Please do not shoot the messenger, I am only expressing from my perspective & experiences, a wish to see the QF service improved , which will benefit all concerned in the long run.So it looks like nothing is going to change and we will have to grin and bare it eh.?BTW The QF Lounge in Coffs is hardly much (limited self service, no attendants). I think it is there more as a perk for certain Govt and Council managers judging by those I see using it. !! I usually don't bother going in.

 

[Greggsy]

Yep, grin and bear it.....or fly the Virgin Jets.

 

[markis10]

While there is some regulation within NSW, the CFS- SYD route is one of the many that are open skies:

The Minister has the power to deregulate intrastate air routes and has declared as deregulated the routes between Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport and:

• Albury
• Armidale
• Ballina
• Coffs Harbour
• Dubbo
• Griffith
• Lismore
• Orange
• Port Macquarie
• Tamworth
• Wagga Wagga
• Williamtown
• Routes not linked to Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport

Air Transport Regulation and Licensing in NSW - NSW Department of Transport