Qantas Link... What is Its Future ?

[Kendall Roy]

Qantas should consider shifting these Qantas Link routes to Jetstar

That's AFF sin-bin territory right there! :mrgreen:

 

[11sjw]

My experiences with regional lounges (Karratha and Port Hedland) is that they're better than nothing (Paraburdoo). Self serve is no problem and it sure beats paying airport prices for a beer or two prior to departure.

 

[harvyk]

As much as I hate the Dashes, they are the perfect A/C for QFLink and their regional routes. On a route the length of CBR-SYD they are no slower than the jets (eg the B737's). Their small size and relatively cheap operating costs make them ideal to service destinations which do not have the population to support a full sized jet service, but do require air services to capital cities.

I doubt JQ is really in a position to take over the routes, whilst CFS may be physically able to take upto a B777 aircraft, the question needs to be asked is there a demand for a service by a larger aircraft than the dash? If they where to hand over such routes to JQ, they would more than likely need to get smaller planes to support the route. It's no good operating a A320 into an airport if most of the seats are empty each way (and how much air freight does a town really need, especially a place where it's close enough to a major city that road freight can be transported within a day), especially an LCC which requires fairly high utilisation to actually make a profit.

I see QFLink being around for quite some time...

 

[Groundfeeder]

I regularly travel BNE - ROK for business and the Crash-8 is roomier, fine and usually quicker than B737.

They provide free drinks after 4pm and the QLink service is renowned.

The best way to appreciate them is the milk run CNS - TSV - MKY - ROK - BNE.

 

[UP4014]

I reckon Dash8's are great aircraft, smart looking, reasonably comfortable for what they are and do and without them many regional areas would get the level of service they do now.

They're beauties. Right turn | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

 

[mannej]

Why would Qantas put a jet onto such service? The economics of it don't make sense. The dash's are between 50 and 74 seats, where as the smallest jet (717) is over double to Q300's capacity and 40 odd more seats than the Q400. This also has no IFE on it.
I could see the 717 having the potential, but the problem is that you have to find them, as they seemed to be fairly occupied.

The next smallest jet in the QF family is the 734, and that is triple the Q3 and double the Q4's capacity. This then becomes a question of frequency vs capacity.

As others have echoed, QFLink is in a good position, and in terms of the markets they operate into, if the demand is there it'll be operated by a jet. If not, it is Dash time.

 

[Justchecking]

Bertir I'm not shooting the messenger at all. Merely pointing out that your own reasons or continuing to fly QF even in a Dash when an alternative is available are the reasons why QF (or any airline really) will not soon put a jet on that route. Not having a jet doesn't make you fly the opposition who do, so where is the compelling reason for doing so when the loads don't warrant it?

Aircraft type isn't usually a deciding factor when people buy tickets, all the other things you mentioned are. This is the reason why 100 seat and smaller jets aren't overly popular with airlines. In any case I don't think a jet necessarily gives a better service than a prop. I like props a great deal.

 

[nonpop]

IMHO Dash-8s are my choice for CBR, TMW, CFS etc.
Quick to load & unload pax. And the premium hand luggage is sensational - no issues re overhead bin space filling up. For short flights, no issue at all.

Heck I even use them international sometimes from SZB to SIN when I can't get a flight out of KUL to SIN. They run ATRs via Firefly and it works like a treat. Plus the seats even recline. But this is where the flight time is longer due to slower speed.

 

[coolumbla]

every time i have to fly a 737 i lament the fact that the crash 8 has more leg room and no middle seat!
Everything is an aisle or a window
Now if only we didnt have to catch the bus from the tarmac in Sydney

We have 4 flights a day from WGA

I could use another one at about 8am and 3 pm but it beats the hell out of teh 1 or 2 flights a day to Melbourne!



C

 

[Jacques Vert]

IMHO Dash-8s are my choice for CBR, TMW, CFS etc.
Quick to load & unload pax. And the premium hand luggage is sensational - no issues re overhead bin space filling up.

Very good points.

Another advantage is that the Dash 8s can apparently land on shorter runways and, especially at CFS, in worse weather. I am not a pilot and will leave any explanation to those who are; but I can state that during very wet weather (and low cloud) in CFS on a number of days during the past couple of years, the Dash 8 has landed while the 737 has been required to return to Sydney. Something to do with slower landing speed and minimum altitudes?

By the way, CFS can take a 767 and the tarmac is marked for same (but I suspect this is only the 200 series). At 2080m I don't think it could handle a fully loaded 767-300 or the 777; again one for the pilots.

JV

 

[straitman]

Very good points.

Another advantage is that the Dash 8s can apparently land on shorter runways and, especially at CFS, in worse weather. I am not a pilot and will leave any explanation to those who are; but I can state that during very wet weather (and low cloud) in CFS on a number of days during the past couple of years, the Dash 8 has landed while the 737 has been required to return to Sydney. Something to do with slower landing speed and minimum altitudes?

By the way, CFS can take a 767 and the tarmac is marked for same (but I suspect this is only the 200 series). At 2080m I don't think it could handle a fully loaded 767-300 or the 777; again one for the pilots.

JV

Without looking up the charts I would be surprised if the Dash 8 had lower minima than the 737 but it certainly would have a slower approach speed and require less runway. That by itself would give then much greater flexibility than the 737.

 

[Jacques Vert]

Without looking up the charts I would be surprised if the Dash 8 had lower minima than the 737 but it certainly would have a slower approach speed and require less runway. That by itself would give then much greater flexibility than the 737.

Thanks Bill.