Qantas orders new 787s and A350s

[Himeno]

Even to HNL and ICN?

Airbus stated range for A321XLR 8700 km

SYD-ICN 8,311 km
SYD-HNL 8,154 km

 

[RichardMEL]

I could certainly see the A321's (not XLR, just regular) being used to replace the 737's operate on transcons with rare widebody service. Yes, unpopular, but makes sense to go with a frequency/schedule model - ie more frequency which this would support potentially. Look at AA's huge fleet of A321's and they do a lot of transcons (not including the 321T product) and allow for frequency on key routes.

 

[pauly7]

I can see why some would consider Jetstar moving to an all-narrow body only operation. It actually could make a lot of sense (and cents).

I wonder what would happen to their ‘J’ on the longer routes in that scenario?

I also wonder where QF would deploy the 788 once they refurbed and re-kitted them, or would they get rid of them…

Not the silliest idea I’ve heard, per above comment as ‘unpopular’ a thought it would be for us AFFers, but many LCC (and some higher grade airlines too) fly narrow bodies long distances on international routes!

 

[justinbrett]

Airbus stated range for A321XLR 8700 km

SYD-ICN 8,311 km
SYD-HNL 8,154 km

It wouldn’t get that range westbound against the jet stream.

Planning max range for the type is 4000NM, and may be reduced to 3800NM due to a fuel tank safety feature required by EASA - unless of course payload is significantly reduced.

HNL-SYD is 4400NM. HNL-BNE is 4070NM.

 

[exceladdict]

I can see why some would consider Jetstar moving to an all-narrow body only operation. It actually could make a lot of sense (and cents).

I wonder what would happen to their ‘J’ on the longer routes in that scenario?

I also wonder where QF would deploy the 788 once they refurbed and re-kitted them, or would they get rid of them…

Not the silliest idea I’ve heard, per above comment as ‘unpopular’ a thought it would be for us AFFers, but many LCC (and some higher grade airlines too) fly narrow bodies long distances on international routes!

Would the 788s become the domestic 330 replacement, re-kitted to only J and Y with no Y+ like the 789/10s?

 

[elanshin]

Would the 788s become the domestic 330 replacement, re-kitted to only J and Y with no Y+ like the 789/10s?

That or other short / medium haul routes.

Like using it as the connecting flight from SYD <> AKL with the sunrise flight to LHR.

And let's be honest, QF has nowhere near enough planes to service Asia properly even with the new plane order. Osaka direct, Beijing, Shenzhen, half of India etc could all do with routes.

 

[AIRwin]

And let's be honest, QF has nowhere near enough planes to service Asia properly even with the new plane order. Osaka direct, Beijing, Shenzhen, half of India etc could all do with routes.

QF has already been expanding to BLR, DEL and ICN recently

 

[SYD]

Would the 788s become the domestic 330 replacement, re-kitted to only J and Y with no Y+ like the 789/10s?

Some of the articles mentioned 787s on longer domestic routes and a commitment to PE. Guess we’ll have to wait and see - they’re a few years away….

 

[Peasant]

I can see why some would consider Jetstar moving to an all-narrow body only operation. It actually could make a lot of sense (and cents).

I have long held on to this theory too, especially given the precedent set with the A330s.

But when I put this theory to someone very senior in QF Group fleet planning a couple of months ago, he told me this is not a scenario they are planning for. At all. As if to say, totally off the cards.

But let’s see if the incoming CEO has different ideas, especially as they find it increasingly difficult to maintain a reliable A330 operation.

 

[eastwest101]

I have long held on to this theory too, especially given the precedent set with the A330s.

But when I put this theory to someone very senior in QF Group fleet planning a couple of months ago, he told me this is not a scenario they are planning for. At all. As if to say, totally off the cards.

But let’s see if the incoming CEO has different ideas, especially as they find it increasingly difficult to maintain a reliable A330 operation.

I don't necessarily think it's going to be the longevity or reliability of the current A330 fleet that's the issue, if they stop converting them to freighters and commit to maintenance then the A330 fleet are the current growth fleet for Qantas in Asia (the most likely source of growth for the world economy).

I don't know under what wonky assumptions that Qantas fleet planning are operating under. If they are expecting global supply chains to fix themselves, more new aircraft to magically appear and Qantas's competitors standing still then they are delusional. When monopolist businesses are thriving and demand is high then management hubris is inevitable, which often precedes business failure.

 

[oz_mark]

I can see why some would consider Jetstar moving to an all-narrow body only operation. It actually could make a lot of sense (and cents).

I wonder what would happen to their ‘J’ on the longer routes in that scenario?

I also wonder where QF would deploy the 788 once they refurbed and re-kitted them, or would they get rid of them…

Not the silliest idea I’ve heard, per above comment as ‘unpopular’ a thought it would be for us AFFers, but many LCC (and some higher grade airlines too) fly narrow bodies long distances on international routes!

I have heard that the reason the 788s went to Jetstar is that mainline didn't want them. I don't believe that view has changed within the company.
Something in the economics of that particular model didn't stack up.

 

[SYD]

I have heard that the reason the 788s went to Jetstar is that mainline didn't want them. I don't believe that view has changed within the company.
Something in the economics of that particular model didn't stack up.

QF probably would have still been flying some A330s, so an extra aircraft class for maintenance, training etc probably didn’t stack up? Consolidating A330s with QF makes sense.

Otherwise, on paper the A332 and B788 are pretty similar but the Boeing brings more range.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

According to what I saw on ET:
Good to read that QF "could" put some of their 787s/350s into Aust dom flight ops.
Better than the other Aust dom flight operator, which has decided to go all narrow body planes.

 

[downtheback]

It’s likely that the next tranche of 787s for Qantas (delivery starting 2027) will have the same business, premium economy and economy class as the one on their A350-1000s. It would be a very uncompetitive choice to install the existing 787 seats on new 787s in 2027.

That wouldn't change the configuration of the A/C tho (42J/28W/166Y)

 

[RSVKanga]

That wouldn't change the configuration of the A/C tho (42J/28W/166Y)

For the 787-10 there will obviously be a change in configuration

 

[downtheback]

For the 787-10 there will obviously be a change in configuration

A 787-10 is a different aircraft to a 787-9, so a different configuration would be guaranteed.

 

[RSVKanga]

A 787-10 is a different aircraft to a 787-9, so a different configuration would be guaranteed.

Let’s also hope the 787-10 has first class (the same A350 first class) as well since there is the space and opportunity

 

[encryptededdy]

Let’s also hope the 787-10 has first class (the same A350 first class) as well since there is the space and opportunity

Doubt it, if the 787-10 is to be used for Asia routes

 

[RichardMEL]

Let’s also hope the 787-10 has first class (the same A350 first class) as well since there is the space and opportunity

.0001% chance of this.

Since it will be a medium haul A330 replacement, the best one can hope or expect for is a 3 class J/W/Y and that the J may be an evolution of the current suite and/or the A350 product (or at least close to it). I see no reason QF would consider a F product for this aircraft.

 

[elanshin]

.0001% chance of this.

Since it will be a medium haul A330 replacement, the best one can hope or expect for is a 3 class J/W/Y and that the J may be an evolution of the current suite and/or the A350 product (or at least close to it). I see no reason QF would consider a F product for this aircraft.

I guess a lot depends on how premium travel demand is over the next few years. If they see significant good F load factors, they might consider it. I highly doubt it, but it is possible.

A 1 row F (3 seat) config could be possible to open BNE up to NA more in time for the Olympics?