Qantas orders six more 787s, plans to retire all 747s by 2020

[Himeno]

I would imagine loads to Tokyo are some of the most variable on Qantas' route map.

Loads during January, March, April, August and December are consistently very high. This year will see high loads in May (extended golden week) and Sep-Oct (RWC) too, and obviously Jul-Aug next year for the Olympics.

I've also seen consistently high loads on 25/26 (and the old 21/22) in Feb, July, Sep and Oct.

 

[bPeteb]

We're off to SFO in July on QF73/74. First and last opportunity to fly on the upper deck in J. We've 'done' forward main deck cabin. Hoping aircraft stays as is.

 

[OATEK]

We're off to SFO in July on QF73/74. First and last opportunity to fly on the upper deck in J. We've 'done' forward main deck cabin. Hoping aircraft stays as is.

We had our last upper deck flight on QF128 at the end if January, where the CSM said it was rumored to be the last HKG-SYD 747 flight. It was very comfortable, and we scored extra pajamas when on landing and decelerating, a pair came flying our of the back corer of the cabin right into our lap!! Flew my first 747 on BA in 1987, with flights also on CX and QF over the years so like many will miss them. But I am also interested to see how the 787s can fill such a big gap.

 

[Dennis Colquitt]

I was fortunate to fly the 747 in it's original configuration of First Class/Economy class/ upper deck was the Captain Cook Lounge.
Ah! those hazy Days.

 

[OATEK]

I was fortunate to fly the 747 in it's original configuration of First Class/Economy class/ upper deck was the Captain Cook Lounge.
Ah! those hazy Days.

Welcome to the forum Dennis, and thanks for reminiscing.

 

[Shamrock55]

I was fortunate to fly the 747 in it's original configuration of First Class/Economy class/ upper deck was the Captain Cook Lounge.
Ah! those hazy Days.

Hazy as everyone was smoking Dennis?

In All photos I've seen of up there, everyone looked to be puffing on a cig. I'd have been smoking too in those days!

 

[Dennis Colquitt]

I didn't smoke then either but don't recall it annoyed me too much. I was too busy snogging multiple glasses of Veuve Clicquot . After all it was first class and a real bonus to get as I was an airline sales employee then.

 

[jase05]

Having a look at Expert Flyer, it appears to me that the last commercial flight for VH-OEB could be QF64 JNB-SYD on 25 March. I can't see any Qantas 747 flights after this date showing the old seating configuration.

Am I missing something, or does VH-OEB have only 3 weeks left of working life?

I must one of the few people on AFF who hasn’t flown in the old girl

 

[maroonone]

First 747 was in 1977 LHR to SYD with stopover in Bahrain and Singapore. Y was about 1/3 full so had middle four seats to myself. We picked up a 5th U/S engine in Bahrain and carried it back to Sydney. Last flight likely to be next Friday upstairs HNL to SYD.

 

[oz_mark]

Am I missing something, or does VH-OEB have only 3 weeks left of working life?

Probably, I heard an early April date for retirement, but these things are a bit fluid until the final week....

 

[apostilb]

Fair analysis. That said, I frequently find reward availability of up to 6 in J and 6 in Y outside of peak periods, and even 2-4 in J during peak periods sometimes. Bit odd for a high-load route.

I imagine demand is going to get even higher leading up to the Tokyo 2020 Olympics -- not exactly the best time to retire the 744s and reduce capacity! If only HND could offer more landing slots but it appears that's not an option currently.

 

[jase05]

It will be interesting what new routes the new 787's will be used for. We know that Paris (CDG) has been spoken of and routes to the US East Coast. I'd like to see a MEL or SYD to Seoul (ICN). Unlikely MEL given Korean Air couldn't make it work.

Was chatting to a few blokes at ADL QF engineering last week and the chatter is that once the ADL upgrades are completed they have heard we may be getting a 787 service from ADL to the US West Coast

 

[Mattg]

Was chatting to a few blokes at ADL QF engineering last week and the chatter is that once the ADL upgrades are completed they have heard we may be getting a 787 service from ADL to the US West Coast

Now THAT would be interesting. Mind you, it actually makes sense as the markets from SYD/MEL/BNE to the USA are already saturated with flights. QF could make a nice little non-stop monopoly out of doing ADL-LAX 3 times per week.

 

[lastrow]

We're off to SFO in July on QF73/74. First and last opportunity to fly on the upper deck in J. We've 'done' forward main deck cabin. Hoping aircraft stays as is.

I flew to SFO on QF73 last September in J on the main deck of a B747 and as usual the flight was smooth and quiet. My first flight in a 747 was in 1976 to LHR from SYD and I have flown many 747 miles since, all in comfort and safety. In my opinion Qantas will regret their decision to put all their eggs in the 787 basket with the resulting loss of capacity on high volume routes thus forcing passengers to book on alternative airlines. Why didn't Qantas order the up graded B 777 to replace the 747?

 

[Daver6]

Now THAT would be interesting. Mind you, it actually makes sense as the markets from SYD/MEL/BNE to the USA are already saturated with flights. QF could make a nice little non-stop monopoly out of doing ADL-LAX 3 times per week.

Would also be a nice connector from PER. Avoid the hassle of the SYD terminal transfer. Only downside is inferior lounge options for a WP.

 

[calmelb]

Would also be a nice connector from PER. Avoid the hassle of the SYD terminal transfer. Only downside is inferior lounge options for a WP.

You have got the option of going via MEL, F lounge and easy DOM->INT transfer too.

 

[jakeseven7]

Was chatting to a few blokes at ADL QF engineering last week and the chatter is that once the ADL upgrades are completed they have heard we may be getting a 787 service from ADL to the US West Coast

I would think ADL would get Asian destinations restored first.... and the 787 feels too premium heavy for little old ADL.

 

[moa999]

VH-OEB, the last 747 with First and SkyBed Is is on its penultimate flight.

Currently operating QF4 HNL-SYD and will turnaround tonight to operate a delayed QF73 SYD-SFO.

Leaves 332 VH-EBG as the only aircraft with SkyBed Is, and hopefully it's next in for refurb (EBF should be out anyday)

 

[blu]

We had a QF74 substitution from 747 to 787 for Nov travel. Still have the 747 on QF25 next Feb.

 

[bullerdude]

They aren't completely disappearing, but you won't get on one of their new ones as a passenger.

Looks like they have two 747-8's coming to their freight arm.

New aircraft, new possibilities

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