Qantas to Beijing. Are they kidding??

[Aussie_flyer]

CA pilots also occasionally disregard departure routes from hkg and head for mountains instead.

 

[moa999]

If it's not making money I suspect QF will ditch the route.

I don't know what to make of the 333s being put on the route - does it mean more or less demand then predicted.

It certainly means peeved pax on other routes

 

[MEL_Traveller]

CA pilots also occasionally disregard departure routes from hkg and head for mountains instead.

I'm not sure there are too many airlines where pilots haven't made errors?

 

[soorox]

If it's not making money I suspect QF will ditch the route.

I don't know what to make of the 333s being put on the route - does it mean more or less demand then predicted.

It certainly means peeved pax on other routes

QF does this funny thing where there is a slight noise/rumours from competition they pounce on routes. Considering that VA was looking at PEK, they launched SYD-PEK and when there was rumours of JL opening MEL-NRT, they also pounced onto the route, however thankfully JL wasn't phased by QF and will still be opening MEL-NRT in September. Although we are all thankful that they replaced JQ!

And I agree with a poster above, it's all about building market share in the growing China market. PEK fares seems to be very low, even lower than those to SE Asia, especially on sale you can get fares relatively cheap.

 

[cmon0005]

Here I was thinking all A330-200's had been refurbished by now..

 

[Mattg]

Here I was thinking all A330-200's had been refurbished by now..

It's hard to blame you when Qantas publishes things like this...

 

[moa999]

It's hard to blame you when Qantas publishes things like this...

View attachment 99006

Well 10/10 A333s have been updated.

It's the four former International 332s that haven't been updated. Two went back to lessors and are now being converted into RAAF MRRTs, EBG/EBL continue on on a variety of routes.

 

[Mattg]

Well 10/10 A333s have been updated.

It's the four former International 332s that haven't been updated. Two went back to lessors and are now being converted into RAAF MRRTs, EBG/EBL continue on on a variety of routes.

That's true... but when Qantas just says "international A330s" in posts like the one above I can understand why some people might assume that includes the A330 flying to an international destination like Beijing.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

It's hard to blame you when Qantas publishes things like this...

View attachment 99006

That is misleading. Intentionally designed to be misleading? I almost think it has to be.

 

[mannej]

If you have a look at the QF Newsroom, it refers to the A330-300 as international, and the rest as domestic, but it's a valid point considering that QF uses the -200 to international routes.

 

[Jacques Vert]

That is misleading. Intentionally designed to be misleading? I almost think it has to be.

Probably not intentionally misleading at the time (as I understand/remember it, the two 332s remaining were to leave the fleet), but certainly misleading none-the-less.

 

[moa999]

Probably not intentionally misleading at the time (as I understand/remember it, the two 332s remaining were to leave the fleet), but certainly misleading none-the-less.

Yes and no. I believe QF originally announced 28 aircraft. then the rumours came out about them leaving, then ultimately they said done at 26. And then they announced PEK routes. And then further rumours about these and others being reconfiged for longer haul flying.
I don't believe any formal statment has been made re when the lease expires and/or if it has been renewed.

 

[Jacques Vert]

Yes and no. I believe QF originally announced 28 aircraft. then the rumours came out about them leaving, then ultimately they said done at 26. And then they announced PEK routes. And then further rumours about these and others being reconfiged for longer haul flying.
I don't believe any formal statment has been made re when the lease expires and/or if it has been renewed.

Yes moa; there have been so many ifs, buts and maybes on this, not to mention the reversals, that it's hard to know.

 

[Aussie_flyer]

That's also a photo of an A332 if I'm not wrong

 

[Mattg]

That's also a photo of an A332 if I'm not wrong

I hadn't even noticed that before but you're right, it is!

 

[serfty]

Skybeds were never designed for a domestic market.

Ergo - the aircraft are internationally configured.

Whether a skybed is representative of a contemporary offering is irrelevant in a pure consideration of "Domestic" or "International".

 

[maureeng]

Just got back from a 6 week trip, starting Sydney to Beijing.
What a little shocker! An ancient 747, old Business Class seats with the dreaded slope (QF should look at the fantastic new AA 777 product in J!! AA for heavens sake!!), a decrepit old entertainment system with the symbols worn off the buttons and a 100mm screen!!! Lousy choice of entertainment too!
Like flying 10 years ago.
Hardly what you expect of a new route!!!

Occasionally they put on a refurbished one. My daughter got the 1-2-1 on the way over a couple of weeks ago but the old one on the way back. I've only had the old one hence I prefer to go via Hong Kong and have a chance of getting the A380 . The J class prices are very competitive on the Syd - Pek direct route though. Even cheaper if you book Pek-Syd-Pek. Unfortunately next flight back to Aus is on the old direct one as I had booked Syd - Pek - Syd as they had a great J deal. Wondering whether we should get a one way coming back so we can take advantage of the cheaper fares by booking over here.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Wondering whether we should get a one way coming back so we can take advantage of the cheaper fares by booking over here.

Not a bad idea. You could buy some lifemiles or United miles and fly oneway PEK to SYD cheaply in business class on Thai airways (~USD750 one way). The other option is just to buy Lifemiles and use them permanently on the route. Availability is usually very good, particularly if you can book in advance. For close-in bookings, there can be some 'blackspots' (like July is looking pretty full on Thai in and out of Bangkok).

Buying United miles, they're more expensive, but allow travel on Air China.

 

[maureeng]

Not a bad idea. You could buy some lifemiles or United miles and fly oneway PEK to SYD cheaply in business class on Thai airways (~USD750 one way). The other option is just to buy Lifemiles and use them permanently on the route. Availability is usually very good, particularly if you can book in advance. For close-in bookings, there can be some 'blackspots' (like July is looking pretty full on Thai in and out of Bangkok).

Buying United miles, they're more expensive, but allow travel on Air China.

Thanks for the info .
I usually use Qantas and then I can keep my platinum status but will definitely take note.
I get 2 company funded returns per year and any more I have to pay for.

 

[Spongbob]

Like flying 10 years ago.

And did you feel 10 years younger?