Qantas to boost Melbourne-Los Angeles flights

[dajop]

Not great aircraft utilisation! 18:00 is an odd time to depart MEL - too early to do a full days work, too late to take the day off (an 20:00 departure would have made more sense).

Also, don't forget not everyone is terminating in LAX, so if wanting a non red-eye connection to east coast or midwest, couldn't leave that much later than 18:00.

 

[Shan Man]

There used to be 2 MEL-LAX flights. QF25/26 via AKL, which was an A330 for a while.

How about they keep it a 747 and fly via AKL. I would happily position to mel for that flight vs a 737 if wanting QF metal.

 

[markis10]

How about they keep it a 747 and fly via AKL. I would happily position to mel for that flight vs a 737 if wanting QF metal.

I think that will be left for a Orange 787 soon.

 

[JessicaTam]

If the loads into the USA are good, I wonder if this will lead to an expansion into other cities? Or is it just a seasonal aberration?

 

[Shan Man]

I think that will be left for a Orange 787 soon.

lets meet in the middle. A red and white 787?

 

[Himeno]

lets meet in the middle. A red and white 787?

Orange on one side, Red on the other. Aircraft randomly swaps between airlines.

 

[pm3207]

Is this the only QF international flight number pairing where the outbound flight number is higher than the inbound? Why not use QF101/102 I wonder?

 

[JessicaTam]

Is this the only QF international flight number pairing where the outbound flight number is higher than the inbound? Why not use QF101/102 I wonder?

Good point, usually odd out, even back.

 

[dajop]

Good point, usually odd out, even back.

Still is odd out even back. But back is usually out+1, not out-1.

 

[JessicaTam]

Still is odd out even back. But back is usually out+1, not out-1.

Um, yeah. I think I need an early night.

 

[TomVexille]

Good for QF. Always good to see more capacity to the USA IMO.

 

[dajop]

How about they keep it a 747 and fly via AKL.

Or maybe do MEL-AKL-DFW instead of extra LAX service.

 

[Dmac6345]

I wonder if QF will let people book tickets, take peoples money and then cancel the service.
Hey, if people aren't taking up the options of an extra direct flight to LA, why not cancel it.
A little scary though. One good announcement seems to equal ten bad ones.
On a less serious note, it's good to see that QF are being proactive. (Welcome back to MEL 744's)

 

[AnotherFlyer]

If the loads into the USA are good, I wonder if this will lead to an expansion into other cities? Or is it just a seasonal aberration?

But obviously not many of them had been booking chauffeur drives....

 

[IGetAround]

Interesting how EK codeshare flights are generally the QF code + 5000 except on the services beyond Dubai (which are 5101, 5102, 5109 and 5110). I would have thought that, as a result, QF would avoid using these specific numbers (101, 102, 109 and 110).

 

[Mattg]

Will be a 744ER with refurbed cabins, which would still probably be better than what the UA 789 will eventually offer. Also, from the quotes attributed to Hickey it could be a long term thing if they go well.

A few points:
1. I don't think they have enough aircraft to make this a permanent thing. As far as I can see, they are only able to do this because the 747 allocated to SYD-HKG will be freed up by the A380 flights over summer.

2. Simon Hickey says a lot of things - e.g. He suggested that PER-AKL may become permanent if it is a success. IIRC bookings on this route "exceeded expectations" but they are still only offering it over summer, despite having sufficient spare aircraft to easily operate it year-round if they wanted.

3. If they did have a spare 747 and wanted to use it on US flights, I think they'd be more likely to start a BNE-DFW flight or resume SYD-SFO.

Having said that, this is a welcome addition and if it was to be made permanent I don't think anyone would be complaining.

 

[Mattg]

Interesting how EK codeshare flights are generally the QF code + 5000 except on the services beyond Dubai (which are 5101, 5102, 5109 and 5110). I would have thought that, as a result, QF would avoid using these specific numbers (101, 102, 109 and 110).

I don't think EK codeshares on QF's USA flights.

EK5093 is DPO-MEL, not MEL-LAX.

 

[RooFlyer]

A few points:
<snip>

3. If they did have a spare 747 and wanted to use it on US flights, I think they'd be more likely to start a BNE-DFW flight or resume SYD-SFO.

Having said that, this is a welcome addition and if it was to be made permanent I don't think anyone would be complaining.

... or a seasonal SYD or MEL - YVR . Air Canada (usually) doubles their SYD/YVR to twice daily 777s during our summer - snow bunnies going north, beach bums coming south. At any time, whenever I go to YVR or YYC via LAX, most of the J cabin on the AC flight north I recognize as having come off the QF flight into LAX. AC direct flight SYD-YVR always has a great many Oz accented pax.

 

[seritonin]

This is the first tactical /responsive move QFi has done in a long time. Better to die trying....

 

[Aussie_flyer]

This is the first tactical /responsive move QFi has done in a long time. Better to die trying....

Really? Seasonal per-akl. Upgrade dfw to a380. Change lhr schedule. Upgauge bkk to 747 over summer...increase to zqn flights also I think. Must be others.