Qantas to keep FRA till October 2013; BA Singapore codeshare to continue

[Isochronous]

I'm glad there will still be a BA codeshare running SIN-LHR. Will they also do the same HKG-LHR, and then why don't they keep HKG-FCO on CX?

 

[Platinum A332]

QF is presently refurbing 9 747s to A380 standard with Business (SkyBed II), Premium and Economy.

I unfortunately think they should have rolled out SkyBed III - a fold out smallish TV, no direct aisle access and a bed that droops no longer cuts it.

That is true - I would not mind if they use the EK A380 Business Class product for product consistency. These seats are also very space efficient and would even allow QF to increase J class capacity whilst utilising the same amount of space (no need to remove bathrooms and snack bars instead)

On my calculations the 9 aircraft are not enough to cover the current routes;
- 2 SYD-LAX-JFK
- 2 SYD-DFW-BNE-SYD *guaranteed new product*
- 1 SYD-SCL *guaranteed new product*
- 2 BNE-LAX
- 1 SYD-JNB
- 3 SYD-SIN-FRA
- 2 SYD-NRT
- 1 MEL-SIN
- 1 BNE-SIN

Assuming 1 aircraft is left as an operation spare, and 1 aircraft continues to operate SYD-PER that gives a total fleet requirement of 17 Boeing 747s.

I thought QF had another 2 A380 coming next year, but these aircraft have been delayed too.

So based on my calculations, and excluding the aircraft operating Transcontinental, QF need to refurbish another 7 Boeing 747 aircraft. Not to mention the need to refurbish at least some of the A330 to bring them up to par with the competition (CX, SQ and dare I say, Garuda).

 

[The Rok]

Wait for the speculation that QF will pick up some EK 777 production slots or lease a few from EK.

 

[cmon0005]

For example a journey from Melbourne to New Delhi on QF MEL-SIN 9W codeshare SIN-DEL, currently takes 15 hours, under the new route timings this will increase to minimum 17hours 5mins, 2 hours more! (close to 4 hours sitting in singapore for a connecting flight)..

again how is this improving connections to asia qf!!!!

Options to india are already rubbish since withdrawal of QF metal SIN-BOM.

SQ offer exactly 15 hours MEL-SIN-DEL or BOM with only 1 1/2 hours wait time in SIN.

 

[markis10]

Wait for the speculation that QF will pick up some EK 777 production slots or lease a few from EK.

We have already had that discussion, which of course is still TBD.

That is true - I would not mind if they use the EK A380 Business Class product for product consistency. These seats are also very space efficient and would even allow QF to increase J class capacity whilst utilising the same amount of space (no need to remove bathrooms and snack bars instead)

On my calculations the 9 aircraft are not enough to cover the current routes;
- 2 SYD-LAX-JFK
- 2 SYD-DFW-BNE-SYD *guaranteed new product*
- 1 SYD-SCL *guaranteed new product*
- 2 BNE-LAX
- 1 SYD-JNB
- 3 SYD-SIN-FRA
- 2 SYD-NRT
- 1 MEL-SIN
- 1 BNE-SIN

Assuming 1 aircraft is left as an operation spare, and 1 aircraft continues to operate SYD-PER that gives a total fleet requirement of 17 Boeing 747s.

I thought QF had another 2 A380 coming next year, but these aircraft have been delayed too.

So based on my calculations, and excluding the aircraft operating Transcontinental, QF need to refurbish another 7 Boeing 747 aircraft. Not to mention the need to refurbish at least some of the A330 to bring them up to par with the competition (CX, SQ and dare I say, Garuda).

Your calculations are out, you cannot run a daily service to a city with two aircraft when flight time is over 10 hours, given LAX is 14-15 and DFW longer, you need a minimum of three not including allowances for heavy overhaul.

 

[ajw373]

Wait for the speculation that QF will pick up some EK 777 production slots or lease a few from EK.

Or take some more of their A330's off their hands. Virgin quite clearly likes their ex EK birds. Not.

 

[ajw373]

Have I read correctly in points 13 and 14 of the document below (first posted in post number 2) that Qantas can allow people to stop off in Dubai on their way to/from London when on QF1/2/9/10 but for the time being are unable to sell MEL/SYD to DXB or DXB-LHR as seperator sectors? Eg they can sell SYD-DXB break flight DXB-LHR return, but not SYD-DXB-SYD.

http://www.qantas.com.au/agents/dyn/qf/policies/NetworkChangeFAQs041012.pdf

 

[cmon0005]

Looks like some of the Dubai flights are already programmed just did a search on QF website SYD-LHR 1st June and it shows stopover as Dubai now, but still QF1, can't seem to book to dubai though yet.

 

[oz_mark]

Have I read correctly in points 13 and 14 of the document below (first posted in post number 2) that Qantas can allow people to stop off in Dubai on their way to/from London when on QF1/2/9/10 but for the time being are unable to sell MEL/SYD to DXB or DXB-LHR as seperator sectors? Eg they can sell SYD-DXB break flight DXB-LHR return, but not SYD-DXB-SYD.

Qantas don't currently have traffic rights on the Australia - Dubai route. They have applied to the IASC for capacity, and once that is approved they will be able to offer those services.

 

[Danger]

Perhaps another reason why FRA is staying a little longer

http://www.planetalkinglive.com/2011/08/15/frankfurt-airport-has-busiest-july-ever/

 

[vitagen]

My SIN-LHR FASA has changed to BA instead...

I'm going to request it be routed as SIN-DXB-LHR, I'm not keen to fly BA

 

[vitagen]

just got told that i have to switch over to BA

 

[clifford]

Options to india are already rubbish since withdrawal of QF metal SIN-BOM.

Obviously there is not the demand.

I for one will never fly to/through India again because of their stupid, restrictive and expensive (gouging) visa policies. And I have been to India many times in the last few years, so I do have some idea of what I am talking about.

On the issue of QF using DXB instead of SIN for its LHR flights, pax will certainly notice a difference. SIN is a nice airport where one can relax and experience quiet enjoyment (if one wishes). On the other hand, DXB is a horrible overcrowded zoo at pretty much any time of the day or night. How do I know? You can't be an EK Gold without spending a lot of time at DXB. There will be a lot of squawking, I am sure.

 

[dajop]

For me, with main interest in travelling SIN-MEL-SIN for VFR visits, it rules out QF as it leaves MEL too early, unless I can access laptop power and "work from home" (aka the sky) and do the trip on QF.

I wonder if they'll alter the JQ schedules, because this arrangement will mean JQ and QF operating at very similar times. And why does the QF group have no interest in operating day time flights from Asia to Australia? Even with the FRA services they could turn that plane around, like all the Asian airlines do and fly straight back out of Europe early afternoon, into SIN in the morning and down to SYD during the day, then wouldn't have plane sitting on the ground in FRA for a whole day (I guess though it would then sit in SYD until next afternoon anyway).

 

[MrJetset]

How many here have looked at options other than to LHR?

Looking at a dummy date of 30 April 2013 for F fares:

SYD-DXB on QF1 Arrives at DXB at 00:35

Connections:

EK185 to BCN 06:55
EK805 to JED 07:05
EK957 to BEY 07:20
EK927 to CAI 08:50

While I haven't flown EK, I'm fairly certain that the T3 F Lounge at DXB does not have private rooms to sleep in, unlike the Cabanas in The T5 CCR or EY's F Lounge (Not widely advertised but I have used these many times on long connections, and one can get a decent sleep).

I don't fancy arriving, or connecting that hour, so it looks like overnighting in DXB is the only way around a long and tiring journey.

 

[geordieladinoz]

How many here have looked at options other than to LHR?

Looking at a dummy date of 30 April 2013 for F fares:

SYD-DXB on QF1 Arrives at DXB at 00:35

Connections:

EK185 to BCN 06:55
EK805 to JED 07:05
EK957 to BEY 07:20
EK927 to CAI 08:50

While I haven't flown EK, I'm fairly certain that the T3 F Lounge at DXB does not have private rooms to sleep in, unlike the Cabanas in The T5 CCR or EY's F Lounge (Not widely advertised but I have used these many times on long connections, and one can get a decent sleep).

I don't fancy arriving, or connecting that hour, so it looks like overnighting in DXB is the only way around a long and tiring journey.

Just looked at my options for NCL and get the following:

QF1 arrives at 0035
EK35 departs at 0720
EK36 arrives at 2359
QF2 departs at 0920

Not really enough time to get to/from a hotel so it looks like 7 and 9 hours in Dubai airport. If we commit to these I see a through trip to NCL with an extended lounge stay (sleeping on the 2nd part of the SYD-DXB leg and again on the DXB-NCL flight).

On the return I see a couple of day stay in DXB.

Still sounds a better option that transiting LHR to me.

NOTE: In checking June 2013 flights from SYD-NCL it still throws up BA connection at LHR rather than the EK flight ex DXB even though QF1 is shown as stopover in DXB. I suggest it won't be too much longer until EK details start filtering in.

 

[Blackbird]

So clearly some routes must be cut as there are not enough available planes.

Item 23 at this link http://www.qantas.com.au/agents/dyn/qf/policies/NetworkChangeFAQs041012.pdf
states that the 4 new SYD-SIN and all BNE,ADL,PER to SIN services will be A330 aircraft.

i.e. BNE-SIN non 744.
With 9 744 aircraft, other services must be cut, sorry that's enhanced in QF terms.
Any guesses which routes will be enhanced?

FRA must stay daily according to the announced schedule.

 

[mulubinba]

I guess the ability to book emirates and qantas flights together on qantas website won't be available for some time

 

[moa999]

I guess the ability to book emirates and qantas flights together on qantas website won't be available for some time

Not till the approvals come through which could be six months.

 

[Timba-Jet]

Pleasantly surprised to see FRA continued for the time being. However this seems to completely contradict the announcement that FRA will be dropped. What is behind QFs decision here to extend until Oct 2013.

Also the matter of optimal flight timings and aircraft utilisation, why on the SYD-NRT route does the plane arrive NRT early morning and sit there all day for overnight flight back to SYD. Could it not turn around in NRT for day flight to SYD, hence only need 1 B747 not 2.