Qantas to Launch SYD-AKL-JFK (June 2023)

[Tom/PER]

Instead of AKL could QF3/4 of operated via HNL instead of AKL?

This flight could’ve replaced the current A333 operated on QF103/104 for redeployment back into the network.

Outbound pax could clear immigration in HNL, like they used to in LAX when transiting onto QF15/16 to JFK, effectively making HNL-JFK a domestic flight.

A question for @jb747, eastbound could a 789 in the premium heavy configuration make SYD-JFK non-stop?

 

[hutch]

Instead of AKL could QF3/4 of operated via HNL instead of AKL?

This flight could’ve replaced the current A333 operated on QF103/104 for redeployment back into the network.

Outbound pax could clear immigration in HNL, like they used to in LAX when transiting onto QF15/16 to JFK, effectively making HNL-JFK a domestic flight.

A question for @jb747, eastbound could a 789 in the premium heavy configuration make SYD-JFK non-stop?

I'm confused why you think they would do this?

Say you fly a 787 with 50% of passengers getting off at HNL and 50% continuing to JFK... you'd be flying a half empty plane to JFK all the time. At least at LAX they were utilising a plane that would be sitting on the ground all day.

Additionally they would reducing the available seats to HNL.

With AKL you also have connectivity to BNE/MEL, plus some O&D AKL traffic and no possible mid flight delays with passengers getting held up at US Customs.

 

[justinbrett]

I'm confused why you think they would do this?

Say you fly a 787 with 50% of passengers getting off at HNL and 50% continuing to JFK... you'd be flying a half empty plane to JFK all the time. At least at LAX they were utilising a plane that would be sitting on the ground all day.

Additionally they would reducing the available seats to HNL.

With AKL you also have connectivity to BNE/MEL, plus some O&D AKL traffic and no possible mid flight delays with passengers getting held up at US Customs.

I don’t think the suggestion was to combine with QF103/104.

As two separate flights, with HNL pax going on the A330 and JFK pax going on the 789 - it’s not such a silly idea, AC used to fly from YYZ on a similar route (timed with YVR as well).

If you are to fly a long route, a fuel stop in the middle will be the most economical, and this only adds about 80 miles to the great circle route (less than AKL). HNL is almost the exact same distance to SYD as it is to JFK (73 miles difference)

However HNL is a terrible airport, and you lose the ability to connect MEL/BNE pax. So I don’t think it’s a good idea, but not for the reasons you say (except your last line).

 

[hutch]

I don’t think the suggestion was to combine with QF103/104.

As two separate flights, with HNL pax going on the A330 and JFK pax going on the 789 - it’s not such a silly idea, AC used to fly from YYZ on a similar route (timed with YVR as well).

If you are to fly a long route, a fuel stop in the middle will be the most economical, and this only adds about 80 miles to the great circle route (less than AKL). HNL is almost the exact same distance to SYD as it is to JFK (73 miles difference)

However HNL is a terrible airport, and you lose the ability to connect MEL/BNE pax. So I don’t think it’s a good idea, but not for the reasons you say (except your last line).

True... Except it was pretty clear that part of the idea was to free up the A330 for redeployment

 

[dajop]

Instead of AKL could QF3/4 of operated via HNL instead of AKL?

Basic problem is you can't sell pax HNL-JFK or v.v, unless continuing journey from Australia after a stopver, whilst you can sell AKL-JFK to anyone. Why not NAN-JFK then (which is same distance, more or less, as MEL-LAX)? [nb: this is a rhetorical question]

AKL seems sensible to me.

 

[justinbrett]

True... Except it was pretty clear that part of the idea was to free up the A330 for redeployment

Oh, I missed that bit sorry. No, that’s a dumb idea. HNL flights are usually full.

 

[jb747]

A question for @jb747, eastbound could a 789 in the premium heavy configuration make SYD-JFK non-stop?

Any configuration you like, as long as you don’t carry any passengers, cabin crew, or cargo.

My information is based upon actual flight plans. I don’t have the software to generate one from scratch. But, I have no doubt that Syd-JFK would constitute a bridge that is way too far. Using the AKL plan as a guide, I think you’d need about another 15-20 tonnes above the current MTOW. You’d need an extra fuel burn of about 3 hours (15 tonnes), and to carry that, would be another 10 tonnes or so. That adds up to about 25 on top of what the aircraft had out of AKL the other day.

 

[jpp42]

Daily fail but hey ......

Interesting that she's already gone to the media about the problem when the flight isn't until December. But I appreciate that Qantas' offshore call centre and/or ticketing stuff-ups are getting more attention. I'm sure people will shed crocodile tears about this person who can afford to spend $15k on full-fare J tickets, but regardless whatever happened with her ticket, and more importantly the customer service experience, clearly no one should have been asking her to pay another $4k to re-confirm the same seat. (I am curious as to the details as these re-ticketing issues don't normally happen on QF metal flights from what I've read here.)

 

[jpp42]

Instead of AKL could QF3/4 of operated via HNL instead of AKL?
[...]
Outbound pax could clear immigration in HNL, like they used to in LAX when transiting onto QF15/16 to JFK, effectively making HNL-JFK a domestic flight.

A significant justification for using AKL was to avoid clearing immigration in the USA before the final destination, that's been said multiple times. It's disruptive to passengers, added time and cost to offload the checked bags (for customs) and then reload them, it can cause delays if immigration is understaffed, confusion and cost-to reaccommodate if passengers are delayed for extra interviews by immigration authorities, etc etc. Totally neesd to be avoided where possible.

 

[Kiwi_Flyer]

One thing to keep in mind however is that AKL does have a curfew

AKL does not have a curfew. In the past there have been scheduled arrivals and departures around 2, 3 and 4am.

It us WLG and ZQN that have curfews.

 

[NSun]

I'm in the Auckland lounge now waiting to board. It is full to the brim, even without QF3 passengers connecting from Sydney.

The only thing that is different from usual is there are a few staff going around with 'New York style' hot dogs.

 

[bodog]

I'm in the Auckland lounge now waiting to board. It is full to the brim, even without QF3 passengers connecting from Sydney.

We didn’t make a place in the “First” lounge due to the crowd so went to tne Business lounge which is also packed - there’s nothing special in terms of food offering in the Business lounge
Not that it matters as we’ll be well fed on the next leg

 

[NSun]

OK, just got off the flight and I've arrived at my hotel in Brooklyn. Flight time was just under 15 hours and we ended up arriving nearly an hour early, air traffic didn't slow us down at all.

It took 20 minutes to get through US customs but at least anyone going to New York is already there as opposed to being another 3-6 hours flight away as would be the case at LAX or DFW.

 

[Princess Fiona]

OK, just got off the flight and I've arrived at my hotel in Brooklyn. Flight time was just under 15 hours and we ended up arriving nearly an hour early, air traffic didn't slow us down at all.

It took 20 minutes to get through US customs but at least anyone going to New York is already there as opposed to being another 3-6 hours flight away as would be the case at LAX or DFW.

Excellent news !!!
I might need to reschedule my helicopter

 

[jb747]

I might need to reschedule my helicopter

Do you know why helicopters fly?




So, ugly, the Earth repels them.

 

[serfty]

Do you know why helicopters fly?
...
So, ugly, the Earth repels them.

Where's @straitman when you need them ...

 

[straitman]

Excellent news !!!
I might need to reschedule my helicopter

Do you know why helicopters fly?




So, ugly, the Earth repels them.

Where's @straitman when you need them ...

It's OK you can't afford my rates anyway!

 

[Princess Fiona]

I’m about a quarter of a way through this flight now in AKL.
It’s fair to say that it’s been a variable experience so far. I’ll post a short review once I’ve got over my jet lag at JFK.

 

[Princess Fiona]

Ok my thoughts on QF3

I checked in at the F check-in at SYD.
Didn’t bother to look at my BP until I got to the Flounge.

I’m in 7F, not 1A which I had selected when booking.
Went back to the desk to ask. Apparently no window seats left, several inoperable seats on this aircraft including my previously selected 1A.

Sat in the F/P1 dining area and fired up Expert Flyer. Looking at just AKL-JFK I could see 4A vacant. It was the only window.
Asked them to switch me to that seat from AKL and they did, no problems.
Now have 2 BPs, one for each sector.
Breakfast, quick Spa appointment and boarding was on time.

I can confirm there is oxygen as far back as row 7 . And my fave seat was indeed inoperable


On the SYD-AKL sector there were no printed menus at all.
Orders were taken by status. I chose the chicken Kiev which was actually ok. Passed the time rewatching Succession and we landed in AKL on time.
Big line up at the transit security and it took about 20 minutes to get through this. I was first off the plane though and those behind me would have taken a fair bit longer.
The AKL F lounge is just as dismal as I remember it.
Someone was coming round offering hot dogs, I declined and stuck to club soda.
There was a bit of a delay to boarding AKL-JFK due to a bird strike on the inbound. Engineering were checking the fuselage above the coughpit and after a short time we were allowed onboard.
They had the PJs

The second sector is a marathon flight. I literally wanted to fall asleep straight after takeoff but forced myself to keep awake to eat something. There is nothing worse than waking up in the dark, hungry.
The CSM Ryan and crew on this flight were absolutely outstanding. Really warm, lovely service. Online feedback will be submitted.
Breakfast was served about 2 hours prior to landing.
We arrived a bit early, short delay to getting to the gate as it was occupied.
I was through immigration in 60 seconds (GE) but the regular line wasn’t busy either.
Didn’t have luggage so can’t comment on that.
Was at the Blade terminal at Hudson yards just over an hour after QF3 touchdown.

Overall I think this is a good way to get to NY.
The broken seats issue isn’t going to be resolved any time soon unfortunately and the AKL transit is a bit lackluster.

But overall I think this is a good way to get to NY. I didn’t miss the LAX transit at all.
Will be doing QF4 in a few weeks for comparison.

 

[QF029]

Agree on the AKL transit. It took at least 30 mins on QF4 last Sunday. My AKL experiences on two status runs last year were superb so I wonder if it would have been quicker to go through immigration and back.

I was pretty tired on the way back. An 18 hour flight followed by 2 more segments (to MEL) really dragged things on. I'd probably fly direct from DFW next time.

I didn't leave the J cabin JFK-AKL but I walked around the plane AKL-SYD. There was ONE pax in PE and Y was about 25% full. I'm sure there were people who got off in AKL but I wonder if they deliberately went light on PAX for the first few flights to ensure there was less risk of diversion if they hit headwinds.