Qantas to start flights from Darwin to Singapore

[docjames]

What does he mean about getting sick of Launceston?

I think he’s ready to have some trips/overnights elsewhere.

 

[nancypants]

Spoke the other day to an A220pilot - fleet planning is a little all over the shop so future routes are still up in the air (to them at least),

He is however getting mighty sick of Launceston…….

Great news, Launceston is changing to E190. So he can get sick of somewhere else instead (most likely last minute call ups to be a simulator buddy )

In other news, DRW-SIN inaugural A220 currently set for 26/10

 

[jrfsp]

I think he’s ready to have some trips/overnights elsewhere.

Devonport?

 

[Mattg]

Arrival will now be 1:40 am?

I like that timing much better than the ~4am arrival. Also means a shorter connection time off QF2.

 

[AIRwin]

Also means a shorter connection time off QF2.

No time for lounges

 

[henrus]

As for these DRW-SIN flights… I’ll believe it when it starts!

 

[jakeseven7]

Great news, Launceston is changing to E190. So he can get sick of somewhere else instead (most likely last minute call ups to be a simulator buddy )

Oh nice when from?

 

[Mwenenzi]

ExecTrav AU 14 Feb 2025--->Qantas pushes back A220 flights to Singapore

The direct connection between the Top End and Singapore isn’t kicking off quite as Qantas had hoped..

Qantas is delaying the international debut of its latest Airbus A220 by seven months. The airline intended this nimble factory-fresh jet to launch direct flights between Darwin and Singapore on Sunday 30 March.
<snio>
Qantas says its A220 will now take over the Top End route from Sunday October 26, toggling up to five flights per week
<snip>
Having last operated Darwin-Singapore flights in 2006, Qantas will now be hoping “third time’s the charm” for the route’s return, given it was previously due to launch in December 2024 using a leased Embraer E190 jet.

Qantas tells Executive Traveller the A220 has been temporarily removed from the Darwin-Singapore route to support the re-training of former QantasLink Boeing 717 crew on this all-new and vastly different jet as it continues to operate along the east coast.

The A220 already connects Sydney and Melbourne with Hobart, Launceston and Coffs Harbour, along with Melbourne to Canberra and Brisbane – and QantasLink CEO Rachel Yangoyan wants to keep her A220s busy.
<snip>

To reschedule in mid Feburary, fights due in 30 March to 7 months later is significant managment fail.

 

[AIRwin]

To reschedule in mid Feburary, fights due in 30 March to 7 months later is significant managment fail.

And the route was originally scheduled to launch in June 2023

 

[Harrison_133]

Oh nice when from?

March 30. Q400s taking over some flights too.

 

[jakeseven7]

March 30. Q400s taking over some flights too.

Thanks I had a look, there’s now a mix of A220s, E190s and Q400s on the schedule! Fun

 

[Mwenenzi]

Thanks I had a look, there’s now a mix of A220s, E190s and Q400s on the schedule! Fun

So what ever aircraft and crew that can be found on the day??
Would expect changes

 

[jakeseven7]

So what ever aircraft and crew that can be found on the day??
Would expect changes

LST isn’t a heavy premium market I always thought a full A220 schedule was overkill year round so personally I was not surprised some smaller airframes are being rotated in for shoulder slots and seasons (although I’m sure the A220 crewing issues may have also played a role).

And yes I agree will keep changing.

The good thing is when they do this fwd scheduling with more flights / uncertain aircraft is that there are some great deals that I’ve snapped up for public holiday weekends which wouldn’t normally be there

 

[Laptop Jockey]

As for these DRW-SIN flights… I’ll believe it when it starts!

...and even then, I'll believe it if they're still running 12 months after that!
We've played this game of knifey-spooney before.

 

[nancypants]

March 30. Q400s taking over some flights too.

They haven’t offered up Q400s as the operating aircraft of the DRW-SIN flights yet so our bingo card is, alas, incomplete