Qantas to start flights from Darwin to Singapore

[snooze]

The story goes the a220 won’t start on the route until at least 20 aircraft have arrived so 2027+?
Given the loads so far I’m not convinced it will still be a route by then

Loads so far? The first flight is this Sunday

 

[NamarrgonFlyer]

Loads so far? The first flight is this Sunday

Right! Here they are for this Sunday:
J5 C5 D4 I3 Y9 B9 H9 K9 M9 L9 V9 S9 N9 Q9 O9 X9 E0

Seems quite quiet, return from SIN also looks similar.

 

[Ansett Nostalgic]

I don't think QF and the fanboys realise the extent to which their offering is looked down upon by customers overseas. It definitely isn't seen as a premium product.

 

[mviy]

I don't think QF and the fanboys realise the extent to which their offering is looked down upon by customers overseas. It definitely isn't seen as a premium product.

It depends what you are comparing with. QF’s domestic offering is miles better than flying BA internationally from the UK to Europe imo.

 

[nancypants]

Loads so far? The first flight is this Sunday

I know I’m booked on it so have been watching closely lest it be cancelled!

 

[AIRwin]

I know I’m booked on it so have been watching closely lest it be cancelled!

Oh I almost booked it... Please report back on any launch party!

 

[serfty]

It depends what you are comparing with. QF’s domestic offering is miles better than flying BA internationally from the UK to Europe imo.

I do not believe @Ansett Nostalgic was referring to BA.

 

[nancypants]

Oh I almost booked it... Please report back on any launch party!

You should have! I’m looking like Norman no mates at present

 

[AIRwin]

You should have! I’m looking like Norman no mates at present

In the end I decided to fly via MEL instead for the F lounge

 

[Blacksheep]

Booked it for next year Jan...hope it's still around!!
They've changed my flight to an earlier one to Singapore....more time in the Qatar lounge

 

[nancypants]

Ok check in and dot points
-a small media scrum for member of the Finocchiaro ministry checking in
-problems with through check of bags on separate tickets even if within “the rules”- this has been noted for escalation
-staff all very excited
-not that many passengers it seems- that said I am here rather early
-quite long lines at security with the pinch point seeming to be the nWTMD
-no evidence of anything special in the lounge (tell me I’m wrong however as I don’t know Singaporean cuisine well)

 

[AIRwin]

-no evidence of anything special in the lounge (tell me I’m wrong however as I don’t know Singaporean cuisine well)

What's next to the samosa?

 

[nancypants]

What's next to the samosa?

Charcoal bao buns. Or if you meant the other way, I think that’s the char siu pork

 

[AIRwin]

Or if you meant the other way, I think that’s the char siu pork

Thanks @nancypants! Not recognisable to me...

 

[snooze]

Will the 737 have wifi to Singapore?

 

[AIRwin]

Will the 737 have wifi to Singapore?

See posts #113, #114 and #116 above

 

[nancypants]

Ok
-international security DRW an utter embarrassment as usual. Easily 30 minutes to get through. Only one screener doing both xray and secondary. Lots of bags being sent to secondary due to liquids
—this is a major issue for DRW and something they need to get sorted asap if anyone is going to take the place seriously for international flights

At the gate there was…nothing

However crew in the airbridge handing out goodie bags (I asked for permission for the photo)


(I will rummage and post contents later)

Our illustrious “metal dog”


On board thus far (which is not far), service standards looking similar to a TT (full doona and pillow on every seat in business). There is a ?senior CCd member seated in business supervising this inaugural

Of note, the ministers are in row 4/Y

 

[Saab34]

this is a major issue for DRW and something they need to get sorted asap if anyone is going to take the place seriously for international flights

If they want to take Emirates or Qatar or anyone like that, then they need to somewhat improve the experience.

 

[XWu]

Looks like Darwin time still reigns in, well, DRW.

Whatever “efficiency “ we see in DRW (compared to the MEL and SYD) in handling domestic flights, international offerings from what is written so far definitely seems to be no different from a decade ago.

Blame it on the heat, humidity or rain (in wet reasons), but I can’t remember any flights that actually departs on time, 30 mins after official departure time if I am very lucky, but hey maybe I was having a bad run over several years, who knows.

Nancypants experience with security (the second screen after the general domestic screen, and the QF lounge is in the airside domestic area) is similar to BKK on a regular day. And interestingly QF schedule DRW-SIN directly competes with SQ offering and I am not confident that the connection/stopover time at SIN for pax catching QF1 to LDR will be 5 hrs, might more likely be 3 hours from my possibly prejudiced experience with DRW departure timekeeping.

Good luck with the flight, Nancypants

 

[Blacksheep]

View attachment 437578
Charcoal bao buns. Or if you meant the other way, I think that’s the char siu pork

That IS NOT Char Siu Pork, looks like some stew/curry/some abomination....