QantasLink Dash 8 Guide

[Beano]

I'm sure I saw 737 type at WGA, but that was before 2020.

 

[servicerequired]

I did several QF Dash 8 Sydney to Wagga trips. One May morning (not even winter) there was extreme fog at WGA. According to the GPS tracker log, the plane did 13 orbits over Wantabadgery before we were able to land at WGA. That's possibly the downside of smaller and less advanced planes - ability to handle really bad conditions. Maybe someone here can tell me whether that's a fair impression?

I'm not certain, but I think you'll find that visibility is generally applicable to the pilot rather than the aircraft.

 

[Beano]

I'm not sure how this affects a Dash 8 but as a previous post said, trim and loading can affect a flight, probably more so on small planes. There have been incidents of small planes crashing after take off because of overloading. Recently I flew a 190 trans-Tasman where there were a few empty spaces. A colleague was supposed to be with me but got bumped off. It seems the plane would have otherwise been overloaded.

 

[jakeseven7]

Chime in with the consensus- also love the Dash 8, like the premium hand luggage system, like the quick on/off, QFLink staff are great, love the views, 2x2 etc .

I recently jagged one on purpose on MEL/ADL (they rotate them out of ADL for maintenance I think??) and that was fun!

 

[Chicken]

fun!

I think this is the word. You can put this word and dash or SAAB together. Try putting this word and Airbus or Boeing together and see what happens.

 

[Scooty]

I did several QF Dash 8 Sydney to Wagga trips. One May morning (not even winter) there was extreme fog at WGA. According to the GPS tracker log, the plane did 13 orbits over Wantabadgery before we were able to land at WGA. That's possibly the downside of smaller and less advanced planes - ability to handle really bad conditions. Maybe someone here can tell me whether that's a fair impression?

I do the Wagga, Dubbo, Tamworth, Armidale circuit regularly. In the last couple of years I’ve had several times where flights will be delayed due to conditions (fog) at destination. Around 5 or 6 times we’ve reached the destination, did laps waiting for fog to burn off to land. On anll occasions came in to land then took off again. One occasion we had to head back to SYD, the others managed to land on take 2. I think they do the trial landing to check? Perhaps others can confirm.
It’s more likely your flight back (or to) is cancelled or directed to another nearby location e.g Griffith.
Another positive of the low flying Dash 8 is you can at least text folks if you are turned back

 

[downgraded]

CNS-POM in a dash 8. Took a while to get my head around getting an international cabin service in the dash 8, but as WP I had the 4 seats at the front to myself (oh! When being a WP meant something), which was a tad embarrassing on what was quite a full flight.

 

[gaz0303]

I do the Wagga, Dubbo, Tamworth, Armidale circuit regularly. In the last couple of years I’ve had several times where flights will be delayed due to conditions (fog) at destination. Around 5 or 6 times we’ve reached the destination, did laps waiting for fog to burn off to land. On anll occasions came in to land then took off again. One occasion we had to head back to SYD, the others managed to land on take 2. I think they do the trial landing to check? Perhaps others can confirm.
It’s more likely your flight back (or to) is cancelled or directed to another nearby location e.g Griffith.
Another positive of the low flying Dash 8 is you can at least text folks if you are turned back

Armidale flights used to get diverted to Tamworth and then passengers bused to Armidale. Outgoing passengers then had to bus Tamworth. It sucked but at least you made it to your destination. Now they seem more likely to divert back to SYD or cancel.

 

[AVV]

We've put together a guide to flying on the QantasLink Dash 8:

Your Guide to Flying the QantasLink Dash 8

When you fly on a QantasLink De Havilland Dash 8, your experience will be a bit different to flying on a larger jet aircraft.

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

Do you like flying on the Dash 8? Any tips on how to enjoy a better experience? Share your thoughts here!

I love Qantas link. Wish QF were as good. Wine with snack evenings ???? . Healthy and nice. Seats to me are spacious and disembarking a pleasure,

One prob no security at some airports. But if connecting at SYD you must pass security . Bit daft as the link flight no security at some ports.

Flt attendants excellent, feel like your in business class. I asked a couple of flight attendants, do they work for Eastern or Sunstate or QF Never get a honest reply but a nice smile. I think too nice ...

 

[Ado]

I had the opportunity to fly In Dash from Melbourne to Adelaide on April 24 this year. When I was looking to make the booking I just saw the unusual plane for this leg so took it just flor experience .. They collected my carry at the steps and handed it bag as I disembarked . The crew were truly spot on ,,service first class. The transit was slightly longer than usual and we disembarked in a spot I handed been before ,, a bit of an interesting walk to the terminal. I would recommend giving it a go if the opportunity presents it self

 

[JCD]

I've been a Qantas Platinum member for over 20 years and being based in Devonport I have flown on the Dash 8s hundreds of times (usually in 1C).

What I find best on this flights is the service from the flight attendants. Always seems far superior to Qantas.

 

[servicerequired]

I've been a Qantas Platinum member for over 20 years and being based in Devonport I have flown on the Dash 8s hundreds of times (usually in 1C).

What I find best on this flights is the service from the flight attendants. Always seems far superior to Qantas.

Particularly pre-COVID - it was our local crew and the familiar faces and service on *almost* every flight.

Fortunately, things are slowly returning to normal - and some of the local hosties are back looking after the local base again.2

But cannot agree more, service 10/10 - basically like J class service in Y - and with catering that I would deem as acceptable - and a bar !! Who could complain !

 

[sudoer]

Virgin use Link Airways for Canberra to Sydney on Saab 340s. Even worse than a Dash 8.

Disagree - the 1-2 config is great!

 

[Cossie]

Quite a few years ago we did Brisbane to Canberra, was surprised, but it was a good flight following the coast all the way south and turning right near Wollongong, low enough and cloudless, so it was a good view.
Also Melbourne to Canberra, although I will admit that they aren’t my favourite plane.

 

[servicerequired]

Disagree - the 1-2 config is great!

The SAAB is fine - but the Dash 8 range is certainly several rungs above re the hard product ... the majority of people have no issue standing in the cabin, larger more spacious cabin, less prop noise.

 

[gaz0303]

Disagree - the 1-2 config is great

You must be a hobbit!

 

[Beano]

Certainly prefer it to the ATR which Air NZ run.

 

[jakeseven7]

Certainly prefer it to the ATR which Air NZ run.

Loath the ATRs too. Remember when VA1 had them for a while here too before they collapsed.

 

[Cossie]

Certainly prefer it to the ATR which Air NZ run.

Sorry, I disagree, I don’t mind the ATRs, flown on several different airlines, I much prefer them over Q400s, but of course YMMV.

 

[love_the_life]

Chime in with the consensus- also love the Dash 8, like the premium hand luggage system, like the quick on/off, QFLink staff are great, love the views, 2x2 etc .

I recently jagged one on purpose on MEL/ADL (they rotate them out of ADL for maintenance I think??) and that was fun!

Interesting - I loathe Dash 8 and try to avoid at all opportunity. Find them more affected by weather than larger craft, noisy and uncomfortable besides not having J. Don't fly Virgin CBR - SYD either as no jet service. I once booked BNE - CBR on a Dash by mistake - won't do that again.