QF A380 out of action for 6 weeks

[maninblack]

They are running on a shoestring aren't they. Perhaps they might like to consider some new long range aircraft for their fleet like all of the other airlines. I wonder what their long term plan is. It can't really be that the long term plan is to slowly run out of aircraft and piss off their passengers.

 

[Mattg]

They are running on a shoestring aren't they. Perhaps they might like to consider some new long range aircraft for their fleet like all of the other airlines. I wonder what their long term plan is. It can't really be that the long term plan is to slowly run out of aircraft and piss off their passengers.

I think/hope that they will announce 787 orders at the next half-yearly report.

 

[Dmac6345]

I would like to know who has been affected, and how much notice Qantas is giving before departure date.

 

[Stoopidsteve]

I would like to know who has been affected, and how much notice Qantas is giving before departure date.

Just checked my flight in a couple of weeks and looks like QF11 SYD-LAX has been subbed, as now allocated 43H (in Y, obviously). I had received no contact from QF.

Anyone had joy asking for date/route change (ie MEL-LAX) based on this?

EDIT: scratch that. I'll stick with 43H on 747, chances of getting good seat on 380 at short notice is limited, and who knows if they will change again if something else goes pear shaped. Paid for Y seat, will get a Y seat.

 

[Aussie_flyer]

Pity they cant borrow an EK A380 for a month or so

 

[Isochronous]

Time to take delivery of some of the new long range A380 they have on order.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

The sad thing is, if you accept the downgrade, the scheduled compensation paid by Qantas is pitiful. http://www.qantas.com.au/agents/dyn/qf/policies/FareRefundTable.pdf (Of course, you may get additional compensation, but the schedule is bad)

I would not accept the 'downgrade' compensation. If travel has not commenced, I would seek a full refund and rebook. The passenger is entitled to the refund, without any cancellation fees or charges.

 

[daturtle]

A maintenance error....This is why we can't have nice things.

 

[under the radar]

i'd rather the '1st world inconvenience' of 'we can't have nice things' for a few weeks...because this a/c CANNOT fly SAFELY until it's repaired...regardless of the circumstances that grounded it

 

[MEL_Traveller]

i'd rather the '1st world inconvenience' of 'we can't have nice things' for a few weeks...because this a/c CANNOT fly SAFELY until it's repaired...regardless of the circumstances that grounded it

well yes... but that shouldn't be of any concern to passengers. It's not for us to inquire, or give dispensation, for an issue which is in control of the airline. The outcome, rather than the cause, is what's important.

Rather than offering downgrades, passengers should be booked, if they want, into the F cabins of CX or SQ.

 

[mannej]

well yes... but that shouldn't be of any concern to passengers. It's not for us to inquire, or give dispensation, for an issue which is in control of the airline. The outcome, rather than the cause, is what's important.

Rather than offering downgrades, passengers should be booked, if they want, into the F cabins of CX or SQ.

Considering CX don't fly F out of Australia, there would still be some form of downgrade.

UA offer F on their 772 do they not? Why not them?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Considering CX don't fly F out of Australia, there would still be some form of downgrade.

that's a good point!

 

[williamsf1]

Pity they cant borrow an EK A380 for a month or so

Could they not wetlease a EK bird ( assuming they had a spare?)

 

[AviationNZ]

UA offer F on their 772 do they not? Why not them?

Not really a similar product/experience at all. In fact, I'd prefer QF J over UA F.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Not really a similar product/experience at all. In fact, I'd prefer QF J over UA F.

You're right - it's a totally different product.

I mentioned SQ and CX only because I know so many people would complain at the suggestion of UA that it wouldn't even be worth raising.

The comfort of the UA bed is pretty much up there as an industry leader. The food is comfort food, but I really like it... and only american based airlines offer ice-cream sundaes with all the toppings. It's a bit of fun. (and tasty)

Service, without exception, has always been fantastic on UA F.

But I fear without the bells and whistles, a lot of pax would complain they're not getting what they paid for... when in fact UA really does deliver a pretty decent F product in terms of service - that, and bed comfort, is what F is all about (for me).

 

[trippin_the_rift]

Not really a similar product/experience at all. In fact, I'd prefer QF J over UA F.

Crazy.
I'd take UA F any day over QF business. More space, more privacy, more food, more....everything!

 

[mannej]

Not really a similar product/experience at all. In fact, I'd prefer QF J over UA F.

Granted, but some people would still like to fly F, but not divert via SIN.

 

[AviationNZ]

Crazy.
I'd take UA F any day over QF business. More space, more privacy, more food, more....everything!

I'll confess that I've only flown it once and that was about 2 years ago, but I just wasn't impressed by the service and food. Could've just been a one-off bad experience.

 

[Flying mermaid]

i'd rather the '1st world inconvenience' of 'we can't have nice things' for a few weeks...because this a/c CANNOT fly SAFELY until it's repaired...regardless of the circumstances that grounded it

My objection is not that they need from a safety reason to ground the aircraft. It is a) that the airline I have loved for nearly 50 years is now running on such a shoestring they have no ability to sub adequate planes and b) the way it was handled. You just automatically downgrade a revenue F passenger to J without even contacting them and exploring options like DFW - a currently totally empty F cabin. Create maximum stress for us and not even try and handle it properly? I didn't mind the 3 hour delay because it was handled with no stress for me. I am totally pissed off with how this has been handled.

 

[Flying mermaid]

In future when flying to the states it is via Dubai and F with Emirates - retired plenty of time....