QF announce non-stop Perth-London B787 Services

[karen blancfield]

Having just used QF9/10 from Perth, economy both ways and aisle, aisle, we have booked to use the same direct flights again in May next year. Flights were good, food was ample and we had no ill effects after either flight. We have long internal flights to get to Perth but they are direct. We are not large people ... well a bit larger after 5 weeks in Italy... but if others are worried about the flight, I’d just say we both thought it was a good way to get straight to London and back. I wouldn’t want a middle seat but that’s true of any flight.

 

[Melburnian1]

One couple I know who used QF9 and QF10 in I (not Y) in July 2018 said that service on board was 'average.' I asked about the crew and they said 'some (not all) were Poms.' They didn't go into detail as to why it deserved that description.

The male described both long flights as 'gruelling', even though previously he had been a fair fan of QF. I questioned him as I'd have thought a fair bit of the time he'd have been snoozing on the lie flat bed but he said while that wasn't too bad, overall next time he'd use an Asian airline one stop to LHR or Europe.

They connected on to/from BA for a short European flight and were underwhelmed by what passes as J on these shorter flights. I had filled them in on this prior to departure but they still made a passing reference to how it was inferior to Australia (presumably meaning a widebody such as a QF or VA A332).

 

[Melburnian1]

You know what, when it comes down to it, if it's profitable, it's a success.

Will it be profitable should the level of hedging that QF has diminish, and oil prices continue the trend of rising (notwithstanding that in the last month it has declined)?

And in some months of the year (not now) will at least a few seats have to be unoccupied due to weight considerations?

 

[karen blancfield]

One couple I know who used QF9 and QF10 in I (not Y) in July 2018 said that service on board was 'average.' I asked about the crew and they said 'some (not all) were Poms.' They didn't go into detail as to why it deserved that description.

The male described both long flights as 'gruelling', even though previously he had been a fair fan of QF. I questioned him as I'd have thought a fair bit of the time he'd have been snoozing on the lie flat bed but he said while that wasn't too bad, overall next time he'd use an Asian airline one stop to LHR or Europe.

They connected on to/from BA for a short European flight and were underwhelmed by what passes as J on these shorter flights. I had filled them in on this prior to departure but they still made a passing reference to how it was inferior to Australia (presumably meaning a widebody such as a QF or VA A332).

Wow gruelling .... we did not find that at all. Have flown in and out of Dallas so this was probably longer by only minutes..... the flights are taking less time than was predicted. Anyway, as I said, there are probably people who have been really put off, but if you’re used to flying economy, it’s absolutely fine..... hence our bookings to do it again inside a year. The destination experience is more important to me than the flight ... but I know lots of people on AFF see it differently!

 

[JessicaTam]

They connected on to/from BA for a short European flight and were underwhelmed by what passes as J on these shorter flights. I had filled them in on this prior to departure but they still made a passing reference to how it was inferior to Australia (presumably meaning a widebody such as a QF or VA A332).

We are spoilt in AU when it comes to domestic J cf intra EU 'J'. Even QF's 737s are an order of magnitude better than BA's Club Europe seats for example.

 

[marki]

We are spoilt in AU when it comes to domestic J cf intra EU 'J'. Even QF's 737s are an order of magnitude better than BA's Club Europe seats for example.

I frequently fly with BA London Heathrow to Berlin Tegel airport and have found the breakfast offered in Club Europe being the only difference, the seats being identical. I have noticed when in economy I do frequently score a shadow seat being Emerald level. I therefore would buy my breakfast for several English pounds plus buy a coffee if I feel like it. The S.C. and the points earned or on offer in CE and normal economy also differ but is not that great.

 

[ajw373]

The S.C. and the points earned or on offer in CE and normal economy also differ but is not that great

Points, yeah, but status credits are half in Economy. The extra earn on Club Europe is what allowed me to get Platinum for the 4 years I live in the UK. Without them I would have been a lowly Sapphire.

 

[downgraded]

One couple I know who used QF9 and QF10 in I (not Y) in July 2018 said that service on board was 'average.' I asked about the crew and they said 'some (not all) were Poms.' They didn't go into detail as to why it deserved that description.

The male described both long flights as 'gruelling', even though previously he had been a fair fan of QF. I questioned him as I'd have thought a fair bit of the time he'd have been snoozing on the lie flat bed but he said while that wasn't too bad, overall next time he'd use an Asian airline one stop to LHR or Europe.

They connected on to/from BA for a short European flight and were underwhelmed by what passes as J on these shorter flights. I had filled them in on this prior to departure but they still made a passing reference to how it was inferior to Australia (presumably meaning a widebody such as a QF or VA A332).

Re Poms, they use some UK based crews. The crew members I've spoken to said it is a long and tiring flight to work, but they seemed to mix it up with SIN flights.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

We are spoilt in AU when it comes to domestic J cf intra EU 'J'. Even QF's 737s are an order of magnitude better than BA's Club Europe seats for example.

I'd agree - but only in terms of seating. The food/service can be far superior in EuroBusiness... even a 30-40 minute flight gets three courses on LH/LX/AF - cold but very tasty with good quality ingredients. And overall I think Euro lounges are much better than the Aussie equaivalents. I accept for longer flights the seating can be an issue.

Back to the issue of exPER services - a recent article said QF was very happy with the 80% load factor. But I wonder how much of this is still pax being accommodated from the original QF flights via DXB? (ie no choice in the matter).

 

[suze2000]

exPER services - a recent article said QF was very happy with the 80% load factor. But I wonder how much of this is still pax being accommodated from the original QF flights via DXB? (ie no choice in the matter).

Yes it will be interesting to see what happens in a couple of years when people looking to repeat their travel come to book another trip to Europe.

 

[coriander]

787-9 VH-ZNF has been delivered:
Jennifer Schuld on Twitter

 

[Quickstatus]

I have not had anyone I know say that they would fly again on the 787-9 PER-LHR-PER in economy. Everyone says never again because the seats are just too small and that includes slim folks.

Strange, the seats that nearly all the travel journalists reviewed and promoted by the airline looked really good - lie flat and all that

 

[Quickstatus]

Interesting article:
How popular are the ground-breaking first non-stop flights from UK to Australia?

Apparently despite all the hype and ongoing focus, the LHR-PER loadings is only about the same as the airline across the board average.

 

[JohnM]

Yes it will be interesting to see what happens in a couple of years when people looking to repeat their travel come to book another trip to Europe.

My brother, sister-in-law and her near 90 yo mother recently did PER-LHR return in whY. He said he’d do it again and MIL (ex Brit visiting her, err, disappearing relos) was happy to avoid the stopover. That came as something of a surprise after some agonising about the best way to do it.

It’s certainly not for me in whY.

My first experience (QF10) will be in 1K on 2 Sept. I shall report - especially for @JessicaTam .

 

[cove]

Taking one for the team JohnM.....but not in economy. Did you buy the seat or go redemption?

 

[TheInsider]

Interesting article:
How popular are the ground-breaking first non-stop flights from UK to Australia?

Apparently despite all the hype and ongoing focus, the LHR-PER loadings is only about the same as the airline across the board average.

It's actually higher than that average as those load factors only take into account LHR-PERvv numbers, not LHR-MEL etc.

As per the article:
But the CAA recording of passenger numbers travelling between British and overseas airports, from which Telegraph Travel was able to identify the number of travellers flying point to point between London and Perth, does not take into account the passengers using the flight to connect onto either Melbourne or Sydney, or onward travel in the other direction.

 

[JohnM]

Taking one for the team JohnM.....but not in economy. Did you buy the seat or go redemption?

Bought - part of my current DONE5.

 

[ajw373]

I am breaking the duck on QF9 in October. Coming from Canberra still the same number of stops as going via Syd or Mel to SIN-LHR. The only reason I am doing it is travelling with two small kids aged 3 and 5. Theory which I hope is right is the CBR-MEL-PER legs will be during their normal awake hours so they can watch TV and stay awake.

But once we leave Perth it will be bedtime where they and hopefully me will probably sleep for 12 hours.

Compared to via SIN where they will be well asleep by the time we get there, so would need to be woken and then try to get them back to sleep 2 hours later. For me alone I it is good as I can stay awake to SIN and then sleep most of the way to LHR but kids no so sure.

And whilst happy to no longer go via DXB the long first leg was the one positive over the route via SIN.

Return we are going via DXB but only because we are going via BKK too and then getting QF24 back. Just wish Qantas codeshared with BA LHR-BKK rather than EK. Or better flew themselves.

 

[JohnK]

Anyway, as I said, there are probably people who have been really put off, but if you’re used to flying economy, it’s absolutely fine..... hence our bookings to do it again inside a year. The destination experience is more important to me than the flight ... but I know lots of people on AFF see it differently!

I agree with you regarding destination which is why I mainly fly economy everywhere.

My biggest issue with 787s in general (apart from 2-4-2 config) is the seats are too narrow. Airline seats were already narrow and they are now narrower.

Personally I don't care about direct flights. Any flight over 8-9 hours is too long and I would rather split with a transit. If I had to fly to Europe then 2 stops along the way is fine.

 

[docjames]

Personally I don't care about direct flights. Any flight over 8-9 hours is too long and I would rather split with a transit. If I had to fly to Europe then 2 stops along the way is fine.

It’s an interesting conundrum to be able to manage AU-EU/UK and the routing to use to make it two stop with all legs <8-9hrs?

EK via SIN/DXB? ALthough many dont want to transit Middle East so if we exclude EK there aren’t many options.
RB via BWN and DXB (no longer I believe now direct without the DXB since they got Dreamliners (ironically in the context of seating width discussion).

AY via SIN/BKK/HKG then HEL still 10hrs+ (And an extra stop to most of EU)
CX via HKG may reach some of Europe with a second leg closer to 8-9hrs.
SQ some EU destinations under 8-9hrs?

RJ might have options via AMM.


NZ via AKL and LAX but the LAX-EU leg still 10hrs+

TG via BKK but into EU still long as per AY.
MH via KUL but shortest EU connection still too long as per AY option.

Will need to play with gcmap for a bit and see what airports are 8-9hrs from usual SEAsia transit but most options will be longer / mixed carrier fares (meaning through connection dicey).