QF Capacity cuts due to Omicron

[dylarr]

Just had a bunch of domestic cancellations come through for Feb.

The way they handle connecting flights with these cancellations is really quite poor. I have 3 bookings with connecting flights where they've swapped the order of the connecting segments around, which is completely useless unless I have a teleporter.

I know they are doing a lot of these at the moment, but it's frustrating having to call up to have something like this fixed when the system should be able to recognise that the change it is making is actually impossible for you to fly.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Just had a bunch of domestic cancellations come through for Feb.

The way they handle connecting flights with these cancellations is really quite poor. I have 3 bookings with connecting flights where they've swapped the order of the connecting segments around, which is completely useless unless I have a teleporter.

I know they are doing a lot of these at the moment, but it's frustrating having to call up to have something like this fixed when the system should be able to recognise that the change it is making is actually impossible for you to fly.

Cape Town *assured* me that each and every flight change is assessed manually, *not* automatic or computer driven.

 

[kangarooflyer88]

I had two flights with QF earlier this month without any issues (they actually took off on time, how about that?!): SYD > ADL on a 737 and MEL > SYD on an A330. In travelling this month and last month I could certainly notice a decline in load compared to when I say travelling pre-Omicron (e.g. November). No cancellations to report on upcoming QF tickets yet albeit my next flight with them is in June to LDH (there have been schedule changes but I reckon that's to be expected for such a destination). Ditto with JQ, no cancellations to report either.

QF and to some extent JQ really needs to roll out the red carpet to get flyers back in the mood. Aside from WA, we haven't seen anything less favourable take place domestically in terms of borders. Indeed, the restrictions and requirements are rapidly falling as we speak: a couple of weeks ago you would need to apply for a border pass and get a PCR test to fly into ADL or BNE, now that's no longer the test. Even internationally, we're seeing the restrictions drop: no more ineffective and expensive PCR tests when returning to Australia, just the cheap and accessible rapid antigen tests.

The real question is what will it take to get people back on flights? Some might say cheap fares on the airlines, but they've tried that trick and it hasn't moved the needle much. Indeed, most the flights I've got booked so far are on JQ with Max fares during their ongoing 50% off promotion. And despite the deep cuts, we just aren't seeing cabins filled. I think part of it is there isn't enough awareness amongst Australians that it's fine to travel now. How do you deprogram a population that has been told for the better part of a year to stay at home (especially those in Victoria)? There needs to be advertisements and announcements by government to make it clear that you're more than welcome to travel throughout Australia. People need to be aware that restrictions have largely eased, and the government needs to continue subsidizing travel (e.g. flights, hotels) to bring that appetite back to travel contingent on there being low demand.

-RooFlyer88

 

[jakeseven7]

I had two flights with QF earlier this month without any issues (they actually took off on time, how about that?!): SYD > ADL on a 737 and MEL > SYD on an A330. In travelling this month and last month I could certainly notice a decline in load compared to when I say travelling pre-Omicron (e.g. November). No cancellations to report on upcoming QF tickets yet albeit my next flight with them is in June to LDH (there have been schedule changes but I reckon that's to be expected for such a destination). Ditto with JQ, no cancellations to report either.

QF and to some extent JQ really needs to roll out the red carpet to get flyers back in the mood. Aside from WA, we haven't seen anything less favourable take place domestically in terms of borders. Indeed, the restrictions and requirements are rapidly falling as we speak: a couple of weeks ago you would need to apply for a border pass and get a PCR test to fly into ADL or BNE, now that's no longer the test. Even internationally, we're seeing the restrictions drop: no more ineffective and expensive PCR tests when returning to Australia, just the cheap and accessible rapid antigen tests.

The real question is what will it take to get people back on flights? Some might say cheap fares on the airlines, but they've tried that trick and it hasn't moved the needle much. Indeed, most the flights I've got booked so far are on JQ with Max fares during their ongoing 50% off promotion. And despite the deep cuts, we just aren't seeing cabins filled. I think part of it is there isn't enough awareness amongst Australians that it's fine to travel now. How do you deprogram a population that has been told for the better part of a year to stay at home (especially those in Victoria)? There needs to be advertisements and announcements by government to make it clear that you're more than welcome to travel throughout Australia. People need to be aware that restrictions have largely eased, and the government needs to continue subsidizing travel (e.g. flights, hotels) to bring that appetite back to travel contingent on there being low demand.

-RooFlyer88

Selfishly can I just say I have booked a swathe of lovely cheap airfares on QF, cheapest I can remember - for personal travel.

I know it won't last so I've booked almost 12 months of domestic holidays while the fares are so cheap! At these levels I can justify weekends away to places I wouldn't normally go. Winner.

Suggest others do the same.

 

[kangarooflyer88]

Selfishly can I just say I have booked a swathe of lovely cheap airfares on QF, cheapest I can remember - for personal travel.

I know it won't last so I've booked almost 12 months of domestic holidays while the fares are so cheap!

Suggest others do the same.

Exact same boat as you!

Some of the deals I've picked up for this qualifying year include:

• JQ : SYD > AVV - $153 return in MAX (40 SCs)
• JQ: ADL > MEL - $128 one-way in MAX (20 SCs)
• JQ : SYD > OOL - $173 return in MAX (40 SCs)
• JQ : SYD > LST - $183 return in MAX (40 SCs)
• JQ : SYD > DRW - $343 return in MAX (80 SCs)
• JQ : SYD > HNL - $514 return in PLUS (90 SCs)
• JQ : SYD > CNS - $336 return in MAX (60 SCs)
• JQ : SYD > PER - $372 return in MAX (80 SCs)

I suspect if you told most AFF members back in 2019 these were the domestic fares were seeing in 2022, they'd think you were nuts, particularly for MAX fares that are notoriously expensive on JQ. Some people may wait for better offers, and certainly they may come, although I doubt you'll find fares as steeply discounted as these. Yes QF will likely have a double status credit promo running soon, but QF fares are notoriously more expensive than JQ, so what ultimately may end up happening is people spending as much if not more than I had on my JQ MAX fares to earn an equivalent number of SCs. This was certainly the case for me last year having spent around $600 on a QF trip to DRW during a double status credit promo to earn the requisite 100 SCs to have my status match go through.

In any event, all those Max and Plus fares brings me up to 450 SCs. When I finally get around to calling QF to roll over the 100 SCs I had from last year, I'll be at 550 SCs meaning I just need to make up 50 SCs sometime in October or November (my "year" ends at end of November) to re-qualifying for Gold. Perhaps a direct flight from SYD to NTL in October for the annual meeting will put me over the edge there.

This doesn't include award travel I have booked, namely to HBA, LDH and YYZ either. It's good to be back on the road!

-RooFlyer88

 

[AIRwin]

It's good to be back on the road!

Or back in the air?

 

[RichardMEL]

if it's back of the "bus" it may feel like being on the road.. (and in some serious cases on "The Road" as in that movie... )

 

[kangarooflyer88]

if it's back of the "bus" it may feel like being on the road.. (and in some serious cases on "The Road" as in that movie... )

Or back in the air?

In fairness the vast majority of JQ birds are airBUS so I would technically be on the road

-RooFlyer88

 

[wannabeinvestmentbanker]

The cheap fares are all well and good but its going to take the resumption of corporate travel to get loads back up and services reinstated. QF like all other legacy carriers are really feeling the pinch whereas some of the discount carriers are pushing for more flights like the slot debate currently going on in the UK.

The cheap fares have actually pushed me to look at VA again where they are super cheap!

Hopefully late Feb will start to look a little more like the end of last year where corporate travel was starting to resume and flight loads are rosier.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I had two flights with QF earlier this month without any issues (they actually took off on time, how about that?!): SYD > ADL on a 737 and MEL > SYD on an A330. In travelling this month and last month I could certainly notice a decline in load compared to when I say travelling pre-Omicron (e.g. November). No cancellations to report on upcoming QF tickets yet albeit my next flight with them is in June to LDH (there have been schedule changes but I reckon that's to be expected for such a destination). Ditto with JQ, no cancellations to report either.

QF and to some extent JQ really needs to roll out the red carpet to get flyers back in the mood. Aside from WA, we haven't seen anything less favourable take place domestically in terms of borders. Indeed, the restrictions and requirements are rapidly falling as we speak: a couple of weeks ago you would need to apply for a border pass and get a PCR test to fly into ADL or BNE, now that's no longer the test. Even internationally, we're seeing the restrictions drop: no more ineffective and expensive PCR tests when returning to Australia, just the cheap and accessible rapid antigen tests.

The real question is what will it take to get people back on flights? Some might say cheap fares on the airlines, but they've tried that trick and it hasn't moved the needle much. Indeed, most the flights I've got booked so far are on JQ with Max fares during their ongoing 50% off promotion. And despite the deep cuts, we just aren't seeing cabins filled. I think part of it is there isn't enough awareness amongst Australians that it's fine to travel now. How do you deprogram a population that has been told for the better part of a year to stay at home (especially those in Victoria)? There needs to be advertisements and announcements by government to make it clear that you're more than welcome to travel throughout Australia. People need to be aware that restrictions have largely eased, and the government needs to continue subsidizing travel (e.g. flights, hotels) to bring that appetite back to travel contingent on there being low demand.

-RooFlyer88

What will it take for me to get back on QF flights? Simple... 'confidence'.

Confidence that my flight will actually run... not a route being launched for free advertising which is then cancelled once flights aren't as full as QF hoped. Confidence that I can get through to QF when things go wrong and I'm not on hold for 6 hours. Confidence that I'll get refunded in a timely manner. Confidence that when I go out to the airport I can use my Silver and Points Club lounge passes. Confidence that when I get on board the seats will work, the IFE work, and that standard food and beverage will be available (for example spirits).

Even if the government was to advertise everywhere is 'open', I'm not sure it will solve all of the above?

 

[jakeseven7]

What will it take for me to get back on QF flights? Simple... 'confidence'.

Confidence that my flight will actually run... not a route being launched for free advertising which is then cancelled once flights aren't as full as QF hoped. Confidence that I can get through to QF when things go wrong and I'm not on hold for 6 hours. Confidence that I'll get refunded in a timely manner. Confidence that when I go out to the airport I can use my Silver and Points Club lounge passes. Confidence that when I get on board the seats will work, the IFE work, and that standard food and beverage will be available (for example spirits).

Even if the government was to advertise everywhere is 'open', I'm not sure it will solve all of the above?

Well if you are still stressed about ticking everything in your confidence list you could always drive and leave the bargains to the rest of AFF Alternatively you can always chance it with Jetstar or Rexy

 

[jase05]

Flying with QF for work and some leisure but not too many bargains that I can find. Booked a heap for the AFL and NRL season as soon as fixtures were announced but majority with VA as there was a significant price difference and IMO the onboard service is better currently. Still hopefully got enough QF flights to grt decent status with BA

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Well if you are still stressed about ticking everything in your confidence list you could always drive and leave the bargains to the rest of AFF Alternatively you can always chance it with Jetstar or Rexy

… so I am choosing other carriers.

I don’t think anything on my list is exceptional… they should all be a given.

VA or Rex for $279 in business class on many of the major trunk routes compared to Qantas offering me the same fare in economy and can’t use any of my silver or points club passes?

The QF and JQ deals are only a bargain if you can fly them. ATM i’m more likely than not to get an email saying my flights are retimed or cancelled on QF/JQ.

 

[jakeseven7]

… so I am choosing other carriers.

I don’t think anything on my list is exceptional… they should all be a given.

VA or Rex for $279 in business class on many of the major trunk routes compared to Qantas offering me the same fare in economy and can’t use any of my silver or points club passes?

The QF and JQ deals are only a bargain if you can fly them. ATM i’m more likely than not to get an email saying my flights are retimed or cancelled on QF/JQ.

You seem to be having a bit of bad luck!

 

[OATEK]

There is no doubt that apart from rusted on QF loyalists, many will be looking around for the best deal. I am prepared to fly QF internationally because it meets my needs, and several of the airlines I have used in recent years are not flying at all right now (eg BA, CX). But if QF cut out my flights to/from the UK, then I will obviously have to hunt around for an alternative.

Domestically there will be a max 2 return trips in the next 6 mths, and all likely to be on points with both QF and VA.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

You seem to be having a bit of bad luck!

Dunno…

I was flying to SFO… that got cancelled for commercial reasons.
On the phone for hours on hold to speak to… Cape Town.
Put on flight to LAX… potentially an unrefurbished A80 with seat droop, reported problems with seat functionality, and possibly no IFE.
Oh and connecting to SYD to catch the LAX flight… reduced catering (no spirits)

 

[drron]

With Mrsdrron's last trip back to BNE and her next trip to and from LST the 3 flights have already had a total of 6 cancellations.

 

[jakeseven7]

Dunno…

I was flying to SFO… that got cancelled for commercial reasons.
On the phone for hours on hold to speak to… Cape Town.
Put on flight to LAX… potentially an unrefurbished A80 with seat droop, reported problems with seat functionality, and possibly no IFE.
Oh and connecting to SYD to catch the LAX flight… reduced catering (no spirits)

Oh dear what bad luck

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Oh dear what bad luck

Don’t think it has anything to do with luck. Everyone of those things results from a commercial decision by the airline

 

[jakeseven7]

Don’t think it has anything to do with luck. Everyone of those things results from a commercial decision by the airline

Sure, it just seems like a lot of stuff seems to happen to you

I’ve been flying almost non stop (domestic) the last couple of months since all the border restrictions evaporated and the worst I’ve had is a bump to another flight an hour or so later which thankfully wasn’t a deal breaker and In general have some empathy for everyone working in organisations like the airlines bearing the brunt of the latest wave, thankfully subsiding now.