QF International via Darwin

[justinbrett]

Realistically the revenue is there for the taking. There are lots of people waiting for that border to open. You can bet SQ, EK, QR will be champing at the bit to open reservations. Snooze you lose with border openings.

Didn’t happen in BNE

 

[wenglock.mok]

Interestingly, it appears while they have updated the schedules for QF9/10 to go via DRW instead of PER (one of my friends got a ping on his Qantas app as he was booked on QF10 LHR-PER and then QF648 PER-SYD), they have left the schedules for QF1/2 as they are, going via SIN between SYD and LHR although they are not selling tickets on the individual legs (LHR-SIN and SIN-SYD).

I wonder if this is related to the recently-announced lifting of all restrictions for transit passengers through Singapore from next week.

 

[Melburnian1]

Probably because capacity is needed through to Sydney.

Q2 is usually an A380, the Dreamliner currently being used has fewer seats (especially premium) so probably reserving for genuine LHR-SYD as few likely to want to stop-over in DRW vs SIN. There are already multiple other domestic flights DRW to SYD for domestic traffic.

Whereas QF10 was always already operating using the smaller Dreamliner even when operating via Perth.

I'd hardly call no other QFd flights on Wednesdays and Saturdays southbound (DRW to SYD) "multiple" flights.

Qfd has only five flights a week on this route. JQd has a further four (two on Mondays, and one on each of Wednesdays and Saturdays). However many QFd passengers may rank a JQd experience as below QFd in their desire to fly or perceived quality. Two of the JQd flights are red eyes.

 

[pythonisman]

Does anyone know why yesterday’s QF2 was delayed by 3hrs?

I asked the operating crew who weren’t sure. The flight was delayed late Friday 18th evening. The operating aircraft landed 10min early at 0455 19 February.

I know there were a lot of delays / disruption at LHR on the 18th (I was impacted and had my inbound connection cancelled), but short of a crewing, maintenance or slot issue I’m a bit stumped.

 

[TheInsider]

Does anyone know why yesterday’s QF2 was delayed by 3hrs?

I asked the operating crew who weren’t sure. The flight was delayed late Friday 18th evening. The operating aircraft landed 10min early at 0455 19 February.

I know there were a lot of delays / disruption at LHR on the 18th (I was impacted and had my inbound connection cancelled), but short of a crewing, maintenance or slot issue I’m a bit stumped.

Weather in LHR, aircraft rotations and slot times into DRW and no crossover of the QF10. No room for 2 at the same time in DRW.

 

[Port Melb Cowboy]

Sorry, has anyone travelled to London via Darwin & used the lounge? Are the showers open? Only review I can find is from September. Don’t really fancy the idea of not having a shower for 28 hours…..

Thanks all

 

[jrfsp]

Aviation fears grow over Russia fallout from Ukraine crisis

Airlines and the leasing companies that control billions of dolllars' worth of passenger jets are drawing up contingency plans for a freeze in business with Russia if the standoff on Ukraine's border boils over into a military conflict.

www.reuters.com

With Australia ramping up sanctions on Russia, there is a possibility Russia will cancel overfly rights

 

[jb747]

Aviation fears grow over Russia fallout from Ukraine crisis

Airlines and the leasing companies that control billions of dolllars' worth of passenger jets are drawing up contingency plans for a freeze in business with Russia if the standoff on Ukraine's border boils over into a military conflict.

www.reuters.com

With Australia ramping up sanctions on Russia, there is a possibility Russia will cancel overfly rights

If they stop international banking transactions, then there will be no way to pay for any overflights, so nobody will be overflying. That's what stopped flights over Iran for years.

 

[mviy]

With Australia ramping up sanctions on Russia, there is a possibility Russia will cancel overfly rights

Considering the flights via Darwin go via Russia I guess that would scupper the flights via DRW and force a move back to flying via PER or SIN?

Or would it be possible to adjust the route to still fly via DRW avoiding Russia?

 

[jrfsp]

Considering the flights via Darwin go via Russia I guess that would scupper the flights via DRW and force a move back to flying via PER or SIN?

Or would it be possible to adjust the route to still fly via DRW avoiding Russia?

Can still avoid Russia with a longer flight from DRW, not sure if that would add any weight restrictions?

I'd imagine the bigger issue will be airspace congestion in the other available airways. @jb747 ?

 

[mviy]

Can still avoid Russia with a longer flight from DRW, not sure if that would add any weight restrictions?

With a longer flight more fuel would need to be carried so they would have to find ways to cut weight e.g. reducing the number of passengers or the amount of cargo.

 

[Lynda2475]

With SIN relaxing transit rules, becomes practical to move QF1/2 back to SIN earlier than July, and also have more capacity if that returns the A380 earlier without adding more flights.

 

[jrfsp]

With SIN relaxing transit rules, becomes practical to move QF1/2 back to SIN earlier than July, and also have more capacity if that returns the A380 earlier without adding more flights.

Especially if the new 787 deliveries get delayed further (which looks almost certain)

 

[OATEK]

Can still avoid Russia with a longer flight from DRW, not sure if that would add any weight restrictions?

I'd imagine the bigger issue will be airspace congestion in the other available airways. @jb747 ?

What about via DXB?

 

[Melburnian1]

What about via DXB?

Haven't I read somewhere that QFi has agreed to continue operating QF1/2/9 and 10 via DRW until at least June 2022, perhaps 30 June?

 

[antycbr]

Haven't I read somewhere that QFi has agreed to continue operating QF1/2/9 and 10 via DRW until at least June 2022, perhaps 30 June?

I think having a viable route that can actually be flown by the aircraft in the fleet would trump any commitments made to DRW.

 

[HappyFlyerFamily]

I think the other factor is how much is over the 'disputed '/'contested' area which seems to be mainly Ukraine and the adjacent miltary build up area - until such time as Russia retaliates with declaring a no fly zone for certain airlines with certain 'flags'.

 

[OATEK]

I have just received my Get ready to fly email from QF, and note they are still promoting use of the IATA travel pass. Anyone used this on recent QF1/2 & 9/10 runs?

 

[Port Melb Cowboy]

I have just received my Get ready to fly email from QF, and note they are still promoting use of the IATA travel pass. Anyone used this on recent QF1/2 & 9/10 runs?

When are you flying? I’m off Wednesday and got a text message yesterday. But no email? I downloaded the app but it’s pretty useless. QF9 isn’t even a listed flight on the app and all I can do is upload my Vaxx certificate and a photo of my ugly mug.

 

[jb747]

Can still avoid Russia with a longer flight from DRW, not sure if that would add any weight restrictions?

I'd imagine the bigger issue will be airspace congestion in the other available airways. @jb747 ?

You can fly anywhere from anywhere, if you get rid of all the passengers. There is zero point to flying via Darwin, if a spot closer to half way is available. Singapore is the obvious best choice, as it’s the right distance, is a great destination in it’s own right, and has a primary flight routing that would allow you to stay well south. Perth is unattractive in many ways, other than bragging rights, as it forces a very long flight, which is uneconomic and unable to handle much in the way of weather or diversions/rerouting. Somewhere in India would actually be ideal from the route perspective, but it has it’s own issues.

It’s difficult to give an exact equation, but for these range limited operations, for every hundred nautical miles you add, you’ll need to remove around 15-30 passengers.