QF to Europe returns to the Kangaroo Route (via SIN)

[Melburnian1]

...
I really hate the Sin-Aus short flight. Any thoughts of sleep go out the door. I try get some sleep by avoiding meal service but the cabin is noisy anyway. Clink clink clink. And early morning arrival after 6 hours is the pits. On both EK and QR you arrive in the night and can start with a sleep then a new day. ..

Pushka, you have won over drron and his better half instantly with that comment.

It has to do with aircraft utilisation and availability of lots, plus presumably other factors such as 'businessmen and women wanting to arrive in the morning' but I couldn't agree more. Arriving at night back into Oz - provided it's at say 1900 or 2000, not always easy because at 1900 into MEL or SYD there may be existing full slot utilisation - makes a heck of a lot of sense.

I too dread these 0600 arrivals back from Asia (or elsewhere) and prior to that lights on at 0400 on many airlines, give or take a few minutes. And while I'm not saying you are, it isn't just the 70 plus year olds who dislike the early arrivals.

In contrast if I'm travelling on a train in a sleeping berth in Europe, USA or Asia and it arrives at 0600 (often later) I can choose, within reason, when to rise and shower, and sometimes leave breakfast till I'm in the city or town, or at the station. So much more pleasant...

 

[Melburnian1]

While like any airline with long flights there'll be techniques for QF9 if adverse weather is expected in reducing passenger numbers allowed on board, freight carried and so on, which month(s) are most susceptible to the northeast bound flights (i.e. PER to LHR) having to make an unscheduled stop enroute?

I assume it will hardly ever be a problem southeast bound.

Or is the contention overhyped and it will hardly ever, or never, see a non-timetabled stop?

If there are any occurrences, is it likely to be an 'alternate' airfield within say a couple of hours of LHR?

 

[Brettmcg]

I loved the 9's 11pm departure arriving into DXB 7am some 14 hours later. I will miss it.

Best part was that it meant you could do a full day's work, head home and not have to rush off to the airport before jetting off on holidays. The arrival at about 9.30pm on the 10 also meant you could go back to work the next day without having to take another day of leave. Generally I never felt up to this after arriving in at Stupid O'Clock on the QF2.

Overall the current QF9/10 timing saved me about 2 days of leave. Will be sad to see it go.

 

[Pushka]

Best part was that it meant you could do a full day's work, head home and not have to rush off to the airport before jetting off on holidays. The arrival at about 9.30pm on the 10 also meant you could go back to work the next day without having to take another day of leave. Generally I never felt up to this after arriving in at Stupid O'Clock on the QF2.

Overall the current QF9/10 timing saved me about 2 days of leave. Will be sad to see it go.

Agree. In MrPs case he would work all day, then come home and then pack Leaving me in a state of panic.

 

[mviy]

The upside for me is that with my preferred timing gone, flying via SYD will be less unattractive and flying indirect earns more SCs.

 

[Ansett]

Looking forward to this evenings final QF9 Via DXB. Looks like we have VH-OQK as the final bus on this route. Named as John and Reginald Duigan. They are recognised as the first people to fly an Australian Designed and Made Powered Aircraft in 1910 at Mia Mia, near Kyneton in Victoria

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Overall the current QF9/10 timing saved me about 2 days of leave. Will be sad to see it go.

But still available... just not on QF.

 

[Melburnian1]

But still available... just not on QF.

That it isn't booked out is no great surprise.

The new 9/10 is a 50 per cent cut to the number of available seats, so the demand - in the end - wasn't there. QF charges high fares but doesn't deliver on 'service' to match SQ and some others including JL, so many of us vote elsewhere with our wallets and purses.

I'd love to know the percentage of travellers on QFi who are being 'forced' to travel on it by company or particularly government policies. I have been at times. In contrast, those of us who pay out of our own pockets surely show a preference for non-Australian airlines on many routes.

 

[Mattg]

ACCC approval has been officially granted for a further 5 years of the QF/EK partnership.

QANTAS AND EMIRATES WELCOME ACCC REAUTHORISATION OF THEIR PARTNERSHIP FOR ANOTHER FIVE YEARS

 

[Pushka]

ACCC approval has been officially granted for a further 5 years of the QF/EK partnership.

QANTAS AND EMIRATES WELCOME ACCC REAUTHORISATION OF THEIR PARTNERSHIP FOR ANOTHER FIVE YEARS

What does that really mean now though?

 

[Mattg]

What does that really mean now though?

Not much. It would have caused all sorts of chaos though if the partnership was not approved!

 

[tm.smile]

New PER transit lounge looks beautiful

STRETCHING CLASSES, JETLAG-REDUCING LIGHTS AND AN OUTDOOR TERRACE: THE NEW QANTAS PERTH LOUNGE

 

[Melburnian1]

New PER transit lounge looks beautiful

STRETCHING CLASSES, JETLAG-REDUCING LIGHTS AND AN OUTDOOR TERRACE: THE NEW QANTAS PERTH LOUNGE

Yes, it looks attractive but the main issue is that for anyone travelling in Y, it's a very long flight.

Vast majority of travellers will continue to prefer a stopover that for me means Asia not boring and culturally dissimilar Middle East. Even some passengers in J may find the long flight tedious, as the Kangaroo route has so many airlines that offer good to excellent stopover locations, so it's arguably rather different from TransPacific routes.

 

[JohnM]

What does that really mean now though?

Continuation of redeeming QF points in EK premium cabins!

 

[mviy]

Photos on AUSBT show First class on the door to the Perth international transit lounge. Very odd when there are no First Class services that use the lounge. Is QF planning to do a backflip and add a F cabin to the 787?

 

[travellerqff]

Is QF planning to do a backflip and add a F cabin to the 787?

I hope so! BA’s B789 has a similar seat count to Qantas’ but includes the F cabin.

SeatGuru Seat Map British Airways Boeing 787-9 (789)

 

[Melburnian1]

Saturday 24 March's initial MEL - PER - LHR QF9 looks to be either B789 VH-ZNB (ex QF96 this morning) or VH-ZND (that has not turned a revenue tyre since arriving in MEL at 1638 hours yesterday on QF772 ex PER.)

Provided it's operable, the money may well be on VH-ZND as it's the newest. But I'm not a bookie or gambler.

 

[Melburnian1]

On Saturday 24 March, the inaugural QF9 via PER departed MEL at 1617, three minutes early with VH-ZND, the newest member of the class undertaking the task.

Was boarding commenced earlier than normal to minimise the chance of a late departure from errant pax?

 

[Pushka]

I’m trying to explain to MrP exactly what it is that JessicaT is doing. I think it’s back to back flights Australia in Y?

 

[calmelb]

I’m trying to explain to MrP exactly what it is that JessicaT is doing. I think it’s back to back flights Australia in Y?

Yep, think she’s on the last QF9, and inaugural QF10 back again (all in Y)