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

[Sdtravel]

I wonder if the several incidents in DXB had anything to do with this.
When Joyce got stuck some time ago and recently when they had to charter an EK plane to get everyone back. With SIN as the hub it would be a lot easier to get pax back and to get a replacement aircraft in.

 

[Pleb Status]

There were a few members here who insisted that the QF/EK alliance agreement specifically banned QF from using any other transit point to Europe other than DXB. However, when pressed, they could not provide any evidence of any sort to back up this statement.

Would these members like to comment on these new developments?

 

[large]

Even ADL-SIN could be viable once again.

One could only hope. Only chance for us QFF Bronzies in ADL (including Qantas Club) to get full benefits of the membership travelling to Europe is on EK metal (booked on QF). However, the connections to european cities going EK through DXB is very convenient.

I'd like to see QF return to ADL going international, especially SIN. To get anywhere in SE Asia on QF is an extra cost and change over in the eastern states. QF flights out of ADL would give a chance for points upgrades.

 

[rakeman]

This is good news, I never really got into the DXB stop over so I kept the SIN stop. I just flew BA instead which wasn't always the greatest. Their J product imo is worst than the A380 skybed II.

 

[mviy]

There were a few members here who insisted that the QF/EK alliance agreement specifically banned QF from using any other transit point to Europe other than DXB. However, when pressed, they could not provide any evidence of any sort to back up this statement.

Would these members like to comment on these new developments?

Not knowing the terms of the agreement one would still think that the MEL-PER-LHR flights would have given QF a strong position to demand better terms when the EK partnership agreement was up for renewal recently.

 

[michaele]

There were a few members here who insisted that the QF/EK alliance agreement specifically banned QF from using any other transit point to Europe other than DXB. However, when pressed, they could not provide any evidence of any sort to back up this statement.

Would these members like to comment on these new developments?

I have no knowledge either way, but as you said - these are new developments, it could easily be part of the new 5 year agreement.

As mentioned by Andy90 this is a good win for BNE - I can now fly on QF metal back direct into BNE - meaning no additional stop in SYD or overnight in MEL on the way home.

 

[bosox76]

Check the Travel Agent guide about the changes posted earlier by Brettmcg in post #41. Chauffeur drive will be available for MEL-SIN-LHR

Whoops. Missed it. Thanks.

 

[mviy]

I can see no other plausible explanation for why QF waited so long to announce the return to flying via SIN if they didn't need to wait for the EK partnership to be renewed to do so. I expect the initial agreement locked them into flying via DXB for the initial 5 years and with that 5 years at an end they were keen to move back to flying via SIN at a convenient time to do so.

 

[michaele]

Does this free up another 330 from SYD-SIN a few days a week? (I assume 4/7 days it will be used to make MEL-SIN a daily service)

 

[Quickstatus]

This is good news, I never really got into the DXB stop over so I kept the SIN stop. I just flew BA instead which wasn't always the greatest. Their J product imo is worst than the A380 skybed II.

A J cabin update/enhancement is planned for the soon to be midlife A380. This will fit in with the re-pivot back to Asia

 

[jb747]

Might give JB747 more food for thought on work / post-work plans....

Well my world wasn't going to include Dubai after March anyway. We knew that we'd go somewhere, but had no idea where. It will be interesting to see how the patterns are built....whether some are MEL-SIN-LHR or if only the Sydney people get London. Hopefully it will be shared, but who knows...

As for retiring...I'm using my US visa renewal date for the end...they are such a pain to deal with that I don't want to do it again. If only the weak Australian government would make their crews get visas, and jump through the same hoops. I'm all for returning the favour.

 

[kevrosmith]

There were a few members here who insisted that the QF/EK alliance agreement specifically banned QF from using any other transit point to Europe other than DXB. However, when pressed, they could not provide any evidence of any sort to back up this statement.

Would these members like to comment on these new developments?

I don't know what others had claimed, and I don't have an opinion on the topic per se, but your comments don't take into account that the end of the first 5 year agreement may have given QF the opportunity to re-write certain aspects of the agreement, and perhaps that type of clause (if it existed at all) may have been one they amended.

 

[Quickstatus]

Does this free up another 330 from SYD-SIN a few days a week? (I assume 4/7 days it will be used to make MEL-SIN a daily service)

Hard to know. There are 2 ugly duckling A330-200 VH-EBG,VH-EBL they may want to get rid of.

 

[moa999]

Hard to know. There are 2 ugly duckling A330-200 VH-EBG,VH-EBL they may want to get rid of.

They announced at the result that they are getting a refurb as lease extended.
Not clear if they will have a different config (needed if they keep the crew rest for PEK flights)

 

[RichardMEL]

The QF2/QF36 LHR-SIN-MEL timing is really nice.

Also re MEL-SIN-LHR.. if EK keeps their MEL-SIN-DXB routing, the timing for that slots nicely to connect to QF1 to LHR as it arrives ~2200ish in SIN, and has an F cabin and a QF code... for those concerned about the longer layover, that could be one option if QF37 is not to one's liking.

 

[Chalkie]

I am so pleased about this. I loathed transiting through DXB, for many reasons. It now looks as though I can stay in the QF F A380 cabin on the Kangaroo route and won't have to move my business to CX. I don't mind a long transit through SIN - in fact I will probably break the journey there.

Thank you QF for this act of sanity (for many passengers at least).

 

[gwynne]

Excellent news if the Emirates network is retained fully in terms of points and award availability.

Last year we flew SYD-SIN-DXB-CDG QF/EK/EK with the first leg economy on points. From recollection the EK flight left Singapore about 12:30am. This would be a perfect itiinerary with A380 on first leg flying to secondary European city whilst avoiding LHR.

 

[mviy]

This gives QF quite a nice backup plan if PER-LHR is unsuccessful (e.g. if MEL passengers shun the route, or oil prices rise significantly and make it too expensive). QF could shift MEL-PER-LHR 787 to MEL-SIN-LHR A380 pretty easily if they need to.

 

[mviy]

if EK keeps their MEL-SIN-DXB routing, the timing for that slots nicely to connect to QF1 to LHR as it arrives ~2200ish in SIN, and has an F cabin and a QF code... for those concerned about the longer layover, that could be one option if QF37 is not to one's liking.

The EK flights between SIN and MEL also can have F seats on points available just days before the flight sometimes which is very nice. You wouldn't see that on a QF flight.

 

[RichardMEL]

The EK flights between SIN and MEL also can have F seats on points available just days before the flight sometimes which is very nice. You wouldn't see that on a QF flight.

Actually, I have.. and just a few weeks ago. QF had F open to LAX for close in travel.

I've seen it at other times too.

Just sayin'