QF to launch SYD DFW from 16 May and axe SFO

[serfty]

I personally like LAX, perhaps it's mainly due to the T4 F/L being available for a nice shower and refresh before flying off. (It's certainly nicer than any domestic A/C.)

 

[DrAndyC]

The new lie-flat United international Business seat is great compared to Qantas 747 skybed (and service on my flight to SFO friendlier than Qantas) so would recommend United if flying business to SFO in the future.

I agree. I had exceptional service en route to SFO upstairs in J in Dec on UA. Would definitely do it again. The J seats downstairs have even longer beds...up to 6ft 4"

 

[cove]

I feel the head guy at QF still thinks Jetstar and the dropping of SFO is likely one more mistake of making the "QANTAS" brand less valuable.
SFO is a very nice place as a start for your American adventure and whether it is business or holiday that is up to you but soon not thru Qantas.

 

[pauly7]

I personally like LAX, perhaps it's mainly due to the T4 F/L being available for a nice shower and refresh before flying off. (It's certainly nicer than any domestic A/C.)

I don't really mind LAX either...

Seems to get alot of people stressed on here though

 

[markis10]

I don't really mind LAX either...

Seems to get alot of people stressed on here though

The loads on the SFO route have been problematic, having a service that is an alternate to the west coast and a good OW hub would seem to be a logical expansion choice. I am sure some at QF are looking at the competitions 777 with some degree of regret in terms of past fleet upgrades, it may be a viable option to SFO with that equipment, especially if you are flying into a hub of a sister airline which would help compete with UA.

 

[JohnK]

I personally like LAX, perhaps it's mainly due to the T4 F/L being available for a nice shower and refresh before flying off. (It's certainly nicer than any domestic A/C.)

I don't really mind LAX either...

Seems to get alot of people stressed on here though

Stressed? More like terrified.

Is it such a big deal if it occasionally takes ~1 hour to get through customs and immigration at LAX? It takes that long at most Australian airports and realistically the best one can hope for at any airport is >30 minutes to clear immigration, collect luggage and clear customs.

I really do not see the problem but perhaps I do not fly in/out of LAX enough to witness what happens. The last few times customs and immigration at LAX has been a breeze.

 

[el_rooto]

The loads on the SFO route have been problematic, having a service that is an alternate to the west coast and a good OW hub would seem to be a logical expansion choice. I am sure some at QF are looking at the competitions 777 with some degree of regret in terms of past fleet upgrades, it may be a viable option to SFO with that equipment, especially if you are flying into a hub of a sister airline which would help compete with UA.

Could they use the A333 or A332 on SYD - SFO?

 

[straitman]

Could they use the A333 or A332 on SYD - SFO?

Not without an enroute stop.

A330-300 has a max range of approx 5800NM and SYD-SFO is 7433NM according to MileageMonkey.

 

[airbound]

Not without an enroute stop.

A330-300 has a max range of approx 5800NM and SYD-SFO is 7433NM according to MileageMonkey.

A slight correction: according to GC Map, SYD-SFO is 7417 miles, not nautical miles. Qantas credits 7420 miles for the flight.

7420 miles is approximately 6448 nautical miles, or 11,941 kilometres (or 593,600 chains ).

According to the Qantas website, its A330-300s have a 7000 km (3800 mile) range, and the A330-200s have a 8500 kilometre (5300 mile) range.

 

[straitman]

A slight correction: according to GC Map, SYD-SFO is 7417 miles, not nautical miles. Qantas credits 7420 miles for the flight.

7420 miles is approximately 6448 nautical miles, or 11,941 kilometres (or 593,600 chains ).

Oops. I knew that and slipped in NM instead of M.

According to the Qantas website, its A330-300s have a 7000 km (3800 mile) range, and the A330-200s have a 8500 kilometre (5300 mile) range.

I got the max range figures from Airbus without considering any specific airline figures or configurations. Even then I copied them wrongly.

 

[mannej]

Is the 8500km range not for the domestic A332?
I would have thought AKL-LAX is indeed longer than that?

 

[straitman]

Is the 8500km range not for the domestic A332?
I would have thought AKL-LAX is indeed longer than that?

Mileage monkey shows AKL-LAX as 6523Miles or 10498Km.

 

[airbound]

Is the 8500km range not for the domestic A332?
I would have thought AKL-LAX is indeed longer than that?

The Qantas website doesn't differentiate between the domestic and international aircraft when listing the A330-200's range. All it says is that the range is 5300 miles (8500 km). As has correctly been noted, AKL-LAX is 6504 miles (10,467 km), meaning, logically, that, if all these figures are correct, an A330-200 must operate at below its full payload capacity on that route.

Wikipedia states that the A330-200 has a range of 8,340 miles (13,430 km) and that the A330-300 has a range of 6,730 miles (10,830 km).

 

[MissBurrill]

I'm about to book the inaugural flight but have a question (give me a new thread if I need one please Mr Mod).

Ok, still here. I'm a former Canberra resident who is used to booking the first flight of the day in winter to ensure I make my Sydney connection. What's Brisbane like in May? Many delays? I know none of us has a crystal ball and it's warm in Brisbane however I moved up here in December and it kept on raining!

I was thinking of flying out on the 16th and back on the 23rd (well into Brisbane the morning of the 25th).

 

[jakeseven7]

The loads on the SFO route have been problematic, having a service that is an alternate to the west coast and a good OW hub would seem to be a logical expansion choice. .

To be a bit more detailed it has been the mix of load that hasn't worked for QF mainline on this route. They can fill the buses up but they can't get enough premium bums on seats.

Therefore that is why the destination is earmarked for Jetstar in the future - they can make money with the lower premium load.

That is why if you have status with QF and fly to San Fran there is a very very high chance you will be op-upped. I have, 4 flights in a row - and so have many members on here too.

 

[jakeseven7]

I have looked at every date from the start of the service to Jan next year and they are all 1006000 points or more!

I can see much cheaper options as well.... Late 2011. Don't want to give too much away as I'm going to book one!!

 

[Kendall Roy]

I'm about to book the inaugural flight but have a question (give me a new thread if I need one please Mr Mod).

Ok, still here. I'm a former Canberra resident who is used to booking the first flight of the day in winter to ensure I make my Sydney connection. What's Brisbane like in May? Many delays? I know none of us has a crystal ball and it's warm in Brisbane however I moved up here in December and it kept on raining!

I was thinking of flying out on the 16th and back on the 23rd (well into Brisbane the morning of the 25th).

Considering QF7 doesn't leave SYD until 1:25pm, I'm sure you'd be fine even with significant fog/wx related delays. Book on a single PNR if possible.

 

[MissBurrill]

Considering QF7 doesn't leave SYD until 1:25pm, I'm sure you'd be fine even with significant fog/wx related delays. Book on a single PNR if possible.

Thank you!

I was thinking the 0815 departure from Brisbane which going to plan would allow a leisurely connection.

Otherwise I could fly to Sydney on the Friday after work. Have a couple of days with my parents then fly Sydney to Dallas then Dallas to Brisbane.

 

[gumpy]

Though I'm happy that QF will not fly directly into an AA hub i'm very sad about the loss of the flight into SFO. I wish QF would just drop LAX and do flights into SFO and DFW. LAX is just horrible...

High on my wish list is SYD to ORD direct which I'm hoping the 787 will allow. Maybe one day could also do a direct flight to JFK... one can only dream.

 

[Kendall Roy]

Thank you!

No probs. Looks like there's going to be a few AFFers on the inaugural!