QF1 from SIN diversion to Baku, Azerbaijan (GYD)

[Must...Fly!]

I have an email from 7 Dec that the company has intended to do this all along and because of the way planning works, this would've been a decision months ago to ensure the aircraft are available. In saying that, it is probably a case of being careful what you announce, as even the best intensions to minimise disruptions might not go to plan depending on the nature of it.

I'd say that 1 flight is not a particular indication of the loads around this time. I've taken a look at some flights for the next week and they are full full full.

Agree broadly with your statements. I think if management were confident of crewing and demand situation then the spares would've found their way in to mainline service but the lack of certainty of both factors plus the reputational issues Qantas has been dealing with (largely self inflicted) made this decision a slam dunk.

 

[dajop]

Is not really peak travelling season ex AUS - shoulder yes but not peak.

Ex-AUS flights have been very full for most of the month. As far as Asia.

 

[Quickstatus]

As far as Asia.

Sure but why then is QF1 an outlier (n=1)
QF is seen as a long haul operator

Is the airline chasing yield sacrificing seat numbers on certain flights?

Alternatively was the flight full ex SYD but some terminated in SIN?

 

[Melburnian1]

QF1D should be loading passengers (and hopefully bags if they are able to be released from the hold) as it's 0415 hours in GYD, 50 minutes before planned departure.

I lack access to Facebook, Instagram and TikTok so is anyone posting from Baku?

 

[dajop]

Alternatively was the flight full ex SYD but some terminated in SIN?

Obviously don’t have the retrospective numbers, but have been looking at loadings between Australia and Singapore and that is likely.

Today’s QF1 is currently only showing 1 seat available for sale (W1) from SYD to SIN, but much more open from SIN to LHR (has seats in all classes - although only 2 in the highest J fare class - and in economy has at least 9 available in 9 economy fare classes all the way down to the low N and Q classes - most definitely not close to full).

 

[Melburnian1]

QF1D doesn't seem visible on FR24. AFAIK it hasn't taken off from GYD.

Sometimes the lack of visibility can be (if still on the ground at an airfield) due to buildings.

Ironically, at 1250 AEDT (0550 local time in Azerbaijan), A388 VH-OQJ on yesterday afternoon's QF1 from SYD is about to fly over near Baku.

 

[OZDUCK]

I have flown overseas twice on Xmas day pre-covid (not on QF) , and this is situation normal. The rush is the 3-4 days before Xmas day. Same as New Years Day

My experiences date back to the 1970's - 1980's but certainly working in Customs at Perth Airport over the Christmas period there was always a drop in passenger numbers exactly as p--and--t says.

 

[flydoc]

Baku/Azerbaijan isn't that 'exotic' a place, really. QR fly there, as do LH, TK and a bunch of European LCCs.

View attachment 312629

Certainly plenty of RPT traffic overnight:

 

[flydoc]

A QF1D appears to be airborne

 

[Melburnian1]

Would the catering for QF1D have been provisioned in Sydney yesterday morning, or would it be ordered from Baku for this (as international long haul goes) relatively short flight?

 

[oz_mark]

Sorry, perhaps I should have been clearer. "Recovery flight" is fine. "is one of the operational spares that Qantas has on standby over the holiday season to help recover customers in the event of an unexpected disruption like this" is incorrect. It's been flying daily per the link in my original post.

Having an "operational spare" doesn't mean its the same aircraft that is spare every day. Just that there is one. They will still be rotating aircraft around the schedule.

 

[Mwenenzi]

Would the catering for QF1D have been provisioned in Sydney yesterday morning, or would it be ordered from Baku for this (as international long haul goes) relatively short flight?

99.99% sure it would not be ex Baku. Ex SYD if at all.

QF1D on the way . Scheduled arrival 06:05 07:53 (just after curfew?)
https://flightaware.com/live/flight/QFA1D

Arrivals

Find that flight! Get the latest London Heathrow (LHR) arrivals information direct from the airport.

www.heathrow.com

https://www.heathrow.com/arrivals/terminal-3/flight-details/QF001D/25-12-2022

Will no doubt will be many reports from pax when they arrive. Some dramatic & others less so.

 

[Quickstatus]

airborne

Hmm if I click the pic will I get inundated by Lululemon ads?
……

Ex SYD if at all.

I don’t see how, because departure from SYD to departure from GYD was 26hrs. Then add in time from production to loading into aircraft - say 2hrs and add in time betweeen departure and passenger service of 1hr. That’s maybe 29hrs between production to stomach

Is that too long?

 

[milehighclub]

100% would’ve been catered and dressed ex Sydney. That way you can start loading and boarding ASAP.

 

[Quickstatus]

catered and dressed ex Sydney.

How long can the catering be stored on board for?

Ex SYD if at all.

The aircraft was on the ground for 6hrs at least.

 

[drron]

The Guardian reports that QF staff were also on the rescue flight to help the passengers who were to continue on to London.
So well done to QF on this occasion. It does seem that they have learnt some lessons this year.

 

[Mwenenzi]

How long can the catering be stored on board for?

The aircraft was on the ground for 6hrs at least.

Would expect new catering, if any, ex SYD on the replacement rescue aircraft. Not taken-transferred from the broken aircraft.
QF01D looks to be arriving 06:0507:53 UK time and departed 06:28 Baku time (not 100% sure of times)

A map from the Great Circle Mapper

A map from the Great Circle Mapper

www.gcmap.com

2493 miles 5~6 hrs flying time

 

[Quickstatus]

Guardian reports

And grateful passengers were also quoted.
Good news such as this will can push negative news - such as Manila and Bali into the background.

I hope the crew on QF6025 have a nice Christmas in Baku.

 

[Quickstatus]

new catering, if any, ex SYD

Ok but how long can catering be stored on the rescue aircraft ex SYD. As per my previous post it would be maybe 29hrs from production in Sydney, to uploading on QF6025, to service on QF01D

It would be a breakfast service. Would not be surprised if the catering was something special to make up for the delay.

 

[milehighclub]

The catering can last as long as it’s on the chillers. It’s also possible that out of an abundance of caution, they may have loaded ambient items. We’ve had instances in the past where JNB flights were double catered on the 747 when catering was on strike there, so can be done and safely so.