QF73 SYD-SFO cancelled 17/8/22. What’s going on?

[Blazer1]

Just got an email notification QF73 SYD-SFO (evening flight) has been cancelled for our flight on 17/8/22.
They have changed us to QF11 SYD-LAX (morning flight).
It has created absolute chaos for us as we were flying into Sydney from Adelaide in the early afternoon with Virgin.
Furthermore, there's nil info provided by Qantas as to any connecting flight to SFO.
Shouldn't they be expected to ensure we get to our destination and not just "dump" in another city?
We're on the phone now but who knows how long that's going to take!

 

[Scr77]

Welcome to AFF.

Did you receive a cancellation email? It may have a more useful phone number. Regardless, you will have to push your case and may have to make multiple calls. Our flight was cancelled 40hrs before coming home, so at least you have time to work out a plan.

 

[AIRwin]

SFO routes dropped?

Just checking the ticket, it seems i've been booked in J so maybe will earn SC and points lol

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

 

[flapper]

Just got an email notification QF73 SYD-SFO (evening flight) has been cancelled for our flight on 17/8/22.
They have changed us to QF11 SYD-LAX (morning flight).
It has created absolute chaos for us as we were flying into Sydney from Adelaide in the early afternoon with Virgin.
Furthermore, there's nil info provided by Qantas as to any connecting flight to SFO.
Shouldn't they be expected to ensure we get to our destination and not just "dump" in another city?
We're on the phone now but who knows how long that's going to take!

Same boat, my SFO-Syd flight on a OWA cancelled and put on a LAX-SYD flight. I asked if they could put me on a AA flight LAX-SFO she said she would check and came back after a long wait and said they can't as it's not QF metal. In the past they have asked partner airlines to open up a rewards seat and they were always accepted. Let us know how your's is resolved.

 

[robinsparkles]

Same here, 16th August. I haven't called yet and really want a direct flight as will be travelling with a baby.
My booking has had so many issues already with hours on hold on the phone that I might take a full refund and book a direct on United...will Qantas give a full refund?

 

[serfty]

will Qantas give a full refund?

They should, given the magnitude of the change, even for revenue booking. Expect to wait "up to eight weeks" for the credit to arrive.

 

[Mwenenzi]

Looks like route restart put back again.
29 Oct 2022 non stop SYD-SFO *not* available
30 Oct 2022 non stop SYD-SFO available

 

[HS-TQE]

ET and other Travel sites confirming the push-back of SYD-SFO services again until October. Unlikely that MEL/BNE-SFO will materialise until March 2023 at the earliest.

 

[offshore171]

ET and other Travel sites confirming the push-back of SYD-SFO services again until October. Unlikely that MEL/BNE-SFO will materialise until March 2023 at the earliest.

Does that suggest the forward bookings were weak?

 

[jase05]

Does that suggest the forward bookings were weak?

Probably haven’t got enough aircraft

 

[Blazer1]

Same here, 16th August. I haven't called yet and really want a direct flight as will be travelling with a baby.
My booking has had so many issues already with hours on hold on the phone that I might take a full refund and book a direct on United...will Qantas give a full refund?

When they sent you the email re changing to SYD-LAX, did they include a domestic flight from LAX-SFO? I'm ringing later tonight...again, as I couldn't wait hours on hold today.

 

[RooFlyer]

Welcome to AFF @Blazer1 Hope you get it resolved OK.

 

[robinsparkles]

When they sent you the email re changing to SYD-LAX, did they include a domestic flight from LAX-SFO? I'm ringing later tonight...again, as I couldn't wait hours on hold today.

Nope, just the LAX flight, keep us updated with how you go if you get through to them

 

[Blazer1]

UPDATE
Contacted Qantas at 0330hrs today while at work. After a little discussion, they added a flight from LAX-SFO with Alaska at no extra charge. We land in LAX at 0700hrs, flight with Alaska is 1000hrs. Should give us enough time. I try to avoid LAX at almost any cost, but beggars can't be choosers.

Still a little annoyed that they pulled the direct flight with only 12 weeks to go. Most people like us would have already booked their hotels etc.

 

[kangarooflyer88]

Same here, 16th August. I haven't called yet and really want a direct flight as will be travelling with a baby.
My booking has had so many issues already with hours on hold on the phone that I might take a full refund and book a direct on United...will Qantas give a full refund?

Could you ask for a refund at this point? Absolutely since QF made several material changes to your itinerary! But I would argue against it since finding J award availability with such short notice is unlikely. Instead, given this award flight was booked on QF metal, they need to take responsibility for this change. At a minimum I would expect them to take care of the connecting flight down to LAX be it on AA, AS or some other airline in J to catch the QF flight. Flights from SFO to LAX on OneWorld in J are a dime a dozen, given this is one of the more busy regional air routes in the world. They might need to call the OneWorld desk to make it happen but push for it. Remind them that you are booked on Qantas for San Francisco to Sydney not LA to Sydney. QF needs to take care of this since you booking a new ticket on your own puts your trip in serious risk should there be a misconnection.

UPDATE
Contacted Qantas at 0330hrs today while at work. After a little discussion, they added a flight from LAX-SFO with Alaska at no extra charge. We land in LAX at 0700hrs, flight with Alaska is 1000hrs. Should give us enough time. I try to avoid LAX at almost any cost, but beggars can't be choosers.

Still a little annoyed that they pulled the direct flight with only 12 weeks to go. Most people like us would have already booked their hotels etc.

Good to hear QF did the right thing here after some prodding. IMHO LAX is a far better airport than SFO, and in my books amongst the top airports in the world, perhaps even better than the dump that is Changi. There are a number of great lounges at LAX which hopefully you are able to take advantage of prior to your flight such as QF, AA and OneWorld.

As for schedule changes, it happens. I've got an award booking with Air Canada from Sydney to Toronto that has been rebooked over a dozen times now. No doubt there will be some growing pains for the airlines as they emerge from the pandemic.

-RooFlyer88

 

[Blazer1]

Good to hear QF did the right thing here after some prodding. IMHO LAX is a far better airport than SFO, and in my books amongst the top airports in the world, perhaps even better than the dump that is Changi. There are a number of great lounges at LAX which hopefully you are able to take advantage of prior to your flight such as QF, AA and OneWorld.


-RooFlyer88

No lounge access other than the (temporary) Amex Centurion Lounge.

 

[flapper]

UPDATE
Contacted Qantas at 0330hrs today while at work. After a little discussion, they added a flight from LAX-SFO with Alaska at no extra charge. We land in LAX at 0700hrs, flight with Alaska is 1000hrs. Should give us enough time. I try to avoid LAX at almost any cost, but beggars can't be choosers.

Still a little annoyed that they pulled the direct flight with only 12 weeks to go. Most people like us would have already booked their hotels etc.

Was the flight they put you on an available classic rewards flight or did they request AS open up a revenue seat to add on to your rewards flight?

 

[Blazer1]

Was the flight they put you on an available classic rewards flight or did they request AS open up a revenue seat to add on to your rewards flight?

I don't think it was from memory. Looks like they had it opened up.

 

[dandandan]

I have four J awards SYD-SFO in late December, I hope October is the right restart date.

 

[BD1959]

Probably haven’t got enough aircraft

With the ongoing delays of B787 deliveries it does make me wonder if the decision to scrap all remaining 747s was - in hindsight - a tad hasty.

Regards,

BD