Qf9 mel dxb lhr

[straitman]

The assumption here of course is that they (QF) are doing nothing.

 

[Himeno]

It isn't easy to just "tweak schedules". More so in this case when you have a curfew and slot limits at LHR and slot issues at DXB. Miss those slots and you get a bigger delay.
QF has had the same slot times at LHR for years. The only time changes they do are the -/+ 1 hour to adjust for the daylight saving GMT-BST change. It took them 4 months to finalize the QF9/10 retiming last year because they had to change the lease terms for their slots with BA.

There is no point renegotiating the DXB slots on a seasonal basis when the primary cause of the delays (fog) won't last even half the season.

Strictly ATC caused delays (ie, congestion) can be managed by the airline by adapting schedules (such as schedule padding at JFK), but it's not an easy or quick fix.

 

[clifford]

There is no point renegotiating the DXB slots on a seasonal basis when the primary cause of the delays (fog) won't last even half the season.

What fog are you referring to? DXB, LHR or SYD?

I've never seen fog at DXB (and I've been EK Gold for several years), but I have seen sandstorms which you wouldn't want to be in.

IMHO, the primary cause of delays at DXB is too much air traffic. That's why Dubai has built a second airport (which nobody wants to use).

 

[Aussie_flyer]

What fog are you referring to? DXB, LHR or SYD?

I've never seen fog at DXB (and I've been EK Gold for several years), but I have seen sandstorms which you wouldn't want to be in.

IMHO, the primary cause of delays at DXB is too much air traffic. That's why Dubai has built a second airport (which nobody wants to use).

Yes fog in dubai.

 

[Himeno]

What fog are you referring to? DXB, LHR or SYD?

I've never seen fog at DXB (and I've been EK Gold for several years), but I have seen sandstorms which you wouldn't want to be in.

IMHO, the primary cause of delays at DXB is too much air traffic. That's why Dubai has built a second airport (which nobody wants to use).

This fog
The world's tallest building and Dubai's skyscrapers poke through thick fog - Telegraph

The fog that caused an EY flight to be stuck on the tarmac at AUH for 12 hours earlier this month.

 

[dajop]

I've never seen fog at DXB (and I've been EK Gold for several years),

When I was travelling frequently to CBR I never saw fog there either. When it was foggy was stuck on the ground in MEL waiting for it to clear.

 

[RooFlyer]

The assumption here of course is that they (QF) are doing nothing.

Exactly, and I think they would do something if/when they could. Its just better business (although they have appeared to resist that temptation on other issues in the past )

It isn't easy to just "tweak schedules". More so in this case when you have a curfew and slot limits at LHR and slot issues at DXB. Miss those slots and you get a bigger delay.
QF has had the same slot times at LHR for years. The only time changes they do are the -/+ 1 hour to adjust for the daylight saving GMT-BST change. It took them 4 months to finalize the QF9/10 retiming last year because they had to change the lease terms for their slots with BA.

There is no point renegotiating the DXB slots on a seasonal basis when the primary cause of the delays (fog) won't last even half the season.

Strictly ATC caused delays (ie, congestion) can be managed by the airline by adapting schedules (such as schedule padding at JFK), but it's not an easy or quick fix.

Hence my rider above 'if possible' Again, I'll leave it to you to judge whether a situation which is bad for business would simply be left to rot in the minds of customers, or whether Qantas (and other airlines) has the wit to try and do something about it.

 

[jb747]

What fog are you referring to? DXB, LHR or SYD?

I've never seen fog at DXB (and I've been EK Gold for several years), but I have seen sandstorms which you wouldn't want to be in.

IMHO, the primary cause of delays at DXB is too much air traffic. That's why Dubai has built a second airport (which nobody wants to use).

Whilst traffic is an issue, the biggest problem is simply that the load is not equal throughout the day. Curfews at airports half a world away affect traffic. The upshot is that there are peak times, and it's very difficult to move out of them...

And yes, fog at Dubai. Thick, low level. Brings the place to its knees.

 

[Princess Fiona]

Overheard the captain say a very funny thing whilst we were waiting to get a gate at DXB on my last QF9. Had arrived maybe 10 minutes ahead of schedule. Apparently the gate allocated to us still had another aircraft there, two adjacent gates free. Initial advice was that we would be switching to one of the adjacent free gates. Captain then came back on and said plans changed back to original gate. Whilst waiting another two EK A380s came in and went into the empty gates. I'm paraphrasing but the Captain said "You may have seen two EK flights just land and go to those empty gates, I have been advised for reasons that aren't apparent to me that we cannot use those gates due to our Aircraft configuration".

 

[markis10]

Overheard the captain say a very funny thing whilst we were waiting to get a gate at DXB on my last QF9. Had arrived maybe 10 minutes ahead of schedule. Apparently the gate allocated to us still had another aircraft there, two adjacent gates free. Initial advice was that we would be switching to one of the adjacent free gates. Captain then came back on and said plans changed back to original gate. Whilst waiting another two EK A380s came in and went into the empty gates. I'm paraphrasing but the Captain said "You may have seen two EK flights just land and go to those empty gates, I have been advised for reasons that aren't apparent to me that we cannot use those gates due to our Aircraft configuration".

They had roo bars on them obviously

 

[Princess Fiona]

They had roo bars on them obviously

That must have been it

 

[mattj]

Regarding the topic of QF9, I'll be on this flight mid Dec and wondering what to do after work as it makes more sense for me to go straight to the airport from the city, rather than home. But check in doesn't open till 3 hours before the flight!

What do other people do when they get to the airport super early (i.e: 6pm for a 11:25pm flight). I have lounge membership but will have my suitcase and presumably can't get my boarding pass until I drop my bag anyway.

Thoughts appreciated! Thanks

 

[Quickstatus]

Qantas risks large fines, losing slots at Heathrow for late A380s: internal memo

 

[Quickstatus]

Overheard the captain say a very funny thing whilst we were waiting to get a gate at DXB on my last QF9. Had arrived maybe 10 minutes ahead of schedule. Apparently the gate allocated to us still had another aircraft there, two adjacent gates free. Initial advice was that we would be switching to one of the adjacent free gates. Captain then came back on and said plans changed back to original gate. Whilst waiting another two EK A380s came in and went into the empty gates. I'm paraphrasing but the Captain said "You may have seen two EK flights just land and go to those empty gates, I have been advised for reasons that aren't apparent to me that we cannot use those gates due to our Aircraft configuration".

I think QF should have got the Halal option for the A380

 

[Awesom Andy]

Qantas risks large fines, losing slots at Heathrow for late A380s: internal memo

That's over 6 months ago...

 

[Himeno]

That's over 6 months ago...

And as was stated then. QF can't lose the slots. QF own the slots. LHR slots are not assigned as they are at other airports.

 

[Awesom Andy]

What do other people do when they get to the airport super early (i.e: 6pm for a 11:25pm flight). I have lounge membership but will have my suitcase and presumably can't get my boarding pass until I drop my bag anyway.

I wonder if it's possible to use the domestic lounge if it's for carry on luggage. Might be difficult with a suitcase though, I guess the security won't like them.

 

[Melburnian1]

Awesom Andy, the problems with punctuality persisted, so with the change to winter time in the UK, QF gave the schedules extra time, presumably to reduce late running.

For instance QF10 was a 1330 hours departure ex LHR: it has become 1205 hours, not 1230 as one might expect.

Himeno, there must be at least some flexibility with slot times at LHR as if there were not, the QF times would have been altered by exactly an hour with the change from British summer time to normal time.

 

[mattj]

If QF9 is late leaving Melbourne (11:25pm) what tends to happen in DXB? Is there reliably enough time to get to the Emirates business lounge and use the showers, freshen up etc?

Also any tips and tricks to get to the Emirates lounge quickly?

 

[moa999]

It's pretty hard to miss the Dubai lounges - they are single levels to themselves.

Basically take the first lift up after transit, then follow signs to showers.

If late out of MEL I would expect ground time to be reduced, but offloading and onloading luggage, cleaning and catering still take a fair annoying of time on an A380