Red Roo - No more F to HKG = No more A380/Skybed Mark 1?

[Platinum A332]

I have noticed, along with others on this forum, that once the QF 7/8 flights change over to A380, it is impossible to book F to HKG.

It is still possible to book W to HKG. Does this mean that once the DFW flights start, the "change in A380/B747 mix" to HKG will mean all flights are operated by the B747?

Thinking about QF scheduling, there are 9x744 that have been refurbished. These aircraft would be enough to cover all remaining 747 routes with the exception of SYD-HKG, and finally provide a consistent product across the A380/B747 fleet.
- BNE-LAX 2xaircraft
- SYD-LAX-JFK 2xaircraft
- SYD-SCL 1xaircraft
- SYD-JNB/NRT 3xaircraft
- Spare 1xaircraft (I assume this aircraft would cover A380 substitutions, provide slack in the schedules, and allow for seasonal flight increases to SCL in particular).

Personally, I would refurbish 1 more of the 747 aircraft to leave 10 in the fleet and then get rid of all the non-refurbed aircraft to provide a consistent product, as well as put W on the 10x333 aircraft used on Asian routes, but I digress....

So my question(s) to Red Roo;
1) Can you confirm that the A380 will no longer fly to HKG?
2) Considering the available aircraft, does this mean that there will still be inconsistency in the 747 product across the international network?
3) If we book premium economy to HKG, does there still remain a risk that the flight (given the shortage of 747 available) will be downgraded to an A330 on a permanent basis?

Unfortunately for me, until there is clarification on the above, CX will continue to get 100% of my business into North Asia (and I am sure that of many others also).

 

[Colster]

I have a booking (which still says a380 both ways) in early Oct and only booked it because of the hard product as a nice present for the wife. Am sorely tempted to look at other ways to Siem Reap if the A380 has gone on my days. Redroo please let us know what is going on with the SYD-HKG route and the days that are impacted ASAP.

 

[Isochronous]

I'm worried about my FASA for March 2015 now.

If QF get rid of the A380 from HKG, or, God forbid, downgrade HKG-SYD to an A330 with Skybed I and no PE, I'll be done with QF for good.

 

[Princess Fiona]

My gut feeling is that it will go from SYD-HKG purely from an aircraft utilisation perspective.
Maybe CX might look at bringing F back to SYD? That's something I could definitely live with.

 

[Mr_Orange]

I'd like to know what is happening too wrt to PE on the SYD route.

 

[amaroo]

Just took a peek on EF for random dates March 2015. Still shows A388 but 0 for F/A......seat map shows all F seats blocked. Not a good look!

Edit - the 747 seat map shows open F seats but 0 F/A

 

[amaroo]

I'd like to know what is happening too wrt to PE on the SYD route.

PE still showing as normal on EF. F looks like a Dodo.

 

[markis10]

I'm worried about my FASA for March 2015 now.

If QF get rid of the A380 from HKG, or, God forbid, downgrade HKG-SYD to an A330 with Skybed I and no PE, I'll be done with QF for good.

There should be a few of the new confit A330s by that stage.

 

[amaroo]

There should be a few of the new confit A330s by that stage.

I hate a refurb lottery.

 

[markis10]

I hate a refurb lottery.

You must hate flying QF then at present :mrgreen:

 

[amaroo]

You must hate flying QF then at present :mrgreen:

Correct. CX to HKG is the only way to fly....

 

[FuzzyAUS]

I have a few HKG in F on the 380 booked between now and April 2015,

On most trips up in the Jan-March period the yields are very high, I have often only seen 3-8 seats available on the whole aircraft.... I know its not like this year round but the A380 got a lot of booking from people I know from the hard product compared to the 330's with the droopy beds..

I must admit of late, with all the changes (and some I can see the commercial side so may not like them but do agree with them for the longevity of the company), I am starting to think it might be time to try other things in life..

 

[Isochronous]

There should be a few of the new confit A330s by that stage.

But reportedly no PE, so I'm not interested.

 

[markis10]

But reportedly no PE, so I'm not interested.

So why the comment about Skybed?

 

[Flying mermaid]

That was the first thing I thought of when I heard Hong Kong was losing a number of A380s - will there continue to be F? Much as I love Qantas it is getting harder and harder to fly it.....

 

[Isochronous]

So why the comment about Skybed?

Because I fly PE or J - depending on pricing and whether the trip is work-subsidised and/or tax deductible, short or long stay. Often I book PE return and points upgrade on the night sector, but during the day I love PE for the food and having enough space to get your laptop out without a recliner in front ruining it all.

 

[shannan94]

This was my exact thoughts last night when I stumbled across the lack of First Class availability.

Really hoping they switch to the 747ER with the updated Skybed II considering it is coming off the SYD-DFW route and that SYD-HKG is being consolidated (to what extent still unknown) on it's A380 services to accommodate the change.

 

[QF029]

That was the first thing I thought of when I heard Hong Kong was losing a number of A380s - will there continue to be F? Much as I love Qantas it is getting harder and harder to fly it.....

You fly paid F?

 

[Aussie_flyer]

You fly paid F?

don't we all? lol

 

[Deleted member 26544]

I have a trip booked in F in February 2015 for my birthday. When the announcement about the DFW and LHR services came out I started steeling myself for a follow-up announcement about HKG.

If I get downgraded to J at least I'll have a stay at the Peninsula to console myself. Will be initially incredibly p**sed though.