Seat occupancy lower

[RichardMEL]

The testing madness is simply a way of actually keeping the borders closed, whilst being able to claim they are open.

True, it certainly is putting quite a few people from going to the states with these requirements just for the PITA factor.

Indeed I just heard a woman on the radio saying she had to change her flight to BNE (at a fare change cost of $160) because she had done her test a few days earlier as required, but had no result in time. So even when some try to abide by the requirements through no fault of their own are negatively impacted.

So frustrating.

 

[RichardMEL]

Really some of this testing(for travel) malarkey could be made much easier if Rapid Tests were used say on arrival if they must do it, or even pre-departure. (though in a hub and spoke system this would be a nightmare). I get it they don't want potentially positive people getting on aircraft but even if there were separate rapid testing facilities using the RATs - maybe less reliable but still a fair indication) would make life much easier for many imo.

If RAT is becoming a norm for sporting teams and the like to use I think this is a way this should go if that would satisfy folks.
(and possibly cost less for all involved given a RAT can be had commercially for $10-$15 vs alleged $100 cost for a PCR). Heck even if I had to pay $10 to dt a RAT before getting the OK to enter SA I'd do that to have that result in 15 minutes than queing up for hours and dealing with all of that.

 

[Lynda2475]

Ability to pre-purchase a RAT before you leave home and then self test on day 5 in Qld would be simple, finding a PCR test location is impossible in some regions. The simpler and quicker you make it to comply the better compliance you will get.

That sort of confidence makes one more likely to hold bookings.

Im still undecided on whether I will be flying next week or not, as I imagine many others are too.

 

[Melburnian1]

Ability to pre-purchase a RAT before you leave home and then self test on day 5 in Qld would be simple, finding a PCR test location is impossible in some regions. The simpler and quicker you make it to comply the better compliance you will get.

That sort of confidence makes one more likely to hold bookings.

Im still undecided on whether I will be flying next week or not, as I imagine many others are too.

Media today suggests your sentiments (last paragraph) are shared by a majority of us. Apparently many are cancelling flights. Perhaps many are ditching road trips, although if only for VFR and no accommodation bookings, one lacks 'visibility'.

This will see airlines 'consolidating' more flights. Quite a few sudden flight cancellations today.

 

[Lynda2475]

Also reckon we will see more cancellations depending on how panicked Qld are at the emmergency National Cabinet tomorrow and if they make things even harder.

 

[clifford]

Also reckon we will see more cancellations depending on how panicked Qld are at the emmergency National Cabinet tomorrow and if they make things even harder.

Yes, but QLD, TAS and SA are the reason that NC is happening at all tomorrow.

What do you think will come out of it?

 

[Franky]

The whole generational thing is a bit of media hype, before the pandemic a generation was broadly defined as what 15 years? At the moment and assuming another year of madness - 3 years is only 1/5th of a generation. Still important for those in that age group. But someone who is 14 will have different impacts to someone who is 18 say.

That aside, and in the context of this thread I think the border closures themselves are probably not such a big deal in terms of “generational cost” and robbing young people of experiences - instead it it the restrictions on socialising that have robbed people of certain ages, unfortunately. I was thinking that when I was 18-21 it would not have made a significant difference to me had I not been allowed to travel interstate (and I didn’t travel overseas then) but the lack of ability to go to pubs, clubs, theatre, parties, etc would have had a much more profound impact.

Having said that my nephew who turned 18 just before the pandemic started, seems to have navigated it pretty well, albeit perhaps not complying with every edict all the time ( I suspect) but admittedly being in regional Vic had it easier than Melbourne counterparts.

I would have thought a generation was more like 25 years - as in the rough average of birth thru to pro-creation?

 

[dajop]

I would have thought a generation was more like 25 years - as in the rough average of birth thru to pro-creation?

I only chose 15 because a) it was closer to what people were saying is a “lost generation”, and b) 3/15 is easier than 3/20 or 3/25

 

[NSun]

I went up to CNS via BNE on Friday and got a COVID test but ended up having to get another because I had no result in 10 hours and when I rang them they said they'd lost my result. At least the 2nd time I got it back in 3 hours although I had to drive to a testing site 20kms away for the second test.

But what irked me the most is when I got up to BNE, there was no one checking permits at all - what's the point of making us get tests if they won't be checked because it clogs up the NSW system.

The flight up to BNE from SYD was nearly full although BNE-CNS was only about 60% while my Sunday flight home which was CNS-SYD direct was only a third full and the airport was fairly quiet. I do think people have been put off by testing requirements - I have family members who were going to QLD but changed their plans to go to Victoria instead once they heard of testing requirements and I can't blame them for that.

 

[kangarooflyer88]

Aside from the potential of state border rules rapidly changing, another major issue is the possibility that a state department of health randomly flags your flight as being close contact and you have to quarantine for 14 days. I have not heard a word from QF or the state governments on who pays for this? If it is the traveller, I doubt very few people will want to travel interstate. So on the one hand the Prime Ministers of each state want to welcome back tourism and all the money that was lost due to COVID but on the other hand are unwilling to accept that we live in 2021 where vaccines and highly effective treatments exist. Australia is still in lockdown. I know it's politically incorrect for me to say it but it's the truth. Aside from a few jurisdictions (e.g., NSW, VIC and ACT) all bets are off.

-RooFlyer88

 

[jakeseven7]

Aside from the potential of state border rules rapidly changing, another major issue is the possibility that a state department of health randomly flags your flight as being close contact and you have to quarantine for 14 days. I have not heard a word from QF or the state governments on who pays for this? If it is the traveller, I doubt very few people will want to travel interstate. So on the one hand the Prime Ministers of each state want to welcome back tourism and all the money that was lost due to COVID but on the other hand are unwilling to accept that we live in 2021 where vaccines and highly effective treatments exist. Australia is still in lockdown. I know it's politically incorrect for me to say it but it's the truth. Aside from a few jurisdictions (e.g., NSW, VIC and ACT) all bets are off.

-RooFlyer88

Honestly I’d *almost* rather they be shut completely than this half pregnant half open half shut test every 35 minutes and on a full moon testing BS….

And to answer your question the state has to pay for your HQ if it’s not your fault and you don’t have a suitable premise available.

 

[kangarooflyer88]

And to answer your question the state has to pay for your HQ if it’s not your fault and you don’t have a suitable premise available.

Good to know. I wonder if I can collect hotel stay credits at the hotel used in quarantine?

-RooFlyer88

 

[jakeseven7]

Good to know. I wonder if I can collect hotel stay credits at the hotel used in quarantine?

-RooFlyer88

I doubt now it would be a hotel you would choose All the good ones are open to the public now!

 

[Vic]

I think yield is the key point, rather than bums on seats.
I did a day trip beginning of december. had to go to the chirstmas lunch meeting for that board.
Flexible fares because of the uncertainty. Qantas $520 on the way over. The plane was pretty empty. Virgin didn't have an early flight.
Virgin coming back $260, plane pretty much full.

But in equivalent terms, I've paid qantas for 2 seats. So who knows the yield on the respective flights.

 

[Melburnian1]

I think yield is the key point, rather than bums on seats.
I did a day trip beginning of december. had to go to the chirstmas lunch meeting for that board.
Flexible fares because of the uncertainty. Qantas $520 on the way over. The plane was pretty empty. Virgin didn't have an early flight.
Virgin coming back $260, plane pretty much full.

But in equivalent terms, I've paid qantas for 2 seats. So who knows the yield on the respective flights.

No one doubts yield is important but if planes are a third full on say a Melbourne - Brisbane trip and the average single (one way) fare across all classes is $250 - maybe an overestimate - then passenger revenue is only (assuming 60 passengers) $15000, unlikely to by itself cover costs.

I looked at QFd for Wednesday 29 December 2021 on this route northbound, with most flights a week out having $119 one way fares available. There may only be a few at that price, but it depresses the median. Of course J passengers increase revenue per seat, but they also cost more to service.

 

[Ade]

People are exhausted and have lost confidence in interstate travel at the moment.

I'd say the same sentiment applies to international travel as well. To those countries already swept with Omicron, or to those countries not having/reporting as much Omicron activity, there is a hesitation to travel - tickets are expensive, test costs and the uncertainty of whether one catches Omicron when overseas and is unable to travel home.

I have cancelled a lot of trips (dom & intl) as of today! and all the money go into a travel bank or a travel pass - locking in $ with the airlines.

 

[Melburnian1]

While numbers travelling don't tell us the total yield QFi receives, at this time of year with Poms wanting to escape freezing temperatures southbound flights from London ought be full or very close to it.

However EF suggests that this morning's (UK time) 0950 hours LHR - DRW QF2 has only 109 whY seats occupied out of 166, nine in R class but 28 seats available and in J, more impressive with 33 of 42 occupied (but are some for pilots resting?)

This gives total seat occupancy of just 64 per cent.

QF1 between SYD and DRW is worse, at least in Y and R combined, with allegedly 91 Y and 21 R giving 112 out of 194 seats occupied or 57.7 per cent occupancy.

 

[clifford]

I'd say the same sentiment applies to international travel as well. To those countries already swept with Omicron, or to those countries not having/reporting as much Omicron activity, there is a hesitation to travel - tickets are expensive, test costs and the uncertainty of whether one catches Omicron when overseas and is unable to travel home.

I have cancelled a lot of trips (dom & intl) as of today! and all the money go into a travel bank or a travel pass - locking in $ with the airlines.

I am just buying lots more decent wine. At least it makes me feel better.

 

[jakeseven7]

VA2 have just cancelled a swathe of flights ex MEL tomorrow, just beeped through. All over the place.

Another AFF poster reported that in addition to lower than forecasted demand for their flights they have apparently been caught short staffed due to ISO issue….

 

[kangarooflyer88]

Just finished my trip to AVV and thought I'd report on the loads. I took the JQ 611 flight on Saturday evening and the bus was virtually empty. No one in the first row except yours truly (who secured the seat thanks to a strategically booked MAX fare when JQ was offering half off fares). On the way back on tonights JQ 612 flight I was on the port side and there was another gentleman on the starboard side of the front row and that's it. Fairly light loads on both. Certainly from a COVID safe standpoint, now is the absolute best time to travel since the airports and the planes are largely empty (I think everyone's come down with the Omicron fever). Public transport was also very light as well.

If we believe what the public health people tell us, that Omicron is going to be rampant in our communities, we may as well travel while the going is good, or at the very least the passenger loads are low. In my case, since I'm slightly immuno-compromised, I've already gotten my Pfizer booster back in early November, was wearing a P2 respirator for the duration of the journey (aside from from a quick in flight snack and drink) and was positioning myself away from everybody else. Hopefully that'll provide enough protection to keep Coroni at bay!

-RooFlyer88