Virgin Australia Delays/Cancellations

[Melburnian1]

Is the Sunday 9 October 2016 VA9900 (B738 VH-YFE) a special (i.e. charter) or a training flight?

It was airborne from BNE at 0759 AEST; it then flew to near Tarana NSW, did a few circuits, repeated the same via one at Mt Panorama (Bathurst NSW) where the eponymous motor racing is on today and then undertook more circuits slightly to Orange NSW's south, did the same in the Jerilderie area of southwestern NSW and now seems to be about (as at 1308 AEDT) to land in SYD, a more than four hour excursion.

The delays from a very windy MEL continue on the 9 October afternoon, with B738 VH-VOK on VA745, the 1410 hours to OOL, taking off at 1519. Expected arrival is 1615, an hour behind.

 

[Quickstatus]

Sunday 9/10

BNE-MEL
VA332 delayed due to depart at 1355 BNE tim
VA334 cancelled
VA336 delayed

The delay of VA332 which departed at 1457 (BNE time = 1557 MEL time) and estimated to arrive just before 1800 hrs MEL time will knockon to VA875 MEL-SYD due to depart at 1810.


Current TAF YMML:
AF AMD YMML 082306Z 0900/1006
35035G55KT CAVOK
FM090800 30022G42KT 9999 -RA BKN035
FM091000 30014KT 9999 SCT035
FM092200 28018G28KT 9999 -SHRA SCT035
INTER 0909/0913 3000 RA SCT020
RMK FM090000 MOD/SEV TURB BLW 5000FT TILL092300
FM090000 SEV TURB BLW 5000FT TILL090900
FM092300 MOD TURB BLW 5000FT
T 14 19 22 19 Q 1008 1003 1000 1003
TTF SPECI YMML 090500Z 36038G51KT CAVOK 19/09 Q1000
RMK RF00.0/000.0
FM0500 SEV TURB BLW 5000FT

Bumpy ride below 5000feet and gusty winds between 22-42knots coming from the 300degrees on the compass -(WNW)
The 16/34 North South Runway currently still in operation, however with the winds shifting more from the west later they may use the 09/27 east west runway

 

[Melburnian1]

Quickstatus, a very good example (VA332 to VA875) as to how, despite airlines' attempts to keep an individual aircraft on a particular route, delays on one route can then adversely affect another.

MEL is too large a part of the overall Australian domestic aviation picture for significant delays there not to affect much of the lower east coast part of our nation.

VA1594 (1425 from NTL to MEL, B738 VH-VOM) was airborne at 1640 so arrival should be 1809, two hours and nine minutes delayed.

 

[Melburnian1]

On Sunday 9 October, VA1328, the 1620 hours MEL - HBA took off at 1711 so B738 VH-VUT should arrive at about 1818, 43 minutes late.

VA685, the 1300 hours from MEL across to PER is far less punctual with takeoff at 1727 this late afternoon for an anticipated 1811 hours (rather than 1420) arrival in the west. Aircraft is A332 VH-XFG.

 

[Quickstatus]

Additionally the 1730 and 1745 hr MEL-SYD VA871 and VA873 have been cancelled. Thats potentially 274 passengers loking for a spare plane. This is the last day of NSW school holidays so potentially there would be many passengers stranded.

The aircraft opersting 871 sits in MEL after arriving there around noon as VA318 from BNE
The aircraft operating 873 an Embraer is currently on approach from HBA as the delayed VA1329 (thanks M1)

 

[torks]

Is the Sunday 9 October 2016 VA9900 (B738 VH-YFE) a special (i.e. charter) or a training flight?

It was airborne from BNE at 0759 AEST; it then flew to near Tarana NSW, did a few circuits, repeated the same via one at Mt Panorama (Bathurst NSW) where the eponymous motor racing is on today and then undertook more circuits slightly to Orange NSW's south, did the same in the Jerilderie area of southwestern NSW and now seems to be about (as at 1308 AEDT) to land in SYD, a more than four hour excursion.

Virgin Australia is one of the main sponsors for the V8 Supercars. As part of that, this aircraft did two low level slow speed passes over pit straight before the race & one low level high speed pass over pitt straight. It was all on the TV coverage & they had the captain of the flight speaking. I presume the holding was waiting for the time to do the passes as there was lots of TV helicopter traffice in the area.

 

[Quickstatus]

Virgin Australia is one of the main sponsors for the V8 Supercars. As part of that, this aircraft did two low level slow speed passes over pit straight before the race & one low level high speed pass over pitt straight. It was all on the TV coverage & they had the captain of the flight speaking. I presume the holding was waiting for the time to do the passes as there was lots of TV helicopter traffice in the area.

And an F18 did a flyover between VA9900 low speed flyover and highspeed flyover. I could not see it on Flightaware. F18 routing was NTL-BHS ( mt panorama) -NTL

 

[Jay Cee]

VA 352...Have been watching this flight on & off for two weeks now. Nearly every day minus 1 or 2 this flight BNE > MEL has been delayed. As I will be using this flight in July to connect to SQ should I phone VA customer service and request an earlier flight to MEL so I won't miss my SQ connection. ? If this flight operates as normal, one usually has 2 hr 45 mins in MEL to get to their SQ flight. However, if this current trend continues (delays) perhaps it might be wise to call Customer support. Any yays or nays ?

 

[Quickstatus]

VA 352...Have been watching this flight on & off for two weeks now. Nearly every day minus 1 or 2 this flight BNE > MEL has been delayed. As I will be using this flight in July to connect to SIA should I phone VA customer service and request an earlier flight to MEL so I won't miss my SIA connection. ? If this flight operates as normal, one usually has 2 hr 45 mins in MEL to get to their SIA flight. However, if this current trend continues (delays) perhaps it might be wise to call Customer support. Any yays or nays ?

Usually 2.75 hrs is enough for MEL. Airlines use 1hr as the minimum valid connection time.
However the Achilles heel will be the punctuality of your incoming flight. It is impossible to predict how it will go on the day.
The only way you can catch an earilier flight is to fly the previous day.

Are both flights on the one ticket?. If yes then you will be protected by airline if you misconnect due to a late incoming, but wont prevent you from actually misconnecting. If on separate tickets then you may not be protected, but may be easier to change departure from BNE to previous day. I think you will need to pay a change fare as the 2.75 hr conect time in MEL is valid.

if you cant sleep at night pondering about this then its a "yay"

 

[Jay Cee]

Usually 2.75 hrs is enough for MEL. Airlines use 1hr as the minimum valid connection time.
However the Achilles heel will be the punctuality of your incoming flight. It is impossible to predict how it will go on the day.
The only way you can catch an earilier flight is to fly the previous day.

Are both flights on the one ticket?. If yes then you will be protected by airline if you misconnect due to a late incoming, but wont prevent you from actually misconnecting. If on separate tickets then you may not be protected, but may be easier to change departure from BNE to previous day. I think you will need to pay a change fare as the 2.75 hr conect time in MEL is valid.

if you cant sleep at night pondering about this then its a "yay"

VA 342 16:55, VA 346 17:55 are available the day I require. Maybe I should choose one of these just to be on the safe side. (times mentioned are AEST)

Thanks for your input though.

cheers

p.s. all flights on same PNR.

 

[Melburnian1]

On Monday 10 October, VA148, the 0630 from MEL to AKL is not expected to depart until a very late 1025.

VA185 (0845 hours from MEL to NAN) is also delayed from 0845 to 1200, so not a great Monday for VAi ex MEL.

Domestically, VA327, the 'high noon' 1200 MEL - BNE has got the bullet while earlier VA1291, the 0855 hours tourist friendly departure from MEL to CNS should depart about 35 minutes behind time.

VA804, the 0630 hours from SYD to MEL was airborne at 0748; arrival should be at 0908, 63 minutes late with the aircraft A332 VH-XFG. This will then delay VA679, the 0915 hours MEL to PER to a revised departure time of 1020.

VA252 (early morning 0625 hours CBR - MEL) took off at 0719 so E190 VH-ZPH should arrive at around 0834, 59 minutes late.

 

[Melburnian1]

On Monday 10 October, VA1294, the 1200 CNS to MEL that was airborne at 1310 is arriving at about 1731, 66 minutes late. The B738 is VH-VUL.

VA228 (1505 from ADL across to MEL) was not in the sky until 1634, so will not arrive until 69 minutes behind at 1804. Aircraft is VH-YFH, another B738.

 

[Jay Cee]

10, 11, 12th Oct VA 352 doesn't exist. Well I can't find it anywhere. As you may be aware I am following this flight BNE>MEL as I hope to be on it in July, and on-time. (wishful thinking I believe) If VA cancel this flight on the day that I am supposed to go, will they at least advise me in plenty of time to accept an earlier flight ???

cheers

 

[Melburnian1]

Also on Monday 10 October, VA791 (1410 hours from ADL across the Bight, or Nullabor, to PER) was airborne at a late 1530; arrival of B738 VH-VUZ should be at around 1607, 57 minutes behind time.

VA962 from BNE to SYD, the 1600 hours departure, did not take off until 1653 so arrival will not be before 1909 tonight, 34 minutes delayed: aircraft is B738 VH-VUK.

 

[Quickstatus]

10, 11, 12th Oct VA 352 doesn't exist. Well I can't find it anywhere. As you may be aware I am following this flight BNE>MEL as I hope to be on it in July, and on-time. (wishful thinking I believe) If VA cancel this flight on the day that I am supposed to go, will they at least advise me in plenty of time to accept an earlier flight ???

cheers

Flight changes occur with regularity and often seem to occur just when you don't want it to.
It really depends on when the cancellation occurs. Last minute cancellations can occur when you are waiting at the gate or even with the seat belt on waiting for takeoff. If early enough - you may be put on an earlier flight if there are seats...

Is it worth it If you have to watch this flight almost or even daily until July next year?. I'd say change it so you are no longer worried and can sleep at night - and get there the day before. I.e. Preposition yourself in MEL.

I tend to also book flights so that there is an earlier and later flight to my transit point that will make my onward connection. (not always possible)

 

[Jay Cee]

Flight changes occur with regularity and often seem to occur just when you don't want it to.
It really depends on when the cancellation occurs. Last minute cancellations can occur when you are waiting at the gate or even with the seat belt on waiting for takeoff. If early enough - you may be put on an earlier flight if there are seats...

Is it worth it If you have to watch this flight almost or even daily until July next year?. I'd say change it so you are no longer worried and can sleep at night - and get there the day before. I.e. Preposition yourself in MEL.

I tend to also book flights so that there is an earlier and later flight to my transit point that will make my onward connection. (not always possible)

Thanks for the input. There are 2 earlier flights available on the same day. VA 342 & VA 346. 342 will get me to MEL 2 hours before & 346 gets me to MEL 1 hour before VA 352 would have.

I'm going to have a chat with Customer Call Centre and express my apprehensions.

thanks heaps.

 

[Quickstatus]

Thanks for the input. There are 2 earlier flights available on the same day. VA 342 & VA 346. 342 will get me to MEL 2 hours before & 346 gets me to MEL 1 hour before VA 352 would have.

I'm going to have a chat with Customer Call Centre and express my apprehensions.

thanks heaps.

Sorry I just realised your BNE-MEL flight is an evening flight. For some reason I thought your flight was a morning.
No need to pre position to MEL the night before.

If you can just get there earlier in the day. I reckon a VA332 or 334 should be OK. Cancellations of either these would still mean 4 flight still to be able to hop on to MEL.

What flght are you leaving MEL on?

 

[Jay Cee]

Sorry I just realised your BNE-MEL flight is an evening flight. For some reason I thought your flight was a morning.
No need to pre position to MEL the night before.

If you can just get there earlier in the day. I reckon a VA332 or 334 should be OK. Cancellations of either these would still mean 4 flight still to be able to hop on to MEL.

What flght are you leaving MEL on?

VA 5516 dep: 00:05 10/07/17 VA 352 would have got me there with plenty of time, but lately it's either disappeared somewhere or it's been delayed by, the latest was 78 mins 2-3 days ago. I just don't know if it will exist come July '17. I will have all boarding passes (pass-port check) given to me in BNE so no problem checking in.

p.s. I was thinking VA 342 or 346 would be the way to go. However, I see your point about the earlier flights.

G_d give me patience

 

[Melburnian1]

Tuesday 11 October sees VA319, the 0900 hours departure from MEL to BNE cancelled.

VA336, the 1920 hours scheduled arrival in MEL ex BNE on Monday 10 was also cancelled.

 

[Jay Cee]

<snip>

VA336, the 1920 hours scheduled arrival in MEL ex BNE on Monday 10 was also cancelled.

You really know how to cheer a bloke up. Another cancellation. :shock: