The latter may still be fairly close to the mark, as VA24 from LAX to MEL estimated to arrive at 2126 hours, 941 minutes late if one compares it to the usual early morning 0545 hours arrival. Mind you, a 1324 hours takeoff (as occurred on Saturday 29) from LAX and being home at say 2345 on Sunday evening is to me an attractive schedule, although multiple competing airlines prefer to continue with early morning arrivals in Oz. Sure, curfew considerations (for SYD) and aircraft utilisation efficiency comes into play, but the ovrerriding reason may well be an airline perception that early morning arrivals suit high-paying businessmen and women far more, and hence day flights won't sell. AFFer drron might disagree.
