Volcanic Ash flight disruptions June 2011

[Kendall Roy]

FFS, I had problems with the ash cloud coming into MEL last week on Jetstar, now I've got my Status Run tomorrow (CBR-MEL-HBA-SYD-CBR) and it looks like I won't be going.

If I do it will be risky that I might not get back by the end of the day.

:S ah well, whatever

What time are you flying out ex. CBR?

 

[ozmille]

I'm in the Sydney J lounge at the moment waiting for my QF1 departure at 1415. I must say QF was really on the ball this morning in contacting me to advise the flight had changed. I missed a call at 8.30 and they left a message and then at 10am they called back to make sure I had received the message.

thumbs up QF

 

[jb747]

DOH! Of course... jb747.. Can BNE handle A380 aircraft without any problems?

No particular issues that I can see. You have to use full length of the runway, as the end taxiways are the only ones authorised. There are two gates it can use, plus one remote stand. There have been plenty of diversions there in the past.

 

[antycbr]

FFS, I had problems with the ash cloud coming into MEL last week on Jetstar, now I've got my Status Run tomorrow (CBR-MEL-HBA-SYD-CBR) and it looks like I won't be going.

If I do it will be risky that I might not get back by the end of the day.

:S ah well, whatever

I'd hope that people doing status runs and other "unnecessary travel" defer it until after the ash crisis has passed. I know status runs are fun but at the moment there's people who are stranded and need to get home. SYD-MEL is going to cause havoc.

I just had a look at Wotif for Canberra tonight and it's looking pretty grim if you were planning a day trip to CBR for meetings (pretty common occurrence) combined with parliament sitting your options are:

• Hotel Realm $895 (usually less than $300),
• Rydges Capital Hill $529 (usually less than $250),
• All Seasons Olims $438 (usually less than $180),
• Canberra City YHA $38 for a dorm room (but not extortion)

 

[Kendall Roy]

Latest BOM graphic out.

MEL/SYD/CBR is out for the morning.

 

[samiam]

I'm returning PER-MEL this afternoon. Melbourne is listed as 'pending'. Let's see whether my coin comes up heads or tails

Well talk about a self-fulfilling prophecy...

Flights into Melbourne (from Perth) cancelled this afternoon- earliest available flight is 6am tomorrow...

 

[spentan]

What time are you flying out ex. CBR?

Flight is scheduled to leave at 0640, landing at 0745, and then 0845 to 1000 (MEL-HBA). Then 1040-1225 (HBA-SYD) and 1520-1615 SYD-CBR. All in J (JASA).

I'd hope that people doing status runs and other "unnecessary travel" defer it until after the ash crisis has passed. I know status runs are fun but at the moment there's people who are stranded and need to get home. SYD-MEL is going to cause havoc.

I just had a look at Wotif for Canberra tonight and it's looking pretty grim if you were planning a day trip to CBR for meetings (pretty common occurrence) combined with parliament sitting your options are:

• Hotel Realm $895 (usually less than $300),
• Rydges Capital Hill $529 (usually less than $250),
• All Seasons Olims $438 (usually less than $180),
• Canberra City YHA $38 for a dorm room (but not extortion)

Yeah, I'm all for giving priority to those who have to get somewhere. at this stage it looks like there is no way I will be flying tomorrow, unless if something changes suddenly.

:S

 

[Major]

There goes my OOL to Mel flight tomorrow

Minor Incident Report | Virgin Australia

 

[medhead]

Latest BOM graphic out.

MEL/SYD/CBR is out for the morning.

However, I'm liking the trend of movement, with ADL clear by the morning and a slim chance that SYD will clear by tomorrow night.

 

[MrHyde]

Another thumbs up to QF.

I was scheduled to fly back to MEL at 8 PM today and noticed in the news that SYD was closing after 3 PM. Cancelled my afternoon meetings and after my morning meeting, just headed out to the airport. Was not able to log online or contact QF by phone, so thought I'd try my luck at the airport.

Tried the auto check in's and they did not have my booking... went to the counter and was able to grab a seat on the 2 PM flight back.

I'm happy that I should be able to make it back home tonight and not have to worry about whether flights will still be running tomorrow or the day after.

The airport was fairly quiet and the line of the Sales desk was not that long... maybe about 20 people. Thankfully I was able to bypass that queue and just get my flight changed at the Service desk.

The line at the Business lounge was about 10 people as well. I guess they were also trying to get flights changed.

 

[Misha]

Ash cloud or no ask cloud - the way the rain (and hail) is beating against my window (Melbourne CBD) at the minute, I wouldn't want to be flying today at all... :shock:

 

[antycbr]

Tried the auto check in's and they did not have my booking... went to the counter and was able to grab a seat on the 2 PM flight back.

I suspect that given the circumstances, if you have any type of fare for today you can go on any flight with available seats if you're at the airport... because a moved passenger is going to save the carrier accommodation, meals, and general inconvenience.

The biggest problem seems to be the call centres, which is unavoidable due to the sudden spike in call volumes. This is where IT solutions to enable more changes to bookings free of charge in emergency situations would be ideal. Quite often someone can defer travel, but they want to speak to a call centre operator to ensure that they have their booking placed into credit without incurring change fees. Perhaps a button on your booking which you could click in this kind of situation to indicate your desire to defer travel.

Having said that, VA took a long time to even get the flight disruptions up to date on their website!

 

[LiamR]

Does anyone find it strange Qantas haven't put out an update for Melbourne? I'm sure they are rushing to get as many people away before the ash cloud hits, but its strange that, unlike Virgin, have not said MEL will shut from x O'Clock today.

 

[medhead]

Does anyone find it strange Qantas haven't put out an update for Melbourne? I'm sure they are rushing to get as many people away before the ash cloud hits, but its strange that, unlike Virgin, have not said MEL will shut from x O'Clock today.

Not really strange the BOM model doesn't have the ash cloud over MEL until later tonight, after 7pm and most likely much later. Most flights would be off anyway, SYD/CBR/ADL.

 

[animusmh12]

I am meant to be flying to Adelaide tomorrow morning then back to Sydney Thursday night. Not liking my chances at the moment.

 

[trippin_the_rift]

Does anyone find it strange Qantas haven't put out an update for Melbourne? I'm sure they are rushing to get as many people away before the ash cloud hits, but its strange that, unlike Virgin, have not said MEL will shut from x O'Clock today.

Everything is fine an on-time out of MEL intl as far as I can see, flights are arriving and departing.

No mention of delays, however Im sure seats are filling up fast as passengers in syd try to route their intl ops via mel.

PS: Thumbs up to QF for my new seat downstairs on the a380 today...

 

[jsd]

Everything is fine an on-time out of MEL intl as far as I can see, flights are arriving and departing.

No mention of delays, however Im sure seats are filling up fast as passengers in syd try to route their intl ops via mel.

PS: Thumbs up to QF for my new seat downstairs on the a380 today...

Its a pretty different picture down here in Terminal 3 (MEL)...

The lounge are advising that DJ333 to Brisbane will be the last flight to depart today (Boarding commences in 20mins), after that all flights for tonight have been cancelled :!:

 

[Princess Fiona]

PS: Thumbs up to QF for my new seat downstairs on the a380 today...

Lucky you Points or op-up??

 

[richie9x]

I was just looking a flightrader24.com and it looks like flights from BNE (and OOL) to MEL. Are doing a bit of a detour. They seem to be heading south out to sea quite a bit, when about level with SYD they start flying southwest, then when level with Melbourne they turn and fly west. So most of the journey is being done over the sea. Sort of in a J shape to avoid the ash cloud. Flights both ways seem to be taking this path.

 

[trippin_the_rift]

Have been advised that QF 9 is taking the long way and flight time is almost 11 hours (usually 8). Wonder what the flight path is?