Worried that QF690 is a ghost flight

[Blazer1]

I'm taking my daughter on a surprise visit to the USA on 21 Nov this year to Disney/Universal. Booked our rewards flights:
QF690 ADL-MEL
QF95 MEL-LAX

Two questions:
On QF960 every seat between rows 15-28 is available apart from our seats, suggesting we're the only ones on the plane. I don't want us to be bumped to a later flight. Is it likely this flight will be cancelled and I should contact the call centre to change to an earlier flight?

I have Amex Plat and Qantas Club, if I do get into Melbourne earlier, can I use the lounges more that 3 hours prior to flying to LAX as it is a long layover?

Thanks in advance.

 

[CaptJCool]

According to the flight app, this flight has flown every night for the past 12 days.
its arrival time is generally 1750-1810 Tonights was somewhat flexible at 18:48

 

[Daver6]

Looks like a couple people in J and given 1C is select, either a P1 or CL. Y looks like just you two for now...



Yes you can enter the international business lounge as soon as you arrive.

 

[AIRwin]

Earlier flight is QF686 at 13:45 so you can try getting to the airport before it closes for check-in and ask if you can move?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I'm taking my daughter on a surprise visit to the USA on 21 Nov this year to Disney/Universal. Booked our rewards flights:
QF690 ADL-MEL
QF95 MEL-LAX

Two questions:
On QF960 every seat between rows 15-28 is available apart from our seats, suggesting we're the only ones on the plane. I don't want us to be bumped to a later flight. Is it likely this flight will be cancelled and I should contact the call centre to change to an earlier flight?

I have Amex Plat and Qantas Club, if I do get into Melbourne earlier, can I use the lounges more that 3 hours prior to flying to LAX as it is a long layover?

Thanks in advance.

Calling isn’t going to get you moved for free. They’ll want to charge you a change fee or fare difference. Getting to the airport earlier on the day of departure is the only way.

Yes, you can use the Qantas lounge via your qantas club for as long as you want!

 

[RichardMEL]

Let's be careful with labels like "Ghost Flight" - I understand why given the allegations as to what went on last year (and I'm not disputing that). However, either way it's on QF ti get you and your surprised daughter to LA. I am confident it will run, because you're 2.5 months out, and I think if it was going to cancel the schedule would have been firmed more or less by now. However, if it is cancelled, they need to connect you to the QF95 - so would move you to the earlier flight most likely OR at the very worst, push you to the 93, either that day or next morning, or route via SYD ti the 11 next morning (Now I understand fully that would mess with hotel bookings and things for evening of the 21st).

btw there is also QF694 on 21/11 that connects to the 95 so you have two early evening options. I would not be worried.

My point is that an empty looking seat map could just mean a bunch of bookings who haven't actually selected seats (possible) or yes, it is lightly loaded true, but the flight is not zero'd out for sale and should run.

I would not preempt anything at this point to be honest. While I understand the concern re how it looks, and what may have gone on last year, I would not worry. After all, those flights were cancelled well before flight date, and thus QF would be required to put you on alternate flights (eg the earlier one ADL-MEL) to connect. You seem quite willing to take that option as is, so IF (and it's a big if) the worst happens then it would likely be sorted out.

I hope you, and your daughter, enjoy the fun surprise trip!

And if day of travel cancel happens for whatever reason, well that's a whole other situation, but still on QF to get you out of dodge.

 

[justinbrett]

It‘s only slots into SYD that QF will consolidate flights. Cancellation rate of ADL-MEL is lower than the network average at 2.6%.

 

[sww199]

However, either way it's on QF ti get you and your surprised daughter to LA. I am confident it will run, because you're 2.5 months out, and I think if it was going to cancel the schedule would have been firmed more or less by now

I would not be so confident. I booked ASP-MEL for mid-October, and only got an email last week rerouting me through SYD as they appear to have recently cancelled the sole ASP-MEL flight on Sundays..

 

[pjm99au]

It’s a quiet afternoon. Other flights are more empty

QF 682

ADL 12:05p → MEL 1:50p J6 C6 D6 I0 U0 Y9 B9 H9 K9 M9 L9 V9 S9 N9 Q9 O9 G0 X0 E0

Expanded

QF 686

ADL 1:50p → MEL 3:35p J9 C9 D9 I2 U2 Y9 B9 H9 K9 M9 L9 V9 S9 N9 Q9 O9 G0 X9 E9

Expanded

QF 690

ADL 4:05p → MEL 5:50p J5 C5 D0 I0 U0 Y9 B9 H9 K9 M9 L9 V9 S9 N9 Q9 O9 G0 X9 E9

Expanded

QF 694

ADL 5:55p → MEL 7:40p J9 C9 D9 I2 U2 Y9 B9 H9 K9 M9 L9 V9 S9 N9 Q9 O9 G0 X9 E4

Expanded

QF 696

ADL 6:55p → MEL 8:40p J9 C9 D9 I2 U2 Y9 B9 H9 K9 M9 L9 V9 S9 N9 Q9 O9 G0 X9 E9

 

[AIRwin]

However, if it is cancelled, they need to connect you to the QF95 - so would move you to the earlier flight most likely OR at the very worst, push you to the 93, either that day or next morning, or route via SYD ti the 11 next morning

BNE-LAX the same evening is also another option

 

[RichardMEL]

I would not be so confident. I booked ASP-MEL for mid-October, and only got an email last week rerouting me through SYD as they appear to have recently cancelled the sole ASP-MEL flight on Sundays..

ouch. OK that's interesting.

I still reckon it would be.. unusual