Qantas Frequent Flyer - Rumor: Qf to begin dfw flights

I will call it a rumor for now, however I have it on good authority that everything is in place, just waiting for the announcement.

Flight to start mid-May, operated with a 744 DFW-BNE-SYD & SYD-DFW will be non-stop

According to Sabre:

>2qf8/16may
DFW 2200
BNE $ 0500 0630
SYD 0805
>

Very interesting. Definitely an "I'll believe it when we [finally] see it" thing, but plausible. Thanks for sharing ^

I too will believe it when I see it.
A 747-438ER may make it but they are well utilised and would be too much of an aircraft, plus feul is going up. Also not being non-stop both ways is not really QF NOP, eg. SYD-LHR non-stop was possible with a 77-200LR but the return on some months of the year would require a technical stop, so QF did not by the 777-200LR.

Flight to start mid-May, operated with a 744 DFW-BNE-SYD & SYD-DFW will be non-stop

SYD-DFW is 8578 miles. Not only would that make it to the longest scheduled 747 flight in the world, but it would also make it the longest scheduled flight including economy class (The only longer being the SQ business-only flights).

Even BNE-DFW is 8303 miles, making it the longest 747 flight, and over 800 miles further than SYD-LAX.

As much as QF flying into an AA hub like DFW makes a lot of sense, I just can't see it happening non-stop.

Isn't CO planning on starting IAH-AKL flights?

If so, I wonder if QF's proposal is prompted by CO's proposal.

CO will be using 787's for that route though. If that ever gets off the ground...

SYD-DFW is 8578 miles. Not only would that make it to the longest scheduled 747 flight in the world, but it would also make it the longest scheduled flight including economy class (The only longer being the SQ business-only flights).

Even BNE-DFW is 8303 miles, making it the longest 747 flight, and over 800 miles further than SYD-LAX.

As much as QF flying into an AA hub like DFW makes a lot of sense, I just can't see it happening non-stop.

MEL-LAX is a better comparison at 7921, so it's really 382 more than what QF already do with both their 744 and 388 services.

I will call it a rumor for now, however I have it on good authority that everything is in place, just waiting for the announcement.

Flight to start mid-May, operated with a 744 DFW-BNE-SYD & SYD-DFW will be non-stop

According to Sabre:

>2qf8/16may
DFW 2200
BNE $ 0500 0630
SYD 0805
>



Hasnt this been going to happen for years ?

QF originally bought the 744ERs for 2 routes: MEL-LAX (flown) and MEL-AKL-DFW (never flown). Additionally QF was 3 days from inaugural flight to ORD when QF pulled it (I know as I had purchased a ticket on that flight, was switch to AA for ORD-LAX instead). QF even had ground facilities built, press scheduled for the inaugural flight party, etc. when the route was pulled (rumored to be part of a hidden deal with UA, which became less competitive to Oz shortly thereafter -- surprise, surprise).

Hubbing to DFW makes a lot of route sense, but QF would be better off with LAX/SFO hub enhancement by AA. DFW immigration/customs is a nightmare, the staff are bored and delight in doing things by the book, taking hours instead of minutes for these crucial inspections, keeping Texas safe from marauding tourists. Just about the worst port of entry in the US, even with the fairly new AA International terminal at DFW.

There will be absolutely no traffic between DFW and BNE. So who in their right mind would but a 747 on an ultra long haul on that route if all passengers will have to be connecting pax. Unless there is some great cargo volume for that route.

There will be absolutely no traffic between DFW and BNE. So who in their right mind would but a 747 on an ultra long haul on that route if all passengers will have to be connecting pax. Unless there is some great cargo volume for that route.

Would have to be some amazing cargo, otherwise the limitations imposed on number of pax for weight would be huge.

I can never see this one getting off the ground. Can't find anything in any GDS that I have access to either.

SYD-DFW makes sense, but not BNE-DFW as far as pax go.

SYD-DFW makes sense, but not BNE-DFW as far as pax go.

Read carefully. There is no BNE-DFW only a DFW-BNE. Presumably an issue with the wind.

Would have to be some amazing cargo, otherwise the limitations imposed on number of pax for weight would be huge.

I can never see this one getting off the ground. Can't find anything in any GDS that I have access to either.

SYD-DFW makes sense, but not BNE-DFW as far as pax go.

But even SYD-DFW will have almost no point to point traffic. And number_6's comments about DFW immigration won't make things any easier.

I would fly SYD-DFW for sure!
I fly 4 times a year to Kansas and hate having to connect SYD->LAX->DFW->MCI

Wish they would do return as well.
I wouldn't want to have to fly through BNE.

Isn't CO planning on starting IAH-AKL flights?

If so, I wonder if QF's proposal is prompted by CO's proposal.

Yes, CO/UA has been delayed due to 787-8 isn't come online yet. CO has already pushback these date in early 2012.

I can't wait to see QF is starting new nonstop SYD-DFW. Because it was on the weight restrictions and cannot have a chance to flying over TPAC. the entire 744 is too extremely strong high headwinds gusted. You will able makes it to reaches into DFW. I think the flight will have one-stop from SYD-BNE-DFW instead of going to flying nonstop is more than 8,500nm. I think the 744ER should be just fine to handling enough flying over SYD-DFW nonstop and more fuel efficient & more capabilities.

744ER is weight limited even for SYD-DFW, thus QF's original plan to fly AKL-DFW instead (back in the days when QF had big plans for NZ!).

Doqf8/16may
* 1a planned flight info * qf 8 123 mo 16may
apt arr dy dep dy class/meal eqp grnd eft ttl
dfw 2200 mo jcdiwrtybhk/rm 744 16:00
mlvsnqoxe/rm
bne 0500 we 0630 we jcdiwrtybhk/b 1:30 1:35
mlvsnqoxe/b
syd 0805 we 19:05

comments-

From Amadeus. That shows departing at 2200, arr BNE at 0500, dep at 0630, arr SYD at 0805

Oqf7/16may
* 1a planned flight info * qf 7 123 mo 16may
apt arr dy dep dy class/meal eqp grnd eft ttl
syd 1325 mo jcdiwrtybhk/lr 744 15:25
mlvsnqoxe/lr
dfw 1350 mo 15:25

Dep Syd at 1325 arr 1350

I would fly SYD-DFW for sure!
I fly 4 times a year to Kansas and hate having to connect SYD->LAX->DFW->MCI

Wish they would do return as well.
I wouldn't want to have to fly through BNE.

Southwest fly LAX-MCI direct.

Isn't CO planning on starting IAH-AKL flights?

If so, I wonder if QF's proposal is prompted by CO's proposal.

Does CO still have the route via Guam into North Queensland.

Personally I think competition is good. The benefits to flyers could far out way the minimal impact on QF in passenger numbers. May even drive more passngers to QF once they have tasted the CO product.

On www.theqantassource.com:

The long rumoured Sydney - Dallas-Forth Worth service appeared
as a shell in GDS systems yesterday. This means that details of the
flight have appeared but without inventory being loaded for sale.
This shows the following schedule commencing on May 16th:
QF7 Sydney 1325 - Dallas Fort-Worth 1350 Mon/Tue/Wed.
QF8 Dallas Fort-Worth 2200 - Brisbane 0500+2 Mon/Tue/Wed.
QF8 Brisbane 0630 - Sydney 0805 Wed/Thu/Fri.
Whether this is an intended service or a test of systems is unclear. Certainly the intention to operate only three times per week and have those flights on consecutive days seems extremely odd.

Sunday flight is critical for premium traffic (that Monday afternoon arrival makes it worthless for all those F/J fares that need to be at work on Monday morning). Has any airline ever operated 3x weekly being on days 1/2/3? Rhetorical question. It would only make sense if AA operated days 4/5/6/7 for combined daily service, but AA doesn't have a plane that is capable of it and can't afford to buy or lease one.

Sunday flight is critical for premium traffic (that Monday afternoon arrival makes it worthless for all those F/J fares that need to be at work on Monday morning). Has any airline ever operated 3x weekly being on days 1/2/3? Rhetorical question. It would only make sense if AA operated days 4/5/6/7 for combined daily service, but AA doesn't have a plane that is capable of it and can't afford to buy or lease one.

QF puts a mock schedule into a GDS and gets a free appraisal from the FT community! Great idea. @:-)

deleted - irrelevant

It is official, SFO is dropped, DFW 4 x Weekly from May.

It is official, SFO is dropped, DFW 4 x Weekly from May.

So it seems. QF7/8 seems to have been launched. M/W/F/Sa in both directions.

So it is. That's great news for UA!

Qantas To Launch Services To Dallas/Fort Worth From Sydney, Strengthen Ties With American Airlines 14 January 2011


Qantas today announced it will launch direct services from Sydney to Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) from 16 May 2011, giving Australians unprecedented access to destinations across the United States.

The route will see Qantas operate direct outbound flights from Sydney to DFW (as QF7), returning to Sydney via Brisbane (as QF8). DFW is the primary hub of Qantas' fellow oneworld alliance member, American Airlines, and the two carriers will soon seek to expand their commercial relationship.

Qantas will offer four return flights to DFW each week, featuring a three-class Boeing 747 aircraft. Direct Sydney-San Francisco (SFO) services will be discontinued on 14 May 2011, but SFO will remain part of Qantas’ network as a codeshare destination.

Qantas Chief Executive Officer, Mr Alan Joyce, said DFW will be an excellent addition to the Qantas network and enable Qantas to strengthen its relationship with American Airlines.

“This new service is great news for both Australian and American travellers,” Mr Joyce said. “It will connect Qantas customers to one of the USA’s major hub airports, benefitting both business and leisure travellers. Flying to DFW is an important step for Qantas as we expand and improve our international services.”

DFW is the fourth-largest and fastest-growing metropolitan area in the United States and an important centre of business and tourism. It welcomed over 56 million passengers in 2009, with 59 per cent of those passengers continuing onward to other destinations.

From DFW, American Airlines and its regional airline partner, American Eagle, operate nearly 750 flights to 186 destinations worldwide. DFW is American’s largest hub and it offers easy connections to American’s four other cornerstone markets of Chicago, Miami, New York and Los Angeles.

“Alongside our entry into DFW, Qantas and American Airlines intend to deepen their existing relationship and will be seeking regulatory approval from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) and other relevant authorities for this expanded commercial relationship,” Mr Joyce said.

“We have worked closely with American Airlines over many years, and with the commencement of services to Dallas/Fort Worth we look forward to taking our partnership to a new level and providing new and enhanced benefits for consumers in Australia and the United States.”

The enhanced commercial agreement between American Airlines and Qantas will involve coordination of operations between Australia/New Zealand and the United States and deliver considerable benefits for Australian and US consumers. It will give Qantas a stronger and more balanced network footprint in the United States and provide more choice and convenience for travellers.

Thirteen new US destinations and three Mexican destinations* will join the Qantas network through new American Airlines-operated codeshare services, meaning Qantas will codeshare with AA to a total of 51 destinations in the US, Canada and Mexico.

Once the new alliance comes into place, it will provide a joint platform for the airlines to increase DFW services to a daily frequency.

“We welcome the addition of services to Australia at DFW by our valued oneworld partner, Qantas,” said Gerard Arpey, American’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “An expanded relationship and deeper commercial cooperation with the premier Australian carrier will benefit consumers, the employees, shareholders and financial supporters of both airlines and will greatly enhance the services offered to passengers by oneworld carriers.”

As part of the new commercial arrangement, AAVacations, the wholly owned tour operator of American Airlines, will look to launch a comprehensive range of Australian and Asia-Pacific land, air and integrated vacations for the US market, designed to grow US leisure travel to Australia and the region.

In further positive news for Australian and US travellers, Qantas will also increase the frequency of its Los Angeles-New York service (QF107/108) from six times per week to daily, from June 2011.

* In the U.S: Albuquerque, Boise, Cleveland, Washington DC (Reagan National), El Paso, New York (LaGuardia), Kansas City, Oklahoma, Phoenix, San Antonio, Salt Lake City, Sacramento, Tucson. In Mexico: Cancun, Guadalajara, Mexico City.

3-class J/Y+/Y based on fares on qantas.com

Southwest fly LAX-MCI direct.

Southwest not part of any alliances and the fight for your seat policy annoys me.

3-class J/Y+/Y based on fares on qantas.com

So no motivation for a 1st Class Lounge/Flagship Lounge a la LAX :td::td::td:

Southwest not part of any alliances and the fight for your seat policy annoys me.They now have reserved seating (for at least some fares), so this has changed. Interesting how the successful LCCs are evolving to become full-service.

So no motivation for a 1st Class Lounge/Flagship Lounge a la LAX :td::td::td:The DFW FL was closed down years ago, and will never be re-opened due to the very large number of AA EXPs based in DFW who would be eligible to use it when flying Y internationally (e.g. all those cheap Mexico/Caribbean junkets). Also there isn't UA at DFW (unlike ORD and LAX).

Very sad to see SFO go; QF was SFO based prior to 744s making LAX the prime gateway. C'est la vie. DFW is great for connections and this flight will allow much better east coast service for QF.

They now have reserved seating (for at least some fares), so this has changed. Interesting how the successful LCCs are evolving to become full-service.

The DFW FL was closed down years ago, and will never be re-opened due to the very large number of AA EXPs based in DFW who would be eligible to use it when flying Y internationally (e.g. all those cheap Mexico/Caribbean junkets). Also there isn't UA at DFW (unlike ORD and LAX).

Very sad to see SFO go; QF was SFO based prior to 744s making LAX the prime gateway. C'est la vie. DFW is great for connections and this flight will allow much better east coast service for QF.

AA EXPs on cheap Caribbean junkets are not entitled to Admirals Club access much less Flagship Lounge access - even on expensive J Class junkets they don't get access

What is price in J SYD/DFW/SYD?.

Any insider know when it will be on QFF site?.

Southwest not part of any alliances and the fight for your seat policy annoys me.

No, does not have any codeshare partnership with AA. Only where they are parting the codeshare with AA/QF for a long relationship.

So no motivation for a 1st Class Lounge/Flagship Lounge a la LAX :td::td::td:

They elimination all First Class Lounge on entire A380.

Here the linked:

http://aviationblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2011/01/qantas-airways-dfw-flights-are.html

Yay!!! I can't wait to see QF doing in DFW and it will have a great opportunity lots of passengers whose connecting the flight in DFW for AA hub.

QF will deployed on operating 747-400ER and QF will be discontinuation service for SFO-SYD due to competitions against another airlines VA/UA.

IT is on QF website and the sale is on now....check it out!!

http://www.qantas.com.au/travel/airlines/home/us/en

www.theqantassource.com confirms operation by 744ERs in a cosmetic J/W/Y configuration as follows:

J = F Cabin, Upper Deck and Rows 23-26.

W = J Rows 29 and 30 and W Rows 34/35.

Y = W Rows 36-39 and normal Y cabin.

This gives a configuration of 66J/26W/215Y.

Chairman's Lounge and Platinum members to get first dibs on the upgraded seats in each cabin.......

Fill yer boots....

Looks like a bit of a sale for this launch. $1117 return.

Interestingly, for the return leg the pricing is $589 if you change to DOM at BNE, but $620 if you stay with QF8.:confused: Is this an SYD INT tax thing?

No inventory loaded for code-shares or otherwise on AA yet. East-coast flights still going via LAX.

I hope they don't update some of the ER's to a 3 class config like they are doing to the 2 class 744.

http://www.qantas.com.au/infodetail/flying/inTheAir/ourAircraft/744-56J40PY275Y.pdf

So it is. That's great news for UA!

Great news for them on the SYD-SFO route, but in general I think it's probably a negative for UA. This gives QF much better access to AA connections, and thus much better access to the USA market - which is obviously what they are after as the direct traffic to DFW can't be anywhere near enough to warrant this service.

The stop on the way back may negate some of this benefit, but presuming passengers can stay on the plane then it's not a huge impact.

Looks like a bit of a sale for this launch. $1117 return.

Interestingly, for the return leg the pricing is $589 if you change to DOM at BNE, but $620 if you stay with QF8.:confused: Is this an SYD INT tax thing?

No inventory loaded for code-shares or otherwise on AA yet. East-coast flights still going via LAX.Terminal fee is approx $30 higher for international terminal at SYD (saw the numbers a month ago when I was researching SYD profitability components). That is a great fare from DFW, presumably with code-share tagons to other cities if nothing else.

Does CO still have the route via Guam into North Queensland.

Yep. There is a fair movement of people heading north on CO rather than just coming into Australia. With the massive expansion of the US military base in Guam this airport is becoming busier and a bit of a hub.

It's a little bit surprising how they would just completely drop SFO though. I could be wrong, but I always thought they get a decent amount of frieght on those flights. I guess they could get dedicated frieghters for the job though, if they wish to pursue such opportunities.

Well, on to the next rumour... Will Jetstar start SYD-SFO flights when/if the 787's arrive? I think the current yields (relatively high Y, low J) suit the JQ operating model much better than the QF one. That is assuming the 787, when launched, is still capable of the range Boeing first claimed.

It's a little bit surprising how they would just completely drop SFO though. I could be wrong, but I always thought they get a decent amount of frieght on those flights. I guess they could get dedicated frieghters for the job though, if they wish to pursue such opportunities. ...QF owns a cargo hangar at SFO and has a huge cargo operation, mostly ex-SV. Already more than 1x744 can carry, and there are tractor-trailers down to LAX to fill the ex-LAX fleet. So no impact on cargo, just truck it down I-5 for the air freight.

Most of the time I would fly CX SFO-HKG-Australia instead of QF SFO-SYD, so I suppose people like me are to blame for this flight being dropped.

Looks like a bit of a sale for this launch. $1117 return.

Just got an email advertising SYD-DFW for $998 in Economy, $2598 in PE.

The term "Direct to Dallas" gets a few mentions - strangely they seem to fail to mention that it's not so "Direct" on the way back...

To celebrate the launch of the new flights we are offering sale fares in Economy and Premium Economy for departures from 16 May to 30 November 2011. Sale ends 11.59pm (AEDT) Thursday 20 January 2011, unless sold out prior. Availability is limited.

Actually it is the very definition of direct, just not non-stop. It is SYD-DFW that is not direct, in the quirky jargon of airlines :)

dang. I had been looking at going to SFO at the end of May.

dang. I had been looking at going to SFO at the end of May.

you can still go, you just get to savour the delights of another carrier...

This just shows me how little I still know about the art of airline management.

Starting an ultra long haul route in times when fuel prices head towards records again to a destination where nobody wants to go. With the entire logic based on people connecting to somewhere else and requiring a stop in BNE on the way back. With an international to domestic transfer which is a pain.

What is also very interesting is the part about deepening the commercial relationship. I wonder what is in store on that front?

The DFW FL was closed down years ago, and will never be re-opened due to the very large number of AA EXPs based in DFW who would be eligible to use it when flying Y internationally (e.g. all those cheap Mexico/Caribbean junkets). Also there isn't UA at DFW (unlike ORD and LAX).

One good thing is that the former F lounge still has one of the best shower suites of any lounge in the world.

you can still go, you just get to savour the delights of another carrier...Or route through the hell of LAX onto AA.

It's really SJC I was planning on going to, assuming work approves my taking a week of leave. I was looking at getting QF704/QF73 then getting the train down to San Jose.


Maybe I could get QF7, then to one of the AA flights back to SJC.

So it is. That's great news for UA!

And those of us who prefer *A!!!:D

This just shows me how little I still know about the art of airline management.

DUF, being LH SEN you should be as happy as I am... No, sorry. It is simple. QF realised that they cannot compete with their ridiculous prices on SYD-SFO route, so they pulled off... So, they decided to go somewhere else... How long it will last? Only God knows... Perhaps one more reason for DJ to join *A.

And those of us who prefer *A!!!:D

Good news?? SFO-SYD pax being forced to fly UA will only make UA flights more crowded and upgrade and award travel harder. :(

Time to lock this thread IMHO and direct to the other thread (that was stated at 13:18) OR merge
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/qantas-frequent-flyer/1172106-confirmed-qf-add-syd-dfw-but-drop-syd-sfo.html

As suggested I'll close this one - please continue posting on the topic here:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/qantas-frequent-flyer/1172106-confirmed-qf-add-syd-dfw-but-drop-syd-sfo.html

Opened up again on request of two members who'd like to continue discussion here

[...] and requiring a stop in BNE on the way back. With an international to domestic transfer which is a pain.

I'm only guessing, but I can't see them doing the intl->domestic transition in BNE for people headed to SYD. It would add too much of a delay (in particular, a variable delay depending on time of day, nationality of passengers, etc).

I expect the BNE-SYD will be an 'international' leg, keeping the same QF<400 designation that the international flight has (QF8 was it?)

Qantas To Launch Services To Dallas/Fort Worth From Sydney, Strengthen Ties With American Airlines 14 January 2011


Qantas today announced it will launch direct services from Sydney to Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) from 16 May 2011, giving Australians unprecedented access to destinations across the United States.

The route will see Qantas operate direct outbound flights from Sydney to DFW (as QF7), returning to Sydney via Brisbane (as QF8). DFW is the primary hub of Qantas' fellow oneworld alliance member, American Airlines, and the two carriers will soon seek to expand their commercial relationship.

Qantas will offer four return flights to DFW each week, featuring a three-class Boeing 747 aircraft. Direct Sydney-San Francisco (SFO) services will be discontinued on 14 May 2011, but SFO will remain part of Qantas’ network as a codeshare destination.

Qantas Chief Executive Officer, Mr Alan Joyce, said DFW will be an excellent addition to the Qantas network and enable Qantas to strengthen its relationship with American Airlines.

“This new service is great news for both Australian and American travellers,” Mr Joyce said. “It will connect Qantas customers to one of the USA’s major hub airports, benefitting both business and leisure travellers. Flying to DFW is an important step for Qantas as we expand and improve our international services.”

DFW is the fourth-largest and fastest-growing metropolitan area in the United States and an important centre of business and tourism. It welcomed over 56 million passengers in 2009, with 59 per cent of those passengers continuing onward to other destinations.

From DFW, American Airlines and its regional airline partner, American Eagle, operate nearly 750 flights to 186 destinations worldwide. DFW is American’s largest hub and it offers easy connections to American’s four other cornerstone markets of Chicago, Miami, New York and Los Angeles.

“Alongside our entry into DFW, Qantas and American Airlines intend to deepen their existing relationship and will be seeking regulatory approval from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) and other relevant authorities for this expanded commercial relationship,” Mr Joyce said.

“We have worked closely with American Airlines over many years, and with the commencement of services to Dallas/Fort Worth we look forward to taking our partnership to a new level and providing new and enhanced benefits for consumers in Australia and the United States.”

The enhanced commercial agreement between American Airlines and Qantas will involve coordination of operations between Australia/New Zealand and the United States and deliver considerable benefits for Australian and US consumers. It will give Qantas a stronger and more balanced network footprint in the United States and provide more choice and convenience for travellers.

Thirteen new US destinations and three Mexican destinations* will join the Qantas network through new American Airlines-operated codeshare services, meaning Qantas will codeshare with AA to a total of 51 destinations in the US, Canada and Mexico.

Once the new alliance comes into place, it will provide a joint platform for the airlines to increase DFW services to a daily frequency.

“We welcome the addition of services to Australia at DFW by our valued oneworld partner, Qantas,” said Gerard Arpey, American’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “An expanded relationship and deeper commercial cooperation with the premier Australian carrier will benefit consumers, the employees, shareholders and financial supporters of both airlines and will greatly enhance the services offered to passengers by oneworld carriers.”

As part of the new commercial arrangement, AAVacations, the wholly owned tour operator of American Airlines, will look to launch a comprehensive range of Australian and Asia-Pacific land, air and integrated vacations for the US market, designed to grow US leisure travel to Australia and the region.

In further positive news for Australian and US travellers, Qantas will also increase the frequency of its Los Angeles-New York service (QF107/108) from six times per week to daily, from June 2011.

* In the U.S: Albuquerque, Boise, Cleveland, Washington DC (Reagan National), El Paso, New York (LaGuardia), Kansas City, Oklahoma, Phoenix, San Antonio, Salt Lake City, Sacramento, Tucson. In Mexico: Cancun, Guadalajara, Mexico City.[/QUOTE]


I get a sneaking suspicion that this is one of a series of announcements in an effort to harmonise processes across the alliance.

I have also heard a rumour of a very big announcement which will be made very soon, although I have been sworn to secrecy. (I still have my doubts over whether it will happen, but the person who told me should be 'in the know' so to speak).

From: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/qantas-frequent-flyer/1138161-qantas-stop-baggage-interline-flights-seperate-pnrs.html

Looks like the announcement I heard about a few months ago has finally been made public. Whilst the QF press release does not talk about the overall expanded agreement in any real detail, from the sources I have heard from, this could have some quite interesting ramifications.

I'm only guessing, but I can't see them doing the intl->domestic transition in BNE for people headed to SYD. It would add too much of a delay (in particular, a variable delay depending on time of day, nationality of passengers, etc).

I expect the BNE-SYD will be an 'international' leg, keeping the same QF<400 designation that the international flight has (QF8 was it?)

People heading to Sydney can of course stay on board. But people heading to everywhere else need to transfer and I really don't like the BNE transfer. And even SYD people might decide to transfer to save some money.

Whilst the QF press release does not talk about the overall expanded agreement in any real detail, from the sources I have heard from, this could have some quite interesting ramifications.

Can you elaborate on this?

Yes its a definite thing

4 days a week SYD DFW NON STOP QF7 ...747 ..1320dep - 1350 arr
DFW-BNE-SYD

Very exciting :)

Can you elaborate on this?

Not here! :)

They now have reserved seating (for at least some fares), so this has changed. Interesting how the successful LCCs are evolving to become full-service.

The DFW FL was closed down years ago, and will never be re-opened due to the very large number of AA EXPs based in DFW who would be eligible to use it when flying Y internationally (e.g. all those cheap Mexico/Caribbean junkets). Also there isn't UA at DFW (unlike ORD and LAX).

Those AA EXP's were never entitled to use the FL for those cheap junkets because "international" does not include them-- they are considered North America.

If there were a new FL (and someday if CX were to turn up, there might be), it would be in terminal D anyway, not terminal A.

Southwest not part of any alliances and the fight for your seat policy annoys me.

At least the other passengers sit where they stow their carry-on.

QF73 & QF74 SYD/SFO is now down to 4 per week, not operating on Tue, Thu and Sun.

Qantas have been cancelling the flights on these days and rebooking passengers.

Last SFO flights are on Saturday May 7th.

QF73 & QF74 SYD/SFO is now down to 4 per week, ...
AC on the other hand seems to be doing very well with their SYD-YVR flights. Their J cabin on the weekends is very busy.

I wasnt aware QF73 and QF74 had been increased beyond 4x per week. When did this happen?