Aspen

Article today in SMH.com.au announces re-timing of the flights from Australia to LAX for better utilization rates of QF aeroplanes.

http://www.smh.com.au/business/aviat...22-10789g.html


The recently announced 3 x weekly additional flights MEL-LAX over the Christmas period will become permanent.

QF11 will depart SYD in an A388 at 9:50am
QF15 BNE-LAX aeroplane will operate LAX-JFK as QF15 (previously QF107 to NYC)
QF17 will depart SYD in a 744 in the early evening
QF93 will depart MEL in an A388 in the morning
QF 95 (thrice weekly on 146) Additional MEL-LAX flights will depart early evening

The 3 morning flights from BNE SYD & MEL will all connect with QF 16 LAX-JFK (renumbered QF11 from Feb 2015)

The flight numbers 107/108 are being eliminated

How will this affect the maintenance performed in LAX? (since there were usually 2x388 & 1 x 744 parked in LAX for 10-12 hours a day)

JClasstraveller

I think it signals the demise of 744 services to HKG and NRT.

They will need to do this schedule with 9 x 744s which are all they are keeping.

SYD-JNB - 2 aircraft
SYD-LAX - 2 aircraft
SYD-SCL and MEL-LAX - 2 aircraft
BNE-LAX - 2 aircraft

Probably a little slack with SYD-SCL and MEL-LAX (true needs are probably about 1.75 aircraft). Leaves 1 spare.

I see HKG and NRT going 330.

Aspen

Article mentions SCL service to go to four times weekly up from thrice weekly.

JClasstraveller

I should also add that I base my previous post on QF recently stating they did not see demand for W for Asian routes hence they're not installing it on the A330's when they get refitted with new J.

There is therefore no reason for a W configured aircraft to find itself going to HKG or NRT if that's the case.

In Y, the difference between 744 and 333 is less than 10 seats. Sure J capacity is a lot lower and there is no W but if few people are buying W then that point is moot. How often does QF fill the J cabin on SYD-HKG and SYD-NRT with 56 pax?

They may as well increase prices and increase yield, drop trip costs by using a 333 instead of a 744.

Unfortunately that means FF redemptions will be hit - it'll become harder and harder to get FF redemptions (particularly in J) to HKG.

Platinum A332

The new SYD-LAX flights seem to tie up well with JNB, so some good aircraft utilization.
- QF64 arrives from JNB at 1405, QF17 departs to LAX at 1730.

So this would mean
- 3 aircraft SYD-LAX/JNB
- 2 aircraft BNE-LAX-JFK
- 1 aircraft MEL-LAX
- 1 aircraft SYD-SCL
- 1 aircraft SYD-HKG
......leaving only 1 aircraft as an operational spare or seasonal capacity increases.

Unless JNB gets reduced to something like 4xwk, then I'd say goodbye to the 744 to NRT.

What would do Qantas well in Asia imo is a more premium heavy 333 configuration (36J/231Y), but I digress.

RichardMEL

Comment: So the 388 flight switches from 11/12 to 107/108, it also means connecting to SYD to catch that early flight is going to not happen except ex-PER which sucks. I used to connect to 11 ex-MEL. Only a small personal observation. I'm all for better utilisation

Himeno

no, the first post has some errors in it.

From the QF press release

QF07 SYD-DFW 380 1310-1345
QF08 DFW-SYD 380 2215-0605+2
QF11 SYD-LAX 380 0950-0630
QF12 LAX-SYD 380 2205-0630+2
QF15 BNE-LAX 747 1035-0640
QF15 LAX-JFK 747 0855-1750
QF16 JFK-LAX 747 1845-2140
QF16 LAX-BNE 747 2355-0655+2
QF17 SYD-LAX 747 1730-1410
QF18 LAX-SYD 747 2350-0735+2
QF93 MEL-LAX 380
QF94 LAX-MEL 380
QF95 MEL-LAX 747 1745-1500
QF96 LAX-MEL 747 2030-0500+2

Not sure how they plan to turn around a 747 in JFK in 55 mins.

lokijuh

I guess the old 11/12 timing is gone, but you wouldn't need to connect to 11 any more, as similar arrival time to 93. But I guess that's forgotting the fundamental principle of FT'ers "Why go direct when you can connect?"

RichardMEL

40 extra SC's for a few bucks won the argument for me, plus with 2 SYD-LAX services there were usually more J seats to be had and maybe a chance for upgrade to F on the 11/12.

So yes, you nailed it

I'll live. Can still connect the other way, though it's more of a PITA.

The later 744's ex-MEL are interesting. The mid arvo arrival at LAX would really only suit those headed to LA area, or west coast/mountain destinations - it may well wind up being the "disneyland" flight more than the earlier 380's and the timing does appeal for a post-workday head over to LA as well. Could be a good move.

Himeno

The changes are interesting. Will have to see how well they work. Have to wonder where they are pulling the 747s from.

The new US timings would require 5 747s (2 on 15/16, 2 on 17/18 and 1 for the 3 weekly 95/96).

It's nice that there will be more choice with the afternoon/early evening departures to LAX, but what about a day time departure out of LAX for an evening +1 arrival in Aus? Depart LAX around 11am, arrive Australia around 7pm +1.

ozflier

A daytime departure out of LAX would be great.
I recall United had one like this though maybe from SFO.
I recall UAs problem was connections to interstate destinations were affected badly even if their flight was 60 minutes late.

Isochronous

Hopefully a sign that 789s are coming soon.

I will be ropeable if QF ceases HKG PE service though. I fly that all the time.

madrooster

I wouldn't be surprised if they did... they don't have that many 747's but will have plenty of A330's...

Buzz53

This will suit me perfectly. I have never liked the early QF departure from MEL because (a) hard to sleep on the flight and (b) the early LAX arrival. I always overnight at LAX and take the next day flight to where I'm going to in the US.
I have used NZ to meet my travel preference for many years as it arrives early PM, their BP product is great for sleeping, and its usually less expensive than QF in business. But the NZ FF scheme has gone downhill over the years so I don't feel particularly loyal to them. QF upgrade to F is great when it can be done. Maybe this might be more likely on the later departure? Maybe there will be more discount F available with the increased capacity which is tempting.

og

My feelings exactly. UA has provided great afternoon flight times SYD-SFO and their flat beds are OK even though a touch short and narrow. I just wonder if UA prompted QF into this with the new MEL-LAX competition on the 787?