BA17/BA18 Melbourne ??
Dec 13, 2005, 5:58 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: UK
Programs: Marriott Platinum Premier
Posts: 379
BA17/BA18 Melbourne ??
I have been tracking availability of LHR-MEL for many weeks planning to use an Amex 241 in November 2006. On Monday moning this week there was reasonable availability, but before I tried to book later that day all availability disappeared.
It is now not possible to book LHR - MEL or SIN - MEL in any class even with money for any date after October 28th 2006.
Does anybody know what is happening - is the service being withdrawn ?
Thanks
It is now not possible to book LHR - MEL or SIN - MEL in any class even with money for any date after October 28th 2006.
Does anybody know what is happening - is the service being withdrawn ?
Thanks
Dec 13, 2005, 6:42 pm
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: New York, NY
Programs: BAEC Gold, Delta Platinum, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Gold, AMEX Platinum (US)
Posts: 18,487
Originally Posted by TOMSURFER
It is now not possible to book LHR - MEL or SIN - MEL in any class even with money for any date after October 28th 2006.
Does anybody know what is happening - is the service being withdrawn ?
Does anybody know what is happening - is the service being withdrawn ?
It isn't outside the booking window of whatever it is for BA (some say 330days, some 355days, we did work it out) as I can book tickets past Oct 28th.
Dec 13, 2005, 11:37 pm
#4
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: London, UK
Programs: BA Gold, BD Gold, PC Ambassador, SPG Gold
Posts: 4,001
At his last AGM, Rod mooted that MEL was not performing as well as liked. With BA in need of equipment for really profitable India and China routes, I would think it highly likely that MEL will bite the dust. QF can carry through traffic on SIN-MEL under the JSA and by swapping to a 777, this frees up 2 daily 747's for far more profitable routes.
The trouble with the kangaroo routes is that they are effectively two flights for the price of one. I.e. you pay about the same for a Club fare to SYD as to JFK for example, but the aircraft is in operation actually about 3x longer to service the route. This makes the utilisation of those flights not so great financially.
The trouble with the kangaroo routes is that they are effectively two flights for the price of one. I.e. you pay about the same for a Club fare to SYD as to JFK for example, but the aircraft is in operation actually about 3x longer to service the route. This makes the utilisation of those flights not so great financially.
Dec 14, 2005, 12:43 am
#6
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Europe
Programs: Various
Posts: 3,087
Originally Posted by dnw
Definitley been pulled from the booking system from next winters timetable. RIP I think...
Bad - for mileage (cabin bonus) unless c/s is in place.AIUI, part of the problem is the lack of capacity LHR-SIN. Any sign of an extra service there?
Edited: Doh - Panic Stations suggests the answer in post 2.
Last edited by SLF; Dec 14, 2005 at 12:56 am
Dec 14, 2005, 1:04 am
#7
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: London, UK
Programs: BA Gold(OWE), QF LTG, MR Plat, IHG Spire, Hertz PC
Posts: 8,156
Originally Posted by PhilH
At his last AGM, Rod mooted that MEL was not performing as well as liked. With BA in need of equipment for really profitable India and China routes, I would think it highly likely that MEL will bite the dust. QF can carry through traffic on SIN-MEL under the JSA and by swapping to a 777, this frees up 2 daily 747's for far more profitable routes.
The trouble with the kangaroo routes is that they are effectively two flights for the price of one. I.e. you pay about the same for a Club fare to SYD as to JFK for example, but the aircraft is in operation actually about 3x longer to service the route. This makes the utilisation of those flights not so great financially.
The trouble with the kangaroo routes is that they are effectively two flights for the price of one. I.e. you pay about the same for a Club fare to SYD as to JFK for example, but the aircraft is in operation actually about 3x longer to service the route. This makes the utilisation of those flights not so great financially.
Part of the problem probably stems from the fact that SQ has such a strong presence there and MEL is AN's old HQ. AN was a very close partner of SQ and as such, many AN passengers used SQ to get to SIN and beyond.
Dec 14, 2005, 1:22 am
#8
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Egham, Surrey, UK
Programs: Mucci Champion des Champions, BAG4L, *A Gold, HH DIA, Hyatt Explorist, Hertz Gold, Avis President
Posts: 3,416
MEL is going!
Had dinner with a friend of mine last night who is a senior manager at BA. Apart from ranting about Mr Walsh and his stupidity (his words) he did confirm that BA will be announcing in the next few days that flights to MEL will cease at the end of the summer 2006 
Apparently the only reason that BA were still flying there was because Rod's Mum lives there
Apparently the only reason that BA were still flying there was because Rod's Mum lives there
Dec 14, 2005, 1:43 am
#9
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Kyiv, Ukraine, & London, UK
Programs: BA Gold; HH Gold; M&M; PS Classic; VV Silver (deceased); BD Silver (deceased).
Posts: 3,604
Originally Posted by dnw
Definitley been pulled from the booking system from next winters timetable. RIP I think...
Code:
LHR London Heathrow UK [EGLL]
MEL Melbourne Tullamarine VI AU [YMML]
06 Nov 2006
Carrier Flight From Depart To Arrive A/C St Availability
--------- ------ ---- --------- ---- --------- ---- -- -----------------------------------------------
BA 17 LHR 21:15 SIN 17:50 +1 744 0 F9 A7 J9 C9 D9 I0 Y9 B9 H9 K9 M9 R9 V9 N9 0 0
-> QF 10 SIN 20:15 +1 MEL 06:20 +2 744 0 R4 F4 A4 J4 C4 D4 S4 Y7 B7 H4 Q4 M4 N4 K4 L4 V4
BA 15 LHR 21:45 SIN 18:20 +1 744 0 F9 A7 J9 C9 D9 I9 Y9 B9 H9 K9 M9 R9 V9 N9 0 0
-> QF 10 SIN 20:15 +1 MEL 06:20 +2 744 0 R4 F4 A4 J4 C4 D4 S4 Y7 B7 H4 Q4 M4 N4 K4 L4 V4
QF/BA 388 LHR 21:15 SIN 17:50 +1 744 0 R4 F4 A4 J4 C0 D0 S4 Y7 B7 H4 Q4 M4 N4 K4 L4 V4
-> BA 17 SIN 19:15 +1 MEL 05:25 +2 744 0 F0 A0 J0 C0 D0 I0 Y0 B0 H0 K0 M0 R0 V0 N0 0 0
BA 17 LHR 21:15 SIN 17:50 +1 744 0 F9 A7 J9 C9 D9 I0 Y9 B9 H9 K9 M9 R9 V9 N9 0 0
-> QF/BA 388 SIN 19:15 +1 MEL 05:25 +2 744 0 R0 F0 A0 J0 C0 D0 S0 Y0 B0 H0 Q0 M0 N0 K0 L0 V0
BA 17 LHR 21:15 MEL 05:25 +2 744 1 F0 A0 J0 C0 D0 I0 Y0 B0 H0 K0 M0 R0 V0 N0 0 0
BA 15 LHR 21:45 SIN 18:20 +1 744 0 F9 A7 J9 C9 D9 I9 Y9 B9 H9 K9 M9 R9 V9 N9 0 0
-> BA 17 SIN 19:15 +1 MEL 05:25 +2 744 0 F0 A0 J0 C0 D0 I0 Y0 B0 H0 K0 M0 R0 V0 N0 0 0
BA 15 LHR 21:45 SIN 18:20 +1 744 0 F9 A7 J9 C9 D9 I9 Y9 B9 H9 K9 M9 R9 V9 N9 0 0
-> QF/BA 388 SIN 19:15 +1 MEL 05:25 +2 744 0 R0 F0 A0 J0 C0 D0 S0 Y0 B0 H0 Q0 M0 N0 K0 L0 V0
QF/BA 320 LHR 21:45 SIN 18:20 +1 744 0 R4 F4 A4 J4 C4 D4 S4 Y7 B7 H4 Q4 M4 N4 K4 L4 V4
-> BA 17 SIN 19:15 +1 MEL 05:25 +2 744 0 F0 A0 J0 C0 D0 I0 Y0 B0 H0 K0 M0 R0 V0 N0 0 0
SQ 321 LHR 22:15 SIN 18:00 +1 744 0 F4 P4 A4 C4 Z0 J4 D4 S0 Y9 E0 B9 M0 W9 H0 Q9 N9
-> BA 17 SIN 19:15 +1 MEL 05:25 +2 744 0 F0 A0 J0 C0 D0 I0 Y0 B0 H0 K0 M0 R0 V0 N0 0 0
VS/SQ 7321 LHR 22:15 SIN 18:00 +1 744 0 Y4 B4 L4 M4 Q4 X4 N4
-> BA 17 SIN 19:15 +1 MEL 05:25 +2 744 0 F0 A0 J0 C0 D0 I0 Y0 B0 H0 K0 M0 R0 V0 N0 0 0
Dec 14, 2005, 1:49 am
#10
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Europe
Programs: Various
Posts: 3,087
Originally Posted by heartybob
It still exists in the system:
BA 17 LHR 21:15 MEL 05:25 +2 744 1 F0 A0 J0 C0 D0 I0 Y0 B0 H0 K0 M0 R0 V0 N0 0 0
OTOH, you can still get to SIN on BA17:
BA 17 LHR 21:15 SIN 17:50 +1 744 0 F9 A7 J9 C9 D9 I0 Y9 B9 H9 K9 M9 R9 V9 N9 0 0
Dec 14, 2005, 2:04 am
#12
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 2,126
Originally Posted by BRSlad
Noooooo! I was planning to use my miles to go December 2006. Will it be the same milage LHR-MEL if QF fly the last leg or does it have to be on BA metal?
Dec 14, 2005, 2:05 am
#13
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 3,806
That's a shame, but rather inevitable. SIN-MEL-SIN never really pulls its weight. With the JSA, makes much more sense for PAX to transfer to QF9/10 at SIN. Does, however, remove MEL from the 2-4-1 options. Rejoice that they aren't axing SIN-SYD or BKK-SYD too.
Rejoice that they aren't axing SIN-SYD or BKK-SYD too.
Dec 14, 2005, 2:13 am
#14
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: UK
Programs: BA & VS
Posts: 533
So BA pull out of Cologne just before the World Cup then pull out of Melbourne just before the Ashes starts
Being serious though, I think its a wise move. IIRC, MEL was 5x weekly until sometime in 2003 when it went back to being daily. BA17 is still listed as 744 and I am sure it will stay that way. They need the seats down to SIN for SIN passengers and all the connections onto QF for BNE,PER,ADL,MEL and SYD.
I'd like to see them bring Perth back, the flight used to leave LHR at around 11:00am for SIN then PER until it was cut in 2000. Requires less aircraft than a MEL rotation. QF bought back a PER-SIN-LHR service 3x a week last year plus Perth has the 2nd highest amount of ex-pat Brits after Sydney.
At least PHX still seems to be in the system
^
Being serious though, I think its a wise move. IIRC, MEL was 5x weekly until sometime in 2003 when it went back to being daily. BA17 is still listed as 744 and I am sure it will stay that way. They need the seats down to SIN for SIN passengers and all the connections onto QF for BNE,PER,ADL,MEL and SYD.
I'd like to see them bring Perth back, the flight used to leave LHR at around 11:00am for SIN then PER until it was cut in 2000. Requires less aircraft than a MEL rotation. QF bought back a PER-SIN-LHR service 3x a week last year plus Perth has the 2nd highest amount of ex-pat Brits after Sydney.
At least PHX still seems to be in the system
^
Dec 14, 2005, 2:18 am
#15
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 3,806
Originally Posted by Beany
QF bought back a PER-SIN-LHR service 3x a week last year plus Perth has the 2nd highest amount of ex-pat Brits after Sydney.