Why doesn't AC fly to Melbourne?
 

Air Canada use to fly to MEL, by routing MEL>HNL>YVR but the flights were later axed, apparently the flights were viable, but some reason axed. There is a demand for direct flights MEL>YVR, (more so than BNE) so why doesn't AC operate the route? Or maybe we are waiting for the 787's to arrive? :)

I would be thrilled to see YVR-SYD and YVR-MEL service operating on the 787s, but just wonder how viable it would be, particularly year-round.

Wasn't there a YYZ-MEL route proposed a few years ago during a huge expansion.. one that quickly got cut?

I am hardly an expert but direct flights from USA to MEL are somewhat limited by distance and load factors. I am not sure a direct flight YVR to MEL is possible without limiting loads.

After AC bought CP it destroyed its "downunder" business.

AC has the routes its just cant make money doing it... AC also cancelled the YYZ-HNL flights.

I would be surprised there would be enough demand for this, especially daily.

And Melbourne is a very easy connection from Sydney.

Cheers,

Id rather see YVR-BNE.

not sure, but is YVR-MEL just on the border of the range of the 787-9? they just need to use the 777-200LR they currently use...i agree that with the non-stop SYD flight now, getting to MEL is pretty easy once in SYD...although another non-stop down under would be nice..

I thought that was one of Milton's stated routes once the 787s came online. Now granted, we're two years delayed and two CEOs later and obviously priorities change - but I wouldn't be surprised to see the YVR-MEL nonstop revived. The connection in SYD is far from easy...transiting between the terminals is a PITA, unless you are on a QF ticket and take their free airside shuttle bus.

MEL seems to me to be a much higher-yielding and popular destination than BNE or any other Aussie city outside SYD.

Finally, I don't think the 787 is enough airplane, capacity-wise, for the YYZ-YVR-SYD route during much of the year.

I do the YYZ-YVR-BNE run fairly regularly and I'm always amazed at the number of pax connecting to the QF BNE flights from AC33.

Anyhow I agree with some of the posters here that when the smaller 787 is put on the YYZ-YVR-SYD run it may not be enough capacity. Maybe they could look at something like adding a YYZ-BNE-MEL run...I bet that could work.

I've tried connecting through SYD once with a non-QF connection and it's a horror story - never again! Advice for anyone connecting in OZ - fly QF, the connection and baggage transfer is a breeze and I personally really like their domestic on-board service, thier staff and basically their overall customer service compared to what I'm used to anyhow.

I still miss Ansett (*alliance) though..............

Why are people assuming the 787 will be put on AC33 and 34? :confused:

As was mentioned upthread, Milton specifically mentioned YVR-MEL as a potential 787 route. QF has proved unable to make Australia-Canada work for them. AC should seize the initiative.

I doubt it. Even AC's 777-200LRs can't make YYZ-SYD nonstop, let alone YYZ-MEL. To fly Australia-Toronto nonstop, the 777-200LR would need auxiliary fuel tanks which cut out a lot of cargo space. To my knowledge, no carrier has bought the 777-200LR with those aux fuel tanks. Even QR balked at acquiring them for SYD-LHR because without cargo revenue you would need a particular rich passenger revenue stream on a year-round basis.

Wow, SYD-LHR... How long of a flight would that be!

....was one of the 777-200LR's test flights not from LHR-SYD? around 22hrs or so? i do not recall that this was with the extra fuel tank but i could be wrong....