* with winter schedule commencing soon, operation of additional services to MNL, SUB, BNE, and AKL;

* moving of a couple of flights from KIX to other routes in Japan, a move meant to meet current demand, but will still operate 2 non-stop and 1 via TPE to KIX;

* a new batch of caviar arrived but should last for about a month and may have to find a temporary substitute. cx buys 2,400 kgs of caviar a year;

* FCO will utilise 744 to 340; JNB - 340 to 744; and a change in 340/744 utilisation on LHR route;

* from November 1, level 6 of The Wing will open at 0430 with limited services and full service will begin at 0545 until last departing flight. The Pier remains unchanged; and

* AC will commence YVR/SYD on 16 December with a flight time of 14hrs 40min

Thanks for the CX info, but what does AC have to do with this forum?

Thanks for the update..

Do you know if they will bring back F class of the 744 to JNB? ^

I am crossing my finger... and want to do F on the way back for Xmas...

I guess One popular route for People up north is is YVR-SYD via HK on CX. It's cheap and cost effective. By having AC direct, I wonder if this pose any competition but I certain hope so.

It's interesting, YVR->SYD on CX costs merely CDN$1700 during peak, but SYD->YVR on CX costs costs nearly AUD$2800 during peak. Just did a quick check for AC and it's showing CDN$2000 for SYD-YVR.

Yes.

Since CX are taking F bookings for this route when it is operated by the 744, presumably they are offering it.

Actually I think AC is really smart. They are tapping into QF/UA's territory into the USA. Pretty much with the non-stop service AC can offer connection to both Canada and USA Also guarantee a new business class product (unlike SOME airlines that make fake promises!! hahaha) Well the SKybeds are not bad at all. I tried them yesterday! from SYD-MEL

Actually AC flight SYD-YVR has 1 stop somewhere, most likely LAX or Hawaii.

What are you talking about? AC doesn't fly between SYD-MEL !! But it ALREADY flies daily between YVR and SYD so I really don't know why gear down is announcing it here on the CX forum!

What AC should be doing is to try and overfly the US territory with the A345. It is a hassle for passengers to have to go through US INS procedures when they have no intention of going to the US. It's just that the current AC flights must stop in HNL for refuelling as it doesn't offer a nonstop on this route. The current AC schedule doesn't say where the Dec 16 flight stops though.

You are all so hilarious , there will be 2 AC YVR/SYD flights daily, one on the 763 (no comments )via HNL both ways and one with a 343. The NORTHBOUND sector will be non-stop, the SOUTHBOUND sector will stop in HNL but only to refuel and therefore no INS hassles. Sorry for the interruption , I will let you all get back to worrying about when the next load of caviar arrives .

Uh... I dunno.... CX only uses ANC to refuel and wanted nothing to do with INS but it is INS that wants everyone who transits to go through INS. So it will be very interesting if AC is approved of this special treatment for HNL without going through INS checks and CX isn't.

GB, here is the text in full.

Air Canada today announced that it will launch the first ever non-stop flights between Australia and Canada with the introduction of double daily flights December 16, 2004 in time for the peak travel season in the southern hemisphere. Flights will be operated using 282-seat Airbus A340-300 aircraft enabling Air Canada to offer non-stop service northbound from Sydney to Vancouver. Southbound flights, requiring a brief stopover in Honolulu for refueling, will allow customers to stay on board thus eliminating U.S. customs clearance and transit visas for some travelers including citizens of Australia. With a flight time of 14 hours and 40 minutes, Air Canada's new daily A340 non-stop service will reduce northbound flying time by two hours and 15 minutes compared to the carrier's second daily one stop service and will be almost five hours faster than other carriers' alternate routings.
...
Air Canada will maintain its second daily flight operated via Honolulu with a 212-seat Boeing 767-300ER aircraft. These flights allow passengers to stop over in Hawaii between Canada and Australia and also provide the only daily non-stop flights for local customers traveling between Hawaii and Australia. With the introduction of first-ever double daily service Air Canada is increasing the number of seats on the route by 33 per cent over last year.

Wow, this is really worrisome! I assume/hope that the transiting AC aircraft will be surrounded by U.S. military with arms at the ready, trained on the aircraft, safety off, during the entire Honolulu refueling process.

I take some comfort, however, in that the waiver only appears to apply to "some travelers." Hopefully, a random sampling of other furnuhrs will be snatched off the plane for a special U.S. Immigration welcome ceremony!

GB Take it easy.

I did NOT say AC will fly from SYD-MEL. All I said is that I travelled from SYD-MEL and got upgraded to a Skybed.

I sm just saying that if AC is doing this service NON-STOP then it taps into UA/QF's territory and will guarantee a new business class product on their 345. That is all.

You still did not say which airline....

QANTAS?
UNITED?
The POSSUM Express?

hahahah Possum Express. I don't think they offer SKYBED service to MEL?