19 hour test flight
Aug 22, 2019, 8:50 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: PHX, SEA
Programs: Avis President's Club, Global Entry, Hilton/Marriott Gold. No more DL/AA status.
Posts: 4,422
19 hour test flight
Qantas is going to fly crew and 40 test subjects to evaluate the health of passengers on a (nearly unprecedented?) 19 hour nonstop flight from London to Sydney.
https://www.theguardian.com/business/2019/aug/22/qantas-tests-direct-flights-from-uk-and-us-sydney-australia
Would you do it? I'd be their test subject for a round trip F/J seat to Australia. I've been thorough sleep studies and paid $2000 for the privilege. So taking a $6000 flight (based on LAX-SYD fares I shopped a few years ago) sounds worth it to me!
https://www.theguardian.com/business/2019/aug/22/qantas-tests-direct-flights-from-uk-and-us-sydney-australia
Would you do it? I'd be their test subject for a round trip F/J seat to Australia. I've been thorough sleep studies and paid $2000 for the privilege. So taking a $6000 flight (based on LAX-SYD fares I shopped a few years ago) sounds worth it to me!
Aug 22, 2019, 8:55 pm
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: SYD
Programs: QF WP/LTG | UA P
Posts: 13,530
The 40 test subjects won’t even know there is a luxury 9 across cabin down the back. Likely they won’t even see the PE section. Hardly a test. Its just QF spin and they will lap up the free publicity. And QF have yet to confirm whether or not they will actually do the non stops from JFK and LHR to SYD (or MEL) let alone which airframe will be chosen if they do say “yes”.
Aug 22, 2019, 11:12 pm
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: MEL CHC
Posts: 21,027
So maybe for that flight/date less QF staffers clogging up business class seats for freebie rides to/from USA.
What has not been stated if this is wheels/wheels down time or gate to gate time (Could be another ~30 minutes)
Aug 23, 2019, 1:21 am
#8
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: NT Australia
Programs: QF WP
Posts: 4,160
I’m assuming they can’t sell tickets (cash or points) or similar because then it would become either RPT or a charter and need permissions, whereas using their own staff it’s classifiable as private ops?
Aug 23, 2019, 3:58 am
#9
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: SYD
Programs: |QF Platinum|DL Platinum|HH Gold|ALL Silver|
Posts: 1,738
Aug 23, 2019, 6:59 am
#11
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 143
Aug 23, 2019, 10:10 am
#12
Moderator, Amtrak & Spirit Airlines
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: EWR :rolleyes:
Programs: AC 50K, AS MVP, AA Plat Pro, DL Plat, UA Silver, IHG Spire, Marriott Titanium, Hertz PC
Posts: 9,628
I really don't understand the hype.
With SQ Flying EWR-SIN daily I don't think that taking the jump to JFK-SYD or LHR-SYD is going to be that huge.
I have only done SIN-EWR once back in January in PE. It was fine, and that much different then doing NYC-HKG/PVG/PEK/etc that I've done a dozen times from Y to F.
I don't think that adding the extra 500 miles versus EWR-SIN is going to suddenly change everything.
With SQ Flying EWR-SIN daily I don't think that taking the jump to JFK-SYD or LHR-SYD is going to be that huge.
I have only done SIN-EWR once back in January in PE. It was fine, and that much different then doing NYC-HKG/PVG/PEK/etc that I've done a dozen times from Y to F.
I don't think that adding the extra 500 miles versus EWR-SIN is going to suddenly change everything.
Aug 23, 2019, 3:17 pm
#13
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: SNA
Programs: MARRIOTT TITANIUM / HILTON GOLD / UA SILVER / AMEX PLAT
Posts: 609
Aug 23, 2019, 3:50 pm
#14
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 44,600
There is noting special ( the journey has been done before ) nor unprecedented about a long flight
What is working is its advertising of an aeroplane doing something not uncommon for aeroplanes
If it was a proper commercial service between Sydney and London, it might have some note
But just look at the thread's existence to show the Qantsa advertising success
What is working is its advertising of an aeroplane doing something not uncommon for aeroplanes
If it was a proper commercial service between Sydney and London, it might have some note
But just look at the thread's existence to show the Qantsa advertising success
Aug 23, 2019, 11:01 pm
#15
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: San Francisco/Sydney
Programs: UA 1K/MM, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Something, IHG Gold, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 8,159
SYD-LHR is also over 1000 miles further than EWR-SIN, not 500. (Based on great circle distances)