MEL-SFO loads
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 192
MEL-SFO loads
I recently flew MEL-SFO on QF49. Flight was excellent, particularly the scheduling. We arrived in SFO at 6:30pm with just enough energy to get to our hotel, have dinner and go to sleep, woke up the next day synced with local time. It's far better than the day flight to LAX.
One thing that did stand out was how empty the flight was. Economy was less than half full, premium economy and business looked about a third full. Is this typical on this route? By contrast, our return SFO-SYD was almost totally full. I know the route is new and I have only one data point to judge by, but I wonder whether it will last long if these loadings are typical.
One thing that did stand out was how empty the flight was. Economy was less than half full, premium economy and business looked about a third full. Is this typical on this route? By contrast, our return SFO-SYD was almost totally full. I know the route is new and I have only one data point to judge by, but I wonder whether it will last long if these loadings are typical.
#2
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Portland OR Double Emerald (QF and AA), DL PM/MM, Starwood Plat
Posts: 19,589
Yup, SFO is a tough route for QF and SYD is much more popular than MEL for both business and tourist travel. QF used to be based at SFO and not LAX and even owned an office building on Union Square, there's a reason they moved to LAX circa 30 years ago now. But cargo was so lucrative they kept their airport hangars and ran trucks up I-5 from LAX. Periodically QF tries to make SFO work again, but it is a tough route for them. Making it a great route for pax, with empty planes Enjoy while it lasts (which it will as long as Apple has cargo to send to Oz ).
#4
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Melbourne
Programs: Qantas Platinum
Posts: 28
I was on QF73 (SYD - SFO) last week and J was aprox 80% full and Y less than 50% with most of the middle 4 seats used as a bed.
Remember that the USA is heading into winter and it is a little early for for anybody to be heading off on xmas holidays, especially for Americans who typically only get 2 weeks paid leave a year. My own personal view is that Qantas treats SFO as a destination in its own right for both J and Y passengers rather than a point of entry like DFW and, to a lesser extent, LAX. These may be factors.
Plus, the bean counters at Qantas initially put the 789 on the MEL-LAX route 6 times per week but changed this to 2 per week to LAX and 4 per week to SFO as a lot of passengers were catching a codeshare flight betwee LAX and SFO.
Remember that the USA is heading into winter and it is a little early for for anybody to be heading off on xmas holidays, especially for Americans who typically only get 2 weeks paid leave a year. My own personal view is that Qantas treats SFO as a destination in its own right for both J and Y passengers rather than a point of entry like DFW and, to a lesser extent, LAX. These may be factors.
Plus, the bean counters at Qantas initially put the 789 on the MEL-LAX route 6 times per week but changed this to 2 per week to LAX and 4 per week to SFO as a lot of passengers were catching a codeshare flight betwee LAX and SFO.
#5
Join Date: May 2009
Location: LAX
Programs: AS MVPG100, Hyatt Globalist, MGM Gold, Caesars Diamond
Posts: 636
How could you figure out beforehand which Qantas flights from West Coast to Australia and back had historically lightest load aka most likelihood to have four across poor man;s biz class?
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: SYD
Programs: QF WP/LTG | UA P
Posts: 13,530
In Oz, “West Coast” usually means PER. . I assume you mean SFO, LAX, DFW? In any case, Thu and Fri westbound are likely to be very busy because of their Sat and Sun arrivals. As for eastbound, Fri, Sat and Sun will be busy because of same day arrivals. Avoid the weeks before Christmas, New Year, mid to late January and early Feb, avoid Australian school holidays (check Google). There is currently a QF sale for flights to the USA - there are blackout periods in the T&C. This indicates high demand (IMO).
#7
Join Date: May 2009
Location: LAX
Programs: AS MVPG100, Hyatt Globalist, MGM Gold, Caesars Diamond
Posts: 636
In Oz, “West Coast” usually means PER. . I assume you mean SFO, LAX, DFW? In any case, Thu and Fri westbound are likely to be very busy because of their Sat and Sun arrivals. As for eastbound, Fri, Sat and Sun will be busy because of same day arrivals. Avoid the weeks before Christmas, New Year, mid to late January and early Feb, avoid Australian school holidays (check Google). There is currently a QF sale for flights to the USA - there are blackout periods in the T&C. This indicates high demand (IMO).
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: MEL CHC
Posts: 21,016
But as above, seat reservations can change day to day, even in times of low demand.
Trying to pick a flight so hoping to get 4 economy seats to yourself is a gamble.
However many people think Australia=Sydney & USA=Los Angeles. And so there are more LAX SYD aircraft/seats
#10
Join Date: Jan 2015
Programs: QFF, SPG, Skywards, HHonors
Posts: 24
As many have said, there’s many variables in months like November. It’s around Thanksgiving, close to school holidays in Australia and J travel is starting to dry up before the year end. Outbound traffic from the US is particularly weak around this period. There’s a lot of cheap walk in fares from all airlines at the moment.
Loads change from day to day, and while your flight may look empty in one direction it may be full in the other.
Another day, another negative QF post from you. You’re a broken record. Troll somewhere else.
Loads change from day to day, and while your flight may look empty in one direction it may be full in the other.
Another day, another negative QF post from you. You’re a broken record. Troll somewhere else.
#11
Moderator: American AAdvantage, Travel Safety/Security & Texas, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: AUS / GRK
Programs: AA, HHonors, Hertz
Posts: 13,485
Things can rapidly change if there's a cancel.
My SFO-MEL flight in early October looked wide open, even a few days before. Then the flight canceled the day prior... That put my flight completely packed.
My SFO-MEL flight in early October looked wide open, even a few days before. Then the flight canceled the day prior... That put my flight completely packed.
#12
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Melbourne
Programs: ►QFWP/LTG►VA WP►HyattExpl.►HiltonGold►ALL Silver
Posts: 21,993
I have had over 1200 Qantas flights and have experienced all forms of service levels.Qantas staff when they are good can be great.
When they are hung over from their West coast USA layover, they can be shocking.
#13
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: SYD
Programs: QF WP/LTG | UA P
Posts: 13,530
Editied: There are enough posts on this Board to indicate that QF has a cabin service consistency problem. Moreso with Trans Pacific flights. This message does not seem to be getting through to the airline. Indeed, QF used to formally contribute to FT but has chosen to (formally) withdraw from social media. Comments here reflect experiences and opinions from part of their market. It costs nothing for QF to get our comments, opinions and suggestions (apart from staff time). Its free market research that they are seemingly ignoring. Failure to address issues causes loss of business.
Last edited by og; Nov 27, 2018 at 1:55 pm
#15
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Sydney, NSW Australia
Posts: 895
United Airlines start SFO-MEL non stop Oct 29 2019
Loads must be good enough for UAL to start a thrice weekly SFO-MEL flight Tue Thur and Sat (ex SFO)
Commences Oct 29, 2019
UAL MEL - SFO Departures Mon, Thur and Sat
QF MEL - SFO departures Wed Thur Sat & Sun
Commences Oct 29, 2019
UAL MEL - SFO Departures Mon, Thur and Sat
QF MEL - SFO departures Wed Thur Sat & Sun
Last edited by Aspen; Dec 12, 2018 at 8:15 pm