19 hour test flight
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2013
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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!
#2
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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”.
#6
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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)
#8
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: NT Australia
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Im assuming they cant 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 its classifiable as private ops?
#11
Join Date: May 2015
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#12
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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.
#13
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#14
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 44,394
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
#15
Join Date: Jul 2007
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SYD-LHR is also over 1000 miles further than EWR-SIN, not 500. (Based on great circle distances)