I was booked on QF95 (MEL to LAX) today Sunday 29th October. Prior to today, I researched the flight reliability and found that it was 0% reliable with an average delay of 29 minutes (ExpertFlyer). That was apparently 1 record. Yesterday evening they cancelled my flight (supposed to be 11pm tonight) and rescheduled me via Sydney leaving at 7am this morning - arriving Toronto about 12 hours early. This has had a huge impact on my travels (additional costs to get to the airport, additional costs of another night in Toronto, my day I planned to go hiking out the window, loss of all the food I purchased for today and my expensive hotel for a relaxing day with breakfast all wasted etc etc) - so I question - does QF95 actually exist or is it a phantom flight that is on the schedule but which they cancel every day (except once)? How can I figure this out? I want to make a complaint but more evidence would be good.

Looking at Flight Radar 24, it would seem that QF95 is just back for start of northern winter season which would explain lack of past flight information

Yesterevening, when you received the infirmation about the cancellation, did you try contacting Qantas to see whether it could rebook you on a more conveniant service?

A couplke of things done seem to make sense - e.g. given departuee was the same day, surely you were going to be staying at the hotel last night anyway?

I did contact qantas yes. After 30 mins they offered me a solution flying via Auckland and Dallas where the first leg was in Economy rather than the Business class I booked. I declined. For this flight, I was unable to check in online (so had to go EVEN earlier to MEL this morning); unable to select seats - basically unable to do all the things you expect to do when you book a business class flight some months in advance!

In terms of the hotel - I had deliberately booked a nice hotel near the Dandenongs (with breakfast, extra) so that I could hike, relax etc. Paid extra for late checkout. Leaving at 5am I lost my breakfast (I assumed the First lounge in Melbourne would have an equivalent - that was wrong), lost my relaxing morning to prepare for a 24 hour journey, lost my late checkout, lost my day hiking and relaxing etc! There is a HUGE difference flying at 7am vs 11pm! And the journey is now 28 hours vs 24 previously!

In terms of arrival in Toronto, I now arrive 7pm day before rather than 7am tomorrow - so need another night hotel unless sleeping on the streets in winter in Canada makes sense. I think not.

It staggers me that Qantas can make such a massive change to a booking at such short notice and then just shrug their shoulders as it it doesn't matter.

Flights get cancelled. Looking on EF QF95 seems to be the only evening departure to Los Angeles , so f it is cancelled, there isn't much in way of options other than to go earlier or go the next morning. With a cancellation, not sure much more that the airline could offer

Not being able to checkin online doesn't require getting to the airport any earlier

Seriously? You think that arriving at Melbourne Domestic with a boarding pass on the phone, walking straight through security is the same speed as having to go to a counter and get processed for 15 minutes before you get to security? I don't much like e-boarding passes but they certainly DO save time.

Which flight would you prefer to have been moved to?

With an international connection istr that it is normal for documents to be checked at initial departure point

Seriously - going to a machine and getting a boarding pass if no document checks are needed, takes 2-3 minutes

I can see it might be annoying to have a flight cancelled, but there are limited options for travel to US and Canada

Other than an extra hotel night, would it not have been simpler to fly the next day? You would have got your breakfast and hike in. In my experience (of no QF status). QF would have paid the additional hotel night (airport?). meals, and taxi to the airport if the flight was an early one. I get that sometimes planning can be tight, but if it were so important to have no wiggle room creates a challenge.

I was flying for a meeting so no. A 24 hour delay would have been a disaster as well. A 12 hour delay I could have coped with!

You wouldnt have got a BP anyway - doc checks are required before BP is issued.

I flew QF95 November 1st, however my trip booked for March 20th 2024 is showing as cancelled on the Qantas App. Can't see any direct flights operating on that day from Melbourne. Im travelling at the moment but will call when I'm back next week. Im flexible so can travel the night before if required.

I'm sorry that your flight was cancelled. I understand the frustration with having a nice, neat itinerary and plans accordingly, but cancellations are a reality of flying. QF should cover some of the costs related to the cancellation. Others should be covered by travel insurance if you have it (and this might be a good case for why it's valuable.) Others, like flying 28 hours as opposed to 24, seem like they might not qualify as significant issues.