Qantas asks pilots to fly planes at a slower speed to reduce fuel

[Flashback]

Heard this on the radio, and it's on Bloomberg as a main headline.. will post a link to article once I have looked for one.

http://www.news.com.au/travel/story/0,26058,23743644-5014090,00.html

 

[oz_mark]

Domestic planes slowing down to save fuel | The Australian

Although I do have a vague memory of them doing this a couple of years ago when they increased the times of some flights in the timetables...

 

[NM]

And from news.com.au

Passenger planes on go-slow to save fuel | NEWS.com.au

 

[Ikara]

I don't see this being an issue between Sydney and Melbourne. It's downhill, so they should be able to coast.

JB

Go on - admit it. You did smile.

 

[simongr]

I think AA considered/are considering this as well. There were reports on FT of this... every little helps I guess and the increased flight times were marginal I believe.

 

[Evan]

A lot of the shipping companies have slowed a few knots on there container ships, and even where needed added an extra service to make up the missing and saved a huge amount of money.
I would suspect the slight reduction in speed is only going to make a couple of mins difference.
E

 

[Flashback]

Yes, I think I saw 6 minutes quoted; for a PER-East Coast trip.

Would be interesting to see what they do though, if the plane is running behind schedule as is often the case..

 

[Evan]

Yes, I think I saw 6 minutes quoted; for a PER-East Coast trip.

Would be interesting to see what they do though, if the plane is running behind schedule as is often the case..

From what i have seen if they are behind and its important they will burn the fuel. I have recently been on a few QF (and BA) flights that were late and you can tell from the noise they were really pushing it, fuel was not a consideration compated to missed connections and overnights, compensations etc i would guess.
(The capt also said we will try and run a bit faster and make as much time as possible over the intercom at the begining of the flight)

E

 

[Flashback]

The capt also said we will try and run a bit faster and make as much time as possible over the intercom at the begining of the flight

I think I hear that over the intercom on 99% of the flights I've been on....

 

[Skoogle]

I don't see this being an issue between Sydney and Melbourne. It's downhill, so they should be able to coast.

That explains why ASP-SYD arrives ahead of schedule.

 

[JohnK]

I do not see a SYD-MEL flight taking 5-10 minutes longer as a problem. But only if the money saved from reduced fuel burn goes towards keeping airfares low and not increasing QFs record profits further.

Would be interesting to see what they do though, if the plane is running behind schedule as is often the case..

Probably better suited to another discussion but many delays are due to waiting for tardy passengers. And I am not referring to connecting passengers. If you have checked in for a flight and you miss the first boarding call you should get one reminder and if you are still not there in a few minutes then the flight should leave without you.

Waiting for a flight in SYD T2 last Friday morning I was amazed at the number of PA announcements for passengers that have not boarded a flight. And then you see them running to the gate with food/drinks/coffee in their hands.

 

[straitman]

Probably better suited to another discussion but many delays are due to waiting for tardy passengers. And I am not referring to connecting passengers. If you have checked in for a flight and you miss the first boarding call you should get one reminder and if you are still not there in a few minutes then the flight should leave without you.

It's quicker to wait a few minutes and make a couple of extra calls than to go through the hold to find and unload their baggage :!:

 

[ethernet]

I heard of some scheme where pax were urged to board efficiently to get away on time - saves fuel, and if don't then a longer walk to collect bags and slower through customs :shock:- and everyone gets a pack of peanuts or the like.
it works.

Everyone fit quick line up in order, a bit of sorting, and a 'anyone missing' loo/smoke/coffee early.

Instead, we have lazy disinterested boarding staff who are past caring.
Especially when pax GO HOME because the electronic board was NOT updated after a few delays. (Tiger seems earn pax disgust more).