What happens when QF cancels a flight?

[liveinsydney]

I used AS miles booked an award flight SYD-MEL(QF401)-LAX(QF93). Connection time at MEL is just 85mins.
Just noticed the QF401 (departs from SYD at 6am) gets cancelled so frequently recently.

If my QF401 is cancelled, what's gonna happen?
Will Qantas rebook me to SYD-LAX(QF11)? or something else?

 

[Himeno]

It depends on the day (and thus what flights are operating that day) and what seats are available.

The next SYD-MEL flight would miss the connection to QF93 (QF403, the 2nd flight of the day [weekdays only] would land in MEL when 93 starts boarding).
They could put you on QF502 or QF504 up to BNE to connect to QF15, keep you in SYD for QF11, or send you to MEL for the evening QF95.
If for some reason those aren't available, they'll try AA72 from SYD or send you via HKG or TYO with CX or JL.

They'll look at their own flights first, if none of those options work, they'll look at partners. If those flights don't work, they'll look at other carriers. ie, they'd rather put you on JL772/AA170 via NRT then UA842 or DL40

 

[liveinsydney]

It depends on the day (and thus what flights are operating that day) and what seats are available.

The next SYD-MEL flight would miss the connection to QF93 (QF403, the 2nd flight of the day [weekdays only] would land in MEL when 93 starts boarding).
They could put you on QF502 or QF504 up to BNE to connect to QF15, keep you in SYD for QF11, or send you to MEL for the evening QF95.
If for some reason those aren't available, they'll try AA72 from SYD or send you via HKG or TYO with CX or JL.

They'll look at their own flights first, if none of those options work, they'll look at partners. If those flights don't work, they'll look at other carriers. ie, they'd rather put you on JL772/AA170 via NRT then UA842 or DL40

Thank you Himeno for the detailed explanation.

I contacted QF, the operator advised me that I should call AS to have the alternative flights arranged because QF didn't issue the ticket thus they cannot touch it........

Back to my origianl question, I'd be happy to be rebooked to QF11. Seems it's feasible, right?

 

[calmelb]

Thank you Himeno for the detailed explanation.

I contacted QF, the operator advised me that I should call AS to have the alternative flights arranged because QF didn't issue the ticket thus they cannot touch it........

Back to my origianl question, I'd be happy to be rebooked to QF11. Seems it's feasible, right?

Basically as long as the ticket is all on one booking (one PNR) then QF have to get you to LAX as that is what you have paid and contracted them to get you there

Someone else on here might be able to help with the minimum connection time (I’m just not good at expertflyer) since if your connection is under that time QF might strand you there and blame AS

 

[liveinsydney]

Basically as long as the ticket is all on one booking (one PNR) then QF have to get you to LAX as that is what you have paid and contracted them to get you there

Someone else on here might be able to help with the minimum connection time (I’m just not good at expertflyer) since if your connection is under that time QF might strand you there and blame AS

Thank you calmelb.

Yes, both segments are all under one booking (PNR).
My understanding is if the MCT isn't met, the ticket cannot be issued as it's against rule.

 

[Himeno]

D-I MCT at MEL is 45 mins

 

[vandy]

if it's all one PNR and a segment is cancelled they'll normally automatically rebook you and send you a new eticket/itinerary via email and notification via SMS.
If the new flights don't work for you, call up and request your preferred option and hope it's available.

That's all assuming this is the day before and you're not already at the airport.

 

[liveinsydney]

D-I MCT at MEL is 45 mins

Thanks Himeno. This info is really helpful.

 

[liveinsydney]

if it's all one PNR and a segment is cancelled they'll normally automatically rebook you and send you a new eticket/itinerary via email and notification via SMS.
If the new flights don't work for you, call up and request your preferred option and hope it's available.

That's all assuming this is the day before and you're not already at the airport.

Thank you Vandy.

It's not clear to me when QF will announce the flight cancallation. What happens if I arrived at the airport and the flight is cancelled?

 

[madrooster]

D-I MCT at MEL is 45 mins

For QFd to QFi it is 1 hour.

 

[ftm]

I contacted QF, the operator advised me that I should call AS to have the alternative flights arranged because QF didn't issue the ticket thus they cannot touch it........

If it is cancelled in advance of the day of travel, they can send you back to AS. However, equally QF can always take over the ticket.

On the day of travel it is up to QF to rebook you. That said, we have had some examples in the last few weeks where QF have tried to reaccommodate clients on really inefficient alternatives (like 7hr transits in Dubai when the QF1 was delayed a day) and the clients called us and we rebooked onto something more sensible (like BA). There was obviously a cost difference to QF and cost was winning over the customer. It still cost the customer nothing for us to put them on BA. Just a case of knowing what you're entitled to in a delay.

 

[liveinsydney]

If it is cancelled in advance of the day of travel, they can send you back to AS. However, equally QF can always take over the ticket.

On the day of travel it is up to QF to rebook you. That said, we have had some examples in the last few weeks where QF have tried to reaccommodate clients on really inefficient alternatives (like 7hr transits in Dubai when the QF1 was delayed a day) and the clients called us and we rebooked onto something more sensible (like BA). There was obviously a cost difference to QF and cost was winning over the customer. It still cost the customer nothing for us to put them on BA. Just a case of knowing what you're entitled to in a delay.

Thank you ftm. Really appreciated.

 

[serfty]

The expert FLyer

For QFd to QFi it is 1 hour.

The GDS that ExpertFlyer uses confirms 60 minutes QF-QF. For other carrier inbounds it has an entry for 1:15 (not relevant here):
Results from https://www.ExpertFlyer.com

Minimum Connect Times:
Connecting at MEL, Incoming airline QF, Outgoing airline QF, Flight type Domestic to International

STANDARD.D/D...D/I...I/D...I/I.
ONLINE    .30   .45  1.00   .45
OFFLINE   .30   .45  1.00   .45
** OR * ARE ALL
QF-QF DI SUP   FLT  670 - FLT  201
QF-QF DI  2.00 FLT 5000 - 5999 - FLT  385
QF-QF DI  2.00 FLT 5000 - 5999 - FLT  395
QF-QF DI  1.45 ALL  - FLT  291 TRM 1  - 2 
QF-QF DI  1.30 ALL  - FLT 5027 TRM 1  - 2 
QF-QF DI  1.45 ALL  - FLT  291
QF-QF DI  1.45 FLT 5000 - 5999 - FLT  200 -  299 TRM ** - 2 
QF-QF DI  1.45 FLT 5000 - 5999 - FLT 8000 - 8999 TRM ** - 2 
QF-QF DI  2.00 ALL  - FLT  200 -  299 TRM ** - 2 
  ALL - UNITED STATES 
QF-QF DI  1.30 ALL  - FLT  200 -  299 TRM 1  - 2 
QF-QF DI  1.00 ALL  - FLT  200 -  299 TRM 2  - 2 
QF-QF DI  1.15 ALL  - FLT 8000 - 8999 TRM 1  - 2 
QF-QF DI  1.30 FLT 2670 - 2699 - ALL  TRM ** - 2 
QF-QF DI  1.45 FLT 5000 - 5999 - ALL  TRM ** - 2 
QF-QF DI  1.00 TRM 1  - 2 
QF-QF DI  1.00 TRM 2  - 2 
**-QF DI  2.00 ALL  - FLT  200 -  299 TRM ** - 2 
  ALL - UNITED STATES 
**-QF DI  1.15 ALL  - FLT 8000 - 8999 TRM 1  - 2 
**-QF DI  1.45 ALL  - FLT  200 -  299
**-QF DI  2.00 TRM 3  - 2 
QF-** DI  1.45 FLT 5000 - 5999 - ALL  TRM ** - 2 
QF-** DI  1.45 FLT  200 -  299 - ALL 
QF-** DI  1.15 TRM 1  - 2 
QF-** DI  1.15 TRM 2  - 2 
**-** DI  4.00 INTER AVV - MEL
**-** DI  1.00 INTER MEB - MEL
**-** DI  4.00 INTER MEL - AVV
**-** DI  1.00 INTER MEL - MEB

 

[liveinsydney]

The expert FLyer
The GDS that ExpertFlyer uses confirms 60 minutes QF-QF. For other carrier inbounds it has an entry for 1:15 (not relevant here):
Results from https://www.ExpertFlyer.com

Minimum Connect Times:
Connecting at MEL, Incoming airline QF, Outgoing airline QF, Flight type Domestic to International

STANDARD.D/D...D/I...I/D...I/I.
ONLINE    .30   .45  1.00   .45
OFFLINE   .30   .45  1.00   .45
** OR * ARE ALL
QF-QF DI SUP   FLT  670 - FLT  201
QF-QF DI  2.00 FLT 5000 - 5999 - FLT  385
QF-QF DI  2.00 FLT 5000 - 5999 - FLT  395
QF-QF DI  1.45 ALL  - FLT  291 TRM 1  - 2
QF-QF DI  1.30 ALL  - FLT 5027 TRM 1  - 2
QF-QF DI  1.45 ALL  - FLT  291
QF-QF DI  1.45 FLT 5000 - 5999 - FLT  200 -  299 TRM ** - 2
QF-QF DI  1.45 FLT 5000 - 5999 - FLT 8000 - 8999 TRM ** - 2
QF-QF DI  2.00 ALL  - FLT  200 -  299 TRM ** - 2
  ALL - UNITED STATES
QF-QF DI  1.30 ALL  - FLT  200 -  299 TRM 1  - 2
QF-QF DI  1.00 ALL  - FLT  200 -  299 TRM 2  - 2
QF-QF DI  1.15 ALL  - FLT 8000 - 8999 TRM 1  - 2
QF-QF DI  1.30 FLT 2670 - 2699 - ALL  TRM ** - 2
QF-QF DI  1.45 FLT 5000 - 5999 - ALL  TRM ** - 2
QF-QF DI  1.00 TRM 1  - 2
QF-QF DI  1.00 TRM 2  - 2
**-QF DI  2.00 ALL  - FLT  200 -  299 TRM ** - 2
  ALL - UNITED STATES
**-QF DI  1.15 ALL  - FLT 8000 - 8999 TRM 1  - 2
**-QF DI  1.45 ALL  - FLT  200 -  299
**-QF DI  2.00 TRM 3  - 2
QF-** DI  1.45 FLT 5000 - 5999 - ALL  TRM ** - 2
QF-** DI  1.45 FLT  200 -  299 - ALL
QF-** DI  1.15 TRM 1  - 2
QF-** DI  1.15 TRM 2  - 2
**-** DI  4.00 INTER AVV - MEL
**-** DI  1.00 INTER MEB - MEL
**-** DI  4.00 INTER MEL - AVV
**-** DI  1.00 INTER MEL - MEB

Thank you serfty for checking this out. My transfer time is still within 1:15hrs (1:25hrs I have)

 

[JohnK]

Qantas will take care of you in case of cancellation but what if last minute alternatives are full?

A number of years ago I was meant to go SYD-MEL-AKL-LAX from international terminals and delayed boarding followed by return to gate after spending an hour or so in taxiway and they put me on the direct QF SYD-LAX.

I wouldn't risk short early morning connections as any delays would inconvenience the trip. Better get there the night before.

 

[liveinsydney]

Qantas will take care of you in case of cancellation but what if last minute alternatives are full?

A number of years ago I was meant to go SYD-MEL-AKL-LAX from international terminals and delayed boarding followed by return to gate after spending an hour or so in taxiway and they put me on the direct QF SYD-LAX.

I wouldn't risk short early morning connections as any delays would inconvenience the trip. Better get there the night before.

Thank you JohnK.

I just started worrying about this after seeing the recent cancellations.

 

[liveinsydney]

Even though yesterday QF401 was cancelled, today's is fine. You know what, there are lots of crew onboard to be positioned to MEL including pilots and flight attendants.

 

[Wanderlust_tim]

Just as a point of reference, I had a flight cancelled on Saturday and was notified about 8 hours prior to departure. I was scheduled on QF637 BNE-MEL departing at 7.20pm and was contacted via the app that i had been automatically rebooked and asked to confirm. When i logged in i had been routed via Sydney and would have arrived at about 11.30pm. The app told me that if i was unhappy to click to start a chat which i did. A staff member then advised that i had 2 options - the aforementioned route via Sydney or take the direct at 4pm. I agreed to the 4pm departure and it was all handled in about 10 minutes. Pretty easy, but i understand that it was only a domestic flight so it may not be how international flights are handled should you be affected.

 

[docjames]

Since what you have booked is within the mct, if it cancels on the day, QF will arrange to get you to your final destination via one of the methods listed by prior posters.

If it cancels >24hrs prior, QF are likely to have you contact AS who will then have to look at alternatives to put you onto (where space available allows).



I think a big factor in this (and similar situations) is - what's at the other end? How imperative is it you arrive as close as possible to schedule? What's the impact if you cop a 4-8-12-24hr delay (or delay by re-route)? Something that should be factored into every ticket purchase decision (whether by points or cash).

 

[Himeno]

The only time to date where I've had a full cancellation was in 2004, one of my first flights I took alone.
Morning flight, CBR-MEL.
QF cancelled the flight early morning, moved everyone to the earlier flight, then called the wrong number. When I got to the airport for the original flight, they claimed to have left a voice mail - which isn't possible as I don't use voice mail and don't have it turned on.
Spent the rest of the day on standby before getting on a flight 7 hours later. Though they let me, and the other displaced passenger, into the QF Club during the wait even with no status or club membership.

With notices about delays...
Last November, I was flying LHR-DXB, spending the day in DXB, then back to LHR before going on to Asia (DONE3). After landing on DXB on QF10 and turning my phone on, I get a text message from QF and an alert from the app, both flagging a delay to the return QF1 that night (tech issue in SYD). Both the text message and the app said different things. One said cancelled, the other said 24 hour delay. Once I got through UAE immigration and got on my laptop, the QF website said something different again (~3 hour delay).