QF41 Sydney to Jakarta shows again a 6-hour delayed departure today (19:45 instead of 13:45). This is the 3rd massive delay in 9 days time (20 July 7 hours late, 26 July 6 hours late). Is this a case of a plane having to be pulled out at the last minute due to technical issues and that finding and flying in a new plane causes all the delays? Or do you know whether this is related to other issues?
Could be either maintenance required, or QFi was short of an available flight crew.
The aircraft (A333 VH-QPI) ran QF652, the 1625 hours latish afternoon from PER to SYD on Friday 28 July, arriving 18 minutes early at 2212 hours, and then spent overnight in SYD. While one can't rule it out - perhaps QPI needed a lengthy stint in the hangar - I'd be leaning towards 'it was always the plane allocated for this trip'. (But I lack proof).
On Saturday, it was airborne at 2013, arriving CGK at 0024 on Sunday 30, 334 minutes late. The return QF42 arrived in SYD at 1108 hours this morning, 283 minutes behind schedule. It is probably forming QF63, the 1000 hours SYD-JNB as this is expected to push back at 1300 hours early this afternoon.
QF63 yesterday had VH-ZNE, arriving at 1713, 63 behind. It is however only a predicted 24 late on the return, arriving at gate today at 1349 in Sydney as 'the 64'.
B789 VH-ZNJ arrived MEL as QF94 (ex LAX) at 0911 hours, 146 minutes late on Sunday 30.
A388 VH-OQH is on QF11 (1020 hours midmonring SYD-LAX) predicted to push back very shortly at 1140 hours. Based on previous recent flights, it may only be a few minutes late arriving at its LAX gate same day as the westerlies are very helpful in taking a lot of time from the schedule.