Qantas adds OOL-AKL and SYD-AKL-APW

[dajop]

Have to laugh at QF calling 737 J a "premium option".

To be fair, compared to NZ's offering (no business class) and obviously JQ's on the route, it does offer a premium option in terms of domestic business class.

 

[DejaBrew]

Ah but see heres the difference, unlike LRE, many of us are actually travelling to AKL. LRE has a lot of bookings but I don't think too many actual travellers.

.......what do you mean we're not travelling to LRE?

 

[RB001]

.......what do you mean we're not travelling to LRE?

One can if one so wishes to...

Thread 'LRE (Longreach) weekend - 26-27 Sep 2026'

Oct 30, 2025

I've flagged the idea of a weekend in LRE to a few fellow AFFers at recent gatherings and now it's time to do it. I'm not sure how much interest there will be but the plan is to visit the Qantas Founders Museum on Saturday followed by lunch and/or dinner depending on what works best. The Stockmans Hall of Fame could be an option for Sunday if it is open. They are currently open on Sundays but this may change.

I don't think it would be necessary to make any reservations but it would be good to get an idea as to who is interested or actually coming. So please post with the usual...

• Dantas
• Replies: 47
• Forum: Meetings & Social Events

• 

 

[DejaBrew]

One can if one so wishes to...

Thread 'LRE (Longreach) weekend - 26-27 Sep 2026'

Oct 30, 2025

I've flagged the idea of a weekend in LRE to a few fellow AFFers at recent gatherings and now it's time to do it. I'm not sure how much interest there will be but the plan is to visit the Qantas Founders Museum on Saturday followed by lunch and/or dinner depending on what works best. The Stockmans Hall of Fame could be an option for Sunday if it is open. They are currently open on Sundays but this may change.

I don't think it would be necessary to make any reservations but it would be good to get an idea as to who is interested or actually coming. So please post with the usual...

• Dantas
• Replies: 47
• Forum: Meetings & Social Events

• 

On a 380??

 

[Saab34]

I’ve been told they have been using the non IFE 737s across the Tasman lately. Is that correct? I thought they had a specific rego back that they used for these flights like Virgin do under VAI.

 

[Harrison_133]

I’ve been told they have been using the non IFE 737s across the Tasman lately. Is that correct? I thought they had a specific rego back that they used for these flights like Virgin do under VAI.

Yes, VZA-VZE (no PTVs) now do Short Haul International. They've been as far as Samoa, Palau and even done the DRW-SIN flight a couple of times.

 

[Catweazle]

Well APW is a viable option slowly growing in popularity, and with huge Samoan communities in both AU and NZ to boot.

However, FJ is convenient with only a 2 hr connection needed in NAN. Will be interesting to see how QF compares (or does it?) for folks flying from MEL and SYD.

I still wish we had a direct MEL to APW flight.

Can confirm: both the Aga Reef Resort near Lalomanu and the Sheraton at Mulifanua are great options.

 

[Saab34]

I still wish we had a direct MEL to APW flight.

Virgin could run this seasonal in peak with a MAX.

 

[Mattg]

It looks to me like the actual plane Qantas is using for the AKL-APW will fly a BNE-AKL-APW-AKL-BNE rotation. So if you're on the same flight number all the way through from Sydney to Apia, you'll change plane in Auckland.

 

[Ade]

It looks to me like the actual plane Qantas is using for the AKL-APW will fly a BNE-AKL-APW-AKL-BNE rotation. So if you're on the same flight number all the way through from Sydney to Apia, you'll change plane in Auckland.

Which also means no separate SCs I'd think? because same flight number.

 

[Mattg]

Which also means no separate SCs I'd think? because same flight number.

It’s the same flight number only if you fly SYD-APW without breaking up the trip.

 

[Catweazle]

Ok, so it's not actually a direct flight from SYD. Darn!

Doesn't that just mean that they're changing their direct BNE - APW flight to now be stopping in AKL?

 

[Mattg]

Ok, so it's not actually a direct flight from SYD. Darn!

Technically it is a direct flight, by the aviation definition of the word. But it's not a non-stop flight. Same as QF1 SYD-LHR.

Doesn't that just mean that they're changing their direct BNE - APW flight to now be stopping in AKL?

No, the BNE-APW flight is continuing. SYD-AKL-APW is an additional new service.

 

[Mattg]

Looks like the AKL-APW service has been retimed and now arrives in Apia at 22:45, instead of 18:20.

The return flight has also moved 25 minutes earlier to a 06:40 departure.

 

[justinbrett]

Looks like the AKL-APW service has been retimed and now arrives in Apia at 22:45, instead of 18:20.

The return flight has also moved 25 minutes earlier to a 06:40 departure.

Maybe they can keep the wine cold now

 

[Saab34]

Looks like the AKL-APW service has been retimed and now arrives in Apia at 22:45, instead of 18:20.

The return flight has also moved 25 minutes earlier to a 06:40 departure.

Strange as the prior schedule allowed for what appears to be a 12hr crew layover. New schedule would leave crew with a multi day stay.

 

[Mattg]

Strange as the prior schedule allowed for what appears to be a 12hr crew layover. New schedule would leave crew with a multi day stay.

I wonder if they're planning to rotate JetConnect crew around, with trips such as:

AKL-BNE (1 night in Brisbane)
BNE-APW (1 night in Apia)
APW-AKL

 

[Saab34]

I wonder if they're planning to rotate JetConnect crew around, with trips such as:

AKL-BNE (1 night in Brisbane)
BNE-APW (1 night in Apia)
APW-AKL

Sounds about right. I know QF do 10-12 hour layovers across many of its overnights (especially on the Dash fleet) but I feel that these tight layovers are not great for the crew. Virgin seem to run off a longer layover multi trip policy.