Qantas Delays/Cancellations

[Flyerqf]

A388 VH-OQL looks to be on its way from SYD to MNL (Lufthansa Technik maintenance), having taken off at 1953 on Sunday 15 October 2017. There does not seem to be another A388 to come down from MNL which probably reflects how Australia has just had a busy school holiday period. In contrast, November is one of the three lower demand months for travel so it is a suitable time for maintenance that as one of our aviator contributors has previously reminded us is normally scheduled months in advance, and very carefully to try to do it during a demand trough not a peak period.

B738 VH-XZI (QF481, 1735 hours MEL across to PER that took off at 1846) should arrive at approximately 1927, 42 late.

OQF returned from MNL on Saturday, so OQL is replacing it.

 

[Melburnian1]

On Monday 16 October, QF24 (A333 VH-QPE) from BKK to SYD is likely to arrive at 0805 hours, 35 minutes tardy.

QF400 (0600 hours first of the morning's MEL up to SYD that took off at 0617 with A332 VH-EBM) looks to have had a missed approach; on its second attempt, it is set to land at about 0738 so it will be about 20 minutes late by the time it is on blocks. The BOM was only forecasting 'patchy fog in the outer west.'

 

[Melburnian1]

In further on Monday 16 October, QF81 (1125 hours SYD - SIN) departed at 1219, so arrival is estimated at 1731 late this afternoon, 41 minutes behind the eight ball.

B738 VH-VYH on QF616, lunchtime 1210 hours MEL - BNE that took off at 1255 is arriving to a wet welcome at 1406, 46 late.

Colleague VH-VXK on the 1300 hours SYD up to BNE (QF528) took off at 1348; arrival should be at 1408, 38 minutes late.

The 1305 hours SYD - MNL, QF19 departed 45 late; arrival is estimated at 1917, 47 minutes late for aircraft A332 VH-EBQ.

QF117 is estimated to depart SYD 105 minutes late at 1445 this afternoon for HKG, where the predicted 2130 hours arrival will be 110 minutes late.

Due to the delayed QF27 yesterday, QF28 from SCL (the B744) departed 78 late at 1448 (yesterday) so this evening's arrival has become 1835 hours, 55 late.

QF3 from SYD to HNL is again delayed with departure suggested tonight at 2040, 70 minutes late for a same day arrival at around 0915 hours, 55 minutes late and again meaning a delay to the inbound QF4 back to SYD. This is all because today's QF4 arrival is estimated to be 75 minutes late with an 'on blocks' SYD time of 1845.

Although Sunday 15's QF12 across the USA from JFK to LAX is only showing as five minutes late (arrival time of 2105 hours local), the connecting QF12 (different aircraft) is delayed until a suggested 2320 hours departure, 50 minutes behind schedule for a Tuesday 17 October forecast 0755 hours arrival, 35 minutes past the allotted.

 

[Drpopper]

QF860 was quite late leaving today and then had a ...ummm “interesting” touch and go around first attempt at OOL ...and then got sent to some obscure remote gate that was practically in Burleigh it was so far away from the terminal. I can’t remember exactly how late it was but it was late enough for me to miss half of my meeting so I’d say 50+ mins.

 

[Melburnian1]

Drpopper, QF860, the 0945 hours SYD - OOL on Monday 16 October was B738 VH-XZO. It was due at the airport terminal (your gate) at 1010 hours, but landed at 1050 and at some stage thereafter you were able to alight, perhaps from 1100 if the taxiing took 10 minutes. So it would have been 50 minutes late as you state.

QF791 (1205 hours ASP - SYD, also a B738 - VH-VXT) was in the sky at 1309, so arrival is estimated as 1735, 75 late.

 

[Melburnian1]

Although QF117 was estimated to depart on 16 October at 1445, it did not take off until 1743 from SYD with A333 VH-QPC. It had arrived in SYD at about 1335 this afternoon (very late) on QF130 ex PVG, but normally if all goes well a 75 minute turnaround should be possible with all hands to the wheel. For whatever reason, 'reversing' the aircraft took a lot longer this afternoon.

HKG arrival has altered to a suggested 2345 hours. QF118, tonight's 2125 hours mid evening redeye back from HKG to SYD is predicted to commence pushing back from its HKG gate at 0030 on Tuesday 17 October (245 late), but the good news is that it should make up some time and hopefully arrive SYD at 1310 hours tomorrow afternoon, 190 minutes late.

The PER - BNE QF598 (A332 VH-EBP, the 1120 hours that took off at 1213) should arrive at 1837, 57 minutes tardy.

 

[Melburnian1]

Tuesday 17 October sees QF81 (1125 hours SYD - SIN first QF flight of the day) expected to depart at 1405 for an arrival at around 1915 tonight instead of 1650.

I do not know why, but the 1015 hours MEL - LAX departed 195 minutes lkate at 1330 this afternoon. Same day LAX arrival is suggested as 0910 hours, 155 minutes late, presumably delaying the across USA B744 on QF11 (that comes in earlier from BNE as QF15.)

QF118, the 2125 hours HKG to SYD (17 October) that was late anyway due to the delay to QF117 on Monday 16 has been further delayed to an expected blocks off time in HKG of 1815 hours tonight. QF118's arrival should be at 0615 hours on Wednesday 18 in SYD rather than 1000 this morning, so almost 20 hours late.

 

[Melburnian1]

QF51 (1200 hours 'high noon' BNE - SIN) was cancelled on Tuesday 17 October,

The 1120 hours PER up to BNE (QF598) is delayed for at least the second time in a week today, with A332 VH-EBR becoming airborne at 1232 hours. Arrival should be at 1834 hours early this evening, 54 minutes late.

 

[Melburnian1]

B717 VH-NXO on QF1937 (1050 hours ASP - PER) has not taken off on Tuesday 17 October until 2058, an incredible nine hours late, so arrival is predicted at 2222 hours instead of 1240. Earlier today this plane had been a little early arriving in ASP on the short hop from AYQ as QF1940 so it must have needed parts or had some other timeconsuming trouble (or a staffing issue) in what is for aviation purposes remote Alice Springs.

QF1939 (B717 VH-NXM) is also late with this scheduled 2000 hours DRW - ASP having become airborne at 2121 hours, so arrival is estimated at 2314 hours, 69 minutes tardy.

 

[Melburnian1]

Tuesday 17's QF23 (A333 VH-QPI) had departed SYD 41 late at 1131 hours, arriving BKK at 1724 hours, 44 minutes behind schedule. The returning QF24 was timetabled as usual at this time of year to commence pushback at 1810, but was not airborne until 1930 hours, about an hour late. Consequently on Wednesday 18, SYD arrival should be at about 0822 hours, 52 minutes late.

Colleague VH-QPD on the redeye from HKG down to BNE, QF98 is arriving on 18 October at 0729 hours, 44 minutes behind the timetable.

Demonstrating that everything comes in threes, A332 VH-EBL on QF118 from HKG down to SYD should pull in to its allocated airport gate at approximately 0948, 33 minutes late.

 

[Melburnian1]

Tuesday 17 October's QF8 unusually departed DFW at 2149 hours, 34 minutes behind time. Thursday 19 expected SYD arrival has become 0646, 41 minutes late.

 

[Melburnian1]

Non-daily runner QF42 from CGK to SYD is not often late but on Thursday 19 October, A332 VH-EBO looks to be arriving at 0812 hours, 67 late. QF41 yesterday had only been 10 to 15 minutes late into CGK.

B717 VH-YQS on the first of the morning, QF1500 from HBA up to MEL (the 0605 hours departure) did not become airborne until 0702. Arrival should be 55 minutes late at 0820 hours. QF1501, the 0815 hours ex MEL back down to HBA will be delayed by at least half an hour in departing. This bad start to the morning probably means that one of the MEL - HBA planes will run late for much of the day. Yesterday, this plane's only duty was a return SYD - HBA working.

UPDATE: Demonstrating how hard it can be to make up time - a point that AFF member AviatorInsight made in relation to a flight he operated yesterday for VA after an unexpected weather delay at BNE airport - QF1501 pushed back at 0901 hours, 46 minutes late, but battling a stream of incomings, it did not take off to the north until 0931 hours. Estimated HBA arrival has become 1029 hours, 59 minutes late.

Consequently, QF1502 (1010 hours HBA back up to MEL) will be significantly delayed. In the past seven days, this flight has been cancelled twice while on another two occasions it has arrived in MEL more than 15 minutes late. So after a period of some months when punctuality improved, QF's contractor Cobham is again back to unreliable operations on the HBA - MEL route: this can also adversely affect QF HBA - SYD flights as there is some interworking.

A333 VH-QPF on QF30, the redeye from HKG is arriving in MEL on 19 October at about 0934 hours, 54 minutes late.

 

[Melburnian1]

QF1502 departed HBA at 1115 hours, 65 minutes late with MEL arrival on Thursday 19 October suggested as 1233, also 63 minutes tardy. VH-YQS is the aircraft as noted in the previous post.

Empty working ('ferry") or charter QF6114 is en route from ADL across to SYD with B738 VH-VXR, the expected arrival being 1302 hours, 42 minutes late.

 

[Melburnian1]

Though with different B717s than the one in the previous post, some 19 October MEL - HBA flights continue to be unpunctual.

QF1505 (scheduled 1400 hours MEL - HBA with VH-NXN that took off at 1511 is shortly arriving at about 1615, an hour late. Through having a very generous turnaround allowed time between QF1503 and QF1506, VH-YQS is however back close to time on the latter.

The SYD - SIN QF81 morning departure is expected to arrive 45 late.

 

[Melburnian1]

On Friday 20 October 2017, the LAX - SYD QF12 is predicted to arrive 35 minutes behind schedule at 0755 hours.

 

[Melburnian1]

On Friday 20 October, the B744 operating QF15 (1020 hours morning BNE - LAX) is displaying as departing at 1220 but by 1250 AEST had not departed. This will mean QF11 from LAX to JFK and the return Friday 20 October QF12 (JFK - LAX) run late, and probably QF12 on Friday night to SYD and QF16 to BNE. However often QF94 to MEL is allowed to depart at or close to time with passengers instead being placed on either QF12 or QF16, as this maximises the chance of (in this case) Sunday 22's QF93 morning MEL - LAX flight remaining punctual.

"It depends" might be the motto for what flight(s) MEL-bound (westbound) passengers end up on (on seats available, payloads and so on.)

Another B744, this time on QF27 from SYD across the Pacific to SCL is delayed from 1230 hours to 1400 in its departure but had not commenced its journey by 1410. This means a late QF28 back into SYD tomorrow early evening.

Also on Friday 20, the oft-delayed QF23 from SYD to BKK commenced pushing back 84 late at 1214, meaning a delayed forecast arrival at 1735 hours, 55 minutes tardy. It does not always appear that a late inbound is the cause of these delays to QF23: if AFFers could fill us in on 'why', that would be terrific.

 

[JessicaTam]

QF37 is delayed out of MEL to SIN. "Hydraulic issues". We will have a further update in 20 to 30 minutes.

QF155 has also been delayed by 15-20 minutes "due to the late arrival of the operating aircraft".

 

[JessicaTam]

QF37 is delayed out of MEL to SIN. "Hydraulic issues". We will have a further update in 20 to 30 minutes.

QF155 has also been delayed by 15-20 minutes "due to the late arrival of the operating aircraft".

New departure time for QF37 is 1800 - with an update expected at about 1720.

 

[Melburnian1]

Continuing with Friday 20 October 2017, QF27 from SYD to SCL (B744 VH-OJU) ended up commencing its trek at 1508 hours, 158 minutes late with arrival same day suggested at 1240, 90 minutes tardy.

QF759 (1350 hours from SYD across to ADL, B738 VH-VXQ) took off at 1507. Arrival is predicted at 1735 hours, 125 minutes tardy.

Another B744 flight, QF73 from SYD across to SFO departed on 20 October at 1523 hours, 83 minutes late; arrival is forecast at 1020 hours same day, 50 minutes past the allotted.

Meanwhile QF15 from BNE to LAX has been delayed to depart 24 hours late at 1020 hours on Saturday 21 October. This is not unprecedented, but it is very rare. QF11, the Friday 20 October 0820 hours from LAX across to JFK and return working to LAX (QF12) have naturally been cancelled as an A388 cannot substitute for the B744. Any AFFers booked on these transUSA flights are welcome to relay what flight(s) they were (or are to be) placed on, the amount of delay and any subsidiary arrangements such as meal coupons. QF15 today was meant to be B744 VH-OEJ that had arrived from LAX as QF16 about on time this morning (20 October), but since then (as we might imagine) has not performed any duties and may be under repair as we speak.

Occasionally problems with the QF15 B744 in BNE result in QF having to work a stablemate empty ('ferry flight') from SYD northwards to the Sunshine State capital, but this may be more difficult on the weekends when B744 fleet utilisation is often 100 per cent (not counting programmed maintenance) if memory serves me.

QF37 from MEL to SIN (indicated as A332 VH-EBP), the second of the day, is now delayed from the usual 1640 hours latish afternoon pushing back to an estimated 1800, but our reporter-on-the-spot JessicaTam will undoubtedly have more detailed and better information if we can drag her away from the G & T or whatever her 'poison' is. Time to cross to you Jessica....

 

[JessicaTam]

New departure time for QF37 is 1800 - with an update expected at about 1720.

Aaaaaaannnndd ... QF37 has been cancelled.

Staff are working to accomodate us on the 1900 EK flight to SIN.

Edit: No poison, just giving World Champagne Day a nudge.

Back to you in the studio!