Why Dash-8 to/from Lst?

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texanaust

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Why does Qantas continue to fly turboprop Dash 8's to LST when VA is flying 737-800's and (Qantas) subsidiary Jetstar is flying A320's? I don't get it. At least they could fly the 717...
 
I'll give a good guess.

1. VA have retired their smaler regional jets so the smallest thing they have that can do it, more or less, is the 737.

2. It's a mostly leisure market so the need to fly a bigger aircraft and/or one with a J cabin are not there for QF -

Looking at 27/3 as a random weekday QF has 5x, VA also has 5x and JQ has 5x on MEL-LST. IIRC SYD-LST has 2x the rest via MEL. It doesn't appear TT flies it?

Given QF codes on JQ, they effectively have double the frequency on MEL-LST and can offer a service at peak times and more or less at 90 minute intervals during the day via QF* or JQ - that's a pretty good schedule for those seeking flexability.

If QF were to fly bigger a/c it's likely they would reduce frequency. The mix of Dash8's and JQ 320's already gives a fair bit of capacity on the route.

In general passengers prefer schedule flexibility over aircraft type.

imho
 
I think the frequency has a lot to do with it. Announcement from QF re increased frequency some time back. Didn't say anything re total seats!
 
QLK are still flying Dash 8s to Newcastle despite Virgin & Jetstar flying jets. Both are similar sized ports.

NTL used to have 717s - I honestly think they'd do well here but it's a major base for JQ so QF mainline stay out of it.
 
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I guess I didn't factor in QF folks traveling on the JQ flights due to frequency. Personally I try to avoid Jetstar at all costs. Virgin is a very comfortable ride and preferable to the Dash 8's for me. The 737's fly higher and faster, but I guess the 2x2 seating on the turboprop might be appealing to some. With the Dash 8, I thought you were limited to 1x23kg bag (and one carry-on), even if you are connecting to an overseas J flight or have status. Am I correct?
 
I guess I didn't factor in QF folks traveling on the JQ flights due to frequency. Personally I try to avoid Jetstar at all costs. Virgin is a very comfortable ride and preferable to the Dash 8's for me. The 737's fly higher and faster, but I guess the 2x2 seating on the turboprop might be appealing to some. With the Dash 8, I thought you were limited to 1x23kg bag (and one carry-on), even if you are connecting to an overseas J flight or have status. Am I correct?

No, incorrect. I can take 4x32Kg on a dash 8 when connecting to the US as a WP. In practice Dash 8 baggage allowances are the same as mainline. It was a different story with the -200s, but a Q400 is usually not an issue.

Carry on the same as main line as well, but they will put it in the hold as premium hand luggage if it’s to big (they take from and deliver back just outside the aircraft door).
 
Surprised no one has mentioned the M word... margin... QFlink are running those airframes on the smell of an oily rag (fuel efficiency v jets) whilst still extracting a significant price premium v VA on this route - VA is price aligned more to JQ on this route.

QF have a huge QFi feed and codeshare feed into Tassie as well so frequency is important to maximise connections. And as others have mentioned, local business demanded frequency (their twice daily 737 service prior was a disaster).
 
Yields probably would’ve came into play back when the 738s were on the route at a lesser frequency. I’m guessing the local market may have demanded frequency which meant replacing the 738s with QFLink Dash 8s (ala ‘Right Sizing’j) to meet those requirements.
 
LST is also upgauged to 717 metal for long weekends, footy matches etc periods of high demand
 
No, incorrect. I can take 4x32Kg on a dash 8 when connecting to the US as a WP. In practice Dash 8 baggage allowances are the same as mainline. It was a different story with the -200s, but a Q400 is usually not an issue.

Carry on the same as main line as well, but they will put it in the hold as premium hand luggage if it’s to big (they take from and deliver back just outside the aircraft door).

Good to know. I booked an F reward to Sin later this year and thought I would be stuck with the 23kg one bag limit. The Qantas website certainly implies this for Dash 8 services.
 
Good to know. I booked an F reward to Sin later this year and thought I would be stuck with the 23kg one bag limit. The Qantas website certainly implies this for Dash 8 services.

The winning paragraph is:
If you've purchased international and domestic flights and these are on the same ticket, the international checked baggage allowance applies to the domestic flights too
.

And in case you still have your doubts, here is a screenshot of an upcoming booking I have:

baggage.png
GVKT8QC
 
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