24 August 2011 - any predictions?

[RSD]

Whatever they do I hope they get it right and don't stuff it up because they only have one chance I think - there is a lot of discontent amongst QF passengers that could end up being a huge movement to Virgin if they get it wrong and that could spell the end for Qantas - if they cull too many more international routes and don't come up with a lot of good codeshares then I will be moving elsewhere. I'm not all that confident with Joyce in charge but hopefully there is some Wisdom amongst his Four Pillars strategy.

 

[an*g-bne]

Completely unsubstantiated, but ...

I'm currently in KUL, and arriving a few days ago, I caught the train from the international satellite terminal, back to the main terminal together with the flight and cabin crew of a MH flight. The Captain and FO were speculating about any potential poaching QF-Asia might be going to do from KUL based flight and cabin crew, and whether it might be worth jumping over when such an opportunity came. I took the opportunity to ask them whether they thought QF-Asia was going to hub out of KUL instead of SIN. Their opinion was certainly that QF-Asia was going to happen, and it was going to hub out of KUL, which had more slots available than SIN, and would also become a OW hub as opposed to fighting with *A at SIN.

I have no idea whether their conversation was based on any internal information, or simply idle speculation.

 

[register user name]

It is going to be interesting.

Their strategic position is a nightmare. They were a full service carrier in a market that was divided into two segments: "Full service" and "budget".

Unfortunately for Qantas, the market has split into three segments:

1-Premium - The big Asian and Middle Eastern Airlines

2-Mainstream - Qantas, Luftnhansa, BA etc

3-Budget.

Being in that middle rung is a tough proposition. The Premium rung all have huge cost advantages either in fuel, hardware or wages. The Asian airlines have a massive advantage in service and food. (Qantas' poor old bingo ladies serving up from the Qantas "what bogans think rich people eat menu" just cannot compete with a decent nasi lemak served politely on Malaysian!!).

If people want a good experience, food they know they will want to eat and service of a consistently good quality then they will always choose from the premium group. Budget is budget and it will be chosen for its purpose. But that middle rung, with high costs and fares that are as high, if not higher than the premiums... hmmm. It is no coincidence that the middle rung group are suffering everywhere.

I know a lot of people in my situation. I live in this corner of the world and Qantas has the only reasonably comprehensive network to the places I go. If i want to benefit from an FF programme, I have no choice. Give me an alternative and you will not see me for dust. I don't hate Qantas but it is what it is...

I have no idea what levers to push if the flying kangaroo is to get back on track.

 

[Flying mermaid]

David James has a very funny column in the current BRW which refers to Qantas as Qantasia and has a rewritten theme song. I won't quote the whole thing (copyright?), however I really liked this verse

"But someday we'll all be together once more
When all of the ships come back to the shore
Then I realise something I've always known
I still call wherever the costs are lower home"

 

[froggerADL]

I have no idea what levers to push if the flying kangaroo is to get back on track.

They need to push the lttle Irish dude. And soon, before he turns Qantas into Ansett2.

 

[RSD]

They need to push the lttle Irish dude. And soon, before he turns Qantas into Ansett2.

Stupid me - all along I've been thinking that he was trying to turn it into Ryanair!

IF they do go ahead with this Qantas Asia thing then there had better be a lot more international routes on offer because they won't be able to blame costs for not being able to offer a whole lot more than they do currently.

 

[harvyk]

My predictions are QF int will operate out of 5 airports only,

SYD / MEL / (insert asian airport here, most likely SIN) / LHR / LAX.

Everything else will be codeshared, sent to JQ or dropped completely.
They will speed up getting rid of the B747's , they will move the A330's to JQ \ QF dom (prob replace the SYD-PER B744 with an A330 with skybed to compete with DJ on that route).
Everything int will be via an A380.
JQ will do feeder flights PER-SIN for connection onto a SIN - LHR.

I do see them retaining a couple of first class aircraft which will be used on certain flights at certain times, just so they can say they are still a "first class airline".

I don't know if Jetconnect will continue doing TT runs, or if Jetconnect will become part of JQ (neither would surprise me).

I really hope I'm wrong, but knowing Joyces actions until now...

 

[BVT]

My predictions are QF int will operate out of 5 airports only,

SYD / MEL / (insert asian airport here, most likely SIN) / LHR / LAX.

Everything else will be codeshared, sent to JQ or dropped completely.
They will speed up getting rid of the B747's , they will move the A330's to JQ \ QF dom (prob replace the SYD-PER B744 with an A330 with skybed to compete with DJ on that route).
Everything int will be via an A380.
JQ will do feeder flights PER-SIN for connection onto a SIN - LHR.

I do see them retaining a couple of first class aircraft which will be used on certain flights at certain times, just so they can say they are still a "first class airline".

I don't know if Jetconnect will continue doing TT runs, or if Jetconnect will become part of JQ (neither would surprise me).

I really hope I'm wrong, but knowing Joyces actions until now...

FWIW, I think that this is a fairly accurate guess of what might be announced.

F will be only available on the LHR and LAX routes, I suspect. No QF int out of Bne; hmm, possible but unlikely. maybe a feeder service to the Asian hub to connect with other OW carriers. Who knows.

Is it possible that we might get Q400's out of OOL to SYD and or BNE?

 

[burrco]

My prediction is a long thread on AFF!

 

[RSD]

My prediction is a long thread on AFF!

I think that is 100% certain. It's looking pretty certain that there might be a lot of anger flying as well.

If things do go as expected on the 24th then I can't see any clear way of expressing our disgust in a way that will be listened to.

 

[BVT]

I think that is 100% certain. It's looking pretty certain that there might be a lot of anger flying as well.

If things do go as expected on the 24th then I can't see any clear way of expressing our disgust in a way that will be listened to.

My usual reposne would be "vote with your feet". But that means flying Virgin, that to me , is totally unacceptable. But, that might change if pushed far enough.

 

[Jack Melon]

Put it this way

1. Qantasia
2. Qantas, A Jetstar Group Airline

That sums it up.

 

[Danger]

I've been very sceptical about the possibility of Qantas culling routes out of Perth. However, I've just learnt that the large Qantas booking office in the Perth CBD has closed and, according to Qantas, isn't being replaced. To me, this is a sad sign that Perth can expect some disappointing news from Qantas in the next few weeks.

 

[Flying mermaid]

So in the latest news Jetstar is spending 500M on its Singapore hub and adding 5 A320 and 2 A330. Well it is news to me, but then I don't really follow this sort of thing. I guess from Qantas management point of view they have to look at the whole compnay and if Jetstar is manking money and Qantas isn't then Jetstar is where the expansion goes......

I have really loved Qantas over the years, but once privatising happens then it is all a new ball game and Icons don't matter.....

I guess we will still use Qantas domestically but increasingly look at other carriers for our overseas trips.

 

[Flying mermaid]

It is going to be interesting.

1-Premium - The big Asian and Middle Eastern Airlines


.

So what are the premium ones - Emirates, Singapore, Cathay anything else? I am building up my list to try

 

[Awesom Andy]

So what are the premium ones - Emirates, Singapore, Cathay anything else? I am building up my list to try

I would also put Asiana (OZ) and Qatar (QR) on to the list. OZ operates to SYD, while QR to MEL.

 

[jakeseven7]

My predictions will be this:

Qantas
- Another offshore 'Jetconnect' version of QF will be announced in Asia-Pac (potentially as a JV)
- Couple of international routes will be dropped
- Couple of new international routes will be announced
- QF or QFLink will return to the Gold Coast
- QFLink will start supplementing mainline to Hobart
- More detail on Network Aviation folding into QFLink will be announced

Jetstar
- Couple of international routes will be dropped
- Couple of new international routes will be announced

Qantas FF
- More detail round WP1 will be released
- More positive changes to combat Velocity (not like they need to, but Velocity may be relaunched by then!)

 

[Flying mermaid]

I would also put Asiana (OZ) and Qatar (QR) on to the list. OZ operates to SYD, while QR to MEL.

Thank-you - we can fly easily from either Mel or Syd so it opens up new horizons.....

 

[FSM-2024]

I am not looking forward to the new changes as based on QF postering and previous posts there will be less QF flights INTL & possible change of INTL hub from SIN - KUL.

My preference would be to fly QF metal everywhere as the service standard from other OW airlines aren't at the same service level (ie, AA - no food service in economy domestic) but I realise that is not feasible. Likewise I prefer SIN over KUL because it has better facilities IMO.

That aside I'm hoping for some things to occur:
1) A more consolidated QF group that can continue to compete against middle eastern airlines & VA
2) Consistency amongst all of J* - ie bringing Jetstar Pacific (BL) into line with the other operators
3) More recognition of FF's in Jet* to compensate for the loss of QF flights on various INTL routes.

 

[Jobu]

I've been very sceptical about the possibility of Qantas culling routes out of Perth. However, I've just learnt that the large Qantas booking office in the Perth CBD has closed and, according to Qantas, isn't being replaced. To me, this is a sad sign that Perth can expect some disappointing news from Qantas in the next few weeks.

Doubt it - PER is one of the most profitable domestic routes for Qantas which is why there is a battle going on between VA and QF for this route, why VA put its new A330s and business class config on this route, and why QF put international config planes on this domestic route.

Would be nice to have some first class flights and/or A380s out of Perth for international flights plus add a F-class lounge and hosts...