A380 Domestic Run?

[MrMickeyg]

When QANTAS initially bought the A330-300's I happened to be on one from Perth to Melbourne. It had just arrived from the factory and was being trialled and I guess having the bugs shaken out of it before moving into international operations a few weeks later.

DO you think this will happen with the A380 - or is straight to LA the moment it gets here...??


Cheers

 

[Evan]

Been discussed in another thread but i think somebody said PER is not setup for A380 ops. SYD-MEL could be possible... or maybe they just fly it empty for training etc.
You never know, but i doubt you would have much advance warning.

In any case i would expect the A380 would do only the international-domestic flights, meaning the domestic leg with an international flight number since i would guess only the international parking bays at the gates are large enough and that there is the correct air bridges etc in place.

E

 

[Harpoon]

We had Qantas reps come visit us at work yesterday and I did ask the question whether there would be some domestic MEL-SYD flights because of the 1 aircraft operating both LAX routes.

He said no there wouldn't be early on, but there may be much later down the track once they get more planes in to service.

 

[markis10]

I dont believe any domestic terminal is A380 ready, Melbourne has a standoff bay for parking but that is as best at it gets, so any trials would be through international facilties.

 

[oz_mark]

I would expect that there would be some non-rev flights around the country for training purposes and the like. I wouldn't expect to see them opertaing purely domestic services, but maybe in 15 years time when we are calling them clapped out bangers, they may be on domestic duty

 

[ANstar]

It would make sense for there to be some flights as the beast needs to position from MEL-SYD for the LAX flights.

 

[serfty]

The following is the operating schedule for the first 12 Qantas A388 transpacific flights:

• 20/10/08 QF93 MEL-LAX 11:15 07:30
• 20/10/08 QF94 LAX-MEL 23:40 09:50+2
• 24/10/08 QF11 SYD-LAX 14:05 09:45
• 24/10/08 QF12 LAX-SYD 22:30 07:15+2
• 27/10/08 QF93 MEL-LAX 11:10 07:30
• 27/10/08 QF94 LAX-MEL 23:15 08:50+2
• 31/10/08 QF11 SYD-LAX 14:05 09:50
• 31/10/08 QF12 LAX-SYD 22:30 07:10+2
• 03/11/08 QF93 MEL-LAX 12:10 07:30
• 03/11/08 QF94 LAX-MEL 23:15 09:50+2
• 07/11/08 QF11 SYD-LAX 15:05 09:50
• 07/11/08 QF12 LAX-SYD 22:30 08:10+2

So there will need to be positioning segments between MEL and SYD.

 

[simongr]

The following is the operating schedule for the first 12 Qantas A388 transpacific flights:

• 24/10/08 QF11 SYD-LAX 14:05 09:45

So there will need to be positioning segments between MEL and SYD.

Note the availability for EF:

R1 F0 A0 J9 C0 D0 I0 W9 T0 B9 H9 K9 M9 L9 V9 S9 N9 Q9 O9 X0 E0

So no chance of doing that on a DONE4

 

[serfty]

Have a look at the inaugural:

• 20/10/08 QF93 MEL-LAX 11:15 07:30

R0 F0 A0 J0 C0 D0 I0 W0 T0 B9 H9 K9 M9 L9 V9 S9 N9 Q9 O9 X0 E0

A tad nose heavy with none of the 86 F/J seats available:

 

[oz_mark]

So there will need to be positioning segments between MEL and SYD.

It may need to position, but will likely be non-rev flights.

 

[Evan]

Have a look at the inaugural:

• 20/10/08 QF93 MEL-LAX 11:15 07:30

R0 F0 A0 J0 C0 D0 I0 W0 T0 B9 H9 K9 M9 L9 V9 S9 N9 Q9 O9 X0 E0

A tad nose heavy with none of the 86 F/J seats available:

Or W / T !
E

 

[Timtammi]

Originally Posted by serfty
Have a look at the inaugural:

• 20/10/08 QF93 MEL-LAX 11:15 07:30

R0 F0 A0 J0 C0 D0 I0 W0 T0 B9 H9 K9 M9 L9 V9 S9 N9 Q9 O9 X0 E0

A tad nose heavy with none of the 86 F/J seats available:
Or W / T !
E

Except that Premium Economy is up the back upstairs on the A380. Might help even out the weight distribution!

 

[serfty]

Except that Premium Economy is up the back upstairs on the A380. Might help even out the weight distribution!

Please allow me some poetic licence ...

Besides, there's only the 32 of those seats ...

 

[straitman]

The following is the operating schedule for the first 12 Qantas A388 transpacific flights:

• 20/10/08 QF93 MEL-LAX 11:15 07:30
• 20/10/08 QF94 LAX-MEL 23:40 09:50+2
• 24/10/08 QF11 SYD-LAX 14:05 09:45
• 24/10/08 QF12 LAX-SYD 22:30 07:15+2
• 27/10/08 QF93 MEL-LAX 11:10 07:30
• 27/10/08 QF94 LAX-MEL 23:15 08:50+2
• 31/10/08 QF11 SYD-LAX 14:05 09:50
• 31/10/08 QF12 LAX-SYD 22:30 07:10+2
• 03/11/08 QF93 MEL-LAX 12:10 07:30
• 03/11/08 QF94 LAX-MEL 23:15 09:50+2
• 07/11/08 QF11 SYD-LAX 15:05 09:50
• 07/11/08 QF12 LAX-SYD 22:30 08:10+2

So there will need to be positioning segments between MEL and SYD.

Strikes me that they could have done this without needing any repositioning flights :!: :shock:

• MEL-LAX
  
• LAX-SYD
• SYD-LAX
• LAX-MEL
• MEL-LAX
• LAX-SYD
• SYD-LAX
• LAX-MEL etc.....

 

[dajop]

Strikes me that they could have done this without needing any repositioning flights :!: :shock:

Or that QF could get some much needed good PR, and sell every seat on the plane by doing some repositioning flights .... give the average Joe the chance to fly the A380.

 

[NM]

Strikes me that they could have done this without needing any repositioning flights :!: :shock:

Indeed it does not seem to make sense. It would be interesting to know the thought process behind the routing choice. Perhaps there is some obscure reason

Perhaps the opportunity for another take-off and landing for crew training may be part of the plan?

 

[Dave Noble]

Or that QF could get some much needed good PR, and sell every seat on the plane by doing some repositioning flights .... give the average Joe the chance to fly the A380.

Qantas are not making the A380 any more difficult to go on than other planes.

Dave

 

[oz_mark]

Indeed it does not seem to make sense. It would be interesting to know the thought process behind the routing choice. Perhaps there is some obscure reason

Perhaps the opportunity for another take-off and landing for crew training may be part of the plan?

I'd expect crew training would for part of their decision process on this.

 

[markis10]

Avalon is a handy place to do circuits and bumps in heavy metal Its weird being in a completely empty 747 doing exactly that, at least catering leave Mar bars in the galley!

 

[dajop]

Qantas are not making the A380 any more difficult to go on than other planes.

Dave

No I wasn't suggesting they were, and my comments weren't intended as a criticism.

However, for many, MEL-SYD sectors are much more financially achievable than return flights to US - whatever the aircraft (indeed, I wonder how many AFF'rs would do a run on the 380 between MEL/SYD just to fly on it) . QF could capitalise on the hype around the new aircraft, fill the aircraft on some ferry flights, and carefully orchestrate a positive media campaign around it - which is what they desperately need right now. Even nonews might find something positive to write about (...and well done whoever coined the "nonews" name, very appropriate).