First Bombadier Dash8 Q400 flight - SYD to CBR.

[PaulST]

I had my first flight in a Bombadier (formally deHavilland) Dash 8 Q 400 today and thought I’d document my experience.
The flight was from SYD to CBR and, whilst QF say it takes 55 minutes, it took us 30 mins and FR24 seems to suggest that it usually only take 30 mins. I’m assuming airlines underestimate to help boost their numbers?

This morning began in the SYD QP which was surprisingly busy but otherwise fine (better than the breakfast I’d have made at home!!)

You board the Q400 via the tarmac (as expected) although there was no premium boarding lane (there was a sign, but it was leaning against the wall.

The Q400 is quite a bit longer than I expected. I sat back in 17A so it the walk (felt like) it took forever.

The staff were moderately friendly and promptly gave us a hot/cold drink and a biscuit (fair enough for a 30min flight).

The layout is 2x2 and the cabin felt its age - are QF refurbishing these any time soon? There seemed like a fair bit of leg room, though, as I’m fairly sure I could have snuck past the aisle passenger without him having to get out of his seat.
Sadly, there’s no IFE (barely needed for a 30min flight) so I had to read…

The view of Wollongong and Lake Illawarra (where I live) was fantastic and I must admit that the inner nerd in me enjoyed seeing the landing gear come up and down right next to you!

I did note that they mentioned that premium pax can pickup their checked-in luggage as soon as they step off the aircraft. How is this organized? Do they tag their bag and take it through security and drop it off as they’re boarding? (I only had carry on).

It was otherwise an uneventful flight.

I didn’t film anything from my return flight but I must admit I was thoroughly impressed with the CBR J lounge! The QP was closed due to renovations so they sent us all across. I guess the polies are a lucrative market so they need to be kept happy. I’d be keen to find out where the CL is…

My video report:
[video=youtube;HdPE8uxjLA4]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HdPE8uxjLA4[/video]

 

[Foreigner]

You'll think Q400 is on a class of its own when you experience Q200 and Q300.

 

[samh004]

I didn’t film anything from my return flight but I must admit I was thoroughly impressed with the CBR J lounge! The QP was closed due to renovations so they sent us all across. I guess the polies are a lucrative market so they need to be kept happy. I’d be keen to find out where the CL is…

When you get to the top of the escalator in CBR you can turn right for the QP, walk straight ahead of the J lounge or turn left for the CL. So essentially, the CL has a very similar view to the QP, of the apron.

I did note that they mentioned that premium pax can pickup their checked-in luggage as soon as they step off the aircraft. How is this organized? Do they tag their bag and take it through security and drop it off as they’re boarding? (I only had carry on).

As the overhead lockers in a Q400 can be on the small side, what would fit in an overhead locker on a 737 may not do so. Before boarding you can have your bag tagged as premium hand carry (they usually weigh it too to make sure it is hand carry) and then when you get to the foot of the stairs you just leave your bag there. Someone will load it in the back and unload it first when you get to your destination, to hopefully be waiting for you at the foot of the stairs as you walk off.

The layout is 2x2 and the cabin felt its age - are QF refurbishing these any time soon?

The newer Q400's have window shades, the older ones do not, however I don't believe there is a refurbishment program.

 

[Mattg]

I do enjoy those CBR-SYD hops on the Q400.

It looks like you got one of the "older" Dash 8s (a VH-QOx aircraft). The newer Q400s (VH-LQx series) have window shades, improved cabin lighting and a couple of other things that are supposed to make the cabin a little bit nicer. (It's the Dash 8 equivalent of BSI, if you will.) But I don't think there are any plans to refurbish the older aircraft retrospectively.

By the way, do you know how long the Qantas Club in CBR will be closed for? I'm flying out of there next weekend...

 

[love_the_life]

Maybe I am in the minority but I don't like the Dash 8s very much. I can manage CBR - SYD but anything longer I find too noisy, too slow even though service is usually much better than on these small planes. I prefer the 717s for flights out of CBR where possible.

 

[PaulST]

Thanks for those expalanations samh004.

By the way, do you know how long the Qantas Club in CBR will be closed for? I'm flying out of there next weekend...

No I didn't ask but from what I could see from the entrance, it looked ready for use. They sent everyone to the J lounge so you'll get something.

 

[emeline]

I did note that they mentioned that premium pax can pickup their checked-in luggage as soon as they step off the aircraft. How is this organized? Do they tag their bag and take it through security and drop it off as they’re boarding? (I only had carry on).

As a regular commuter aboard the q400 - it's not checked luggage you pick up. It's carry on luggage that's too big for the overhead bins. It gets tagged with 'Premium hand luggage' and left on the tarmac on boarding and you collect it from the tarmac again when you disembark. Regular checked luggage is collected as usual.

The QP and J lounge in CBR are two of my favourites in Aus. The Chairman's Lounge is just left at the top of the escalators.

I'm very used to the q400 now but much prefer the 717 whenever I can.

 

[Sprucegoose]

Always enjoyed the ride in the Q400. As reliable as the old focker friendship