Flights to Lord Howe Island

[andy90]

I fly to Lord Howe Island for a holiday every 1-2 years. Its just an amazing part of the world. At the moment the contract to fly there is held by Qantas Link and they have saved 2-3 Dash 8 Q200's (DHC-200) as the Q300 and Q400's are too big and heavy to land on the short runway at Lord Howe Island.
However, the contract is due to end in 2018 and apparently Qantas will be looking to retire the little dash 8 200's due to the age of them. Im just wondering if anyone has heard any sort of gossip about what is going to happen after the end date of the contract?

Like who will fly there?
or what plane could be used to do it?

What Ive heard is virgin or REX could possibly apply for it but their planes have the following issues:

virgin have the ATR but they are apparently a bit heavy and would require about 10 empty seats to make the landing safely.

REX have the Saab 340 but apparently they don't have enough fuel capacity to fly out, linger for a while in bad weather and return to the mainland if its too windy to land whip happens a lot.

So Im just curious what other people have heard or what they think will happen once the contract is up?

 

[get me outta here]

andy90, just wondering, do you book an all inclusive package, or do it on points? If on points, how is the separate the accommodation costs compared to a package?

I fly to Lord Howe Island for a holiday every 1-2 years. Its just an amazing part of the world. At the moment the contract to fly there is held by Qantas Link and they have saved 2-3 Dash 8 Q200's (DHC-200) as the Q300 and Q400's are too big and heavy to land on the short runway at Lord Howe Island.
However, the contract is due to end in 2018 and apparently Qantas will be looking to retire the little dash 8 200's due to the age of them. Im just wondering if anyone has heard any sort of gossip about what is going to happen after the end date of the contract?

Like who will fly there?
or what plane could be used to do it?

What Ive heard is virgin or REX could possibly apply for it but their planes have the following issues:

virgin have the ATR but they are apparently a bit heavy and would require about 10 empty seats to make the landing safely.

REX have the Saab 340 but apparently they don't have enough fuel capacity to fly out, linger for a while in bad weather and return to the mainland if its too windy to land whip happens a lot.

So Im just curious what other people have heard or what they think will happen once the contract is up?

 

[andy90]

We usually stay at Pinetrees and book flights and accommodation through their own travel department and for 5 people it usually saves us about $700 compared to if we booked the two individually. Pinetrees is also easy because the room price includes breakfast, morning tea, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner so we don't have to think about settling accounts or anything while we are on the island.

 

[Mattg]

Interesting question. I honestly have no idea, but I imagine it would be difficult for most airlines to operate to Lord Howe Island due to the runway length etc. My guess is that either QantasLink will continue flights but with a Q300 (perhaps with some seats kept empty), or Virgin may fly the route using ATR-72s (again, with some empty seats).

I personally would be quite happy for Virgin to fly the route with ATR-72s. Even if only 58 seats were able to be occupied per flight, that's still an overall capacity increase - perhaps prices might come down if more seats are available!

 

[kpc]

We have been to LDH twice (in February) in the last couple of years, and flown there using 16K QF pts return per person cf to a cash price of >$800! (a fantastic Y redemption).

The first time we stayed at Home for $260 pn (I see prices have gone up significantly), and this year we stayed at Home for $250 pn as the first place was already booked out >12 months in advance!!. We packed our bags (14 kg each) full with food, alcohol etc so we pretty much were self sufficient there with our kitchennete and scattered BBQs around the island. I have noticed that QF have been very, very stingy releasing award seats in recent times: FlyerTalk Forums - View Single Post - Any experience with SYD-Lord Howe Island award availability? Hopefully, whoever provides the service, eg Va open up some seats for award redemption as I would love to go back again some day

 

[get me outta here]

I have tested SYD-LDH 09 Aug 2017, and always get an error message:

Flight Search error:

• Qantas.com flight search error:
  We are unable to find recommendations from the airlines we search. Please change your search criteria and resubmit the search. (# 66002)

 

[andy90]

I get exactly the same message when I try and look at flights from Brisbane as well.

 

[Standby]

I can't comment about BNELDH but a family member travelled recently from Syd and the Q200 was restricted to only about 30seats( actually asked crew why it wasn't full) which would make the route pretty marginal. I expect that's why it's a restricted route.Also win VA downsizing their ATR you have to ask which further cuts to existing routes would be needed to provide the LDH service.

 

[N860CR]

It would be a big ask to get the ATR into lord Howe (I'd go as far as saying impossible).

If it's economically viable, QF will maintain the 200 Dash 8. Otherwise... Well who knows.

 

[Boris spatsky]

We used to go there in the Herc alot. 2900ft long, hellish winds, and no airfield lighting so day only.

QF will have to retire the -200s at some stage and the ATRs are going.

I think the route will go charter only with no scheduled services. Means you will end up on a Chieftain or Navajo (who currently do the freight runs) or a Kingair until someone buys a civil Herc or they extend the runway!

 

[Warks]

The return of the flying boats?

Love Lord Howe Island, only visited the once in 1999 and have always been looking forward to returning.

 

[Awesom Andy]

QF will have to retire the -200s at some stage and the ATRs are going.

The fleet of 3x -200 will be at least 22 years old when 2018 comes along. I'm sure they're still airworthy with the right maintenance but they won't last forever.

 

[Skyhawk]

There are currently LH flights available - 16K QF pts return per person.

 

[Virgin Bart]

There are currently LH flights available - 16K QF pts return per person.

Thank you! Mind sharing when?

 

[kpc]

Thank you! Mind sharing when?

October