Friday 13th unlucky for Qantas

[markis10]

Seems not many wanted to go to Singapore on Friday on QF53. Fiona Pollard

 

[SydneySwan]

It was a charter flight for the AJ Fan Club!

 

[jase05]

Seems not many wanted to go to Singapore on Friday on QF53. Fiona PollardView attachment 497727

Many years ago in our Y flying days we had similar on a CX HKG-ADL flight. I enjoyed the poor man’s J of a whole middle row bed and got near on 6hrs of solid sleep

 

[AIRwin]

No Boarding Directive issued for all other passengers:

ICA to Issue No-Boarding Directives from 30 January 2026

ICA is responsible for the security of Singapore's borders against the entry of undesirable persons, cargo and conveyances through our land, air and sea checkpoints.

www.ica.gov.sg

 

[billmurray]

No Boarding Directive issued for all other passengers:

ICA to Issue No-Boarding Directives from 30 January 2026

ICA is responsible for the security of Singapore's borders against the entry of undesirable persons, cargo and conveyances through our land, air and sea checkpoints.

www.ica.gov.sg

So what does that mean?

 

[Warragul]

So what does that mean?

Fairly self explanatory, when APP ( or APIS choose your acronym) data it s sent to Singapore they do a watch list/visa check and send a response back to the airline - ok to board/ do not board. If they uplift a do not board passenger they cop a fine.
I'm surprised it's taken this long for Singapore to start this, it's been mandatory here for more than 20 years.

 

[exLXCXFF]

Seems not many wanted to go to Singapore on Friday on QF53. Fiona PollardView attachment 497727

was that after boarding completed or during boarding?

I had a similar flight like this last year but that was because it was delayed by 26 hours and most people had connections and were rebooked.

 

[DC3]

Seems not many wanted to go to Singapore on Friday on QF53. Fiona PollardView attachment 497727

Neither would I, that far up the back.

 

[exLXCXFF]

Neither would I, that far up the back.

yet they run out of the chicken pasta and only had the fish left in Y

 

[SCM]

I thought this was a super busy route?

 

[markis10]

I thought this was a super busy route?

Not always in both directions, and it’s often a double daily service on weekends with both coming back that night a few hours apart

 

[VHOEJ]

Correct - Chinese New Year this week, always get directionality with the holiday. Flight from SIN back that evening.

 

[LionKing]

I am sure the return flight is packed to the rafters, as millions of Singaporeans are flying into Australia for University and tourism.

 

[747800intercon]

I am sure the return flight is packed to the rafters, as millions of Singaporeans are flying into Australia for University and tourism.

That's 100% correct...the return services QF52 and QF54 along with all the other QF flights SIN-Australia were full so it made sense to operate the flight up to SIN.

 

[AIRwin]

millions of Singaporeans are flying into Australia for University and tourism

There'll be nobody remaining

 

[Rayesfeg]

Hate it when they use the A330s without entertainment screens on this route!

 

[AuSammy]

I am sure the return flight is packed to the rafters, as millions of Singaporeans are flying into Australia for University and tourism.

Once again hyperbole, common in your posts - absolutely not millions. Closer to 6,000 students in total and less than 400k tourists

 

[lovestotravel]

Hate it when they use the A330s without entertainment screens on this route!

It looks so bad!!!

 

[prozac]

Seems not many wanted to go to Singapore on Friday on QF53. Fiona PollardView attachment 497727

Reminds me the glory days in the 1970 flying around the world in almost empty 747s and having the centre 6 seats to myself. Did a QF BKK-SYD that was like this and the CA (they were hosties back then) sitting with me and chatting. Another LH from JNB-AMS Christmas eve 1976 was almost this good too.

 

[MelbFlyer]

This isn't surprising, although I'd have expected around 30-50% loads, even despite being Chinese New Year.

I flew on CX178 a few years ago the day after the traditional CNY reunion dinner (so the day of CNY itself), it was around 30-40% full.

Hate it when they use the A330s without entertainment screens on this route!

It looks so bad!!!

Yes, comparing this to SQs economy product, QF is far, far behind.