Jetstar Delays/Cancellations

[Melburnian1]

@Melburnian1 as I'm sure you know I have a difficult relationship with JQ7.

On this coming Monday, my partner was suggesting I do JQ7, it was quite a low fare. I was looking at alternatives and thus didn't book it (ScootPlus namely).

Now it seems that on Sunday and Monday they are no longer selling any seats on JQ7 (or JQ8 in the other direction). I guess it could be fullbut given they were selling just $240 fares until a couple of days ago, perhaps not likely). Not sure if they've cancelled Sunday, Monday or both flights.

@dajop , FR24 isn't (yet) indicating any cancellations, but that may simply mean it's not been advised.

You must have a love-hate relationship with JQ7 and JQ8.

 

[Melburnian1]

On Sunday 2 August 2026, JQ29, the 1325 hours MEL to BKK (B788 VH-VKE) took off at 1418 hours. Gate arrival tonight is forecast as 43 late at 2033, so the winds against the plane must be holding it back.

The 1510 hours SYD-SGN JQ61 was in the sky at 1609 with VH-VKI, so a fairly similar 39 minute late gate arrival tonight at 2139 is the suggestion.

 

[Melburnian1]

On Sunday 2 August 2026, JQ7, the 1200 'high noon' MEL-SIN and JQ8, the redeye 2100 hours return flight have the chop.

This was also the case on the previous Sunday. Far be it for me to suggest it's a regular occurrence but @regular traveller on the route @dajop may have a view.

B788s VH-VKA and ---F haven't operated any flights in the last seven days so that may be the reason. From previous history, when there's a problem, this MEL-SIN 'rotation' is the first to suffer.

 

[moa999]

VKA is in HKG for refurb, so planned. Now at 6 wks.
VKF hasn't moved since arriving in MEL on 25/7 so possibly unplanned

 

[dajop]

This was also the case on the previous Sunday. Far be it for me to suggest it's a regular occurrence but @regular traveller on the route @dajop may have a view.

Seems to be fairly regular. I don't know over the course of several years, we and family have experienced major disruptions on JQ7/8 probably 40% of the time. I'm not talking 3-4 hour delays here either. We're OK we can stay at my partners mother's house at the MEL end, and our apartment at the SIN end - so it doesn't affect us like it would many travellers.

But the loss of QF lounge access, and now the new carry on rules , and the history of disruptions mean that I'm boycotting this service now

 

[Melburnian1]

A321 VH-OFY is operating the Wednesday 5 August JQ125 (0615 hours ADL-DPS) that did not take off until 1008. Arrival at gate should be about 1342 hours, 212 minutes late. The aircraft had overnighted in Adelaide, so not sure why the tardiness.

 

[Melburnian1]

On Thursday 6 August, A321 VH-OYF on the Wednesday night redeye JQ113 from SYD to RAR arrived at gate at 0702 hours, 18 minutes early. However the return flight (JQ112, the 0900 hours) did not become airborne until 1102, arriving in SYD at 1429 hours, 114 minutes late.

The aircraft then transferred to Sydney's domestic terminal, forming JQ523,, the 1645 hours SYD down to MEL in the sky at 1723 with arrival tonight likely at 1853 hours, 28 minutes tardy. In turn this will delay the scheduled 1905 hours MEL-SYD JQ526 with departure forecast for 1935 hours.

These international to domestic 'transfers' or the reverse often result in late running as it can take some time to move between terminals. Not ideal from passengers' point of view.

 

[Melburnian1]

On Friday 7 August 2026, JQ48 from ICN down to SYD (B788 VH-VKI), the 2150 hours, did not take off until 2310, so on Saturday 8, gate arrival became 1010 hours, 65 minutes late.

@Harrison_133 advises that Airservices Australia is warning of delays in Sydney on Saturday 8 due to insufficient staffing. I bet some controllers have (again) 'thrown a sickie'. Not good to say the least.

As one example, JQ785, the scheduled 0815 hours from MCY down to SYD did not take off until 0904 hours, with A320 VH-VGR arriving at 1038 hours, 38 minutes late.

 

[Melburnian1]

In more ATC-related delays on Saturday 8 August 2026, JQ47, the 1045 hours SYD-ICN (B788 VH-VKH) took off at 1240 hours . Gate arrival tonight is forecast for 2118 , 63 minutes late.

 

[tomlee1986]

JQ402 VH-VQJ to OOL 0720 departure is delayed from SYD due to almost crashing into QR 777 jet according to 7 news!!

Another near-miss at Sydney Airport injures crew member

The Jetstar pilot told passengers it was ‘only by chance that at the last minute’ they were able to stop.

7news.com.au

@Melburnian1

 

[Melburnian1]

JQ402 VH-VQJ to OOL 0720 departure is delayed from SYD due to almost crashing into QR 777 jet according to 7 news!!

Another near-miss at Sydney Airport injures crew member

The Jetstar pilot told passengers it was ‘only by chance that at the last minute’ they were able to stop.

7news.com.au

@Melburnian1

JQ402 in the end was cancelled, perhaps because the cabin crew member had to be taken off as he/she required medical attention. Maybe there was no standby replacement available at short notice

The return flight (JQ405, the 0915 hours OOL down to SYD) was also cancelled.

 

[tomlee1986]

JQ402 in the end was cancelled, perhaps because the cabin crew member had to be taken off as he/she required medical attention. Maybe there was no standby replacement available at short notice

The return flight (JQ405, the 0915 hours OOL down to SYD) was also cancelled.

Hope the staff is recovered quickly and the passengers could be swapped to other flights quickly maybe even via QF mainline service via BNE??

 

[Melburnian1]

With unpleasant weather in MEL today (rainy, at times windy, and chilly), the airport looked to be on single runway operations by 1230 AEST.

 

[Melburnian1]

Also on Sunday 9 August, JQ9 (scheduled at 0930 hours from BNE up to NRT with B788 VH-VKH) did not take off until 1214 hours. Gate arrival becomes a likely 1951 hours, 131 minutes late.

The late running is partly because yesterday's SYD up to ICN JQ47 arrived in Incheon, South Korea at 2133 hours, 78 minutes late, and then formed JQ54, the 2130 hours ICN down to BNE airborne at 2306. This morning, the latter pulled into its Brisbane gate at 0857 hours, 57 late, and then has obviously spent excess time on the ground in Brisbane.

 

[Melburnian1]

B788 VH-VKL has been on an unusual roster in the last couple of days that has required two instances of empty, profit-depleting flights - 'ferry flights'.

On Friday afternoon 7 August it operated JQ17 from MEL to resort-heavy HKT in Thailand, arriving 42 minutes late at 2122 hours. The return (overnight) journey from HKT back down to MEL arrived three minutes early at 0942 hours on Saturday 8.

It then ran empty from MEL up to SYD as JQ8994, and formed the 1305 hours early afternoon SYD to (again) HKT that took off at 1453 hours for arrival at gate at 2038 mid evening, 78 late. The return was via JQ28 that on Sunday 9 arrived SYD at 0924 hours, 34 minutes late.

Again, it operated empty, this time from SYD down to MEL as JQ8995, arriving at 1259 hours. Its scheduled 1450 hours JQ17 (MEL-HKT) was in the sky at 1543 so expected gate arrival becomes 40 minutes late at 2120 hours mid evening tonight.

 

[Saab34]

VKF is back online it seems.

VKA still going through a heavy check 2 months in, no surprise I guess being the oldest.