OOL to Wuhan direct

[Major]

Jetstar has started twice weekly services from the Gold Coast direct to Wuhan

http://goldcoastairport.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/30September2015WuhanFirstFlight.pdf

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Something strange about this!

Just looked at the JQ website - all services between now and march are pricing out at AUD1000 each way. And star class is 'sold out' on all flights.

So it looks like there is no intention to make this flight available for average passengers... perhaps these are sort of like charters with a chinese agency buying up the bulk of the seats for sale as part of package holidays?

I can't see much demand for $2000 seats, in economy (no meals, bags or anything) when you can fly QF/KA combo for $1155 (return).

 

[dajop]

Something strange about this!

Routesonline indicates these are indeed charter flights, and only available on JQ website with "minimal discount options".

 

[N860CR]

It's not a charter, otherwise it couldn't be sold online on a per seat basis. It looks like the majority of the seats are being purchased by Chinese travel agents under an agreement with the carrier.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Routesonline indicates these are indeed charter flights, and only available on JQ website with "minimal discount options".

Thanks! I suspected something was up!

 

[samh004]

It's not a charter, otherwise it couldn't be sold online on a per seat basis. It looks like the majority of the seats are being purchased by Chinese travel agents under an agreement with the carrier.

An interesting set of circumstances. Wonder if JQ could permanently open a route to China some time?

 

[bsb]

Connecting Chinese to Chinse owned resorts in Gold Coast. Not about Australians. Good use of JQ brand.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I'm intrigued by this flight now!

I was wondering what the score is with cabin crew. If it's predominantly a chinese charter, you'd expect all the crew (except maybe for the CSM) to be fluent in chinese. Does that mean they'll source the crew on local contracts in China? Given the long layovers in Australia (only two flights a week), I wonder if they'll get the crew to fly to other destinations as well?

Or maybe they'll be an all aussie crew?

 

[Mattg]

Looking forward to a trip report by anyone who takes this flight!

 

[yohy?!]

I'm intrigued by this flight now!

I was wondering what the score is with cabin crew. If it's predominantly a chinese charter, you'd expect all the crew (except maybe for the CSM) to be fluent in chinese. Does that mean they'll source the crew on local contracts in China? Given the long layovers in Australia (only two flights a week), I wonder if they'll get the crew to fly to other destinations as well?

Or maybe they'll be an all aussie crew?

Imagine they'll probably utilise mandarin speakers from elsewhere in the network and build the WUH sectors into a longer pattern of trips to other destinations - in the past I'm sure I've read of the Thai crew having 10-odd day trips to 3 or so long haul ports

 

[smit0847]

I'm intrigued by this flight now!

I was wondering what the score is with cabin crew. If it's predominantly a chinese charter, you'd expect all the crew (except maybe for the CSM) to be fluent in chinese. Does that mean they'll source the crew on local contracts in China? Given the long layovers in Australia (only two flights a week), I wonder if they'll get the crew to fly to other destinations as well?

Or maybe they'll be an all aussie crew?

Imagine they'll probably utilise mandarin speakers from elsewhere in the network and build the WUH sectors into a longer pattern of trips to other destinations - in the past I'm sure I've read of the Thai crew having 10-odd day trips to 3 or so long haul ports

The crew are SIN based JQ crew who are fluent in chinese. I cant imagine this being a popular route for crew.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

The crew are SIN based JQ crew who are fluent in chinese. I cant imagine this being a popular route for crew.

Thanks.

Not aussie based

 

[N860CR]

Thanks.

Not aussie based

Other than a handful of CSMs, all the JQ intl crew are Singapore or Thailand based

 

[Mattg]

Other than a handful of CSMs, all the JQ intl crew are Singapore or Thailand based

Even the crew flying to HNL?

 

[Saab34]

Even the crew flying to HNL?

Yes. My last HNL flight in Feb, CSM was Aussie, the rest were Japanese and Thai. The other flight everyone including CSM were Asian.

 

[smit0847]

Yes. My last HNL flight in Feb, CSM was Aussie, the rest were Japanese and Thai. The other flight everyone including CSM were Asian.

Even the crew flying to HNL?

I think it depends on the route. I think a large majority of non CSM crew are Indonesian based because they are cheapest.

 

[smit0847]

Thanks.

Not aussie based

Not when unionised aussie crew would demand 5+ x the salary no.

 

[amaroo]

Connecting Chinese to Chinse owned resorts in Gold Coast. Not about Australians. Good use of JQ brand.

No different to most mass tourism operations ... cruise industry would have to be the worst IMO.

 

[dajop]

Connecting Chinese to Chinse owned resorts in Gold Coast. Not about Australians. Good use of JQ brand.

I'm not sure if this a positive post (i.e. good to consign JQ for people other than Australians, but still generating income for our "beloved' (!!) QF group), or tinged with sarcasm and a negative post. Could be taken either way.

 

[N860CR]

Not when unionised aussie crew would demand 5+ x the salary no.

It's nothing to do with unionised crew asking for anything unreasonable. JQi offshore staff are paid a few hundred dollars a month. Jetstars Australian cabin crew are paid barely minimum Australian wage.