Project Sunrise: A350 or 777X?

[TomJones]

This project's business case must be pretty marginal if its go-ahead depends on getting concessions out of the staff and achieving certain delivery dates. Imagine what would happen if oil prices went back to $80!

 

[Himeno]

If they want to lock in delivery dates for early 2022, they'd need to order by the end of the year, maybe Jan.
Qantas likely has tentative orders with both Airbus and Boeing, but they have to confirm and sign off on the orders to get those dates, otherwise those slots would be released to other airline orders.

If they don't get those slots, with other confirmed orders, they would likely be looking at mid-late 2023 to get aircraft.

 

[jb747]

Orders for all of the wide bodies are softening. Airbus has an aircraft now, but I very much doubt that Boeing will have one before 2023...and I wouldn't want to buy it anyway.

In any event, it's all smoke and mirrors, and when it's cancelled, it won't be AJ's fault. Nothing ever is.

 

[esseeeayeenn]

Orders for all of the wide bodies are softening. Airbus has an aircraft now, but I very much doubt that Boeing will have one before 2023...and I wouldn't want to buy it anyway.

I can't imagine why you'd be at all reluctant to buy a new aircraft Boeing rushed through design and into production.
What could possibly go wrong?

 

[HPSOV]

I’m tipping A350 in a 6/50/40/140 config.

 

[DC3]

I’m tipping A350 in a 6/50/40/140 config.

Yes, six would be good.

 

[moa999]

I’m tipping A350 in a 6/50/40/140 config.

Seatcount a little low - QF target was 300, but I think they'll be a little short with the 350.

Based on the CX 350-1000 config I'd think 154Y.
All Y in the rear cabin with 1" extra versus CX losing a row.
And possibly a bit more upfront, depending on if they have a bar/lounge area.

I think in F you have to do something like EKs 1-1-1 cabins with fake window

 

[PineappleSkip]

Yes, six would be good.

Something vaguely appealing about travel in the F six-pack

cheers skip

 

[Himeno]

VH-ZNJ is listed as having been delivered a week ago (Wed 6th Nov). When it is meant to operate the LHR-SYD test?
ZNK was rolled out of assembly 18 days ago. Hasn't yet had its first flight. ZNK is meant to be delivered in December with a 2nd JFK-SYD flight.

 

[Melburnian1]

VH-ZNJ is listed as having been delivered a week ago (Wed 6th Nov). When it is meant to operate the LHR-SYD test?...

Himeno, FR24 suggests that on 7 November, B789 VH-ZNJ ran empty ('ferried') from PAE (Everett, Boeing factory) to LAX but is yet to undertake a commercial flight. Unusual?

 

[Himeno]

I thought it might have done the LHR flight already and the news didn't blow up about it.
It would be sitting in the LAX QF hanger undergoing checks and prep for the flight. Upon checking, it should be going LAX-LHR today or tomorrow.
How long did ZNI sit at LAX before going to JFK for its JFK-SYD flight?

 

[hm520]

I thought it might have done the LHR flight already and the news didn't blow up about it.

If a qantas event happens and there wasn't a news story - did it even happen?

 

[Happy Trails]

UK Independent yesterday:

Final preparations are under way for Qantas’ London-Sydney nonstop test flight, which is happening the same week as the airline announces its commitment to becoming more sustainable and cutting carbon emissions.

Qantas to launch direct London-Sydney flight on same week as sustainability pledge

Australian airline says it ‘recognises that airlines have a responsibility to cut emissions and combat climate change’

www.independent.co.uk

 

[dajop]

Anyone thought about what sort of timetable QF is likely to follow with these flights?

Assuming SYD-LHR "traditional" timing arriving in LHR at 5am, do you think we would see a morning departure back to SYD, arriving early afternoon, or do you think we'll see a mid afternoon departure arriving in SYD in the evening? (notiing current QF2 timing - leaving LHR at 2035 - won't work as it would mean an SYD arrival around 3am).

On the other hand could see a neat same day service, leaving MEL or SYD at 8am arriving into LHR 5pm, turning around at 6:30pm to arrive back in MEL a 00:30am??

 

[Himeno]

Anyone thought about what sort of timetable QF is likely to follow with these flights?

Assuming SYD-LHR "traditional" timing arriving in LHR at 5am, do you think we would see a morning departure back to SYD, arriving early afternoon, or do you think we'll see a mid afternoon departure arriving in SYD in the evening? (notiing current QF2 timing - leaving LHR at 2035 - won't work as it would mean an SYD arrival around 3am).

On the other hand could see a neat same day service, leaving MEL or SYD at 8am arriving into LHR 5pm, turning around at 6:30pm to arrive back in MEL a 00:30am??

Unless QF buy/trade for new LHR slots, any non stop Sunshine flight would need to fit with their existing slot times. 2 x morning arrival, 2 x lunch departure, 2 x lunch arrival, 2 x evening departure (2 pairs currently leased to BA).

 

[jb747]

If a qantas event happens and there wasn't a news story - did it even happen?

Well, Qantas themselves seem to have forgotten. A 747-400 flew that route way back in 1989. That flight proved nothing too.

 

[moa999]

From airliners.net - ZNJ departs LAX in about 6 hrs
QF6027 12/11 LAX 2340 : 1820 LHR 13/11
QF60?? 14/11 LHR 0600 : 1145 SYD 15/11 Fri

ZNI also had about a week at LAX undergoing final checks.

 

[sxc]

UK Independent yesterday:

Final preparations are under way for Qantas’ London-Sydney nonstop test flight, which is happening the same week as the airline announces its commitment to becoming more sustainable and cutting carbon emissions.

Qantas to launch direct London-Sydney flight on same week as sustainability pledge

Australian airline says it ‘recognises that airlines have a responsibility to cut emissions and combat climate change’

www.independent.co.uk

One thing I haven't seen discussed / revealed is what fuel usage is like for a non-stop vs a one-stop flight?

 

[dajop]

2 x evening departure (2 pairs currently leased to BA).

What's the latest flights can depart from LHR and earliest they can arrive in SYD? That's probably the biggest challenge is that the evening departure from LHR and morning arrival into SYD just won't be possible, at least during Apr-Sep. Assuming 19hrs travel, during that time of the year a midnight departure from LHR would probably reach SYD around 4am.... of course an evening departure may work for MEL.

I guess with the slots you mention, we could still see an evening to departure to SYD via SIN and evening departure to MEL, plus lunch departure to SYD and PER?

 

[esseeeayeenn]

Well, Qantas themselves seem to have forgotten. A 747-400 flew that route way back in 1989. That flight proved nothing too.

Amazing how far you can fly an empty aircraft.
Amazing that doesn't set a precedent for how far you can fly a commercial service full of PAX, baggage and freight.