Qantas Delays/Cancellations

[Melburnian1]

Was idly checking a friend's progress through LAX and happened to notice QF12 3Dec JFK - LAX (VH-OEI) was sitting at the west end of the airport.
Checking a bit closer, it landed 20.57 right on time and then sent on a taxiway tour, and arrived at the gate 65 minutes later.
That would be frustrating for all involved.

ayebee, while an aircraft swap (B744 to A388) normally occurs, this delay that you so keenly spotted was probably responsible for QF12 from LAX to SYD departing 29 minutes late at 2259. On Tuesday 5, it should arrive at about 0922 hours, 52 minutes late.

The B744 involved is next on QF16 that is predicted to depart LAX at midnight, 40 late for a Tuesday arrival at 0755, also 40 late. QF94 to MEL departed 28 late but is expected to pick up time and will be in the southern city less than half an hour late.

I quoted the QF website (two posts above) to suggest that QF28 from SCL would arrive in SYD on Monday 4 only five late at 1745, but that website had not been adjusted. It turns out that QF28 should be at its allocated SYD gate at 1930, 110 minutes tardy.

Also on Monday 4, QF546 (B738 VH-VZW, the 1830 hours SYD - BNE that was in the sky at 1916) should arrive 37 minutes late at 1937.

 

[Melburnian1]

Monday 4 December's delayed QF73, the 1755 hours ex SYD with B744 VH-OEF departed later than forecast at 1955 hours, taking off at 2016. Same day arrival in SFO should be at 1328 hours, 63 late.

 

[Melburnian1]

Sunday's overnight delayed QF73D arrived in SFO on Monday 4 December at 0913 with QF74D departing at 1120 hours for a suggested 2005 hours arrival on Tuesday 4 in SYD.

QF127 on Tuesday 5 from SYD to HKG is expected to depart half an hour late at 1000 with arrival projected as 1625, 35 minutes late.

 

[Flying mermaid]

QF7 departed an hour late today, but is supposed to be catching up most of that. Will be watching it as Dr FM is on it and has a reasonably tight connection in DFW - fortunately all on the same ticket, so she is protected....

QF7 arrived 27 minutes late, but luggage took a long time to come off. Everyone was given express passes to clear security, but Dr FM thinks there would have been a lot of connections missed, including hers. Ground staff friendly and helpful and apparently immigration too.

 

[Melburnian1]

QF7 arrived 27 minutes late, but luggage took a long time to come off. Everyone was given express passes to clear security, but Dr FM thinks there would have been a lot of connections missed, including hers. Ground staff friendly and helpful and apparently immigration too.

At that time of day do most popular connecting routes still have multiple flights remaining for the rest of the day and evening, or are there some routes used by connecting passengers where there are only one or two flights a day so QF7 running late can be a problem?

Is seat occupancy on many connecting flights slack at this time of year, or is it high so that if one misses a connection it can be hard to 'get on to' any remaining flights that day?

QF64 ex JNB is expected to arrive in SYD at about 1618 on Tuesday 5 December, 48 late as QF63 yesterday was late away.

 

[Flying mermaid]

At that time of day do most popular connecting routes still have multiple flights remaining for the rest of the day and evening, or are there some routes used by connecting passengers where there are only one or two flights a day so QF7 running late can be a problem?

Is seat occupancy on many connecting flights slack at this time of year, or is it high so that if one misses a connection it can be hard to 'get on to' any remaining flights that day?
.

it didn’t look too much of a problem to me - it is a 1 pm arrival, so even with a couple of hours delay there still seem to be plenty of other flights. This seems to be a bit of a slack period - early in December - Dr FM had no trouble getting on the next flight to New Orleans. She booked her flights via the Qantas website and took the biggest gap offered by Qantas which was 1:45. It sounds like that is very tight if there are any delays.

 

[jb747]

Was idly checking a friend's progress through LAX and happened to notice QF12 3Dec JFK - LAX (VH-OEI) was sitting at the west end of the airport.
Checking a bit closer, it landed 20.57 right on time and then sent on a taxiway tour, and arrived at the gate 65 minutes later.
That would be frustrating for all involved.

I was listening on the radio whilst this was happening, as a large group of passengers on the 12 were transferring to the 94. The problem was that the allocated bay was occupied by an ANZ 777, which was late away from the gate. As best we could tell a number of passengers and luggage were offloaded. All of the bays aren't available at the moment...there's a couple of large holes where work of some sort is happening.

 

[Himeno]

I was listening on the radio whilst this was happening, as a large group of passengers on the 12 were transferring to the 94. The problem was that the allocated bay was occupied by an ANZ 777, which was late away from the gate. As best we could tell a number of passengers and luggage were offloaded. All of the bays aren't available at the moment...there's a couple of large holes where work of some sort is happening.

Bay 131 is closed for updates to the baggage system. Bay 132 is closed for works related to the TBIT midfield satellite concourse. The concourse is expected to open in late 2019, so other gates on the west side of TBIT might close for satellite construction reasons throughout next year.
They are also building a "Terminal 1.5" for Southwest between T1 and T2, which will also connect the 2 terminals, and an airside connector between T3 and TBIT, so there may be gate closures on the north side of TBIT and delays along taxiway Delta near T1/2 during 2018 and 2019.

 

[Melburnian1]

Tuesday 5 December sees QF23, the 1030 hours SYD - BKK that has changed from having great timekeeping some months ago to highly variable and often poor in the last three months not departing until a projected 1415 hours. Arrival should be at 1950 hours, 220 minutes late. QF24 overnight back to SYD will also be significantly delayed.

Monday 4's QF12 from LAX to SYD is forecast to depart 50 minutes late at 2320 with Wednesday 6 arrival likely at 0910, 40 minutes down. Yet QF12 from JFK was not delayed (at least in its landing - whether it has taken significant extra time to arrive at its gate is an unknown to me.)

QF79 (MEL - NRT) is usually close to time but on 5 December it departed 103 minutes tardy at 1103, meaning NRT arrival at a suggested 1910 hours, 85 late. QF62 (NRT - BNE) and QF80 (to MEL) are both displaying as punctual, but one is likely to be delayed tonight.

 

[Himeno]

Monday 4's QF12 from LAX to SYD is forecast to depart 50 minutes late at 2320 with Wednesday 6 arrival likely at 0910, 40 minutes down. Yet QF12 from JFK was not delayed (at least in its landing - whether it has taken significant extra time to arrive at its gate is an unknown to me.)

JFK LEFT THE GATE 1811
TOOK OFF 1832
ESTIMATED TIME OF ARRIVAL 2105 LAX

 

[OzEire]

Monday 4's QF12 from LAX to SYD is forecast to depart 50 minutes late at 2320 with Wednesday 6 arrival likely at 0910, 40 minutes down. Yet QF12 from JFK was not delayed (at least in its landing - whether it has taken significant extra time to arrive at its gate is an unknown to me.)

I'm on this flight. No sched time at the moment. Next promised update is 0030 PST.

Info provided by Capt of QF12 JFK-LAX (4 Dec), ie. same aircraft, was that an APU issue was affecting startup and shutdown procedures. Effects noticed such as 'manual' spoken safety briefing, a few brief blackouts and no IFE startup until airborne.

Seems the APU problems remain... described humorously as "electrical issues at the back requiring fire engines.

Mel1 ... I'm your eyes on

 

[Melburnian1]

OzEire, terrific post. Always a privilege to hear from the AFF 'reporter on the spot.'

Not for the first time, the LAX - SYD QF12 is still showing on the QF website as delayed by 50 minutes to 2320 hours in its departure, but as I write it is 0143 hours on Tuesday 5 December in LAX. This flight will be cancelled if crew hours look like being exceeded so please keep us updated. That's the priority, rather than you snoozing off - luck of the Irish!

Should you be put in an hotel overnight, advice as to which one, how long it took to transfer and meal and incidentals arrangements would be above and beyond the call of duty.

QF16, the B744, departed LAX 45 late at 0005 hours on 5 December with Wednesday 6 arrival predicted as 0750 hours in often sunny BNE, 35 minutes late.

 

[Melburnian1]

Unfortunately (building on the previous post) the Monday 4 December 2230 hours LAX to SYD, QF12 has been cancelled.

The QF website is yet to indicate when QF12 will depart, probably because as OzEire suggested it requires repairs. Then there's the rostered flight and cabin crew who should have been returning to SYD but are stuck in LAX along with one assumes 350 or so passengers.

Let's hope OzEire is enjoying an hotel beauty sleep on a Tontine pillow or equivalent.

 

[milehighclub]

QF12 was scheduled as a 747 today. The QF16 would have already departed.

 

[OzEire]

Should you be put in an hotel overnight, advice as to which one, how long it took to transfer and meal and incidentals arrangements

Getting my 4 y/o to bed was the priority! We had come through from JFK on the earlier 12 so it had already been a long day.

This was not my first time out of California delayed for a QF B744 APU fire, indeed it was somewhat a deja vu scenario (wondering if it was the same airframe).

About 0045 the Capt and CSM made themselves avail to affected pax in the all but deserted QF First lounge. He confirmed APU fire after a short circuit in the starter. Onboard suppressant quickly extinguished but the whole assembly requires an inspection.

He said that company and personal policy was not to fly with this defect. I concur, acknowledging that there is other gen capacity onboard but also a certain BA 747 did lose all 4 due to volcanic so I'm sure the APU would be helpful for restart in that scenario. But what do I know it was his call and we weren't going.

IRROPS handing:. 1. It was becoming apparent that something's amiss when new QF staff started appearing walking through the Flounge. None could be drawn to supply info. The arrival of an Aussie whom the heretofore 'lounge manager' referred to as "sir" sealed the deal.

2. After the Capt and CSM spoke two agents asked all priority pax to go "downstairs" to ticketing and "all would be fine".

3. Not surprisingly a few of us correctly guessed this would be a zoo and we pressed for attention in Lounge. The agent - who was wonderful - could actually do everything on the lounge terminal so the earlier announcement was only to empty the lounge so it could shut.

4. They found my family seats on the same respective flights 24 hrs later. Worse seats but once the 5 Dec QF12 fills, unless the 16 & 94 plus connex can accommodate the last pax would be shuffled onto AA, UA or DL (shock).

5. Agent in Lounge didn't have hotel info but agreed to check-in our bags as we had sufficient clothes, etc in HL. I said we would make our own arrangements and set off toward taxis and the Crowne Plaza LAX where I have IHG Plat and they have a lounge!

6. Quite a good effort by QF ground handling agents to marshall weary (some annoyed) pax backwards through 'departures' ie. Not signposted like arrivals.

7. As expected ticketing was a zoo. Priority lines were not being enforced, chaos reigned. I checked with a 'floater' agent to advise we had already rebooked and asked what hotel/transfer was being offered? Turned out to be the Crowne anyway so I got our name on the list.

8. Free airport (Not QF) shuttles were offered and against my better judgement we reluctantly shuffled off toward them ... instinct was right, another crowd and fairly basic experience- fine for adults but not a sleeping toddler after midnight.

9. Alas, the kind souls took pity on our son and we got the first bus to arrive then with no luggage hit the Crowne counter 3rd in line. Surprisingly they recognised IHG status and gave lounge plus late checkout on a non-rev booking.

At that point I suspect >70% of the flight was still at ticketing and the Crowne was for status pax only (due small numbers) but the hordes may descend later. I think I overheard an F pax heading to the Sheraton with a promise to reimburse taxis (but they were waiting at the shuttle pickup so may not have trusted that advice).

I'm glad the decision was made 'early' rather than the initial advice of we'll know something by 10am and to keep checking/wondering all day.

 

[jb747]

This was not my first time out of California delayed for a QF B744 APU fire, indeed it was somewhat a deja vu scenario (wondering if it was the same airframe).

Have you got a lotto ticket? I've never even heard of a single APU fire on those aircraft, much less two!

He said that company and personal policy was not to fly with this defect. I concur, acknowledging that there is other gen capacity onboard but also a certain BA 747 did lose all 4 due to volcanic so I'm sure the APU would be helpful for restart in that scenario. But what do I know it was his call and we weren't going.

If the bottle was discharged, then that will have to be cleaned up for a start. So, it certainly isn't an option to go flying.

The APU cannot be started in flight on the 747. You can take off with it running, but it has to be shut down by 20,000'....which means that it would be no help in the BA situation.

Aircraft being left unattended, with the APU running, is quite normal. For that reason, they have automatic shutdown on detection of any fault. The fire bottle can't discharge by itself, but there are two points at which it can be fired. The coughpit, and the nose gear. There was a tale some years ago, where someone was walking past an aircraft, at the same time that the crew were doing the coughpit fire test. When that someone saw the fire light illuminate on the nose gear, he armed and fired the fire bottle....and then kept walking. Confused the daylights out of the crew!

 

[Melburnian1]

As far as I can see the B744 that is in LAX due to the APU problems is VH-OEE 'Nullabor.' By sheer chance, today is its 15th birthday: it might be 'sulking' or 'in pain' so let's hope it 'recovers.'

Outstanding situation report by OzEire. Great that his young lad was looked after. This must be hard on children of that age.

The Crowne Plaza at Los Angeles International Airport displays on various websites as about US$175 at this time of year but QF would pay far less, perhaps under US$100 a room. I assume that airlines not only have a list of 'go to' hotels but also negotiate special rates in advance, sufficient to ensure that the hotel more than covers its operating costs, but way below what leisure travellers pay. Hotels must love these sorts of airline bulk bookings as they increase room occupancy percentages, help to deliver a return on the capital employed and mean dealing with a company in QF whose credit rating would be excellent. The only problem might be guests' incidental charges but no doubt hotels are expert at collecting deposits from passengers, though that takes time at check-in.

Given this is an unusual situation, is there any estimate of the likely time that this aircraft will take to be inspected and repaired? It sounds a finicky job.

 

[Melburnian1]

QF28, the Tuesday 5 December SCL - SYD B744 departed 24 late at 1359 hours. On Wednesday 6, it should arrive at 1833 hours, 53 minutes late.

Also on 6 December, QF29 departed MEL 59 late at 1044 with estimated HKG at gate time 1715, an hour behind.

The 1115 hours MEL - LAX A388, QF93 has been altered to a 55 minute late departure at 1210 early this afternoon.

QF81 (1135 hours late morning SYD - SIN) is estimated to depart 70 minutes late.

QF61 ex BNE for NRT is normally on time but today is suggested as departing 55 minutes behind schedule at 1050.

UPDATE: QF81 was further delayed until a projected 1315 hours ex SYD. It was airborne at 1349 with A333 VH-QPF. Suggested arrival is 1906 hours, 71 minutes behind time.

The MEL - LAX QF93 pushed back 64 late at 1219. Same day arrival is estimated at 0715, 40 minutes late.

 

[Melburnian1]

In further on Wednesday 6 December, QF7 (usually punctual) departed SYD 100 minutes late at 1620 hours. DFW arrival is predicted as 1356, 56 minutes tardy.

The 1225 hours SYD - MNL was off blocks 24 minutes late but arrival is suggested as an hour late at 1830. This will delay QF20's departure tonight, but not necessarily its SYD arrival tomorrow morning.

QF41 has a good reputation for also departing on time but today it was 57 late in so doing mid afternoon at 1452. Arrival is estimated as 1814 hours, 44 late. QF42 is due out of CGK tonight at 1900 hours so 1930 would be a guess, but again that does not mean it will be delayed into SYD in the morning.

Defective B744 VH-OEE remains in LAX.

 

[Must...Fly!]

QF15 was out late today and won't reach LAX til after 1000. QF11 LAX-JFK still listed as on time - maybe -OEE is back in business (or will be in about 10 hours)