Qantas Delays/Cancellations

[Melburnian1]

The projected delay to QF11 on Saturday 23 has risen, with departure time (normally 1015) most recently updated from 1135 to 1210 hours.

A333 VH-QPF arrived in SYD this morning on QF20 ex MNL at 0649, 19 minutes late but this relatively low level of delay didn't mean the almost always tardy QF143 (0930 hours SYD - AKL) could depart on time. Instead, it was airborne at 1035 hours so the 1514 hours forecast at gate arrival will be 39 late.

 

[Melburnian1]

On Saturday 23 April, QF12 from LAX arrived SYD at 1004 hours, 189 minutes late with A388 VH-OQD. QF11 was its next task, with this 1015 hours flight back to LAX airborne at 1247 for projected same day arrival at 0850 hours, 110 minutes behind the timetable.

Oh dear. QF75, the 23 April 2025 hours overnight from SYD to YVR B789 is delayed until a suggested 1100 hours in pushback on Sunday 24, so even though VH-ZNE is operable, the bad QFi delays with its 11-strong Boeing 787-900 fleet haven't ceased.

While there are many challenges and each day differs, at least the COVID-19 'iso' rules in NSW and Victoria have ended, so QFi has to get its act into gear. Even though their fleets are based overseas (lacking QFi's home ground advantage), by comparison bearing in mind the relative number of flights, many foreign airlines serving Oz do not have the number of overnight delays to which QFi is prone.

As a consequence, the 23 April QF76 from YVR back down to SYD looks to be delayed until 1000 in pushback on Sunday 24 western Canada time.

A333 VH-QPH on QF104 from HNL to SYD should arrive on Saturday 23 afternoon at 1800 hours, 35 minutes late.

'The 69' from MEL this morning (Saturday 23) has A332 VH-EBO, with this 1005 hours flight airborne at 1058 for arrival at 0936, 31 behind in ADL. It then was back in the sky at 1058 so suggested at gate arrioval is 48 late at 1848, meaning tonight's QF70 back to MEL (which lacks any intermediate stops) may be similarly late arriving tomorrow afternoon.

 

[larrymull]

Just off the phone to Qantas and the 24.04 and 26.04 QF93 are cancelled, these issues are because of staffing. I have zero certainty that my QF93 will take off this week. Quite amazing really.

 

[Melburnian1]

Just off the phone to Qantas and the 24.04 and 26.04 QF93 are cancelled, these issues are because of staffing. I have zero certainty that my QF93 will take off this week. Quite amazing really.

'Amazing' is not the word 'annoying', 'unreliable' or 'grossly inconvenient' may be more appropriate.

You'd think with subdued demand for many months of the last 27 due to border closures, mask rules, quarantine requirements and airlines having sacked staff that QFi's senior management would have prepared better for what as 'The Oz' reports today is still fewer than 50 per cent of QFi/JQi international flights operating.

Yes, challenges exist such as until last night, NSW and Victorian-based staff in many sectors (according to employer bodies) taking a week's paid leave without having to demonstrate whether someone was a 'close contact' with COVID-19..

Overall, however, a fail by QFi's senior and middle management and ultimately by the CEO. The latter gent has plenty of advice to offer us all on subjects that can be removed from aviation operations, so maybe time for him to concentrate on getting his airline up to speed. Could it be time for the Board to appoint a replacement?

It's farcical the number of times QF93 from MEL to LAX has not recently operated, even though many lifelong Melburnians know how QFi has always been an avowedly Sydney-hubbed airline.

There's no comparison with for instance SQ's generally excellent reliability into and out of Oz, yet it's faced similar roadblocks. SQ is what I'd call (in a complimentary way) an 'amazing' airline.

 

[larrymull]

'Amazing' is not the word 'annoying', 'unreliable' or 'grossly inconvenient' may be more appropriate.

You'd think with subdued demand for many months of the last 27 due to border closures, mask rules, quarantine requirements and airlines having sacked staff that QFi's senior management would have prepared better for what as 'The Oz' reports today is still fewer than 50 per cent of QFi/JQi international flights operating.

Yes, challenges exist such as until last night, NSW and Victorian-based staff in many sectors (according to employer bodies) taking a week's paid leave without having to demonstrate whether someone was a 'close contact' with COVID-19..

Overall, however, a fail by QFi's senior and middle management and ultimately by the CEO. The latter gent has plenty of advice to offer us all on subjects that can be removed from aviation operations, so maybe time for him to concentrate on getting his airline up to speed. Could it be time for the Board to appoint a replacement?

It's farcical the number of times QF93 from MEL to LAX has not recently operated, even though many lifelong Melburnians know how QFi has always been an avowedly Sydney-hubbed airline.

There's no comparison with for instance SQ's generally excellent reliability into and out of Oz, yet it's faced similar roadblocks. SQ is what I'd call (in a complimentary way) an 'amazing' airline.

I agree on all points, my life is in limbo and has been for the past week as you firstly need the negative RAT, then these Qantas issues. If I ran my business like this I’d be broke!

I don’t mind commuting through Syd/Bne so long as I have assurances, but sadly there are none and passengers are in limbo due to the incompetence.

 

[Melburnian1]

I agree on all points, my life is in limbo and has been for the past week as you firstly need the negative RAT, then these Qantas issues. If I ran my business like this I’d be broke!

I don’t mind commuting through Syd/Bne so long as I have assurances, but sadly there are none and passengers are in limbo due to the incompetence.

From observation on Expert Flyer, flights are not full every day, so why isn't QF placing you on a domestic to/from SYD and then an international flight?

 

[larrymull]

From observation on Expert Flyer, flights are not full every day, so as a matter of interest, why isn't QF placing you on a domestic to/from SYD and then an international flight?

Couldn't agree more. They are just waiting and seeing if I guess staff become available. The close contact issue is dead and buried now. When speaking to the customer service rep I told them they had stopped selling my flight and they said that they do that sometimes but it doesn't mean it is cancelled. The availability on 27.04 through SYD and BNE isn't bad, so long as they let me get on those flights if they cancel the 27.04 QF93.

 

[Scr77]

Couldn't agree more. They are just waiting and seeing if I guess staff become available. The close contact issue is dead and buried now. When speaking to the customer service rep I told them they had stopped selling my flight and they said that they do that sometimes but it doesn't mean it is cancelled. The availability on 27.04 through SYD and BNE isn't bad, so long as they let me get on those flights if they cancel the 27.04 QF93.

In my recent experience posted up thread, they will notify you of cancellation 2 days prior. You will probably be sent via Sydney because they have put an A380 on with higher capacity. Some hours after being notified, I checked MMB (manage my booking) and there were replacement flights that I could accept or decline. The replacement was suitable and even Took into account our international connection. I presume these are manually done.

I know it is an unwanted issue before a trip, but It should work out. Just make sure that the new eTicket arrives before you go to the airport.

 

[Melburnian1]

In my recent experience posted up thread, they will notify you of cancellation 2 days prior. You will probably be sent via Sydney because they have put an A380 on with higher capacity. Some hours after being notified, I checked MMB (manage my booking) and there were replacement flights that I could accept or decline. The replacement was suitable and even Took into account our international connection. I presume these are manually done.

I know it is an unwanted issue before a trip, but It should work out. Just make sure that the new eTicket arrives before you go to the airport.

Not everyone has a 'busy schedule' but travelling via SYD adds time for a trip from/to MEL/BNE. While I've never found it particularly bothersome, the transfer bus between DOM and INT draws opprobrium from many.

 

[larrymull]

In my recent experience posted up thread, they will notify you of cancellation 2 days prior. You will probably be sent via Sydney because they have put an A380 on with higher capacity. Some hours after being notified, I checked MMB (manage my booking) and there were replacement flights that I could accept or decline. The replacement was suitable and even Took into account our international connection. I presume these are manually done.

I know it is an unwanted issue before a trip, but It should work out. Just make sure that the new eTicket arrives before you go to the airport.

Yes, it is x 4 pax in J. I’m flying through to NYC too. Prefer to know now that it is going to cancel then I can make plans, including supervised RATS and isolating. Does the bus still run between DOM and international or have they canned that too. Forgot to look last time I was in SYD.

 

[Scr77]

Not everyone has a 'busy schedule' but travelling via SYD adds time for a trip from/to MEL/BNE. While I've never found it particularly bothersome, the transfer bus between DOM and INT draws opprobrium from many.

On return to OZ, after already having travelled 24hrs to get to Sydney, the extra connection is a PITA. Then you line up for the baggage transfer which is overran and many are missing their connections.

 

[Scr77]

Yes, it is x 4 pax in J. I’m flying through to NYC too. Prefer to know now that it is going to cancel then I can make plans, including supervised RATS and isolating. Does the bus still run between DOM and international or have they canned that too. Forgot to look last time I was in SYD.

Yes the transfer busses are running In SYD, but it all takes time that you weren’t waisting when flying direct.

With QF being so unpunctual, even if you’re on QF93, there’s a chance you won’t make your connection to NYC anyway. If on same ticket, you will get a flight eventually. We’re just back from 2 weeks in Utah and missed our LAX to SLC. Airports are full and flights are sold out. We had to go on standby to get a flight and wait at airport.

Below is direct availability on AA 2 days from now (with time difference). You may be able to fly to a different NYC airport.

 

[larrymull]

I'm on a united red eye flight, about 4hrs after scheduled landing from MEL. Going via SYD is the day flight so the time between connections isn't that significant then. They are not selling the QF93 flight to LAX on 27.04 at the moment, from what the CSM told me that the flight was still going ahead, but history makes me nervous. I guess it all comes down to the staffing.

 

[Melburnian1]

Continuing with Saturday 23 April 2022, QF9 (1430 hours initial sector MEL - DRW) was in the sky with B789 VH-ZNA at 1606 hours, so arrival looks to be about 1934 hours, 84 minutes tardy. This aircraft had arrived from LAX as QF96 at 0840 hours, 15 minutes late, so perhaps the delay today to 'the 9' was due to slow passenger processing or (lack of) crewing problems.

QF10 from LHR and DRW (B789 VH-ZNJ) arrived MEL at 2000 hours, half an hour late.

 

[Melburnian1]

The overnight delayed QF75 SYD to YVR took off at 1134 hours on Sunday 24 April, with B789 VH-ZND that had arrived at 0507, three minutes early on QF2.

YVR arrival is looking like Sunday at 0752 hours, 862 minutes late to then return to SYD via a fairly similarly late QF76.

B738 VH-XZC on QF151 (Sunday's 0915 hours MEL - CHC) should arrive at gate at 1525, 35 behind.

 

[tm.smile]

The overnight delayed QF75 SYD to YVR took off at 1134 hours on Sunday 24 April, with B789 VH-ZND that had arrived at 0507, three minutes early on QF2.

YVR arrival is looking like Sunday at 0752 hours, 862 minutes late to then return to SYD via a fairly similarly late QF76.

B738 VH-XZC on QF151 (Sunday's 0915 hours MEL - CHC) should arrive at gate at 1525, 35 behind.

Those YVR pax definitely are entitled to the compensation. I had mine approved within a week of my flight

 

[Melburnian1]

Those YVR pax definitely are entitled to the compensation. I had mine approved within a week of my flight

SYD - YVR passengers must believe they're received the short straw.

A second rotation, SYD - YVR's Monday 25 April 2025 early to mid evening departure is delayed to the unusually specific time of 1102 hours on Tuesday 26. I guess that avoids an exact match with domestics that depart 'on the hour. QF76 returning will also be delayed overnight.

After Monday, the next timetabled Vancouver BC-bound departure for QFI isn't until Thursday so one would hope this is the last significant delay for some time.

 

[exLXCXFF]

SYD - YVR passengers must believe they're received the short straw.

A second rotation, SYD - YVR's Monday 25 April 2025 early to mid evening departure is delayed to the unusually specific time of 1102 hours on Tuesday 26. I guess that avoids an exact match with domestics that depart 'on the hour. QF76 returning will also be delayed overnight.

After Monday, the next timetabled Vancouver BC-bound departure for QFI isn't until Thursday so one would hope this is the last significant delay for some time.

If it's really scheduled for 2025, then that's a massive delay indeed! They could almost swim there during that window!
Keep up all the great work @Melburnian1 - this thread is invaluable!

 

[Melburnian1]

If it's really scheduled for 2025, then that's a massive delay indeed! They could almost swim there during that window!
Keep up all the great work @Melburnian1 - this thread is invaluable!

Each day is different, and some delays are not airlines' fault. But history can be a reasonable (not perfect!) guide to what may occur.

 

[Melburnian1]

On Anzac Day, Monday 25 April 2022, QF143, the midmorning 0930 hours SYD - AKL had one of its worst recent performances, with B789 VH-QPD not airborne until 1205 hours and gate arrival becoming 136 minutes tardy at 1651 hours. The aircraft had arrived 14 minutes early as QF82 ex SIN, in SYD at gate at 0636 hours, so again not sure why such a significant delay for this important TransTasman flight.

Naturally the return QF146 (scheduled at 1610 mid to late arvo ex Auckland did not go up up and away until 1851 with SYD arrival expected shortly at 1940 hours, 110 minutes late.

'The 11' (1015 hours SYD - LAX has A388 VH-OQD, and was in the sky at 1136 hours so same day expected arrival is 35 late at 0735 hours.

With SYD - YVR flights in recent days twice delayed overnight, one would have hoped the run of 'outs' would have finished, but tonight's 2025 hours QF75 is showing as delayed until 2200 in its pushback. The flight is late because the previous overnight delayed QF75 returning as QF76 from YVR departed at 1002 hours on Sunday 24 instead of the timetabled 2225 hours late on Saturday night, 23 April. Hence SYD arrival not long ago on Monday 25 was at 1849 hours, 739 minutes tardy instead of 0630 hours this morning.

I don't monitor every flight, but cannot recall when last a non-daily QFi long distance flight was delayed so much on three consecutive occasions.