Va Bene said:
I thought I read that Qantas are looking at resuming flights to Rome and probably only out of Sydney. I'm probably dreaming given that they only fly to 2 European destinations nowadays.
Planning on an awards flight next year and too difficult to get HK to Rome leg with Cathay. Not keen on going via Heathrow although this is only option at the moment (other than forking out for fares).
Anyone know?
If they do fly to FCO again it will be from HKG or SIN so you won't need to fly out of Sydney, it may just carry a flight number out of Sydney (of course). Passengers from other ports will link into it in HKG or SIN.
I wonder though. QF has tried Rome several times over the years and never made it stick. I flew there twice with QF a few years ago on a 743 service out of SIN, via Dubai. No Dubai was not a scheduled stop but it was having to refuel there on every westbound flight, much to the crews (and passengers) annoyance. Not to mention that the 743's interiors were falling to pieces. They finally found a 744 for the route and then six months later dumped it.
Another QF success story along with EZE, CDG, ATH, MAN and ORD (did they ever actually fly there?)
I think that they will be very careful before flying into new European cities again, though you would think that Rome is a possibility when they have the aircraft.
Heathrow is horrible, annoying, anglo-centric and slot restricted but a reliable choice for QF over the years.