Qantas MEL-NRT

[TheInsider]

Qantas will launch daily direct flights between Melbourne and Tokyo’s Narita Airport from 16th December 2016,* responding to growing demand and marking the next step in its Asian growth strategy.
The new route will be operated by an upgraded, two-class A330-300 with 297 seats – the aircraft widely seen as best in class for the business market.

It adds to Qantas’ popular Sydney-Tokyo (Haneda) and Brisbane -Tokyo (Narita) services, launched in 2015, and will connect travellers with the broader Qantas Group network – including Jetstar’s extensive domestic network within Japan and the Group’s services across the Tasman.

The number of visitors to Australia from Japan grew by 17 per cent in 2015/16 financial year, with those travellers spending $1.5 billion – up 14 per cent on the previous year. Outbound travel by Australians to Japan is alsogrowing rapidly, having seen a 24 per cent increase in 2015.
Qantas and Jetstar will both operate flights from Melbourne to Tokyo (Narita) during the December 2016-February 2017 holiday peak. Jetstar will then cease flights on the direct route after the 25th February, 2017.
Chief Executive Officer of Qantas International and Freight, Gareth Evans, said the new service built on Qantas’ long history of flying to Japan and significant expansion in the market over the past year.
“We’re delighted to be stepping up our commitment to the Japanese market at a boom time for tourism and business travel,” Mr Evans said.
“The Qantas Group is perfectly placed to support the resurgent growth we’re seeing, with the biggest Australia-Japan network, the biggest domestic network in Australia, and the biggest low-cost carrier network in Japan through Jetstar.
“Our dual-brand strategy and the size of our fleet means we have the ability to move quickly to meet demand where it’s strongest, putting the right aircraft on the right route. We have received great feedback on the world-class product we’ve created for our Airbus A330 fleet, and now even more customers flying to Japan will be able to enjoy the reconfigured aircraft.
“We lifted Qantas’ capacity on Asian routes by 17 per cent last financial year, so this is very much part of a larger pivot to Asia.”
Fares for Qantas’ new Melbourne-Tokyo (Narita) service will be available for sale today for travel from 16thDecember 2016.
Existing customers booked on Qantas’ Sydney-Tokyo (Haneda) and Brisbane-Tokyo (Narita) services wanting to change their flight to the new Melbourne-Tokyo (Narita) direct service can contact Qantas customer care.
Jetstar customers who are booked on Melbourne-Tokyo (Narita) flights from 26th February, 2016 onwards will be reaccommodated on Qantas’ Melbourne-Tokyo (Narita) flights.
Jetstar continues to operate direct international services from the Gold Coast and Cairns to Tokyo (Narita) and Cairns to Osaka.
* Subject to government and regulatory approvals

http://www.qantasnewsroom.com.au/me...ds-new-route-to-japan-to-meet-growing-demand/

QANTAS SCHEDULE (effective 16 December 2016; no service on 24, 25 and 31 December)

City Pair	Flt Num	Timings	Daily
MEL-NRT	QF79	09:15/17:30	Y
NRT-MEL	QF80	19:00/07:30+ 1	Y

 

[Princess Fiona]

Great news, glad to see routes being reclaimed from JQ

 

[Cool Cat Phil]

Great news, glad to see routes being reclaimed from JQ

Now we just need MEL > NTL claimed back too

 

[Cool Cat Phil]

Qantas will launch daily direct flights between Melbourne and Tokyo’s Narita Airport from 16th December 2016,* responding to growing demand and marking the next step in its Asian growth strategy.
The new route will be operated by an upgraded, two-class A330-300 with 297 seats – the aircraft widely seen as best in class for the business market.



http://www.qantasnewsroom.com.au/me...ds-new-route-to-japan-to-meet-growing-demand/

QANTAS SCHEDULE (effective 16 December 2016; no service on 24, 25 and 31 December)

City Pair	Flt Num	Timings	Daily
MEL-NRT	QF79	09:15/17:30	Y
NRT-MEL	QF80	19:00/07:30+ 1	Y

A bit of an early start ex MEL, but love the idea of the red eye coming back and having a good solid day in Tokyo on the day of departure.

It's great to see the red roo back on this very lucrative route between two of the world's coolest and hip cities.
I Can't wait to book my flights

 

[Dr Ralph]

Given my loathing for Jetcrap this makes me happy

 

[badseed]

Perfect timing as I'm currently looking at booking MEL - NRT - MEL in Feb / March

Was leaning towards using JL via SYD so this may work out nicely.

 

[LadyC]

This is great news. Would definitely utilise this route (if I can find the award seats )

 

[QFflyermelbourne]

Feasible to see where they find the 330 for this from. But what is JQ going to do with a spare 787??

 

[Cool Cat Phil]

Feasible to see where they find the 330 for this from. But what is JQ going to do with a spare 787??

Also JQ are ditching the BNE > HNL route shortly, so I suspect JQ will announce a new route in due course.

 

[pauly7]

This has come at a perfect time as just about to book 3 X trips to Tokyo next year! Great news. More international flights for Melbourne pls QF keep them coming

 

[Quickstatus]

Feasible to see where they find the 330 for this from. But what is JQ going to do with a spare 787??

In the short term possibly a C check for the first 3: VKA, VKB, VKD. I am told the C check occurs at approx 36 months and the D out to 12 years.

After that - maybe a new route?

 

[Hvr]

Good to see Qantas reintroducing this route. I flew CBR-MEL-NRT in January 2008 on my first trip to Japan.

Wonder what will happen to pax on the J* flights. Will they be moved to the QFi flight?

 

[Quickstatus]

Wonder what will happen to pax on the J* flights. Will they be moved tto the QFi flight?

Apparently so according to press release and other QF to JP flights might be able to change to QF79/80. Especially the ones who are on MEL-BNE-NRT. Are there benefits swopping HND for NRT?

 

[soorox]

Good to see Qantas reintroducing this route. I flew CBR-MEL-NRT in January 2008 on my first trip to Japan.

Wonder what will happen to pax on the J* flights. Will they be moved to the QFi flight?

Yes pax holding valid tickets on JQ will be moved to the new QF service. QF has also given the option of allowing Sth Australian, Tasmanian and Victorian pax to re-route viaMEL on the new service if they already hold tickets for services viaSYD/BNE.

 

[yohy?!]

one can only hope this is the beginning of the end for JQi - the 787s may end up plying routes out of SIN into Asia like they did with 330 previously to ramp up pressure on Scoot

 

[boomy]

Great news for QF, it was long overdue adding some new international routes ex-MEL.

Wouldn't mind if JQ kept their service to NRT, less competition for seats on QF but not sad they're out

 

[moa999]

one can only hope this is the beginning of the end for JQi - the 787s may end up plying routes out of SIN into Asia like they did with 330 previously to ramp up pressure on Scoot

Jetstar operated SIN-AKL from 2011-2014 initially daily, then 3/wk then cancelled it.
I can only assume they make more (or lose less money) on longhaul out of Aust. ports compared to SIN.

Albeit have always thought having Jetstar operate something like MEL-SIN-IST/DXB might make sense.
Also nothing direct SIN-HNL which has always surprised me a bit.

 

[pauly7]

Good to see Qantas reintroducing this route. I flew CBR-MEL-NRT in January 2008 on my first trip to Japan.

Wonder what will happen to pax on the J* flights. Will they be moved to the QFi flight?

Yes they are being moved. What a lucky upgrade for them!

Imagine if you'd booked at el cheapo Jetstar and now on a full service QF flight! Bargain!

Imagine if you'd booked starclass and get the Marc Newson suites

 

[whughes3]

As to where the a/c is coming from, there seems to be a simple answer: from Dec 3 it looks as if QF19/20 is downgraded to a domestic 332. They can stick that where the sun don't shine: I will be looking at alternatives for getting to MNL.

 

[soorox]

Yes they are being moved. What a lucky upgrade for them!

Imagine if you'd booked at el cheapo Jetstar and now on a full service QF flight! Bargain!

Imagine if you'd booked starclass and get the Marc Newson suites

Yes, quite an upgrade there!

Those who got the "get the return free" fare will be thrilled, as they effectively saved quite alot! And those who didn't buy luggage now get 30kg, those with no food now get 2 meals!