Qantas Project Sunrise goes ahead, 12 new A350-1000s ordered

[levelnine]

PS flights compliment existing QF one-stop routes. If the loads out of MEL don’t justify launching one-stop, then it won’t happen. If peeps take their money elsewhere, then expect even less QF flights ex MEL.

Qantas has different strategies out of SYD and MEL to Europe.

QF competes out of SYD to LHR — they offer their best airplane (A380) with their most premium offering.

QF offer a mid-tier option at best out of MEL to LHR — their flagship product departing/arriving Australia is the A330! They've decided to cede a large amount of premium market share to their codeshare partner and competitors.

PS represents a continuation of that strategy.

 

[justinbrett]

“Use it” was clearly meaning booking trips on QF now. There aren’t non-stop flights ex SYD yet either but expected demand is already there.

PS flights compliment existing QF one-stop routes. If the loads out of MEL don’t justify launching one-stop, then it won’t happen. If peeps take their money elsewhere, then expect even less QF flights ex MEL.

Probably a safe bet that SIN-LHR will originate in MEL once PS starts, even if they use a 787 for the MEL/SIN leg.

The 6 aircraft that are planned to be used for existing routes, obviously don’t need the ULR, so perhaps when the LRs come into play, QF could swap some for their PS layout and use on those existing routes, freeing up the ULRs for routes like MEL/LHR.

Of course, QF could also just order more ULRs.

As you say, it will all depend on the market and how the initial PS flights do. QF has a track record of ordering aircraft and later saying “we should have ordered more”.

 

[MELso]

As you say, it will all depend on the market and how the initial PS flights do. QF has a track record of ordering aircraft and later saying “we should have ordered more”.

The original press release ordering the A350s and extra 787s did state they'd taken an unspecified number of options to buy more, so they can certainly ramp up the orders if the demand proves to be there.

 

[jrfsp]

Chicken and egg. QF doesn’t offer a reasonable flight option from MEL to SIN to connect with QF1 atm. QF can’t expect a massive improvement in bookings if they don’t improve their offering.

QF37 is perfectly timed to connect