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

 

[mviy]

QF37 is perfectly timed to connect

Timing is not everything. How many PE or F seats are available on QF37? The answer: None

Why would someone pay a premium for PE to get Y from MEL to SIN, or F to get J from MEL to SIN?

 

[Daver6]

Fortunately no airline has roaring wok burners in their galleys.

I’m always torn RE dine on demand. There’s always that one nob who thinks it’s the perfect time to eat while everyone else wants to sleep but can’t because of clinking cutlery…

QF could solve that with their wooden Y cutlery

 

[TeaKozy]

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.

A 787 would be nice - however me thinks they'll opt for SYD-PER-ATH (or wherever else Vanessa suggested) given they've little issues putting the Dreamliner on domestic tags to Sydney (not to mention the free publicity flying a breakfast TV crew fully comped to Mykonos). Their intent is to grow the route network from their 'dual hubs', and the Dreamliner is inherently more versatile - as such, I doubt they'll bother changing the A330's on MEL-SIN until the replacement A350's come along. QF sees MEL as very much JQ country (as per Is Qantas really that Sydney centric?).

I don't particularly care so much about losing the non-stop (I avoid LHR like the plague) rather it's the expectation that we'll pay the same for a 737 recliner for 4+ hours. If they want us to fly via their western hub, give us back the domestic tag, especially now there's three routes (ME conflict notwithstanding), and at least offer a consistent product for the not insignificant price differential, and actually - y'know - compete.

 

[dajop]

Timing is not everything. How many PE or F seats are available on QF37? The answer: None

Why would someone pay a premium for PE to get Y from MEL to SIN, or F to get J from MEL to SIN?

I suspect the F market for MEL isn’t big enough to support EK and QF. Even SQ only offer 10 seats a day in F,.

PE will be once again available on QF from MEL to LHR come the end of October when QF9/10 returns to MEL as part of aircraft rotation that covers LAX, MEL, PER and LHR.