Qantas schedules B747 on domestic routes from Nov'19 to Feb'20

[Alyopsis]

Apologies if this has been posted already but I had a quick look and couldn't see anything.

Routesonline have a story today about Qantas running a few domestic 747 services later this year.

Qantas schedules Boeing 747 Domestic service in NW19

Qantas Airways in Northern winter 2019/20 season schedules limited-time Boeing 747-400 service on selected domestic routes, to/from Sydney. Planned operational schedule as follows. Note planned 747 operation...

www.routesonline.com

Sydney – Adelaide
QF743 SYD1840 – 2015ADL 744 23NOV19
QF736 ADL1235 – 1500SYD 744 25NOV19

Sydney – Brisbane
QF524 SYD1200 – 1230BNE 744 09NOV19
QF529 BNE1205 – 1440SYD 744 11NOV19

Sydney – Melbourne
QF417 SYD0830 – 1005MEL 744 31DEC19
QF439 SYD1400 – 1535MEL 744 15FEB20

QF438 MEL1400 – 1525SYD 744 01JAN20
QF400 MEL0600 – 0725SYD 744 17FEB20

 

[Dr_Goz]

Its a side effect of those high priced Antarctica flights.

The 747 needs to be re-positioned to BNE, ADL and MEL form SYD and may as well take some passengers.

 

[JohnM]

Anyone know what's going to happen to Antarctica flights after the B747s go?

 

[Mattg]

Anyone know what's going to happen to Antarctica flights after the B747s go?

I guess they would have to either use an A380 or find another charter operator. I don't think the 787-9 (or any other Qantas aircraft) would be able to do these flights under existing ETOPS rules.

 

[JohnM]

Exactly on the twins. I wonder whether the operators could make it work using an A380. Time will tell.

 

[woodborer]

I've heard that the tours will end. But haven't seen anything official.

 

[RichardMEL]

They could always wet least an A340 or something.. Probably way more costly and may require such a price hike that the flights could not be sustained but I don't see why not. I suggest 340 as they're probably easier to come by and cheaper, though cost more as gas guzzlers...

QF wouldn't have 380 capacity to spare to do these I think, and probably would not want to do it.

 

[docjames]

787 presumably wont be regulated to do Antartica flights but the larger windows would make it ideal.

Interesting QF got the defence force charter and not Hi-fly, presumably much of their fleet still substituting for the RR 787s globally.

 

[willclan]

I had heard that the flights will be discontinued once the 747 is gone, end of an era and a great trip.

 

[flydoc]

787 presumably wont be regulated to do Antartica flights but the larger windows would make it ideal.

Interesting QF got the defence force charter and not Hi-fly, presumably much of their fleet still substituting for the RR 787s globally.

Intriguing that the ADF is so reliant on commercial charters for personnel movement, both domestically and for deployments.

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www.aph.gov.au

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www.tollgroup.com

 

[TomJones]

Tempted to book a quick up and back award flight on one of the Melbourne to Sydney 747 flights. It will likely be the last chance I get to fly on the queen.

Edit: question for the AFF brains trust- what are the odds of the specific domestic 747 flights changing between now and then?

 

[AIRwin]

Tempted to book a quick up and back award flight on one of the Melbourne to Sydney 747 flights.

In J?

 

[docjames]

Intriguing that the ADF is so reliant on commercial charters for personnel movement, both domestically and for deployments.

The alternative would be to have a fleet of high density passenger aircraft “on standby” which from a taxpayer viewpoint would be substantially more expensive.

The alternate would be to own and operate the aircraft and charter them out when “not needed” but that is taking a commercial operation risk - easier for others to take the risk and charter from them!

 

[TomJones]

In J?

Definitely in J.

 

[DC3]

The ADF needs passenger planes? What happened to (medium/heavy) transport aircraft that carry cargo and/or pax for strategic lift?

(Let's hope we don't go to war and have to ask commercial airlines when we can go. )

 

[RooFlyer]

(Let's hope we don't go to war and have to ask commercial airlines when we can go. )

I don't think it would be a matter of asking Remember in WW2, commercial liners -even the greats - were pressed into service as troop carriers.

 

[DC3]

I don't think it would be a matter of asking Remember in WW2, commercial liners -even the greats - were pressed into service as troop carriers.

Yes, but seems a bit sad that the ADF is not “self-sufficient” for strategic deployment transport.

 

[RooFlyer]

This was highlighted I think during the Timor crisis / deployment, after which I think Howard got authorised the purchase of 2 or 3 B737 or similar for the VIP fleet, which would be used in any urgent matters deployment, together with the regular transports.

 

[Himeno]

Maybe the ADF should set up something like the US Civil Reserve Air Fleet.

 

[Ade]

Qantas is scheduling B747 on Domestic routes between Nov 2019 and Feb 2020

Source : Qantas schedules eight domestic Boeing 747 flights from Nov '19 to Feb '20 - Australian Aviation

I've never been on the hump of 747 so far and would like to use this opportunity before 747s are retired. I was looking for tickets this morning and found some J reward tickets between SYD and MEL.

My question is, if I book a J reward ticket on this service, what are the chances of my riding in the hump of a 747 ?

Any advise/suggestions ?