Qantas to scrap Premium Economy to HKG from April 2019 [only A330 scheduled]

[NSun]

I was searching SYD-HKG flights next year and I noticed from April the flights QF127/128 and QF 117/118 were both A330 flights. I rang the QF Call desk and they confirmed this was correct and not just a system glitch.

Obviously this will mean the 747 is being removed on this route - yet it will also mean the removal of Premium Economy. In my experience it was rarely full but that was one of the positive things about it.

There still appeared to be PY on SYD-HND until at least June 2019.

 

[RichardMEL]

Doesn't mean it will stay that way. They won't firm up the Northern summer schedule until later this year. Obviously with the 747's being retired and 380's deployed more via SIN it's likely they will stick with 330's, but I wouldn't say it's set in stone that this schedule will stay that way.

 

[RichardMEL]

note, the HKG rotation may be short a 380 while they start the refurb (it occurs to me anyway)

 

[mviy]

Once Project Sunrise displaces the A380 off the SYD-LHR route one would think that it's likely that A380 flights to HKG will become more frequent. SYD-SIN should only require one A380 whereas SYD-SIN-LHR requires 3x A380.

There are limited places that QF can fly the A380 and as a slot constrained airport HKG is a logical choice though SFO and HNL could be other possibilities depending on what the demand is like.

 

[Isochronous]

A380 service should start on MEL-HKG and SYD-HKG as soon as possible.

 

[BD1959]

Wouldn't be surprised to see the MEL-SIN A380 moved to SYD-HKG.

Regards,

BD

 

[Himeno]

Yet another reason they should have put Premium Economy on the 330s.

 

[mviy]

Whatever presumably replaces the A330 on international routes will presumably get Premium Economy one would think unless they decide against it for versatility of using the same planes on domestic routes.

 

[Himeno]

Whatever presumably replaces the A330 on international routes will presumably get Premium Economy one would think unless they decide against it for versatility of using the same planes on domestic routes.

The notation that because an aircraft could be used domestically then it should have Premium Economy is silly. For domestic flights with a W cabin, they could block those seats for status economy pax and/or treat them as 'extra leg room' seats and charge extra.

 

[Matt_01]

Little bit OT but as QF move to ULR point to point, is there any speculation if an a380 would be ever be used SYD-HND (QF 25/26) as they retire 747's. Every time I have travelled on these flights they have been pretty full and it seems like to market to from Japan is ever increasing.

 

[jb747]

Once Project Sunrise displaces the A380 off the SYD-LHR route one would think that it's likely that A380 flights to HKG will become more frequent. SYD-SIN should only require one A380 whereas SYD-SIN-LHR requires 3x A380.

You'd have to expect that once this becomes reality, as opposed to a wish list, it would be approaching time to retire 380s anyway.

 

[oz_mark]

Obviously this will mean the 747 is being removed on this route - yet it will also mean the removal of Premium Economy. In my experience it was rarely full but that was one of the positive things about it.

I think you'll find it's actually an A380 being taken from the route. 747s stop flying SYD-HKG sometime in December, and are then a mix of A380 and A330 services.
It even drops down to an A332 at one point.

 

[Himeno]

Little bit OT but as QF move to ULR point to point, is there any speculation if an a380 would be ever be used SYD-HND (QF 25/26) as they retire 747's. Every time I have travelled on these flights they have been pretty full and it seems like to market to from Japan is ever increasing.

HND has limits on A380 operation. I think the only A380 that's been to HND was when EK first flew there.

 

[Mattg]

Looks like 747s are scheduled on QF127/128 again from late June 2019?

 

[harvyk]

The notation that because an aircraft could be used domestically then it should have Premium Economy is silly. For domestic flights with a W cabin, they could block those seats for status economy pax and/or treat them as 'extra leg room' seats and charge extra.

They have run aircraft in the past with sleeper seats / PE / other typically international things on dom routes (both long and short).
It's a little bonus for pax who score those aircraft on a SYD-MEL flight.

I've certainly had a PE seat for a dom flight sold and priced as Y. AFAIK it was simply a little bonus for status pax.

 

[JohnK]

Isn't it time to retire the A330's.

Qantas is determined not to leave much choice in getting to Asia.

 

[mannej]

Isn't it time to retire the A330's.

Qantas is determined not to leave much choice in getting to Asia.

And replace the 28 A330's with what?

Clearly the answer is no.

 

[Himeno]

And replace the 28 A330's with what?

With the current orders, options and rights on the books, we might end up seeing something like:
787s replacing A330s (10 on order, 9 options, 30 rights)
remaining A380 orders/options (8/4) converted to A320.
Existing A320 order, bulked up by converted A380 orders, to replace existing Qantas Group narrow body fleet (QF 737s, old JQ A320s).
Get some A321s in a fit out like AAs A321Ts for transcon and short haul international.
If Airbus are still making them, get some A318s to replace the 717s.
Project Sunrise order (~20 777-8XLR) to replace A380s, 744ERs + some growth.

Reduces fleet type to 3 (777, 787, A320). If Boeing makes the 77X flight deck with commonality to the 787 (as they did with the 757 and 767), flight crew can get duel ratings and fly both.
Would just need something to replace the Dash 8s then.

 

[mviy]

You'd have to expect that once this becomes reality, as opposed to a wish list, it would be approaching time to retire 380s anyway.

So you don't expect Project Sunrise to lead to SYD-LHR flights starting in 2022 freeing up A380s for other routes?

With the A380 starting to be refurbished next year they'll be around for some years yet one would think. If QF was about to retire the A380s they wouldn't bother putting new seats in.

 

[JohnK]

And replace the 28 A330's with what?

Replace the A330's with 747's and A380's. No?