QF adds flights to CHC

[Mattg]

Qantas is launching new flights to Christchurch.

MEL-CHC is being added from 4 December, and BNE-CHC will go daily from November. Flights will be on Qantas (not Jetconnect) 737-800s.

Schedules are as follows:

MEL-CHC
QF133 MEL 23:45 - CHC 05:05 (+1 day)
QF132 CHC 20:05 - MEL 22:00

BNE-CHC
QF135 BNE 08:05 - CHC 14:40
QF134 CHC 06:15 - BNE 07:05

 

[TomVexille]

While I love the fact that they have added MEL-CHC, the outbound departure time means that I will likely keep flying NZ/VA. At least on the way over.

Also, with both MEL-CHC and BNE-CHC being operated by QF, does this mean that there's no guarantee of seatback IFE on the flights?

 

[Mattg]

While I love the fact that they have added MEL-CHC, the outbound departure time means that I will likely keep flying NZ/VA. At least on the way over.

Also, with both MEL-CHC and BNE-CHC being operated by QF, does this mean that there's no guarantee of seatback IFE on the flights?

Totally agree about the MEL-CHC redeye flight. I doubt I would ever use it.

While I guess the fact that these flights are QF-operated means seatback IFE is not guaranteed, I wouldn't be too worried. The existing CHC-BNE flights are being operated by Qantas, and these have been exclusively operated by BSI 737s with IFE (which is an upgrade, actually) since the route was launched.

 

[kermatu]

Seems a good sign that Christchurch is picking up again.

QF operated presumably means QF crew - or can Jetconnect crew work on these flights?

The redeye isn't ideal. I've done it a couple of times (MEL-AKL) and have a couple more coming up later this year. I just need to learn to drink a little less on such flights...

 

[moa999]

Presumably operating by a single aircraft
CHC-BNE-CHC-MEL-CHC (albeit the 5.5hr layover during the day in CHC is a bit weird)

Presumably this is also a strike against SQs SIN-CBR-CHC service


The MEL leg could be run as a single plane out of hours eg.
MEL 2345 CHC 0505
CHC 0605 MEL 0800
then say an 0930 Dom service once you taxi over.

 

[Mattg]

Presumably operating by a single aircraft
CHC-BNE-CHC-MEL-CHC (albeit the 5.5hr layover during the day in CHC is a bit weird)

Presumably this is also a strike against SQs SIN-CBR-CHC service

The MEL leg could be run as a single plane out of hours eg.
MEL 2345 CHC 0505
CHC 0605 MEL 0800
then say an 0930 Dom service once you taxi over.

I agree that this will probably be operated by a single aircraft. What I don't understand is why Qantas feel the need for a redeye flight ex MEL?

This aircraft could easily turnaround in CHC after the BNE flight and head to MEL at (say) 15:45. It could then return from MEL to CHC at around 18:30 and arrive back just before midnight, ready to operate to BNE the next morning.

Oh, and the new SQ service is to Wellington, not Christchurch.

 

[Standby]

Qantas Grows to Meet Asia Pacific Demand - Qantas News Room
A big change is commencement of BNEPOM with 737s in lieu of the Dash8's from CNS. Expect this would have better connections beyond BNE thanthe CNS option.
I have friends who do the commute that will be happy to not use PX again.
Also included in the announcement are seasonal DPS/SIN/MNL internationally plus MELMCY

 

[TomVexille]

Do QF operate any redeye flights to NZ from SYD or BNE? Or is it just MEL?

 

[kermatu]

Do QF operate any redeye flights to NZ from SYD or BNE? Or is it just MEL?

Only MEL as far as I'm aware. I (guess) the curfew in SYD means any flight would arrive too early in AKL? So SYD (usually) has two departures to AKL in the early evening.

 

[TomVexille]

I wonder if it's a utilisation issue. I can't imagine the yields would be great on the redeye.

 

[kermatu]

On my two flights I reckon they were about 80% full. Remember one was getting full in Y so I used points to upgrade to J (wasn't confident of getting a shadow or empty row). J reasonably full both times BUT with at least 3 staff members (I can pick them in J but not Y).
Just looked at possible loads over the next week (using expertflyer) - quite variable, but most had a few U and X class seats available which would suggest light loads.

 

[TomVexille]

Loads are one thing, yield is a better indicator. Every time I see the redeye, it's selling for less.

 

[Mattg]

Loads are one thing, yield is a better indicator. Every time I see the redeye, it's selling for less.

That does appear to be the case. These are the airfares from MEL to AKL on a random date I just searched:

 

[dajop]

Presumably this is also a strike against SQs SIN-CBR-CHC service

Don't think so, SQ is doing SIN-CBR-WLG ....

 

[soorox]

The new MEL-CHC flights are timed to meet with QF9/10.

 

[TomVexille]

The new MEL-CHC flights are timed to meet with QF9/10.

Well that makes the most sense of all the reasons why to operate flights then

 

[cambriamarsh]

The new MEL-CHC flights are timed to meet with QF9/10.

And the same for the late AKL MEL and redeye return in all likelihood

 

[kermatu]

Makes sense.

Just to note though on other random dates I searched in August the redeye is (marginally) more expensive.

 

[pauly7]

Good to see some more CHC options and QFi expanding where it makes sense. Now the 737 refurb program is 99.99% done, in terms of IFE, this won't be a risk either. Poor old NZ getting hit on all sides at the moment. Some members who still have AN scars will be enjoying this

 

[pauly7]

I wonder if it's a utilisation issue. I can't imagine the yields would be great on the redeye.

But if you look at the way they are timed for CHC coming across to MEL it makes a lot of $ense...