QF B747s operating for JQ SYD-HNL

[MEL_Traveller]

As per Qantas Source Qantas B747s have been operating SYD-HNL on behalf of JQ for the last few days: QANTAS B747-400 VH-OEB Operates Sydney – Honolulu for Jetstar. | The QANTAS Source

Nice upgrade for JQ pax.

Edited: I see this has been mentioned in the 'jetstar cancellations' thread. but perhaps worth a thread on its own in case any people gdoing a google search come across it and are able to add data points.

One of the questions in the cancellations thread was whether it wouldbe QF or JQ service on board. My only experience of this was about 10 years ago where a QF plane was chartered out of HNL to replace a JQ A330... that was full QF catering, crew and service.

 

[Buzzard]

I wonder what the configuration is?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

operated by OEB - that would be 14F, 52J (angled). But i guess maybe there's a bucket load of freight they can put on it?

JQ 787 = 335 seats
QF 747 = 353 (18 seats more than the 787)

perhaps 'A' zone is closed off with no pax accommodated there?

Wonder if upper-deck (22 seats) is for JQ business class, and the whole lower deck (excl F) is for JQ Y pax, some in very nice seats but economy service?

 

[Mattg]

Interesting. OEB is due for retirement this month.

Perhaps the recent issue with a Jetstar 787 being grounded in KIX has prompted Qantas to keep it in the air a little longer, or at least until after the end of April school holidays.

 

[Quickstatus]

aircraft are often retired just prior to a major check (overhaul). Perhaps OEB still has some hours spare until then.

 

[docjames]

Fascinating - I wonder why it’s been rolled out? Presumably enough 788s out of action I guess. Assume the IFE is foc or do they keep it shut down? Who gets the Y+ seats?

Will QFi get an internal (profitable) cost transfer or will QFi just incur cost without revenue (as per the conspiracy theories).

 

[Pushka]

Son and DIL left this afternoon on the Qantas flight after J* cancelled.

We’re sorry we had to cancel your flight JQ3 from Sydney to Honolulu.
On this occasion, your flight was cancelled because of Engineering requirements.

We know how frustrating it is when something like this happens, we have done everything we can to help make things easier and get you on your way to Honolulu as soon as possible.

We have booked you on another flight.
We have moved you to a flight with Qantas Airways. QF6403 will depart from Sydney at 4:25PM 13/04/2019. Please check in at Qantas check in counters at Sydney airport.

If you're going to miss a connecting flight with Jetstar or one of our partner airlines, please contact our Livechat team for help.

Contact your insurer.
If you have a travel insurance policy and plan on making a claim, this letter is a good one to include.

If the flight we’ve arranged for you isn't suitable, please log into Manage booking for alternative options. And if we can help with anything else our Livechat team are available 24 hours a day.

 

[Quickstatus]

Son and DIL left this afternoon on the Qantas flight after J* cancelled.

If you can, would appreciate some intel re allocation/op-up to Y+ or J, and inflight service

 

[MEL_Traveller]

If you can, would appreciate some intel re allocation/op-up to Y+ or J, and inflight service

Yes please!

 

[Pushka]

If you can, would appreciate some intel re allocation/op-up to Y+ or J, and inflight service

Will do. They’ve landed and had a nap and are off exploring Hawaii. Will try update in next day or so.

 

[Pushka]

Update from son. I’ll post this in the other thread too. Son reports that they were given exit row seats in Y and they received full Qantas service and food which he reports was good. Space would have been nice but I gather that people standing in the exit area were a bit of a bother.

 

[Quickstatus]

Thanks

Presumably the 21 or so JQ "J" pax were sent to J cabin. I wonder how many of the JQ "Y" passengers got an opup.
(One could argue the entire flight got an upgrade).

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Thanks

Presumably the 21 or so JQ "J" pax were sent to J cabin. I wonder how many of the JQ "Y" passengers got an opup.
(One could argue the entire flight got an upgrade).

I was wondering this... whether for example they just used the upper deck for business class, and the lower deck, economy service but business class seats (and same with premium economy seats). I guess if they had 14 or less J class they could have used the F cabin.

 

[Quickstatus]

Playing some numbers:
Assume JQ787 for the JQ3/4 was full ( 21J/314Y = 335)

If Nose F on the VH-OEB was closed:

That leaves:
52J, 32W, 255Y = 339
(Assuming the 3 crew seats in Y Row 40HJK are also not used)
That means upperdeck would be operational
That means that 59 passengers got an OpUp - maybe 27 into J and 32 into W

The other option would be to close the upper deck and open the nose which would reduce the OpUp potential by 10 seats. Im not sure what the rules are regarding cabin crew having to staff the upperdeck exits if there are no passengers there.

How many of those 59 purchased the more expensive "bundle" or were QF statused pax or some other VIP?

Whats the bet that cabin crew used F?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

There’s no need for op ups.

Economy pax can still receive economy service, just be seated in business or premium economy seats (the boarding pass would still show economy).

 

[Quickstatus]

That’s one to look at it and I don’t disagree. That’s like getting the F seat on a J boarding pass (and everything else J) on OEB and OJM when flying the 747 fleet. Still it’s a substantial difference for a JQ passenger who had zero expectation of flying the main line

 

[MEL_Traveller]

While the QF charter I was on replacing a JQ flight was full service (full meals, amenities like entertainment, and open bar), I can’t see a reason for JQ to op up pax that are seated in business seats but flying economy. There’d be a substantial cost or champagne and stuff.

Looking at the forward loads for the JQ3/4 over the next few days, the business cabin is wide open.. like only a few seats selected each day. Perhaps they will use the F zone and close the upper deck (assuming the charters continue)

 

[Melburnian1]

As MEL_Traveller noted, this has been covered for a while in the JQ Delays/Cancellations thread.

The QF flight number is QF6403 northbound and back to SYD it's QF6404. As Mattg so competently covers, almost always the charters have been B744 VH-OEB. Most days it's been punctual (not that there's any great reason it wouldn't be, except maybe on the first afternoon when both QF Group entities were 'getting things sorted.'

 

[Bindibuys]

Daughter & SIL booked on JQ for 16 May, would be nice if this was still in service.

 

[Melburnian1]

Daughter & SIL booked on JQ for 16 May, would be nice if this was still in service.

There's a lack of information at this stage. All we can say is that the JQ aircraft B788 VH-VKJ has been inoperable for an extraordinary amount of time with little publicity other than that generated on 29 March.

In typical style, the Japanese must be thoroughly investigating every nook and cranny in a way only they can. No half measures.