QF fleet renewal still a long way off

[Scarlett]

From the FY19 fleet image above:
What's a Boeing 787-900? Don't QF know the correct nomenclature for their great 'game-changer'? (they got it right for the JQ 787-8)

And a Dash8-Q200? Did it get retrofitted with the same 'Q' technologies as the Q400 or are the PR people telling lies again?

You'd think they'd be able to get it right...

 

[milehighclub]

An ageing fleet for a second rate airline that isn't in the world's top 20.

According to which list?

 

[Melburnian1]

According to which list?

That's my view, but notably TripAdvisor (that as far as I know, unlike Skytrax does not accept $$$ for bumping up an airline's rating) does not rank QF in its top 10 for 2019.

TA has not published which airlines have been ranked 11 to 20.

It's viewable under 'Travellers' Choice 2019', but as it's a USA company, it's spelt 'traveler.'

Whether the Airline Ratings site accepts $$$ (or contra) from airlines has not been revealed.

TA has far more passenger reviews of airlines than Skytrax or Australia's Airline Ratings site. The success of TA in attracting reviews is amazing, given it was a late entrant as for many years 'airlines' was not a reviewable category on TripAdvisor.

TA has about 14 airlines ranked as 'five stars' and roughly 180 ranked as 'four stars.'

One non-TA site has thousands of reviews for Chinese carrier China Southern CZ), out of kilter with the number of posted reviews for other airlines, so one suspects gaming has occurred.

 

[moa999]

I put very little credence into most airline review sites.
Like most review sites they are mostly highly negative from people who have had bad experiences, often one-offs, or fake reviews.

The only relevant ranking for me would be from people who have flown multiple airlines in the same class, in similar aircraft on routes of similar distance.

Zero point comparing Qantas domestic SYD-MEL to CHina Southern J longhaul

 

[Melburnian1]

I put very little credence into most airline review sites.
Like most review sites they are mostly highly negative from people who have had bad experiences, often one-offs, or fake reviews.

The only relevant ranking for me would be from people who have flown multiple airlines in the same class, in similar aircraft on routes of similar distance...

In TA's case, many airline (and other) reviews are positive or neutral.

Why not have a look for yourself to observe this?

 

[milehighclub]

That's my view, but notably TripAdvisor (that as far as I know, unlike Skytrax does not accept $$$ for bumping up an airline's rating) does not rank QF in its top 10 for 2019.

TA has not published which airlines have been ranked 11 to 20.

But you claim QF isn't in the top 20 not top 10. If TA only mentions the top 10 how can you say for certain that they aren't a top 20 airline?

 

[Melburnian1]

But you claim QF isn't in the top 20 not top 10. If TA only mentions the top 10 how can you say for certain that they aren't a top 20 airline?

The only things 'certain' in life are the two well known occurrences (and, for the vast majority of worldwide inhabitants, the existence of God) but like you I'm able to form an opinion, as noted above.

Anyone who has travelled on QF knows the highly variable nature of its staff - it isn't just me suggesting that many of these individuals don't really want to be in their jobs judging by their interactions with passengers - the poor QFd/QFi punctuality, the ageing QF domestic fleet, declining catering, high percentage of domestic flights cancelled, chronic cancellations and late running with subsidiary JQi, high fares on many routes without delivering superior service to that of competitors...

Not things I have found in recent years on major Asian airlines that among their many positive points by and large manage to operate more punctually to and from Australia (despite its airfields being 'outstations') than is the case with QFi.

 

[bPeteb]

If he spent as much time on this as he does on his beloved social advocacy for areas way beyond what an airline ought concentrate on, maybe QF would have a better long term financial future.

Like a broken record... surely time to move on?

 

[DavidFlynn]

What's a Boeing 787-900? Don't QF know the correct nomenclature for their great 'game-changer'? (they got it right for the JQ 787-8)

It's an interesting one, the 787-800 and 797-900 are actually Boeing descriptors for the -8 and -9... rarely seen and rarely used, but they did exist for some time and I'm sure that somewhere in Boeing they still do. I've even seen models at The Boeing Shop branded as the 787-800 and 787-900.

 

[flydoc]

Media today suggesting AJ has indicated a decision on short haul/domestic fleet renewal will be made next year: A320/321 vs B738 MAX or twin aisle B797 ‘new midsize aircraft. Reportedly also still considering options for B717 and F100 replacement

Qantas braces for redundancies from head office restructure

Qantas expects to announce a round of redundancies as part of a head-office restructure, but says it does not yet know how many jobs will be lost at the airline.

www.theage.com.au

 

[moa999]

That's if the 797 happens..

Interesting thread on airliners of youngish (10-12yo) 319s being sold for scrap value only. Possible option for F100/717 replacement.

 

[oz_mark]

The 797 will happen. It may end up being a 737 replacement though ..

 

[Berlin]

If he spent as much time on this as he does on his beloved social advocacy for areas way beyond what an airline ought concentrate on, maybe QF would have a better long term financial future.

You can't stop uttering this nonsense, can you? Taking a stand on social issues, be it the environment or equal rights, is becoming a more and more differentiating factor between corporations, both for attracting customers and attracting a capable and diverse workforce.

This is especially among Millennials and more even among Gen Zs, the customers of tomorrow. Hence, Joyce does EXACTLY what is expected from a CEO these days, taking a stand. One can argue about many things he does, but this is not one of it.

And now back to topic please, yes?

 

[dajop]

and attracting a capable and diverse workforce.

Yes, and AJ is not only taking a stand on such issues for himself, but also his employees, who no doubt are a diverse group.

 

[Melburnian1]

You can't stop uttering this nonsense, can you?

Regrettably, typical of the intolerance one increasingly sees from a loud minority in Australia. Andrew Bolt often comments on this, and he's the most widely read media columnist in Oz by a long shot.

Alan Joyce 'taking a stance on the 'environment' would be laughable. Mr Joyce ought concentrate on matters aviation, such as the ageing domestic fleet, especially staying out of bullying sportsplayers.

 

[dajop]

Moving back into aviation I suspect taking a social stand on certain matters has very little to do with domestic fleet replacements. Many factors (probably most importantly $$$) are coming into play with that decision.

If you look at Fleet age | Airfleets aviation QF fleet age is not an outlier compared to most western legacy carriers (such as BA, DL, LH, AA etc). In fact DL, is widely known for making significant profits on the back of an ageing, but well maintained fleet. Maintenance costs might be higher, but fleet is all but depreciated.

 

[Melburnian1]

...If you look at Fleet age | Airfleets aviation QF fleet age is not an outlier compared to most western legacy carriers (such as BA, DL, LH, AA etc). In fact DL, is widely known for making significant profits on the back of an ageing, but well maintained fleet. Maintenance costs might be higher, but fleet is all but depreciated.

With the exception of TransPacific though, and perhaps NZ, isn't QF largely competing with Asian and Middle Eastern carriers, the former including LCCs like D7, 5J and TR, plus a large number of legacy airlines?

BA, DL and AA are minor 'own metal' airlines into and out of Oz, with the first two having a single daily flight each way. LH does not run its own equipment to Oz.

 

[dajop]

With the exception of TransPacific though, and perhaps NZ, isn't QF largely competing with Asian and Middle Eastern carriers, the former including LCCs like D7, 5J and TR, plus a large number of legacy airlines?

BA, DL and AA are minor 'own metal' airlines into and out of Oz, with the first two having a single daily flight each way. LH does not run its own equipment to Oz.

Weren’t you talking about replacing ageing domestic fleet? I which case the ailing VA is the only competitor.

I was merely pointing out that western carriers, which by and large don’t have the taxation and accelerated depreciation benefits, and access to cheap funding, like some ME and Asian carriers, have similar aged fleets to QF and do generate reasonable profits on such fleets.

 

[jetset]

Media today suggesting AJ has indicated a decision on short haul/domestic fleet renewal will be made next year: A320/321 vs B738 MAX or twin aisle B797 ‘new midsize aircraft. Reportedly also still considering options for B717 and F100 replacement

I agree. I don't think AJ will make a decision on fleet renewal until the 737 MAX is flying in a commercial capacity again. Qantas needs maximum leverage on Airbus to be able to negotiate a good price between Airbus and Boeing. It's a bit hard to negotiate when Airbus is the only manufacturer of the two who is producing a narrow body aircraft that is actually flying. Right now Airbus has ~6000 unfilled orders for their A320neo family, which is about 10 years worth at current production. I expect there won't be much scope for discounts right now.

 

[Himeno]

It's a bit hard to negotiate when Airbus is the only manufacturer of the two who is producing a narrow body aircraft that is actually flying. Right now Airbus has ~6000 unfilled orders for their A320neo family, which is about 10 years worth at current production. I expect there won't be much scope for discounts right now.

Qantas could dangle orders for A330NEOs and/or A350s or threaten to reduce the existing A320 order. Some amount of scope to negotiate there.