QF network changes [744 PER/SYD & 330 PER/SIN]

[AustraliaPoochie]

Ah, I see.
I stand corrected.

 

[Quickstatus]

Not enough 737 pilots? Some transitioning to 787

And 747 has some takeoff-landing cycles up its sleeve before next major overhaul (retirement), and perhaps 747 pilots have hours up their sleeve as well

 

[JohnK]

Found some J seats that suit and then got the price quote - 100k QFF points + AUD628.87. Oh well, back to SQ I go....

You don't realise how bad it is until you add up the numbers. A one-way economy award to SIN for 3 people is 84,000 QFF points + AUD460. High departure tax doesn't help but that's still a lot of money.

 

[Tom/PER]

EBG and L still show up on transcontinentals from time to time with the Skybeds.

I think if anything these flights will be popular with young and old alike, just like people opting to fly the EK A380's in/out of PER over their 777's.

It's actually really smart strategic planning by QF and frees up A330's for new and increased frequencies elsewhere.

Sadie note, has anyone checked the seatplans to see what configuration is operating the HNL B744 flights which are now starting in August? I wonder if -OEB is going to solely confined to QF3/4.

 

[Daver6]

Not enough 737 pilots? Some transitioning to 787

Yes, there is a shortage.

 

[Pleb Status]

You don't realise how bad it is until you add up the numbers. A one-way economy award to SIN for 3 people is 84,000 QFF points + AUD460. High departure tax doesn't help but that's still a lot of money.

The actual taxes are a component of the cost but are small in comparison with the unjustifiable QF surcharges.

PER-SIN rtn in J on QF - 100k QFF + AUD628
PER-SIN rtn in J on SQ - 65k KF or 106k VFF (or 88k VFF transferred to KF) + AUD153

The cash difference of AUD475 is all QF profit...

 

[sevenfourtyseven]

A few MEL-PER runs would be nice

 

[jakeseven7]

Good news for Perth based travellers.

www.ausbt.com.au/qantas-to-fly-boeing-747-sydney-perth-airbus-a330-perth-singapore?utm_source=hero

Great news! They are rebuilding their base over there despite our stupid Perth airport who seem to be intent on scaring business away. So infuriating we missed out on the new SA flights.

With the 332 coming back to PER-SIN (the good QF71/72 flight times as well) and over 1.2M QFF points to burn, I excitedly had a quick look at what J availability may suit my future needs.

Found some J seats that suit and then got the price quote - 100k QFF points + AUD628.87. Oh well, back to SQ I go....

Bye bye then.

 

[Pleb Status]

Bye bye then.

Thanks. Advice taken.

I moved my P1 earning travel budget away from QF a few years ago. One of the few here who have actually put their money where their mouth is...

 

[Hvr]

A Fairfax article suggesting that pilot shortages are the reason for this change.

Pilot shortage forces Qantas to put jumbo jets on domestic services
Qantas will fly its ageing Boeing 747s on some domestic services to help cover gaps caused by a shortage of pilots, as the airline struggles to train enough to fly its fleet of workhorse 737s.

The airline will operate 747 jumbo jets on up to four services a day between Sydney and Perth starting on July 30 to cover for 737s, and will also replace 737s with larger A330s on some Perth-Singapore services to take pressure of its stretched workforce.

 

[Vim Fuego]

Going to Singapore in September for the GP, got the notification yesterday afternoon that the Perth to Singapore flight had changed from 4.20pm to 11am and no longer on the 737, very happy with that news.

 

[Deeks]

Just checked my booking for QF71/72 in October and noticed mine has been changed from 737 to A330 as well. They also moved our seats from 4A,4B,5A,5B on the 737 to 25A,25B,26A,26B on the A330.

Is there much difference between whY on a 737 and A330?
I haven’t flown on an A330 before.
It looks like J is heaps better on A330 so it might be more worthwhile requesting the upgrade and there are more J seats so should increase my chances of being successful.

 

[oz_mark]

It's actually really smart strategic planning by QF and frees up A330's for new and increased frequencies elsewhere.

I don't think there is anything strategic at all. The operational need is to free up some 737 services.

 

[I love to travel]

How on earth did Qantas get themselves into a position of 737 pilot shortages. It is the mainstay of their fleet in terms of take off and landing cycles

 

[Daver6]

Just checked my booking for QF71/72 in October and noticed mine has been changed from 737 to A330 as well. They also moved our seats from 4A,4B,5A,5B on the 737 to 25A,25B,26A,26B on the A330.

Is there much difference between whY on a 737 and A330?
I haven’t flown on an A330 before.
It looks like J is heaps better on A330 so it might be more worthwhile requesting the upgrade and there are more J seats so should increase my chances of being successful.

Extra inch of legroom in Y.

 

[vandy]

How on earth did Qantas get themselves into a position of 737 pilot shortages. It is the mainstay of their fleet in terms of take off and landing cycles

The Fairfax article says 737 pilots are being trained on the 787, and some have reached their maximum 1000 hours in 12 months period.

 

[Himeno]

How on earth did Qantas get themselves into a position of 737 pilot shortages. It is the mainstay of their fleet in terms of take off and landing cycles

Increased use of 737s vs crew duty limits, pilots retiring and others moving around the fleet as the 787 positions grow. You end up with crew moving up to other aircraft and others who have reached their monthly/yearly flight hour limits.

 

[I love to travel]

Increased use of 737s vs crew duty limits, pilots retiring and others moving around the fleet as the 787 positions grow. You end up with crew moving up to other aircraft and others who have reached their monthly/yearly flight hour limits.

I can see they are the reasons all of which would have been known factors a long time ago. Very poor workforce planning.

 

[tm.smile]

I can see they are the reasons all of which would have been known factors a long time ago. Very poor workforce planning.

Pilot shortage is something that is affecting everyone in the industry at the moment. There are a number of things they are doing which is mitigating this shortage (such as flying 747s transcon). Often these situations can be compounded based on numerous unplanned events.

 

[oz_mark]

Pilot shortage is something that is affecting everyone in the industry at the moment. There are a number of things they are doing which is mitigating this shortage (such as flying 747s transcon). Often these situations can be compounded based on numerous unplanned events.

All the reasons quoted are internal factors that don't seem to have been managed well.