QF swapping QF25/26 from 787 to 330 from 1 April 2024

[exLXCXFF]

There is discussion ongoing in some of the FB Groups that QF is taking out a 787 on the QF25/26 route (SYD to Haneda) and sub in an A330 instead from 1 April.

Any idea where the frame is coming from and where the 787 frame is going to? Maybe the Hawaii route?

 

[yachty]

It starts dropping in from tomorrow... QF25 becomes an A330 on Tue/Thu, then full time from April.

The second Finnair A330 starts SYD-BKK on 31 March, so a decent chance it's coming from there.

It was mentioned that it was being swapped to HNL, though if I remember right there's been a few schedule changes since then (like the US reductions) for the 787s though.

 

[justinbrett]

It was mentioned that it was being swapped to HNL, though if I remember right there's been a few schedule changes since then (like the US reductions) for the 787s though.

HNL didn't change, it's still going all 787.

 

[yachty]

HNL didn't change, it's still going all 787.

Didn't word it that well, yes I know - I was referring to the frequency changes to JFK and LAX that were announced late last year.

 

[jase05]

and where the 787 frame is going to?

Was mentioned on another thread by @kpc that their upcoming flight QF63 to Johannesburg has changed from an A380 to a 787 also

 

[HS-TQE]

Hawaii is high yield leisure, thus makes some sense in-between longer haul runs.

 

[Bundy Bear]

Qantas has 2 flights Sydney-Haneda could be trying to standardise the flight experience on both flights.

 

[elanshin]

Hawaii is high yield leisure, thus makes some sense in-between longer haul runs.

I think its more the fuel burn and longer distance. Tokyo is also high yield leisure AND business. JQ has all the cheap leisure pax.

They'd probably put 2 787s on SYD HND if they had the planes.

 

[Himeno]

We've known about the HND downgrade for a while. It's why I won't book Japan trips on QF due to no W seats on the A330s.

They kept the 747 on SYD-TYO for as long as they did because of the high premium load. The only times they removed the 747 for an A330 or 767 was when there were travel demand downturns in Japan, such as following the 2011 earthquake (which is what killed off the QF 767 PER-NRT flight).

They are likely pulling the 787 from HND in order to use it somewhere where a A330 isn't practical (such as Europe or increasing JFK).

 

[Must...Fly!]

Yes, no W. But is the A330 really a downgrade for J/Y? I'd say it's neutral for the former and probably even an upgrade for Y to be on the Airbus.

 

[justinbrett]

I definitely prefer A330 vs 787 in Y. I quite enjoy a day flight on QF104 if it's an A330, but I won't do it in Y on a 787.

I'd rather slog it in Y on the A380 from LAX (I usually route through HNL if flying Y coming home from the US - until now; my last trip in a few weeks still on the A330)

 

[elanshin]

Yes, no W. But is the A330 really a downgrade for J/Y? I'd say it's neutral for the former and probably even an upgrade for Y to be on the Airbus.

Minor downgrade.

2-4-2 vs 3-3-3 is a wash depending on your travel party. A333 has bulkhead / exit rows in Y isnt as good as 787. 787 is a bit better comfort in terms of cabin pressurisation.

Overallnot much difference other than no W. But given NH and JL both offer W, it's a big distinguishing point. If only HND allowed the 380....

 

[Himeno]

If only HND allowed the 380....

They do. Only allowed on the ground between 11pm and 6am local.
Gate 107 in T3 can handle an A380 and has 3 air bridges (gates 106 and 108 used to have 3rd air bridges when I last looked in 2019, but have since been removed)
The runways and taxiways able to be used are limited

https://global.discourse-cdn.com/infiniteflight/original/4X/2/0/1/201f36f5dee59960a92510ad42cc46b2b35fe516.png

 

[elanshin]

They do. Only allowed on the ground between 11pm and 6am local.
Gate 107 in T3 can handle an A380 and has 3 air bridges (gates 106 and 108 used to have 3rd air bridges when I last looked in 2019, but have since been removed)
The runways and taxiways able to be used are limited

https://global.discourse-cdn.com/infiniteflight/original/4X/2/0/1/201f36f5dee59960a92510ad42cc46b2b35fe516.png

Sorry i should be a bit more precise, in the context of QF flying a380s into HND on a schedule that would work.

 

[bullerdude]

Yeah very likely they need the 787's elsewhere given the heavy maintenance delays for the A380's coming back into service and therefore having timetabling challenges.

The lack of PE to QF A330 destinations is a real downside, as QF economy legroom sucks in general on all their planes. ANA and JAL have far superior legroom and are likely to be my preference when i can't get points J seats.

 

[NSun]

I try to fly at least Y+ and the 787 has that while the A330 doesn't. If going in economy I would much prefer the A330 given the 2-4-2 layout - made QF69 to Delhi with no entertainment slightly bearable. But only flew Y on QF69 because there was no Y+.