QF to launch seasonal flights to Sapporo

[AIRwin]

Please merge/delete this thread if already posted:
https://www.qantasnewsroom.com.au/media-releases/qantas-to-launch-seasonal-flights-to-sapporo/

 

[offshore171]

Not surprising given the amount of seasonal ski traffic.

The presser claims “Qantas will be the first airline to fly direct between Sydney and Sapporo”

This is not actually correct. Australian Airlines offered a direct flight on the same route in the mid noughties.

Edit: actually thinking back it may have stopped in Cairns.

 

[sudoer]

This is particularly good news for those outside Sydney.

JL's single daily NRT-CTS flight leaves a tad too early for the QF61 BNE-NRT and QF79 MEL-NRT traffic, who I believe need to overnight at NRT and catch a 3K flight the next morning.

Those pax can now do the connect in Sydney (never thought I'd suggest D-I at SYD to be a good thing, but it is in this case) without paying for the privilege of flying on QF25 and avoiding an additional connection at HND.

Does anyone know what the schedule will look like?

 

[Isochronous]

Very good choice! Glad to see QF trialling new routes.

 

[Ewing]

Does anyone know what the schedule will look like?

QF39 SYD-CTS - Dep 0930 Arr 1835
QF40 CTS-SYD - Dep 2005 Arr 0905

 

[Hvr]

And as is typical for Qantas they haven't loaded the number of SCs that will be earnt in their SC calculator.

 

[offshore171]

Here’s a question:

Any other Qantas A330 destinations that get significant ice/snow/blizzard conditions? TYO gets a small amount a couple of times per winter, but it doesn’t stick around.

Anywhere else?

 

[love_the_life]

I like the idea of being able to fly direct, just makes it another option but I am wondering how the pricing will go especially as they are trying to hit the skiers (moneyed to begin with?).

 

[Himeno]

Flights to CTS. Surprising. I wonder where they are pulling the aircraft from.

There are a few places in Hokkaidō that I've been looking at going to, but Dec-Mar isn't going to work for me. :/

And as is typical for Qantas they haven't loaded the number of SCs that will be earnt in their SC calculator.

SYD-CTS distance is in between MEL-NRT and SYD-PEK. It would more then likely be the same point/SC earn as those.

 

[Hvr]

And I suggest you book quickly if you want to fly directly to the 71st Sapporo Snow Festival to be held from February 04-11 inclusive.

 

[sudoer]

QF39 SYD-CTS - Dep 0930 Arr 1835

Thanks for the info - so it could handle feeders from most Aus cities although connections may be a little tight if there are any delays in the network.

I expect the 117 bus will tack on a stop at International to pick pax up too.

Flights to CTS. Surprising. I wonder where they are pulling the aircraft from.

Maybe it will operate on the three days which QF33 SYD-KIX doesn't? (currently M W Th Sa)

 

[levelnine]

Does this mean an additional QF international flight departing SYD during the peak morning period?

I pity anyone using the J lounge during that time. It's already rammed to the gills in the morning.

 

[sudoer]

I pity anyone using the J lounge during that time.

Good thing Qantas have said the SYD J lounge refresh will be done by the end of this year!

 

[levelnine]

Good thing Qantas have said the SYD J lounge refresh will be done by the end of this year!

Have the renovations started yet?

The Q4 2019 finish date was based on a Q3 2018 start date: Qantas promises all-new Sydney international business class lounge

If they are already running 6+ months behind, it'll probably be late 2020 before the renovations are done.

 

[love_the_life]

Have the renovations started yet?

The Q4 2019 finish date was based on a Q3 2018 start date: Qantas promises all-new Sydney international business class lounge

If they are already running 6+ months behind, it'll probably be late 2020 before the renovations are done.

And last time I was there it didn't look like anything had been started at all so can't imagine it being completed (even started) by then.

 

[Himeno]

Thanks for the info - so it could handle feeders from most Aus cities although connections may be a little tight if there are any delays in the network.

I expect the 117 bus will tack on a stop at International to pick pax up too.

View attachment 160755



Maybe it will operate on the three days which QF33 SYD-KIX doesn't? (currently M W Th Sa)

I don't think they'd add a stop to that bus. There are already international flights landing at CTS after that last international bus. (1 from KUL via TPE, 1 from KHH and one from Korea that might be a bit too tight to get through arrivals in time to get t he bus). They would expect people to get the train into the city.

 

[sudoer]

They would expect people to get the train into the city.

Or catch it from Domestic, I guess.

 

[Mattg]

Flights to CTS. Surprising. I wonder where they are pulling the aircraft from.

There are a few places in Hokkaidō that I've been looking at going to, but Dec-Mar isn't going to work for me. :/


SYD-CTS distance is in between MEL-NRT and SYD-PEK. It would more then likely be the same point/SC earn as those.

It will be the same status credit earn, yes.

Keep in mind though that, for international flights, Qantas point/status credit earn is no longer based on the flight's distance.

 

[Cool Cat Phil]

Great to see another international destination on QF’s route map.
I was surprised CTS wasn’t handed to JQ to trial first, given the market research JQ undertook approx 12 months ago on potential new destinations which highlighted CTS as a potential new destination.
But I believe most skiers to Hokkaido will be happy to fly in style

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Fri SYD 9.30am would have just been my cup of tea.
Pity its missed a Fri.
QF could have gotten a tidy sum from me if they added a Fri SYD dep.
This let's me finish Thus work at noon, time to get to SYD for overnight layover...
Anyways, we can dream they could put an ADL - CTS one day.
9.30am is tight for an 8.30am arr from ADL into SYD.
Curfew at ADL lifts at 6am, then plane leaves at 6.05am, arr SYD 8.35am, only 55mins to do the run.