QF to launch SYD DFW from 16 May and axe SFO

[docjames]

Out of interest, and not meaning to be pessimistic, would QF end up cancelling the route if these unscheduled tech-stops became a little too frequent?

Just not sure what they used to do in the days where no-stop flights to the USA first started, but I'd assume it would be similar to this (although there isn't really an a/c in the works that will do what they want, short of moving to a 777).

It'll come down to economics. A profit or a small loss, despite unscheduled stops, and providing it doesnt impact on fleet use on other sectors (other than BNE-SYD), and it'll stay. If the losses mount significantly, they'll withdraw (and hopefully try again once the 789 arrives).

My suspicion is it will run at a small loss (irresepctive of tech stops or not) and it will survive until the 789 arrives. If it doesnt make money with the 789, it's gone. But that's just my opinion, I have no inside info to know how it'll do economically. It's taken them a long time to start it, and they'll be watching the numbers. At least the flights are going out with decent loadings. Yield of course, is an entirely different matter.

 

[ausi ski bum]

The winds have been unusual the last few days; QF94 went via SYD for a 'splash and go' this morning and I saw a report that QF12 nearly diverted to BNE for same.

I was on QF 12 yesterday, does not supprise me we were thrown around all thhe way from turbulance.

 

[JohnPhelan]

Out of interest, and not meaning to be pessimistic, would QF end up cancelling the route if these unscheduled tech-stops became a little too frequent?

There's no way in the wide world that QF will drop the DFW flights; they are totally committed to DFW, as it's AA's primary hub.

In fact, in the medium to longer term, I would guess that they will try to move the pax going to the east and mid-west to transit via DFW, rather than LAX - so I would predict they will try to use DFW more and LAX less.

The issue for QF 7 and 8 is not whether the DFW flights will continue, but whether they will add a scheduled stop somewhere in the Pacific.

 

[TonyHancock]

I really hope it works out. DFW is a significant improvement on LAX. It is a better airport, well the international terminal certainly is, with great connections. (Unless of course you want to be on the West Coast!!)

FWIW my flight back from LAX (QF94) earlier in the month was very bumpy.

 

[MelUser]

If this happens a lot DFW route mat lose popularity:

A Qantas 747 jumbo was forced to make an unscheduled stop on the Pacific island of New Caledonia earlier this week because it was running low on fuel. The 13,816-kilometre route, which Qantas launched just two weeks ago, is at the upper limits of the 747-400 jumbo's flying range. The Dallas service is one of the longest non-stop routes in the world and the longest flown by 747 jumbos.

 

[serfty]

If this happens a lot DFW route mat lose popularity:
...

See posts May 30 and later on this thread; QF94 as well some USA airline operations were diverted on the same day.

 

[wtolmie]

SYD-HNL-ORD/JFK anyone ??? on QF metal..

everytime ive flown from ORD - LAX, always been heaps of familiar faces on the LAX-SYD leg..

just saying...

 

[jb747]

From what I hear, in the planning stages, they knew that May/June would likely be pretty horrible. But, the rest of the year should show a dramatically lower diversion rate.

 

[Danger]

SMH has a J review of this route on their website today - complete with pictures of the mark II skybed! Correct me if I'm wrong but this is the sort of publication that would be the first to criticise QF if it did anything remotely misleading like this.

 

[futaris]

The cabin crew insists on a head count prior to departure to ensure the number of passengers does not exceed 280, the maximum allowable payload weight calculated to enable a non-stop flight to Brisbane.

Only 280 seats can be filled on the 747-400?

• 14 First; 52 Business; 32 Premium Economy; 255 Economy* = 353 Seats
• 14 First; 66 Business; 40 Premium Economy; 187 Economy* = 307 Seats
• 56 Business; 40 Premium Economy; 275 Economy* = 371 Seats
• 56 Business; 356 Economy* = 412 Seats

 

[markis10]

Only 280 seats can be filled on the 747-400?

• 14 First; 52 Business; 32 Premium Economy; 255 Economy* = 353 Seats
• 14 First; 66 Business; 40 Premium Economy; 187 Economy* = 307 Seats
• 56 Business; 40 Premium Economy; 275 Economy* = 371 Seats
• 56 Business; 356 Economy* = 412 Seats

I am not sure of the purpose of your post, yes only 280 seats out of whatever available can be used to allow for max fuel etc.

You made me have a proper look at the photo. I guess that is JR. I thought he was dead.....

Larry Hagman is currently playing JR in the TV series of Dallas being shot this year ! They will be doing I dream of Jeannie next!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dallas_(2011_TV_series)

 

[rechoboam]

No he just had bad liver disease so I am sure the St Henri was appreciated...

I have to disagree about the utility of these ads. I'm 40ish and have no real memory of the show, what's the point of associating Qantas with someone from so far back. I initially didn't recognize him in the picture because of his age and...condition. Travolta, Hagman...don't they want to connect with people in their 30s, 40s who will be filling the pointy end for the next 30 years? There are lots of interesting things about Dallas, I wouldn't have thought of JR..

 

[serfty]

Only 280 seats can be filled on the 747-400?

• ...
• 14 First; 66 Business; 40 Premium Economy; 187 Economy* = 307 Seats
• ...

I am not sure of the purpose of your post, yes only 280 seats out of whatever available can be used to allow for max fuel etc. ...

Since the only 744 Qantas can effectively employ for this route is the 744ER and Qantas only have these in the "Pacific (Hi J) Configuration", the above is the only 744 layout available on this route at the moment.

So it's a loss of 27 seats at the most (~10%).

 

[Ewing]

Larry Hagman is currently playing JR in the TV series of Dallas being shot this year ! They will be doing I dream of Jeannie next!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dallas_(2011_TV_series)

And here I was thinking the Dallas references to my last name would finally die off.

At least I wasn't as unfortunate as my brother - he got J.R. Ewing. He's quite a bit younger than I am though so he's probably escaped it (at least until the show comes back)

 

[el_rooto]

Qantas Sydney to Dallas flights | Airline to stick with 747s

Article in the SMH, apparently QF is sticking with larger aircraft for SYD - DFW....