QF to launch SYD DFW from 16 May and axe SFO

[Nigelinoz]

Good article in Business Spectator today about this,it doesn't offer much that hasn't already been said in press releases etc but it does make the point that this is plainly on the back of the BA/Iberia tie up and that OW is effectively looking at creating a global airline with BA being stong in Europe,Iberia having good presence in US and Latin America and Qantas in Asia/Pacific.
Interesting perspective.

Late last year the British Airways/Iberia partnership gained regulatory approval for a closer commercial relationship with fellow OneWorld member, American Airlines, on the trans-Atlantic routes. Now it would appear that Qantas is planning to do something similar with American in its corner of the globe.
Qantas today announced it was dropping its direct services to San Francisco from May in favour of four return services a week to the Dallas/Fort Worth airport, American’s primary hub. It also said it would soon seek regulatory approval for an expanded commercial relationship with the US carrier.

Playing Texas hold em with Qantas | Stephen Bartholomeusz | Commentary | Business Spectator

 

[rtyuiop]

Classic Award inventory seems to now be available, I just snaffled a J award on QF7 on the 18th! And, delightfully, looks like SGs can select row 4, so should be an F seat with J service.

Danny

 

[markis10]

Classic Award inventory seems to now be available, I just snaffled a J award on QF7 on the 18th! And, delightfully, looks like SGs can select row 4, so should be an F seat with J service.

Danny

And all the JASAs have shot up to over 1M points :evil:

 

[tuppaware]

If it's an ER, then this would be your aircraft: http://www.qantas.com.au/infodetail/flying/inTheAir/ourAircraft/744ER-14P66J40W187Y.pdf

(So yes, PE as told above)

Im confused though. They are selling PE on this route , so how are you getting PE when paying for Y?

 

[Oneworldplus2]

Some people have also mentioned AA getting code-shares from OZ to USA as part of these new expansion plans.

If this happens, SYD-LAX AA code-share (on QF metal perhaps) while undertaking the AA Platinum challenge could learn you equivalent QF Gold in 1 trip. Good way to get status on the Oneworld network, much easier than going for QF Gold.

 

[markis10]

Im confused though. They are selling PE on this route , so how are you getting PE when paying for Y?

Post #44 by me using info from Qantas Source explains the seating being sold:

According to the Qantas Source the service will be operated by ERs with the F cabin for premium J pax while the last two rows of J will be for premium PE customers, PE 36-39 will be sold as Y for Cl and WPs.

Same setup as the LAX service ex BNE at present when a ER operates it once the A380s return to LAX.

 

[Kendall Roy]

Post #44 by me using info from Qantas Source explains the seating being sold:

Same setup as the LAX service ex BNE at present when a ER operates it once the A380s return to LAX.

Expertflyer Seat Maps on QF7 appears to confirm this.

I was pre-allocated a J seat on a Y+ ticket (only a SG as well). Fingers cross there's no "operational requirements" which will see me back a few rows

 

[pauly7]

And all the JASAs have shot up to over 1M points :evil:

Look a bit harder and further out!!

 

[markis10]

Look a bit harder and further out!!

I have looked at every date from the start of the service to Jan next year and they are all 1006000 points or more!

All the alternate options were 400K yesterday, now they are 1M+ including the new services but also including the services that were 400k yesterday which were not on QF7 and 8. It seems ironic that adding capacity has reduced availability of the cheaper (but by no means a bargain at 4x the classic requirements) JASAs, I suspect its a system issue and that all is not complete when it comes to the loading of inventory.

 

[pauly7]

I have looked at every date from the start of the service to Jan next year and they are all 1006000 points or more!

All the alternate options were 400K yesterday, now they are 1M+ including the new services but also including the services that were 400k yesterday which were not on QF7 and 8. It seems ironic that adding capacity has reduced availability of the cheaper (but by no means a bargain at 4x the classic requirements) JASAs, I suspect its a system issue and that all is not complete when it comes to the loading of inventory.

Weird I'm not seeing that at all... I thought all people could see all ASA's.... Maybe it's an access thing?

 

[tuppaware]

Weird I'm not seeing that at all... I thought all people could see all ASA's.... Maybe it's an access thing?

Maybe... Y is only 145K return, but business is at its lowest is 880k and upto 1.2m
across most of the months.

 

[anat0l]

Weird I'm not seeing that at all... I thought all people could see all ASA's.... Maybe it's an access thing?

I think when people say "ASAs are gone" they mean the ASAs which are priced at Classic levels.

Whatever is left are the "normal" ASAs that you have to be filthy rich and/or bend over in order to get.

And FWIW I couldn't find squat at Classic prices either.

 

[straitman]

I think when people say "ASAs are gone" they mean the ASAs which are priced at Classic levels.

Whatever is left are the "normal" ASAs that you have to be filthy rich and/or bend over in order to get.

And FWIW I couldn't find squat at Classic prices either.

I find it interesting that ASAs are so expensive when there are, seemingly, plenty of Classic awards available.

 

[DrAndyC]

I booked 2 of these intro fares in O... .... hopefully not "O"MG for July-august travel to the USA. 998AUD is great for an economy fare for peak summer season to the USA on QF metal. Hopefully status will get me an upgrade or at least the front row of whY.

I still think the loss of SFO is sad. It was my preferred entry point into the USA.

 

[Maca44]

The majority of my travel to the US involves visiting Seattle and Vancouver with only 10% need to visit ORD or DTW. Chicago and Detroit will benefit by flying into DFW, but I will really miss direct flights into SFO. I am not going to fly DFW then SEA so will look for another carrier because I would rather have teeth pulled than fly into LAX.

 

[burrco]

I'm looking forward to the first nonews reports about "qantas passengers stranded" when those summer thunderstorms start rolling in!

 

[yeldarb8]

I'm looking forward to the first nonews reports about "qantas passengers stranded" when those summer thunderstorms start rolling in!

Not wrong. DFW seems to be weather affected about half the time I fly through there. Those summer/fall storms can be pretty amazing.

 

[yeldarb8]

The majority of my travel to the US involves visiting Seattle and Vancouver with only 10% need to visit ORD or DTW. Chicago and Detroit will benefit by flying into DFW, but I will really miss direct flights into SFO. I am not going to fly DFW then SEA so will look for another carrier because I would rather have teeth pulled than fly into LAX.

Yep, LAX to be avoided at all costs. SFO is definitely a better entry point city-wise (for layovers, sightseeing and so forth) compared to DFW but less so for connections on AA to other parts of the country... that may have been a big factor prompting the change. At DFW there are significantly more flight options and more lounges. As for YVR... personally I go PER-HKG-YVR all on CX.

 

[Danger]

On the topic of lounges I wonder what level of consideration has been given to lounge access for those travelling on QF8. I was in two AA lounges at DFW last month, including Terminal D, and while they are relatively spacious, there will presumably be a significant quantity of QF passengers using the Admirals Club prior to departure.

 

[Dnicoll]

Will be happy to avoid LAX and have a shorter AA flight on annual pilgrimage to Chicago/Orlando! But agree would prefer to return via LAX to avoid stopover in Brisbane, and because more flights to Australia if a missed connection.

The new lie-flat United international Business seat is great compared to Qantas 747 skybed (and service on my flight to SFO friendlier than Qantas) so would recommend United if flying business to SFO in the future.