QF340: MDZ - SYD 06/09/2026

[Mr_Tee]

Hi there,

I noticed on FlightRadar just now that Qantas B787-9 (VH-ZNE) is flying from Mendoza (Argentina) to Sydney.. It is currently in the air.

Any ideas on what this flight might be about? I don't believe MDZ is a regular destination for QF.

Thanks.

 

[markis10]

Wallabies coming home.

 

[Mr_Tee]

Wallabies coming home.

Of course - thanks @markis10

 

[Quickstatus]

Wallabies Tour of Argentina 2026

22August2026 VH-ZNM
QF339 SYD-EZE
ZNM then positioned to SCL to operate the regular QF28 SCL-SYD

05September 2026 VH-ZNE
ZNE initially operated QF27 SYD-SCL
QF340 MDZ-SYD with VH-ZNE


Presumably the same crew operated the SYD-EZE-SCL and SCL-MDZ-SYD
- as those flights would be 18hrs or less?

34 Man Squad + 6 coaches + 9 support staff = 49
I understand no one else travelled on the flight.


42 in J
That leaves 7 in PE.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

42 in J
That leaves 7 in PE.

I’d be heading back to economy after the meal to get three seats to try and make a bed!

Although I suspect maybe players will swap their business class seats with those at the back once they’ve had a snooze!

Dunno what happens with the crew. Could be a fresh crew that works one way and flies commercial back for the short sectors.

 

[Quickstatus]

I’d be heading back to economy after the meal to get three seats to try and make a bed!

4 would be perfect.
3 in a row is a bit squishy for me but yes


I looked at the 2 sector and it appears to me at least that it maybe adds about 1 and a bit for the flight and 2and a bit for the layover, to the long flight which is 13+ hours.
So from a purely desktop perspective, still shorter than those ultra long hauls.

 

[Melburnian1]

QF5 and QF255's very recent cancellations may be related to the Indonesian volcanic eruption(s), but irrespective, it surprises that QFi with its relatively high record of cancelled and unpunctual flights considers it can charter an A380 from SFO for gridiron players, and a B789 for rugby (league? - I don't watch it) players.

Having a spare of each type. typically in Sydney, won't solve every issue, but preferable to not having any.

Granted, it isn't Christmas, Easter or other school holidays when demand peaks.

 

[Captain Halliday]

QF5 and QF255's very recent cancellations may be related to the Indonesian volcanic eruption(s), but irrespective, it surprises that QFi with its relatively high record of cancelled and unpunctual flights considers it can charter an A380 from SFO for gridiron players, and a B789 for rugby (league? - I don't watch it) players.

Having a spare of each type. typically in Sydney, won't solve every issue, but preferable to not having any.

Granted, it isn't Christmas, Easter or other school holidays when demand peaks.

It’s rugby union.

And revenue trumps an idle asset every time.

 

[elanshin]

QF5 and QF255's very recent cancellations may be related to the Indonesian volcanic eruption(s), but irrespective, it surprises that QFi with its relatively high record of cancelled and unpunctual flights considers it can charter an A380 from SFO for gridiron players, and a B789 for rugby (league? - I don't watch it) players.

Having a spare of each type. typically in Sydney, won't solve every issue, but preferable to not having any.

Granted, it isn't Christmas, Easter or other school holidays when demand peaks.

Because this is guaranteed money and likely more revenue than if they sold a full flight at the highest booking codes. Its also sold well before the public can even buy tickets (usually these things are booked well beyond 12months out).

Its quite simple basically. Any business would take a private charter if it pays you more than a full plane of regular passengers and they're going to guarantee you that business way in advance.

 

[moa999]

And in both the Wallabies and 49ers case Qantas have effectively fully sold one way, then just done a short transfer leg.

LA Rams reportedly due into MEL on Thu morning, only 24hrs before the NFL game.

 

[offshore171]

considers it can charter an A380 from SFO for gridiron players, and a B789 for rugby (league? - I don't watch it) players.

The schedule for the Wallabies Test rugby series in Argentina would likely have been set about 12 months ago.

I’d suggest that contract for the charter would have been signed 6+ months ago.

Likely similar story for the NFL teams.

Is the suggestion that Qantas should just breach these agreements? No organisation would trust a Qantas charter agreement ever again if they did that.

More broadly it isn't unusual at all around the world for national sporting teams to fly on charters operated by a respective national carrier.

 

[offshore171]

42 in J
That leaves 7 in PE.

How would something like that go in terms of aircraft balance?

Any of our resident pilots offer their thoughts? @jb747

 

[Quickstatus]

How would something like that go in terms of aircraft balance?

Simple.
The Big Unit Forwards are not allowed to sit at the front of J. They have to use the mini J cabin.
The Fairy Backs sit in the front rows



Maybe the luggage goes further to the back and aircraft use fuel to adjust CoG

 

[offshore171]

Maybe the luggage goes further to the back and aircraft use fuel to adjust CoG

Yes I was thinking similar. Offset the balance by positioning the cargo and fuel where possible to compensate.

I'd imagine it's not common for an aircraft to fly with a completely full forward (J) cabin and a completely empty Economy area. Probably doesn't help that this lot of pax probably averages well north of 100kg...