QFi flight numbers 1-12

[Melburnian1]

I like airlines to have flight numbers that are as simple as possible, and preferably (with gaps for expansion) numbered sequentially.

For instance, it's good that QF tends to number its MEL-SYD flights as QF400...and so on, rather than a seemingly random collection of all over the ship numbers.

ZL breaks this rule, with complex four digit flight numbers for smaller town and rural city flights: hard to remember if one is an occasional user.

With the recent commencement of QF3/QF4 SYD-AKL-JFK and return, QFi has flight numbers QF1 to QF12 inclusive in active use.

When was the last year (and month!) this was so?

I am not superstitious, so don't regard '8' as 'lucky' or '13' as not, but does QF shy away from using 'QF13' (and hence 'QF14') given some people are worried about anything associated with '13'? (QF did have QF'130' from Shanghai though, but perhaps '130' isn't thought to bring bad luck in the alleged manner of a '13').

 

[DAC1]

A better question is what major airline uses 13 as a scheduled flight number? From what I can tell, there are not many (if any). AA and SQ seem to have used it for test flights but I did not find any others from a quick search of NZ, BA, EK, QR (although TR seems to use it).

 

[AIRwin]

When was the last year (and month!) this was so?

It must be before FRA flights (previously numbered QF5/6) were suspended in 2012? Given that:

HNL flights were renumbered from QF3/4 to QF103/104 in December 2021:

Qantas SYD-HNL route to become QF103/104

Qantas' SYD-HNL flight has always been QF3 (and HNL-SYD QF4) for as long as I can remember. It's a throwback to the time when Honolulu was a necessary stopover on Qantas' flagship QF3/4 service to/from mainland USA. But having a look at the planned schedule for December 2021 and beyond, this...

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

And QF5/6 was not reused until the launch of seasonal FCO flights in June 2022:

Mamma Mia! New direct Perth-Rome route

To be announced today. New seasonal Sydney-Perth-Rome service with three Boeing 787-9 flights per week. Running from 22 June to 6 October. No times announced yet. I thought Germany or CDG would be next!

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

 

[AIRwin]

A better question is what major airline uses 13 as a scheduled flight number?

NH13 HND-ITM
TR13 SYD-SIN

 

[Lynda2475]

13 isnt unlucky in Asian cultures so not surprising it would be used on Asian routes. Less like to see 4 as a inter-asian flight number.

 

[Melburnian1]

A better question is what major airline uses 13 as a scheduled flight number? From what I can tell, there are not many (if any). AA and SQ seem to have used it for test flights but I did not find any others from a quick search of NZ, BA, EK, QR (although TR seems to use it).

Interesting, but one has to love it when a thread is 'hijacked'. Thankfully, AIRwin (so far) gave the winning answer (unusually, without his usual witty and hence amusing style).

 

[justinbrett]

QF last used QF13 as MEL-NRT in 2021. QF14 was EZE-DRW, same year.

 

[AIRwin]

QF last used QF13 as MEL-NRT in 2021. QF14 was EZE-DRW, same year.

Anyone remember QF13/14 being CNS-AKL-CNS?

 

[Lynda2475]

QF14 was EZE-DRW, same year.

Covid evacuation flight? QF stopped flying from EZE favouring SCL in 2013 or so.

 

[Himeno]

Covid evacuation flight? QF stopped flying from EZE favouring SCL in 2013 or so.

Yes, that was a covid evac flight going to Howard Springs arranged by DFAT.
The last use of QF13 (MEL-NRT) was a cargo only service.

 

[AIRwin]

The last use of QF13 (MEL-NRT) was a cargo only service.

Baker's dozen baked goods?

 

[anyonebutqantas]

They like using flight numbers ending in 8 for ex-HKG services, e.g. QF128 SYD-HKG, QF88 I think was HKG-BNE, QF98 used to be HKG-PER, etc.

 

[AIRwin]

QF88 I think was HKG-BNE, QF98 used to be HKG-PER

QF98 HKG-BNE
QF68 HKG-PER?
QF78 HKG-SIN-PER?

 

[dajop]

ZL breaks this rule, with complex four digit flight numbers for smaller town and rural city flights: hard to remember if one is an occasional user.

[thread hijack continues, but you started it ] I think the first digit of ZL flight numbers indicates the base city/state 2 =PER, 3 = MEL, 4 = ADL, 5 = QLD, 6 = SYD.

 

[AIRwin]

I think the first digit of ZL flight numbers indicates the base city/state 2 =PER, 3 = MEL, 4 = ADL, 5 = QLD, 6 = SYD.

Only MEL aligned with the first digit of the post code

 

[Quickstatus]

And some airlines mainly the US use the same flight number for the return. And often the flight number for the route is not repeated.

 

[Himeno]

And some airlines mainly the US use the same flight number for the return. And often the flight number for the route is not repeated.

For example AA399 is DFW-ANC-DFW.
The US big 3 airlines fleets are too large and there aren't enough up to 4 digit flight numbers to give all their flights *and* their codeshares on other airlines their own numbers.

 

[Scarlett]

For example AA399 is DFW-ANC-DFW.
The US big 3 airlines fleets are too large and there aren't enough up to 4 digit flight numbers to give all their flights *and* their codeshares on other airlines their own numbers.

Any reason a flight number can’t just be more alphanumeric than it already is, ie: AA1046a could be the first leg and AA1046b could be the return? I know of no reason why letters couldn’t be used. Certainly we see QFnnnD often enough.

 

[Scarlett]

I am not superstitious, so don't regard '8' as 'lucky' or '13' as not, but does QF shy away from using 'QF13' (and hence 'QF14') given some people are worried about anything associated with '13'? (QF did have QF'130' from Shanghai though, but perhaps '130' isn't thought to bring bad luck in the alleged manner of a '13').

I find it quite refreshing when getting onto an aircraft and seeing that there is row 13 seating. Those airlines who skip over row 13 for some reason always struck me as pandering to irrational beliefs…

 

[Lynda2475]

I find it quite refreshing when getting onto an aircraft and seeing that there is row 13 seating. Those airlines who skip over row 13 for some reason always struck me as pandering to irrational beliefs…

I agree it is irrational just like in many western buildings there is no floor 13 (or its a plant floor for air con) and in many Asian countries it is no level 4.

They do tend to retire flight numbers after a major disaster though.