Singapore to beef up Australia flights

[cmon0005]

I know its a bit leftfield, but DRW could become a 24hr Airport. One drawback (albeti a major one) is that the majority of the population would probably have to plane hop to go overseas, which they don't have to do now..

Even at the moment QF's routing to Mumbai is mostly via Perth, then to SIN, then onto 9W codeshare. I am not even keen on this, when other airlines go direct to SIN at appropriate times. However if the stop is in DRW thats even worse. I am sure most people would rather spend their connection time walking around Sin changi airport, than sitting in a "Tin-shed".

 

[seanpodge]

Alitalia - not a chance.

LH, I think they codeshare from SIN to Oz. There was a LH bird in Oz within the last year, but that was to ferry around a music group.

Austrian was the last continental European carrier to fly scheduled services to Australia on its own metal. They gave up five to ten years ago though.

The closest we might get in the future, if the aircraft manufactures can increase the range just enough, would be Turkish into Istanbul. Might only be from PER though.

Given the quality of carriers available for one stop travel to Europe now (SQ, CX, EK, et al), it's hard to see the major European airlines coming back really. EK for example, appears to be making a killing on its Dublin route, having already upgraded from a 332 to a 773 mere months after the route was opened, all inspite of Ireland still being an economic basketcase. The EY one stop service MEL to DUB has already been used by my parents and is very popular with them. My mother and sister are already booked to Dublin with EK in August.

Indeed, given the large Irish population in Australia and the horror that is transiting LHR, the main surprise to me is that no major airline (SQ, perhaps) didn't try to do a one stop service to DUB earlier. Certainly it's very hard to see how QFi will ever entice them to use their services to get to Ireland, if not Europe altogether, ever again. Overpriced, infrequent, SYD centric and pointless transfers at LHR all scream "go elsewhere" at them, really.

 

[maninblack]

Austrian was the last continental European carrier to fly scheduled services to Australia on its own metal. They gave up five to ten years ago though.

The closest we might get in the future, if the aircraft manufactures can increase the range just enough, would be Turkish into Istanbul. Might only be from PER though.

Given the quality of carriers available for one stop travel to Europe now (SQ, CX, EK, et al), it's hard to see the major European airlines coming back really. EK for example, appears to be making a killing on its Dublin route, having already upgraded from a 332 to a 773 mere months after the route was opened, all inspite of Ireland still being an economic basketcase. The EY one stop service MEL to DUB has already been used by my parents and is very popular with them. My mother and sister are already booked to Dublin with EK in August.

Indeed, given the large Irish population in Australia and the horror that is transiting LHR, the main surprise to me is that no major airline (SQ, perhaps) didn't try to do a one stop service to DUB earlier. Certainly it's very hard to see how QFi will ever entice them to use their services to get to Ireland, if not Europe altogether, ever again. Overpriced, infrequent, SYD centric and pointless transfers at LHR all scream "go elsewhere" at them, really.

Yep. The Europeans will not be back, they cannot make it stack and QF has the same problem going the other way. With BKK and HKG to LHR gone they will hang in on their Singapore service but for how long? It will ultimately depend on profitability. With QF charging around 30 - 40% more than their competitors for J class tickets to Europe it cannot last forever.

 

[browski]

Indeed, given the large Irish population in Australia and the horror that is transiting LHR, the main surprise to me is that no major airline (SQ, perhaps) didn't try to do a one stop service to DUB earlier.

I'm happy to be corrected, but I think Etihad were the first to offer 1-stop services from Oz-Dublin.

We've discussed this before, but every QF flight from OZ-SIN arrives in SIN between the window 5.25pm-10.30pm. It is probably argued by Qantas that this window allows QF to connect with its LHR and FRA flights (as well as a few codeshares CDG, BOM etc). It also allows Qantas to reduce staff costs in SIN. However in a glaring oversight, it also means that if you wish to onward travel to anywhere else (or to onward travel on another airline) then the QF flights from OZ-SIN are not suited for these situations. Without statistics, my gut feeling is that QF must miss out on an enormous amount of OZ-SIN pax due to this self imposed limitation.

IMO if QF would adjust a couple of flights departing from ANYWHERE in Oz, to arrive AM into SIN, I suspect these flights would do well. Yes, there will be an increase in some SIN ground staff and lounge costs but I suspect the flight loads would be better. I'm confident of this reasoning because ex-MEL, SQ have 3 x daily flights but their earliest departing flight is at 10.25am. For me this flight is still too late to make some connections which I require (DXB, TPE, ICN etc).
So, I'm hoping that not only will SQ return the A380 to MEL, but that they also bring forward their 10.25am flight to a 8.00am departure. The CX 7.20 am departure flight also kills QF more than they will ever know.

QF could learn something from this axiom: Leisure (infrequent) travellers will fly at any times offered by the airline. Business (frequent) travellers often make the flight schedule the deciding factor in their flight choice (perhaps even more so than loyalty - god forbid)

 

[dajop]

IMO if QF would adjust a couple of flights departing from ANYWHERE in Oz, to arrive AM into SIN, I suspect these flights would do well. Yes, there will be an increase in some SIN ground staff and lounge costs but I suspect the flight loads would be better. I'm confident of this reasoning because ex-MEL, SQ have 3 x daily flights but their earliest departing flight is at 10.25am. For me this flight is still too late to make some connections which I require (DXB, TPE, ICN etc).
So, I'm hoping that not only will SQ return the A380 to MEL, but that they also bring forward their 10.25am flight to a 8.00am departure. The CX 7.20 am departure flight also kills QF more than they will ever know.

How about an 7:45am departure, arrive SIN 13:30, turns around to become a 15:00 to MEL, arriving 00:15. Nice to do a half day's work, leave for the airport at 1:30pm, and fly to MEL without having to overnight, or waste a whole day on the plane. The trouble with the early morning departures and midnight arrivals is they don't allow domestic connections. Not going to happen.

 

[moa999]

We've discussed this before, but every QF flight from OZ-SIN arrives in SIN between the window 5.25pm-10.30pm. It is probably argued by Qantas that this window allows QF to connect with its LHR and FRA flights (as well as a few codeshares CDG, BOM etc). It also allows Qantas to reduce staff costs in SIN.

Doubt the staff costs are major in SIN.

But this was one of the stated reason for RedQ... which would enable some earlier services for connections onto QF (or at least partial QF) metal.
At the moment, QF is forced to use someone elses metal (and obviously pays decent rates for this) - whereas the hub operators (particularly SQ, MH in Asia can offer the connection on their own metal and thus continually undercut QF)

 

[docjames]

Wonder how this also interacts with this news:

Cookies must be enabled. | The Australian

VA have just applied for 400 seats code with SQ to CDG and AMS.


Throw away line in same article that "TAM" (as part of LATAM) have chosen Oneworld and will leave *A. Not seen this confirmed elsewhere.

 

[SeatBackForward]

Wonder how this also interacts with this news:

Cookies must be enabled. | The Australian

VA have just applied for 400 seats code with SQ to CDG and AMS.


Throw away line in same article that "TAM" (as part of LATAM) have chosen Oneworld and will leave *A. Not seen this confirmed elsewhere.

Funny how VA are partnering to Europe, not flying their own Metal...something for QF to learn from methinks.

 

[SeatBackForward]

Throw away line in same article that "TAM" (as part of LATAM) have chosen Oneworld and will leave *A. Not seen this confirmed elsewhere.

Its suggesting, that the OneWorld membership is a result of the mergr of TAM and LAN.

 

[docjames]

Its suggesting, that the OneWorld membership is a result of the mergr of TAM and LAN.

Yes it is of course due to the merger, but i'd not seen it confirmed (although popular opinion was that it would work out that way).

 

[moa999]

Funny how VA are partnering to Europe, not flying their own Metal...something for QF to learn from methinks.

Exactly what QF are doing with BA via BKK and HKG.

Hopefully MH joining OW brings some other options, if QF recommences to KUL.

VAs problem is that at some stage their partners will become like CX or EK and really not need an Australian partner.

 

[SeatBackForward]

VAs problem is that at some stage their partners will become like CX or EK and really not need an Australian partner.

Other than as Domestic feeders.
So thats QF's destiny...

 

[seanpodge]

I'm happy to be corrected, but I think Etihad were the first to offer 1-stop services from Oz-Dublin.

Correct. I assumed that EY and EK started up around the same time (my parents used them to get there in 2010), but a quick use of google suggests that EY were flying there back in 2007. Still, I think it would have been interesting if someone like SQ had given it a go from the late 1990s/early 2000s. They might be too late to get the "green kangaroo"* route now, unless they want to try it out with the Dreamliner.


*My sincerest apologies for this most clichéd of metaphors. I hope it wasn't too hard to get the vomit out of the carpet.

 

[dajop]

AEK for example, appears to be making a killing on its Dublin route, having already upgraded from a 332 to a 773 mere months after the route was opened, all inspite of Ireland still being an economic basketcase. The EY one stop service MEL to DUB has already been used by my parents and is very popular with them. My mother and sister are already booked to Dublin with EK in August.

They may also even pick up some cost concious traffic ex-UK.

Taxes on EK in economy or business from Dublin to Australia are about $50 AUD. In economy from London they are $220AUD, or in business $360 AUD.

 

[seanpodge]

They may also even pick up some cost concious traffic ex-UK.

Taxes on EK in economy or business from Dublin to Australia are about $50 AUD. In economy from London they are $220AUD, or in business $360 AUD.

True, although the flight from LON to DUB won't be a great way to start one's trip. It's only saving grace is likely to be its shortness. Add into it the fact that you need to find a connecting return flight for less than the taxes and this could become an annoying and financially dubious tax dodge, particularly if you wanted to take full advantage of EK's 30kg luggage allowance. :shock:

 

[dajop]

True, although the flight from LON to DUB won't be a great way to start one's trip. It's only saving grace is likely to be its shortness. Add into it the fact that you need to find a connecting return flight for less than the taxes and this could become an annoying and financially dubious tax dodge, particularly if you wanted to take full advantage of EK's 30kg luggage allowance. :shock:

Probably more useful for those taking a flight from somewhere (Australia) to UK, open jaw into LHR out of DUB. Especially if doing a redemption!

 

[v8Statesman]

Wow ok, I just took at quick look at the list of Intl depertures from SYD, and yeah only BA and Virgin Atlantic..otherwise all Asian, Middle Eastern or American airlines.

AA is code only. No metal.


Sent from my iPad using Australian Frequent Flyer app

 

[mannej]

AA is code only. No metal.


Sent from my iPad using Australian Frequent Flyer app

I don't think the reference was to AA, but more the American Airlines who fly to SYD such as United

 

[v8Statesman]

I don't think the reference was to AA, but more the American Airlines who fly to SYD such as United

You can understand my confusion!


Sent from my Telstra iPhone using the Australian Frequent Flyer application.

 

[SeatBackForward]

You can understand my confusion!


Sent from my Telstra iPhone using the Australian Frequent Flyer application.

Capitalisation, *wink

Sent from my HTC Desire using AustFreqFly