Tony Abbott and Opposition Leader Bill Shorten choose Qantas flight

[Flying Fox]

Both are doing their bit to save QF.

They are flying J and some here might spot them.

http://www.news.com.au/national/pri...-to-south-africa/story-fncynjr2-1226778459743

The Prime Minister and Opposition Leader Bill Shorten were scheduled to fly out from Sydney together to attend the service in memory of the South African leader.

The Prime Minister's office said the RAAF plane was not commissioned for this particular trip because it would require too many fuel stops.

As the route to Johannesburg flies for a lengthy period over the Indian Ocean refuelling would be problematic, Mr Abbott's office said.

 

[kpc]

As a tax payer, I'm happy they are flying QF which has a direct, non stop flight between Syd and Jnb. I'm very glad they are not using the private jet! Too bad QF does not have F service on that route

 

[Isochronous]

It would be nice if JNB and SCL still had F service!

 

[drron]

Too right.I had actually been able to book FASAs on that route for March/April and they went and abolished F.

 

[Matthew Herbert]

The fact that we have 737s is ridiculous. Our Head of State (yes, I am imagining we live the Republic we should be) should not have to stop for fuel twice when going to South Africa. Once at a stretch. Twice is a joke.

 

[burrco]

Did Qantas as least put on an aircraft with old F for them?

 

[Isochronous]

The fact that we have 737s is ridiculous. Our Head of State (yes, I am imagining we live the Republic we should be) should not have to stop for fuel twice when going to South Africa. Once at a stretch. Twice is a joke.

The PM is not head of state.

Maybe we should upgrade to a 772LR.

 

[docjames]

/mind wanders/

1. Wonder what route they'd have to take on the 737?

2. Surprised QF aren't putting on a A380..... (Only half joking on that one).

 

[bass_ke]

I may be absolutely wrong, but I'm thinking that even Clive's Global express would have longer legs on it than the BBJ?

 

[VHOEJ]

It was a re-furbished 747 that did the flight - probably better in J than even the old first class anyway.

 

[docjames]

Would the 738 make RUN against the headwinds?

6000nm quoted range, in theory that would make PER-JNB but possibly not against the winds.

Plane spotting at JNB would be interesting the next few days.

Wonder if there's a thread somewhere (anet perhaps??)

 

[Austman]

Just wait until they are offered the Cafe Breakfast.

Possibly the first real hope that this QF service "enhancement" might be rescinded with bipartisan support.

 

[Ewing]

Just wait until they are offered the Cafe Breakfast.

Possibly the first real hope that this QF service "enhancement" might be rescinded with bipartisan support.

At least they're not offering it to Kevin Rudd after how he acted when the 737 only had sandwiches on board

 

[Sprucegoose]

Abbott goes to South Africa

I saw Abbott and Shorten get on the 737 that 34 squadron manage out of CBR to head off to JNB for Mandela's funeral

what route would they take?

I would have have thought via SIN?

i know Howard refused to have lie flat beds installed. Has that changed?

someone out there will know all this

 

[docjames]

Re: Abbott goes to South Africa

To SYD to board QF63.

 

[quokka77]

Re: Abbott goes to South Africa

Report in today's AFR said they will fly Qantas to avoid having to stop twice en route (Perth, Mauritius).

 

[Sprucegoose]

Re: Abbott goes to South Africa

Makes sense. Was there a F cabin?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

no doubt they will receive the very best of QF service, and there won't be any short-falls in catering or beverages. It would be great if there was only some way this could be bench marked for all other crew to follow when the rest of us travel.

 

[straitman]

The fact that we have 737s is ridiculous. Our Head of State (yes, I am imagining we live the Republic we should be) should not have to stop for fuel twice when going to South Africa. Once at a stretch. Twice is a joke.

Why is it a joke?

The practicalities are that a BBJ is appropriate for most operations and with towards twice the range of a 738 it would be inappropriate to operate anything bigger and more expensive. Reality is that Oz is a long way from almost anywhere else.

 

[Isochronous]

Re: Abbott goes to South Africa

Why did Howard oppose flatbeds?