Trans Tasman J post COVID

[cambriamarsh]

Looking at booking AKL MEL and return at some state, there aren't any Qantas A330s that still have recliners in J are there?

 

[Kiwi_Flyer]

Looking at booking AKL MEL and return at some state, there aren't any Qantas A330s that still have recliners in J are there?

Not AFAIK but of course no guarantee the aircraft won't be downgauged to 738 with its inferior J seats.

 

[cambriamarsh]

Thank you, might just have to take the risk

 

[Kendall Roy]

Loads are poor on most days, so good chance you'll be downgraded to a 738 a few days out (happened to me this week).

 

[cambriamarsh]

Loads are poor on most days, so good chance you'll be downgraded to a 738 a few days out (happened to me this week).

Thanks for the warning

 

[jakeseven7]

Thanks for the warning

Hopefully you are flying on a freight heavy day so they keep the A330 for you

 

[Rusty776]

Has anyone looked closer at this to see how many A330's are actually in the skies? In a month's time I've booked Perth-Mel and Mel-Auk both on A330's... fingers crossed

 

[DC3]

Has anyone looked closer at this to see how many A330's are actually in the skies? In a month's time I've booked Perth-Mel and Mel-Auk both on A330's... fingers crossed

AUK being Alakanuk Airport, Alaska.

But we know what you mean.

 

[Rangalad]

Has anyone looked closer at this to see how many A330's are actually in the skies? In a month's time I've booked Perth-Mel and Mel-Auk both on A330's... fingers crossed

IIRC all ten 300s and at least nine 200s.

 

[Rusty776]

AUK being Alakanuk Airport, Alaska.

But we know what you mean.

Alaska.. sounds great atm!!

 

[THR]

I’m returning CHC-SYD Monday - both flights were originally A333 but downgauged to 738 (not surprisingly given limited traffic on this route).

Even worse though, they’ve cancelled the CHC-SYD flight and I now need to do CHC-MEL-SYD, adding two hours to my trip.

So Qantas will consolidate if it suits them.

 

[Nizar]

Guys how far before departure does QF open up classic award J bookings for trans tasman (or particularly MEL-AKL and ALK-MEL) ?

Seems like about 2 months out at the moment ?

Has anyone here been booked on MEL-AKL or AKL-MEL and been downgauged off of the 333 or 332 ? Or is this route pretty solid where the 332/333 tends to stick ?

Cheers

 

[THR]

Just read above. It’s quite possible for it to change. The demand is very fluid.

I’m now flying CHC-AKL-SYD, which works out better, as the CHC-MEL flight is oversold (due to the consolidation, no doubt).

I wouldn’t book and rely on it being an A33x.

 

[Nizar]

Just read above. It’s quite possible for it to change. The demand is very fluid.

I’m now flying CHC-AKL-SYD, which works out better, as the CHC-MEL flight is oversold (due to the consolidation, no doubt).

I wouldn’t book and rely on it being an A33x.

Hi mate

I did read your post above but I thought perhaps with MEL-AKL having 3x a day scheduled direct flights on the dates I'm looking at, that this route would maybe have more demand on it then MEL-CHC which is just the single daily flight.

With that said I think its reasonable that I didn't use CHC as a data point for comparison, wouldn't you agree ?

Or are you of the opinion that demand is fluid everywhere regardless of origin/destination and all routes are as equally as affected in terms of downgauging probabilities ? (Honest question)

 

[THR]

I meant read the entire thread as all flights are being downgraded, including AKL-SYD. I wasn’t using CHC as a benchmark as generally an A330 is too large and hasn’t historically been used (maybe we will see higher demand in ski season).

All I am saying is expect for things to change - flight consolidation, aircraft change - regardless of the route.

 

[THR]

To add to above, it’s fair to say, the demand isn’t currently where airlines expected. Mostly because people are fearful to travel - especially NZ to Aus if they get locked out/have to quarantine on return. So they are constantly adjusting services to match.

 

[Nizar]

To add to above, it’s fair to say, the demand isn’t currently where airlines expected. Mostly because people are fearful to travel - especially NZ to Aus if they get locked out/have to quarantine on return. So they are constantly adjusting services to match.

Yeah that makes sense

We are itching for a holiday though

Not sure it's worth it to take the risk of an aircraft equipment change on top of all the other risks like quarantine etc

Might just hold off on booking until things stabilise

I wonder if QF has thought about these factors. Aircraft downgauge, rerouting through other cities, changes in schedule, etc and what they do to people thinking of planning a trip

I know with me, who'd be travelling with the wife, an infant and a baby, it's certainly made me think twice

 

[Kiwi_Flyer]

Compared to the risk of snap bubble pause or burst, the risk of a 330 -> 737 downgauge is smaller. Higher probability yes but much smaller impact if it occurs.

 

[Berlin]

Received “Itinerary change” notifications for 3 of my upcoming 5 flights during today.

Luckily, I got through on the Platinum line really quickly and the guy could fix most of this by re-routing via other cities totalling in only one downgrade to 737 for now (and missing out of some serious Flounge time on another trip).

I hear the same happening all the time from friends and colleagues as well. So you can almost take it as guarantee that something changes. Hoping this will all sort itself once traffic picks up a bit more. Individuals seem still quite scared (everyone stared at me with big eyes when I mention that I’m heading over to Australia for the weekend…) and businesses continue to see this situation as a welcome excuse to save money on corporate travel.

 

[Kiwi_Flyer]

Yes 8 notification emails in respect of 2 changed flights which require rebooking due to time travel needed.