Travel to Rockhampton + Mackay

[led-zep]

Hi all,

So i have a few travel dates to the sunshine coast in August planned for business. Had a look at the Qantas website to see the plane i am on and its listed as a DHC Dash 8, Fokker 100 and/or an embaler 195.

I am a nervous flyer to begin with, but has anyone flown this route? Brisbane -> Mackay & Rockhampton?

What is it like? i am quite nervous to be flying in a non jet plane, with propellors makes me quite concerned, i just don't see how it is safe for these flights to exist, why not an A319 or something like that.

So who has flown from Brisbane to Rocky/Mackay and how was it?

Cheers

 

[JohnK]

I have done these flights a number of times and there are nothing with these aircraft. You will enjoy the Dash 8 and the Fokker 100 is not far behind. A little more legroom and they only fly ~19,000-21,000 feet and the view down below is much nicer.

Anyway good luck with the flights.

 

[TonyHancock]

Exactly as JohnK has said, you have nothing to worry about. I have also flown this route a number of times, and flown the Dash 8 numerous times. No problems at all.

 

[GladstoneTim]

Hey led-zep,
Nothing to worry about and quite novel travelling on the Dash 8s and similar aircraft. Until about 2 months ago when Strategic entered the market with their A320 jets , all GLT had were props

 

[Taezar]

Hi all,

So i have a few travel dates to the sunshine coast in August planned for business. Had a look at the Qantas website to see the plane i am on and its listed as a DHC Dash 8, Fokker 100 and/or an embaler 195.

I am a nervous flyer to begin with, but has anyone flown this route? Brisbane -> Mackay & Rockhampton?

What is it like? i am quite nervous to be flying in a non jet plane, with propellors makes me quite concerned, i just don't see how it is safe for these flights to exist, why not an A319 or something like that.

So who has flown from Brisbane to Rocky/Mackay and how was it?

Cheers

I really like flying on the Dash8's. The planes are hardly ever full - most of the time I have had both seats. The leg room is more than on a jet. Nice relaxed service.
Fokker 100's are jets w more leg room than Qantas as it is run by Alliance - shorter flight times than the Dash, good service though not as good as the Dash8s.
EJet flying is great. I used to do it a lot w VB back in the day.
Out of all of them, I prefer the Dash8s, unless the plane is full. Only happened twice for me after other flights were cancelled.
I would pick a Dash8 any day.
Taez

 

[Nam Taf]

Flew BNE-MKY return Monday/Friday for the last 6 months. It's fine, the flight is nice and you won't come home in small pieces.

The Alliance Fokker 100s have *HUGE* legroom at the exit rows. Like, I straightened my legs and I could barely reach the seats in front. It's great. Enjoy the flight

PS: The flights in morning and afternoon can be packed, since the mines fly in and fly out at that time, so be prepared to travel during the day or book well (ie: multiple months) in advance.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

The Embraer E190s are quite a reasonable plane. I believe they boast the widest economy seat.......and they are jets.

I've done plenty of the BNE-ROK and BNE-MKY and I have no problems with regard to safety and/or comfort.

 

[markis10]

Why do people seem to think jets are the safest aircraft??? Not sure what the current stats are but 10 years ago the safest aircraft by accidents per hours flown was a turbine helicopter, the Bell Jet Ranger! Being a regular on the MKY/ROK routes, I would be happy with whatever aircraft I get, although the Dash 8 bar service is very nice!