Virgin Australia Delays/Cancellations

[Silvia]

@JohnK and @Silvia , lucky you're both QF this evening...

Well, I’m still sitting in between sneezing and coughing people. I don’t know how lucky it gets haha. But yes, at least QF is not having that issue.
All I’m trying to tell myself is that as long as I’m home tonight...

Funny that some flights have landed, yet we are being told that no operation is being held due to storms and safety reasons...

 

[Melburnian1]

As an example as to how much time is being lost due to the Sydney storms on Friday 8 February evening, VA869 (1715 hours MEL up to SYD, B738 VH-YFE) was airborne at 1727, on time. However by 1927 it was still a few minutes from landing in rain affected Sydney, where at gate arrival should be roughly 1940, an hour late.

 

[QF WP]

It’ll be fixed by then @JohnK

 

[Melburnian1]

Following VA869 (see two posts back) was VA871 (B738 VH-VUE< the scheduled 1730 hours MEL - SYD that took off about five minutes tardy at 1750 hours. It arrived at 2026 hours, 91 late.

The DRW - SYD VA1354 (B737 VH-VBZ, the 1330 hours that punctually took off at 1342) is arriving at 2037 hours, 67 late after holding for extensive periods over two areas southwest of Sydney.

 

[Melburnian1]

In more on a very wet Friday 8 February 2019, VA668, the 1835 hours SYD - CBR (ATR72 VH-VPJ) took off at 2129 so will be almost three hours late.

No wonder so many drive, catch the NSW TrainLink XPlorer train (comfortable) or Greyhound/Murrays road coaches.

 

[Melburnian1]

Continuing with Friday 8 February 2019, VA1429 (1915 hours SYD - CNS, B738 VH-VUA) had not taken off by 2255 hours.

The 2100 hours SYD down to MEL, VA894 (VH-YFU) took off at 2256 hours so will be at least 90 minutes late arriving in the southern capital.

 

[pangwen]

Continuing with Friday 8 February 2019, VA1429 (1915 hours SYD - CNS, B738 VH-VUA) had not taken off by 2255 hours.

The 2100 hours SYD down to MEL, VA894 (VH-YFU) took off at 2256 hours so will be at least 90 minutes late arriving in the southern capital.

I was on tonight's VA981 scheduled 1900 departure SYD-BNE. Ended up taking off pretty much right on 2300.

There were 4 (or 5?) gate changes for the flight this evening. Was told our first plane had water damage(?) and the second one was hit by lightning. Boarding for our flight was a slow affair as apparently the entire plane got "unchecked"(?) and as a result a significant (>40% by my reckoning) number of passengers had seat changes and they were printing a bunch of new boarding passes at the gate.

 

[Melburnian1]

On Saturday 9 February 2019, VA1187 (0840 hours morning SYD - PQQ, ATR72 VH-FVR) had taxiied but was still as at 0935 awaiting ATC OK for takeoff, so it will be at least 45 minutes late.

B773ER VH-VPD on the LAX - SYD VA2 should arrive at 0942, 47 late.

 

[Melburnian1]

VA272 (ATR72 VH-FVP), th 1400 hours Sunday 10 February CBR down to MEL that took off at 1448 should arrive at 1609, 34 minutes tardy.

 

[Melburnian1]

On Sunday 10 February, VA96 (1550 hours CHC - MEL airborne at 1706, B738 VH-YIH) should arrive at 1844 hours, 119 late.

VH-FVP (ATR72) on VA284 from CBR to MEL, the 1805 hours in the sky at 1902 looks to be arriving at about 2014, 34 late.

 

[Must...Fly!]

On Sunday 10 February, VA96 (1550 hours CHC - MEL airborne at 1706, B738 VH-YIH) should arrive at 1844 hours, 119 late.

VH-FVP (F100) on VA284 from CBR to MEL, the 1805 hours in the sky at 1902 looks to be arriving at about 2014, 34 late.

Actually an ATR72

 

[Tooner]

As an example as to how much time is being lost due to the Sydney storms on Friday 8 February evening, VA869 (1715 hours MEL up to SYD, B738 VH-YFE) was airborne at 1727, on time. However by 1927 it was still a few minutes from landing in rain affected Sydney, where at gate arrival should be roughly 1940, an hour late.

I was on this flight. After 2 go-arounds and massive turbulence in the last one, we were sent to Newcastle. Then on a bus back to Sydney. Then the Bus was in an accident and we waited for another bus. Got to Sydney airport at 2:30am.

 

[Melburnian1]

I was on this flight. After 2 go-arounds and massive turbulence in the last one, we were sent to Newcastle. Then on a bus back to Sydney. Then the Bus was in an accident and we waited for another bus. Got to Sydney airport at 2:30am.

A pearler of a contribution. Nothing beats an AFFer on the spot! Apologies for missing what subsequently occurred, but unfortunately I cannot cover everything. Hope you have recovered from the lack of sleep. That F3 road is very busy, and notorious for congestion and accidents.

 

[Tooner]

A pearler of a contribution. Nothing beats an AFFer on the spot! Apologies for missing what subsequently occurred, but unfortunately I cannot cover everything. Hope you have recovered from the lack of sleep. That F3 road is very busy, and notorious for congestion and accidents.

No problem. I will say Saturday was a slow day!

 

[Melburnian1]

Tueswday 12 February 2019 sees VA628, the 0705 hours SYD down to CBR taking off at 0759 with ATR72 VH-FVN. Arrival is estimated as 0844 hours, 39 minutes tardy.

 

[Melburnian1]

Tuesday 12 February 2019 sees the very welcome VH-XFG (A332, about 20 times more comfortable than a terrible B738) on VA555, the 0935 hours midmorning SYD - PER transcontinental taking off at 1036. Arrival is delayed to an expected 1215 hours, 35 late.

 

[Melburnian1]

Later on 12 February, VA83 (1015 hours morning SYD up to HKG, A332 VH-XFC) took off at 1214, so delayed arrival is 1800 hours, 85 late. VA82, the 1915 hours back from HKG down to SYD will be delayed at least slightly. The same aircraft is rostered on VA83 tomorrow morning.

 

[Melburnian1]

Thursday 14 February 2019 finds VA809 (B738 VH-YFC, the 0645 hours MEL up to SYD that took off late at 0731) emerging from a holding pattern near Crookwell at 0833, so arrival should be at 0855, 40 minutes late.

Strangely JQ502 (that had taken off from MEL 12 minutes later, at 0743) was allowed to overtake VA809.

 

[AviatorInsight]

Thursday 14 February 2019 finds VA809 (B738 VH-YFC, the 0645 hours MEL up to SYD that took off late at 0731) emergingb from a holding pattern near Crookwell at 0833, so arrival should be at 0855, 40 minutes late.

Strangely JQ502 (that had taken off from MEL 12 minutes later, at 0743) was allowed to overtake VA809.

This could be because they were that late, they decided not to comply with the calculated off blocks time (COBT). This is authorised from network operations. Could be due to the next slot may have been too far away, crew hours, plenty of connectors, lots of variables.

Once airborne, ATC are then deemed to give the non compliant aircraft a delay to allow a compliant aircraft an on time arrival.

 

[Melburnian1]

Friday 15 February's VA24 from LAX to MEL (B773ER VH-VOZ, the 2025 hours, did not take off until 2205 hours) so Sunday 17 arrival looks to be about 0820, 70 late.