Virgin Australia Delays/Cancellations

[Melburnian1]

Given the three (at least) storms yesterday that affected MEL operations, no great surprise that on Friday 23 December 2022 VAd has a raft of cancellations that won't be due to low bookings, but aircraft or crews (or both) out of position.

VA1291 (0615 hours MEL to CNS), VA677 for PER at 0715, VA313 for BNE at 0810, VA827 for SYD at 0900 and VA323 MEL-BNE at 1110 hours are some.

There'll always be a few no-shows on most flights: the historical average was five per cent, but this being a day when other than that almost all flights should be full, let's hope not too many anxious to be in place X for Christmas aren't stranded.

 

[Melburnian1]

With the fog in MEL on Friday 23 December contributing to problems carried over from yesterday (see above), VAd is not punctual in many cases.

VA829 (B738 VH-VUL, the 0930 hours MEL-SYD) took off at 1108 hours so arrival at maybe 1213 if all goes well will be 78 minutes behind schedule.

The 0830 hours in the opposite direction, VA820, took off at 0948 hours. After holding, arrival at gate in MEL should be 1123, also 78 late.

 

[g-lock]

I'm cursing HBA's lack of VA lounge right now. The departure board is a sea of orange.

 

[Melburnian1]

VA678, first of the morning at 0600 from PER to MEL on Christmas Day was airborne at 0658 hours. Arrival should be at around 1319 hours, 44 late.

VA's overall timekeeping is better today but in the past few weeks has been decidedly unimpressive, even on some more benign weather days.

 

[Melburnian1]

Later on 25 December 2022, VA47 (B738 VH-YIM, the 1420 hours DRW-DPS) apparently took off about 25 minutes early at 1412 hours if FR24 is correct, but arrival is showing as 42 late at an expected 1507 hours. Odd.

 

[Must...Fly!]

Later on 25 December 2022, VA47 (B738 VH-YIM, the 1420 hours DRW-DPS) apparently took off about 25 minutes early at 1412 hours if FR24 is correct, but arrival is showing as 42 late at an expected 1507 hours. Odd.

It would be based on the original arrival time of VA47 which operates BNE-DPS but has had a tech stop in DRW hence the delay.

 

[Melburnian1]

Fog was predicted for Monday 26 December 2022's morning in SYD, and must be present as VA1348 (B738 VH-YFX), the 0035 hours DRW redeye down to SYD that took off more or less on time at 0052 hours on has been in a holding pattern for ages over Crookwell and now Marulan as at 0642 hours. Timetabled arrival was 0635 but FR24 indicates 0716 at gate, 41 minutes late.

Meanwhile, flights scheduled for departure from SYD are able to take off, albeit with smallish delays that from what one can see will (so far) mean arrivals less than half an hour late, which I don't normally record.

 

[Melburnian1]

Showing how a queue of arriving aircraft can upset predictions, VA1348 in the previous post is arriving at its SYD airport gate at 0730 hours, 55 minutes late instead of 0716.

It's not much of an extra delay but unfortunately these tend to compound, not helped by the SYD limit of 80 movements per hour and even worse, no more than 20 in a 15 minute period. So delays like this (depending on an aircraft's roster, including whether turnaround times at airports are tight) can tend to build during the day. It won't however be identical for each aircraft.

 

[Melburnian1]

On Tuesday 27 December, VA562 (1515 hours PER-SYD, B738 VH-YFE) did not take off until 1602 hours.

While it might receive a dispensation if requested and needed, at this stage this scheduled 2230 hours arrival is cutting it fine re the 2300 hours curfew with an estimated landing at 2258 hours.

 

[exLXCXFF]

VA65 (VH-YIU) SYD to DPS just landed in Darwin - says diverted alongside other airplanes from Australia on the way to DPS

 

[exLXCXFF]

Also, VA113 (VH-YIS), ADL 2 DPS currently diverting to DRW.

And VA93 (VH-YIH), MEL 2 DPS as well.

 

[pangwen]

On Tuesday 27 December, VA562 (1515 hours PER-SYD, B738 VH-YFE) did not take off until 1602 hours.

While it might receive a dispensation if requested and needed, at this stage this scheduled 2230 hours arrival is cutting it fine re the 2300 hours curfew with an estimated landing at 2258 hours.

Looks like this one managed to get in before curfew!

 

[Scr77]

Also, VA113 (VH-YIS), ADL 2 DPS currently diverting to DRW.

And VA93 (VH-YIH), MEL 2 DPS as

Presumably due to the weather.

 

[exLXCXFF]

Looks like the DRW stops are planned: Why Virgin's Bali Flights Are All Stopping in Darwin (@Mattg)

 

[Melburnian1]

On Tuesday 3 January 2023, VA195 (B738 VH-YIJ, the 1000 hours MEL-NAN) took off at 1102 hours. At gate arrival should be at around the 1642 hours mark, 42 minutes behind the schedule.

 

[RSD]

Today (8th January 2023) the PER-LAU service on a 737-700 has been cancelled due to no crew, all passengers delayed 24 hours until tomorrow's flight

 

[jpp42]

Today (8th January 2023) the PER-LAU service on a 737-700 has been cancelled due to no crew, all passengers delayed 24 hours until tomorrow's flight

Do you mean LST? I don't think VA flies to Kenya

 

[RSD]

Do you mean LST? I don't think VA flies to Kenya

Oops yes - good pickup!

 

[Melburnian1]

Today (8th January 2023) the PER-LAU service on a 737-700 has been cancelled due to no crew, all passengers delayed 24 hours until tomorrow's flight

While conveying you on the day of booked travel isn't a commitment Oz domestic airlines make to passengers, is VAd providing you with accommodation if you don't live in Perth, or say live more than 50km away?

Or return taxi vouchers if you reside close?

Not your fault you are delayed.

 

[RSD]

While conveying you on the day of booked travel isn't a commitment Oz domestic airlines make to passengers, is VAd providing you with accommodation if you don't live in Perth, or say live more than 50km away?

Or return taxi vouchers if you reside close?

Not your fault you are delayed.

No idea - only my sister is silly enough to try to fly VA - she will get back to Tassie eventually and I will probably hear all about it then! In the meantime - not my monkeys... not my circus... not my problem