Volcanic Ash flight disruptions June 2011

[Hvr]

And flights have now resumed from CBR to MEL. Meant I had breakfast with another AFFer while he waited.

So hard being a good person, having to wait in in the J lounge.

 

[Austman]

I'm stuck in Wellington. My QF flight home WGN-MEL was cancelled today. I'm re-booked to tomorrow's non-stop flight. There has been zero offer from Qantas re accommodation or meals help (even though their spokesperson on TV said today that these would be offered - probably an error on their part). Air NZ seem to be flying still.

 

[shambles]

Reposted as put it in wrong thread

Hmm.. me thinks it's a case of "hurry up & wait". I'm booked on the 6am MEL-SYD flight tomorrow which at this stage shows as still planned but if today is any indication I dont hold much hope. Would be no big deal if it wasnt that I was getting to SYD to catch a LAN flight due to depart 09.25 tomorrow SYD-AKL-SCL. Confusing thing there is that the inbound LAN flight is showing as 12 hours delayed, new ETA AKL is circa 4pm 14th instead of 4am but the AKL-SYD and subsequent SYD-AKL-SCL are still showing as per original timings; I'm pretty sure LAN wont have a 2nd A330 parked at Mascot?? Guess it will just be a case of join the 5am chaos at Tulla tomorrow, try & get to Sydney then spend most the following 24 hours chilling in lounges

As long as I get to AKL in time to catch my return flight to SYD on Thursday morning

QF are certainly taking a far more conservative approach with the ash cloud (fair enough). Whats wrong with just zipping around at 500' AGL military style? hehe​

 

[pshepvic]

Look at all those pretty Virgin Australia planes flying around!

 

[samh004]

I hope so, have we forgotten what is now operating SYD-PER? Both Mel and Syd have 4- 6 gates that are capable of 747 operation, in fact all the main capital cities have no issues with 747 domestic ops.

There was something sticking at the back of my mind, but I did forget exactly what it was

 

[markis10]

JQ30 appears to be flying a normal profile inbound to MEL, and SQ just did an overfly at FL350, so there are some different tactics being used! I was pleased to see DJ using their heads and flying lower at greater cost to avoid the issue while getting pax to where they want to be safely, all in controlled airspace!

 

[pshepvic]

JQ30 appears to be flying a normal profile inbound to MEL, and SQ just did an overfly at FL350, so there are some different tactics being used! I was pleased to see DJ using their heads and flying lower at greater cost to avoid the issue while getting pax to where they want to be safely, all in controlled airspace!

I'm pleased as well, as this is my current view:



Ultimately whilst the fuel cost might be a little higher, the cost of a new engine or two is a lot more. But also the cost of canceling everything for an entire day is also significant, particularly if there is still a safe way to operate an aircraft.

 

[markis10]

Hope I have the same view shortly on my MEL bound flight, in 1D

ADL is going to be an issue in the morning by the looks of things:

 

[LiamR]

Sky news are reporting the cloud over Melbourne is gone and has moved on.

Is this right? Does anyone have any up to date maps proving this?

 

[mannej]

It looks like QF63 is just passing over PER @ 12000ft, seems like it is diverting as per the other day

 

[KitKat]

Interesting to see my original flight QF 449 is cancelled but the flights SYD-MEL around this flight is running... I presume this is due to schedule changes to increase capacity?
Anyway, have managed to get on a later flight. Currently in J lounge waiting, hope all goes well and we all get home safely

 

[VHOEJ]

Good luck to all affected - any delays like this bring out the stupidity in some passengers. 99% of people take things in thier stride - yes it is frustrating, it costs more money, etc but airlines do thier best in this situation. You still get the 1% of passengers who complain about everything and they get the media attention.

And if you don't need to travel in the coming days and can delay your trip, do it. I am sure that will help the backlog because it sounds like this is not the last of it. It looks like many of the airlines will allow you to change your bookings without paying a fee.

 

[Blackadder]

7 News reported additional 747s were put onto SYD-MEL runs to increase capacity, also a QF spokesperson said they have possibly a 18hr window before another ash cloud arrives.

 

[KitKat]

Just landed QF451. Glad to be back in Melbourne

 

[docjames]

Boarding as normal qf634. In 1D and new aircraft with personal ife so hopefully a good flight!Hope everyone gets home safely and expediently!

 

[medhead]

Sky News is saying ADL is closed.

 

[markis10]

Sky News is saying ADL is closed.

TT have cancelled their ADL flight for tomorrow ex MEL . Others are showing no change on the boards at MEL. Plenty of departures ex ADl at the time of posting!

DJ are now doing ADL-MEL at sub FL200 altitudes.

 

[nlagalle]

Well I am back at home.. I was wrapped with QF getting me on a flight today when the only thing was for tomorrow afternoon.. They do look after their WP's..I am rather worried about saturday though as i have another day trip to SYD on the cards..

 

[benmay]

I'm hoping it's back to normality this time tomorrow. Am Flying BNE-MEL tomorrow at 6pm. Then Flying MEL-NAN on the midnight flight. This is what I get for going the long way to take advantage of the double SC offer! Direct from BNE (My Closest intl airport) would be no worry at all lol.

 

[LiamR]

I'm hoping it's back to normality this time tomorrow. Am Flying BNE-MEL tomorrow at 6pm. Then Flying MEL-NAN on the midnight flight. This is what I get for going the long way to take advantage of the double SC offer! Direct from BNE (My Closest intl airport) would be no worry at all lol.

I'm sure you'll be able to re-route, then just put in a request for getting SCs for the original booking.