Weren't the 787's to replace 744's?

[yohy?!]

if we were to experience another major economic shock (hello Trump...) after the 747s are gone and all the 787s are delivered, i imagine we'd see them parking the 380s first and foremost or selling/leasing them off to avoid the major engineering checks or cabin upgrades

 

[Cool Cat Phil]

MEL-HKG is 744 on FRI-SUN, A330 during the week I believe.
I can see SYD-HKG being upped to a A388, it was flown by one yesterday actually.
I can't see how MEL-HKG could possibly warrant an A388 though.

This year QF has on numerous occasions, completely sold every seat on their 747 on the MEL > HKG sector in both directions.
This route has really picked up in the past 12 months quite substantially.

 

[Cool Cat Phil]

but where do the A380s go? Tokyo or Singapore perhaps?

Loads won't support either, the only Asian Destination where the A380 would work for QF in terms of sufficent loads is HKG.

Some people have speculated BNE > LAX > JFK, which realistically QF could implement and would really pile on the pressure towards VA direction.
Although the demand may not be sufficent right now to make that route work for an A380, with the population growth of SE QLD continuing to mushroom, in 3 years time BNE could well In fact support an A380 to LAX.

No doubt the talk of QF9/10 potentially getting the chop ( although has yet been confirmed) is leaving plenty of people speculating and hypothesising.

 

[Himeno]

Loads won't support either, the only Asian Destination where the A380 would work for QF in terms of sufficent loads is HKG.

Some people have speculated BNE > LAX > JFK, which realistically QF could implement and would really pile on the pressure towards VA direction.
Although the demand may not be sufficent right now to make that route work for an A380, with the population growth of SE QLD continuing to mushroom, in 3 years time BNE could well In fact support an A380 to LAX.

No doubt the talk of QF9/10 potentially getting the chop ( although has yet been confirmed) is leaving plenty of people speculating and hypothesising.

The QF Tokyo flights are often sold out (even oversold), due to Japanese school groups.

A380s are very limited in the times they are allowed to operate at HND.

 

[jb747]

Some people have speculated BNE > LAX > JFK, which realistically QF could implement and would really pile on the pressure towards VA direction.
Although the demand may not be sufficent right now to make that route work for an A380, with the population growth of SE QLD continuing to mushroom, in 3 years time BNE could well In fact support an A380 to LAX.

The wonderful thing about the internet, is that I could start a route rumour here, and it would be reported as fact tomorrow.

 

[moa999]

The wonderful thing about the internet, is that I could start a route rumour here, and it would be reported as fact tomorrow.

particularly given you are in the know so to speak...

But presumably some A380 pilots would like a little more variety, or does the familiarity of a slip make things easy?

 

[straitman]

Complete waste to put the 380 on a SIN only route - not efficient and too much capacity.

I think you would be surprised.

 

[Cool Cat Phil]

The QF Tokyo flights are often sold out (even oversold), due to Japanese school groups.

A380s are very limited in the times they are allowed to operate at HND.

No doubt on the odd day here and there that may be the case, although with QF about to launch daily services from MEL, alongside the current SYD & BNE services, it will be interesting to see how the loads go from all three Australian cities and how that looks long-term since JPY is strong against the AUD.

 

[Cool Cat Phil]

The wonderful thing about the internet, is that I could start a route rumour here, and it would be reported as fact tomorrow.

Indeed
The speculation of potentially a few A380's being Freed-up is generating plenty of debate, with plenty of "A380 Wishlist routes" being discussed.

 

[JohnPhelan]

The wonderful thing about the internet, is that I could start a route rumour here, and it would be reported as fact tomorrow.

Go on, do it .........

 

[mviy]

Well QF 787s will replace some QF 747s on the MEL-LAX route before any fly PER-LHR: http://www.australianfrequentflyer....network-announcement-79907-2.html#post1557375

 

[jb747]

particularly given you are in the know so to speak...

I'll find out at the same time you do.

 

[Quickstatus]

particularly given you are in the know so to speak...

Speaking for myself (non aviation), I find that being in the job is quite different to being in the know. In fact, being in the job often means that you will be the last to know!

 

[mviy]

All pilots would need is adequate warning that they are going to be flying a different model aircraft so they can get the training on it that they need. Not sure how much training they'd need to switch from flying e.g. the 747 to the 787.

 

[jb747]

All pilots would need is adequate warning that they are going to be flying a different model aircraft so they can get the training on it that they need. Not sure how much training they'd need to switch from flying e.g. the 747 to the 787.

The people who fly the 747 aren't necessarily (or even likely) to be the same ones who fly the 787. Training will already be underway for those designated to be doing the training on it. For the line people, it will start about 6 months before the first aircraft appears.

 

[sudoer]

it will be interesting to see how the loads go from all three Australian cities and how that looks long-term since JPY is strong against the AUD.

The AUD has steadily rallied against the JPY over the past two months and is back up around the mid-high 80s - fingers crossed it keeps going!

I don't think QF will have any problems selling the MEL or BNE routes given they'll be the only carrier flying direct.. but with the new MEL route, decent competition from ANA and JAL, and 364 seats on the 747 they may struggle a bit with the Sydney route.

 

[Quickstatus]

What's to stop other airlines operating PER-LHR or PER-EURO?
1st mover advantage can be short lived.

Though the advantage of seamless transfer to/from QF Dom can be an advantage

 

[sudoer]

What's to stop other airlines operating PER-LHR or PER-EURO?

Probably nothing, but QF has a significant advantage in their domestic routes out of PER (and I'd expect a LOT of LHR-PER pax will connect to east coast flights)

 

[ajw373]

Singapore have two daily!

Servicing a hub, not point to point traffic.

 

[Flyerqf]

Qantas announced yesterday that the first two deliveries of 787 will allow 2 744 retirements & the remaining 6 x 787 will replace 3 x 744.

This to me almost confirms that the A380 service from MEL to LHR will be axed and replaced by the MEL-PER-LHR 787 flight.

This frees up 2 A380 to replace 744 which are being retired.

At this stage I'd be leaning towards the A380 will replace the 744 on MEL-HKG and SYD-HKG. (1 x 744 currently on each route)

The remaining 744s being retired i think will come from BNE - LAX (replaced by 787 to LAX and additional 787 service to DFW) and SFO downgauged to 787.