Which QF 744s fly which routes?

[estate]

I was just browsing the Qantas website and their fleet list and sparked a question - which 744s do they use on which routes, as a general rule?

The ERs seem to be the Longreach planes, though their max range as quoted by QF doesn't seem much greater than the standard planes. I read somewhere in this forum that they use the 64J and 66J planes for the trans-pac flights due to lower weight loads, but are they all ERs for the USA trips?
I thought the two-class plane went to SFO, but that carries over 400 people, well more than any of the other layouts, and it's not an ER.

 

[Danger]

I'm by no means an expert but as I understand it QF5/6 SYD-SIN-FRA is a two (or now maybe three with Y+) class 747. The 747s that go to from SYD to LAX via AKL are the same, I think.

 

[NM]

The term "Longreach" was applied to all Qantas 747-400 aircraft.

The additional range of the -ER model is indeed not great, but does allow the 747-400ER to operate with a greater load on the longer routes such as LAX-MEL. They are most commonly used on the SYD-LAX and MEL-LAX routes.

The GE engined 747-48E and 747-4H6s also known as the ugly sisters (VH-OEB, VH-OEC and VH-OED) have slightly improved efficiency over the 747-438 RR engined fleet and hence are also most commonly used on the Pacific routes. These aircraft along with the -ERs have the 66 business class seating config which also helps improve revenue and reduce weight on the Pacific route.

The two-class aircraft operate the SYD-SIN-FRA and BNE-LAX routes. They are sometimes found on other routes but generally only when a 3 or 4 class aircraft is not available.

 

[NM]

I'm by no means an expert but as I understand it QF5/6 SYD-SIN-FRA is a two (or now maybe three with Y+) class 747. The 747s that go to from SYD to LAX via AKL are the same, I think.

Qantas has commenced selling BNE-LAX-BNE (QF15/16) as a 3-class service (Business, Premium and Economy). I have not seen SYD-SIN-FRA (QF5/6) sold with Premium Economy yet.

Note that Qantas does not yet have any 3-class aircraft configured as Business, Premium and Economy cabins. So they are typically using a 2-class aircraft and selling 2 rows of Business Class Skybeds (rows 23 and 24) as Premium Economy with the standard PE service.

 

[serfty]

... (rows 34 and 24) as Premium Economy with the standard PE service.

That's 23 and 24.

Here's a link to Qantas' seat map of the prevalent configuration:

• Boeing 747-400 Longreach - [42 Business; 14 Premium Economy;] 356 Economy

 

[NM]

That's 23 and 24.

Indeed. Was just a slight lateral off-set between my brain and my typing fingers .

 

[estate]

Thanks for the comprehensive reply NM, very interesting info!