Which Routes For JQ's Inaugural 787 Dreamliner Flights?

[Catweazle]

So I keep looking around and can't seem to find any info; so far, it still all seems relatively hush-hush and 'in the air'.

As I understand it, JetStar will replace some of its A330s with the new 787 Dreamliner, and will place the new bird on a few domestic routes first, perhaps in either October or November, before sending it off on overseas routes sometime in December.

Last year, speculations, rumours and hypothetical statements suggested that the new international routes might be on Auckland to Singapore, or Sydney to Beijing. I would perhaps also guess MEL to SIN, but that's more simply a guess without being much of a hypothetical guess. And it seems the new bird, ready and painted, may still have a few test flights yet, as I think it's still in Seattle. (This after browsing the AuBT on a lazy Saturday afternoon, before strolling out the door to go do my votes.)

Random ramblings aside: is there any talk of which routes the inaugural flights might be when the 787 first goes into service, domestically speaking? Will they be advertised as so, or one day will the 787 just suddenly, magically, be rolled out of the hangar in MEL or wherever and over to the gate - that is, do we just keep checking the scheduled equipment on upcoming flights in a few weeks?

 

[bass_ke]

I'm watching with keen interest as a 787 ride would actually get me back on deathstar

 

[elbarto]

I'll do a SYD-MEL on JQ hopefully it will allow for a trip via the first class lounge.

 

[JessicaTam]

I think it will do a month of domestic runs before starting her international duties. It may be JQ are waiting for formal certification before committing to the routes.

 

[Limewood]

It was reported MEL/CNS 787 for training 1st for couple months then put on Int. route, didn't say which one.

Friend of mine works at CNS Catering says they have the new food carts.

Maybe used for onwards for Japan fights?.

 

[CaviAck]

I was searching for some flights between HNL and SYD on matrix and it turned up that the 787 will be flying that flight... if that's any indication.

I'd say they're most likely going to do SYD/MEL-CNS to allow pilots to get used to flying in and out of those airports on the 787 before transitioning the flights to runs to HNL and Japan out of SYD/MEL/CNS.

 

[Limewood]

I was searching for some flights between HNL and SYD on matrix and it turned up that the 787 will be flying that flight... if that's any indication.

I'd say they're most likely going to do SYD/MEL-CNS to allow pilots to get used to flying in and out of those airports on the 787 before transitioning the flights to runs to HNL and Japan out of SYD/MEL/CNS.

What months were you looking at?

Another rumour was MEL/SYD/CNS/HNL.

 

[CaviAck]

What months were you looking at?

Another rumour was MEL/SYD/CNS/HNL.

Late December to mid January.

On an off-topic note, QF3/4 SYD-HNL is still on the 763 during those times apparently according to what matrix is putting out.

 

[samh004]

It was reported MEL/CNS 787 for training 1st for couple months then put on Int. route, didn't say which one.

Friend of mine works at CNS Catering says they have the new food carts.

Maybe used for onwards for Japan fights?.

Would the meals they prepare, or are soon to prepare, perhaps give an indication of the route?

 

[CaviAck]

Would the meals they prepare, or are soon to prepare, perhaps give an indication of the route?

If it's out of CNS I don't think the meals prepared will change. Since they already have flights going to Japan from there. And I don't think JQ would be stupid enough to put a CNS-HNL route... (although there are a lot of Japanese tourist in HNL as well, maybe they'd try and capture the JAP-HNL market the long way round lol)

 

[Limewood]

If it's out of CNS I don't think the meals prepared will change. Since they already have flights going to Japan from there. And I don't think JQ would be stupid enough to put a CNS-HNL route... (although there are a lot of Japanese tourist in HNL as well, maybe they'd try and capture the JAP-HNL market the long way round lol)

It was only a rumour, I doubt they would have enough bums to fill seats, but then again if it was MEL/SYD/CNS/HNL visitors could see big cities and holiday in CNS on way in or out, only time will tell.

 

[CaviAck]

It was only a rumour, I doubt they would have enough bums to fill seats, but then again if it was MEL/SYD/CNS/HNL visitors could see big cities and holiday in CNS on way in or out, only time will tell.

Actually I can see CNS-SYD-HNL happening as it can help with positioning the aircraft between the SYD-HNL and CNS-JAP runs and get bums on seat by selling CNS-SYD through the international terminals (which IIRC they already do one or two days a week on the A330s)

 

[JohnPhelan]

And I don't think JQ would be stupid enough to put a CNS-HNL route...

Actually, QF used to fly between CNS and HNL ....

 

[CaviAck]

Actually, QF used to fly between CNS and HNL ....

It didn't last long, apparently very low loads as no one wanted to fly via CNS before getting to HNL/LAX. Was a 742 IIRC operating SYD-CNS-HNL-LAX with CNS included only on the outbound. Apparently it was cheaper to fly out of CNS...

 

[Limewood]

Actually, QF used to fly between CNS and HNL ....

Yes was about 20 yeas ago.

Population and number pax travellinhg now could make a difference.

Maybe CNS as a hub for Japanese flights, like CX do few times a week HKG via BNE others direct.

 

[docjames]

It was reported MEL/CNS 787 for training 1st for couple months then put on Int. route, didn't say which one.

Friend of mine works at CNS Catering says they have the new food carts.

Maybe used for onwards for Japan fights?.

That was my impression although the first international destination hasn't been confirmed.

I'd bet on Japan or HNL with SIN a distant third.

 

[docjames]

Yes was about 20 yeas ago.

Population and number pax travellinhg now could make a difference.

Maybe CNS as a hub for Japanese flights, like CX do few times a week HKG via BNE others direct.

You could hub the 330 CNS-Japan CNS-HNL CNS-SIN

 

[Limewood]

As long as its CNS we don't mind where it goes

 

[Awesom Andy]

maybe they'd try and capture the JAP-HNL market the long way round

Considering they really did advertise for SIN-xMEL-HNL for a while, nothing is impossible.

 

[CaviAck]

Considering they really did advertise for SIN-xMEL-HNL for a while, nothing is impossible.

That was probably helped because there were and as far as I can tell still no direct SIN-HNL flights.