This isn't as locked-in as my other insider tips but here is what's being discussed in the top circles of Qantas HQ. Qantas has an order for 20 A380s but took only 12 of them. The remaining 8 are still on the books although Qantas has said many times it won't take them.
So right now Qantas is in discussions with Airbus on converting those 8 A380 orders into orders for the A350-900ULR, which is the same ultra-long range A350 which SQ will use for non-stops to LAX and JFK. It's looking good because the only alternative is the Boeing 777-8X which is not going to fly until early 2020s but the A350ULRs can be delivered from 2019, and they're just a standard and proven A350 with extra rage built in.
This would let Qantas start direct flights from Sydney and Melbourne to New York and major European cities, not sure about London which would of course be the prize. The config would probably be similar to the Boeing 787-9 with no first class, just business, premium economy and economy.
Direct flights to JFK from MEL and SYD would make a lot of sense. QF could retire the 747 aircraft used to fly BNE-LAX-JFK and replace the BNE-LAX part with a 787 service (perhaps linking up with flights from BNE to PER and onto Europe). With passengers flying direct from MEL and SYD to JFK QF wouldn't need as much capacity flying to LAX anymore.
No first class would be disappointing especially if it was somehow able to be used for direct flights to LHR, but with no F on the 787 services to LHR I guess that's not too surprising. It'd be a bit surprising if the 787 services to LHR via PER only lasted a year.
If QF can fly direct to LHR at a reasonable price I think they'd be crazy to keep the indirect services to LHR via PER going. Direct services would probably require fairly high loads, so the 787 flights via PER could get rerouted to a different European city. The question obviously is whether the A350-900ULR has the range. If it doesn't then it could be some years yet before QF gets planes with the range to fly direct.
Well, back in Economy, they would hopefully fit 3-3-3 on the 777. That is one positive of the A350, they have made it hard to add another seat in each row for full sericice carriers.
I find that hard to believe honestly. The markets to LHR and JFK (the two ports which A350-ULRs would want to serve) have obvious First demand. Plus, given that lower capacity = lighter load = longer range, it makes sense to go for a four-class LOPA on the jet. First Class passengers will take direct over connecting flights any day.
I'm skeptical about whether or not they'll get the ULRs, but I guess it depends on whether or not the 777-8 can be competitive in range terms. If the 777-8 can be competitive range-wise, QF would probably take the -8s instead (with -9s being the longterm replacement for 747s/A380s).
Didn't the Irishman make a tip about MEL/SYD to JFK and Euro destinations being CDG/FCO/TXL (not sure how TXL will go now!) with the PER-LHR MEL-DFW announcement, That would suggest this a definite possibility and also that East Coast to LHR is just a little too far The A350 kills the 787 in my experience, so I would prefer it, but not stopping is even better!
Last editedby Notso Swift at Aug 18, 2017, 05:27 PM.
This rumour has been linked on another website now, so I'll post on here what I wrote there:
Rumour?? No that isn't right at all. It's no secret that QF have some A380 delivery slots left to take and don't want them, and Alan Joyce has made no secret that they are looking at both the A350 and next gen 777's for non-stop routes ex SYD and MEL to NYC, ORD and potentially LHR. Of course they will be looking at options to use the A380 delivery slots to their advantage, doesn't mean they will buy them. They may do, but I'm sure that on the whiteboard the 777's are right there next to them.
QF buy 10 tonne of cheese a month, I heard they are looking to buy a dairy farm...
DeepAvThroat
DeepAvThroat
Member since 21 Mar 2017
Total posts 22
This isn't as locked-in as my other insider tips but here is what's being discussed in the top circles of Qantas HQ. Qantas has an order for 20 A380s but took only 12 of them. The remaining 8 are still on the books although Qantas has said many times it won't take them.
MRYJDrake
MRYJDrake
Air New Zealand - Airpoints
Member since 31 Oct 2016
Total posts 206
I always get excited when I see a post from yourself, DAT,
Always makes for an interesting read. Looking forward to seeing this pan out.
victort
victort
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 14 Feb 2017
Total posts 77
Excited to see if this comes to fruition!
mviy
mviy
Member since 05 May 2016
Total posts 322
Direct flights to JFK from MEL and SYD would make a lot of sense. QF could retire the 747 aircraft used to fly BNE-LAX-JFK and replace the BNE-LAX part with a 787 service (perhaps linking up with flights from BNE to PER and onto Europe). With passengers flying direct from MEL and SYD to JFK QF wouldn't need as much capacity flying to LAX anymore.
TheBigM
TheBigM
Member since 07 Mar 2017
Total posts 2
Always have to wonder about the comfort of economy on those ultra long flights though.
mviy
mviy
Member since 05 May 2016
Total posts 322
No first class would be disappointing especially if it was somehow able to be used for direct flights to LHR, but with no F on the 787 services to LHR I guess that's not too surprising. It'd be a bit surprising if the 787 services to LHR via PER only lasted a year.
Covo95
Covo95
Member since 30 Jul 2015
Total posts 52
the 777-8 cannot fly as far as the A350ULR, another reason for qantas to buy the latter
mviy
mviy
Member since 05 May 2016
Total posts 322
If QF can fly direct to LHR at a reasonable price I think they'd be crazy to keep the indirect services to LHR via PER going. Direct services would probably require fairly high loads, so the 787 flights via PER could get rerouted to a different European city.
The question obviously is whether the A350-900ULR has the range. If it doesn't then it could be some years yet before QF gets planes with the range to fly direct.
grov
grov
QFF
Member since 19 Sep 2013
Total posts 6
I believe that's a key question - can the ULR version fly direct SYD-LHR?
grov
grov
QFF
Member since 19 Sep 2013
Total posts 6
Hmm - according to the April SMH article, with a revised range of 9700 nm, it looks like the ULR could make SYD-LHR in a single hop. Interesting.
Packetman21
Packetman21
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 28 Jul 2016
Total posts 68
Well, back in Economy, they would hopefully fit 3-3-3 on the 777. That is one positive of the A350, they have made it hard to add another seat in each row for full sericice carriers.
AJW
AJW
Member since 16 Nov 2011
Total posts 55
Been saying for a long time now the A350 is the better plane for Qantas ultra long haul compared to the 789.
StudiodeKadent
StudiodeKadent
Member since 20 May 2015
Total posts 109
No First Class?
Notso Swift
Notso Swift
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 06 Oct 2016
Total posts 32
Didn't the Irishman make a tip about MEL/SYD to JFK and Euro destinations being CDG/FCO/TXL (not sure how TXL will go now!) with the PER-LHR MEL-DFW announcement,
That would suggest this a definite possibility and also that East Coast to LHR is just a little too far
The A350 kills the 787 in my experience, so I would prefer it, but not stopping is even better!
Boof
Boof
Member since 29 Aug 2013
Total posts 33
This rumour has been linked on another website now, so I'll post on here what I wrote there:
Rumour?? No that isn't right at all. It's no secret that QF have some A380 delivery slots left to take and don't want them, and Alan Joyce has made no secret that they are looking at both the A350 and next gen 777's for non-stop routes ex SYD and MEL to NYC, ORD and potentially LHR. Of course they will be looking at options to use the A380 delivery slots to their advantage, doesn't mean they will buy them. They may do, but I'm sure that on the whiteboard the 777's are right there next to them.
QF buy 10 tonne of cheese a month, I heard they are looking to buy a dairy farm...