I've been searching for PE fares from MEL to HKG/PVG for Apr/May 2018 and noticed that there are no more weekend 747s on QF29/30. The only other PE options are either to go via SYD with QF or fly with CX. Does anyone know why QF took out PE/747 options on the Mel flights and if they are planning to bring it back? (maybe using 380s when the 787s start to arrive)
Qantas is retiring two B747's next year, followed by three more in 2019. This will leave just six B747-400ER's in the QF stable, which they currently use for North American flights. You will never see the red roo B747's on the HKG route again.
The A330-300's currently used for intra-Asia flights aren't config. w/ PE, but you may see PE open up if/when they start running B787's.
They're moving A380's to the Singapore route now that Qantas has axed Dubai, but haven't seen any plans to put A380's on to HKG/PVG... time will tell.
Qantas now prefers smaller planes (A330) flying more often, rather than one giant plane (A380) arriving infrequently.
This allows them to offer more services to business travelers, who appreciate having a selection of services throughout the day to choose from. This reduces layovers from other mainland-China flights and, importantly, allows QF to compete more effectively with CX, et. al.
That said, while there's a second frequency on three days a week between MEL and SIN (compared to at least count SQ's seven days a week four flights each way), QF still doesn't offer a second MEL - HKG flight. Not much competition for CX.
Qantas is retiring two B747's next year, followed by three more in 2019. This will leave just six B747-400ER's in the QF stable, which they currently use for North American flights. You will never see the red roo B747's on the HKG route again.
The A330-300's currently used for intra-Asia flights aren't config. w/ PE, but you may see PE open up if/when they start running B787's.
They're moving A380's to the Singapore route now that Qantas has axed Dubai, but haven't seen any plans to put A380's on to HKG/PVG... time will tell.
My $0.02
Qantas will be retiring 4 next year to have 6 by the end of 2018.
Qantas now prefers smaller planes (A330) flying more often, rather than one giant plane (A380) arriving infrequently.
This allows them to offer more services to business travelers, who appreciate having a selection of services throughout the day to choose from. This reduces layovers from other mainland-China flights and, importantly, allows QF to compete more effectively with CX, et. al.
In theory correct, in reality won't work for Hong Kong as they can't fly there more frequently due to slot restraints. If there is a market made for big planes, it's Hong Kong until the 3rd runway opens.
Once the second lot of 787's arrive. I'd expect the only North American 747 market will be San Francisco (and YVR seasonally). But once you include JNB, SCL, HND and the SYD to HKG flight, pretty sure that occupies all 6.
My last SQ B747 flight was on a SIN-FRA flight, just couple of months before they retired all their B747. I must admit that I had mixed feelings during that flight. Was sad mostly, as I really like the aircraft.
Then I planned a flight on the new B747-800 on a HKG-FRA flight one year. Can't compare as it was totally a different airline and layout. The airline opted for more seats hence it was a little more cramped.
You will find that with the newer aircraft like B787 and A350 family which will fly further and more fuel efficient, soon these large aircraft like B747 and A380 be abandoned by airlines. As it is the B787 and A350 are taking over as the work horse from the B777 and A330.
Let's hope Boeing and Airbus will get their big boys up to the same fuel efficiency as these smaller work horse. And it will have to be much more efficient because its cost effectiveness in fuel efficiency will have to be at least on par with the same passenger load.That is to say, operating a A380 with the same full passenger load of an A350, has the same fuel efficiency.
Then of course there are other cost factor that will come into play, like the airport cost at each destination, and etc. Being a larger aircraft. Size does matter.
I think Qantas possibly has been beaten by Virgin Australia on MEL-HKG route, so they see it is no longer viable to deploy B747-400 on this route?
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Not even close to being true. The loads at which VA flights are running at the moment probably aren't even touching QF/CX loads.
QF already run A380 during every peak season to HKG. These would become more frequent as A380s become freed up over time. QF I believe still have some slots used by other airlines, so further expansion may be possible. Happy to be corrected
Hi Guest, join in the discussion on
QF MEL-HKG flight No more 747s?
jianga
jianga
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 07 Feb 2015
Total posts 144
I've been searching for PE fares from MEL to HKG/PVG for Apr/May 2018 and noticed that there are no more weekend 747s on QF29/30. The only other PE options are either to go via SYD with QF or fly with CX. Does anyone know why QF took out PE/747 options on the Mel flights and if they are planning to bring it back? (maybe using 380s when the 787s start to arrive)
ausJCP
ausJCP
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 28 Aug 2014
Total posts 132
Qantas is retiring two B747's next year, followed by three more in 2019. This will leave just six B747-400ER's in the QF stable, which they currently use for North American flights. You will never see the red roo B747's on the HKG route again.
The A330-300's currently used for intra-Asia flights aren't config. w/ PE, but you may see PE open up if/when they start running B787's.
They're moving A380's to the Singapore route now that Qantas has axed Dubai, but haven't seen any plans to put A380's on to HKG/PVG... time will tell.
My $0.02
ausJCP
ausJCP
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 28 Aug 2014
Total posts 132
Re: the HKG route as a whole...
Qantas now prefers smaller planes (A330) flying more often, rather than one giant plane (A380) arriving infrequently.
This allows them to offer more services to business travelers, who appreciate having a selection of services throughout the day to choose from. This reduces layovers from other mainland-China flights and, importantly, allows QF to compete more effectively with CX, et. al.
Traveller14
Traveller14
Member since 17 Sep 2015
Total posts 73
That said, while there's a second frequency on three days a week between MEL and SIN (compared to at least count SQ's seven days a week four flights each way), QF still doesn't offer a second MEL - HKG flight. Not much competition for CX.
Chris2304
Chris2304
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 10 Apr 2013
Total posts 167
The A330-300's currently used for intra-Asia flights aren't config. w/ PE, but you may see PE open up if/when they start running B787's.
They're moving A380's to the Singapore route now that Qantas has axed Dubai, but haven't seen any plans to put A380's on to HKG/PVG... time will tell.
My $0.02
hutch
hutch
Member since 07 Oct 2012
Total posts 772
Qantas now prefers smaller planes (A330) flying more often, rather than one giant plane (A380) arriving infrequently.
This allows them to offer more services to business travelers, who appreciate having a selection of services throughout the day to choose from. This reduces layovers from other mainland-China flights and, importantly, allows QF to compete more effectively with CX, et. al.
In theory correct, in reality won't work for Hong Kong as they can't fly there more frequently due to slot restraints. If there is a market made for big planes, it's Hong Kong until the 3rd runway opens.
CityRail
CityRail
Singapore Airlines - KrisFlyer
Member since 17 Nov 2014
Total posts 78
I think Qantas possibly has been beaten by Virgin Australia on MEL-HKG route, so they see it is no longer viable to deploy B747-400 on this route?
KinHo
KinHo
Member since 03 Sep 2017
Total posts 26
My last SQ B747 flight was on a SIN-FRA flight, just couple of months before they retired all their B747. I must admit that I had mixed feelings during that flight. Was sad mostly, as I really like the aircraft.
Can't compare as it was totally a different airline and layout. The airline opted for more seats hence it was a little more cramped.
tm_smile
tm_smile
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 12 Jun 2011
Total posts 15
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