QF Plat here, fly twice a month Sin-Syd / Sin-Bne. Forced to fly SQ as I can’t handle a 7 hour overnight flight. Between two meal services, no time to sleep and I arrive unfit for a full day’s work. I take day flights both ways even if it means that I have to fly on Sundays. Would love it of QF had a day flight option both ways.
Doesn't really phase me since I'm not strongly brand loyal. If I have to/want to take a day flight, I'll fly any airline that offers it.
Hey Dredgy. Out of interest, what status do you hold with Oneworld / Sky Team / Star Alliance ? Do you think your status level would be affected if you did have a stronger brand loyalty one way or the other? (Just curious to know the rationale, no judgment!) Cheers!
Hi sorry, I missed this. I hold gold equivalent status on all 3 - KE, LH and QF (think I’ve lost KE status, but flying China Eastern this year, should rebuild it). Status means very little to me since I usually book cash business class so I get alll the perks I need, so apart from accelarated earning rates on reward miles, I care little. I also always like to try something new and keep life fresh - so I’ll also try to fly someone I’ve never flown before if they’re convenient, same way I rarely eat at the same restaurant twice (or if I do, I order a different thing each time, even at McDonalds!)
If I did have stronger brand loyalty, I would probably be QF Platinum, if not P1. But Qantas doesn’t fly to locations I want to go or always have the best pricing/scheduling so I am loyal to the airline that is the most convenient to me on any specific trip.
I hope that makes sense. I’ve also started reviewing airlines I fly, so hope to make a bit of side cash off that. Reviewing Qantas or Lufthansa over and over again would get very boring very quickly.
I know this is Asia but what about afternoon departures out of West coast or night departures out of Aust to West coast. I loved the QF flight that got into Syd at 8pm. I think one time they had a service via Nandi that got into Syd in the evening. I am sure there would be enough load for Dreamliner service to Syd with connection to rest of Australia
Another contributing factor to the others mentioned here are the curfew times governments enforce at most large Australian airports.
Which "large Australian airports" have curfews? infrastructure.gov.au and Air Services Australia say that only SYD, ADL, OOL and MEB (Essendon) have curfews.
I know this is Asia but what about afternoon departures out of West coast or night departures out of Aust to West coast. I loved the QF flight that got into Syd at 8pm. I think one time they had a service via Nandi that got into Syd in the evening. I am sure there would be enough load for Dreamliner service to Syd with connection to rest of Australia
I assume you mean US west coast? Qantas used to have a mid day departure from LAX which got to SYD in the evening. It didn't last long. There is now a night departure to LAX from MEL (~7pm) which uses the inbound aircraft from LHR-PER-MEL. This becomes to LAX some days and SFO other days later in the year.
I think it’s actually more to do with airline schedules for the Australia-based airlines.
In order to offer a day flight from Asia to Australia, the outward flight from Australia would need to be a night flight in order to minimise the fees associated with leaving an aircraft parked at the airport all day.
At the moment, the flights leave Australia in the morning and arrive in the Asian cities late afternoon. They then can turn the planes round straight away and fly back to Australia by the morning.
It would be totally uneconomical to leave the planes sitting on the tarmac from late afternoon until the morning of the next day.
There is no reason a plane cannot leave Australia in the evening, arrive in Asia in the morning and immediately turn around and fly back to Australia during the day.
There is one reason. The Sydney curfew means that most asia bound flights would arrive at 3am which is a horrible time to arrive. Singapore has to stop their last flight in Canberra in order to depart before curfew and arrive at a reasonable hour. The curfew obviously has a big impact on Qantas (and VA of course) as it takes 7 hours out of the times a plane can depart or arrive, and has consequent issues on the timetable at other ports
I think it’s actually more to do with airline schedules for the Australia-based airlines.
In order to offer a day flight from Asia to Australia, the outward flight from Australia would need to be a night flight in order to minimise the fees associated with leaving an aircraft parked at the airport all day.
At the moment, the flights leave Australia in the morning and arrive in the Asian cities late afternoon. They then can turn the planes round straight away and fly back to Australia by the morning.
It would be totally uneconomical to leave the planes sitting on the tarmac from late afternoon until the morning of the next day.
There is no reason a plane cannot leave Australia in the evening, arrive in Asia in the morning and immediately turn around and fly back to Australia during the day.
There is one reason. The Sydney curfew means that most asia bound flights would arrive at 3am which is a horrible time to arrive. Singapore has to stop their last flight in Canberra in order to depart before curfew and arrive at a reasonable hour. The curfew obviously has a big impact on Qantas (and VA of course) as it takes 7 hours out of the times a plane can depart or arrive, and has consequent issues on the timetable at other ports
Then they could just use other Australian airports. Only 4 commercial airports in Australia have curfews, SYD, ADL, OOL and MEB.
One airline with a split schedule (even though it only has a daily frequency) is PR on MNL - SYD - MNL where ex MNL flights leave at 1100 three days a week and late in the evening on the remaining four days. Back to MNL it's an 0600 hours departure (matching EK) on three days; mid morning on the others. The day flights (first mentioned in each direction) have proven popular. MEL will soon have extra flights to/from MNL on this airline, also at different times though not quite 'day' flights in the classic definition as the northbound will leave at around 0500 and the southbound gets to MEL at a very unsociable hour.
I think it’s actually more to do with airline schedules for the Australia-based airlines.
In order to offer a day flight from Asia to Australia, the outward flight from Australia would need to be a night flight in order to minimise the fees associated with leaving an aircraft parked at the airport all day.
At the moment, the flights leave Australia in the morning and arrive in the Asian cities late afternoon. They then can turn the planes round straight away and fly back to Australia by the morning.
It would be totally uneconomical to leave the planes sitting on the tarmac from late afternoon until the morning of the next day.
There is no reason a plane cannot leave Australia in the evening, arrive in Asia in the morning and immediately turn around and fly back to Australia during the day.
There is one reason. The Sydney curfew means that most asia bound flights would arrive at 3am which is a horrible time to arrive. Singapore has to stop their last flight in Canberra in order to depart before curfew and arrive at a reasonable hour. The curfew obviously has a big impact on Qantas (and VA of course) as it takes 7 hours out of the times a plane can depart or arrive, and has consequent issues on the timetable at other ports
Then they could just use other Australian airports. Only 4 commercial airports in Australia have curfews, SYD, ADL, OOL and MEB.
MEB (Essendon) is not used by mainline commercial airlines.
I think it’s actually more to do with airline schedules for the Australia-based airlines.
In order to offer a day flight from Asia to Australia, the outward flight from Australia would need to be a night flight in order to minimise the fees associated with leaving an aircraft parked at the airport all day.
At the moment, the flights leave Australia in the morning and arrive in the Asian cities late afternoon. They then can turn the planes round straight away and fly back to Australia by the morning.
It would be totally uneconomical to leave the planes sitting on the tarmac from late afternoon until the morning of the next day.
HKG is probably slot restricted (hence new Rwy) 'though personally love the CX after midnight departure from BNE and early arrival for onward connections - maybe including a lounge and shower on arrival.
If slots were available am return flight to Oz would be perfect with a view over the islands and mainland Oz.
Its a busy airport (6th busiest in world) so doubt there is slot availability?
Pc
Pc
Member since 13 Mar 2018
Total posts 3
QF Plat here, fly twice a month Sin-Syd / Sin-Bne. Forced to fly SQ as I can’t handle a 7 hour overnight flight. Between two meal services, no time to sleep and I arrive unfit for a full day’s work. I take day flights both ways even if it means that I have to fly on Sundays. Would love it of QF had a day flight option both ways.
Dredgy
Dredgy
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 02 Apr 2017
Total posts 182
Hey Dredgy. Out of interest, what status do you hold with Oneworld / Sky Team / Star Alliance ? Do you think your status level would be affected if you did have a stronger brand loyalty one way or the other? (Just curious to know the rationale, no judgment!) Cheers!
Hi sorry, I missed this. I hold gold equivalent status on all 3 - KE, LH and QF (think I’ve lost KE status, but flying China Eastern this year, should rebuild it). Status means very little to me since I usually book cash business class so I get alll the perks I need, so apart from accelarated earning rates on reward miles, I care little. I also always like to try something new and keep life fresh - so I’ll also try to fly someone I’ve never flown before if they’re convenient, same way I rarely eat at the same restaurant twice (or if I do, I order a different thing each time, even at McDonalds!)
Brython14
Brython14
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 22 Oct 2016
Total posts 8
Another contributing factor to the others mentioned here are the curfew times governments enforce at most large Australian airports.
Anjan
Anjan
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 25 Feb 2014
Total posts 11
I know this is Asia but what about afternoon departures out of West coast or night departures out of Aust to West coast. I loved the QF flight that got into Syd at 8pm. I think one time they had a service via Nandi that got into Syd in the evening. I am sure there would be enough load for Dreamliner service to Syd with connection to rest of Australia
Himeno
Himeno
Member since 12 Dec 2012
Total posts 295
Which "large Australian airports" have curfews?
infrastructure.gov.au and Air Services Australia say that only SYD, ADL, OOL and MEB (Essendon) have curfews.
Himeno
Himeno
Member since 12 Dec 2012
Total posts 295
I assume you mean US west coast?
Qantas used to have a mid day departure from LAX which got to SYD in the evening. It didn't last long.
There is now a night departure to LAX from MEL (~7pm) which uses the inbound aircraft from LHR-PER-MEL. This becomes to LAX some days and SFO other days later in the year.
dm12
dm12
Member since 08 Feb 2018
Total posts 212
There is no reason a plane cannot leave Australia in the evening, arrive in Asia in the morning and immediately turn around and fly back to Australia during the day.
There is one reason. The Sydney curfew means that most asia bound flights would arrive at 3am which is a horrible time to arrive. Singapore has to stop their last flight in Canberra in order to depart before curfew and arrive at a reasonable hour. The curfew obviously has a big impact on Qantas (and VA of course) as it takes 7 hours out of the times a plane can depart or arrive, and has consequent issues on the timetable at other ports
Himeno
Himeno
Member since 12 Dec 2012
Total posts 295
There is no reason a plane cannot leave Australia in the evening, arrive in Asia in the morning and immediately turn around and fly back to Australia during the day.
There is one reason. The Sydney curfew means that most asia bound flights would arrive at 3am which is a horrible time to arrive. Singapore has to stop their last flight in Canberra in order to depart before curfew and arrive at a reasonable hour. The curfew obviously has a big impact on Qantas (and VA of course) as it takes 7 hours out of the times a plane can depart or arrive, and has consequent issues on the timetable at other ports
Then they could just use other Australian airports. Only 4 commercial airports in Australia have curfews, SYD, ADL, OOL and MEB.
Traveller14
Traveller14
Member since 17 Sep 2015
Total posts 73
One airline with a split schedule (even though it only has a daily frequency) is PR on MNL - SYD - MNL where ex MNL flights leave at 1100 three days a week and late in the evening on the remaining four days. Back to MNL it's an 0600 hours departure (matching EK) on three days; mid morning on the others. The day flights (first mentioned in each direction) have proven popular. MEL will soon have extra flights to/from MNL on this airline, also at different times though not quite 'day' flights in the classic definition as the northbound will leave at around 0500 and the southbound gets to MEL at a very unsociable hour.
Traveller14
Traveller14
Member since 17 Sep 2015
Total posts 73
There is no reason a plane cannot leave Australia in the evening, arrive in Asia in the morning and immediately turn around and fly back to Australia during the day.
There is one reason. The Sydney curfew means that most asia bound flights would arrive at 3am which is a horrible time to arrive. Singapore has to stop their last flight in Canberra in order to depart before curfew and arrive at a reasonable hour. The curfew obviously has a big impact on Qantas (and VA of course) as it takes 7 hours out of the times a plane can depart or arrive, and has consequent issues on the timetable at other ports
Then they could just use other Australian airports. Only 4 commercial airports in Australia have curfews, SYD, ADL, OOL and MEB.
MEB (Essendon) is not used by mainline commercial airlines.
Geoffair
Geoffair
Member since 04 May 2018
Total posts 42
HKG is probably slot restricted (hence new Rwy) 'though personally love the CX after midnight departure from BNE and early arrival for onward connections - maybe including a lounge and shower on arrival.
Traveller14
Traveller14
Member since 17 Sep 2015
Total posts 73
Geoffair, yes, HKG is slot restricted. This led to VA having different schedules for its VA86/87 on the Melbourne - Hong Kong route for some months.