Qantas Boeing 787 flights between Melbourne and Brisbane

A handful of Qantas' daily flights between Melbourne and Brisbane are running on the Boeing 787 through to August 31, to help Qantas pilots train up on the Dreamliner before the September 1 start of daily Boeing 787 flights from Brisbane to Los Angeles and New York.

(For the aviation enthusiasts, this is nominally a single Boeing 787 doing the back-and-forth: it's usually rego ZNE, the fifth of eight to be delivered, and has been christened 'Skippy'.)

There are roughly four Dreamliner flights each day between Melbourne and Brisbane. Attached is a PDF schedule through to August 7 (naturally, changes can occur) for readers planning a MEL-BNE or BNE-MEL flight who'd like to do this 2½ hour Dreamliner dash.

Studying the schedule shows that the flight numbers to watch for (through to August 31) will be QF609, QF611, QF614, QF625, QF627 and QF634.

Also worth noting: if you're booked into economy on one of the Boeing 787 flights but hold Qantas Platinum One, Platinum or Gold frequent flyer status, you can snare a premium economy seat by choosing a seat in row 20 through 23 (this is the premium economy cabin). You'll have the same meals and service as economy, of course, but a more comfortable and better-appointed seat with extra width and legroom. This might also be a handy way to sample Qantas' Boeing 787 premium economy before booking it on a much longer flight.

4-5b593cb5f218432595dc7716dd799463-Skippy Flying.pdf

Thanks David, I'm testing that tomorrow. A very nice touch from QF to reward customer's loyalty with the PE seats for free even with the cheapest economy ticket.

6th aircraft, VH-ZNF, was rolled out of the assembly hanger last Friday. It is currently undergoing preflight prep. Due for delivery in a month (24 Aug).

ZNG and ZNH are due for delivery in November (13th and 26th).

Won't necessarily be Skippy ZNE.

QF will utilise their 787 fleet in a way that works best for them.

Attached is a photo of the flight numbers that the Dreamliner is flying. Hope it is helpful!

Yesterday the AM flights were not run by the 787 as VH-ZNA stayed in BNE, but it did operate the 4pm and the MEL-BNE 7 25pm. Definitely better than the 737... also J class full.

Am on the 7:25pm MEL-BNE..... can a gold "buy" a premium seat?

I am scheduled to fly next Tuesday on a 787-9 QF609. Qantas has offered me to Bid for an Upgrade.