Why Qantas doesn't fly an a330 from Hong Kong/ Singapore to Paris and other European destinations
13 replies
Hi Guest, join in the discussion on Why Qantas doesn't fly an a330 from Hong Kong/ Singapore to Paris and other European destinations
Hi Guest, join in the discussion on Why Qantas doesn't fly an a330 from Hong Kong/ Singapore to Paris and other European destinations
timothyshears
timothyshears
Member since 26 Jul 2017
Total posts 19
I have previously stated that Qantas underuses its a330 on its international networks. As there are no 787s at the moment to fly to European destinations and the issues surrounding terminal allocation in Perth, I wonder why Qantas hasn't decided to fly a330s though Singapore and Hong Kong to European destinations such as Paris, Frankfurt or Rome. As there are daily flights from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane to Hong Kong on the A330, You would think that Qantas could continue this aircraft onto European destinations. As well as this aircraft is capable of flying this distance, the smaller loads would be more economically more viable. Aswell as Qantas business, frequent flyers and Qantas Club members having access to the superb Qantas Hong Kong Lounge.
CityRail
CityRail
Singapore Airlines - KrisFlyer
Member since 17 Nov 2014
Total posts 78
Does A330 has the range to Paris, Frankfurt or Rome from Hong Kong/Singapore?
hutch
hutch
Member since 07 Oct 2012
Total posts 772
It's easy to state things, but putting that from thought on the internet to an actual airline route turning a profit, ain't the same thing.
1. Rome? I'd be shocked if Qantas ever flies to Rome again. By all accounts, they don't consider Italy to offer appropriate yield.
2. For Qantas to fly to Paris or Frankfurt with an A330 from Hong Kong, it would need to cancel another service to free up a plane. In terms of corporate dollars, I assume QF thinks Asia is more important than CDG/FRA
3. The Hong Kong - Europe leg would compete against many other services - what's the competitive edge against other one-stop options?
4. It would require additional crew costs at Hong Kong over and above the direct competition.
5. Hong Kong is slot restrained. If Qantas obtained extra slots, why not use it on your core market, Australia.
6. The dispute with Perth Airport is in relation to JNB as it is not a new route for the airport. There is nothing to indicate that PER would not allow QF to use their terminal for CDG or FRA flights.
7. Can the A330 actually fly the route?
Becky1
Becky1
Jetstar Airways - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 04 May 2018
Total posts 34
According to the Qantas website, the A330-200 has a range of 8,500km and the A330-300 a range of 7,000km (both fully loaded).
timothyshears
timothyshears
Member since 26 Jul 2017
Total posts 19
For example, if the Melbourne QF29 service connected onto Paris from Hong Kong. As this aircraft seats around 270 passengers, the load is signifcantly smaller to such loads of an A380 or 747. Along with having a smaller passenger load, this aircraft would need less Cabin crew, reducing the amount of crew being based in Paris. Along with the issue of range. The average distance from Hong Kong to Paris is 9900km. The range of the A330 is 13,450km.
hutch
hutch
Member since 07 Oct 2012
Total posts 772
Yes, evidently an A330 is smaller than a 747 or A380. But Qantas would be filling these planes with Australian based crew, who are getting accommodated /fed while resting in HKG etc, which is more costly than say Cathay using their HKG staff (putting aside wages).
As for utilisation, say with QF29, the plane would currently turn around and fly back to Australia, if it went onto Paris, you need another plane. What service does Qantas cut? Manila, Narita, some Singapore flights maybe? And if you had a spare plane, why not fly it say PER-HKG?
Qantas has a competitive advantage flying to Europe non-stop out of Australia. Barring some odd change of direction, this will be the only way the Kangaroo returns to Europe.
Red Cee
Red Cee
Member since 15 Feb 2018
Total posts 151
People are now preferring non stop over one or multi stops. As Has been stated, there are a number of reasons flying SIN or HKG to European ports can’t be done.
Jedinak K
Jedinak K
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
Member since 06 Sep 2012
Total posts 106
The full range of the A330, or any other aircraft for that matter assumes standard seating configuration, cruising speed and weather conditions. Most airlines pack their aircraft to maximise revenue, at the expense of range (incl. QF).
GregXL
GregXL
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 26 May 2014
Total posts 320
QF have operated A330-200 aircraft on Auckland to LA, which is further then Hong Kong - Paris. It could be done but plenty of reasons given above why QF could make better margins on other routes.
CBRQF
CBRQF
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 28 Jul 2011
Total posts 54
Love the arm chair CEOs. This is as fun as reading comments on politician's Facebook posts.
hutch
hutch
Member since 07 Oct 2012
Total posts 772
A favorite past time of mine 😁
xtfer
xtfer
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
Member since 14 Mar 2017
Total posts 159
Of course an A330 can fly the route - they have. The range at maximum structural payload as quoted on the Qantas flight is not the actual range of the aircraft. Most aircraft at long ranges are used on routes where passenger and fuel payload weights are most efficient.
djtech
djtech
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 02 Sep 2018
Total posts 375
Hong Kong is currently the hub for partner OneWorld airline Cathay Pacific and if passengers have to have a stop anyway, why upset your partner when you can work out a codeshare deal with them?
Nick Sydney 2
Nick Sydney 2
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 22 Jul 2015
Total posts 83
1. Qantas just does not have enough aircraft to fly where we the paying PAX would like them to.