Coronavirus: Qantas cuts Airbus A380 flights, drops Singapore-London
Qantas will mothball eight Airbus A380s and axe Singapore-London flights as the coronavirus cuts into demand.
By David Flynn, March 10 2020
Qantas will ground two-thirds of its flagship Airbus A380 fleet and drop the Sydney-Singapore-London 'Kangaroo Route' for double-daily Boeing 787 Dreamliner flights to London via Perth, as the coronavirus continues to sap global demand for travel.
The A380s will also be replaced by Boeing 787s from Sydney to Dallas/Forth Worth and Melbourne to Los Angeles, leaving Sydney-LAX as Qantas' only superjumbo route. The airline expects these changes to remain in place until at least September 2020.
But it's not only the A380 routes which are being felled. Qantas will also suspend its Melbourne-San Franciso and Brisbane-San Francisco Boeing 787 flights, delay the launch of its new Brisbane-Chicago service, and cancel the mid-year seasonal Sydney-Vancouver Boeing 787.
“In the past fortnight we’ve seen a sharp drop in bookings on our international network as the global coronavirus spread continues," says Qantas Group CEO Alan Joyce.
“We expect lower demand to continue for the next several months, so rather than taking a piecemeal approach we’re cutting capacity out to mid-September. This improves our ability to reduce costs as well as giving more certainty to the market, customers and our people."
Qantas flights cut, and exec salaries too
The continued and unpredictable sweep of the coronavirus across Europe and North America over the past fortnight, as well as its continued spread through Asia, has seen travel demand and forward bookings nose-dive, with no clear sign of when they will recover.
"We retain the flexibility to cut further or to put capacity back in as this situation develops," adds Joyce, who will draw no salary until at least July 2020, while the Qantas board and executive team will take a 30% cut in fees and salaries.
In light of the dramatic cuts – which represent a total 23% reduction in international capacity, or the equivalent of grounding 38 aircraft, all Qantas and Jetstar employees will be asked to take paid or unpaid leave.
Here's a rundown of the dramatic changes that will reshape the Qantas international network from the coming weeks through to mid-September 2020.
Qantas flights to London now via Perth, not Singapore
As of April 20, Qantas' flagship QF1/QF2 service to London via Singapore will be re-routed via Perth and become a non-stop Boeing 787-9 to London.
This will run alongside the current QF9/QF10 service, resulting in two daily Perth-London flights on the red-tailed Dreamliner.
The daily QF37/QF38 Melbourne-Singapore flights will be cancelled as of April 20, while the sibling QF35/QF36 service – which was already being downgraded from an Airbus A380 to a Boeing 787 from March 29 – will now shift to an Airbus A330 as of May 4.
Closure of Qantas Singapore First Lounge
With fewer passengers flying to Singapore, and none flying through Singapore to London or back due to the rerouting of QF1/QF2 via Perth – as well as the withdrawal of the first class-equipped A380s from the Lion City – Qantas will temporarily pull down the shutters on its Singapore first class lounge, which opened only in November 2019.
The Qantas Singapore First Lounge will close as of Monday April 20 for an estimated five months through to at least September 2020, or until the A380s resume Singapore-London flights and Qantas believes there is sufficient demand to re-open the lounge.
In the meantime, all loungeworthy travellers will be directed to the Qantas Singapore Business Lounge, which has recently been expanded to increase capacity to almost 600 guests.
Read more: Qantas will close its Singapore first class lounge from April 20
Qantas flights to the USA
Melbourne-San Francisco and Brisbane-San Francisco flights will be suspended from April 18.
Qantas' Sydney-San Francisco service will continue, but with its Boeing 787 swapped back to the Boeing 747 as of April 18 to help cater for SF-bound flyers from Melbourne and Brisbane who need to re-route their travel via Sydney.
The non-stop Brisbane-Chicago, due to launch on April 15, is being suspended until further notice, while the Sydney-Vancouver seasonal service, slated to run across June-July, is being withdrawn altogether.
Daily Sydney-Dallas/Fort Worth flights will continue, but from April 20 will use a Boeing 787 in place of an Airbus A380.
Likewise, a Boeing 787 will replace the Melbourne-Los Angeles Airbus A380 from June 1.
Qantas flights to Japan
Qantas' daily Sydney-Tokyo/Haneda flights will shift down from a Boeing 747 to an Airbus A330 from March 30.
Cancellations have previously been flagged for Brisbane-Tokyo, Melbourne -Tokyo, Sydney-Osaka and Sydney-Sapporo, although no details are at hand.
Qantas flights to Hong Kong, China
Having previously announced that Sydney-Hong Kong flights would be cut back to one per day as of March 30 with the cancellation of QF127/QF128, this reduced frequency will now continue through until -September.
Melbourne-Hong Kong's QF29/QF30 is being further wound back to four flights per week, with Brisbane-Hong Kong (QF97/98) trimmed to three flights per week.
Qantas will also extend the suspension of its Sydney-Shanghai flights "until at least mid-July".
In addition, Qantas' Sydney-Santiago flights will continue on a Boeing 747 instead of the planned change to a Boeing 787 as of August 1.
Travel arrangements for affected passengers
Qantas says it will contact customers affected by these changes in the coming week, although "customers who booked via a travel agent (including online travel agents) will be contacted by their agent rather than the airline."
The airline says that customers flying internationally can expect to be offered an alternative flight via another capital city or a partner airline, or an alternative day.
Qantas is also waiving change fees for new international bookings made from today until the end of March, if customers change their travel plans, for travel commencing up to 30 June 2020, although "customers will need to pay any fare difference".
Airbus A380 upgrades to continue, early exit for Boeing 747s?
Two of Qantas' Airbus A380s are currently being fitted with the latest seats and suites, and Joyce says the superjumbo upgrade program will continue as planned.
“We still have every intent to reconfigure those aircraft and keep them in the fleet for the next decade because when this rebounds, we’ll need those aircraft back."
“It’s hard to predict how long this situation will last, which is why we’re moving now to make sure we remain well positioned," he added. "But we know it will pass, and we’ll be well positioned to take advantage of opportunities when it does.”
Joyce also said that the airline's five remaining Boeing 747 jumbo jets due to be retired by the end of 2020 could be put out to pasture even sooner, saying "if things were really bad, we would bring the retirement forward."
At the same time, Qantas hopes to push back its planned purchase of Airbus A350 jets for non-stop Project Sunrise flights to London and New York.
"We would rather wait for the coronavirus issue to be out of the way before we put a firm aircraft order in for the A350," Joyce says.
Read more: Qantas looks to delay Airbus A350 purchase for Project Sunrise
David Flynn is the Editor-in-Chief of Executive Traveller and a bit of a travel tragic with a weakness for good coffee, shopping and lychee martinis.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
10 Apr 2016
Total posts 60
Will they also now temporarily also close the new 1st class lounge in Singapore in order to save costs in line with the timing of the change via Perth.
10 Jul 2018
Total posts 104
Yes, that will happen presumably when QF1/2 re-routes to Perth on the B787 from April 20.
Guests will be redirected to the Singapore Business Lounge.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
01 Nov 2016
Total posts 130
Makes even more sense to use the 380 given the Melbourne and Brisbane direct SFO flights are temporarily cancelled. A first class offering to SFO would be enticing am sure for both the business and leisure traveller.
14 Nov 2011
Total posts 23
QF73 back to 747.. Alan Joyce to take no further pay until the end of FY20. Hope he'll be okay. The airline has been actively seeking international cabin crew voluntary redundancies for the last two weeks. As an aside today's QF25 has just 84 pax.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
01 Nov 2016
Total posts 130
Could switch QF73/74 to the 380s with 8 sitting on the ground then retire 2 747s earlier and save money.
21 Aug 2019
Total posts 64
Forward bookings must be dire. QF7/8 three weeks ago was pretty full. Today on QF7 and probably 50% on the main deck. DFW Terminal D was a ghost town arriving at noon. Cabbies complaining (nothing new there). This is life for us regular PAX with Qantas post A380. Understandable but not sure why QF1/2 could not revert to Dubai for a while.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
27 Nov 2017
Total posts 25
Then it's just a rerouting rather than capacity reduction. Plus, what happens if COVID-19 hits the middle east hard - another change required. Many companies forbid their staff to transfer through Asia, so Perth to Heathrow is a safe haven for travel to Europe (for the moment....).
Turkish Airlines - Miles & Smiles
08 Jun 2014
Total posts 262
Were we on the same flight?! I arrived on 9/3/20
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
07 Aug 2013
Total posts 248
Ummm caus UAE already has a number of cases and a transit hub like Dubai is a melting pot for a virus..expect that situation to get worse. Avoiding the middle man and flying direct whilst taking out A380s to continue refurb program without loss of business is a good move.
Qantas
19 Apr 2012
Total posts 1429
Nick there are three reasons i) Dubai like Singapore is a potential cioroviruse hub; ii) Dubai would cost a bit to re-set up there rathen than Perth where they have a set up already; and iii) the A380 is too big for the current demand hence two 787s per day. (rather than the three equivalent of now)
21 Aug 2019
Total posts 64
All valid points. Often track to London via DFW on QF - BA and then SYD on QF. It's either that or via Perth to remain on QF or OW metal. This virus is making a mess of routing and scheduling
22 Sep 2017
Total posts 93
Seems like Qantas will keep 747 and drop A380, in conjunction with Sunrise A350 and 787 for ultra long haul.
24 Aug 2011
Total posts 1208
No, this is not part of a long term plan; it is a emergency reduction in capacity. The 747s will still be removed this year.
05 Apr 2017
Total posts 1
I am currently booked on QF93 departing 1st Aug returning on QF94 26th Aug in First, will Qantas direct me through Sydney?
10 Jul 2018
Total posts 104
You'll probably be downgraded to business by default, so best to contact Qantas today about changing to SYD-LAX in First, sooner rather than later.
12 Oct 2018
Total posts 17
Hypothetical question: I'm flying QF93 in F on points on 6 April so not affected [as yet]). What would happens in this case if F is not available and my seat is downgraded to J. Are a proportion of points refunded?
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
28 Oct 2011
Total posts 467
Hypothetical answer: yes, you should receive the points difference as a refund, but you may have to chase them for it.
12 Oct 2018
Total posts 17
Hypothetical question: I'm flying QF93 in F on points on 6 April so not affected [as yet]).
What would happen in this case if F is no longer available and my seat is downgraded to J. Are a proportion of points refunded?
30 May 2018
Total posts 7
This just happened to me on the Dallas-Sydney route. You will be on the same flight number but on a 787 bumbed down to Business because there is no First on 787s!
02 Dec 2016
Total posts 92
Well I guess my BNE - SFO J class on the 787 in August is not happening now. This was a holiday using points.
Not interested in routing via Sydney on the old J class on the 747, so I wonder if QF will offer an alternative (perhaps LAX) or waive the cancellation penalty.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
28 Oct 2011
Total posts 467
Tell them what alternative you want. Makes their life much easier if you have a plan and just ask them to implement it.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
01 Nov 2016
Total posts 130
With the 380s, 8 being out, 2 in general under maintenance and refurbishment, leaves 2 for the QF11/12 flights. Might be able to speed up the refurbishment of the 9 remaining to be done. I guess the immediate uncertainty might quell that idea. I am on an points ticket to LAX and back in June. Hopefully will be lucky to be on one of the already refurbished aircraft. On a broader note am sure this cutback is going to be across the whole industry and continue for a while.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
01 Nov 2016
Total posts 130
My points ticket is a J class ticket. I suspect they will be on the newly refurbished birds.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
04 Mar 2014
Total posts 204
Yet Qantas has not provided change / cancellations waivers for existing bookings outside of mainland china, whilst many global carriers have.
22 May 2011
Total posts 86
Good point - I would assume the 2 A380s in service would be the refurbed birds - is this an opportunity to speed up the refurb of the remaining? May as well right? ;)
01 Apr 2014
Total posts 113
A380 flying on remaining SYD-LAX service unlikely to be exclusive to the refurbished aircraft, as those refitted aircraft will still need to cycle through planned maintenance; and they will try to spread the flying hours around the fleet.
24 Oct 2010
Total posts 2560
That'd make sense.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
01 Nov 2016
Total posts 130
Just checked my QF11/12 bookings for June and seat map has been updated to new seats. Looks like Qantas are working through the changes.
22 May 2011
Total posts 86
Also, is QF 1/2 now originating from SYD? Ie it's SYD-PER-LHR? And therefore we will see a B787 on the SYD-PER sector?
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
15 Aug 2017
Total posts 116
QF 1/2 is the same just fuel stop in Perth rather than SIN and 787 instead of 380
21 Aug 2019
Total posts 64
It is the same and is not. Fuelling in Perth but the aircraft experience is very different.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
15 Aug 2017
Total posts 116
Of course but he was asking about the flight originating in Sydney which is the same.
10 Mar 2020
Total posts 3
Yes. Singapore is gone forever. Perth will be the stopover even after the virus finished.
24 Oct 2010
Total posts 2560
Qantas hasn't released full details of the new QF1/QF2 as yet, so as much as one would like to think this would be a Boeing 787 from Sydney all the way through to London, we won't know that for a bit.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
19 Jun 2019
Total posts 9
Qantas and Chicago are jinxed, SYDORD was ready and then the GFC, now BNEORD stopped for COVID, maybe look at SEA instead
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
28 Oct 2011
Total posts 467
Chicago - QF's Bermuda Traingle!!
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
11 Oct 2014
Total posts 691
From my memory of the event, SYD was never ready.
The first attempt of QF serving Chicago (ORD) was announced as being Melbourne (MEL) to Chicago. It was a casualty of 9/11 - not the GFC.
Qantas
19 Apr 2012
Total posts 1429
Both Sydney to Chicago and Melbourne to Chicago require(d) a stop in LA. The 789s do not have the legs for non-stop. That is why Brisbane is non-stop and I am sure will be resumed later in the year.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
11 Oct 2014
Total posts 691
The point I made has no reference to the B787.
The Qantas MEL-ORD route announcement was to take effect in 2002. during the days of the B747.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
09 Mar 2017
Total posts 22
So I'm booked in F class on QF1 to SIN on May 20, connecting with BA to LHR. What should I expect from Qantas for a BA issued ticket? I wish to maintain F class so would most likely request EK in F, with QF flight number. Will this happen without my intervention, let's see then?
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
09 Mar 2017
Total posts 22
If if Qantas offload me to a partner OW airline (or EK), they should maintain my same status earn as flying on QF flight number. Likewise, if they downgrade me to J class SYD-SIN, F class status earn. Lots of other airlines and even hotel loyalty programs have come to the party for members during this period of flux (eg stretching out earn/maintain period). I really hope Qantas does too.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
28 Oct 2011
Total posts 467
Being a BA-issued ticket makes it more complicated. I doubt BA will move you to EK.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
28 Oct 2011
Total posts 467
Much more likely is that BA will move you to the BA flight SYD-SIN-LHR.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
01 Nov 2016
Total posts 130
Am booked end of Sept for a family holiday flying Sydney to Chicago via Brisbane. If things get delayed for the launch flight options would be via LAX or DFW with a stop in the first class lounge in Sydney. First world problems.
01 Apr 2014
Total posts 113
Also via SFO is another option for you, with SFO having a similar number of connections to Chicago as LAX does; and SFO arguably more pleasant transfer experience than LAX. My preference would probably be via DFW given only 2.5hrs on the domestic sector up to ORD and many more daily connecting flights than LAX/SFO. A couple of AA international B787 positioning flights also operate between DFW-ORD (there should be a B787 around 12pm most days, and one later on in the evening).
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
01 Nov 2016
Total posts 130
Yes forgot about that option through SFO and a nostalgic ride on the 747 - Queen of the skies. My preference would be DFW for the mid west connection.
Delta Air Lines - SkyMiles
16 Oct 2017
Total posts 157
It'll be interesting to see how many days actually get two services PER-LHR. And to see which service gets cancelled if the two scheduled 787 flights are merged into one for yield purposes.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
15 Aug 2017
Total posts 116
They will run independently as 2 per day I believe. PER-LHR is always full on QF9 even now.
04 Jun 2018
Total posts 19
Has QF shared the new timings for QF1/2 yet?
24 Aug 2011
Total posts 1208
Slot restrictions at Heathrow probably mean arrival into London will remain at around 6AM with departure from London around 8:30PM. This will mean both flights will depart Perth within 45 minutes of each other but return at different times with PER-SYD sector basically being a red-eye arriving into Sydney early morning.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
02 Aug 2017
Total posts 3
I just went onto Qantas live chat to discuss my options for an upcoming booking on QF49 MEL to SFO on 4/5 and the chat agent seemed to think the service will still be running at that time....who to believe? Perhaps they are yet to be briefed on the latest from Qantas.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
09 Mar 2017
Total posts 22
Call centre staff seem to know nothing - even on the Platinum/premium desk. So frustrating
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
01 Nov 2016
Total posts 130
I think the pace of change and decisions made will take time to get communicated back internally. As frustrating it is and can be, unfortunately the circumstances here are very different. A combination of information overload externally and slow internal communication. Interesting how they have given it as a 6 month view of the schedule as it stands. I guess that is the best crystal ball gazing and view at this stage.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
09 Mar 2017
Total posts 22
Agree #sanj747, although SQ clearly communicated frequent flier changes to all it's members a while ago already. Giving them 2 years (instead of one) to attain or retain status. I hope and expect Qantas to do something similar. I am due to attain P1 status in June but if they downgrade my F class to J class I will be below the earn amount.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
01 Nov 2016
Total posts 130
@Skoffman agree with you. I feel Qantas have a missed a basic trick here. Need to keep their customers informed and give the top tier customers due credit given the current issues. The recent double status credits offer has backfired and with troubled headwinds and turbulence they will need more than Mr Joyce taking a pay cut for the rest of the financial year to stave off the pressure.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
27 Nov 2017
Total posts 25
Given the flights aren't even uploaded into their reservation system yet, it's pretty hard for them to actually do anything.
10 Mar 2020
Total posts 3
I have an 8 day stopover in Singapore at the end of April, then the now cancelled flight to London. So far Qantas (through twitter) has offered a flight with BA to London or cancel Singapore and use the fly through Perth service.
Previously Qantas were not interested one bit in helping me readjust my schedule without VERY heavy change of ticket/fees/change in ticket price. Now waiting for the official email from Qantas which apparently I will receive this week. Paid extra for very good seats which we probably have now lost.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
02 Aug 2014
Total posts 3
Does anyone know how many a380s are currently refreshed and when they start grounding the a380s if they will use the refreshed aircraft? I have an upcoming flight from LAX to MEL other than checking the seat map constantly how does one know if it's a refurbed aircraft and when does it normally reflect in the seat map?
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
09 Mar 2017
Total posts 22
You'd hope common sense would say the 4 remaining big birds would all be refreshed ones. But I've seen Qantas operate with a lot less common sense before, so I just wouldn't be too sure.
01 Apr 2014
Total posts 113
Only using the aircraft with refreshed interiors during this time is only part of the bigger picture. They will also factor in scheduled maintenance and spreading the flying hours over the whole fleet, or at least a sub-fleet or 4 to 6. If all the SYD-LAX flying is only done by 2 birds, then that will shorten their useful life - but that may yet provide another option if they decide to retire a couple of airframes earlier than planned.
Qantas
19 Apr 2012
Total posts 1429
reeve 35 the landings in heathrow are 1.5 hours apart so hopefully the baby lounge at Perth wont to too overcrowded and there won't be too much of a cross over between flights.
QFP
22 Jan 2013
Total posts 93
Any ideas where their going to park the a380's
Interesting time for tech crews- lots of OT for 787 drivers and holidays for A380 drivers.
Qantas
19 Apr 2012
Total posts 1429
Flyman Sydney has space for a couple and Melbourne for a few more. I suspect they will spread the between Sydney and Melbourne which ever airport offer the best deal for six months parking. Alice Spring is a favorite long term parking place but not sure the runway (width) can handle an A380.
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
19 May 2017
Total posts 9
Does anyone know when the plane change from 747 to A330 for the Syd Hnd route starts?
24 Oct 2010
Total posts 2560
March 30.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
31 Jul 2018
Total posts 8
Hopefully QF1 can be booked as a domestic leg like QF9
24 Oct 2010
Total posts 2560
That'd certainly be nice, especially if QF9 leaves from Sydney's T1 international terminal :)
10 Mar 2020
Total posts 3
Hi. Just a question, will Qantas stop Singapore-London flights forever or is it just temporary?
Perth London double daily is okay, but I'll really miss flying through Singapore on the A380. It hasn't even been two years :(
05 May 2016
Total posts 616
Project Sunrise won't be ready for years. It's likely that within the next 6-18 months demand will return to normal and QF will resume flying via SIN.
To remove F albeit temporarily from QF1 the flagship route for QF would not be a decision that QF would have taken likely or want to remain longer than necessary.
24 Oct 2010
Total posts 2560
The current thinking is that SYD-SIN-LHR will return once things settle down and travel patterns are back to normal.
Qantas
19 Apr 2012
Total posts 1429
David given the capacity increase that the A350-1000 will mean when they come along in 2023 or 2024 Qantas may revert QF1/2 back to Perth on a 789 and thus save the Singapore stopover costs. Presuming the Perth ones are lower of course.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer P1
23 Aug 2014
Total posts 146
Would it make sense to refresh some A380s while they are stagnant?
Singapore Airlines - KrisFlyer
14 Jan 2014
Total posts 340
This Coronavirus is QUITE the palaver!!
I hope everyone has enough toilet paper stockpiled ;-)
Cathay Pacific - Asia Miles
27 Nov 2012
Total posts 45
Just bought a 20kg bag of rice, so I'll probably be using rice paper for a few years!
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
01 Nov 2016
Total posts 130
Am Platinum and have been for the last 4 years. Flying Sydney to Melbourne today on a sale fare. Got to the airport earlier than expected and asked at the lounge if I could get on an earlier flight and the answer was no. Given announcements yesterday I would have thought the basic premise would be to get bums on seats and at least make the effort with loyal frequent flyers. Have flown significantly already this year both domestically and internationally and more travel already booked for the year ahead. Very poor and Qantas are in many ways out of touch with their customer base.
Qantas
19 Apr 2012
Total posts 1429
Sanj747 the issue is ‘sale' fare which I seldom buy for the reason you described. The solution is to buy non-sale fares which is more possible for changes (forward loading is the jargon they use) being platinum, which I have done a couple of weeks ago, or flexible which is automatic. That is why sale fares are exactly that, the sale conditions appropriate to the fare and your status can be seen as you book.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
01 Nov 2016
Total posts 130
patrickk thank you and appreciate the advice. I am well aware of the fare conditions. I have been on a same fare from Melbourne to Sydney quite a few times over the last few months and have had many other agents change put me on an earlier flight as early as last week. My point in this case is how single minded Qantas are given the current situation with travel and for those of us that are on a plane every week with the airline loyalty needs to go both ways.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
01 Nov 2016
Total posts 130
Return flight back to Sydney this morning and agent at check in was great and had me in an earlier flight with a spare seat next to me. Great service as she said we always like to look after our frequent flyers. Will make sure to let Qantas know. It's just the simple things that help. Have always found ground and lounge service out of Melbourne much better than Sydney. Well done Qantas and thank you.
Qantas
19 Apr 2012
Total posts 1429
sanj747 this is similar to the recent conversation on free upgrades for plats. My view is not to expect it, but be very grateful when it comes along. As a plat I get very well treated and occasionally rules are bent for me which is lovely.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
14 Aug 2015
Total posts 34
24 hours since the changes were announced and they still have not updated their timetables or the booking system
Web site still shows QF1 via Singapore on a A380 departing 6th May.
Yes qantas wants loyalty but it's all one sided theirs !!!
11 Sep 2015
Total posts 225
Patience, gsx, this is a massive set of changes and there must be a lot to be taken into account, including timings for the new QF1 and QF2, especially QF2 and the PER-SYD leg which has to skirt SYD curfew. You don't reckon the QF ops people are sitting around twiddling their thumbs, do you? I reckon they're flat-strap pulling it all together so that timetables and the GDS can be updated, booked passengers can be contacted with a complete set of options and so on.
Qantas
19 Apr 2012
Total posts 1429
Also they may have announced it without getting a formal approval from Perth airport, which I'm sure will be forthcoming, but given their ‘strained' relations Perth airport may want to enjoy a little schaudenfreude.
02 Dec 2016
Total posts 92
I noticed that the BNE - SFO flight is now showing as via SYD, but still on 787 metal (in August). I thought the plan was to sub out the 787 and replace with the 747. Does anyone know what the plan is?
29 Nov 2019
Total posts 3
we have FF booking on Qf 75 using alaska miles in July . Based on research and QF announcment, SYd-YVR seasonal June/July cancelled although not updated in system. Will QF reroute us, or is this upto Alaska? Does Alaska have access to QF routing we cant see, as there is no award availability for all July on QF website. Thoughts?
07 Dec 2016
Total posts 37
So what is happening with Bris-Sin, please? Is QF jettisoning that service and once again leaving it to SQ to pick up the fares and the loyalty? FYI Singapore has had no Covid-19 deaths, thanks to the Red Dot's experience with SARS.
01 Apr 2014
Total posts 113
Flight reductions to SIN by both SQ
05 Mar 2015
Total posts 416
Qantas hasn't announced any cuts for BNE-SIN. But despite the Govt's work, Singapore is a ghost town right now. I was there on the weekend. Never seen so few people of a Sunday.
03 May 2013
Total posts 683
I hope Qantas respect customer loyalty and also factor in status retention just as Hyatt has done- extending my current status one year.....now that's real recognition of loyalty and the current situation. Just as Qantas needs to cut and trim so do members who would otherwise be flying. ET I would hope, as I'm sure many here would, any clarification from Qantas regarding status retention.
Qantas
19 Apr 2012
Total posts 1429
Given my work views on travel for the rest of the year my double status credits flights may be done for as my maintaining platinum, so a one year grace period would be great.
01 Aug 2019
Total posts 3
Hi - We are currently booked QF51-QF1-QF2-QF52 in early September. I know it is some time off, but with the notified change in QF1 and no mention of QF51, I'm having difficulty in seeing how we (or the people travelling sooner) make it from SIN-LHR and back? Has anyone else found any information on travelling from BNE to LHR?
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
28 Oct 2011
Total posts 467
QF will contact you. There are no changes as yet to QF51 and 52. So the options to consider will be:
1.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
28 Oct 2011
Total posts 467
I wrote quite a detailed response above, with what will be the 4 options for rerouting that QF might be able to offer. But the published response only included the first line. Same thing happened to me yesterday. There is some bug on this site!!
01 Apr 2014
Total posts 113
Same problem here - has happened a few times to me when trying to post more than 1 line.
01 Aug 2019
Total posts 3
John - I appreciate your efforts despite the glitch. Thanks.
Luckily time is on my side, and I know that Qantas will need to contact me and the many others in the same position so I'm happy to sit and wait at present.
Cheers
QF
04 Apr 2014
Total posts 209
I'm booked LAX-MEL on April 23rd, was on QF96 but have been moved to QF94 which is still an A380 and the seat map indicates a refurbished aircraft. I guess they merged the two flights. At this stage 94 looks pretty full going by Expert Flyer.
01 Apr 2014
Total posts 113
The removal of B787's from MEL/BNE/SYD to SFO on 18th June directly covers 4 aircraft daily, SYD-SFO vv (from 18th June) and SYD-DFW vv (from 20th June) using the B787. The QF1 changing to B787 up to LHR will be covered by reductions into Asia (and some switching to A330) , and staying with B747 on SYD-SCL.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
28 Aug 2015
Total posts 14
With the majority of the A380 technical crew sitting idle this gives Mr Joyce the leverage he needs to get the Project sunrise deal done with the pilots.
12 Mar 2020
Total posts 1
Hello
We are due to travel from Sydney to Singapore on 19th April and then from Singapore to London 21st April both legs with Qantas. Does this mean we will could be left stranded in Singapore or dumped with a 'partner' airline.
Trying to switch to the direct Sydney-Perth-London route seems to be impossible as we cannot get through to either our booking agent or Qantas.
Any suggestions?
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
01 Nov 2016
Total posts 130
They are am sure working through the many ticket changes that are in front of them. Immediate options would be BA out of Sydney. Just keep trying to make contact with the agent as if it was booked through an agent Qantas would most likely refer you back to your agent.
10 Mar 2020
Total posts 3
Hi Welbure
We have the same flight a few days later. Last I was told via twitter was either to take BA from Singapore (they fly approximately the same time as Qantas) or cancel Singapore and fly through Perth. They will give you these options I would guess. Not sure how you would go with any seats you have purchased. Qantas have not been in touch? I would have thought they might as yours is the first to be altered.
Good Luck.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
09 Jun 2011
Total posts 88
Waiting waiting waiting for Qantas to release me from my F seats on QF1 and QF2 in May so my travel agent can rebook.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
21 Mar 2017
Total posts 40
Has anyone heard from QF yet?
Flying LHR SIN SYD MEL on April 30th. Booking still shows as an A380.
10 Mar 2020
Total posts 3
Not me Richard 89
This is what I got yesterday on twitter
We will be in contact with passengers based on priority of departure and appreciate your patience to wait to be contacted by us. For the latest information on flight changes, please visit http://Qantas.com. Safia .
Hi Guest, join in the discussion on Coronavirus: Qantas cuts Airbus A380 flights, drops Singapore-London