Qantas is ramping up its flights to Asia with a third Sydney-Singapore service taking wing from December, while Sydney-Jakarta and Sydney-Noumea will also see flights on more days each week.
Between Sydney and Singapore from December 14, the new QF83 service will run on Mondays, Fridays and Sundays – returning as QF84 on the same days – and will operate alongside Qantas' existing double-daily flights of QF1/2 and QF81/82 on the same route.
Using an Airbus A330 aircraft, passengers in business class will travel in Qantas' Business Suites, offering fully-flat beds and direct aisle access from every seat.
However, that extra flight is only going to add to the crowding issues which have seen Qantas turning passengers – including Qantas Club members, Gold-grade frequent flyers and those holding a free lounge invitation – away from its Singapore lounge.
Read more: Qantas is turning travellers away from overcrowded Singapore lounge
Travellers jetting from Sydney to Jakarta will see the schedule increase to six days per week (up from five at present) with a flight on Thursdays. This route also uses an Airbus A330 aircraft.
Between Sydney and Noumea, an extra return Boeing 737 flight will run on Wednesdays, joining existing flights on Mondays, Saturdays and Sundays.
Here's the full schedule:
* indicates additional services
With Qantas shelving plans to launch Perth-Johannesburg flights following a dispute with Perth Airport over which terminal the flights would depart from, the Airbus A330 jet earmarked for that service – which would have commenced later this year – has been freed to operate these flights instead.
Between Sydney and Noumea, Qantas also codeshares on Aircalin's flights, which run on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, giving Qantas passengers a daily service: either on a Qantas aircraft or its partner airline, with a full serve of Qantas Points and status credits regardless of which airline operates the flight.
Also read: Qantas expands frequent flyer upgrades to Aircalin flights
Chris is a a former contributor to Executive Traveller.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
04 Mar 2014
Total posts 204
The increase to CGK is good news!
23 Jul 2017
Total posts 99
The Qantas lounge in Singapore is a disaster even before the additional flights. Staff are courteous and efficient, but will be rushed off their feet. I fear impatient Australian travellers will make the staff's life a complete misery.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
16 Apr 2013
Total posts 30
Would have been nice to see some different timings on the Singapore rotation. QF84 will add more lounge pressure at SIN with this timing.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
17 Aug 2012
Total posts 2199
I would prefer to see a later departure ex-SIN, closer to midnight, as that is much easier on the jetlag. I would even go so far as to number that flight QF6.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
14 Sep 2012
Total posts 382
I would have liked an overnight SYD-SG and then a daylight flight SG-SYD.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
17 Aug 2012
Total posts 2199
So, getting into SIN at 3AM?
07 Oct 2012
Total posts 1250
Would be good... but it is nearly impossible to have a reasonable landing time in Singapore with the SYD curfew.
24 Aug 2011
Total posts 1205
Curfew in SYD means flight would have to depart by 2230 which would mean an arrival into SIN at 0330. SQ runs an overnight flight from MEL departing just after midnight arriving at around 0530.
24 Apr 2012
Total posts 2432
Yeah, the Sydney curfew makes things tricky. Emirates runs a Brisbane-Singapore flight that lands in Singapore at 8:15am, but which leaves Brisbane at 2:35am every day - can't do that from Sydney!
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
22 Jul 2015
Total posts 219
Which in itself is tough on the body being up until that hour to board and go through the usual formalities etc. Beautiful country we live in, terrible time zone for travel!
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
22 Jul 2015
Total posts 219
Its that curfew at Sydney again. If the latest departure is 10.30 pm then that would get into Singapore in the wee hours, something like 4am?
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
10 Apr 2016
Total posts 60
Agree that Qantas need to put a morning flight back on out of Singapore but they are obviously trying to run one shift only at Changi for all their aircraft with check in, maintenance, lounge staff, etc. But if SQ can run three morning flights ex Singapore to Sydney then Qantas are really missing something here. I live in Singapore and my wife will only take a day flight with the kids so they always go SQ.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
17 Aug 2012
Total posts 2199
Yes, they are missing something--connecting pax.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
08 Sep 2012
Total posts 236
Good point and it highlights how isolated QF is at Singapore now that it's no longer working with BA while restarting LHR services through there.
07 Oct 2012
Total posts 1250
Having BA as a partner would help with an insignificant amount of traffic in comparison to Singapore Airlines feed through their home Changi hub.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
19 Jun 2017
Total posts 41
It’s urgent to add a variety in timing for SYD-SIN. This is just not adding anything in terms of competition, but also the well known issue of the lounges is about to get worse
QF
24 Jan 2016
Total posts 22
Handy to have these extra flights, in particular to CGK and NOU as they are great destinations to pick for a status run when QF has their "Double Status Credit" offer running. More seats available is a good thing!
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
14 Mar 2017
Total posts 152
24 Apr 2012
Total posts 2432
SQ288 runs via Canberra, getting it out of Sydney before the curfew and into Singapore at a less eye-watering time.
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
14 Mar 2017
Total posts 152
Correct. But it does seem to solve the problem.
16 Feb 2016
Total posts 30
Perhaps QF could do the same? That way there would be that daytime service ex SIN. Haha that will never happen...
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
16 Apr 2013
Total posts 30
For a three times a week schedule it’s a shame ADL to SIN wasn’t added. One can only hope.
17 Sep 2015
Total posts 371
The A333s are already under pressure, so if QF83 and return is one and not just an A332, where is QF pinching it from?
18 Aug 2015
Total posts 55
It could be a 332
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
13 Apr 2016
Total posts 10
Must agree with the other comments that a daytime Singapore - Sydney flight would be far better.
I prefer a daytime flight,
I used to always catch QF5 when it came ex Frankfurt.
An extra night in Singers is never a burden.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
05 Dec 2012
Total posts 24
Once again, its all good if you are a Sydney resident, but, if you want to fly QF Per-Sin, its still on a B737 and only twice a day, which takes the grand total of Qantas International flights from Perth to 3 per day. FYI, SQ flys to SIN 4 times daily with a combo of B777, B787 and A330. Scoot is a better option to SIN from PER, as you get a B787, with a "ScootBiz"seat, if you want it. It really makes maintaining QF status difficult if you live in the west.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
20 May 2013
Total posts 17
Maybe lobby Perth Airport to be more flexible might help with more QF International flights (e.g. JNB)...?!
08 Feb 2018
Total posts 165
I agree, I think recent even have shown it’s Perth Airport that’s the issue, not qan
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
09 Feb 2015
Total posts 388
I was hearing that Qantas were going to add a second Brisbane-Singapore service and adjust QF51 to better link up with QF1. Can’t see this happening now.
12 Dec 2012
Total posts 1029
Maybe they should make QF83 depart SYD around 2130 and having it route via CBR 3 times a week and via BNE 4 times a week. Arrive into SIN in the morning, then return flight back to SYD during the day.
British Airways - Executive Club
10 Apr 2015
Total posts 13
SQ now has three morning flights SIN-SYD and the prices are high, so there is clearly (and I’m included) demand for a day flight from Singapore for tourism/ business, so if only QF could do it...
15 Feb 2018
Total posts 43
As QF83 and 84 are only three days per week, I can see this increasing to daily over forthcoming years. I can also see the first Qantas international service from ADL commencing in a few years, although this could be a 737.
12 Dec 2012
Total posts 1029
They should fix the lounge issue in SIN before adding another 300 odd seats.
As others have said, some better times would be ideal. It's rather annoying to have multiple QF options, all within the same 2 hour block with nothing for the rest of the day.
12 Jan 2016
Total posts 13
Still waiting for QF ADL-SIN.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
21 Jul 2014
Total posts 143
If QF had the A321Lr it would be perfect to do ADL to CGK
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
18 Feb 2018
Total posts 3
Does anyone think QANTAS will do a direct flight from Adelaide to Singapore? I'm sure the best they could offer would be a A330. However with the gateway to both Asia and Europe now through Singapore, I figured it would make sense.
12 Dec 2012
Total posts 1029
I see a QF ADL-SIN starting when a CBR-SIN does.
06 Dec 2017
Total posts 110
It would be nice if there was a QF ADL-SIN that operates say five times a week but as QF5/QF6 starting in Sydney that left SYD around 11am to 12:30pm got into ADL between 12:40pm and 2pm left sometime around 2pm to 3pm all of this depends on time of year obviously to get into Singapore around 7:30pm leaving for it's return journey at 10pm.Well timed to connect to the QF1 onto London and the Air France and Finnair flights to Paris and Helsinki a few hours later going over and the other direction QF2 and the other flights mentioned from their origins in Europe.Not everyone is keen to the UK on Perth to London and having to race against the clock coming off the domestic flight on the way over to make the QF9 BASED on a 5pm departure ex ADL OR A 2PM one or coming home holding out to get one of the last flights of the day PER-ADL.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
04 Nov 2017
Total posts 344
When there's a 737 that has the range of ADL-SIN (with flatbeds in J) perhaps QF may re-enter the ADL-SIN route?
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
25 Aug 2016
Total posts 10
Agree with above. Time to bring back the old day flight that Qantas used to have from SGD to SYD.
22 Sep 2017
Total posts 93
I hope Qantas considers MEL to CGK some time. They might be surprised how many pax SQ take on this route.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
22 Jul 2015
Total posts 219
Being a Sydney sider I guess Air Sydney aka Qantas, have given me a bit more choice although very tough on the other capital cities. The timing is pretty ordinary. Would be happy with a 7am departure so can get into a good half day or work in in SG. Now as for the lounge....oh dear. It may well be Gold and Plat above only.
19 Jun 2018
Total posts 3
A 7 am departure out of Sydney to Singapore may not warrant the same plane coming back to Sydney before the Sydney airport curfew. Maybe a 6 am departure is required for the plane to be back in Sydney before the curfew.
16 Nov 2011
Total posts 580
Don’t see the extra flight having lounge crowding issues. My expeirance is the lounge is crowded for QF2 and the flights that leave around 6pm then until QF1 leaves it has dead spots and busy spots but no close to full.
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
04 Oct 2017
Total posts 4
any additional variety and capacity for flights to Indonesia is appreciated
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
15 Jun 2018
Total posts 4
QANTAS really need to bring back the day flight from SG to Syd e.g. QF32. There is no alternative except maybe Singapore Airlines - no thanks
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
14 Sep 2012
Total posts 382
Hey my suggestion of an overnight SYD-SIN with day flight back is not that zany, in fact QF used to operate it as QF31 ETD was around 2230 and ETA into SG was about 0430 from memory, QF32 day flight home was around 9am. Admittedly it was a through LHR flight and Ops by 744.
12 Dec 2012
Total posts 1029
The last time I got QF32 (just the LHR-SIN sector) was in Oct 2011, a few months before the LHR changes (HKG/BKK cut, QF31/32 number change) the following March.
Departed LHR with the midday slots, arriving SIN ~8am.
07 Oct 2012
Total posts 1250
The key there is that the flight used to fly onto London. The slots QF1/2 uses at Heathrow will dictate the Singapore stopover times.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
15 Mar 2013
Total posts 5
Please give us a daylight SIN-SYD. So much demand versus 3 short killer overnight flights !!!!
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
18 Dec 2016
Total posts 30
Why not use the A330 on the Perth-Singapore route instead? A 737 is not a good aircraft for that route.
07 Oct 2012
Total posts 1250
Why use the A330 on the Perth - Singapore route? A 737 is able to fulfill QFs requirements, they are dealing with a hostile airport and evidently believe they can make more money elsewhere.
30 Mar 2012
Total posts 13
So Hutch, you obviously know more. Let us in on the information. Qantas will never successfully compete with SQ with this choice of aircraft. Some of us taller persons simply do not fit
16 Nov 2011
Total posts 580
Qantas is not trying to compete because they cannot compete.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
11 Dec 2017
Total posts 50
I wouldn’t class QF1 as a ‘minor connection’. Perth attracts a relatively high percentage of premium travellers, which is why both EK and QR are flying A380s into our airport (the load sheets frequently show a full top deck while Y class is at about 50% capacity). Once AJ sorts out the airport board at the start of the next financial year I daresay we’re gonna hear some good news about routes ex Perth!
16 Nov 2011
Total posts 580
Think you may have missed the point why I said QF1 was a minor connection. The point is people coming in from other Qantas ports can connect to QF1 onwards to London and only a handful of other destination (on 3K and some other OneWorld partners)
07 Oct 2012
Total posts 1250
And exactly what issue is that causing QF? All those things I have stated, are effectively what QF has stated themselves.
Delta Air Lines - SkyMiles
14 Apr 2013
Total posts 325
In my opinion, for SIN to work more strategically for QF is to do the following:
12 Jun 2018
Total posts 4
Why do you need an A330 in PER for that ? You have a non stop flight to LHR, EK already flies their A380s into PER and CX already flies into PER with a daily A350.
06 Dec 2017
Total posts 110
there are some people for instance who want their SINGAPORE stopover going to or from the UK.Business travellers excepted what's a few hours at changi then connecting to QF1 OR BA12 OR BA16 GOING OVER mean to the rest of us or in the other direction BA11 OR BA15 OR QF2 having our stop then home to Perth a few days later mean.
12 Dec 2012
Total posts 1029
QF and JL also codeshare via SIN. The 3 JL flights ex SIN to TYO have QF codes and most (all?) of the QF flights into AU ex SIN have JL codes.
06 Dec 2017
Total posts 110
it is good news for those of us not keen on the A380 QF1/QF2 services and are connecting from elsewhere in Australia onto this new QF83/QF84 with the A330.more often than now on anyone but Singapore Airlines and if memory serves me right in the past these sectors were often part of the longer Europe to Australia flights where getting seats even when 747's existed on them was like musical chairs to come by.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
06 Feb 2014
Total posts 5
Please Qantas just getting rid of that awful 737 PER TO SIN on the one per day..would be nice for mostly forgotten WA people
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