Qantas will fly an A380 between Melbourne and Tokyo/Narita on October 21, instead of an A330, as flights QF97 and QF80. Apparently the Tokyo-Melbourne flight QF80 is a charter flight so it's not available for booking but the Melbourne-Tokyo flight QF79 can be booked. Not as good a business class as the A330 but hey, it's an A380. Wonder if there is the option for business class passengers with Platinum or above status to preselect a seat in the first class cabin, just like there was when the A380 used to fly SYD-HKG without F being sold?
Looks like the charter is timed for the quarter finals of the Rugby World Cup. Seems they're pretty confident that Australia will make it through the pool matches....
QF79 to NRT on 21 October shows up on ExpertFlyer with the first-class seats listed as business class inventory, so the answer appears most likely to be 'yes'.
If its rugby related, I don't understand why it is MEL. Rugby is a fringe sport in MEL, much bigger in NSW and QLD.
I agree. AsiaBiz Traveller says the absence of a QF 80 from NRT to MEL on 21 Oct is because the A380's operating a charter on the return. That's the day after the quarter-finals finish but before the semi-finals which start on the 26th. Perhaps the charter isn't going to MEL? There doesn't appear to be any similar A380 operation between MEL and NRT prior to the World Cup pool games starting or prior to the quarter-finals. Curious.
Left field thought....Japanese Motor GP ends on the 20 Oct. The following weekend is the Australian GP @ Phillip Island. A380 put on to transport extra freight, teams / fans?
Qantas will fly an A380 between Melbourne and Tokyo/Narita on October 21, instead of an A330, as flights QF97 and QF80. Apparently the Tokyo-Melbourne flight QF80 is a charter flight so it's not available for booking but the Melbourne-Tokyo flight QF79 can be booked. Not as good a business class as the A330 but hey, it's an A380. Wonder if there is the option for business class passengers with Platinum or above status to preselect a seat in the first class cabin, just like there was when the A380 used to fly SYD-HKG without F being sold?
The whole First cabin (1-5) QF79 is available for top tier Frequent Flyers
Left field thought....Japanese Motor GP ends on the 20 Oct. The following weekend is the Australian GP @ Phillip Island. A380 put on to transport extra freight, teams / fans?
Left field thought....Japanese Motor GP ends on the 20 Oct. The following weekend is the Australian GP @ Phillip Island. A380 put on to transport extra freight, teams / fans?
Seems a convincing explanation.
Correct. Flight chartered by Dorna (commercial rights holder for MotoGP/Moto2/Moto3).
Paddock staff/teams/crew to be transported to MEL.
Closest major city to Motegi race track is Tokyo. Will be return flight to MEL late Sunday night/Monday morning.
Id imagine more planes for cargo - from memory DHL are logistics partner for Dorna.
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Qantas Airbus A380 Melbourne-Tokyo on Oct 21 2019
AsiaBizTraveller
AsiaBizTraveller
Member since 20 Nov 2015
Total posts 43
Qantas will fly an A380 between Melbourne and Tokyo/Narita on October 21, instead of an A330, as flights QF97 and QF80. Apparently the Tokyo-Melbourne flight QF80 is a charter flight so it's not available for booking but the Melbourne-Tokyo flight QF79 can be booked. Not as good a business class as the A330 but hey, it's an A380. Wonder if there is the option for business class passengers with Platinum or above status to preselect a seat in the first class cabin, just like there was when the A380 used to fly SYD-HKG without F being sold?
Joshb
Joshb
Qantas - QFF Platinum
Member since 20 Mar 2012
Total posts 123
Interesting!
CBR boy
CBR boy
Member since 12 Feb 2015
Total posts 61
QF79 to NRT on 21 October shows up on ExpertFlyer with the first-class seats listed as business class inventory, so the answer appears most likely to be 'yes'.
reeves35
reeves35
Member since 24 Aug 2011
Total posts 79
If its rugby related, I don't understand why it is MEL. Rugby is a fringe sport in MEL, much bigger in NSW and QLD.
CBR boy
CBR boy
Member since 12 Feb 2015
Total posts 61
I agree. AsiaBiz Traveller says the absence of a QF 80 from NRT to MEL on 21 Oct is because the A380's operating a charter on the return. That's the day after the quarter-finals finish but before the semi-finals which start on the 26th. Perhaps the charter isn't going to MEL? There doesn't appear to be any similar A380 operation between MEL and NRT prior to the World Cup pool games starting or prior to the quarter-finals. Curious.
AsiaBizTraveller
AsiaBizTraveller
Member since 20 Nov 2015
Total posts 43
Maybe some major corp client is doing a massive junket charter, but it's still strange the charter is just one way?
hutch
hutch
Member since 07 Oct 2012
Total posts 771
Left field thought....Japanese Motor GP ends on the 20 Oct. The following weekend is the Australian GP @ Phillip Island. A380 put on to transport extra freight, teams / fans?
grumpytravel
grumpytravel
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 12 Jun 2016
Total posts 20
The whole First cabin (1-5) QF79 is available for top tier Frequent Flyers
CBR boy
CBR boy
Member since 12 Feb 2015
Total posts 61
Seems a convincing explanation.
lancer
lancer
Member since 06 Feb 2018
Total posts 5