ADL - SYD Flight Diverted to MEL on 14 March due to storms in Sydney

I seek some advice from my well-travelled colleagues.

Landing at Canberra at midnight would have meant no ground staff there to meet the aircraft.

Many thanks Aklrunway - the flight started its first holding pattern west of Wagga Wagga at 9.20pm - so it could have made it back to ADL or on to CBR or BNE before any curfew issues arose, but I do appreciate your advice.

Remember, this would not have been the only flight that was diverted - so it probably bad luck that this flight got Melb. And as the weather band also included Brisbane, it may not have been possible to divert to there. And of course, any long haul flights that needed diverting usually get priority due to fuel factors. Multiple diversions cause this sort of havoc - part and parcel of travel. As far as keeping the club open - it is a nice idea, but how do you get the staff at short notice? The way it was handled could have been better from a PR standpoint, but the actual outcome for passengers would most likely be the same. Last time this happened to me, a $200 voucher for future travel and an apology arrived the next week.

Surely there had to be some rooms available. Can't imagine the whole of Melbourne completely booked out on a Thursday. I understand rooms from earlier diverted flights would have snapped up a lot, but with 34k hotel rooms in Melbourne, it really surprises me that your wife had to sleep at the airport. Even with F1 this weekend, I just did a quick search for tonight(Friday night) and there is no shortage of rooms available.

I had the same a few weeks ago. Hotel airports sold out, city airports packed. Ended up at the Best western Reservoir (on my own research). If your wife couldn’t find accom herself, I wouldn’t blame Qantas for not being able to find accom either. If the city is full, its full.

yes, do complain - call QF and demand apology and ask for compensation (at least the Valet $). They prob won't care too much but worth a try. In general, they need to be better organised with IRROPS

I agree that you should complain. 5000 extra FF points as 'compensation' would be insufficient.

Everytime I have been diverted or cancelled flights QF booked the hotel for me.

There was only the one flight diverted to CBR which was a virgin flight from Brisbane. There were also a few international diversion to Mel including emirates a380 and Hawaiian airlines so would explain how busy it was

Ive had two overnight delays in the past year - one in SYD due to storms and one in LAX due to aircraft issues (on a crappy 747). Whilst id not complain on the delay itself I have to say the way Qantas handles these issues is terrible! They need some serious training and upskilling and develop better processes and systems for delays. Queueing until 5am waiting for an accomodation voucher in LAX with two tired young children was so stressful and it didnt need to be.

Many thanks for your feedback and comments. As I said in my original post we have no issue about the re-direction as weather is beyond the control of anyone, my gripe was the way Qantas poorly handled the situation - you cannot tell me that every Qantas staff member clocked off after the last flight landed. Working in a customer related field I know all too well how a simple bottle of water, a blanket and 'we are sorry' would have been appreciated by the passengers.