I see Qantas are putting the A380 on the SYD/HKG route (QF127/128) from 4th December until the end of March 2020. This is the same as what they have done in previous years during the peak travel season. Does anyone know if they are selling first class on these flights this year or are allowing top tier frequent flyers to select “business” seats in the first class section?
Last year I think they sold first class but when I do a search for first class seats during this period this year, it comes up as not available.
There has always been 1 spare A380 to rotate through heavy maintenance, except over busy New Years period when it is normally used on SYD-HKG. The change to B787 on MEL-LHR as mentioned above has freed up 2x A380's; one of which allows daily MEL-SIN-MEL (before operating as MEL-LAX QF93), and the other 1 in for A380 cabin refit at same time as C Checks (in most instances).
After the cabin refit is complete on the A380 fleet, there will be some schedule tweaks. Personally, I would like to see A380 to HKG year round (or NRT) to fill in the F cabin gap on these sectors to OneWorld hubs. Possibly JNB / SCL split a few days each week, but not sure the current load factors or F cabin demand would be justified for those. Reckon we will see another A380 to Asia next.
What I'm surprised about at the moment though is there used to be a 747 running year round when the 380 wasn't scheduled. In addition to the 330 that is also always scheduled.
Since the 747 was dropped to the 787, the 330 continues as before, but the overall capacity Sydney - hk is quite reduced overall in the off peak parts of the year.
I thought the 747 was mostly relatively full when I flew it on this trip though.
Could this be the addition of the Virgin flights taking some of the excess capacity that Qantas used to have on this route??
There has always been 1 spare A380 to rotate through heavy maintenance, except over busy New Years period when it is normally used on SYD-HKG. The change to B787 on MEL-LHR as mentioned above has freed up 2x A380's; one of which allows daily MEL-SIN-MEL (before operating as MEL-LAX QF93), and the other 1 in for A380 cabin refit at same time as C Checks (in most instances).
After the cabin refit is complete on the A380 fleet, there will be some schedule tweaks. Personally, I would like to see A380 to HKG year round (or NRT) to fill in the F cabin gap on these sectors to OneWorld hubs. Possibly JNB / SCL split a few days each week, but not sure the current load factors or F cabin demand would be justified for those. Reckon we will see another A380 to Asia next.
Agree with the next A380 into Asia. I suspect it will be Tokyo as the 747s one by one come offline completely in 2020.
There's logically extra traffic to Tokyo with the Olympics looming next year so I would think the A380 would be used leading to that as a replacement for the 747 and afterwards at least. Although it's debateable how much extra capacity is needed for the Olympics from Australia anyway I don't recall much extra capacity was added for other Olympics in the past besides the chartered flights for the athletes themselves.
Still it's a possible consideration though.
A380 would have to go to Narita though. Hanaeda is too crowded. Also qf has their own lounge at Narita and not Hanaeda. So makes sense to keep it all based there.
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Qantas A380 first class to Hong Kong
rwSydney
rwSydney
British Airways - Executive Club
Member since 23 Mar 2018
Total posts 48
I see Qantas are putting the A380 on the SYD/HKG route (QF127/128) from 4th December until the end of March 2020. This is the same as what they have done in previous years during the peak travel season. Does anyone know if they are selling first class on these flights this year or are allowing top tier frequent flyers to select “business” seats in the first class section?
SimonFrost
SimonFrost
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 10 Jul 2013
Total posts 70
Have you tried doing a dummy booking and see if you can select the F seats?
Covo95
Covo95
Member since 30 Jul 2015
Total posts 52
I gave it a go myself and yes first class is being sold.
rwSydney
rwSydney
British Airways - Executive Club
Member since 23 Mar 2018
Total posts 48
Thanks. Just tried to do a dummy booking again but you can only book flights from 12th December onwards (despite the A380 starting the route on 4th).
rwSydney
rwSydney
British Airways - Executive Club
Member since 23 Mar 2018
Total posts 48
On a different note, I’m actually surprised they have a spare A380 to put onto this route this year what with the refurbishment schedule.
GregXL
GregXL
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 26 May 2014
Total posts 320
Since QF 9/10 moved to 787s, the A380s are under-utilised. The long haul routes to LAX, DFW and LHR only need 9 out of the fleet of 12.
born2fish
born2fish
Member since 01 Apr 2014
Total posts 19
moa999
moa999
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 02 Jul 2011
Total posts 834
There is usually a gap in heavy maintenance over Dec/Jan to allow for the summer schedule
Madhatter49
Madhatter49
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
Member since 11 Dec 2016
Total posts 86
What I'm surprised about at the moment though is there used to be a 747 running year round when the 380 wasn't scheduled. In addition to the 330 that is also always scheduled.
Since the 747 was dropped to the 787, the 330 continues as before, but the overall capacity Sydney - hk is quite reduced overall in the off peak parts of the year.
I thought the 747 was mostly relatively full when I flew it on this trip though.
Could this be the addition of the Virgin flights taking some of the excess capacity that Qantas used to have on this route??
sanj747
sanj747
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 01 Nov 2016
Total posts 148
Originally Posted by born2fish
Agree with the next A380 into Asia. I suspect it will be Tokyo as the 747s one by one come offline completely in 2020.
Madhatter49
Madhatter49
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
Member since 11 Dec 2016
Total posts 86
There's logically extra traffic to Tokyo with the Olympics looming next year so I would think the A380 would be used leading to that as a replacement for the 747 and afterwards at least. Although it's debateable how much extra capacity is needed for the Olympics from Australia anyway I don't recall much extra capacity was added for other Olympics in the past besides the chartered flights for the athletes themselves.
Still it's a possible consideration though.
A380 would have to go to Narita though. Hanaeda is too crowded. Also qf has their own lounge at Narita and not Hanaeda. So makes sense to keep it all based there.