Emirates is reducing flights from Sydney and Perth in a series of "adjustments through the year in response to dynamic market conditions."
The Gulf airline and Qantas partner will cut its Perth flights back to a single daily service from March 31 with the axing of flight EK424/EK425. This will leave the sole Perth-Dubai flight as the Airbus A380 service EK420/EK421.
Last year saw Emirates announce plans to trim its Perth schedule to 11 flights per week on a seasonal basis by dropping EK424/EK425 to run only on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays, but as of the end of March this flight is being scrapped for good.
Emirates will also drop the Sydney-Bangkok-Dubai stopover service EK418/EK419 as of June 1, 2019, which will see Emirates' Sydney-Dubai route reduced to three – albeit non-stop – flights per day.
"Customers wishing to travel between Bangkok and Sydney will have flight choices provided by Emirates’ partner Qantas," the airline said.
These changes follow a schedule shake-up for Emirates' Australia flights announced in September 2018 which impacted Airbus A380 flights to Sydney and Melbourne.
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
16 Apr 2013
Total posts 31
Very interesting to see that the SIN-MEL tag survived this round of cuts.
14 Jun 2018
Total posts 11
As well as SIN-BNE
06 Feb 2014
Total posts 119
very disappointing. Since the Qantas /Emirates "alliance" Emirates has now dropped Perth from 3x daily (with 2 A380s) to 1 x A380.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
04 Nov 2017
Total posts 295
The start of the PER-LHR non-stops would've played a role in the cuts as well. It's one of QF's highest yielding flights IIRC.
06 Feb 2014
Total posts 119
Maybein part but that’s 240 seats of additional Qantas capacity with about 750 of Emirates reduced (one way per day). Not to mention the changes (reductions) at the time to Singapore as well by Qantas which they are gradually reinstating.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
15 Aug 2017
Total posts 118
Agree with DanV in that time QR have put on daily 380 to Perth, QF PER-LHR & A330 back on PER-SIN permanently it seems (any qf confirmation in this last point abt?) in any case the EK520/421 nightly 380 is by far the most popular for loads with the best connection times in DXB.
28 Dec 2016
Total posts 70
In other words, less seats, higher prices is the trend
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
09 May 2011
Total posts 363
If the demand was there, the wouldn’t cut them
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
28 Oct 2011
Total posts 438
Hmmm, I'm booked to fly EK SYD-BKK at the end of June, about 4 weeks after the service is cut. So if I'm now to go on QF, departure changes from early evening to 9.30am!!! Annoying, because the evening service has always been my preferred timing.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
10 Dec 2014
Total posts 57
I hope that QF introduces a bigger plane - A380 or 787 - on QF23/24 given the demand will increase. Or even better for me would be introduce a MEL-BKK service.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
04 Nov 2017
Total posts 295
787 would be a capacity decrease on SYD-BKK, as the 787s are premium heavy configured. BKK is traditionally a low yielding market and QF would struggle to fill the premium seats.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
16 Jan 2018
Total posts 113
I’m thinking the additional Perth flight cancellation will be because of the QF 787 Paris flight on the cards. QF will probably go double daily on the BKK flight as well and codeshare twice a day with EK. Win win for both airlines on the BKK flights. On the Perth cancellation though I’d say only QF is a winner if that materialises.
05 Sep 2011
Total posts 1
The suspension of EK418/419 services is extremely disappointing as the flight times have been ideal for me over the years particularly as I connect in and out of CBR. In a day or two EK is altering the aircraft type on the SYD-BKK sector from a A380 to a B777 and from June maybe to a Qantas A330. Importantly, Emirates need to confirm there will be no reduction in Skywards Tier Miles/Miles should one elects to fly on a partner airline?
04 Jun 2018
Total posts 20
The permanent cancelation of EK424/EK425 doesn't surprise me. While the service is busy a few months of the year, for most of 2018 the load factor of this service was well under 50% (and often lower - during off peak months this service often operated with somewhere between 60 and 90pax) even when EK was running 777-200LRs. The service is full 3 to 4 months of the year, so it wouldn't surprise me if it returns on a seasonal only basis in the future.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
15 Aug 2017
Total posts 118
Agree with you but I think DXB has lost its lustre a bit as a destination. Sure you cannot deny it’s superb geographical location for transits especially Aus to Europe. I’m finding myself either on the non stop flight to LHR or going via SIN or HKG simply because I want to stop there instead of Dubai if not going non stop. I also think EK we’re guilty of flooding the market a bit when they had all these flights on with crazy capacity. Now seems they are more yield focussed.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
14 Jan 2019
Total posts 1
Cutting the SYD-BKK service was a real shock. I flew it in mid December and am flying on EK419 again tomorrow night. Since they changed from an A380 to a B777, loadings looked solid. I don’t know how the loadings looked between BKK - DXB. EK has been cutting in this part of the world for a while now, NZ services got hit hard last year. Is there any part of the world that EK is adding services?
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
06 Jul 2017
Total posts 4
This is quite disappointing given that Thai has also recently cut their afternoon SYD-BKK flight. I was booked on that flight and then changed to the morning flight. A day before I flew, Thai called and offered to change me to Emirates (assume Thai was buying the seat) because C & F were overbooked. The return flight was also full. One aging 747 and an A330 a day is not good enough from Sydney to Bangkok.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
26 Sep 2011
Total posts 83
The Thai community in Sydney is going to be disappointed by this decision - many prefer EK over TG
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
17 Jan 2012
Total posts 177
Hopefully this will be the incentive for TG to improve their offering to Sydney. Maybe they will move forward now with the rumoured double daily A359 to replace the B744? Even though there are a lot of B744 lovers out there....a replacement of this aircraft type to a A359 would be a huge upgrade for passengers.
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
24 Aug 2011
Total posts 793
And SQ keeps on keeping on.
11 Dec 2015
Total posts 88
Certainly from the Perth POV it looks like Qantas' direct London flights may be starting to have an impact.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
08 Dec 2014
Total posts 45
Unfortunately that will be dependant on Perth Airport who are desperately trying to prevent it from happening.
29 May 2012
Total posts 2
The airport has not, per se, blocked Qantas from doing it. Qantas is cracking a sad at the airport and not paying their invoices in full, so things are at a stalemate. Plus, from my experience, the international facility at T3 is pretty ordinary compared to T1 at PER.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
09 May 2011
Total posts 363
Perth Airport prevented a new service starting (PER-JNB) by being incredibly restrictive on QF by not allowing them to utilise T3 for this.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
08 Dec 2014
Total posts 45
Qantas is “cracking a sad” precisely because Perth airport are preventing them from expanding their international operations in T3, which of course will be basic when it is only handling 2 flights a day. Imagine how things will improve if Qantas can fly to Paris, Frankfurt, Rome, Johannesburg, Capetown etc, all with seamless connections from Qantas Domestic.
12 Dec 2012
Total posts 1014
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
17 May 2013
Total posts 12
I agree ElllisT, it's a pretty ordinary experience using T3 to travel overseas at the moment. Hope Perth Airport and Qantas can sort out their problems asap..but not holding my breath!
20 Jun 2016
Total posts 2
This is disappointing news, particularly as I’m booked on EK419 in F later in the year. I’m not sure Qantas will be able to offer anything close to replace it. First Emirates take away the chauffeur, now they take away the plane, this is not good!
Emirates Airlines - Skywards
16 Jun 2016
Total posts 16
Mark1 - the Chauffeur Drive offering hasn't changed on paid tickets. Only on redemption tickets.
15 Feb 2018
Total posts 46
Emirates would be looking at the overall financial return before making these decisions. Obviously the flights weren’t making money, so why keep them? It is an ideal opportunity for Qantas to increase its BKK services.
14 Jan 2019
Total posts 14
Qantas have already jacked the fares up after Emirates stops
11 Jan 2017
Total posts 15
I could see that coming as well - now it will competition between two premium airlines that operate direct, non-stop service.
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
19 Feb 2014
Total posts 452
This is reflective with the swap in fare prices, with QR now becoming a lot more expensive ex-Perth. Looks like QR is mopping up those remaining passengers quite nicely.
04 Jun 2018
Total posts 20
This is very much apparent as QR only promised A380 service to Perth until October 2018, but now it appears to be a permanent change. The load factors have been extremely high (90%+) in the last few months which would indicate they won't be going back to 777s any time soon.
15 Sep 2012
Total posts 92
Have to cut schedules as runway closed at Dubai in April and May for works
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
09 May 2011
Total posts 363
This is a permanent cancellation, not a temporary reduction
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
16 Sep 2011
Total posts 14
The press release from EK made the PER route change sound like a temporary change only due to the runway mainenance. Did I read that wrong?
Asiana Airlines - Asiana Club
09 Feb 2017
Total posts 42
Was only a matter of time on the SYD-BKK. I wonder who would want to arrive somewhere at 1.30 am if they had the choice? Would always go for SQ or TG on the sector, the stopover made no difference especially against the quality.
14 Jan 2019
Total posts 14
I took this flight every 6 weeks and Business Class was always 80 percent full or higher.
19 Mar 2018
Total posts 2
I am so disappointed with the cancellation of EK418/419. I took that flight 6 times last year, the load factors in J were pretty low, that's true, but Y looked full - the Thais really do prefer Emirates from Thai in economy...The good thing about the low load factors in business was the fact that one could use their QFF points on Emirates premium cabins out of Sydney, there were much more seats available on EK than on QF on that route
14 Jan 2019
Total posts 14
Shocking decision to cut flights to Bangkok. I cannot stand Qantas, the A330 and the lazy hide behind the curtain (read magazines and chat) business class service
14 Jan 2019
Total posts 14
Take a look at Qantas business class fares in second half of 2019. They are already on the gouge, up $1200 to $1500 return over current $3100 return. Looks like Thai will be swamped, At least the Thai crew smile and don’t hide behind curtains and their gates are close to Immigration
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
09 May 2011
Total posts 363
So an airline cuts a route, places their passengers on their partner airline hence filling seats on that airline and you don’t think fares will rise? Supply and demand...
14 Jan 2019
Total posts 14
Its gouge and gouge, when it comes to Qantas. Same on regional routes ariund Australia
Qantas
03 Feb 2016
Total posts 11
Simple business, supply and demand.
14 Jan 2019
Total posts 14
I am lifetime gold on QF, not happy with their service in business. 99% of the time they hide behind curtains chatting or reading magazines. 85% of the time they don't smile. The A330 seats are uncomfortable and no airflow on window seats, as they are in a void for air flow. See lots of passengers pass out and require O2 to revive. So I only fly them when I have to these days.
01 Jun 2017
Total posts 7
Wow. emirates EK 419 Sydney to Bangkok was all ways full They have to many flights around the same time 6 am then 5 pm then 10 pm 7.30 pm via Bangkok The 5 pm should be 12 or 2 pm
01 Jun 2017
Total posts 7
The 5 pm on 777 should be axed the 10 pm is A380
Emirates Airlines - Skywards
20 Jan 2018
Total posts 37
Good ol' Qantas eh. Predatory and ordinary. I couldn't agree more with SuzanneCromie's sentiments
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
20 Dec 2017
Total posts 7
As a regular flyer between PER-LHR, I always take QR. Their J and Y are at a high load factor even in a typically low yield part of the year their flight time leaving Perth is the same as EK but the J flights and the Y flights are always cheaper. QR is wanting to expand more in a Australia but they can’t. It will be interesting to see if they opt to add technical stops for flights they can’t add because they are maxed out. EK is expanding in other parts of the World.
03 Nov 2018
Total posts 2
Is the SYD-CHC leg impacted by this change?
Emirates Airlines - Skywards
07 Sep 2012
Total posts 152
No Jasepalm - that flight number is EK 412/413, but given the light loads on that flight at times, it'll probably be the next to go. I'm told that flight has quite a big freight component out of CHC sending delicious fresh chilled Kiwi food to the Middle East, so maybe that's enough to keep it viable for the time being. I'll really miss it when it's eventually gone.
Emirates Airlines - Skywards
16 Jun 2016
Total posts 16
No, the SYD/CHC is a continuation of EK412/413 so not affected.
24 Jan 2018
Total posts 3
Just to remind everyone, airline alliances are about maximising each other's profit, not conveniencing each other's clients.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
23 Oct 2015
Total posts 27
How can QF's single daily 330 cope with SYD traffic being shed by Emirates, especially as TG is now down to 1 flight a day ? Surely either QF or TG will increase capacity??
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
14 Oct 2012
Total posts 22
Yes its short sighted to cut the SYD / BKK flights... For Mel oneworld travellers it now restricts options to either head up to Sydney on an early morning flight to connect to QF23 (seriously Qantas bring back a direct flight to BKK); or go via singapore. and no Jetstar is not an option... the later Emirates flight was a good option...
24 Apr 2017
Total posts 76
interesting, the EK418/EK419 A380 used to go to from Sydney to Auckland too, and that was scrapped a year ago, giving the route to Qantas, now the entire route is being scrapped, giving Qantas that as well, and even more passengers...
11 Jan 2017
Total posts 15
Such a frustrating news- Now only TG that offers First Class service, and it seems like they will stop that soon along with their classic B747.
27 May 2016
Total posts 5
I seem to recall the 3rd daily EK flight ex Perth was a result of the delay in A380 bay being finished when EK wanted to introduce A380. (about 18 mths delay) Once the new gate opened the mid afternoon flight was dropped - pity it was as it was a great time to leave if terminating or laying over in Dubai. I guess the death knell has come with QR introducing A380 as well on almost same timing as EK A380 service and the popularity of the QF PER LHR service. Although handy for building status credits and points the QF EK alliance has been very limiting for QFFs as no upgrades available on non QF equip and no PE on EK. My corp budget only allows PE which makes all the difference. Plus very limited QF code shares into Africa where most of my business is done. Just Nairobi and Accra. QF certainly dispensed with Perth when it suited but slowly that is rebuilding.
01 Jun 2017
Total posts 13
DXB - SYD ===> SYD - DXB
Flight 1: 10:00 - 06:30 ===> 21:30 - 05:30 (enroute CHC)
Flight 2: 02:00 - 22:30 ===> 06:00 - 13:00
Flight 3: 21:30 - 18:00 ===> 22:30 - 06:30
14 Jan 2019
Total posts 14
See QANTAS has already jacked up the business class fares from SYD to BKK post June 1 (when EK stops) Like 48%!! $4600 v $3100 return. Looks like Thai is the way to go. at $2650 return. I can buy a lot of tailor made clothes for $2000.
26 Aug 2014
Total posts 1
Emirates bringing back Perth-DBX morning flights again using 777’s?
Hi Guest, join in the discussion on Emirates cuts flights from Sydney, Perth