Qantas ditches Dubai, returns A380 to Sydney-Singapore-London

By David Flynn, August 31 2017
Qantas ditches Dubai, returns A380 to Sydney-Singapore-London

Qantas will axe Dubai from its route map and return to Singapore as the stopover for flights from Sydney to London.

From March 25 2018, the flagship QF1/QF2 Sydney-London Airbus A380 service will run via Singapore instead of Dubai, replacing one of the two daily Sydney-Singapore A330 flights.

QF1 will depart Sydney at 3.55pm to reach Singapore at 10.25pm, and then continue to London shortly before midnight for a 6.50am arrival.

(The current daily QF81/QF82 Sydney–Singapore A330 service will continue to run as usual.)

Also from 25 March 2018, the daily Qantas Melbourne-Singapore flight QF35/QF36 will be upgraded to an A380, while QF37/QF38 will shift to a daily A330 service.

As previously announced, Qantas' existing Melbourne-Dubai-London service is being replaced by the new Boeing 787 service flying Melbourne-Perth-London.

The dramatic changes come as Qantas enters the second five years of its partnership with Emirates.

Although describing the first five years of the Qantas-Emirates alliance as "a great success," Qantas Group CEO Alan Joyce said "our partnership has evolved to a point where Qantas no longer needs to fly its own aircraft through Dubai, and that means we can redirect some of our A380 flying into Singapore and meet the strong demand we’re seeing in Asia."

“Improvements in aircraft technology mean the Qantas network will eventually feature a handful of direct routes between Australia and Europe, but this will never overtake the sheer number of destinations served by Emirates and that’s why Dubai will remain an important hub for our customers.”

In a statement issued to media this morning, Qantas maintained that "customer demand for flights between Australia and Dubai will remain well served by the 77 weekly services that Emirates operates from Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney."

Qantas abandoned its long-held and popular 'Singapore stopover' to London in April 2013 as part of the airlines' alliance with Emirates.

The return of the Airbus A380 onto the Sydney-Singapore-London and Melbourne-Singapore routes will also see first class sold on the legs to and from Singapore, alongside premium economy – which is not featured on the smaller Airbus A330s.

David

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 - QFF Platinum

20 Mar 2012

Total posts 211

Thank the lord.

Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards

13 Jan 2015

Total posts 580

HALLELUJAH Praise be to Jesus

12 Dec 2016

Total posts 5

QF1 traditionally was Sydney-Bangkok-London. Bangkok should be the premier hub in Asia for QANTAS

28 Nov 2012

Total posts 93

Love BKK as a stopover. I remember when I worked at QF in the 80's they also used to stopover in Mumbai

28 Nov 2012

Total posts 93

I think it was QF9 Originating in Melbourne with a stop in Sydney then Bombay then London

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

18 Feb 2014

Total posts 19

Sydney flight did it

I can remember, Sydney, Singapore, Muscat London.    Use to have to stay on plane in Muscat white their refuelled

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

26 Oct 2017

Total posts 97

I can recall doing Melbourne Bangkok Bahrain Athens as a kid, my how times have changed

13 Nov 2015

Total posts 49

Agree, plus BKK would be 2 hours less to LHR. Sad that QF is not strongly represented in BKK. Stunning, really. Sad too that they shuttered the Roo lounge which was a nice oasis, small but quiet w/plenty of light. CX lounge is new, but horrendously overcrowded and noisy.  Always the gems are lost.

03 Sep 2017

Total posts 49

Gone are those good old days for cabin crew to see the cities they fly to. Thanks to advanced technology enabling aircrafts to fly 14 hours more non-stop. Cabin crews now only get enough stopover time to rest and go back on a flight. 

16 Dec 2016

Total posts 58

Because Bangkok is the business hub of Asia? Hmmmm

05 Oct 2017

Total posts 526

Bangkok is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world and it is indeed also popular as a business destination. The Thai eastern seaboard is known as the "Detroit of Asia" because of the large number of automobiles manufactured there, some 200,000 of which are exported to Australia yearly, and growing. As nice a place as Singapore is (and I definitely prefer Changi over Suvarnabhumi as a transit airport), but how can an economy based on the non-productive sectors of banking, finance and insurance justify so many flights from Australia while Thailand, with 900,000 Aussie visitors a year comparatively so few? Years ago when far fewer Aussies were travelling to Thailand, Qantas used to operate routes from Sydney to Bangkok and continuing from there not just to London, but also Rome and Frankfurt. Even Melbourne and Darwin used to have flights to Bangkok, but eventually only Sydney-Bangkok-London remained. Instead, Qantas revved up services from Australia to Singapore, flying from each of the 5 major capital cities (although Perth was axed for a while), despite the huge competition from Singapore Airlines that not only offers better service, a much better network but also more flights on each route they serve.

05 Oct 2017

Total posts 526

Yes, you would think so. Thailand is hugely popular with Aussie travellers, with close to a million visiting every year. The Aussie embassy in Bangkok is by far the largest and most important in Asia, far exceeding that of Singapore. Thailand is cheaper, most travellers prefer it to Singapore as a holiday and stopover destination, very rarely are there any exceptions to this. Even as a business destination it's gaining traction - Thailand is a major manufacturer of chemicals, light electronics and automobiles and many of these products end up being exported to Australia. By contrast, Singapore makes almost nothing.

I have noticed that some European airlines have followed the same trend as Qantas though - British Airways, Lufthansa and Air France have scaled down operations to Bangkok over the years and there doesn't seem to be any good reasons why. The former used to fly onto Sydney from Bangkok, with the other daily flight going through Singapore. Since 2013, they dropped the Bangkok-Sydney service and now only fly London-SIN-SYD. Their London-Singapore services also use larger planes than their London-Bangkok services; Lufthansa operates an A380 on their Frankfurt-Singapore services and also operate a separate Munich-Singapore service. Meanwhile, their Frankfurt-Bangkok service only uses an older A340, while the Munich-Frankfurt service has been dropped altogether years ago, along with Bangkok-KUL and Bangkok-SGN services. Ho Chi Minh is no longer served by Lufthansa at all anymore, while Frankfurt-KUL services are now non-stop. Air France only operates 3 weekly flights to Bangkok compared to Thai's daily A380 flights.

This can't all be due to a decrease in passenger numbers. Europeans are continuing to travel to Thailand in large numbers and for the first time, Thai travellers are becoming significant too. THAI is/has opened up new routes such as Bangkok-Brussels and soon Bangkok-Vienna, competing with Austrian Airlines which has been operating the latter route for years now. It must be that European airlines are feeling the pinch of Middle Eastern carriers such as Qatar, Emirates and Etihad, all of which fly to almost every major European city and serve Bangkok with 5-6 flights daily each mostly using A380 aircraft.

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

18 Sep 2015

Total posts 11

It was originally Singapore before they changed to Bangkok, then later reverted to Singapore.

29 Jan 2012

Total posts 184

A move for the better ´Dubai was over before it began!

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

30 May 2013

Total posts 382

Brilliant news! This will be received well by passengers who, on the whole, enjoyed an Asian stop over much more than the Middle East. Good move, Qantas!

Etihad - Etihad Guest

06 Apr 2012

Total posts 124

When I first saw the heading of this article I had to check the date to make sure it wasn't April Fools Day.   

S
S

13 Sep 2013

Total posts 116

Did exactly the same thing!! I did not see this one coming

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

20 Mar 2014

Total posts 131

Finally! this is going to make another huge difference to the further sucess of this airline!

Asiana Airlines - Asiana Club

09 Feb 2017

Total posts 41

Should go SYD-HKG-LHR to tap the Aus-China market; their 1W friends at CX sound like they sure need help with some through traffic. Oh well; you win some, you lose some.

28 Nov 2012

Total posts 93

Well there used to be MELBOURNE- HONG KONG- LONDON

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

10 Oct 2013

Total posts 111

wow - no more blingy dubai

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

28 Oct 2011

Total posts 468

People can still go via DXB if they want (on a QF codeshare flight on EK) - especially if their onward connection is to continental Europe.

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

08 Sep 2012

Total posts 236

Exactly. This isn't a return to the QF/BA JV. Emirates is still Qantas' European partner and if you want to fly anywhere other than London, Qantas is now forcing you to fly 100% on EK. No more QF 1/9 to Dubai and then onto Europe. But for those travelling only to London, it's a great move.

12 Dec 2012

Total posts 1031

They are still giving the option to fly QF to SIN or BKK, then connect to EU via HEL on AY.

10 Sep 2012

Total posts 149

It's a good option if you're looking for good quality J at a keen price and don't mind two stops.

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

09 Feb 2015

Total posts 387

Bloody fantastic news. Made my day.

15 Sep 2012

Total posts 95

What's  going on! Management  reshuffle  and suddenly there are big changes like this! Have they finally put somebody in charge who is actually  listening to passengers! Will there be connecting flights from places like Adelaide, Townsville  and even Canberra?

16 Dec 2016

Total posts 58

It's the same guy in charge buddy. It just takes time to rebuild an airline and make it one of the most profitable. Maybe now some of the armchair experts on this site will cut Qantas a break

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

20 Mar 2012

Total posts 233

Didn't think I'd see this for some time into the future! Excellent news, much prefer Changi to Dubai.

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

10 Jan 2017

Total posts 39

Great success..?!? For which airline? I think it's been a great success for Emirates who based on this alliance opened up routes to operate over 90 A380 flights a week between Australia and Dubai whereas Qantas operate only 14! 

Emirates A380 hard products and inflight service offerings beyond superior to Qantas. I think I'd still fly with the airline that offers more bang for the buck!

Joe
Joe

03 May 2013

Total posts 683

Have to agree. Until QF upgrade J seating and hopefully start serving substantial food...not "small" and "main" plate concept the better. QF cartering has never won any awards officially or otherwise in recent past.

05 May 2016

Total posts 616

Hopefully MEL-SIN is timed to connect with SIN-LHR. Would be great to be able to fly F to LHR on QF metal from MEL still. With separate flight numbers for different legs this would also mean being able to pick and choose which leg to apply for an upgrade on.

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

04 Jun 2015

Total posts 70

Looks like a 5 or 6 hour layover if you took QF35 first and connected to QF1. QF37 will have shorter connection but no first.

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

04 Dec 2012

Total posts 38

mviy, my thoughts exactly! No one was mentioning this but I felt this was a huge thumbs up for Melbourne pax - now have the option of a brand new B787 J/Y or for those wanting F can still get via one-stop in SIN!


Hopefully they re-time it so the connection isn't as long as blingwad has found though. I still think this is the main reason why the A380 is being deployed on MEL-SIN. All in all, sounds like the A380s will be used more efficiently henceforth. Was always scratching my head how they have such long downtimes on either end in LAX and LHR (until at least the MEL-DXB-LHR flight switched things up a while back). Though I guess LAX does have Qantas' maintenance hanger.

Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards

17 Aug 2017

Total posts 22

OMG Qantas is listening to passengers.

Pitty because I like Changi airport so much I chose Kris Flyer and Velocity over QF a few years ago.
But it will prove very popular with passengers.

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

25 May 2017

Total posts 77

That is fantastic news. I have not traveled on QF to Europe after they made the change to Dubai. Reverting back to Singapore is a very wise move. That combined with the refurbished A380 business class product will bring my business back to Qantas for long hall and Europe flights. 

I still think that QF will potentially look at sending a B787 through DXB to a European destination. Interesting times ahead! 

10 Sep 2012

Total posts 149

I'm not so sure, given the number of seats that EK puts on between DXB and Australia every day. 

31 Mar 2014

Total posts 398

Sounds like this has been in the works for a while and lines up well with the recent fleet utilisation questions. This announcement completes the puzzle

Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards

10 Jul 2017

Total posts 13

Bacon for breaky

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

15 Mar 2016

Total posts 167

YEEEEEES! That is fantastic news. So many great options for Aus travellers. Presumably it will be possible to book the A380 SIN service ex-MEL and link up with QF1 or you can go the PER route. Brilliant by QF.

28 May 2016

Total posts 127

I think this shows QF's long term strategy regarding Europe flights. They are happy to funnel pax who are flying to 'secondary' European cities onto EK flights and keep the 'prestige' passengers for themselves (E.G. putting London bound pax on the MEL-PER-LHR flights and SYD-SIN-LHR flights).


I think this adds some merit to the proposed east coast to Europe nonstop services that QF has been recently touting. In the long term, I think we will see the MEL/SYD-LHR flights and potentially, flights such as PER-CDG/FCO/FRA. QF will become less reliant on EK for the more 'desirable' European cities whilst still maintaining the partnership so cities which cannot be served profitably can still be booked on a QF ticket.

Exciting times for Qantas and will be interesting to see QF's plans for Europe and the EK partnership.

31 Mar 2016

Total posts 619

@Patricka340:

"They are happy to funnel pax who are flying to 'secondary' European cities onto EK flights and keep the 'prestige' passengers for themselves..."
This is the best comment so far in rationally understanding the current & still ongoing QF longhaul mkt strategy in a nutshell.

It's exactly the philosophical backbone of AJ's strategy all along to earlier repair and now rebuild QF longhaul profitability+growth.

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

29 Jul 2013

Total posts 203

Yay!! Someone else who gets it! This is precisely why the EK partnership was formed. It was always Joyce's plan/vision that once the metal can operate non-stop services to major EU hubs from the east coast, EK will become the codeshare provider for services to secondary EU cities via DXB.

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

15 Aug 2014

Total posts 23

Fabulous news now all we need is some QF tin out of BNE. Will definitely go via Sydney in the meantime.

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

28 Oct 2011

Total posts 468

You can fly BNE-SIN on QF51 then connect to the new QF1 SIN-LHR.

Etihad - Etihad Guest

06 Apr 2012

Total posts 124

I wonder whether the QF51/QF52 (BNE<>SIN) flight will connect up with the new a380 service in Singapore ?  If so, that would be good news at it will finally give BNE folks a path to fly with Qantas International to London without having to travel via SYD.

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

17 Aug 2012

Total posts 2199

I don't see why they wouldn't connect: even if no changes are made to QF51/52, QF51 gets into SIN well before QF1, and QF52 leaves just after QF2.

10 Jul 2015

Total posts 14

As QF51 lands 20 minutes after QF35 from MEL I suspect QF1 will be timed to pick up passengers from both enroute to LHR. Similar to how all 3 flights to LAX feed into the JFK flight.

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

02 Jul 2011

Total posts 1374

MEL pax are better flying QF37/1 to LHR so 330/380, then 2/36 back both 380

16 Dec 2016

Total posts 58

They just announced 4 787s based in Bne so I'd say that is some 'tin'

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

16 Apr 2013

Total posts 29

I suppose that 5 years of sales data was enough to prove that they should move back to Singapore. With the a330s freed up, I wonder if Perth will get an upgrade and even Adelaide might see a red tail return? 

24 Apr 2012

Total posts 2424

We're currently on the phone with Alan Joyce and Gareth Evans, and the short answer for Adelaide-Singapore is 'no', as Adelaide passengers can fly Emirates from Adelaide to London (and Europe) via Dubai, and with Qantas from Adelaide to London via Perth.

Qantas has tipped using its newly-spare Airbus A330 jet for further expansion in Asia, although the specific route is yet to be announced.

30 Jul 2015

Total posts 135

I hope its to either Seoul or Sapporo (Seasonal)

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

10 Dec 2014

Total posts 59

Melbourne to Bangkok please!

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

31 Aug 2017

Total posts 1

This HAS to be on the cards soon

31 Mar 2016

Total posts 619

@MEL Traveller:

For unknown reasons, I can foresee MEL-PVG by QF long before MEL-BKK by QF.....go figure.

30 Jul 2015

Total posts 135

upgrade perth to singapore to an A330. 

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

04 Oct 2016

Total posts 37

Yes! Definitely..

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

10 Apr 2013

Total posts 387

as well as a still spare a380

AT
AT

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

14 Sep 2012

Total posts 382

YAAAAAAAAY. YAAAAAAAAAY. YAAAAAAAY. !!! Brilliant brilliant brilliant!!

12 Feb 2014

Total posts 228

This is the best Qantas could make of the onslaught from the ME premium carriers. Emirates remains a compelling partnership because of its frequency, reach and quality. But with the A330 product into Asia up to speed, returning the daily A380 to London out of Singapore makes good use of the asset and existing network. Qantas customers have great choice. Good work Alan.

AT
AT

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

14 Sep 2012

Total posts 382

And also Singapore is such a commercial hub of Asia  and the SG-LHR-SG route is so important for corporate travel connecting to Australia. 

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

14 Oct 2016

Total posts 67

Any idea how long it will be until the Qantas booking system will be updated to reflect this announcement?

31 Aug 2017

Total posts 1

I think it is done...

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

06 Oct 2015

Total posts 21

Maybe wishful thinking, but hope they're looking at opening a F lounge in SIN.

17 Nov 2016

Total posts 15

The flights have been loaded.

QF35 MEL/SIN 1255/1755  380
QF37 MEL/SIN 1715/2225  332

QF36 SIN/MEL 1955/0615+1  380
QF38 SIN/MEL 2350/0850+1  332

QF1 SYD/SIN 1655/2215  380
QF1 SINB/LHR 2355/0650+1 380

QF2 LHR/SIN 2115/1725+1 380
QF2 SIN/LHR 1930/0610+1 380

30 Jul 2015

Total posts 135

poor utilisation of the A380. it will be sitting in London all day 

07 Oct 2012

Total posts 1250

It already sits there all day. No other way to do it.

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

30 May 2013

Total posts 382

Not true. The SYD and MEL A380's arrive early morning and early afternoon respectively, allowing both aircraft to stay on the ground for shorter periods of time.

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

17 Aug 2012

Total posts 2199

It wasn't that long ago that both the SYD and MEL A380s sat on the ground all day in LHR, though.

Qantas

19 Jun 2015

Total posts 18

who cares how long they sit there?

12 Feb 2015

Total posts 89

Yes - the QF1 aircraft which arrives early morning from Sydney turns around to operate QF10 back to Melbourne in the middle of the day, while the QF 9 aircraft is there for the afternoon before returning as QF2. So pulling the QF9/10 A380 services will reduce the A380 utilisation, not the decision for QF1/2 to go via Singapore.

07 Oct 2012

Total posts 1250

Hmmmm poorly worded. 


The point being that as we know that the MEL - LHR A380 won't exist soon, whether QF routes through DXB or SIN, the plane will need to sit on the ground.

31 Mar 2014

Total posts 398

Interesting that the Melb flight to line up with QF1 is an A332. Which means for PE all the way through, you have a long transit time in Singapore. 

Or of course go via Perth

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

17 Aug 2012

Total posts 2199

@Grannular

The A330-300s don't have PY either, so if you want to fly PY the whole way you'll need to have a nice layover on the way out to London, which isn't a bad thing considering there are some very nice things to do in Changi.

At the same time, it's a medium-haul day flight (and of the four legs, it's the only one you don't need to try to sleep on), so as long as pricing reflects it, I don't see too much of an issue with that one leg being in Y, as long as all the other three are in PY.

12 Dec 2012

Total posts 1031

I just looked at those SIN-MEL times and thought that would work well for my holiday, but had to remind myself that this is from end of next March, not this coming November. :(

Singapore Airlines - KrisFlyer

13 Jun 2013

Total posts 28

Six hour transit in SIN ex MEL if we want to stick with an A380, are they serious?  Or am I reading this wrong?  No way, Jose!

15 Jan 2013

Total posts 36

Great news, both for those who want PE seats for a trip to Asia and those who want to go all the way to Europe with QF! 


Also sends the right messages to our Asian neighbours that we are serious about sharing the economic benefits of Asian growth as a producer and a recipient of Asian tourism. 

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

03 Jan 2013

Total posts 66

An excellent strategy by QF. 

Build a solid relationship with EK and provide an extensive European network and keep the QF code on all those flights via DXB.

Return the focus to Asia on QF (which I am sure will carry EK codes as well) metal offering full-service competitive product to counter SQ and CX.

My predication is we wll see a much closer arrangement along the lines of QF, EK and MH to further extend a full service product further into Asia.

Air New Zealand - Airpoints

31 Oct 2016

Total posts 68

And lets not pretend, EK's gonna be happy being able to sell those SIN-LHR tickets as well, 

24 Apr 2012

Total posts 2424

Emirates doesn't have the traffic rights to sell codeshares on Qantas' Singapore-London (or Perth-London) flights, so these won't carry EK codes.

Skywards members can still book these legs as reward flights using Skywards miles, however.

QF

04 Apr 2014

Total posts 209

Add my vote to the "hooray's"!! 

JTG
JTG

Singapore Airlines - The PPS Club

11 Jul 2014

Total posts 51

While I do understand why people prefer SIN as a stopover to DXB, I see this as a downgrade of service for those who travel to Singapore for business. 


First, the A380 is a downgrade in business class hard product. While Qantas do plan on upgrading the A380's this wont be fully complete until two and a half to three years after this rerouting starts. 

Secondly, I travel to Singapore  from Sydney (J class) 10-12 times a year with most of my tickets bought in the week before I travel. People travelling to Europe tend to purchase tickets further in advance than those travelling to Asia. So there will be less availability of J class tickets for those solely going to Singapore, thus increasing the price. 

From a corporate perspective I believe the significant winners in this announcement are Singapore Airlines 

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

21 Jul 2014

Total posts 143

The second Sydney – Singapore daily service will continue to be operated by an A330 aircraft. If you want to fly the business suite you can fly the business suite.

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

20 May 2013

Total posts 17

You can still fly QF81/82 SYD<>SIN on the A330 with the new business seats until all A380s are upgraded....  ;)

JTG
JTG

Singapore Airlines - The PPS Club

11 Jul 2014

Total posts 51

I believe the QF A330 provides the best business hard product between Australia and Sinagpore but for me the schedule of flights is the most significant factor (of course cost is a factor) when choosing a flight. I try to maximise my working time and family time so generally travel in the evening and over night. I tend not to use QF81/82 unless there is a large disparity in the price of this flight. 

05 May 2016

Total posts 616

JTG imo the A380 is a much better plane to fly on than the A330/787. So long as the pricing and points/status credits earn is good I expect I'll choose to fly MEL-SIN-LHR return on the A380.

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

22 Jul 2015

Total posts 219

I may be in the minority but had no issues going through Dubai. The lounges there were perfectly good and a nice break to the journey. Singapore in fact meets my business needs better so not unhappy with the change.  

31 Aug 2017

Total posts 6

You bloody ripper  QANTAS  amended wish list now is: This move may allow an A330 from Perth To Sing and redeploy the 737 8  which has proved the market is there  despite the LCC's out of Perth .Not to mention a chance to grow the belly loads for freight out of Perth .Hooray     for QANTAS

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

08 Aug 2012

Total posts 7

Thanks Jf80 for the update. Interesting that for Melbourne based passengers, if you want to catch the A380 all the way to LHR and if you can afford to/redeem points to fly in F, the only way to do it is with a 6 hour stop in SIN (QF35/QF1). The better connection in SIN (1hr 30) is QF37 but that's on the 332. I wonder if they may change to 380 on QF37 eventually, or does this not work for aircraft utilisation?

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

17 Aug 2012

Total posts 2199

Ideally, you'd have the A380 from MEL connect tightly to QF1/2, but you can't do that because QF2 leaves SIN for SYD before QF1 arrives in SIN from SYD, which makes it impossible as QF36 (connecting off QF2) leaves SIN before QF37 (connecting to QF1) arrives.

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

21 Mar 2013

Total posts 132

And imagine how cosy the SIN lounge would be with 3 a380s of passengers! 

Singapore Airlines - KrisFlyer

13 Jun 2013

Total posts 28

Will the MEL services connect with QF 1/2?  The idea of having to fly on the 787 is a shocker so hopefully we can get through connex on A380.

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

17 Aug 2012

Total posts 2199

MEL services will connect.

05 May 2016

Total posts 616

Could take a little while before the option to connect in SIN departing MEL show up though. I think QF converted SYD-DXB-LHR to SYD-SIN-LHR quickly and will deal with things like MEL-SIN connections to SIN-LHR over the coming days.

Loads will be a factor. Say 5 passengers book F from SYD-SIN, but not onto LHR one would think that QF would love to fill those 5 seats from SIN-LHR with paying passengers from MEL rather than with upgrades.

24 Apr 2014

Total posts 269

Would love to see A380 all the way from Melbourne. But maybe it's too big as if it's full and the Sydney one is full too there would not be enough seats to get everyone to London.

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

09 Jun 2011

Total posts 88

No separate F lounge in SIN :(

05 May 2016

Total posts 616

Yes that is a downside. Hopefully that gets addressed but it doesn't sound likely at this stage.

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

17 Aug 2012

Total posts 2199

The SIN JCL is a fantastic lounge, but there's no way it'll cope with this volume of premium passengers; one hopes an F lounge will be established off the back of the capacity requirement, but we'll see!

Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards

10 Jan 2012

Total posts 258

Technically it's not a J or F lounge, it's The Qantas Singapore Lounge. It's designed for all cabins and status holders that are eligible to access it.

05 May 2016

Total posts 616

A combined lounge is vastly inferior for First Class passengers compared with the First lounges in MEL and SYD. If they're going to fly a lot of First class passengers to/from SIN then they should provide a First Class lounge.

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

21 Jul 2014

Total posts 143

There's no first class lounge in LHR end either - I am sure we will survive.

05 May 2016

Total posts 616

In London you can use the CX FLounge or the BA FLounge.

If QF had chosen to go back to flying via HKG then there would have been the option of using the CX F
Lounges in HKG

The SIN routing means that a QF F
Lounge would add much more value than if the flights were via HKG.

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

02 Apr 2017

Total posts 133

While I appreciate an A380 to Singapore, and that Changi is a far superior airport to Dubai, I will continue to fly through the Middle East on trips to Europe.

I like getting off the long haul flight to Dubai/Abu Dhabi/Doha and knowing that I've only got, at most, 6 hours to my final destination instead of transiting in Asia and knowing I'm not even halfway there after one long haul flight.

And my final destination is never London, so there's that too.

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

30 May 2013

Total posts 382

Except on your return trip when you stop in the Middle East knowing your trip has only just started...

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

02 Apr 2017

Total posts 133

Haha yes, but doesn't bother me. Flights from Europe to the Middle East are basically regional flights, so being able to get off, and then get on the return flight ready to sleep is fine with me.

The other thing is if I was to fly via Singapore, Qantas wouldn't be my pick - Singapore Airlines has a much wider range of connections I could fly direct to, usually at lower price and comparable product.

24 Apr 2014

Total posts 269

Do both! Codeshares should mean you can go Dubai one way and Singapore home!

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

02 Apr 2017

Total posts 133

Indeed, always nice to have options!

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

21 Jan 2014

Total posts 319

Great move by QF , This will also allow pax from North Australia,  CNS, DRW the option of flying to SIN and then connecting with a QF flight without having to fly hours south south before flying back North, 

05 Jul 2017

Total posts 6

I'm surprised at all the enthusiasm. Previously you could fly:

QF434 (MEL-SYD) - 1:00 to 2:25 PM
QF1 (SYD-DXB) - 3:50 PM to 0:25 AM
QF9 (DXB-LHR) - 9:05 AM to 2:23 PM

These 'daylight' flights where you have a stop-over during the local sleeping time (in this case in Dubai) and arrive at your destination in the afternoon (when hotel check-in is available) have been a huge draw for me and I've paid a premium for them.


But with these new arrangements it seems all Qantas flights will arrive early morning in LHR and any stop-overs will be far removed from the GMT time zone.

05 May 2016

Total posts 616

Whilst I'd like an evening departure out of MEL and evening arrival back into MEL, I would much prefer a stopover in SIN than DXB regardless of the time of day of the stopover.

QF

04 Apr 2014

Total posts 209

It'll be interesting to see whether Melbourne customers heading to London prefer to transit through Singapore or Perth. My bet is Singapore. 

05 May 2016

Total posts 616

I for one would prefer to go via SIN.


As my travel to LHR is self-funded I'm quite sensitive to:
1. Price
2. Points and SC earned
3. Possibility of upgrade from J to F (should also have the flow on affect of making upgrades to J more likely)
4. Timing

Flights would have to have better timing going via PER, a much better price or be the only option for award seats for me to consider it, I think.

I love flying the A380 and with QF pulling out of MEL-DXB-LHR I thought my days of flying the QF A380 were numbered. Now, I  think I'll be flying on the QF A380 for years to come.

I wonder what services there will be for first class passengers? I.E. first class lounge? 

05 May 2016

Total posts 616

It would be nice to see a new QF First Class lounge in SIN but the trend these days is for QF to move to combined lounges as they've done in BNE.


If QF doesn't address the lounge situation in SIN I expect they'll get a lot of complaints about overcrowding with all the extra capacity going in.

One would expect its likely that one off lounge invitations won't get accepted in SIN because of the crowding.

Air New Zealand - Airpoints

23 May 2013

Total posts 44

Great news for MEL! Here we were thinking QF was ready to abandon F from us altogether haha.


Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

17 Mar 2017

Total posts 16

Great news! Now we can fly BDB-BNE-SIN-LHR, all on QF metal, instead of having to go via MEL or SYD.
Less QFF pts & SC, but we get to avoid SYD.


31 Aug 2017

Total posts 5

Any plans for qf A380 out of BNE?

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

09 Feb 2015

Total posts 387

I very much doubt it. BNE will become a B787 hub for QF in addition to the A330's currently flying.

20 Sep 2015

Total posts 3

I wonder how this will affect the loads on the PER-LHR services. Now passengers have one stop to LHR via SIN from MEL,SYD,BNE (and PER), all on QF metal.

04 May 2016

Total posts 3

Great news, by qf! However has the over all capacity into LHR Been striped back? Also, the QF commitment to premium economy is only on large jets and the upcoming 787. Is there a reason for this? 

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

15 Mar 2016

Total posts 167

Temporarily yes, with one service reduced from A380 to B787 but with the A350s coming and one or two A380s with route capacity, that may not be for long. Or that capacity could switch to alternate EU routes via PER or SIN or even direct if the ULR A350 comes to the party. Exciting possibilites ahead.

31 Mar 2016

Total posts 619

@ajstubbs:

"..but with the A350s coming..."
'Coming'?  Wow, this 1 is totally out of the blue.....I didn't know AJ has already decided on which type to buy for QF let alone a known delivery date.

Amazing insight into QF fleet planning status.

Great news, much as I like the 1st class Dubai experience I enjoy the QF lounge in Singapore as the staff were great, hope they still remember me!

11 Dec 2015

Total posts 85

It's good to see Qantas' long term plans coming together. 


Combined with the news that QF will base 4 787s in Brisbane, there's going to be a lot of interesting changes and new routes in the coming months

12 Dec 2012

Total posts 1031

Without new confirmed orders, with what is already coming and what is known to be leaving, I don't see much in the way of new routes.

16 Feb 2016

Total posts 30

There must be some more re-timing coming.

BNE pax should be able to have a faster outbound connection to LHR via either SIN or PER, but at the moment the fastest options still go via SYD or MEL.
 
QF651 with its current 1115 departure ex BNE should be pushed back 2.5hrs to enable a better connection onto the LHR service.  It should also get upgauged to the 332 to ensure lie flat business. Simarly on the return leg, the domestic connection should be brought forward an hour an a half to help facilitate faster transfers through PER.
 
In fact, the timings from ADL and CBR should also be looked at to PER in order to facilitate better connections.  Especially ADL as currently there is a 2.5hr stop in PER and the flight over there is on a Y class 717!
 
 

09 May 2013

Total posts 8

Wonderful news and hopefully it's a long time before Singapore becomes redundant due to the ULR planes being introduced in the fleet.

Is this an admission by Joyce that the Dubai strategy and subsequent tie up with Emirates wasn't all it was sold to us as? I think that has to be a conclusion of sorts as the 'partnership' itself hasn't fundamentally changed since it's creation. Perhaps Qantas is enough in the black again to not rely so much on Emirates. 

Either way it's still great news and the only thing missing now is for those in Adelaide, or Darwin, to have a Singapore stopover whilst still flying Qantas all the way. Jetstar just doesn't cut it from Darwin.

mhh
mhh

31 Aug 2017

Total posts 4

Don't worry about us Adelaide folk. We get a great schedule through DXB on EK tin with evening departures and lunchtime arrivals into Europe. With wifi, shower, decent service and better cabins. :)

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

10 Apr 2012

Total posts 319

This was unexpected, but seems to be a good business decision.  Give premium passengers the choice of flying to London via Singapore or Perth, presumedly being higher yield pax, and passengers who have other destinations within europe to Connect with EK (presumedly more leisure cost conscience pax).  The one thing that i can't quite seem to line up in this "Asian" strategy is a strategic partner which is based out of Singapore?  It definitely isn't SQ, and with the new norm flying Hub to Hub , will Qantas try to find a partner to funnel pax onto other parts of Asia, or will they expand with more flights flying direct to destinations in Asia?  If i was flying to parts of asia for leisure or business, i'd definitely choose to fly direct with QF, rather than transiting singapore onto another carrier...(and don't even get me started with connections onto JQ).

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

27 Jun 2013

Total posts 22

Great news! Although I do think EK offer a better cabin experience on their A380 over QF

10 Aug 2015

Total posts 122

The spare A330 may be used to start a route from Brisbane, as a rumour is known that they may be crunching the numbers on a new route from BNE by end of this year, early next year. Hopefully this rumour is true and BNE get an additional A330 international service!

12 Dec 2012

Total posts 1031

They are running a seasonal SYD-KIX early next year. Likely using an A330 freed up by domestic 787 flying between MEL-LAX runs (the KIX flights start after arrival of 3rd 787 and end when PER-LHR starts).

If those KIX flights prove successful, it's possible any spare A330 from these changes will be used for a full time KIX route.

Qantas

13 Jun 2015

Total posts 139

Good to see QF bring back Singapore as the stopover point for Sydney-London flights. Wowee! Made my day feel happy!

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

20 Aug 2014

Total posts 170

Melbourne to Seoul with the spare A330? They would be the only carrier on the route.

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

25 Apr 2017

Total posts 6

Yes and for a good reason. Route clearly isn't viable otherwise there would already be a service.

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

09 Dec 2015

Total posts 5

Great news! Much prefer to stopover in Singapore.

31 Mar 2016

Total posts 619

No surprise re many folks here all believe this new QF move re Kangaroo route stopover relocation has to be all about 'QF finally listening to pax(or more accurately, ausbt.com.au readers') preference' for QF to abandon the DXB/EK hell hole and re-embrace the SIN heaven.


After 90 comments though, I'm surprised nobody mentioned the possibility that this move can be @ least partly due to a request to QF initiated by EK/Tim Clark which goes something like this in a network strategy meeting of this JV(Timing is right as this JV is almost due for regulatory approval to renew):
1.  Transfer all current QF flyings via DXB to EK so we can eliminate all of our current Kangaroo route/capacity duplication over DXB and improve load factor/network efficiency.
2.  We can expand our JV mkt footprint(e.g. frequency & connectivity) if QF Kangaroo ops return to SIN stopover to reinforce BOTH existing QF AND EK networks to/fm SIN...e.g. becomes possible for BNE/MEL-SIN by EK(In addition to the same by QF) to connect with SIN-LHR by QF.
3.  EK is running into a bit of problem lately re decreasing profitability and worst of all, over-capacity/reducing load factor elsewhere in our network(e.g. U.S.).  We need to find more new work for our legions of giant 380 & 77W so pls help by letting us do all flying to/fm DXB in our JV.

Of course as pointed out to me by editors here numerous time,  ausbt.com.au is more about pax/traveller experience/aspirations.  So the mainstream idea of QF making this move solely because of pax preference is a lot more romantic for readers here to buy than cold strategic biz/mkt  calculations....

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

15 Mar 2016

Total posts 167

I think you're ignoring the fact that most people don't actually mind why it has been done, they're just happy it has happened. Logic suggests there is an element of QF realising consumers commonly prefer SIN.

31 Mar 2016

Total posts 619

@ajstubbs:

"Logic suggests there is an element of QF realising consumers commonly prefer SIN."
If consumers are defined/interchangable as ausbt.com.au readers, I'm afraid QF operating on the same logic will soon pull the plug on PER-LHR and SYD/MEL-JFK plans as most readers here seem to hate any sectors beyond 15hrs....

Qantas

19 Apr 2012

Total posts 1429

FLX1, I maybe the exception to your rule here. I much prefer DFW (17hrs) over LAX (14hrs) if going to the US East Coast. I will certainly use QF10 London to Perth coming back as it has a perfect connection ot Canberra. Going CNB-LHR it can be either QF9 or QF2 but maybe QF2 becus it is an A380.

Qantas

19 Apr 2012

Total posts 1429

FLX 1 a completely unremarkable observation. To that add the fact Dubai is stretched at the seams while Singapore is looking for more business and probably offered a very good price to get two A380s a day to come by, while a single via Dubai flight would very inefficient. Passenger preference comes into it but not a lot. It is the nature of a hub and efficiencies from it. The efficiencies of Dubai have shifted now to Singapore.

31 Aug 2017

Total posts 2

SYD KUL hopefully...

28 Nov 2012

Total posts 93

Could be a good route Australia- KL, I think MAS are more open to a JV now a days...remember Q Red premium airline the QF looked at years ago

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

10 May 2014

Total posts 112

I hope we will still be able to get QF Classic Rewards on EK DXB-LHR vv.


I have used 3 in F this year, there is always lots of availability even only a few days out.

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

07 Mar 2017

Total posts 18

YES!  Fantastic news. 


Will now really love my trips Adl-Syd-sin-Lhr. 
Then Lhr-Dxb-ADL.  

Soooo happy!

Singapore Airlines - The PPS Club

03 Jul 2017

Total posts 17

Not sure why you are all excited about QF changing back to go via singapore.
when they originaly changed via Dubai i switched from QF to SQ and found SQ so far superior than QF i will never fly QF again you cannot beat SQ or Changi.
AT
AT

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

14 Sep 2012

Total posts 382

I typically fly both QF and SQ and I like the difference between the two, they are both my favourite airlines. I enjoy the best of both....But boy am I rippin' happy to see QF A380 army right back where it always belonged SYD/MEL SIN LON !!!!

31 Aug 2017

Total posts 6

You touch on the old 80/20 rule =Need to work 80% harder only to get 20% of your lost market back

28 Nov 2012

Total posts 93

This is great news. Looking forward to the new direct routes to London and Paris from Melbs and Brissy via Perth and an A380 from Melbs to Singapore conecting to QF1...choices to suit most everyone

31 Aug 2017

Total posts 1

Great news. Just found out because return flight has changed. Wish it was starting earlier for outward flight in December. Singapore lounge is so much better than Emirates in Dubai.

31 Mar 2016

Total posts 619

@Bonzer Mike:

"...you cannot beat SQ or Changi."
May not beat them but a few can already match them.  And if we expand our minds @ least a little, I can think of @ least 3 ways to partly beat SQ or Changi already available or soon will be:
1.  Others can beat the high prices of SQ and/or @ the SIN connecting hub.
2.  By-pass SIN or similar hubs altogether and go nonstop to/fm wherever.
3.  For Trans-Pcf travel, SQ and/or SIN offer far less efficient transport than AU/NZ, N.American and a range of N.E.Asian  carries+hubs.

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

21 Mar 2013

Total posts 132

QF site is a little vague about whether Qantas Club member access remains at DXB. Hoping this is maintained, and also that the AY code-share also remains. Both quite useful when using QF for the smaller European ports. 

05 May 2016

Total posts 616

If it is it would only be if you are on a QF flight number.

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

23 Oct 2013

Total posts 699

Chances are QF Club access at Dubai will end.


Generally, Qantas Club members get access to the same partner lounge as Business Class travelers at airports where Qantas flies their own metal and when the member is booked on a QF flight number.

When Qantas pulls out of Dubai they'll no longer fly their own aircraft to Dubai and hence I think it'll end. Obviously, there are some exceptions to which lounges and when QF club members can access lounges but for the most part it only seems to be at airports where Qantas operates to/from.

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

21 Mar 2013

Total posts 132

Sadly, I think you could be right. It would then be consistent with all other codeshare ports where they don't fly. Quite enjoy the SIN lounge anyway (when the showers and toilets are working)

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

23 Oct 2013

Total posts 699

Lounge wise it makes sense as well. It's my understanding that Qantas pay Emirates a fee for every status/premium passenger on each QF operated service.


By switching to Singapore they operate their own lounge.

It seems Qantas have had a few issues with lounge fees lately. QC members have been switched from the AA to CX lounge at Heathrow and meanwhile rumors had it BA was charging QF up to $200 per person visiting the BA first class lounge. I guess using their own facilities really makes sense when you look at it that way.

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

29 Jul 2014

Total posts 100

Could be  more chance  of getting points upgrades  with the 380 although  ironically  I prefer the 330
Never been through Dubai  but think that Changi  is my all time favourite  as far as Airportd go

10 Sep 2012

Total posts 149

Another positive reaction here.  I can start flying QF to London again!  Also looking forward to the F refresh on the 388.

QF

11 Jul 2014

Total posts 1013

WoW Never saw that coming, I have never ever flown into Dubai

Qantas

19 Jun 2015

Total posts 18

You havent missed anything - its a huge shopping centre with no bacon

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

28 Oct 2011

Total posts 468

At least DXB doesn't have the hideous carpet, low ceilings and ridiculous at-the-gate security that causes a huge bottleneck at boarding. I think SIN is the most over-rated airport in the world. I avoid it like the plague!

Qatar Airways

04 Apr 2014

Total posts 25

 "our partnership has evolved to a point where Qantas no longer needs to fly its own aircraft through Dubai..."


Normally airline partnerships would evolve to a point where you start flying to the hub of a partner e.g. AA operating LAXSYD.

Q. Would Qantas rather carry a customer all the way to London then disperse on a partner, or sell the same customer all the way on EK?

This was a marriage of convenience that has become a little inconvenient now that QF has its mojo back.

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

10 May 2014

Total posts 20

I hope QF use a spare A330 for BNE-KUL, they'd be the only ones offering the route non-stop.... 


Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

18 Aug 2017

Total posts 17

I'm the bean counters at Qantas have done their figures, but I'm wondering if this may have an effect on the yet to commence 787-9 MEL-PER-LHR 

12 Aug 2017

Total posts 75

Provided the QF business class is the upgraded version BNE/SIN/LHR I'll be happy with the A330/A380 arrangement. 

Up to now I've avoided QF as I want an individual seat, not one shared with a stranger. I've also avoided BA because of their poor record on terminal mechanical issues and ongoing strike risks. 
All QF need to do now is have a website that thinks logically and works properly. It tries the patience of a saint compared to rivals. 

05 May 2016

Total posts 616

The A330 has the upgraded Business Class, I think. The A380 won't be refurbished for a while yet. The refurbishment starts mid-2019.

On the current A380 (currently 2-2-2 configuration, will be 1-2-1 after refresh) configuration if you have a centre aisle seat you don't have to climb over anyone to get out and if flying on a cash ticket you can request a points upgrade to First.

30 Dec 2014

Total posts 14

For those wondering, I suspect that the 6 hour wait in SIN for an all-A380 MEL-SIN-LHR connection will remain, as if it were moved to the later MEL-SIN flight the A380 would not make it back to MEL the next morning in time to perform MEL-LAX (keeping in mind that SIN and LAX are the only QF A380 destinations out of MEL). I wouldn't hold your breath for this to change either, as I can't see them comprimising MEL-LAX just to provide a better connection to LHR over SIN when QF clearly want their MEL-LHR passengers to fly over PER.

Qantas

19 Apr 2012

Total posts 1429

Speak the later A330 is the direct connection flight to QF2 so there is no hanging around. The A380 is for Singapore and other Asia connections.

05 May 2016

Total posts 616

Would rather get the A380 and hang around if that's an option QF allows. Much prefer flying on the A380 and on a larger plane there's a better chance of upgrades.

Qantas

19 Jun 2015

Total posts 18

Meanwhile Perth Sing flyers get the aging 737's! Appalling discrimination and will keep flyign SQ till QF put A330's on this route. 

31 Aug 2017

Total posts 6

You are not the only one  mate .  Perhaps a Per   BKK A330 would also help  Albeit compete with the TG 787 8   However heaps of belly load perishable freight here that QF is missing out on  not only the self loading cargo

31 Jan 2017

Total posts 9

Good move by QF! Care factor.....zero on missing out on a Dubai!

27 Aug 2017

Total posts 23

SIN is dullsvile compared with HKG. I’m sorry but I simply prefer Cathay. I Skype any Cathay landline number and they don’t charge for a human to help unlike QF. They accept any currency at the exchange rate of the day. I am a OneWorld member and all my miles go to QF as I don’t want them broken down to the different/respective airlines. The last time I flew QF was MEL-AKL. I made the booking after which they changed the schedules to a choice of 2 of the most un-Godly hours. I seriously considered using Air New Zealand for this sensibly timed sector at a whopping extra J Class cost of AUD$950.00+/-. As an Australian, I want to be overseas when going overseas ASAP. Qantas delays that enjoyment.

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

09 Feb 2015

Total posts 387

Well it's lucky you have a choice to choose whichever airline and city you like. Competition is great isn't it?

Hello - forgive my ignorance, but why wouldnt the return leg depart London at, say, 3pm, and with a quick re-fuel in Singapore, would arrive in Sydney just before the 11pm curfew.

Better aircraft utilisation and business passengers could (almost) get a full days work in London and make it home late at night rather than first thing the next morning?

05 May 2016

Total posts 616

The problem with that is that if the plane is late they could get to Australia too late to land before the curfew. It would also mean having an A380 on the ground for a long time in Australia.

A late evening arrival works a lot better flying the A380 to MEL. Sadly QF9 won't be on the A380 from late March next year so that option is lost.

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

17 Aug 2012

Total posts 2199

The other issue is that this doesn't connect to all the existing evening departures out of Singapore for Australia; while a return to QF32's timings (leaving LHR in the late morning, stopping in SIN the following morning, arriving in SYD that evening) would be great, it would require a total rewrite of the SIN schedule.

12 Feb 2015

Total posts 89

Slots at LHR are as scarce as hens' teeth. QF have pretty limited options about timing at LHR.

12 Dec 2012

Total posts 1031

LHR is slot controlled, and unlike most other slot controlled airports, LHR slots are paid for airline assets with some slots, depending on their times, having been sold for millions per slot.

Qantas owns 4 slot pairs at LHR. They use 2 for their current services and lease the other 2 to BA. They are 2x morning arrival, 2x lunch time departure, 2x lunch time arrival and 2x evening departure.

Qantas scheduling need to account for the LHR slot times, the flight time back to AU and in the case of some AU airports (like SYD), curfews.

Qantas

02 May 2016

Total posts 62

I doubt AJ made this decision due to pax preference, probably more about applying pressure on SQ and CX while they're down, QF can now fly alongside side them, over them and around them and what QF can't take they'll funnel through EK into Europe etc, seems a smart move to me and all about strategy and economics, the fact many like SIN over DXB is a side benefit

Joe
Joe

03 May 2013

Total posts 683

Chris what happens to F and Plat/Plat 1 pax in SIN now lounge wise. Are they still forced to use the shared QF 'pub' (in every sense of the word)? Does BA lounge remain an option for QF F / plat pax....do they have a seperate F lounge in Changi?


Who exactly will QF partner with out of SIN considering this is a further targeted move into Asia...jetstar Asia or.....?

24 Apr 2012

Total posts 2424

Lounge access in Singapore will follow the current rules. Qantas partners with Jetstar Asia and Finnair out of Singapore, plus its other Oneworld partners.

JBH
JBH

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

01 May 2012

Total posts 120

Very good news especially those of us who are based in SG.  Please QF just stick that A330 back on the PER-SIN route and make my year...

05 May 2016

Total posts 616

Looks like one can easily get Business on the MEL A380 to SIN connecting to SIN-LHR, but coming home there doesn't seem to be any discount Business available on the dates I've looked at flying LHR to SIN connecting to the A380 flying SIN to MEL which is pretty disappointing.

So may end up needing to do MEL-SIN-LHR-SIN-SYD-MEL to get best value flying to LHR via SIN on QF even though the stop in SYD on the way back is a bit of a nuisance with the bus transfer experience between the international and domestic terminals.

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

28 Jul 2016

Total posts 105

Awesome! QF has their own lounge in Singapore which is much more contempory than bling :)

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

06 Oct 2016

Total posts 177

That is a great development
I do agree that lounge is going to struggle, it is an excellent product, but it is already packed with 3 A330's leaving within an hour, swap one of those for a 380... with a lot more premium seats

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

23 Nov 2016

Total posts 14

If we book Qantas (but fly code-share Emirates) will there be any change to the status points etc?

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

18 Jun 2015

Total posts 57

I'm shocked.... WHAT?!

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

01 Sep 2017

Total posts 2

I wonder if the MEL - SIN flight will connect with the SIN-LHR?

05 May 2016

Total posts 616

It will. You can see the option when you book. However if you want the A380 for MEL-SIN you'll need a 6 hour stop in SIN. On the way to LHR the A330 has the better connection timing. I'll probably go on the A380 service.

With the flight back to Australia. I can't find Business Sale seats connecting from QF2 to the A380 service from SIN-MEL (the connection time is good) on any of the dates I've searched. So MEL-SIN-LHR-SIN-MEL on the A380 costs about $1,000 more than MEL-SIN-LHR-PER-MEL or MEL-SIN-LHR-SIN-SYD-MEL.

02 Dec 2015

Total posts 1

Interestingly the BNE-SIN-LHR gets you less than half the status credits than BNE-PER-LHR.

 Although I've only checked Business & PE...........

05 May 2016

Total posts 616

I don't think QF has added the points and SCs to their calculations for the SIN-LHR leg yet. Look at just BNE-SIN and you'll probably find the earn rate is showing the same as for BNE-SIN-LHR. It'll be fixed, the question is when.

12 Jan 2016

Total posts 13

ADL based, hoping for QF ADL-SIN and more options to LHR. The EK 777s are tired and the seats are hard. Then there's the tarmac bus ride in Dubai. That said, I won't look forward to the 737 PER-ADL after 17 hours in from LHR on QF9. May still use EK to get to CDG and the rest of Europe in one stop. I like SQ but I'm locked into OW and QF. Hope ADL is next for that A330!

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

26 Jun 2015

Total posts 17

Praise the Lord, I'm going to throw a party.

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

14 Oct 2012

Total posts 46

Qantas - well hopefully they reinstate a qantas MEL-BKK...  going via sydney or a jetstar connection in SIN is a pain for regular travellers...  

05 May 2016

Total posts 616

There are other routes that some would like reinstated from MEL too e.g. MEL-SFO.

05 May 2016

Total posts 616

However for MEL-SFO you would obviously want a larger plane than an A330.

31 Mar 2016

Total posts 619

@mviy:

More fundamentally for MEL-SFO, QF would obviously require a type with sufficient payload/range performance that's actually capable to fly that route well beyond the limits of their 330s.

There's a tech reason QF hv never deployed 332(333 would be even more hopeless) on AU-U.S. nonstop which  has nothing to do with 330 being smaller than other QF longhaul types.  The closest QF had tried some yrs ago with 332 for Trans-Pcf was AKL-LAX.

No variant in the 330 family has the kinda payload/range required for SFO->MEL except the 330-800Neo(barely though) theoretically still in development but will probably be cancelled by Airbus in reality due to extremely poor sales....totally 6 firm orders achieved 3yrs since 330Neo program launch.

20 Feb 2012

Total posts 67

I never understood why Darwin couldn't be a hub. You can now reach Europe from it and most planes fly over it anyway. Surely having an Austrlian port has its benefits?

03 Sep 2017

Total posts 49

The answer to that would be because Darwin doesn't have the passenger capacity to justify as a hub. As a hub the airline is hoping to get the passenger load on vacant seats both for empty seats going into the hub or vacated seats as passengers disembarking at the hub and not going onward with the aircraft's final destination. 

This would be one reason that sectors MEL-SIN and SIN-MEL will operate on smaller aircraft so that passengers going on to LHR will join the A380 and fill up these seats. 
In the case of Darwin hub, it loses out to PER. Which will be used for the MEL-PER-LHR in the new B787. 

31 Mar 2016

Total posts 619

KinHo:

"..because Darwin doesn't have the passenger capacity to justify as a hub."
Exactly.  In airline industry terms, insufficient critical mass of traffic @ DRW as an Origin/Destination(a.k.a. OD traffic). 

Unlike DRW, it's far easier to develop PER as a longhaul gateway because it is already a big QF domestic Origin/Destination in terms of connectivity, frequency and absolute pax volume(#4 in the nation if I remember correctly).  To build a new longhaul gateway/hub, QF can leverage many op infrastructures+staff resources already in place @ PER but not @ DRW.

18 Aug 2017

Total posts 5

This is great news! Hopfully we'll see MEL-PVG or MEL-BKK with the spare A330

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

05 Oct 2015

Total posts 43

Whilst i applaud the change how can abandoning most of your market to another carrier be good business?

SInce the dubai change i have had to fly several other airlines that are infinitely better than qantas eg Singapore, now i prefer them, for a start they serve real food, not th eneil perry nonsense.
Joyce is and always will be a dill of the highest order.

03 Sep 2017

Total posts 49

I understand this forum is mainly for business class passengers but let's touch on the EY class a little....

I've done some calculations and based on a full capacity of the A380, the total airfare of EY class seats is about another 50% more to that of the total J class. Therefore with that, I feel some service improvements should be considered for EY class for QF. 
I have been avoiding flying QF ever since my 2006 HKG-PER which was the most uncomfortable ever. Plus the cabin crew doesn't seem to care much. 
However I had to go QF in 2016 for MEL-LAX-MEL, and was hoping for things to be better. Nope, not much improvement. Out of the 4 meals, only 1 was ok. Despite the marketing of larger meals, it just doesn't cut it, and was inedible. Breakfast's scrambled eggs was like mash potatoes. Wrote in with a complaint "No point for larger meal when it's inedible, and it means more wastage..." 
When I asked the cabin crew about no warm towels being handed out, the reason given was that it's unhealthy for the crew to handle. Seems like a win-win for QF and crew. Cost savings and less work. While EK and SQ, and some other airlines still serves warm towels. What more F and J class still get their warm towels, so what part of "unhealthy" doesn't apply to these classes here?
I used to be very proud of QF, but not anymore and somewhat feel embarrassed that out flying kangaroo is no longer up to the standards of the elite top airlines. I am ever hopeful in hoping that QF will come out of its rut and shine with flying colours in all aspects of its services. And a competitive airfare pricing. 
I know that there are good and bad experiences by varied passengers, but QF should strive for more consistency that's rated highly and at a good commendable service and product. 
Still waiting..... to be a proud QF customer again. 

03 Sep 2017

Total posts 49

The proposed reinstating QF1 & QF2 via East Asia is great. A few days stopover in any of these cities SIN, KUL, BKK, or HKG is a better option. 

Just hope that this will be a sign of more good flight routes by QF. To me the company lose most of its passengers to other airlines was due to its airfare and inflight service combination, where it couldn't match other airlines. Passengers are happy to pay a budget airline fare for the type of expected service. But not when paying a lot more and yet get substandard service comparing to other premium airlines. 
When flying in F or J class, the service is definetely much better compared to EY. So when a certain route is deemed unprofitable, I'm quite sure it's not based mainly on the number of F and J class capacity load. 
QF, please have a heart for the EY passengers. 

Questions now - when QF started EK partnership and started flying via DXB QF stopped its frankfurt QF5 too and said QF is trasfering majority of the european traffic on to EK via DXB. So now what is going to happen to those QF customers who wants to get to other european cities except London.


QF going back to Singapore is history coming back. SIN was there even before BKK. Good old days with B747's QF went SYD/SIN/BAH/LON Then SYD/SIN/LON as SIN has been a major hub For QF for a long time than BKK.

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

10 Apr 2012

Total posts 319

Even though Qantas is moving back to Singapore they are still keeping their partnership with EK. So your choice will be to still fly via Dubai but just on EK metal codeshare with QF, or go via Singapore and London, and possibly another OneWorld alliance connection.

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

26 Oct 2017

Total posts 97

Yesss.!! Out with the Cold Bling buildings and back with the Warm Legendary Asian service at Changi.


Hi Guest, join in the discussion on Qantas ditches Dubai, returns A380 to Sydney-Singapore-London