Qantas to fly Boeing 747 Sydney-Perth, Airbus A330 Perth-Singapore
By David Flynn, July 2 2018
Qantas will fly its iconic Boeing 747 between Sydney and Perth from late July, while its double-daily Perth-Singapore Boeing 737 service will be replaced by an Airbus A330.
A Qantas spokesperson confirmed to Australian Business Traveller that the Perth-Singapore A330 schedule will start from July 22, and the jet chosen will feature the airline's highly-regarded Business Suite business class.
It's understood the A330 will remain on the roster until late October, although this could be extended closer to the date.
Qantas Boeing 747 for Sydney-Perth
Meanwhile, the iconic jumbo jet is getting a shot at domestic duties before it's retired from the Qantas fleet in 2020. The red-tailed Boeing 747s first joined the Qantas fleet in 1971, giving them an almost 50 year history with the Flying Kangaroo.
However, don't expect to see the Boeing 747 thundering coast-to-coast on a daily basis: Qantas says it'll operate only on select flights starting July 30.
Here's a snapshot of the first ten days of Boeing 747 flying between Sydney and Perth, as supplied to Australian Buisiness Traveller by Qantas.
As you can see, QF581, QF582, QF583 and QF568 will be the flights to watch if you're booking beyond August 9.
In the Boeing 747's business class, transcon travellers will most likely see lie-flat Skybed II seats arranged 2-3-2 in most of the business class cabin and 2-2 in both the nose and the upper deck.
Top-tier frequent flyers booked in economy class will be able to pre-select seats in the Boeing 747's premium economy cabin based on their status.
The airline previously swung the jumbo onto the same route in mid-2011 and again in 2012 as the 'transcontinental turf war' hotted up between Qantas ands Virgin Australia.
The airline says these schedule changes are being made "to support our pilot training requirements", and come in response to a reported shortage of Boeing 737 crew as pilots are being trained up for the Boeing 787 Dreamliners.
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.
07 Oct 2012
Total posts 1251
Well, our friends in Perth will be happy.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
18 Dec 2016
Total posts 30
I Sure am happy
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
17 May 2013
Total posts 14
Thank you,yes we are 👍
20 Mar 2017
Total posts 7
Toooo bloody exciting this is!!
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
01 Nov 2016
Total posts 129
Win win for all including those wanting to fly to London with a stopover in Singapore and a 747 for the cross country traveller. Releasing the Sydney Perth A330 frees up the aircraft to go to SIN.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
09 May 2011
Total posts 362
So are both 737 flights being converted to A330 or both flights being switched out for one daily A330?
31 Mar 2014
Total posts 378
Two flights being replaced by one A330
17 Sep 2015
Total posts 388
This must explain why the airline didn't announce this earlier, as by transferring passengers from two B738s into one A333, it can fill the latter.
31 Mar 2014
Total posts 378
Assuming that 2x 737's would already be full 3 weeks out. Which I would find surprising. I also think it would be an A332, not an A333. It will be operated by the plane normally doing the Syd-Per-Syd run. If A333, they would need to send one over from the east, causing poor utilization on international routes.
31 Mar 2014
Total posts 378
Definitely keen to find out dates and flight numbers for these 747 flights. Seems like a good excuse to visit the family back in Perth. Fingers crossed there will be plenty award seats and snag a seat upstairs.
24 Oct 2010
Total posts 2555
Our article has now been updated with the first week-or-so's schedule, Grannular.
24 Apr 2018
Total posts 13
Are you able to see which rego is/are being used?
24 Oct 2010
Total posts 2555
Don't have visibility on that, but curious as to why that matters..?
24 Apr 2018
Total posts 13
You said in the article that the J product is skybed II, but some of the chat had suggested it would be VHOEB on this route. I guess you've drawn your conclusion re the product on the seatmap that is available for booking now.
24 Oct 2010
Total posts 2555
There will be more than one 747 on the route, we're working from info supplied by QF.
15 Sep 2012
Total posts 93
Why not fly both the 747 and A330 from Sydney via Perth to Singapore and return giving option of day and night flights on all routes with wide body aircraft?
QFF
19 Sep 2013
Total posts 202
Wondering whether the flights will be timed to match the arrival/departures of the 787 from/to MEL into PER.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
20 Sep 2013
Total posts 466
Reduce flight capacity,and you fly the fuel guzzler.pay a higher fare that's great.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
14 Dec 2016
Total posts 42
Meanwhile Virgin is changing their aircraft to Perth to 737....Qantas is an absolute no brainer
11 Apr 2018
Total posts 12
I recently flew to PER on a VA 737 and was totally underwhelmed. As a regular QAN flyer on the same route, I thought I'd try the competition. Believe me there was no competition between QAN and VA on east-west coast flights - check-in experience, lack of ife, wifi, extra $ for some of the food - so for me it's QAN every time. Flying on a 747 should be great fun.
Asiana Airlines - Asiana Club
09 Feb 2017
Total posts 41
QF 568 is the overnighter ... am I the only one not keen about a backwards step in comfort for such a short red-eye?
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
13 Nov 2015
Total posts 36
To be honest, I don't think you'd notice much difference in the experience of 747 vs A330 on QF568, in either class.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
27 May 2018
Total posts 2
How long will the 747 flights be going for? Because I would love to fly on the 747 for the first time and domestically would be a lot cheaper!
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
21 Jan 2014
Total posts 321
Perth here we come, I promised my young son a trip on the 747 before they go and was looking at OS options but now we will head down to SYD and across to PER for a few days once the QF schedule is sorted.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
11 Jan 2015
Total posts 3
QF581 SY-PH is the B744, I am working in SY for 3 months so will give it a go before they disappear.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
31 Aug 2012
Total posts 210
I will wave to it zooming over ADL as I make my way to ADL airport to catch the ol' 737 to PER...…..
31 Mar 2014
Total posts 378
The 747 flights are bookable through the Qantas website. They are still showing as 737 or A330, however they have a shorter flight time. 4:45 for westbound and 3:55 eastbound. I have done a test booking and am able to select both upper and lower deck.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
27 May 2018
Total posts 2
How far in advance could you book?
31 Mar 2014
Total posts 378
I only tried 30th/31st July to test
Air New Zealand - Airpoints
03 Jul 2018
Total posts 1
As far as I can see from the timetables, flights are in the system until 5 September. Hopefully they continue them beyond that date.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
11 Jan 2015
Total posts 3
The QF581s I looked at showed B744.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
22 Jul 2015
Total posts 219
Thats a bit splendid. The Queen having a majestic farewell tour. Whilst she is very much old school, there is still that magic about flying on a 747. Last for me was on QF12 from JFK to LAX and onto a A380 which is a mighty fine craft butt the 747 really heralded the long haul age.
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
15 Aug 2012
Total posts 171
Totally agree Nick, the 747 was way ahead of its time and was/is the undisputed queen of the skies. I hope Qantas find some more domestic duties for the 747 as it’s farwelled from our skies.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
22 Jul 2015
Total posts 219
There is just a unique 'feel' about the way the 747 turns and banks. Just feels different to the modern craft. Last trip we took off northbound from JFK and made this incredible turn right over Midtown NYC. So memorable.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
14 Dec 2016
Total posts 42
Hmmm...the times it is showing that the 747 will be operating on are horrific. Was hoping for QF 583, and QF 568
17 Apr 2017
Total posts 5
I just hope the Daily Per-Sin flight stays at the 12pm time slot, I will be changing to a 2 weeks on 2 weeks off roster soon and will be utilising that flight to get me to Thailand, coming off nightshift that lunch time flight is perfect.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
04 Mar 2014
Total posts 204
So this isnt going to be -OEB as rumoured? as that is fitted with First in the nose
QF
21 May 2014
Total posts 24
QF don't see F on the 747 anymore, as OEB is the only bird with it left. It would make sense for it to operate the route.
02 Jul 2018
Total posts 1
I don't know if Qantas read my thoughts or what, but this is quite a surprise since I'm a fan of the 747. My interest of flying has decreased over the last 9-10 years not only because of Qantas' decisions in 2011/2012 and the fact this aircraft will disappear in 2 years but also I hardly get a window seat on a big jet like the 747. The last I got a window seat on a 747 was in June 2004 as an 11 year old on my way to AKL. Since then, I've flown a 747-400 4 times and no window seat on any of them (wrong place at the wrong time). Flying on a 747 for the first time on my first day on a plane(2003) was an immersive experience and it got me interested in airplanes. However, seating next to the window on a big jet is more empowering and motivating IMHO. I don't know why but I just feel more relaxed and comfortable in that scenario. So maybe, this is my chance since I've never been to Perth but it must happen within 2 years.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
10 Apr 2012
Total posts 317
Am i correct to say that QF will be utilising at least 2 x 747s on some days as 582 and 583 arriving and departure times overlap?
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
21 Jun 2017
Total posts 37
06 Aug 2015
Total posts 3
Just like the good old days.
14 Nov 2016
Total posts 3
Re: schedule- how will QF 583 dep Sydney at 19:45 when the incoming QF 582 is not slated to arrive until 20:25 on same day?
17 Sep 2015
Total posts 388
Different aircraft. As David has stated above, there'll be more than one B744 on the route.
14 Nov 2016
Total posts 3
Thanks Traveller14, I clearly missed that part about >1 aircraft making the rounds!
26 Sep 2017
Total posts 38
Here's something a bit quaint for observant travellers on the last remaining 747s in the sky...I recently travelled to Jo'berg on QANTAS 747 (not very comfortable, by the way, when compared with the new techs such as A380, A350 etc etc)..but in a galley was a little permanent sign..'no smoking while preparing food'...
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
13 Jan 2015
Total posts 9
Great to see QF using A330 Per-Sin. B737 is a horrible plane to do this trip in, whether business or econ. But A330 Per-Syd is definitely my preferred option, rather than B747. A330 business class far superior to B747 skybeds, and in econ A330 has 2 seats abreast on outside vs B747's 3 seats. Can't stand 3 seats abreast, that's why it's good QF is changing to A330 Per-Sin. Pity about Per-Syd though.
QFF - Platinum
23 Mar 2016
Total posts 11
My QF582 on Sept 24 just got changed from A330 to B747 - looking forward to that flight
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