The decision to cancel the Dreamliner orders will still see 15 787-8s delivered to Jetstar in the second half of next year, but it means an effective two-year delay in arrival of the bigger 787-9s. The airline has kept 50 Boeing 787-9 options and purchase rights and brought them forward by almost two years for delivery from 2016.
Another nail in the coffin for Qantas, if I were a betting man I'd say not only the first 15, but all the (eventual) 787s will be operated by Jetstar. It's what Joyce wants
Like many flag carriers they have lost the plot. For passengers there are far better airlines out there. I'd rate Quantas cabin crew on a par with BA in that they consider their customers to be an inconvenience.
Well, I travel on business and leisure on Australia's domestic system, and have been doing so for some time! Qantas is so-so OK to travel with, Virgin are also so-so OK to travel with, but I will not fly in an Airbus anywhere, which cuts out Perth trips (my home town) with Virgins A330s, and completely blacks out Jetstar and the other minor A320 players.
So, with this upgrading of Jetstar to Boeing 787, it looks like I will be able to try out their services, which will greatly enhance my choices!
OT but I have to ask, EW73 - do you really refuse to fly anywhere on an Airbus aircraft? I'd be interested to know your reasons. What would you do if the plane was changed at the last minute - would you refuse to board?
Are Quantas really in that much trouble. The penalty clauses for backing out of a contract are huge... unless it suits Boeing (delivery schedule wise) and / or they have signed up for another Boeing.
I'm not suprised. Frequent flyer EU <-> Asia here, mostly using gulf companies (cattle class). I once flew Qantas via Heathrow and this was a really poor experience: worn-out 747 with very visible maintenance issues inside the cabin, seat pitch felt really small, terrible IFE (screens so tiny that no one over 40 can watch a movie) and the food was plain awful. Cabin crew really seemed to be hiding away from us passengers most of the time. Qantas might have the greatest pilots, I think they've handled the very serious A380 incident really well, but the rest is not up to par. I won't fly them again.
Last edited by alainthailande; 23rd Aug 2012 at 20:32.
Reason: Correcting my broken english
Are Quantas really in that much trouble. The penalty clauses for backing out of a contract are huge... unless it suits Boeing (delivery schedule wise) and / or they have signed up for another Boeing.
Or not.
Joyce is pocketing $100M in this financial year and he can cancel his options with no cost apparently.
For a while we saw Qantas ordering lots of new fuel efficient 787 aircraft well suited for long sectors, etc. A stark contrast in never taking up the opportunities to buy 777's but instead buying (cheap) A330's which never suited QF requirements. Now the scene is set, the shining light Jetstar will get the 787's, leaving the Red (Internationbal) part of Qantas to struggle further into oblivion with inefficient large and not so large Airbus equipment to service less and less routes. Meanwhile many airlines, including direct competitors, will see their 787 deliveries advanced thanks to Qantas, and run away with the prize. QF have preserved many 787 options though, but let's see if they're taken up by whoever becomes the new Jetstar owner.
Flew 4 sectors with QF earlier this year including LHR SIN on A380. Thought they provided excellent service on A380 and good service on 767 and 747 sectors.
Wish them all the best in resolving their problems
The company is 91 years old so they are already in the most dangerous phase for a mature company. It is very difficult for a company to live beyond 100 years. I do not enjoy saying that but it is what I have observed in the world. From all that I have heard they are in a very similar position to their friends in BA.
For the record, I do not work in the industry and have never flown QF for the simple reason that I have never had the opportunity.
The age of the company has bugger all to do with anything. AJ currently calls the shots, now either A: he's doing what he's doing because his back is against a wall or B: Some of the other wizards are right and there is a financial stroke going on. All companies life changes - perhaps faster now than ever before, the sandpit airlines are putting it upto more established carriers - but that's a mindset of the carrier - how downtrodden the staff feel etc etc. QF did a very good job when launching the 380 - in public at least it appeared very positive. The issue with the SIN A380 engine again handled well. The competition is there - the new guys from the sandpit are hitting hard on OZ land. It's upto QF management to stand up against the tide and get on with it. BUT AGE has shag all to do with it.
