This quite from Alan Joyce on ABC 7:30 Report 16/8/2011
"I'm all about being positive about Qantas, being positive about the brand and making sure that Qantas grows into the future. We need the Union Leaders to realize change is needed. If they keep on resisting change and have Qantas as an inefficient carrier competing AGAINST Middle Eastern carriers and the Asian carriers, we won't have a Qantas"
Since then, AJ's grounded the airline, withdrawn B744 routes from London & potentially other international services from Adeleide & Perth. Cancelled the order for the B787 & it looks like he's entering commercial agreements with the feared ME carriers.
Last edited by Mstr Caution; 5th Sep 2012 at 08:33.
Sydney, 05 September 2012 A next generation Boeing 737-800 aircraft has become the 115th new aircraft to join the Qantas Group fleet in the past four years. Qantas Domestic Chief Executive Officer Lyell Strambi said Qantas was continuing to roll out new initiatives to ensure Qantas remained the airline of choice for domestic travellers.
“Qantas is delighted to welcome yet another next-generation Boeing aircraft into our fleet,” Mr Strambi said.
“The Qantas Group now has 60 B737-800s of which 22 feature on-demand, touch screen in-flight entertainment from Panasonic for all passengers and spacious seats including leather seats in Business.
"These aircraft are extremely popular and feature on a variety of routes right across the Qantas Domestic and trans-Tasman network.
“Along with our network, frequency and lounges, we know that modern aircraft with the latest technology are a major attraction for our passengers.
"Another 10 next-generation Boeing 737-800s, with the Boeing Sky Interior, will join the Qantas fleet in the next 18 months." The aircraft has been named Leeton after the town in New South Wales. Qantas has recently announced a number of initiatives including three-daily services between Sydney and Gold Coast, increased capacity to Tasmania and Canberra, and a refresh of the interiors of a number of Boeing 767 aircraft which includes an iPad with inflight entertainment for all passengers in Business and Economy. Features of the latest 737-800 aircraft include:
* A 12 seat business class and 156 seat economy class configuration
* New seating design styled by Marc Newson
* On-demand Panasonic inflight entertainment in both cabins with over 300 entertainment options
* Seat-to-seat "chat" messaging
* Wide seat-back design with a 37 inch seat pitch and 22 inch width between arms in Business and a 17 inch width and 30 inch seat pitch in Economy, ergonomic cushions and adjustable headrest
* 10.6 inch in arm touch screen in business, nine inch seatback touch screen in economy
* PC and USB ports to facilitate computers, MP3 players and other technology.
Does it really require AJ to be there? I mean with Hickey CEO of int now, wouldn't he be the man of the show?
No it doesn't, but when QANTAS International eventually fails, it will be Hickey who takes the fall, not AJ. This was just extra padding for AJ's fall, not that he wanted to turn QANTAS International around and make it more profitable, just to use Hickey as a shield for the bullet.
On the other hand if Hickey can genuinely pull off significant improvement then he leapfrogs the others to become #1 contender to take over the whole lot. He got international to demonstrate his operational capability, do that, improve international's position, improve return on assets etc and he either gets the big job at Qantas or he can write his own ticket elsewhere.
Article in Financial Review this morning claims:
- Alliance, or code share announced today with alliance being announced later on
- Frankfurt gone
- JV with BA ended
- Flights to Europe re-routed through Dubai instead of Singapore.
So it's not my imagination that QF is getting queezier and squeezier!
Quote:
* Wide seat-back design with a 37 inch seat pitch and 22 inch width between arms in Business and a 17 inch width and 30 inch seat pitch in Economy
Not surprising, really. The layout is signed off on by small people who never have to sit in them.
I think you'll find the QF seats are slightly thinner and to me, actually appear a bit more roomier.
Also DJ have a config of 8/168. QF is 12/156. DJ has less storage (no fwd coat locker I recall) and I wonder where they manage to fit all the emergency equipment as QF appear to have more equipment storage lockers forward? dog boxes perhaps or the overheads?
With less locker space and 8 more pax, finding a place for all the hand luggage must be an art in itself on a full flight.
Article in Financial Review this morning claims:
- Alliance, or code share announced today with alliance being announced later on
- Frankfurt gone
- JV with BA ended
- Flights to Europe re-routed through Dubai instead of Singapore.
So if the JV with BA has gone, it will cost 'international' more money now, no doubt, to break the contracts with BA especially taking the slots at LHR back.
But thinking about how it could work
QF had the HKG & BKK - LHR slots so would it make sense to take 1 back, say AUS-DXB-LHR and give the other to Emirates and retain the SIN-LHR?
Gives all European travellers a stop in DXB and change to Emirates with no back tracking from LHR. Might mean a MEL & SYD - DXB service with 1 going on to LHR.
Will have 3 LHR services 1 via DXB & 2 via SIN because they'll still want the connections via SIN for JQ Asian services.
This alliance will cost how many Australians' their jobs? Aussie travellers hate it if Australians in the airline industry lose their jobs. The non-Australian, LCC gimp has created enough pain for Qantas and its staff.
The jobs are gone in Australia, a deal with Emirates has nothing to do with job losses in Australia. The restructuring processes are independent, however the current restructuring will provide jOb opportunities for Australians in Asia & the Middle East.
"So when you buy an Italian suit in David Jones you will get points that will count towards wearing that suit in Milan, Barcelona or Venice". - He knows Barcelona isn't in Italy right?
So all flights north are via Dubai now? I take it Qantas frames will be going no further than Dubai?
Sydney, 06 September 2012 Qantas and Emirates today announced a new global aviation partnership that will give their customers a seamless Australian and international network, exclusive frequent flyer benefits and world-class travel experiences.1 Under the agreement signed this morning by Emirates President Tim Clark and Qantas Group CEO Alan Joyce, Qantas will move its hub for European flights to Dubai and enter an extensive commercial relationship with Emirates. The 10-year partnership will go beyond codesharing and includes integrated network collaboration with coordinated pricing, sales and scheduling as well as a benefit-sharing model. Neither airline will take equity in the other. Qantas will launch daily A380 services from both Sydney and Melbourne to London via Dubai, meaning that together Emirates and Qantas will offer 98 weekly services between Australia and Dubai. Qantas will be the only other airline operating to Terminal 3 and the new purpose-built A380 concourse at Dubai International Airport. The partnership will give Qantas customers one-stop access to more than 70 Emirates destinations in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. For Emirates customers it will open up Qantas’ Australian domestic network of more than 50 destinations and 5,000 flights per week. The carriers will also coordinate on their services between Australia and New Zealand and services between Australia and South East Asia. The Emirates and Qantas frequent flyer programs will be aligned, giving customers expanded opportunities to earn and redeem points. Emirates and Qantas will provide reciprocal access to tier status benefits including end-to-end customer recognition, lounge access, priority check-in and boarding and other exclusive services. Qantas Group CEO Alan Joyce said the partnership would deliver unprecedented benefits to Qantas customers and mark a decisive step forward in the Group’s strategy.
“Emirates is the ideal partner for Qantas,” Mr Joyce said. “It has a wonderful brand, a modern fleet, an uncompromising approach to quality and it flies to the A-list of international destinations.
“This is the most significant partnership the Qantas Group has ever formed with another airline, moving past the traditional alliance model to a new level. It will deliver benefits to all parts of the Group.
“As the world’s largest international airline, with a network that perfectly complements our own, Emirates will help us give our customers across Australia a dramatically expanded range of travel options.
“Together with Emirates, Qantas will provide a unique ‘one stop’ hub service, as well as deeply integrated frequent flyer and customer benefits.
“The partnership delivers on all four pillars of the Qantas Group’s international strategy: it will see us fly to the global gateway city of Dubai, provide some of the world’s best travel experiences through both Qantas and Emirates, improve our network in Asia, and, crucially, help build a strong Qantas International business for the long term.
“There will be considerable benefits for the broader economy as we collaborate with industry to drive more inbound trade and tourism. 1 All stated characteristics of the partnership are subject to regulatory approval.
“I very much look forward to working with Tim and everyone at Emirates as we develop this exciting, transformative partnership.”
“The time was right to develop a long-term partnership with Qantas, the iconic Australian airline,” said Tim Clark, President of Emirates.
“Since our first flights began in 1996, Australia has long been a popular destination for Emirates leisure and business travellers, making it one of the top three destinations in our network.
“By establishing this partnership we are providing our passengers with additional connectivity in Australia and the region, the ability to utilise reciprocal frequent flyer benefits and access to premium lounges and travel experiences.” The airlines will submit an application for interim authorisation to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) in order to begin commercial planning. Subject to regulatory approval, it is anticipated that the partnership will commence in April 2013. Broader Qantas network changes Qantas will restructure its Asian network to strengthen its focus on services to and within the region.
“We currently have an Asian flying schedule based on travelling via Asia to Europe,” Mr Joyce said. “But our Australian business customers want better access to Asia, and we have been looking to address this for some time.”
“With European services transiting through Dubai, Qantas’ Asian services will no longer be a subsidiary of the
‘Kangaroo Route’. Instead they will be dedicated to connecting Australians with our region, and Asian visitors to Australia.
“We will increase dedicated capacity to Singapore and re-time flights to Singapore and Hong Kong to enable more ‘same day’ connections across Asia. We believe this will significantly improve the economics of our Asian operations.” Qantas will also withdraw from the Singapore-Frankfurt route. While this service has been underperforming for some time, and withdrawal was inevitable, the partnership with Emirates will enable it to take place with minimal impact on Qantas customers.
