Keg
I actually applaud the arrival of JQ's 787's.
This will trigger the return of ex JQ A330's back to the Qantas mainline operation.
I'm sure your no doubt aware that internal QF group agreements disallow the same aircraft type to operate on the same city pair.
That's the reason why Qantas can't put an A330 on the HNL route until JQ are exclusively 787's on that route.
Have you ever wondered why an A330 hasnt been scheduled on the HNL route even with very high load factors.
I am of the opinion that the 787's to JQ first is nothing more than a marketing ploy and the byproduct also being reduced fuel costs.
If anything, sending the 787's to JQ first shows the resilience of the Qantas brand. Mainline B767's continue to fly to HNL full. If the QF International business truly was in terminal decline & with fuel it's major costs. The 787's would have gone to mainline first if it really needed turning around ASAP.
In the July edition of the JQ in flight magazine Jane Hrdlicka promotes the arrival of the JQ 787's as the beginning of a new era in inflight comfort.
Does anyone honestly believe being shoehorned into a JQ 787 as a comfortable experience.
I can assure you six months after the arrival of the 787 and the associated issues of introducing a new aircraft type. There will still be delays, no change to load factors and mainline charters to cover JQ unserviceabilities or cancelations to HNL. But QF will be able to send an A330.
MC