Direct Rome Flight

[SOPS]

The media in the West yesterday were in a collective pants wetting session over the new direct flight to Rome.

We were informed, amongst other things, that the 787 is unique among aircraft, as it flies much lower than “conventional “ aircraft.

We were also told that the Captain of the first flight had spent several months training to ensure a “smooth touch down” in Rome.

Another reporter informed us that direct Perth to Jakarta and Perth to JoBerg flights are also planned, and Qantas has ordered 299 new aircraft to cope with this expansion.

Where do they get this stuff?

Strangely .. the guru GT was not to be seen.

[extralite]

I would rather take a stop in Dubai, Doha or Singapore on a full service airline than go via Perth on a glorified Jetstar flight any day. Especially if its more likely my bags will arrive with me, and i am guessing lots feel the same.

[blubak]

The media in the West yesterday were in a collective pants wetting session over the new direct flight to Rome.

We were informed, amongst other things, that the 787 is unique among aircraft, as it flies much lower than “conventional “ aircraft.

We were also told that the Captain of the first flight had spent several months training to ensure a “smooth touch down” in Rome.

Another reporter informed us that direct Perth to Jakarta and Perth to JoBerg flights are also planned, and Qantas has ordered 299 new aircraft to cope with this expansion.

Where do they get this stuff?

Strangely .. the guru GT was not to be seen.
Wonder what flight level they are going to operate at!! Be interesting to see how they go getting bags on an additional 299 aircraft,maybe no luggage allowed is the next game changer they have in the planning.

[PoppaJo]

We were informed, amongst other things, that the 787 is unique among aircraft, as it flies much lower than “conventional “ aircraft.

The 787 has always been more a dream for airline executives vs their passengers. It is uniquely attractive to those at the top for its fuel burn and ability to cram a large amount of seats in. Boeing marketed it as 8 abreast, which would have made it as comfortable as the DC10 ride back in the 70s. Then others got wind of the huge margins to be made at 9 abreast and the rest was history, including passenger comfort. I put it in the same bucket as the 10 across 777.

Emirates is trying to pull out of its 787 order and increase A350 orders. I hope they do as the future EK fleet 777/787 fleet, they will never see another dollar come from me again.

[havick]

Wonder what flight level they are going to operate at!! Be interesting to see how they go getting bags on an additional 299 aircraft,maybe no luggage allowed is the next game changer they have in the planning.

The next change to Qantas will be no passengers, to stay on time and avoid cancellations.

[dr dre]

Funny, despite all the hate for direct Perth-Europe flights and the 787 they were the biggest money spinners pre covid and look to be even more popular post covid.

[bolthead]

Wasn't there a rumour that you could redeem your frequent flyer points on any London flight you like - as long as it was Qf9?

[blubak]

Wasn't there a rumour that you could redeem your frequent flyer points on any London flight you like - as long as it was Qf9?
Somebody i know has been trying to use FF points to get to London & been told nothing available until after October.

[StudentInDebt]

Somebody i know has been trying to use FF points to get to London & been told nothing available until after October.
QANTAS frequent flyer points? If so your mate is being badly informed, there are QANTAS FF redemptions available on flights before October on QF9 and QF1.

[Slippery_Pete]

Strangely .. the guru GT was not to be seen.

There’s probably a very good reason for this.

[illusion]

There’s probably a very good reason for this.
Sorry to burst your GT bubble..

https://www.perthnow.com.au/news/aviation/qantas-inaugural-perth-to-rome-direct-flight-sets-speed-record-c-7306936

[Slippery_Pete]

Sorry to burst your GT bubble..

:{:{:{

With all their bag chucking woes atm, I guess I just assumed Qantas had hired him in as a consultant.

[404 Titan]

Well from someone that flies the A350, there is only one other commercial aircraft type that can get up and keep up with us and that is a B787. The rest squabble for lower levels at less than M.84

[Dora-9]

404 - what about the B777?

[Stationair8]

No doubt, the Pope will have already booked to visit God who runs WA.

[BuzzBox]

404 - what about the B777?

The B777 normally cruises around M0.83-M0.84, whereas the A350 & B787 are up around M0.85. Also, the optimum cruise level at heavy weights in the 777-300ER is typically around FL290-FL310. It's not until much later in the cruise that it gets up to FL370-ish. The A350 (& presumably the B787) goes straight to FL350.

[C441]

A380's not too shabby either. After a 572T takeoff it will go straight to FL330 comfortably (albeit it will take at least 250nm) and cruise along at .84+ at cost index 40.

[404 Titan]

BuzzBox,

The A350 cruises at M.85, not up to unless at lower levels. Yes typically we'll go straight to FL330-350 and by the end of a long haul end up at FL410 in a dash 1000 or FL430 in a dash 900.

[BuzzBox]

BuzzBox,

The A350 cruises at M.85, not up to unless at lower levels.

I'm well aware of what it does, Capt Pedantic, having flown the thing for a number of years. My comment wasn't solely about the A350 and I did not say "up to", as you wrote.

[404 Titan]

BuzzBox

I apologise. So you didn't. The problems of reading Prune on my phone rather than my iPad.

[Dora-9]

BuzzBox and 404: Thanks very much for the clarification. I retired just as the B777-300ER entered service while the A350 was then just a distant dream - certainly the "straight" -300 could easily outperform those pesky A330's and A340's. I only hear good things about the A350 - "the best Boeing that Airbus has ever built" was one classic description.

[Una Due Tfc]

Both still being left behind in my sector by any 747 in a hurry.

[BuzzBox]

BuzzBox and 404: I only hear good things about the A350 - "the best Boeing that Airbus has ever built" was one classic description.

Definitely. Some of our outport engineers who worked on both types opined that Airbus had built a Boeing with the A350 and that, conversely, Boeing had built an Airbus with the B787.

[BuzzBox]

Both still being left behind in my sector by any 747 in a hurry.

Those B747s would be guzzling at least twice as much fuel as the A350 or B787. An A350 or B787 "in a hurry" can go fast too: MMO = M0.89 (A350), M0.90 (B787) vs M0.90 (B747).

[tossbag]

Those B747s would be guzzling at least twice as much fuel as the A350 or B787

So what? God buried oil in the earth for us to dig up and burn :ok:

[galdian]

So what? God buried oil in the earth for us to dig up and burn :ok:

Don't know who'd be more affronted - mock or otherwise - the climate warriors or the god botherers!

Two birds with one quip - jolly well played! :D:D

[BuzzBox]

Don't know who'd be more affronted - mock or otherwise - the climate warriors or the god botherers!

Two birds with one quip - jolly well played! :D:D

Plus the bean counters, management and shareholders. Make that five birds!

[tossbag]

mock or otherwise

I am athiest and confirmed fossil fuel devotee. I'm also very good in the offensive comments department. :ok:

[Una Due Tfc]

Those B747s would be guzzling at least twice as much fuel as the A350 or B787. An A350 or B787 "in a hurry" can go fast too: MMO = M0.89 (A350), M0.90 (B787) vs M0.90 (B747).

All true. 747 will have a higher GS at the lower FLs it can get the skates on at though.

[Dora-9]

Both still being left behind in my sector by any 747 in a hurry.

Maybe I should have worded this better? The B777 would outclimb and cruise higher. It used to be huge fun "burning off" all the Airbi heading eastbound across China in the B747 - but we were below them (and pushing it).