Buckshot
24th Apr 2003, 10:13
There have been quite a few threads recently on both this and other forums relating to the future make up of the QF fleet. Many have thrown up some very interesting points, so here's my two cents worth for what it's worth.
Firstly (and many people will disagree with this I know) I think there is definitley a place in the QF long-haul fleet for the Boeing 777. In just a quick look, I counted 9 major operators worldwide of both the A330 and the B777. It is worth noting that most of these can be found in our region. They include Cathay, Thai, Malaysia, Asiana, Korean and also Emirates and Gulf Air. Clearly these airlines perceive these types as having very different roles.
It is envisaged the A330-300 will replace much of the regional international flying currently performed by the 767 in the QF network. Qantas has already stated publically that the 767 will be phased out of operations in around 10 years' time.
The B777 can perform many of the heavier routes currently operated by the B747. This includes services to Japan, Honolulu, Indonesia, NZ and Singapore. Taking a quick glance at the 8,500 nm range capability of the recently re-launched B777-200LR also offers some interesting city pairs which have probably not escaped QF's eye. Such a range would allow non-stop city pais such as Perth-Rome, Singapore-Frankfurt/Paris, Auckland-Los Angeles and would you believe, Auckland-New York.
The A380 will be introduced from 2006, operating on very heavy routes such as London and Los Angeles. As I see it, this leaves little room for the B747-400 in Qantas' future fleet. It would be pointless to keep the 'original jumbo' in service for other routes which have no ETOPS restrictions and can be operated by the B777 at a far more economical rate while carrying just as many passengers in the case of the 777-300.
To duplicate the role of the A380 and the B747 seems irrational.
So, as I see it, the Qantas fleet might look something like this:
A380-800 High demand service to US and London
B777-300 Services to Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong, NZ, Indonesia, Honolulu
A330-300 Regional workhorse of smaller Asian/Pacific ports.
This fleet make-up comprises three main type ratings in operation - just the same as the current number in the international fleet (B744, Classics and 767.) Obviously, the A330 would also operate on high demand domestic routes, supplemented by something like the 737-900X which will accommodate close to 200 passengers on an identical rating the the current NG's already in service. A world-wide amd domestic network on just four types sound pretty reasonable to me.
All this of course is subject to just how many routes will eventually be taken over in the future by AO. Interesting times ahead....
Firstly (and many people will disagree with this I know) I think there is definitley a place in the QF long-haul fleet for the Boeing 777. In just a quick look, I counted 9 major operators worldwide of both the A330 and the B777. It is worth noting that most of these can be found in our region. They include Cathay, Thai, Malaysia, Asiana, Korean and also Emirates and Gulf Air. Clearly these airlines perceive these types as having very different roles.
It is envisaged the A330-300 will replace much of the regional international flying currently performed by the 767 in the QF network. Qantas has already stated publically that the 767 will be phased out of operations in around 10 years' time.
The B777 can perform many of the heavier routes currently operated by the B747. This includes services to Japan, Honolulu, Indonesia, NZ and Singapore. Taking a quick glance at the 8,500 nm range capability of the recently re-launched B777-200LR also offers some interesting city pairs which have probably not escaped QF's eye. Such a range would allow non-stop city pais such as Perth-Rome, Singapore-Frankfurt/Paris, Auckland-Los Angeles and would you believe, Auckland-New York.
The A380 will be introduced from 2006, operating on very heavy routes such as London and Los Angeles. As I see it, this leaves little room for the B747-400 in Qantas' future fleet. It would be pointless to keep the 'original jumbo' in service for other routes which have no ETOPS restrictions and can be operated by the B777 at a far more economical rate while carrying just as many passengers in the case of the 777-300.
To duplicate the role of the A380 and the B747 seems irrational.
So, as I see it, the Qantas fleet might look something like this:
A380-800 High demand service to US and London
B777-300 Services to Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong, NZ, Indonesia, Honolulu
A330-300 Regional workhorse of smaller Asian/Pacific ports.
This fleet make-up comprises three main type ratings in operation - just the same as the current number in the international fleet (B744, Classics and 767.) Obviously, the A330 would also operate on high demand domestic routes, supplemented by something like the 737-900X which will accommodate close to 200 passengers on an identical rating the the current NG's already in service. A world-wide amd domestic network on just four types sound pretty reasonable to me.
All this of course is subject to just how many routes will eventually be taken over in the future by AO. Interesting times ahead....