QF 737 Tasman Flights

[73qanda]

Qantas has announced an extra 260,000 seats annually on the Tasman on three routes.
Brisbane - Christchurch, Melbourne - Christchurch, and Melbourne - Wellington.
This is in addition to an extra 35,000 seats annually between Brisbane and Wellington announced recently and beginning in October 2024.
All of which will be flown by the 737 fleet.
I have two questions for those in the know;
Is anyone aware of any flying being taken off the 737 domestically ( maybe given to the E190 or 220) in order to free up capacity on the 737?
Does either Jetconnect or Mainline SH have the spare hours ( approximately 1700 extra Tasman flights) to allow it as it currently stands?
Cheers,

[aussieflyboy]

NJS have been doing daily BNE-MEL since the A220s were approved for commercial ops and their B717s have been doing multiple MEL-SYD returns for months (much to their crews dismay). Maybe Network Aviation will be operating PER-BNE to free up some more 737s…

[dr dre]

Originally Posted by 73qanda

Is anyone aware of any flying being taken off the 737 domestically ( maybe given to the E190 or 220) in order to free up capacity on the 737?

I believe it’s more of a matter of having the appropriate number of crew trained up by that time, both mainline and Jetconnect. There’s still some “fat” in the airframe utilisation to allow some extra flights, especially back of the clock.

[Ollie Onion]

Word on the street is maybe a new Jetconnect base in CHC to support expansion. As above have said I would think that Pilots will be more of a problem for them. When do the first A321’s arrive for Qantas? I have heard that the Qantas sim will be up and running middle of the year.

[dr dre]

Originally Posted by Ollie Onion

As above have said I would think that Pilots will be more of a problem for them. When do the first A321’s arrive for Qantas? I have heard that the Qantas sim will be up and running middle of the year.

Early next year. Sim arrives at the CAE centre in Sydney mid year. Training pilots selected for the 321 already doing endorsements and slots for line crew will be advertised in next month’s training allocation.

[SixDemonBag]

New JC base? Heard it’s going the other way

[Ollie Onion]

Originally Posted by SixDemonBag

New JC base? Heard it’s going the other way

Possible, that’s the beauty of the Qantas Group, no matter the rumour they still manage to surprise.

[Hollywood1]

Originally Posted by dr dre

Early next year. Sim arrives at the CAE centre in Sydney mid year. Training pilots selected for the 321 already doing endorsements and slots for line crew will be advertised in next month’s training allocation.

Is that the A321LRs or XLRs that are coming early next year for QF?

[Chad Gates]

Mainline is only getting the XLR

[Angle of Attack]

Mainline will also be operating A220 from late next year, you heard it here!

[aussieflyboy]

Originally Posted by Angle of Attack

Mainline will also be operating A220 from late next year, you heard it here!

What B scale SO would take a pay cut to accept an A220 Command?

[Transition Layer]

Originally Posted by aussieflyboy

What B scale SO would take a pay cut to accept an A220 Command?

If the 220 comes across on SH conditions (as it should), then I think plenty would be interested.
The thought of flying an ancient 737 turns plenty off short haul. It’s like the opposite of shiny jet syndrome.

[SixDemonBag]

I like to call it a nasty case of the maggots

[pinkpanther1]

Originally Posted by Angle of Attack

Mainline will also be operating A220 from late next year, you heard it here!

Thats been a rumor since the 220s were ordered. It seems something that AIPA promises but is always immediately shut down whenever mentioned to management. Would love to see it, but I wouldn't be holding my breath.

[chazwazza14]

Originally Posted by dr dre

I believe it’s more of a matter of having the appropriate number of crew trained up by that time, both mainline and Jetconnect. There’s still some “fat” in the airframe utilisation to allow some extra flights, especially back of the clock.

Apparently JC crew only do 400-500 hours a year. So maybe just improving the efficiency of those guys???

[aussieflyboy]

Originally Posted by chazwazza14

Apparently JC crew only do 400-500 hours a year. So maybe just improving the efficiency of those guys???

Are there Pilots in Aus doing more than that? Why? Money? Maybe some groups need to increase their base salary…