787 could well be a replacement type for A330 but that’s probably a good few years away. With JFK/LAX/SCL/HKG it’s been a good 747 replacement. More needed to replace the last 6 jumbos next year.
Plenty of deployment to USA routes that people have commented on.
Joyce said at investor briefings that the aircraft on PER-LHR commands a 40% premium in Bus and prem classes. Much less fuel and maintenance cost which is bulk of the cost.
Also said that pilot costs are 50% less than US competition. Been told it’s actually between 40% and 45% less pay than competition.

I guessing you don’t believe much else of what he says but you believe this???

He also said you could fly 2 787’s on a route for the same cost as 1 A380. To a degree this is what they are now doing to SFO and BNE - LAX. What does that do for pilot ‘productivity’? (8 pilots instead of 4) What does it do for career progression and total career earning potential?

I think the truth is much more complex than a line from a man who we know enjoys spinning a few creative interpretations of the facts to the media to make himself look good.

You believe what you want and I will also do the same. You look at it from a company point of view but maybe you can explain to me how a SO on the 787 gets .528% of the FOs hourly rate but on the 380 it’s .778%? If that isn’t a huge win with approx 14 per aircraft then I’m lost.

Nope, I’m looking at it from the pilot point of view in that if you run 2 787’s in lieu of 1 A380 then you need to hire 4 more S/O’s, promote another 2 to F/O and an F/O to Captain.
Great for pilots, not great for employee productivity!

And I look at it from the point of view of have they increased the international fleet? No, therefore the Captain and FO numbers are the same and in fact you are selling your wages and conditions to get some promotions. Every argument has two sides you and I will always see it differently.

Captain and F/O numbers are not the same at all. We are hiring pilots at a much faster rate than we are losing them. There have been increases in pilots numbers in all ranks.
We hiring new pilots and promoting existing pilots as we launch new routes and add frequency on existing routes.

You certainly can choose to look at the glass half empty but I know every new S/O I fly with is seeing it half full.

They have increased yes, it’s also to cover for the VR, early retirements, medical retirements , and normal retirements which are increasing as the baby boomers reach the end of their careers,and lastly the surplus needed to build up for a new type.

The whole 787 contract that will become fleet pay in the years to come followed by the loss of night credits for 3 man crew next.

Recent advice from a senior pilot to an A380 FO.

”Stay on that aircraft until they take it out of service”

:p

Then retire.

Admittedly, it’s decent advice!

I think pilot numbers are based on lines of flying (number of patterns) rather than the number of aircraft. Santiago going daily in the 787 certainly will require extra crew over the 747 going 4 times a week.

Anyone here lucky enough to be doing these sectors!?:}

https://www.qantasnewsroom.com.au/me...-to-australia/

Looks like no more 787s for QF, at least not this lap of the sun.

why and only 11?