Qantas 787

[Peter C]

VH-ZNM and VH-ZNN are now showing on the recently expanded spreadsheet as Line Numbers 1035 and 1051 respectively.

[James Smith]

Peter, VH-ZNL is line number 1019 with 16 more 787s constructed before VH-ZNM (1035) and another 16 before VH-ZNN (1051). If VH-ZNL is being delivered in early to mid June 2020 (see my calculations at post #535), VH-ZNM will be due for delivery in another month and a half, ie late July to early August, 2020 at 12 787 deliveries per month. VH-ZNN will be ready for delivery in another month and a half by mid to late September, 2020 in readiness for the commencement of the NW schedules.

[Dennis McLean]

Hi James, remember half at Charleston and half at Everett, so that is only 8 each between L, M and N .

[Peter C]

The third Project Sunrise flight is underway, with VH-ZNK enroute JFK-SYD - departed JFK 14:05 AEDST, and due SYD 09:19 on 18th.

Seems someone wants the extra aircraft here a.s.a.p. with the continuing absence of VH-ZNJ

[Peter C]

James, I generally agree with your estimates for the next three deliveries, although maybe add a week for the annual Christmas/New Year slow down.

[James Smith]

Dennis, the last I saw was that Boeing had decided that a total of twelve 787s would be produced each month in 2020 at both Everett and Charleston. That figure is what I based my estimates on. They are pretty conservative and shouldn't alter much with a shutdown of a week over Christmas/NY.

ZNK only spent about 3 hours on the ground in JFK and the only QANTAS publicity has been on Twitter, with no media release as yet. They are keen to get her to work with her sister out of action.

[James Smith]

I just saw 787-9 VH-ZNJ about to depart SYD and checked it out. It operated QF464 MEL-SYD and is now operating QF497 back to MEL tonight. This is its first flight since landing in MEL from HKG on 10/12/19.

It then operated return MEL-BNE-MEL flights as QF7310/7311 overnight.

Hopefully, whatever was the technical issue has been completely fixed, be it hydraulics, carpet or whatever.

[Dennis McLean]

Seems the problem might be solved, ZNJ off to PER from MEL at 09.00am as QF775, in 5 mins.

[James Smith]

Not sure about solving the problem. ZNJ was due to leave MEL at 7:05 and is still yet to depart.

[James Smith]

ZNK has just touched down in SYD with a flight time of 19 hours 31 minutes from JFK, 13 minutes longer than the 19 hours 16 minutes taken for the first Project Sunrise flight from JFK. The non-stop flight from LHR took 19 hours 19 minutes to SYD.

[Greg Hyde]

Looks like ZNK is heading to MEL.

Wonder if it will be in service tonight ?

[Peter C]

VH-ZNJ has now taken off as QF775 for Perth, having operated a Melbourne - Brisbane rotation as QF7410/QF7411 in the early hours - staged testing with longer and longer routes - where next ?

While FlightAware shows a 787-9 QF6027 flight from Sydney to Melbourne, it hasn't taken place yet - [Edit] it has just appeared on FlightRadar24.

[James Smith]

ZNJ has been delayed by nearly 4 and a half hours before operating QF775 to PER. It will be interesting to see if she will return to MEL on a domestic flight or possibly operate QF9 this evening, as it looks as though QF10 from LHR to PER that was due to arrive today in the early afternoon has been cancelled, as has the onward QF10 to MEL.

Today's QF9 from MEL-PER is still scheduled however, which could be operated by ZNK with ZNJ returning to the east coast on another domestic service.

[Adam W]

ZNJ is turning around in Perth as QF772 back to MEL.
Today's QF9 is being operated by ZNB.

[James Smith]

ZNJ has returned to international flights by operating QF49 MEL- SFO tonight.

[C Patters]

Does anyone know when ZNK will make her first revenue flight?

[Peter C]

Happy Christmas : VH-ZNK has entered international service operating today's QF153 Melbourne - Auckland

[Greg Hyde]

Looks like ZNK went into service "early" based on the extra flights Aus <-> NZ flights.

A large number of Kiwis have come over for the Boxing Day Test.

Hopefully the last one out, turns off the light.

[James Smith]

ZNK has operated another return flight from MEL-AKL today and is about to operate QF49 from MEL-SFO tonight.

[Peter C]

VH-ZNF positioned Melbourne - Brisbane yesterday to bring the 787-9 numbers in Brisbane up to the necessary level, in order to operate the extra QF55/QF56 787-9 services from Friday.

[Peter C]

Seems there may be an issue with VH-ZNI ?

Yesterday's QF29 & QF30 Melbourne - Hong Kong rotation was cancelled, with ZNK switching to QF9 MEL-PER-LHR.

Now today's QF55 & QF56 Brisbane - Los Angeles rotation has been cancelled, with ZNA positioning from Brisbane to Melbourne, to take over the HKG flights.

There will need to be more shuffling and/or cancellations, as this leaves Brisbane short of a 787-9.

[Peter C]

Interesting to read that Qantas had to off-load 90 passengers from yesterday's QF9 MEL-PER-LHR flight : 50 from the MEL-PER leg and a further 40 passengers from the PER-LHR leg, in order to give the flight enough range to bypass Iran on way to UK - with flight time extended by 50 minutes. EDIT : VH-ZNE has just landed after a 17 hour 56 minute flight.

Apparently due wind patterns, there was no need to do the same on QF10 !

No doubt this reduction/extension will be in place for some time.

[C Patters]

Looks like ZNI is back in service today operating QF29 to HKG

[Peter C]

Seems ZNA has gone back to Brisbane - a swap with ZNC which has just left Melbourne with today's QF9.

[Peter C]

VH-ZNF operated the first Brisbane - Auckland service by a 787-9 today as QF119/QF126

[Reece perram]

Is there going to be any possible new routes in 2020 with the Qantas dreamliner? possibly replacing the QF81/82?

[Dennis McLean]

With ZNL due about May/June, QF27/28 SYD/SCL/SYD becomes a Daily 789 on 25 June. That only leaves M and N on order.

How do you replace 3 x 744's on SYD/HND and SYD/JNB with 2 x 789's. Also SYD/YVR ends on 3 August.

[Peter C]

Next new 787-9 service is the three times a week Brisbane-San Francisco rotation commencing Sunday 9th Feb. Aircraft to be drawn from the BNE-LAX QF55/QF56 route which is reduced to three services per week, some of the timetable changes are already in place this week.
There have also been changes to MEL-SFO QF49/QF50 to mesh with the new BNE-SFO services, however there are still four services per week. Consequently changes also to MEL-LAX QF95/QF96, again with still the same number of services.

[Dennis McLean]

Hi Peter, they are from 55/56 only as since the beginning of January, 55/56 has been Daily ex 4. So BNE/LAX goes back to 136 plus the Daily 15/16 and BNE/SFO is 247. Of course from 13 April, the 136 flights plus 5 go to Chicago, leaving LAX with 15/16 only. 95 is a change of days only from 15 to 47, with the 96 being 4/6 and 7/4. The 7 flight remains in LAX in maintenance until 2 with the arrival back in MEL being on 4. As a result QF9/10 on a Tuesday MEL/PER/MEL is a 332 as there is no aircraft available for that flight. The 10/9 flight turns around in PER back to LHR. MEL/SFO/MEL moves from 3467 to 1356, so 1356/3571 back in MEL.

[Peter C]

Agreed Dennis, as per my clarification edit yesterday which crossed your reply.

In addition from 9th, the weekly 787-9 domestic flights through Brisbane will either cease (QF607 BNE-MEL on Thursday, QF610 MEL-BNE on Friday), or in the case of the BNE-PER-BNE QF589/QF654 rotation on Fridays, revert to a 738 operation.

[Peter C]

... The 7 flight remains in LAX in maintenance until 2 with the arrival back in MEL being on 4. ...

While there is a layover in LA maintenance, it is often with a swap of aircraft.

Interestingly last week on the existing schedule, VH-ZNK had a flight pattern of QF95 / QF56 / QF15 / QF11 / QF 12 / QF96. The aircraft to lay over in LAX in the QF95/QF96 "gap" were in fact VH-ZNB then VH-ZNC.

[Peter C]

After the cancellation of the Melbourne-Perth & Perth-Melbourne sectors of QF9 and QF10 respectively yesterday, requiring ZNG to turn around in Perth to operate the Perth-London leg of QF9; today the full rotation QF9/QF10 has been cancelled - QF9 today, & QF10 tomorrow & Monday - todays services should have been operated by ZNB ??

[Peter C]

Am I reading the timetables correctly, in that the change over of 787-9's on the Melbourne - Hong Kong QF29/QF30 route, to Sydney - Hong Kong QF127/QF128 has been moved forward from 29th March to 2nd March ?

[James Smith]

Peter, the seasonal A380 services from SYD-HKG-SYD on QF127/128 finished early on 13/2/20, with B744 and A330 equipment taking over until 1/3/20. From 2/3/20 B789 will resume operating QF127/128 but QANTAS subsequently announced that the flight would be suspended from 30/3/20 up to 25/5/20, at this stage. During this period, there will only be the one HKG flight from SYD per day - QF117/118. So, yes the resumption of B789s from SYD-HKG has been brought forward to 2/3/20.

From 29/3/20 - 24/5/20 the B789 from QF127/128 will be used to operate QF35/36 MEL-SIN-MEL, in lieu of A380 equipment. All to do with falling demand.

[Peter C]

Thanks James.

[James Smith]

QANTAS has announced that 787-9s will operate the seasonal SYD - YVR services over an extended Christmas/New Year period in 2020/21:

Qantas this week opened reservation for its seasonal Sydney – Vancouver service, for Northern winter 2020/21 season. The seasonal service during Northern winter season operates from 12DEC20 to 27FEB21, 3 times weekly as usual, however operational aircraft will switch from Boeing 747-400 to 787-9 Dreamliner.

QF075 SYD2015 – 1505YVR 789 146
QF076 YVR2000 – 0610+2SYD 789 146

[James Smith]

Looking at the QANTAS online timetable it is currently showing that the QF127/128 service from SYD to HKG will continue to operate with B789 equipment through December 2020 and into late February 2021. QF117/118 will continue to operate with A330s. At this stage it looks as though A380 services to HKG will not be operating during this peak period.

This prompts the question as to where the next three B789s will operate. ZNL should be delivered in time to operate the new daily service to SCL from 24/6/20 and be coupled with QF73/74 to SFO which will depart SYD two hours later from late March to achieve this.

ZNM will be utilised on the seasonal SYD to YVR service from 12/12/20 - 27/2/21. I was assuming that the B789 freed up from HKG would operate to YVR while the A380s operated to HKG. This would have left two B789s to operate to JNB.

This leaves just ZNN as a B789 replacement for the last B744 services to enable their retirement to be completed.

However, it looks as though QF29/30 will be operated by B789s to 25/10/20 only with A330s replacing them. This would give another B789 and two in total to operate daily services to JNB. Another B789 will be available after 27/2/21 when YVR services cease.

It could be that B744 services continue until 27/2/21 or if A330s operate to Tokyo, the two B789s could take over JNB and the last B744 could be retired in late 2020.

A lot to consider and there are obviously other scenarios with international services facing further curtailment with the coronavirus continuing to spread, throwing airline services into meltdown.

[MarkR]

Additional Perth to London services are expected to be announced today to cover the loss of six A380s which will be grounded, Iraq overflight resumption makes the service much more viable.

[MarkR]

QF1 and 2 to go via Perth, as noted in the A380 thread, and ORD flights delayed:

“
In response to strong customer demand for the direct Perth-London service, the existing Sydney- Singapore-London return service (QF1 and QF2) will be temporarily re-routed to become a Sydney-Perth- London service from 20 April.
The start of Qantas’ new Brisbane-Chicago route will be delayed from 15 April to mid-September.”

Changes are quite significant for 787 routes:
BNE SFO Cancelled
MEL SFO Cancelled
SYD SFO reverting to 747
SYD DFW going 787
MEL LAX A380 replaced by 787
SYD to Vancouver service suspended June and July
SYD PER LHR double daily 787
Syd Santiago 747 remains on route
MEL SIN QF35/36 A330 replaces 787

[David C]

What equipment will QF utilise on the SYD - PER- LHR flight , 380 or 787 ?

Dave C

[MarkR]

787 as I mentioned from April 20

[Peter C]

And so the changes begin, VH-ZNA is the first 787-9 to operate QF11 SYD-LAX, while VH-ZNH is operating QF93 MEL-LAX for the first time since New Years Eve 2018/2019.

[Peter C]

Interesting times ...

There are currently five 787-9s on the ground at LAX : ZNA, ZNB, ZNF, ZNH & ZNI

A further three enroute to LAX : ZNC, ZNJ & ZNK (QF15, QF93 & QF11 respectively)

With the remaining three operating (or due to operate) QF9/QF10 : ZND, ZNE & ZNG

[C Patters]

Has there been any word on the remaining 3 x 789-9’s still to be delivered this year & if they are still scheduled to arrive as noted or if any delays will occur?

[Greg Hyde]

Boeing worker at Everett plant dies from coronavirus infection

A Boeing worker who came down with the COVID-19 respiratory disease caused by the coronavirus has died, the first death among the infected employees.

Co-workers and a union official who confirmed his death said the man was an inspector who worked on the 787 Dreamliner in Everett.

The Seattle Times is not naming him until his family is informed. Boeing said in a statement it is “taking the right steps to confirm the information while respecting the individual’s and the family’s privacy.”

The man’s job was to oversee unfinished work that had traveled out from the factory to the flight line.

He was also a shop steward in the International Association of Machinists (IAM) union.

On Saturday, while he was still in intensive care, his brother posted a plea to Boeing on Facebook.

“Boeing Everett plant, please close your doors and shut down,” his brother wrote, adding that the man had worked at Boeing for 27 years.

“My brother is on life support. Please pray for him and all affected by the virus,” he concluded.

In a subsequent post, he said his brother had died.

As of end of day Saturday, there were 29 confirmed cases among Boeing employees company-wide, 24 of those in the Puget Sound area and 5 out of state. The local tally is 17 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Everett, 5 in Renton, 1 in Auburn and 1 at the local headquarters in Longacres.

That was up from 20 confirmed cases company-wide at the end of day Thursday, with 18 in the Puget Sound area and two out of state.

Many workers in the Everett plant have been expressing anger at management for keeping the factory open as coronavirus infections have risen.

Some workers who fear for themselves or loved ones have chosen to stay home without pay. Others have stayed on the job because they depend on the paycheck, and for that reason the union has refrained from calling for a shutdown.

https://www.seattletimes.com/business/boeing-aerospace/boeing-worker-dies-from-coronavirus-infection-at-everett-plant/

[Peter C]

Has there been any word on the remaining 3 x 789-9’s still to be delivered this year & if they are still scheduled to arrive as noted or if any delays will occur?

Subject to any flow on from Greg's post on the regrettable CoVid-19 death at Everett, the spreadsheet shows VH-ZNL at position 1019 is one slot away from 'Parts Arriving'

[Peter C]

From the Paine Field Blog ...

Boeing has suspended operations at Everett starting March 25 ...

[Peter C]

Bit of a curve ball tonight ...
VH-ZND is operating a normal QF9 MEL-PER-LHR, while VH-ZNE, having arrived earlier with QF10 from LHR, had turned around in Perth and is operating QF5 PER-LHR.
Presumably using an available flight number for this extra flight ?

[Ricky T]

Presumably using an available flight number for this extra flight ?

Guess they couldn't use QF1 given it was operating on the 25 Mar as SYD-DRW-LHR.

[Peter C]

VH-ZNE is now returning LHR-PER as QF6
'The Qantas Source' reports on the earlier QF5 ...
Despite the flight number this is understood to have operated as a charter for the Irish government.

[Peter C]

Full 787-9 fleet "CoVid-19 suspension" dispositioning:
4 aircraft in Melbourne [ZNA, ZND, ZNG & ZNJ],
3 in Sydney [ZNB, ZNE & ZNI],
2 in Brisbane [ZNF & ZNK]
& 1 each in Perth [ZNH] & Los Angeles [ZNC]

[Peter C]

It appears that Qantas has used a single crew to relocate three 787-9 aircraft from MEL to BNE during the week ...
ZNJ on 1st, ZND on 2nd and ZNG yesterday (3rd) - leaving just ZNA in MEL.

[Greg Hyde]

Boeing 787s must be turned off and on every 51 days to prevent 'misleading data' being shown to pilots

US air safety bods call it 'potentially catastrophic' if reboot directive not implemented

The US Federal Aviation Administration has ordered Boeing 787 operators to switch their aircraft off and on every 51 days to prevent what it called "several potentially catastrophic failure scenarios" – including the crashing of onboard network switches.

The airworthiness directive, due to be enforced from later this month, orders airlines to power-cycle their B787s before the aircraft reaches the specified days of continuous power-on operation.

The power cycling is needed to prevent stale data from populating the aircraft's systems, a problem that has occurred on different 787 systems in the past.

According to the directive itself, if the aircraft is powered on for more than 51 days this can lead to "display of misleading data" to the pilots, with that data including airspeed, attitude, altitude and engine operating indications. On top of all that, the stall warning horn and overspeed horn also stop working.

This alarming-sounding situation comes about because, for reasons the directive did not go into, the 787's common core system (CCS) stops filtering out stale data from key flight control displays. That stale data-monitoring function going down in turn "could lead to undetected or unannunciated loss of common data network (CDN) message age validation, combined with a CDN switch failure".

https://www.theregister.co.uk/2020/04/02/boeing_787_power_cycle_51_days_stale_data/

[Brenden S]

The Airbus fleet have a maintenance task to depower fully for 30mins or so and re power. This has been going on for years. Good to see Boeing finally catch up.

[MarkR]

ZNI just left Syd heading to Lima

[Peter C]

After ZNE positioned from Sydney to Melbourne yesterday morning as QF6006 in the first 787-9 flight since 3rd April, ZNB repeated the operation earlier this morning as QF6007, and then operated QF151 MEL-AKL, before returning as QF156 AKL-MEL

Flight number for the ZNI flight is QF7027

ZNE is now operating QF9 MEL-PER-LHR : all three flights listed as repatriation flights on "The Qantas Source".

[Peter C]

This appears to be the weekly situation for the Qantas 787-9 fleet, now the Federal Government's priorities have been set ... five rotations each out of Melbourne and Brisbane. Four each to Auckland and Hong Kong, & one each to Los Angeles and London Heathrow.

Melbourne based flights ...
Sunday : a QF151/QF156 MEL-AKL-MEL rotation; and the QF9 MEL-PER-LHR sectors of a QF9/QF10 rotation.
This latter flight is using the International Terminal T1 and not the Qantas Terminal T3 at Perth for the stop over, albeit Gate 50 which is a dual use gate on the Virgin T1 Domestic wing.
Monday : a second QF151/QF156 rotation and a QF29/QF30 MEL-HKG-MEL rotation.
[The return QF30 sector last week was delayed overnight with an early Tuesday morning departure.]
Wednesday : first sector of QF10 departs LHR
Thursday : 2nd sector of QF10 departs PER
Friday : the QF29 sector of a QF29/QF98 MEL-HKG-BNE rotation
Saturday : the QF30 sector of a QF97/QF30 BNE-HKG-MEL rotation (arrives MEL early Sunday morning)

Brisbane based flights ...
Sunday : the QF16 return sector of a QF15/QF16 BNE-LAX-BNE rotation arrives early in the morning
Wednesday : a QF97/QF98 BNE-HKG-BNE rotation
Thursday : a QF119/QF126 BNE-AKL-BNE rotation and the QF15 sector of a BNE-LAX-BNE rotation
Friday : the QF98 sector of the QF29/QF98 MEL-HKG-BNE rotation (arrives BNE in early hours of Saturday); and the QF16 sector of the QF15/QF16 BNE-LAX-BNE rotation departs LAX
Saturday : a second QF119/QF126 BNE-AKL-BNE rotation; and the QF97 sector of the QF97/QF30 BNE-HKG-MEL rotation.

Note also that last week ZNE and ZNI swapped between MEL & BNE via the Thursday MEL-HKG-BNE and Friday BNE-HKG-MEL rotations respectively.

[Dennis McLean]

ZNL is showing parts arriving on All things 787

[Peter C]

While ZNA is operating today's QF29/QF98 MEL-HKG-BNE rotation, VH-ZNI is currently positioning or operating to Buenos Aires as QF7027.

[Peter C]

ZNL is showing parts arriving on All things 787

The Boeing announcement at https://boeing.mediaroom.com/2020-04-16-Boeing-to-Resume-Commercial-Airplanes-Production-in-Puget-Sound indicates that the Everett 787 line should just be starting to 'crank up' - not sure whether Qantas will be in a hurry to take delivery when L, M & N are eventually available, given current situation.

[Peter C]

The first 787-9 to operate into South Africa, VH-ZND has just touched down into Johannesburg after 13 hour 31 minute flight from Melbourne. TV reports indicate it will return via Cape Town and Perth to Melbourne.

[Peter C]

Re previous post, seems the local TV reporter got mixed up with flights, as VH-ZND is currently enroute JNB - MEL direct as QF7026. The other flight was completed by SAA A340 ZS-SNC as SA2280 yesterday.

[Greg Hyde]

Qantas hits pause on new Boeing 787, Airbus A321neo jets

Qantas will join other airlines around the world in pushing back on the delivery of new jets until the worst of the coronavirus has passed and the shape of the post-pandemic travel market is clearer.

Qantas will defer the delivery of its last three Boeing 787-9 aircraft due to arrive by the end of this year, which would have seen the Dreamliner fleet top out at 14 and allow the retirement of the Boeing 747s – although the now-grounded jumbo jets are now less likely to be put out to pasture than simply not return to the skies at all.

Also put on ice: Jetstar's Airbus A321neo LR aircraft, the first of which was slated for delivery in August with all 18 streaming through by the middle of 2022.

The long-range jets, decked out in a 232 seat all-economy configuration, were earmarked for a mix of domestic and selected international routes such as Sydney to Bali, along with potential new low-cost corridors such as Melbourne-Fiji and Cairns-Auckland.

A Qantas spokesman confirmed to Executive Traveller that the airline has advised Airbus and Boeing it won’t be taking delivery of any new aircraft in the short term.
An unsteady return

Most of the airline's jets are already grounded, awaiting the gradual return of domestic travel, but international travel – barring the opening of a local 'bubbles' to the likes of New Zealand and other nearby Pacific islands – isn't expected to resume until 2021, while a stabilised 'new normal' may not arrive until 2023.

Qantas Group CEO Alan Joyce last week said the airline had acted quickly to conserve cash, hitting pause on almost all capital and operating expenditure as well as implementing employee stand-downs, and raising $1.6 billion in loans against ten of its Boeing 787-9s as it weathers the coronavirus storm.

"It is hard to predict what the demand will look like and recovery is likely to be slow," Joyce admitted.

"There's a lot we don't know about life on the other side of the crisis, but our starting assumption has to be that the market won't return to demand levels we had going into the crisis. The market will probably be smaller for some time."

Despite a forecasted "net cash burn rate of $40m a week by the end of June", Joyce said this was "a lot lower than most airlines around the globe, and we have a light at the end of the tunnel with domestic and trans-Tasman markets potentially opening up before any other markets."
Reshaping and right-sizing

Joyce told Executive Traveller that the airline would launch a sweeping review of its entire international fleet to reshape the airline around post-coronavirus travel demand, because "the Qantas of 2021 and 2022 will not be the Qantas of 2019."

This could include fewer Airbus A380s, with the airline halting its refurbishment plan – only six of the 12 superjumbos have been upgraded with new business class seats and inflight lounges to free up cash in the short term, until it's determined how many A380s will be needed in this uncertain future.

"There is a potential to bring all 12 (A380s) back (into service), but there is a potential to bring less than 12 back," Joyce says of the airline's flagship jets. "That will depend on what the recovery scenario looks like."

Joyce also confirmed that ambitious plans for non-stop Project Sunrise flights to London, Paris and New York have been put on hold, along with an order for the Airbus A350-1000 jets which would have tackled the marathon 18-20 hour journeys.

"We do think there is a huge potential for Project Sunrise but the time is not right now, given the impact that COVID-19 has had on world travel," Joyce reflected. "But we do think there's still a good business case for it, and a good opportunity."

https://www.executivetraveller.com/news/qantas-boeing-787-airbus-a321neo-deliveries

[Dennis McLean]

VH ZNL showing - undergoing final assembly - as at 14 May.

[Greg Hyde]

They may complete the aircraft but not deliver until QF is ready.

[Peter C]

FWIW, Payne Field Blog said on 20th "ZB338 Air France 787-9 line 1013 was moved out of the factory last night", which means with odd numbers only at Everett, line 1019 VH-ZNL will have moved to P2.

[Peter C]

Again,FWIW, Payne Field Blog said on 27th "Scoot 787-8 line 1015 came out of the factory on May 25", which means line 1019 VH-ZNL will have moved to P3.

[Greg Hyde]

ZNC landing at BNE with Vortices

https://twitter.com/AeronewsGlobal/status/1262308164340457472?s=20

[Peter C]

Jennifer Schuld's Twitter feed https://twitter.com/JenSchuld yesterday (10th) shows Turkish Airlines 787-9 TC-LLN on it's first (B1) test flight.
As line number 1017, that puts VH-ZNL (ln 1019) in at least position 4 or in the paint shop - it's not visible in any of backgrounds to the TC-LLN pictures.

[James Smith]

QANTAS has advised the replacement of equipment for JNB and HND from 744 to 789 from the start of the NS schedules in 2021. This implies that the 744 will be brought back to operate these two routes at some stage leading up to the replacement date.

Qantas Airways in late-May 2020 filed aircraft changes for selected long-haul routes, scheduled from late-March 2021. Initial operational aircraft changes as follows.

Sydney – Johannesburg eff 28MAR21 787-9 replaces 747-400, increase from 6 to 7 weekly
Sydney – Tokyo Haneda eff 28MAR21 787-9 replaces 747-400, 1 daily

Source: Routes Online

[Peter C]

First sight of VH-ZNL : Paine Field Blog shows VH-ZNL in Fuel Dock on 15th -

http://www.paineairport.com/kpae18415r.htm

[Peter C]

The "787 Sheets" have finally been updated - with ZNL out in Pre Flight Prep, and ZNM shown as Parts Arriving ... 787 Current Production (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1FH3Y2-vRUgojntPkCSJI5Pd-15rsJ1a0SFCRaT-iqgo/edit#gid=19)

[Peter C]

First sight of VH-ZNM (line 1035) in Fuel Dock at Everett on 23rd - spreadsheet indicates a roll out on 21st ...

pic by Jen Schuld (https://twitter.com/JenSchuld/status/1286019336608440320/photo/1)

With line 1005 being first Everett 787 to go to Victorville (VCV) last week, are the last three Qantas 787-9s likely to head that way, to join the A380s ?

[Peter C]

On 2nd August, Gulf Air 787-9 A9C-FI (line 1039) is visible at the back end of the line-up in the Fuel Dock...

pic by Jen Schuld (https://twitter.com/JenSchuld/status/1289659831716941824/photo/1)

If the spreadsheets were up to date, VH-ZNN (line 1051) would now be shown as "Parts Arriving"

[Greg Hyde]

Bloomberg reported last week that Boeing was having a storage problem at Paine Field with more aircraft produced then delivered.

None of the QF birds have flown as yet.

[James Smith]

I have found an article in Executive Traveller regarding QANTAS sending a majority of their B789s to Victorville. I haven't seen this reported anywhere else up to now.

But from September, Qantas says most of the 11-strong Boeing 787 fleet will make their way to the Victorville's Southern California Logistics Airport, where they'll join the Qantas Airbus A380s, and over 200 other jets from airlines around the world in waiting out the worst of the travel-crippling storm.

Link to the full article:

https://www.executivetraveller.com/news/qantas-to-send-most-of-its-boeing-787-to-the-desert-for-storage

There is no reference to storage of the three B789s in Everett or the Jetstar B788s.

[Greg Hyde]

It is interesting that none of the new B789s have added to the register.

In the past they added as a block or days before their first flight.

[Brenden S]

When the aircraft is added to the register the aircraft has essentially been handed over to the airline. The aircraft are owned by Boeing and are registered to Boeing at the moment.

[Peter C]

VH-ZNL was moved to the compass rose on 22nd - possibly a sign of things to come
pic by Jen Schuld (https://twitter.com/JenSchuld/status/1296861066090037249/photo/1)

With the Payne Field blog revealing that 787 line 1047 was rolled out late on 25th, VH-ZNN will have moved up to P3
Air Premia 787-9 line 1047 (http://www.paineairport.com/kpae18600n.htm)

[Peter C]

The Google 787 spreadsheet has been updated to show VH-ZNN line 1051 in Position 4 with roll out tomorrow - 3rd.

787 Tables (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1FH3Y2-vRUgojntPkCSJI5Pd-15rsJ1a0SFCRaT-iqgo/edit#gid=19)

[Greg Hyde]

Over the last week or so Boeing has been ferrying un-delivered B787s to VCV due to the lack of storage space for un-delivered jets at Everett.

The three QF birds haven't flown as yet .

[Peter C]

First sighting of VH-ZNN - not quite out in the open yet ...

pic from Payne Field Blog on 4th (http://www.paineairport.com/kpae18627v.htm)

[Peter C]

VH-ZNM name revealed ...

Pic from Payne Field Blog on 16th (http://www.paineairport.com/kpae18647g.htm)

"Mateship"

[Greg Hyde]

VH-ZNM name revealed ...

Pic from Payne Field Blog on 16th (http://www.paineairport.com/kpae18647g.htm)

"Mateship"

Good catch !

I wonder if "Mateship" was revealed as a Covid thing considering the other two L&N have their names taped over.

[Brenden S]

Just need ZNL and ZNN names now. As for the other 2, well the rest of the fleet is rather Okka.....

[Peter C]

After VH-ZNM completed a taxi test on 16th (Seattle time) revealing the name, it then completed its B1 test on 17th as BOE281.

Pics for 17th on both the Payne Field Blog and on Jen Schuld's Twitter feed.

[Peter C]

Subsequently on 18th, Qantas 787-9 VH-ZNM was flown as BOE281 to Victorville (VCV) for storage. So still under Boeing control ...

FlightRadar24 link (https://www.flightradar24.com/data/flights/boe281)

[Greg Hyde]

ZNM name re-taped for ferry flight.

Maybe an accidental reveal

[Steve S... 2]

ZNA & ZNG are both on their way to LAX as QF6001 & QF6004.

Not sure if I am behind in the times!? or onto something.

[Sean L]

They are heading to VCV

[Daniel F]

ZNC currently on the way to SYD from LAX as QF6026.

[Peter C]

Movement of a Qantas 787-9 at Paine Field - looking at the 'background' of each of these pics ...

30th Sep (no time) Payne Field Blog pic (http://www.paineairport.com/kpae18679n.htm) ... with a Vistara 787 to right of the American Airlines 787 on the flight line. So what ? see below ...

30th Sep ~3:30 p.m. Jen Schuld pic (https://twitter.com/JenSchuld/status/1311404493955768320/photo/1) shows a Qantas tail in the Fuel dock. At full zoom, I think this is more likely NL than NN.
(You may need to click on left hand image, although link is to the full image)

1st Oct ~1:30 p.m. Another Jen Schuld pic (https://twitter.com/JenSchuld/status/1311734078585008128/photo/1) now shows a Qantas 787 next to the American Airlines 787 on the flight line - tail letters not really visible.

So is VH-ZNL about to do its B1, followed by transfer to Victorville ?

Oh, and a warning to visitors to the Paine Field Blog - always click on the 'thumbnail' images and read the date in the description under the zoomed image. Sometimes, if a flight is missed, an older pic of same aircraft is posted, this resolves some apparent weather anomalies for photos posted together. (The three on 1st October are a worst case example, not one was taken that day !!)

.

[Daniel M]

Snapped a couple of pics of ZNM at VCV over the weekend. Sorry for the pic size, I have no idea how to make smaller :)

https://i.imgur.com/xqXqZd8.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/Zl2DFaQ.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/E28DE3N.jpg

[James Smith]

Crumbs, it's got no windows, not even plugs, apart from the usual five. It looks as though there will be a lot of work for Boeing to perform before ZNM is eventually ready for delivery.

[James Smith]

Can someone please let me know what the two covers are protecting on the tail. Many thanks.

[C Patters]

It had windows when it left Everett!

http://www.paineairport.com/kpae18648h.htm

[Peter C]

Boeing protecting its asset - a careful look at James's two close up pics shows the windows are there - covered with white plastic. The "plugged" widows are there in the departure photo, hence not requiring additional protection.

Unlike the Qantas A380s - see photo links in Greg's post on 28th Sept in that thread.

[Erik H. Bakke]

Crumbs, it's got no windows, not even plugs, apart from the usual five. It looks as though there will be a lot of work for Boeing to perform before ZNM is eventually ready for delivery.

Freighter conversion, perhaps? :D

Jokes aside, it kind of looks right, though. A sneak preview of what the 787 would look like as a freighter.

[James Smith]

Thanks Peter. Yes, you can just make out the windows under the AS of QANTAS in the close up photo but it takes a little time for my eyes to notice. It is very nicely colour co-ordinated fabric or plastic and you can't see any edges or joins. A very nice job.

[Daniel M]

Thanks Peter. Yes, you can just make out the windows under the AS of QANTAS in the close up photo but it takes a little time for my eyes to notice. It is very nicely colour co-ordinated fabric or plastic and you can't see any edges or joins. A very nice job.

I would say the junky iPhone quality photo doesn't help also. Apologies for that, was the only camera I had on me at the time :)

[Brenden S]

The covers on the tail I think are static ports.

[MarkR]

The covers on the tail I think are static ports.

Yes, they are gust suppression pressure transducers which you will find also on the 777s tail

[Brenden S]

I'll have to find my course notes and have a look at them.

[Peter C]

VH-ZNL completed a 42 minute B1 test flight as BOE280 on Monday 12th

pic from Jen Schuld (https://twitter.com/JenSchuld/status/1315732769901670402/photo/1)

boe280 recents on Flightradar24 (https://www.flightradar24.com/data/flights/boe280)

[Peter C]

VH-ZNL completed a 2 hour 44 minute B2 test flight as BOE280 on Wednesday 14th

FlightRadar24 BOE280 (VH-ZNL) (https://www.flightradar24.com/data/flights/boe280)

[Greg Hyde]

VH-ZNL has ferried to VCV for storage as BOE280 on 15/10

[Peter C]

The first new series repatriation flight using 787-9s will depart Sydney on 19th, flying to Perth as QF9. Then onwards to London Heathrow as QF9, arriving as usual early the next morning.

The plane will then sit at LHR (for crew rest) until late morning on the 22nd when it will fly to Darwin as QF110, before continuing (returning) to Sydney on 23rd as QF847.

With ZNC, ZND & ZNK currently in Sydney, odds are possibly on ZNC, which had a 22 minute out and back test flight from Sydney earlier today (16th).

[Sean L]

The first new series repatriation flight using 787-9s will depart Sydney on 19th, flying to Perth as QF9. Then onwards to London Heathrow as QF9, arriving as usual early the next morning.

The plane will then sit at LHR (for crew rest) until late morning on the 22nd when it will fly to Darwin as QF110, before continuing (returning) to Sydney on 23rd as QF847.

With ZNC, ZND & ZNK currently in Sydney, odds are possibly on ZNC, which had a 22 minute out and back test flight from Sydney earlier today (16th).
ZNC also got a water cannon salute on the way back. Captain retirement?

[Sean L]

ZNC also got a water cannon salute on the way back. Captain retirement?

Farewell for a senior engineer is what I'm told.

[Peter C]

Further details on 787-9 flights in next 5 weeks ...

Qantas launches flights to bring Australians home (https://www.qantasnewsroom.com.au/media-releases/qantas-launches-flights-to-bring-australians-home/)

[Adrian B]

So why Darwin for the return from London?

[Robert.M]

Quarantine at Howard Springs for 14 days.

[lloyd fox]

VH-ZNF BNE-BNE currently doing a test flight of some sort.

[Phil Stevens]

I see ZND is the chosen bird, en route to Perth.

[Dennis McLean]

ZND due to depart LHR at 11.00am BST today as QF110 due in DRW Friday at 11.55am ACST

[Peter C]

ZND due to depart LHR at 11.00am BST today as QF110 due in DRW Friday at 11.55am ACST

Despite leaving 54 minutes late at 11:54 am BST, QF100 landed 1 minute early at 11:54 am ACST. There seems to be a little confusion over passenger numbers, some reports say 161, others 174. Perhaps with 23 children on-board, the lower number is "equivalent" adults ?!

ZND is now returning to Sydney as QF6101

[Phil Stevens]

The inbound leg to LHR was reported as having 3 PAX.

[Peter C]

ZNC has left on the first rotation to Delhi

[Peter C]

ZNC has left on the first rotation to Delhi

Having completed the Delhi - Darwin leg early today, ZNC is now positioning back to Sydney - same flight number as ZND used - QF6101.

[Greg Hyde]

The last QF B787 (ZNN) at Everett has been moved to the fuel dock

http://www.paineairport.com/kpae18757u.htm

[Peter C]

After its short warm up on 28th, VH-ZNK is on its way to Perth and LHR as QF9, ready for next LHR-DRW repatriation flight on Saturday.

[Peter C]

The last QF B787 (ZNN) at Everett has been moved to the fuel dock

http://www.paineairport.com/kpae18757u.htm

Interestingly still unpainted (bar the tail), so after a B1, onto Portland for painting or Victorville for storage ?

[Peter C]

ZNF completed a short (21 minute) systems check flight out of Brisbane this morning. So for that short time there were two 789s airbourne with ZNK enroute LHR-DRW.

[Peter C]

The inbound leg to LHR was reported as having 3 PAX.

Could be why it appears that ZNK is going to turn around in Darwin, and return to LHR later this evening as QF109

It also appears that today's QF111 flight to Delhi has been postponed until tomorrow morning.

[Peter C]

Again we have two 789s airborne, as ZNK completes its return to LHR for the last London repatriation flight, while ZNC is now on its way to Delhi for the next Indian repatriation flight.

[Peter C]

The newest Qantas 789 : VH-ZNN (still unpainted) was due to complete a B1 flight on 9th as BOE282 with temp rego of N1020K, however it only completed a Taxi Test.

Paine Field Blog pic (http://www.paineairport.com/kpae18783e.htm)

That activity was somewhere between 0500 & 0800 AEDST today.

[Peter C]

Repatriation flights ...

ZNC having completed QF 112 from Delhi to Darwin overnight, is now returning to Sydney as a revenue flight QF847. The two previous 789 DRW-SYD flights were as QF6101.

Meanwhile ZND is about ¾ of the way to Johannesburg as QF63.

[Peter C]

There are still two Qantas 789s in the air, as while ZNC has reached Sydney, ZNK is enroute London to Darwin as QF110, and ZND is still about an hour out of Johannesburg.

[Peter C]

A still to be painted VH-ZNN completed its B1 flight in the early hours AEDST today

Jen Schuld photo (https://twitter.com/JenSchuld/status/1326628757684199424/photo/1)

[Greg Hyde]

A still to be painted VH-ZNN completed its B1 flight in the early hours AEDST today

Jen Schuld photo (https://twitter.com/JenSchuld/status/1326628757684199424/photo/1)

https://flightaware.com/live/flight/BOE282

I wonder if it was a "logo" jet with a special livery that got canceled due to COVID

[Brian Wilkes]

Rumours however accurate! that it may be painted in One World Livery?

[Peter C]

Rumours however accurate! that it may be painted in One World Livery?

Whatever, painting is on hold, as ZNN has been flown unpainted to Victorville as BOE282, to join ZNL & ZNM

Jen Schuld photo (https://twitter.com/JenSchuld/status/1326988309948600321/photo/1)

[Peter C]

ZND having completed the only South African repatriation flight for this cycle from Johannesburg to Perth (not Darwin) overnight as QF114, is now en-route back to Sydney as an extra domestic service QF566.

Between the flights it positioned across Perth Airport from the International terminal T1 to the Qantas Domestic Terminal T4.

[Peter C]

The next Sydney - Delhi - Darwin - Sydney repatriation rotation is being operated by ZNC, which has just overflown Darwin on the outbound sector.

[Peter C]

The final Sydney - Delhi - Darwin - Sydney repatriation rotation is being operated by ZND.

Qantas have announced new Repatriation flights, with the first today :-
QF9 SYD - PER - LHR on 26th Nov
QF115 SYD - PER - FRA on 9th Dec (first Qantas 787-9 into Frankfurt)
QF175 SYD - PER - CDG on 13th Dec (first Qantas 787-9 into Paris)
QF9 SYD - PER - LHR on 26th Dec
QF9 SYD - PER - LHR on 12th Jan 2021

All returning to Darwin, then back to Sydney as revenue flight QF847.

[Peter C]

ZNF is heading back to Brisbane from Los Angeles on the return leg of an unpublicised repatriation flight. (Left Brisbane on 1st).

Also saw a mention of a Melbourne 787-9 "flight to nowhere" on, I think, 12 December, but can't find it again to confirm !?

[Stefan Perkas]

ZNF is heading back to Brisbane from Los Angeles on the return leg of an unpublicised repatriation flight. (Left Brisbane on 1st).


It is a freight only service which will operate Every Tuesday out of BNE arriving back into Brisbane on Friday's. At this stage it is planned to operate until February.

[Peter C]

It is a freight only service which will operate Every Tuesday out of BNE arriving back into Brisbane on Friday's. At this stage it is planned to operate until February.

Interesting, as Qantas Source (http://theqantassource.com) reports both sectors as a "Repatriation Flight".

Meanwhile other 787-9 movements today, are ZNK on another Sydney - Delhi - Darwin - Sydney rotation as QF111, also unannounced - presumably booked out;
and ZNJ heading to Melbourne as QF7602 - this flight number indicating freight only ?

[Zac M]

The Qantas Source isn't the most reliable source of information....

[Peter C]

The Qantas Source isn't the most reliable source of information....

Agreed, depends who is telling them what, and how many possibly conflicting sources there are as well.

[Peter C]

Meanwhile other 787-9 movements today, are ZNK on another Sydney - Delhi - Darwin - Sydney rotation as QF111, also unannounced - presumably booked out ...

Seems that rotation detail was incorrect, as ZNK is in fact heading to Hobart from Delhi, making this the first 787-9 into the Apple Isle.

[Peter C]

Qantas has begun its announced use of 789s on domestic services ...
ZNC is now operating QF581 from Sydney to Perth - expected to return as QF566 later today.

[Peter C]

Qantas 787-9 movements today (9th) ...

ZNC operated another Sydney-Perth-Sydney domestic rotation as QF581/QF566

ZNK operated a Sydney-Melbourne-Perth domestic service as QF769 this afternoon, then continued on as Repatriation Flight QF115 Perth-Frankfurt.

ZNI is operating a Melbourne-Brisbane-Hong Kong service as QF97

& ZND is returning to Sydney from Tokyo (Narita) as QF22

[Greg Hyde]

B787's & A380 stored at LAX

https://twitter.com/i/status/1346734930848583680

[MarkR]

B787's & A380 stored at LAX

https://twitter.com/i/status/1346734930848583680

B787, there is only one of each stored there.

[Kent Broadhead]

B787, there is only one of each stored there.

The video shows three - are the other two currently in service?

[MarkR]

The video shows three - are the other two currently in service?

Have a closer look and you will see no covers etc, ZNB and ZNG are the only non active 787s AFAIK

[Dennis McLean]

ZNG has been in LAX since 24 September, ZNI since 29 December and ZNC since 5 January. ZNC is departing LAX to return BNE in under an hour

[MarkR]

Looks like ZNF will be doing the repat flight ex LAX while ZNJ will be heading to LHR ex PER tonight

[Peter C]

Have a closer look and you will see no covers etc, ZNB and ZNG are the only non active 787s AFAIK
Now only ZNG is non active, as ZNB had a 20 minute warmup flight on 12th, and after positioning to Sydney in the early hours this morning, is now operating QF11 Sydney-Los Angeles.

[MarkR]

Now only ZNG is non active, as ZNB had a 20 minute warmup flight on 12th, and after positioning to Sydney in the early hours this morning, is now operating QF11 Sydney-Los Angeles.

Yep, I note ZNF seems to have replaced ZNI which is inbound from LAX

[MarkR]

Now only ZNG is non active, as ZNB had a 20 minute warmup flight on 12th, and after positioning to Sydney in the early hours this morning, is now operating QF11 Sydney-Los Angeles.

It looks like they are trying to give the repat flight aircraft a break on return, which makes sense given the current COVID-19 strains increased ability to pass onto new hosts, LHR QF110 is operating.

[Peter C]

Interesting taxi pattern for ZNC after arrival in Darwin this afternoon (from Sydney as QF6111). Seems the single hold on approach wasn't enough time to clear it's apron spot.

[MarkR]

Interesting taxi pattern for ZNC after arrival in Darwin this afternoon (from Sydney as QF6111). Seems the single hold on approach wasn't enough time to clear it's apron spot.

Probably a storm and then some confusion, if the gate was occupied they would have run her down the RAAF side rather than drawing a figure 8 that included a run down the runway

[MarkR]

JQs VXA heading to ASP at present

[Todd Hendry]

JQs VXA heading to ASP at present
VXA is a QF 738.

[Erik H. Bakke]

I have a feeling the registration would have been VH-VKA, their first 788.

[MarkR]

I have a feeling the registration would have been VH-VKA, their first 788.

Yep VKA

[James Smith]

Actually it is VH-VKF. It landed in ASP at 11:09 local time this morning. VKA hasn't flown since 1 October, 2020.

[Peter C]

ZNC which arrived in Hong Kong with QF29 on Friday, appeared on FlightRadar24 at the HAICO base today as QFTEST00.
As ZNB operated the return sector QF30 on Saturday, having spent approx. two weeks in Hong Kong, and in turn replacing ZNA which also spent approx. two weeks there (after arriving as QF6009 on 6th January), is Qantas getting in some periodic maintenance on the 789s while the aircraft are on short hours ?

[James Smith]

Jetstar B787-8 VH-VKE repositioned to ASP this morning as JQ7998 and arrived at 10:34 local time.

[James Smith]

Jetstar B787-8 VH-VKB repositioned to ASP this morning as JQ7998 and arrived at 8:42 local time.

[Greg Hyde]

Boeing 787 -8 36237 321 VH-VKK Jetstar Airways ferried 23feb21 AVV-ASP for onward storage

[Greg Hyde]

Boeing 787 -8 36227 123 VH-VKA Jetstar Airways ferried 26fab21 AVV-ASP for onward storage

[Kent Broadhead]

In the background of some of the Rex 738 launch shots at MEL I noticed a Jetstar 788 without engine covers and with airstairs at door 1. Could this also be headed for ASP?

[MarkR]

In the background of some of the Rex 738 launch shots at MEL I noticed a Jetstar 788 without engine covers and with airstairs at door 1. Could this also be headed for ASP?

IIRC they are all headed to ASP

[James Smith]

Before the repositioning to ASP commenced in February, 2021 there were ten Jetstar B787s stored at AVV and one at MEL. The MEL aircraft is VH-VKJ which relocated from AVV in late August, 2020 and remains there. This is the aircraft you would have seen in the REX publicity photos, Kent.

As at today's date, there are now five Jetstar B787s at AVV, five at ASP and one at MEL.

[Dan Hammond]

As at today's date, there are now five Jetstar B787s at AVV, five at ASP and one at MEL.

I flew out of MEL this morning and saw 2 there. VKI and VKJ.

[Stefan Perkas]

Before the repositioning to ASP commenced in February, 2021 there were ten Jetstar B787s stored at AVV and one at MEL. The MEL aircraft is VH-VKJ which relocated from AVV in late August, 2020 and remains there. This is the aircraft you would have seen in the REX publicity photos, Kent.

As at today's date, there are now five Jetstar B787s at AVV, five at ASP and one at MEL.

There are 3 at Melbourne. VH-VKI, VKJ, VKL.

[James Smith]

There are 3 at Melbourne. VH-VKI, VKJ, VKL

Humblest apologies for the error. My record keeper has been laid off.

There are currently three Jetstar B787s at AVV, five at ASP and three at MEL.

[James Smith]

Chimu Adventures are chartering a QANTAS B787-9 to operate six night flights into the Southern Aurora Zone to view the The Southern Lights, also known as the Aurora Australis!

The flights depart from BNE Friday 14/5/21, MEL Saturday 10/4/21 & Saturday 5/6/21, PER Saturday 8/5/21 and SYD Friday 9/4/21 & Saturday 15/5/21 and return the next morning. Economy prices are from $1,295 or $1,395 per person.

The link for further information is:

https://www.chimuadventures.com/en-au/southern-lights-flight

[Kent Broadhead]

Cheers everyone for the update. It will be interesting to see how the leases run on the Jetstar birds and how/when/if they come back into service.

[Erik H. Bakke]

Chimu Adventures are chartering a QANTAS B787-9 to operate six night flights into the Southern Aurora Zone to view the The Southern Lights, also known as the Aurora Australis!

The flights depart from BNE Friday 14/5/21, MEL Saturday 10/4/21 & Saturday 5/6/21, PER Saturday 8/5/21 and SYD Friday 9/4/21 & Saturday 15/5/21 and return the next morning. Economy prices are from $1,295 or $1,395 per person.

The link for further information is:

https://www.chimuadventures.com/en-au/southern-lights-flight

I can just imagine the cabin crew remotely dimming the windows "for your fellow passenger's comfort" on THAT flight :D:D

[James Smith]

Jetstar B787-8 VH-VKD ferried from AVV to ASP as JQ7998 for onward storage this morning, 10 March, 2021 and arrived at 8:56 local time.

[James Smith]

Jetstar B787-8 VH-VKJ is currently flying from MEL to ASP as JQ7998 for onward storage this morning, 18 March, 2021. This is the first of the three MEL based B787s to ferry to ASP.

[James Smith]

Jetstar B787-8 VH-VKG is currently flying from MEL to ASP as JQ7998 for onward storage this morning, 19 March, 2021. This leaves three B787-8s still in Melbourne, one in AVV and two in MEL.

[MarkR]

Whatever, painting is on hold, as ZNN has been flown unpainted to Victorville as BOE282, to join ZNL & ZNM

Jen Schuld photo (https://twitter.com/JenSchuld/status/1326988309948600321/photo/1)

ZNL & M sunbathing with a QF A380 in the background feature in this article, along with a couple of Norwegian 787s looking for a new owner

https://simpleflying.com/victorville-day-in-the-life

[James Smith]

Jetstar B787-8 VH-VKI is on the move this morning, 30/3/21 but not to ASP. It is positioning to SYD as JQ7998 with a scheduled departure of 9:10 from MEL. This could be in readiness to operate some domestic services for Jetstar over the Easter period.

[Kent Broadhead]

Jetstar B787-8 VH-VKI is on the move this morning, 30/3/21 but not to ASP. It is positioning to SYD as JQ7998 with a scheduled departure of 9:10 from MEL. This could be in readiness to operate some domestic services for Jetstar over the Easter period.

Pleasin to see if this is the case. Hopefully the current outbreak is resolved swiftly and the vaccination program also moves quickly so the likelihood of border impacting outbreaks is greatly reduced from its already low base.

[Phil Stevens]

With the UK having vaccinated 31Million people already, you wonder whether Australia will allow UK residents to visit earlier than those from the EU?

[James Smith]

Jetstar B787-8 VH-VKH has just repositioned from AVV-SYD arriving at 10:25am and parking on gate 85 by the pond. This leaves no B787-8s in Avalon, two now in Sydney (VKH, VKI) and one in Melbourne (VKL) with the rest in Alice.

[Tristan S]

Jetstar B787-8 VH-VKH has just repositioned from AVV-SYD arriving at 10:25am and parking on gate 85 by the pond. This leaves no B787-8s in Avalon, two now in Sydney (VKH, VKI) and one in Melbourne (VKL) with the rest in Alice.

Also leaves no jets in storage in AVV.

[James Smith]

Interesting Tristan. Except what is left of EBU, I guess. :) I'm not sure why the two Dreamliners are in SYD.

[Tristan S]

Interesting Tristan. Except what is left of EBU, I guess. :) I'm not sure why the two Dreamliners are in SYD.

They are going to start running domestic routes soon.

[James Smith]

Yes, I thought that too after VKI repositioned just before Easter which could have allowed Jetstar to utilise the 787-8 during the busy Easter break and school holidays period but no movement as yet. Also I've checked the Jetstar schedules for their popular routes which are either operated by A320/321s during the next week or so.

[MarkR]

Five JQ 788s flying domestically from mid year, flights loaded into timetables now, mostly MEL/SYD to OOL and MEL/SYD to CNS

[James Smith]

Thanks for the information, Mark. A longer term plan to counteract the winter months.

[James Smith]

In Jetstar B787 news, VH-VKI repositioned from SYD - MEL on 26/4/21 and VH-VKL repositioned from MEL - SYD, also on 26/4/21. It looks as though VH-VKH is operating SYD - OOL this afternoon as JQ7998, maybe as a route proving flight.

[MarkR]

In Jetstar B787 news, VH-VKI repositioned from SYD - MEL on 26/4/21 and VH-VKL repositioned from MEL - SYD, also on 26/4/21. It looks as though VH-VKH is operating SYD - OOL this afternoon as JQ7998, maybe as a route proving flight.

No need for a proving flight, pre COVID 787s did Syd-Ool every day

[Max C]

Most likely crew training. The majority of the 787 cabin crew were based in Asia pre-Covid so now they'll need to use Aus-based crew that may need training.

[James Smith]

Here is the timetable I have drawn up from the Jetstar schedules for the domestic B787-8 flights:

From 1/6/21:
JQ432 MEL 8:00 - OOL 10:05; JQ437 OOL 11:35 - MEL 13:50; *JQ434 MEL 16:15 - OOL 18:15; JQ447 OOL 20:20 - MEL 22:35.

From 25/6/21:
JQ944 MEL 6:30 - CNS 9:50; JQ947 CNS 11:20 - MEL 14:45; *JQ950 MEL 15:20 - CNS 18:40; JQ943 CNS 20:10 - MEL 23:35.

From 1/7/21:
JQ952 SYD 7:30 - CNS 10:35; JQ957 CNS 12:05 - SYD 15:00; JQ424 17:05 - OOL 18:25; JQ419 OOL 19:55 - SYD 21:20.

I presume all these flights are daily.

* From 25/6/21 JQ434 & JQ950 swap aircraft to allow sufficient time for the stopover which is generally 1 hour and 30 minutes.

There is also the ability to rotate aircraft in OOL before the last B787 flights of the day leave for MEL & SYD respectively, meaning that the flight arriving from MEL can go to SYD and the flight from SYD can go to MEL.

If you know of any anomalies or corrections, please post them, including any other domestic Jetstar B787 flights that may also be flown.

[Steve S... 2]

Awesome.

[Peter C]

ZNE is currently en-route Darwin to Istanbul, Turkey as QF113 for first Qantas 787-9 visit, albeit Covid repatriation related.

[James Smith]

Jetstar B787 VH-VKH returned from OOL to SYD on 25/5/21 as JQ7997. In addition, VKI conducted a 19 minute test flight from MEL on 17/5/21 as JQ7997 and VKL flew from SYD-OOL-CNS on 17/5/21 as JQ7998 presumably for crew training.

[Kent Broadhead]

Sorry for not noting the rego, but I noticed one of the 789s departing SYD-PER yesterday morning, although their use on the route was only flagged as "about to commence" in this morning's media.

[James Smith]

Kent, B787-9s operated QF645/648 SYD-PER-SYD on Monday (24/5/21) and Tuesday (25/5/21) of this week and is due to operate today and tomorrow (26&27/5/21). VH-ZNB operated the flights on both days and is due to operate today's flight. B738s have operated the return service up until last Sunday.

[Michael Mak]

VH-ZNE is due to operate tonight's (26/5/21) QF1250 Lunar Eclipse scenic flight SYD-SYD. It operated a DRW-IST-DRW repatriation flight on Sunday and reposition DRW-SYD last night.

[James Smith]

The QANTAS 787-9s are getting some decent contract work. I flew on ZNF on the second Chimu Southern Lights flight on 15-16/5/21 and there were six flights in total, I understand. It was a brilliant night.

[Peter C]

Qantas 787-9 VH-ZNI is enroute Brisbane to Colorado Springs [COS] - reason ?

[Greg Hyde]

It's a ADF charter to pickup ADF personnel that have been training at a military base near Colorado Springs

[Peter C]

It's a ADF charter to pickup ADF personnel that have been training at a military base near Colorado Springs

Thanks Greg

[Greg Hyde]

QANTAS B787-9 VH-ZNE Positions for Darwin – Delhi Repatriation Rotation.

Jun 3, 2021

QANTAS Boeing 787-9 VH-ZNE positioned Perth – Darwin as QF6123 this morning in order to operate a Darwin – Delhi repatriation rotation as QF111/QF112.

[Peter C]

QANTAS B787-9 VH-ZNE Positions for Darwin – Delhi Repatriation Rotation.

Jun 3, 2021

QANTAS Boeing 787-9 VH-ZNE positioned Perth – Darwin as QF6123 this morning in order to operate a Darwin – Delhi repatriation rotation as QF111/QF112.

Having completed the return QF112 sectors DEL-DRW-ADL, VH-ZNE is now positioning from Adelaide to Brisbane as QF6126.
After the recent flurry of repatriation flights from New Delhi every two days, the next isn't until next Wednesday.

[Peter C]

Yet another new destination for the 787-9, albeit Covid related : VH-ZNF is operating QF6079 Brisbane to St Lucia [UVF]

[Greg Hyde]

Yet another new destination for the 787-9, albeit Covid related : VH-ZNF is operating QF6079 Brisbane to St Lucia [UVF]

Peter, have a look at the movements page , Llyod posted info about this flight.

Aussie cricket team starting West Indies tour

[Dennis McLean]

VH-ZNC is on the way from BNE to Fairbanks as QF6041, anyone know why???

[Tristan S]

VH-ZNC is on the way from BNE to Fairbanks as QF6041, anyone know why???

Military Charter I believe.

[Brian Wilkes]

Try cargo flight.

[Tristan S]

Try cargo flight.

Did read military charter on another forum, but OK.

[Max C]

It was listed to carry passengers to FAI then ferry down to LAX

[Peter C]

Did read military charter on another forum, but OK.

Military Charter is correct - see first comment below article at this link Qantas 787-9 at Fairbanks, Alaska (https://onemileatatime.com/news/qantas-787-fairbanks-alaska/) for details

[Greg Hyde]

There should be a charter to Tokyo over the next week or so taking the Olympic Team to Japan.

[lloyd fox]

SAT am ex BNE at 0745 am.QF6061 to Tokyo.

[Greg Hyde]

Thanks, LLoyd

[Dylan Hardie]

Did read military charter on another forum, but OK.

Took US troops to Fairbanks, Positioned to LAX then operating a freighter back to BNE

[Peter C]

VH-ZNC flew from Brisbane to Anchorage as QF6043 on Wednesday - reason ? - same as its previous flight to Fairbanks ?

[MarkR]

Returning Spartan Brigade – are based in Alaska from the 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division.

[Dennis McLean]

VH ZNF as QF6044 departed CPT at 20.41 SAST, Thursday, due in BNE at 16.00 today

[James Smith]

One of the items from yesterday's QANTAS media release on the restarting of international services was that QANTAS would take delivery of the three undelivered B789s currently in storage. The item read:

Qantas to take delivery of three 787-9s (new aircraft that have been in storage with Boeing) during FY23 to operate additional flights to key markets as demand increases.

This is planned, at this stage, for somewhere during the financial year from 1 July, 2022 to 30 June, 2023.

[Glenn R]

VH-ZNI has popped up on flight radar with a call sign of ASY-092.
Military charter?
Could it be going to the middle east?

[Peter C]

On its way to Al Minhad Airbase [NHD] for refugee transfer to Darwin.
FlightRadar24 has it as QF85 departing at 10 a.m. Same site also has another flight tomorrow and one on Monday.

[Glenn R]

Found it on flightaware.
Going to Dubai on behalf of the RAAF


VH-ZNI has popped up on flight radar with a call sign of ASY-092.
Military charter?
Could it be going to the middle east?

[Peter C]

Exactly, as Flightaware states - to NHD [= Al Minhad Airbase], which is the military airfield all the RAAF flights (& NZAF) have been/are using for their transfers out of Kabul.

An interesting side effect of this crisis was watching ZNK transit the Middle East area yesterday en-route to Instanbul at 43000' and well clear of normal routes over Afghanistan.

With ZNH just completing a DRW-DEL-DRW rotation this morning, and ZNJ due to do one today, Howard Springs is going to fill up rapidly. ZNK is due back in Darwin late tomorrow, ZNA from London on Monday, then apparently ZNI will be back from Al Minhad on Tuesday - with no destination available at present, it may be going to Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide or Hobart instead.

Add in those additional repatriation flights announced on 26th by Qantas to Frankfurt (2), Vancouver and Johannesburg ... seems fortunate that ZNF is going to Brisbane rather than Darwin with its ? repatriation passengers from Cape Town.

[Dennis McLean]

I was told that the Springboks Rugby Union team were on ZNF ????????

[Peter C]

Seems more logical Denis, based on flight numbers. Thanks.

[Dennis McLean]

ZNF off today again at 10.05 as ASY94, BNE/NHD

[Montague S]

What's with QF 6016 from MEL-ANC nonstop? This is the second 787 to ANC in a few weeks.

[Peter C]

Since that last flight [QF6043] came back via LAX as QF6016, presumably another ADF Charter, this time to bring the next rotation of US troops into Darwin ?

[Peter C]

After positioning to Sydney as QF7704 yesterday, today ZNE is positioning as ASY95 to Dubai : SYD-NHD

[MarkR]

ZNK is about to land in DRW with 500k doses of vaccine from the UK

[Daniel F]

Aren’t the vaccines on ZND? Or did both flights get a shipment?

[MarkR]

ZNK was charted to do a freight only run with ZND carry the remainder along with pax, apparently 450k of vaccine weighs a bit.

[Montague S]

Wonder if the gov was smart enough to allocate the doses in NT and WA before the rest went onwards to Sydney?

[MarkR]

Wonder if the gov was smart enough to allocate the doses in NT and WA before the rest went onwards to Sydney?

I suspect so given the equipment downgrade in DRW to an A333

[Montague S]

QF 6043 Fairbanks to Sydney, what’s the go with this one?

[MarkR]

QF 6043 Fairbanks to Sydney, what’s the go with this one?

It’s an ADF charter, Red Flag just finished

[Peter C]

After positioning from MEL to BNE yesterday evening as QF6011, VH-ZNH is operating QF6051 to Buenos Aires [EZE] this morning. Reason ?

[Radi K]

After positioning from MEL to BNE yesterday evening as QF6011, VH-ZNH is operating QF6051 to Buenos Aires [EZE] this morning. Reason ?

Government repatriation flight - will operate EZE direct to DRW as I understand it.

[MarkR]

Government repatriation flight - will operate EZE direct to DRW as I understand it.

yep, longest commercial flight

The longest ever commercial Qantas flight is scheduled to take place next month as part of the federal government's repatriation flights for stranded Australians.

A Qantas Boeing 787 Dreamliner will fly from Buenos Aires, Argentina, to Darwin non-stop on October 5, exceeding the distance of Qantas' previous longest commercial flight, from Perth to London.

The repatriation flight to bring stranded Australians home from South America will cover about 14,680 kilometres, slightly further than the non-stop Perth to London 14,498 kilometre route. It will take close to 18 hours.

https://www.traveller.com.au/qantas-repatriation-flights-buenos-aires-to-darwin-to-be-airlines-longest-ever-commercial-flight-h1yuts

[Adrian T]

Also taking the Argentine Rugby Team home

[Tristan S]

Also taking the Argentine Rugby Team home

What about the 8 players that got stuck in NSW? Wonder if they had to fly to BNE and go straight onto that flight.

[MarkR]

QF14 is spending a long time over the ice

[James Smith]

QF14 must have been over Antarctica for over 4 hours and looks as though it will overfly or go close to overflying ADL after flying well to the west of Tasmania. What a fantastic view the passengers and crew will have had.

[Greg Hyde]

QF14 has landed in Darwin after being airborne for 17h 41m

https://flightaware.com/live/flight/QFA14

[Peter C]

After threading through the Middle East since the fall of Kabul, seems Qantas are using a new route between Darwin and Europe up and over Russia. ZNC to LHR with QF109 on 9th and ZND from FRA with QF116 overnight.

Also note a 50 minute out and back from Sydney this morning for ZNK.

[Peter C]

Also note a 50 minute out and back from Sydney this morning for ZNK.

Curiouser & curiouser

In fact that was just one of six short flights by ZNK yesterday (Monday) between 7:16 AEDST & 20:25 AEDST, Four out and back [QF6130, QF6131, QF6132 & QF6134], then the last two being to Melbourne and back (QF6111 & QF6121).

Now being followed up today with another three out and back by ZNK so far, throwing confusion into the tracking aps - the order on Flightradar24 being QF6130, QF6131 and QF 6132 versus Flightaware QF6130, QF 6132 and QF6131. This latest flight (what ever its number) departed Sydney at 10:18 a.m. AEDST.

Meanwhile ZND has joined in with two out and back so far today as QF6140 & QF6141. A third, QF6142 just took off at 10:42 AEDST.

[MarkR]

Crew re-currency flights I suspect, the moving forward of international travel probably upset plans.

[Peter C]

Crew re-currency flights I suspect, the moving forward of international travel probably upset plans.

Thanks Mark, will be interesting to see how long it goes for.

[Tristan S]

Crew re-currency flights I suspect, the moving forward of international travel probably upset plans.

"A bunch of crew need sectors"
https://twitter.com/Keg767/status/1447141204928331782?t=tfED72whfpZahBB1uRQR1A&s=19

[Peter C]

Seems today's SYD-MEL test flight (QF6114) has come to an abrupt halt due to the weather, ZNE having taxied to Runway 34R, trundled down the runway at taxi speed, then turned off and stopped at the bar on the northernmost taxiway.

Following flights to Brisbane were delayed at the head of the runway : Virgin for 30+ minutes & Qantas for 15+ minutes.

Edit: ZNE has now moved to 34L to commence a somewhat delayed flight.