Qantas to increase MEL-LST

[Ryan K]

From 1st Feb, QF to increase seats on Melbourne - Launceston route.

http://www.examiner.com.au/news/local/news/economy-business-it-finance/qantas-to-increase-seats-into-launceston/1698165.aspx

These don't appear to be in the booking system just yet. Does anyone know when they will be?

[lloyd fox]

Newest Q400 VH-QOU was delivered to BNE late last week to allow for extra flights.

[Kain C]

Doesn't seem to add up? An additional 540 seats per week, so 270 seats per week per direction. For 3 services that is 90 seats per service, but the Q400 seats less than this. Unless they upgrade the current remaining DH8 services to DH4 as well?

[Max C]

There is an additional MEL-LST flight on Mon, Th, Fri, and all QFLink flights will be in the Q400.

Some MQL and DPO flights have also been upgraded to the Q400.

[Ryan K]

Except the weekend afternoon MEL-LST-MEL service which seems to be remaining a Dash 8-300 service.

When Qantas pulled the daily 737 flight off this route three years ago, it was replaced with a double daily Dash 8 service of just 86 seats over both flights. To have around 220 seats each way on some days now is great to see.

[Andrew M]

Yes very nice to see any increases on any route :D

[Max C]

Except the weekend afternoon MEL-LST-MEL service which seems to be remaining a Dash 8-300 service.

Possibly there was a delay in updating the scheds, but all LST flights are loaded as the Q400 from Feb 2010.

Additional crew are being trained now for the expansion of services, and more than likely it will be MEL-based crew operating in ADL.

[Brad Myer]

Doesn't seem to add up? An additional 540 seats per week, so 270 seats per week per direction. For 3 services that is 90 seats per service, but the Q400 seats less than this. Unless they upgrade the current remaining DH8 services to DH4 as well?

The schedules have been loaded now...

All MEL-LST-MEL flights are operated by DH4s.

[Kain C]

Yes, that makes sense now. Curious that these services were formally announced before they were loaded in, yet the additional JQ services (http://yssyforum.net/board/showthread.php?t=4460) have not been formally announced but have been loaded in?

[Stefan Perkas]

Evening all,

Melbourne-Devenport will be increased by 1 flight a week. Also they are introducing Adelaide-Port lincoln services from Feb 15 2010 with 23 return services a week using DHC8-400's. This is good for us spotters in Adelaide.

[Gareth U]

This is good for us spotters in Adelaide.

I never get sick of watching the Q400s. Whether it's taking off, landing, taxi or flying overhead. I would not call them 'majestic' but there is something about them. To me, anyway.