well, out of Sydney, the LAX flight leaves earlier than the SFO flight. Rotating aircraft gives them more time to service and clean the aircraft ex-MEL. After the plane arrives Melbourne, the pax from Melbourne (not a lot of them, usually around 100?) have to go onto the aerobridge and wait in the gate lounge to board the other aircraft.
In the morning, the flights from SFO and LAX both arrive at a similar time (within 30 minutes) so either of them can go to Melbourne (if one breaks down etc.).
|