SYD-CBR 737 flights

[Jack B]

How long are flights from Sydney-Canberra? They list them as 55 mins on the QF site however I find there is a usually a noticeable difference between what the site shows and what the reality is on domestic flights.

What sort of meal/beverage service is actually offered by the cabin crew? I bet it's not uncommon for them to have to stop before the refreshment service is complete, or be in a rush to get the galley and cabin secure for landing.

[A McLaughlin]

You're in the air for about 30 minutes for a jet, about 5 mins longer for a Q400. The time quoted is blocks to blocks and allows for both types.

[Krzysztof M]

Once when we took off from RWY16R and landed on RWY17 in Canberra we made it in 19 minutes takeoff to touchdown!

I've done it many times on a Qantas 737 and each time we got a normal refreshment service, tea/coffee included. You could tell they were walking quicker than usual though!

[Kim F]

I'd say 8 out of 10 times I've flown, not all passengers have been served. I've often thought why bother on such a short flight!

[Todd Milton]

QF 737 flights are 23 minutes usually in the air, Dash 8's are about the same time wise. Service is a snack in Y, with Juice or Water (pre packaged) only. I am not sure if they do alcohol after a certain time however, but whenever I have asked if they have any soft drink they don't serve it on the short flight. J you normally get a salad, with full bar service and tea and coffee. QLink you will get a snack, and bar service (Which is why I choose a Dash 8 over the Jet when travelling for such a short flight, so I can get my ginger beer and you get to know the crew better when travelling often). You would not get this service anywhere else in the world though so I do not know why a service other than water and juice is offered.

[Kelvin R]

The 737 service no longer offers coffee/ tea and frequently does not offer water in the morning, just juice. The Dash offers coffee/ tea and water.

SYD-CBR is not that bad but in my early days of flying this route frequently or when I have been rebooked due to planes going tech there is a fair chance that rows 15 onwards on the 737 on CBR-SYD will not be fed or watered on the flight.

After 4pm it is beer or wine or water with some cheese sticks and dip if its a snack service or a stale foccacia if it is dinner for economy on the 737. The Dash offers a wider drink selection.

If it is a bit bumpy the crew may not get up at all out of their seats or may only get to the first few rows. It is not unusual for PAX to land with various service items stuffed into the back of seat pockets and holding half drunk glasses of wine.

Since the now frequent delays due to SYD ATC the flights are much calmer in terms of service but a few years ago it was not uncommon to have a flight time in the teens of minutes on the 737. The shortest CBR-SYD was perhaps 13 minutes flight time ? Sadly those days are well over and now it is not uncommon to be late in both directions due to ATC requirements.

[Chris Q]

Originally Posted by Todd Milton

You would not get this service anywhere else in the world though so I do not know why a service other than water and juice is offered.

I flew Air Baboo from Geneva to Milan via Marseille on a dash 8 and got meals and drinks (non alcoholic ) and didnt seem to be that long in the air for those 2 flights - quite good actually!

I did the 737 down and dash 8 back to Canberra from Sydney a few years back and certainly preferred the Dash 8 service and food over the 737

[Maikha Ly]

Originally Posted by Krzysztof M

Once when we took off from RWY16R and landed on RWY17 in Canberra we made it in 19 minutes takeoff to touchdown

When we flew down on the 767 for the Canberra Airport Open Day last year, I remember the flight took less time than the episode of Two and a half men they were showing! Was still playing it as we were backtracking the runway in CBR!

[Jacob P]

Will be sure to take note of air time this Saturday.
Down to CBR on QF771 and back on QF884 dare I say the QF884 will be quite quick given the wind forecast and low traffic levels on Saturday night in SYD.