Qantas drops Melbourne-Perth 787 flights
There’ll be no more ‘domestic Dreamliner delight’ from next week as Qantas axes the Melbourne-Perth leg of QF9 to London.
By David Flynn, July 5 2024
Savvy Qantas frequent flyers have long enjoyed making domestic Melbourne-Perth hops on the same Boeing 787 which continues on to London for Qantas’ non-stop ‘Kangaroo Route’.
The ability to book just that four-hour leg between Melbourne and Perth in modern Dreamliner comfort – especially in business class or premium economy – made QF9’s east-west jaunt the prize pick over the conventional Airbus A330 or Boeing 737 flights.
And it was doubly appealing to Perth-bound Qantas Platinum and Qantas Platinum One members, who took advantage of the 3pm flight’s departure from Melbourne Airport’s international terminal to visit the Qantas first class lounge for lunch at the à la carte dining room.
No more lunches at the Qantas First Lounge before a quick Melbourne-Perth hop.
And anyone jetting all the way from Melbourne to London on QF9 appreciated starting their journey at Melbourne in the same plane as would carry them all the way to Heathrow, some 17,000km and 23 hours away.
But that’s all coming to end on Friday July 12 2024, when Qantas drops the Melbourne-Perth leg of its QF9 flight to London to boost utilisation of the 787 on long international routes, such as direct flights from Perth to Paris which take off the same day.
From July 12, passengers heading from Melbourne to London will need to board a conventional Qantas domestic flight to connect with the QF9 Dreamliner at Perth.
From July 12 2024, QF9 will lose the popular Melbourne-Perth leg.
Qantas’ schedule shows around seven Melbourne-Perth flights each day, with four on the twin-aisle A330 – which has near-identical business class to the 787, albeit no premium economy – and three on the smaller single-aisle Boeing 737 workhorse. (And let’s be honest: the 737 is nobody’s first choice for a four-hour flight.)
Most people travelling from Melbourne to Perth to connect to QF9 will favour flight QF775, which is an A330 whose 2.25pm gets them to Perth around 4.30pm, allowing ample time to visit the Qantas Perth International Transit Lounge before QF9 is wheels-up for London at 6.30pm.
However, at the time of writing the Qantas timetable lists the 787 as re-appearing on Melbourne-Perth every Thursday from August 2024 through to June 2025 as flight QF773.
This departs from Qantas’ Melbourne domestic T1 terminal (not the international T2) at 1.15pm to reach Perth around 3.30pm, in what’s likely to be a positioning flight to begin one of the ex-Perth flights to Europe.
Only business and economy fares are being sold on these east-west Dreamliners – it’s not yet known if Qantas frequent flyers may be able to select a seat in the 787’s premium economy cabin or indeed enjoy a free upgrade to the recliners.
Meanwhile, at least for now, the seasonal Sydney-Perth-Rome service will retain a Boeing 787 all the way to the Eternal City, with Sydney-Perth-Paris also offering a 787 from Sydney harbour to the Seine.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
14 Oct 2012
Total posts 46
Very disappointing that no dedicated flight # goes to LHR from MEL. So to the removal of other flights, yet other carriers are expanding daily services. We have slowly been strangled of services by the supposed national carrier. I've ditched them and started using other Oneworld carriers and Emirates with my lifetime status for lounges etc. Qantas dont deserve my custom with substandard services and planes.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
08 Mar 2017
Total posts 14
I agree, Melbourne always seems to get worst deal from Qantas. I was really surprised to see they are using a 737 from Mel - Auck.
After spending the last few years in Asia and enjoying 350’s and 787’s, even using Qantas’ 330’s is like stepping back in time.
Did Melbourne do something to upset Qantas?
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
21 Jul 2013
Total posts 65
Qantas has been "Sydney Airlines" for years so this isn't surprising at all.
Melbourne is now, I believe, Australia's biggest city, but Qantas doesn't care enough to give the southern capital any consideration. I'm sure Melbourne travellers will vote with their feet and dollars, as other airlines treat them with much more respect.
24 May 2024
Total posts 5
Sydney alone still has a larger population. However I do understand that New South Wales =
N = Newcastle
S = Sydney
W = Wollongong
It makes more sense to hub on DRW than PER as its closer to all those other places, whether to Eruope, Middle East, Sub-continent or Asia. Tropical storms and minimal population base (as customers and staff) would make that totally unviable though. Hub & Spoke is the most efficient way and in global terms, people actually want frequency (so flexibility) to choose from multiple flights - look how the A380 failed - look how everything opeates in with North America and Europe. Collectively, our population is too small and dispersed...
"Australia" as a whole is not a HUB - its at the end of the "spoke". Whether its the middle east or Asian countries that have demand from their home or regional populous as well as passenger traffic from both ends of the "spokes" AND people who want to pass through their base as a hub...its a far more stable model.
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
24 Jan 2018
Total posts 767
Nah, it's just the Sydney-centric Qantas management team having yet another poke at Melbourne. Sydney retains the 787 option. But Karma will soon come in 2026 when Turkish Airlines offer MEL-IST-LHR on their A350-1000.
20 Dec 2017
Total posts 16
Give us a break. Qantas just doesn't have enough planes atm. Blame a long run of poor fleet decisions. Andremember, all the QF 787-900s first went to Melbourne, and then were added to Brisbane. Nearly 3 years later Sydney got its first regularly scheduled 787-900.
24 May 2024
Total posts 5
Neither other oneworld carriers (except BA to LHR on some routes) nor Emirates will have a "dedicated flight #" MEL-LHR. They all change numbers and usually (except BA) change aircraft [type and/or metal] in the middle. The only difference here is that at PER you'll need strol with your carry-on from T4 to T3. You'll also use the connection time to go through immigration (smile at the camera these days).
The up-sides are:
- you don't need to check in as early at MEL, and no customs clearance which can get busy.
- you can also transit to a non-stop flight to CDG
- your can also transit to a non-stop flight to FCO
The fresh smell of a new plane soon wears off - I think its a great improvement...3 one stop flights to Europe - have you ever had that from Qantas, Melbournians? [Possibly many years ago hubbing on SIN?? Still would have been 26-27 hours total duration back then.]
01 Dec 2012
Total posts 64
Good points M, to which I will add:
Inbound arrangements and timings are a bit different, but business travellers from the three Qantas European ports can still enjoy wide-body lie-flat the whole way.
08 Feb 2018
Total posts 166
Sydney deserves this :-)
08 Feb 2012
Total posts 3
This is a shame - so now Melbourne doesn't have a a direct flight to London, probably for the first time (correct me if I'm wrong)... And by direct I mean the same plane/flight number all the way to London (not non-stop as that doesn't exist, yet) - as Sydney has with QF1 via SIN. SYD gets 2 x B787 SYD-PER connecting through to FCO/CDG - they could have kept one for MEL and one for SYD.... QANTAS, the spirit of Sydney....
01 Dec 2012
Total posts 64
Taking a glass half full view, while business class passengers from Melbourne to London lose the QF9 service to Perth, they gain access via A330s on the Melbourne-Perth run to Perth-Paris and seasonal Perth-Rome flights.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
10 Apr 2016
Total posts 60
Not sure why Qantas doesn't create a 787 hub in Perth and turns them around here instead of sending them to Sydney and Melbourne. Might be able to create greater frequency to international destinations.
20 Nov 2015
Total posts 478
It might make sense just for the Perth-Europe flights, although right now that's only two year-round plus Rome seasonal. When Qantas first developed the plans for PER-LHR etc the plan was to as one exec put it 'draw a big 787 smile' where the planes would go from Europe down to Perth, across to the east coast, and then up to the US east coast like LAX, SFO, YVR and also DFW, so the idea was based around that maximum utilization.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
21 Jul 2013
Total posts 65
Not quite sure I agree with Qantas's "big 787 smile." Having flown on the type with JAL, BA and QF I can't see what the excitement is about. Recent flights on Cathay and Qatar in the A350 have been quieter, smoother and somehow more spacious in feel, without factoring in the operator. For me A380 is still the best, but A350 isn't far behind. By comparison the 787 is just another airliner.
20 Nov 2015
Total posts 478
Sheesh. The 'big 787 smile' remark was about the shape of the route eg LHR-PER-MEL-LAX, even if it was a lop-sided smile because LAX is lower than LHR on the map, it had nothing to do with comfort. So many fanboys with a hair-trigger response!
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
21 Jul 2013
Total posts 65
Point taken.
Not sure about the "fanboy" epithet though. My views about the overhyped 787 remain.
17 Nov 2023
Total posts 43
Rambler I couldn't agree more. The list is A380, A350 and then daylight.
All of the Boeing aircraft are simply too loud in the cruise. I should know. I was QF cabin crew for nearly 10 years :P
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
10 Feb 2017
Total posts 6
While this is disappointing, Qantas ceased being our national carrier decades ago. As far back as the 1990s Singapore Airlines had more flights from Australian ports to international destinations than Qantas. The Singaporeans wanted to buy into our aviation industry, possibly taking over Ansett, and even bid for Qantas when it was privatised (sadly, the government went with BA (aka Bloody Awful) as their strategic partner instead). Qantas (international only in those days) was an also ran among the Asian carriers serving Australian ports. The 'investment' from BA didn't do anything to improve that position.
Add Emirates, Qatar, and Etihad, and the level of product and service they have brought to the game, not to mention the many Chinese carriers flying to Australian ports, and there's a lot of competition to Asia, the Middle East, Europe and the Americas. Most of it is already leagues ahead of where Qantas aims to be.
It seems that it is only corporate contracts and nationalistic pride that sustains Qantas. It can't even trade on its 'safest airline' reputation anymore, given the appalling treatment of its maintenance and engineering staff under Alan Joyce. Given the sad state of Qantas's product and service, one wonders how they still have a business to run. The Spirit of Australia gave up the ghost a long time ago.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
05 Oct 2016
Total posts 115
This is a disgrace. Melbourne shafted for Sydney yet again by SYDTAS. No 'direct' flight to LHR by QF, yet most other foreign airlines can run multiple per day. Instead we get the clap trap options on A330 to PER, having to go through domestic, miss out on First lounge for plats, and whereas J class never cared about how much carry on baggage on intl, domestic security in MEL aint gonna be like that. The other option is to fly to SIN, on yes you guessed it a few more A330 clap traps, to catch QF1. Or do what SYDTAS keeps promoting - a domestic to SYD to catch QF1 (heaven forbid). What a joke. Biggest city in the country treated like garbage. Meanwhile because we favor Syd, we'll leave the Paris and Rome flights as 787's starting in SYD... WTH didn't they cancel one of them instead...
Cathay Pacific - Asia Miles
27 Nov 2012
Total posts 45
You complain ! BNE is a 737 trip to PER, or via SYD OR MEL. Guess the Southern States feel they are above their Northern neighbours. Going to Europe for me is with SIA, or Etihad, depending on destination.
22 Sep 2017
Total posts 94
As the MEL-PER flights are now to/from the domestic terminal in MEL, I assume this means pax must clear immigration and transfer bags (inbound at least) themselves in PER. So I doubt there is "ample time to visit the Qantas Perth International Transit Lounge" after doing all that queue-shuffling and baggage handling.
20 Nov 2015
Total posts 478
I did it once on a non-connecting QF flight, it's easy-peasy, two hours is enough time to arrive, go through immigration at the T4 'international' zone and hit the lounge.
15 Mar 2016
Total posts 18
So luggage now gets transfered in Perth, good luck with it being in LHR when you get there.
24 May 2024
Total posts 5
If travelling on the connecting A330, I'd suggest that connecting bags would be put in the one can from MEL to make it all easier. Simple when its at the one terminal in PER. That flight always had connection pax frm ADL, BNE and SYD +++. Don't think the mishap chances would be any greater - possibly less than any other carrier transiting through a major hub in the middle east or asia.
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
24 Jan 2018
Total posts 767
It'll be interesting to see if the combined J-class fares (MEL-PER and PER-LHR) are less or more than the current MEL-PER-LHR fare. Looks like the insertion of QF775 from July 12th adds $4,580 to a single, J-class fare compared to the previous day ($11,267). Contrast that with Singapore Airlines J-class at $10,185 (OMG, headache - decisions, decisions !!!).
Good one, Qantas.
24 May 2024
Total posts 5
SQ any day of the week - as long as the timings suited...and even if the price differential was the other way.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
14 Dec 2016
Total posts 4
Unless you live in SYD Qantas is a poor traveling choice for international flying. The total disregard for passengers flying out of the (soon to be) largest city in the country is breathtaking.
20 Nov 2015
Total posts 478
You're absolutely right, for anybody living outside of Sydney eg Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth, Qantas only flies internationally to New Zealand, Indonesia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Manila, Los Angeles, Dallas Forth Worth and Tokyo. Absolutely terrible! LOL
03 May 2012
Total posts 120
I am no defender of Qantas, but the Melbourne conspiracy theories here are hilarious. If Melbourne’s population ponied up the cash for premium seats, then the supply would meet the demand. Sydney passengers pay a premium. Further, wealthy international customers pay a premium to land in Sydney. So many Qantas employees who live in Melbourne wish there were more services there, but they cannot deny the raw numbers.
09 Feb 2024
Total posts 3
As a Melburnian I have to agree. Melbourne just doesn't have the heft of Sydney, which isn't such a bad thing in itself. We still have plenty of great non-stop intl routes to choose from.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
05 Oct 2016
Total posts 115
Lol ok. Source for that? Judging by your story PK, I guess QR, SQ, EK, CX and all the rest etc etc out of MEL come here multiple times a day just to make a loss on their premium cabins. Makes total sense (Not)...
QF
16 Mar 2014
Total posts 1
Perhaps when they get more 787s there's a chance they'll reinstate Melbourne as the origin/destination for QF9/10. I've always found it a great service, particularly returning LHR/MEL. You leave around midday and land home around 18:00. Spend a few hours unpacking in the evening before heading to your own bed for a refreshing sleep. Much better than the QF2, which leaves late afternoon and gets into SYD before even the sparrows have bothered getting up
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
08 Feb 2014
Total posts 15
Another reason why I am happy let my Platinum with Qantas go. They don't seem to care about Melbourne so why should I bother about a company that doesn't care either. They can have all their flights out of Sydney and Perth, as I would rather fly with with other airlines, that provide an amazing cabin experience and look after their loyal customers. Qantas stopped caring quite some time ago. I fly with Virgin domestically and other airlines Internationally and they are so much better than Qantas. Such a shame that they only care about Sydney siders. All the best Qantas as Ill gladly spend my money elsewhere. The one disappointing thing is that their Cabin Crew do their best but the company lets them down.
24 May 2024
Total posts 5
I agree with you, but for different reasons. Mine is just on service. MOST other airlines are just better than QF - attitude (soft product) and their equipment (hard product).
I can't aggree with the impression that Melbournians are entitled to a flight number. It will be a better offer - no Customes and earlier checkin (Platinum or otherwise) at Melbourne both ways. Yep, you'll miss the First Class Lounge in MEL International - but the other benefits of TWO ADDITIONAL NON-STOP flights from Perth to Continental Eueope is pretty amaising.
People in North America and Equope are very famiar with hubbing through different flights/aircraft and even airlines - we just happen to reside at the end of the 'Big Spoke" and a small population base that we can't even support a third true competitor to Qantas. Look what happaned to the A380.
Etihad - Etihad Guest
23 Apr 2019
Total posts 10
There are plenty of ways to get from Melbourne to London with one stop without Qantas. It's not big deal.
Qatar 2x daily, Emirates 3x daily, Etihad daily, Malaysian, Cathay 3x daily, Thai 2x daily, Singapore 5x daily. Others too.
Millions of options with perfectly good service and usually cheaper too.
30 Jul 2015
Total posts 8
So many better and faster options to Europe than Qantas (from Mel). On the Qantas 787 it just feels small and cramped up against 380/350/777 that other airlines operate from Melbourne through to Europe via their respective hubs. QF domestic from Melbourne onto the QF9 in Perth is a hard no from me.
13 Apr 2020
Total posts 8
I was never convinced flying to London via Perth was a huge time saver for Melbourne passengers. For those determined to fly Melbourne to London on Qantas, wouldn’t they have the daily QF35 option to Singapore and then picking up Sydney’s QF1 to London? Also, Melbourne isn’t exactly poorly served by Qantas, e.g. Singapore, Auckland, Delhi, Hong Kong, Los Angeles, Dallas, Christchurch, Wellington. Isn’t there also talk of a project sunrise A350 flight eventually from Melbourne direct to London? The only thing about this that bothers me is the QF9/10 flight number - that has traditionally belonged to a Melbourne route and I think it should stay that way.
20 Oct 2015
Total posts 245
I don't think anybody except Qantas PR really went for the 'time saving' aspect of QF9, it was more that if was QF all way (for better or worse) and you got a short leg east-west and then a long stretch of time straight through to LHR which wasn't interrupted by a stopover at say Dubai. It's not for everyone. Some people want that stopover almost in the middle of the journey such as going via Singapore. But I reckon if you compared the actual hours from start to finish for MEL-PER-LHR versis MEL-SIN-LHR or even be ex-SYD for both legs, it will only be a few hours difference.
26 Sep 2023
Total posts 32
Man, if everyone in Melbourne who threatened to never fly Qantas after the latest perceived slight actually followed through with that threat Qantas would exit the market entirely.
20 Oct 2015
Total posts 245
LOL yes I love reading all these "I will never fly Qantas again" comments which have been all over social media, letters to newspapers etc the past several years, as if they all kept their word and have never flown Qantas again, and shifted all their flying to Virgin and non-QF international airlines. Just blowhards.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
05 Oct 2016
Total posts 115
Agree there a lot of 'signallers' that would never actually 'never fly again'.... But people like me who are frustrated (never said 'never again') are annoyed that our loyalty is not rewarded. I've spent 10sx1000k per year with QF on business class flights to EU, got to Plat for many years, and now somewhat 'tied' to taking advantage of the status as a result, but cannot effectively do so because the options are screwed. And yes I've voted with my feet, today booked the next EU business class trip with QR instead even though QF was the same price (for a change!) to avoid the domestic trip to PER.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
14 Sep 2012
Total posts 382
This nostalgia for a bygone era of where a city capital status dictates Qantas’ network planning and scheduling is just ridiculous. To infer Qantas Sydney HQ staff are colluding to destroy Melbourne is beyond stupid. Qantas are leveraging the best use of their aircraft to support the best opportunity of their network and changes to that namely Perth picking up the hub for Europe non-stops. There is a finite amount of aircraft to get that job done. Sure other competitor airlines offer alternatives but that’s bleeding obvious. QF has to service domestic Australia as well as its international network to serve the majority of its customer base (not just Melbourne-London) versus the ME3, SQ, CX etc who don’t have a domestic network to consider.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
13 Nov 2018
Total posts 117
I see a lot of moaning and groaning here, but the fact remains: QANTAS is short on Long Haul aircraft, whilst desperate to extend its Long Haul network.
Ask Airbus to hurry up, or Boeing (if you feel like being sucked out of a "bolted" door or feel like stalling on take-off). Both will tell you that they're pumping them out as fast as safety allows.
There's a world-wide shortage of good Long-range aircraft. The only airline with too many is Finnair (who have been severely impacted by Russia's invasion and war against Ukraine).
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