Qantas 787

[James Smith]

Yes confirmed. I have looked through all the aircraft operating QF63 since April, 2023 and ZNL, ZNM and ZNN have not flown to JNB at all. It is a different story for QF27 to SCL, however which has similar flight times.

Is this an ETOPS issue with an aircraft having to have a certain number of hours before it can fly the really long overwater routes? I can't find any mention of this as ETOPS is certified mainly for a specific aircraft types.

[Brenden S]

It shouldn't be ETOPS issue, as they have all flown to LHR ex Perth and should have all flown to SCL now too. Perhaps it is a simple aircraft rotation.

[Rowan McKeever]

I can't see that it's an ETOPS issue given all three in question have operated SCL. The only possible regulatory/compliance issue would be for polar operations as I don't think (may be wrong though) QF27/28 go that far south, whereas QF63/64 routinely do - but why only those three aircraft would be unable to operate polar is beyond me unless QF have not installed some of the equipment...

[Jim M]

I don't think it's anything to do with polar operations either because ZNM I know for sure was just about over the ice once or twice on the way back from SCL. This was way further south than I've ever seen QF63 or 64.
It's just interesting that the three of these have done everything except JNB. Got to be a reason.

[Jim M]

In relation to my previous posts on this topic, it seems that ZNL is operating QF63 to JNB today. I believe this will be the first visit to JNB by one the three newest 787s in the fleet.
There is still no apparent reason why the three newest haven't done a 63/64 up until today. Perhaps they will start.

[Michael Mak]

ZNN is operating QF63 to JNB today, I believe this is the first time it operates to JNB. Something must have changed to see L/M/N on JNB run.

[Jim M]

Originally Posted by Michael Mak

ZNN is operating QF63 to JNB today, I believe this is the first time it operates to JNB. Something must have changed to see L/M/N on JNB run.

Agreed Michael. ZNL has operated it twice now and ZNN on its first trip today on the QF63. ZNL is currently operating QF341 from SYD to LAS for the first of the NRL charters. I believe another departs BNE on Thursday.

[Michael Mak]

ZNM is operating today's QF63 to JNB, this is her first visit to JNB. All 789s have now operated to JNB.

[Alex Ch]

Incident: Qantas B789 over Pacific on Apr 14th 2024, electrical problem
By Simon Hradecky, created Tuesday, Apr 16th 2024 15:46Z, last updated Tuesday, Apr 16th 2024 15:46Z

A Qantas Boeing 787-9, registration VH-ZNH performing flight QF-76 (dep Apr 13th) from Vancouver,BC (Canada) to Sydney,NS (Australia), was enroute at FL330 over the Pacific Ocean about 1550nm southwest of Honolulu,HI (USA) when the crew decided to turn around and divert to Honolulu. The crew advised ATC they did have a minor technical problem, accepted an ILS approach to runway 04R at first but subsequently requested runway 08L due to winds, on final approach to Honolulu's runway 08L the crew advised tower, they would have their flaps fully down after landing due to a technical fault. The aircraft landed safely on runway 08L about 3:05 hours after turning around.

A passenger reported the crew announced they had some electrical/generator issue. After being kept at the airport for about 9 hours the onward flight was cancelled.

The aircraft is still on the ground in Honolulu about 48 hours after landing.

https://www.avherald.com/h?article=5177dbcb&opt=0