Absolutely. I was surprised to get a RR 747 on both QF27/28 flights and the scenery out the window, flying over the ice near Antarctica and then the view of sunset over NZ's southern alps made this diversion well worth it. I wanted a golden sunset landing at Sydney shot, but this is a very decent consolation ;)
Wow. About 2 weeks ago here in Chch I heard a big plane flying over my house. As a bit of an avgeek I looked outside to see a Qantas 747 flying overhead at a very low altitude. Apparently the plane had experienced a technical malfunction on its way back to Sydney from Santiago from memory. Was pretty cool to see a 747 as we only see the Emirates A380 and the Southern China Dream liner in the heavies category.
That would have been nice to see - our diversion brought some beautiful scenery along with it. I guess going to CHC is easier for Qantas than going to busy AKL instead.
Totally agree! I didn't mind the diversion, except for the fact that we were getting very close to not making curfew at Sydney. It made it quite interesting to say the least!
No longer a nice city, its a broken city since the quakes. Very detached and almost impossible to find your way round due to landmarks no longer existing
What are you talking about Isopath? I have no trouble finding my way around Christchurch, and neither does anybody else that I know. What landmarks are you referring to, that you need to find your way around?
I know hindsight is 20/20 but I wonder if the captain got in any trouble for not seeing the problem earlier and saving a lot of wasted fuel by back-tracking to Christchurch.
Hmmmm, I guess it's possible but I'm thinking it was out of the crew's control - perhaps QF centre directed the flight to return purely as a precaution due to the weather and probably knowing we'd experienced heavy headwinds en-route that our holding time was (possibly) going to be very limited.
Yeh I'm not too sure, although I'm guessing AKL was probably the busier airport so CHC made more sense for a diversion that required a 'splash & dash' in this case as we were trying to beat the Sydney curfew.
Great vid Abraxas. I believe BA or Santiago flights to Sydney pick northerly or southerly (Great Circle) tracks according to forecast winds. Clearly on the occasion that was not sufficient and a precautionary stop at Ch was called for. The weather conditions and likely delay at Sydney probably couldn't have been factored in until closer to destination. Crew would have discussed options with Qantas base. Safety won out and a bonus for passengers and us.
Cheers Rob! It was only a minor inconvenience and I agree with how you perceive this unfolded. QF staff were exceptional in the handling of this and I think we were just lucky that we weren't more affected upon our arrival to SYD. It seemed there were quite a few pax on our flight who were connecting to other flights while we got to go home. The worst thing for us was my Dad who had come to pick us up, didn't see we got diverted until too late - so he slept in the car at SYD until we arrived!
This is heaps better than filming a landing in Sydney! This view is unbeatable.
Haha, I'll agree there! I've seen plenty of beautiful Sydney approaches, but this was something different and spectacular :)
Beautiful Rolls Royce engines plus the southern alps In CHC made for a very stunning view
Absolutely. I was surprised to get a RR 747 on both QF27/28 flights and the scenery out the window, flying over the ice near Antarctica and then the view of sunset over NZ's southern alps made this diversion well worth it. I wanted a golden sunset landing at Sydney shot, but this is a very decent consolation ;)
Wow. About 2 weeks ago here in Chch I heard a big plane flying over my house. As a bit of an avgeek I looked outside to see a Qantas 747 flying overhead at a very low altitude. Apparently the plane had experienced a technical malfunction on its way back to Sydney from Santiago from memory. Was pretty cool to see a 747 as we only see the Emirates A380 and the Southern China Dream liner in the heavies category.
That would have been nice to see - our diversion brought some beautiful scenery along with it. I guess going to CHC is easier for Qantas than going to busy AKL instead.
Oh that glorious vista never ceases to stir the heart
Definitely not complaining about the diversion with views like this on offer.
But with a view like that, I wouldn't mind a diversion! Great video!!!
Totally agree! I didn't mind the diversion, except for the fact that we were getting very close to not making curfew at Sydney. It made it quite interesting to say the least!
Wow! Awesome footage here, excellent you managed to reach SYD before curfew, and get an extra sight of NZ on the way!
Thanks mate - definitely glad we made curfew (we had an early appointment the following day), but this diversion was definitely a 'bonus' haha!
Wow
Anyone from Christchurch?? Such a nice city,I was born there on 2004
Yep, born here in 1963. Shaken but not stirred.
No longer a nice city, its a broken city since the quakes. Very detached and almost impossible to find your way round due to landmarks no longer existing
What are you talking about Isopath? I have no trouble finding my way around Christchurch, and neither does anybody else that I know. What landmarks are you referring to, that you need to find your way around?
@@isopath1 I moved back to Christchurch in July and it's different but not hard to get around. The city has come a long way since the quakes.
I am from Christchurch and am a planespotter! Check my channel out if you want!
Thats crazy that it diverted to CHCH,, You would think that it would of just gone to Melbourne, Thing was half way across the Tasman lol
I thought the same thing! Though the view on approach made up for it a bit. Oh, and the fact we weren't stung by Sydney's curfew at all :)
I know hindsight is 20/20 but I wonder if the captain got in any trouble for not seeing the problem earlier and saving a lot of wasted fuel by back-tracking to Christchurch.
Hmmmm, I guess it's possible but I'm thinking it was out of the crew's control - perhaps QF centre directed the flight to return purely as a precaution due to the weather and probably knowing we'd experienced heavy headwinds en-route that our holding time was (possibly) going to be very limited.
I wonder why they didn't go to Auckland?
Yeh I'm not too sure, although I'm guessing AKL was probably the busier airport so CHC made more sense for a diversion that required a 'splash & dash' in this case as we were trying to beat the Sydney curfew.
where were you flying from?
Hi Julie, this was QF 28 flying Santiago to Sydney.
Great vid Abraxas. I believe BA or Santiago flights to Sydney pick northerly or southerly (Great Circle) tracks according to forecast winds. Clearly on the occasion that was not sufficient and a precautionary stop at Ch was called for. The weather conditions and likely delay at Sydney probably couldn't have been factored in until closer to destination. Crew would have discussed options with Qantas base. Safety won out and a bonus for passengers and us.
Cheers Rob! It was only a minor inconvenience and I agree with how you perceive this unfolded. QF staff were exceptional in the handling of this and I think we were just lucky that we weren't more affected upon our arrival to SYD. It seemed there were quite a few pax on our flight who were connecting to other flights while we got to go home. The worst thing for us was my Dad who had come to pick us up, didn't see we got diverted until too late - so he slept in the car at SYD until we arrived!
I only thought of the other pax after I posted. Not so great for them, but hey good old Dad!
So flat