I have always wondered why Qantas does not fly to Kuala Lumpur. There is high demand for this destination, and such aircraft as an A330-200 or A330-300 would be perfect.
I have always wondered why Qantas does not fly to Kuala Lumpur. There is high demand for this destination, and such aircraft as an A330-200 or A330-300 would be perfect.
Is there high demand for KL and from whom? KL is home to two large low cost carriers that Qantas likely has little interest in stealing their clientele.
Then there is Malaysian Airlines. For non KL destinations, the likelihood is that QF already offers many of those destinations through partnerships via SIN or HKG. Adding another option through KL (ironically by feeding MH) would be nice, but may not add enough to warrant shifting an A330 from another market. But then there is KL o&d traffic - certainly KL appears to have some level of corporate market relevant to Australia (whether that is enough, I'm not sure), but given Malaysian flies to the Capital cities, QF would struggle to offer a good enough proposition at sufficient premium, outside the direct market it was serving (ie. if they flew SYD - KL, they would likely need to offer other markets like MEL decent prices to go to KL via SYD rather than hop on a direct MH flight). But as whoppersandwich indicated, a codeshare may be best suited to fix this. What is unknown is the level of cargo on offer in KL.
In my opinion, if QF had a spare A330, I'd would think that Seoul may be the better choice over KL. Others may disagree.
This question has been put to QF before, and the answer was that it had been investigated, but the yield from KUL was lower than from other destinations, and therefore its aircraft were better used on other destinations. It always comes down to the best financial returns and the limited number of aircraft.
I agree with the opinions expressed so far, and whilst I understand some people prefer non-stop services, could future 789's (with greater emphasis on Economy & Premium Economy seating) be used to serve an Asian destination such as KUL en route to a smaller European market such as FCO or ATH. MEL has a reasonable sized Italian and Greek community that could make such a service work.
Qantas used to fly to KUL, but since then, times have changed MAS has good services to Australia, and the advent of LOw Cost Carriers has changed the dynamics of the KUL market. If they had additional aircraft, there may be a case for services to other Asian destinations, or even a direct ADL ti SIN.
I have always wondered why Qantas does not fly to Kuala Lumpur. There is high demand for this destination, and such aircraft as an A330-200 or A330-300 would be perfect.
Is there high demand for KL and from whom? KL is home to two large low cost carriers that Qantas likely has little interest in stealing their clientele.
Then there is Malaysian Airlines. For non KL destinations, the likelihood is that QF already offers many of those destinations through partnerships via SIN or HKG. Adding another option through KL (ironically by feeding MH) would be nice, but may not add enough to warrant shifting an A330 from another market. But then there is KL o&d traffic - certainly KL appears to have some level of corporate market relevant to Australia (whether that is enough, I'm not sure), but given Malaysian flies to the Capital cities, QF would struggle to offer a good enough proposition at sufficient premium, outside the direct market it was serving (ie. if they flew SYD - KL, they would likely need to offer other markets like MEL decent prices to go to KL via SYD rather than hop on a direct MH flight). But as whoppersandwich indicated, a codeshare may be best suited to fix this. What is unknown is the level of cargo on offer in KL.
In my opinion, if QF had a spare A330, I'd would think that Seoul may be the better choice over KL. Others may disagree.
Great point about the LCCs out of KL...
I wonder if JQ would consider servicing it with their 787 and "Business" service
Most likely due to lack of demand that would at least match yields on the KL route. As mentioned by others, the fact that Jetstar tried SYD-KUL and had to pull out due says that the demand is probably low on top of the route being mostly low yielding VFR (Visiting Family Relatives).
I do Australia to KL via Singapore on Qantas 4-5 times a year and I've come to accept that a direct QF to KUL will never happen. But I do wish that Qantas would run a 5th freedom tag up to KL from Singapore. Between having to schlep it on 3K or get 0 (or nearly 0) points on MH there's isn't really a choice that one could call ideal. One can dream...
I suspect if QF had a 737, a320 or similar sized aircraft that can fly there, they would. Otherwise, its just too small of a market for them. Partner malaysian already flies direct so unless demand is greatly increased, working out a codeshare with MH is probably the best decision.
Maybe also as MAS (or other potential codeshare partners) doesn't fly to many other destinations QF cant do through SIN, BKK, or HKG, there isn't a heap of additional demand over KUL to justify a service. And KUL in itself doesnt generate enough demand for them.
Maybe if MAS still flew to a heap of euro destinations it could be worthwhile, but QF does them over Dubai or on various partners over SIN etc.
timothyshears
timothyshears
Member since 26 Jul 2017
Total posts 19
I have always wondered why Qantas does not fly to Kuala Lumpur. There is high demand for this destination, and such aircraft as an A330-200 or A330-300 would be perfect.
whoppersandwich
whoppersandwich
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 11 Dec 2017
Total posts 125
They probably would if they had more A330s. Though the way things are going I wouldn’t be surprised if another codeshare is announced shortly!
hutch
hutch
Member since 07 Oct 2012
Total posts 771
Is there high demand for KL and from whom? KL is home to two large low cost carriers that Qantas likely has little interest in stealing their clientele.
John Phelan
John Phelan
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 28 Oct 2011
Total posts 261
This question has been put to QF before, and the answer was that it had been investigated, but the yield from KUL was lower than from other destinations, and therefore its aircraft were better used on other destinations. It always comes down to the best financial returns and the limited number of aircraft.
sydboy007
sydboy007
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 08 Jul 2016
Total posts 2
Jetstar used to fly to KL and the loads were too low to make it economic.
Becky1
Becky1
Jetstar Airways - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 04 May 2018
Total posts 25
I agree with the opinions expressed so far, and whilst I understand some people prefer non-stop services, could future 789's (with greater emphasis on Economy & Premium Economy seating) be used to serve an Asian destination such as KUL en route to a smaller European market such as FCO or ATH. MEL has a reasonable sized Italian and Greek community that could make such a service work.
aussie-flyer
aussie-flyer
Member since 08 May 2017
Total posts 9
This route would be better suited to Jetstar with the a321neo LR’s. Not enough premium traffic for qantas
Red Cee
Red Cee
Member since 15 Feb 2018
Total posts 151
Qantas used to fly to KUL, but since then, times have changed MAS has good services to Australia, and the advent of LOw Cost Carriers has changed the dynamics of the KUL market. If they had additional aircraft, there may be a case for services to other Asian destinations, or even a direct ADL ti SIN.
MRYJDrake
MRYJDrake
Air New Zealand - Airpoints
Member since 31 Oct 2016
Total posts 206
Great point about the LCCs out of KL...
DanV
DanV
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 04 Nov 2017
Total posts 97
Most likely due to lack of demand that would at least match yields on the KL route. As mentioned by others, the fact that Jetstar tried SYD-KUL and had to pull out due says that the demand is probably low on top of the route being mostly low yielding VFR (Visiting Family Relatives).
moa999
moa999
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 02 Jul 2011
Total posts 835
Comparative low yield and lack of business traffic versus SIN and HKG.
watson374
watson374
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 17 Aug 2012
Total posts 1,285
Because, as the honourable members before me have explained, it won't make them money. QED.
billposters
billposters
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 16 Jun 2017
Total posts 1
djtech
djtech
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 02 Sep 2018
Total posts 375
I suspect if QF had a 737, a320 or similar sized aircraft that can fly there, they would. Otherwise, its just too small of a market for them. Partner malaysian already flies direct so unless demand is greatly increased, working out a codeshare with MH is probably the best decision.
dm12
dm12
Member since 08 Feb 2018
Total posts 202
Maybe also as MAS (or other potential codeshare partners) doesn't fly to many other destinations QF cant do through SIN, BKK, or HKG, there isn't a heap of additional demand over KUL to justify a service. And KUL in itself doesnt generate enough demand for them.