4-class 747 operating QF7/QF8 - how much longer?

[wafliron]

Does anyone have any insight - or at least an educated guess ;-) - as to how much longer QF7 and QF8 will be operated by 4-class 747s selling as 3-class?

I am travelling MEL-ORD (and return) in June 2012, which gives me the option of a similar length trip flying via either LAX or DFW. Via DFW is appealing if the route is still being operated by 4-class 747s when I fly, due to the well known "half upgrades" available to premium status pax. I've checked EF and it is showing a 4-class 747 cabin for QF7 all days from 1/6/12 to 8/6/12 and the same for QF8 all days from 8/6/12 to 15/6/12, but I'm not sure if I can put much faith in this given the flight is still ~6 months away.


As a related question, for those who have experienced both, how do the cabins in QF's A380s compare to "one cabin up" in the non-refitted 747s? e.g.:

A380 J vs old 747 F
A380 Y+ vs old 747 J
A380 Y vs old 747 Y+

Thanks y'all.

 

[serfty]

In answer to your first question; by June I would expect at least two of the refurbished 3 class ERs to be operating QF7/8. In wich case one would be more likely than not the score the new configuration.

As always, check seat maps regularly ...

 

[wafliron]

In answer to your first question; by June I would expect at least two of the refurbished 3 class ERs to be operating QF7/8. In wich case one would be more likely than not the score the new configuration.

As always, check seat maps regularly ...

Thanks serfy. Do you say that based on some insight into the refit schedule / fleet planning, or is that an educated guess?

Also, am I right in thinking that the new 747 cabin is the same design /seats / etc as the A380 cabin?

 

[milehighclub]

There is a aircraft refurbished every 6 weeks so by June there should be about 4/5 completed

It has exactly the same hard product as the A380 (Flat sky beds and Panasonic IFE)

 

[serfty]

Thanks serfy. Do you say that based on some insight into the refit schedule / fleet planning, or is that an educated guess?...

Both

...
Also, am I right in thinking that the new 747 cabin is the same design /seats / etc as the A380 cabin?

Same basic seat design as 388.

 

[wafliron]

There is a aircraft refurbished every 6 weeks so by June there should be about 4/5 completed

It has exactly the same hard product as the A380 (Flat sky beds and Panasonic IFE)

Both

Same basic seat design as 388.

Thanks guys, appreciate it How many of the old 4-class 747s are Qantas refurbishing (in total)?


Also, anyone have any input re my second question?

 

[Paul_PER]

Thanks guys, appreciate it How many of the old 4-class 747s are Qantas refurbishing (in total)?

Nine.

The six ER's delivered 2002-2003.

VH-OJS & VH-OJT delivered 1999 & VH-OJU delivered 2000.

 

[wafliron]

Nine.

The six ER's delivered 2002-2003.

VH-OJS & VH-OJT delivered 1999 & VH-OJU delivered 2000.

Thanks for that Pauk_PER!

 

[wafliron]

Does anyone have any insight - or at least an educated guess ;-) - as to how much longer QF7 and QF8 will be operated by 4-class 747s selling as 3-class?

I am travelling MEL-ORD (and return) in June 2012, which gives me the option of a similar length trip flying via either LAX or DFW. Via DFW is appealing if the route is still being operated by 4-class 747s when I fly, due to the well known "half upgrades" available to premium status pax. I've checked EF and it is showing a 4-class 747 cabin for QF7 all days from 1/6/12 to 8/6/12 and the same for QF8 all days from 8/6/12 to 15/6/12, but I'm not sure if I can put much faith in this given the flight is still ~6 months away.

Out of interest I just checked seat maps on EF for SYD-SCL, SYD-FRA and BNE-LAX (and return) for around the same dates, and all are showing the new 747 cabin layout. Might suggest that at the moment SYD-DFW is the last route QF are planning to put the refitted 747s on? Are there any other routes which are currently operated by the old 4-class 747s selling as 3-class?

 

[elan]

travelling syd - dfw late Feb, initially was booked on 4 class 747 .
Recently checked seating and noticed now on new 3 class 747:-|

 

[wafliron]

travelling syd - dfw late Feb, initially was booked on 4 class 747 .
Recently checked seating and noticed now on new 3 class 747:-|

Thanks for the info - guess my assumption was wrong (or perhaps you just got unlucky).

 

[serfty]

Thanks for the info - guess my assumption was wrong (or perhaps you just got unlucky).

Not unlucky in that context.

Advice from 'insiders' has indicated after the the third reconfigured aircraft goes back into service, one would be used for DFW on a regular basis (3 times per week).

I believe there's method in this - and it's based on revenue.

If a PAX knows they could book a PE fare and be virtually guaranteed to score a Skybed, they might not consider a Business class fare at all - thereby costing QF revenue. With a mix thrown in over several routes during the transition period, such certainty no longer exists and may lead to more Business bookings.

 

[wafliron]

Not unlucky in that context.

Advice from 'insiders' has indicated after the the third reconfigured aircraft goes back into service, one would be used for DFW on a regular basis (3 times per week).

I believe there's method in this - and it's based on revenue.

If a PAX knows they could book a PE fare and be virtually guaranteed to score a Skybed, they might not consider a Business class fare at all - thereby costing QF revenue. With a mix thrown in over several routes during the transition period, such certainty no longer exists and may lead to more Business bookings.

That certainly makes sense - I would do the same if I was QF. I'm surprised this little trick is that widely known though?

 

[TonyHancock]

Are there any other routes which are currently operated by the old 4-class 747s selling as 3-class?

I was surprised to see my SYD-EZE-SYD (QF17/QF18) showing as a three class for late Feb

 

[docjames]

That certainly makes sense - I would do the same if I was QF. I'm surprised this little trick is that widely known though?

Qantas actually announced top tier FFers would get upgraded seating (with booked class service) on the DFW route. I was a little surprised at the time as to why they did this, but maybe it has ensured the success of the DFW route.

 

[wafliron]

I was surprised to see my SYD-EZE-SYD (QF17/QF18) showing as a three class for late Feb

Thanks for the info - sorry to hear that though!

Qantas actually announced top tier FFers would get upgraded seating (with booked class service) on the DFW route. I was a little surprised at the time as to why they did this, but maybe it has ensured the success of the DFW route.

Ahh right, wasn't aware of that. Guess it probably is well known then ;-)

 

[amaroo]

Just booked my first JASA for SWMBO & myself (mid Feb) BNE-SYD-AKL-MEL-BNE jagged QF8. System allocated UD - I changed to exit UD and then realised it might be a 4 class map....checked and it popped up.

Pity it's only an hour flight - still put a smile on my face

 

[Princess Fiona]

I have 1A ( so far fingers crossed )
On a non-refurb QF 8 late June.

 

[wafliron]

I have 1A ( so far fingers crossed )
On a non-refurb QF 8 late June.

Ditto - 1A on QF8 in early June. I'm crossing my toes as well ;-)

 

[drron]

I have been looking at SYD-JNB-SYD March,April next year.QF are still selling F on this route at that time.Coming back a FASA is 5000 points less than the lowest JASA on several days-obviously no problem booking the FASA on that leg as I would still end up in J-but ? F points and SCs.
So does anyone have any info when the last 4 class 747 gets refitted?