A330 - XFA/B - Refit?

[markis10]

I will pick here (and no it's not the point), but I don't think the figure of 34 inches is correct.

And yes the product is rubbish compared to the new 330 product...

Its not, 38 inches for the newer three middle config.

 

[docjames]

OK, my bad - 38 inches.

What's the pitch on XFA/XFB?

 

[mannej]

OK, my bad - 38 inches.

What's the pitch on XFA/XFB?

60 - 62 I believe.

 

[docjames]

60 - 62 I believe.

so really, 34, 38, whatever. It's a hell of a lot less than XFA/XFB....

 

[eastwest101]

Although there has been a fair bit of attention a while ago about comparing Coast to Coast transcon services is it possible to have a quick recap?

For J class - certainly it seems that XFA and XFB are letting down the standard when compared to the brand new VA A330s that are viewed as the best transcon J class available in Australia at the moment. But we have to compare with what the competition is doing, depending on the day of the week and the service are QF still throwing a mix of B767 with both domestic and rare international J class cabins and also A332 with the Starclass 2-3-2 middle seat blocked biz cabin? On sheer legroom in J class the old VA 332s (60") and the new VA 332's (60") totally have it over the B763 J class (50") and they are miles better than the QF A332 J seats at 38" - is that all still correct?

Amazing amount of inconsistency in J class cabins from QF and a bit from VA - and thats not even considering the rare international appearance of QF B763s and A333s.


For Y class - and people still do often have to fly Y - I am assuming that its all pretty much of a muchness being in Y whether its on a QF A332/B763 or an old VA 332 vs a new VA332? Actually - for Y class passengers I think the maybe the QF B763 may still be the best (being 2-3-2 in Y), maybe followed by the old ex-EK VA A332s XFA and XFB as they may have slightly more legroom than the standard 31" of VA and QF?

Whether its VA or QF and J or Y class - the dreaded sub from a widebody to a B738 is rare but universally despised?

 

[AdMEL]

Although there has been a fair bit of attention a while ago about comparing Coast to Coast transcon services is it possible to have a quick recap?

For J class - certainly it seems that XFA and XFB are letting down the standard when compared to the brand new VA A330s that are viewed as the best transcon J class available in Australia at the moment. But we have to compare with what the competition is doing, depending on the day of the week and the service are QF still throwing a mix of B767 with both domestic and rare international J class cabins and also A332 with the Starclass 2-3-2 middle seat blocked biz cabin? On sheer legroom in J class the old VA 332s (60") and the new VA 332's (60") totally have it over the B763 J class (50") and they are miles better than the QF A332 J seats at 38" - is that all still correct?

Amazing amount of inconsistency in J class cabins from QF and a bit from VA - and thats not even considering the rare international appearance of QF B763s and A333s.


For Y class - and people still do often have to fly Y - I am assuming that its all pretty much of a muchness being in Y whether its on a QF A332/B763 or an old VA 332 vs a new VA332? Actually - for Y class passengers I think the maybe the QF B763 may still be the best (being 2-3-2 in Y), maybe followed by the old ex-EK VA A332s XFA and XFB as they may have slightly more legroom than the standard 31" of VA and QF?

Whether its VA or QF and J or Y class - the dreaded sub from a widebody to a B738 is rare but universally despised?

As I posted on another thread, given the amount both VA and QF charge for transcon J, they both need to standardise the product!

 

[eastwest101]

As I posted on another thread, given the amount both VA and QF charge for transcon J, they both need to standardise the product!

Yeah true - only the most keen anorak wearing planespotter would be able to keep track of all the aircraft, route and seat permutations/combinations. And sometimes what you book is very different to what you end up on!

Another one that bugs me is the whole QF transcon thing - I assume its Mon-Fri widebody garanteed only and then is it SYD-PER all A332s/A333s and PER-MEL a mix of B763s and A332s and PER-BNE all B763s? And with VA its still a mix of old and new A332s on PER-MEL and PER-SYD and a lottery of B738s and A332s for PER-BNE services?

As you say - for transcon J class you are often paying the same or even more than for some international J class flights, so a bit of product consistency would be nice...

 

[dk4]

On sheer legroom in J class the old VA 332s (60") and the new VA 332's (60") totally have it over the B763 J class (50") and they are miles better than the QF A332 J seats at 38" - is that all still correct?

IMO you are on track... if leg room is important, then pick VA J, because it will always be 60", whereas most of QF's are 37". All the angst on AFF about flying VA because you might end up on a VA XFA/B J is totally silly/misleading IMO, as XFA/B on VA still out rates the Jetstar J configuration that QF uses.

That said, I would rate a QF 767 International (Dreamtime 50" pitch) as the best for a transcon day flight, mostly because of the (single) A side seats! But for me lateral space, especially at the shoulders is important, and irrespective of leg room (VA at its worst 60", QF at its worst 37") both airlines at their worst squash in 2x3x2, which delivers a cramped seat width.

So, seat-wise, VA is the consistent winner (every flight, every day, every time), plus their F&B service is simply notches above QF's too - from the moment you step onboard with pre-departure champagne on VA (QF only offers juice or water), the little extras on VA are just steps ahead of QF catering...

Consider the nibbles with pre-dinner drinks...

VA spiced, warmed and served in a bowl, QF a small bag

Consider the main course...

VA served with sauce in a small jug, salt and pepper shakers, QF well...pretty sad looking really!

All pics are from earlier this month on VA & QF transcon services.

 

[Daver6]

Must be something wrong with me. I've only even flown VA J once and was on an old config A330. I loved the experience. I thought for a day flight the seats were really comfy and loved the miles of leg room. I'm not one to use IFE so that wasn't an issue for me.

Comparing to QF J which I've used a bit. The hard product is better than anything QF J has to offer on dom routes. The only caveat would be the mkI skybeds for an overnight flight. For a day flight I actually thought the old VA J seats were more comfortable (not nearly as hard as the mkI skybeds). While as a seat the other QF J offerings (including the PE rubbish they pass off as J) are quite comfortable, the huge leg room on VA rules.

In terms of soft product, again I thought VA wins hands down. Real champagne prior to departure. More food and wine options.

However, I'm sure if I'd sampled to newer VA J seats I too would be disappointed with being stuck on an older aircraft.

 

[AdMEL]

Must be something wrong with me. I've only even flown VA J once and was on an old config A330. I loved the experience. I thought for a day flight the seats were really comfy and loved the miles of leg room. I'm not one to use IFE so that wasn't an issue for me.

Comparing to QF J which I've used a bit. The hard product is better than anything QF J has to offer on dom routes. The only caveat would be the mkI skybeds for an overnight flight. For a day flight I actually thought the old VA J seats were more comfortable (not nearly as hard as the mkI skybeds). While as a seat the other QF J offerings (including the PE rubbish they pass off as J) are quite comfortable, the huge leg room on VA rules.

In terms of soft product, again I thought VA wins hands down. Real champagne prior to departure. More food and wine options.

However, I'm sure if I'd sampled to newer VA J seats I too would be disappointed with being stuck on an older aircraft.

I haven't flown QF transcon, either in Y or J, but I've flown VA J transcon, both old EK and new A330's.

I agree that the legroom is fantastic in J on the old EK bird and the service and food/drinks great, but I found the seats extremely uncomfortable! I also agree that if you'd flown the new A330, you'd feel disappointed with the old EK birds. I flew MEL-PER in J on the new plane and J back on the old plane, so it was a huge letdown.

I can't comment on the entertainment on either, as I was busy eating and drinking!

 

[maninblack]

The new VA 330's seats are great but the old ones I found dreadful despite having excellent legroom. The spiced nuts are almost indelible btw more spice than nuts! The VA food service to Perth whilst of a good standard is insanely slow. Staff are very helpful on these VA flights. The Lanson is appreciated. If you have a new bird then its the best domestic J product hands down.

 

[dk4]

The spiced nuts are almost indelible btw more spice than nuts!

While they are certainly not as bland as QF's miniscule rice and almond pack (pictured previously), the great thing about Virgin is - if you don't like the spiced nuts, let the FA know and they will go and fetch a complimentary alternative from the BOB menu in economy (I have had the Morish nut/pretzel mix before, which is certainly a milder option).

 

[Boeta]

XFA's last flight is slated to be VA474 BNE-PER on 2nd Jan, after which it will position to MNL for maintenance. So will it be a Refit? Or just a C / D Check?

 

[AdMEL]

XFA's last flight is slated to be VA474 BNE-PER on 2nd Jan, after which it will position to MNL for maintenance. So will it be a Refit? Or just a C / D Check?

Interesting. Who will be doing the heavy maintenance? I thought VA used NZ to do their maintenance?

 

[drewbles]

XFA's last flight is slated to be VA474 BNE-PER on 2nd Jan, after which it will position to MNL for maintenance. So will it be a Refit? Or just a C / D Check?

Just maintenance. If these birds are re fitted I'll eat my hat

 

[bass_ke]

Just maintenance. If these birds are re fitted I'll eat my hat

I'll drink to that!

 

[cavemanzk]

Interesting. Who will be doing the heavy maintenance? I thought VA used NZ to do their maintenance?

They only do the 738/73G/77W/E190, NZ doesn't have a A330 heavy maintenance rating they only do A320s/ATRs

 

[Melburnian1]

Is the maintenance in MNL being done by Lufthansa Technik?

Having flown VA on one of the newer birds to PER and then back to MEL on XFA, I agree that there's a huge difference. I hope that the cabins of A and B are refitted.

 

[Must...Fly!]

Just maintenance. If these birds are re fitted I'll eat my hat

Santa told me AFF would like A and B much more in the new year...

 

[drewbles]

Santa told me AFF would like A and B much more in the new year...

But Santa doesn't exist...

We obviously have different sources but my elves say 'non' to a refit on A and B.