ALL QF's 330's to get lay flat Business seating - Including Domestic

[MEL_Traveller]

They also didn't announce it 3+ years ago!

I suppose it shows that where there is a will to complete it quickly, it can be done. With MH I suppose there are commercial pressures - getting a competitive product out to market to increase revenue. For QF - golden handcuffs and corporate accounts - maybe the incentive is not there?

 

[moa999]

They also didn't announce it 3+ years ago!

They also chose a product that is 3yo and as already been rolled out by 10+ airlines whereas QF was the launch customer for the VantageXL so needed to get all the approvals and the like

Suspect the MH facility might be 24/7 and they mightn't be altering toilets (332s), replacing Y seats (333s)

 

[MEL_Traveller]

They also chose a product that is 3yo and as already been rolled out by 10+ airlines whereas QF was the launch customer for the VantageXL so needed to get all the approvals and the like

Suspect the MH facility might be 24/7 and they mightn't be altering toilets (332s), replacing Y seats (333s)

Maybe - but that was QF's choice. In the meantime - heavy advertising of the new suites, and plenty of examples of new suites in seat maps which are then subbed out without compensation.

If MH can dedicate aircraft to specific routes, why is QF unable to do the same?

 

[moa999]

Under promise, over deliver.

QF said the rollout would start end 2014 and be completed by end 2016 -- they seem on track for this.

Re dedicated routes QF does not have surplus aircraft (unlike MH thanks to demand falling off a cliff), so needs to be able to juggle aircraft when mechanical issues, weather diversions etc arise.

In the next few weeks QF will be able to promise all 333s have the new product (which is a bunch of dedicated routes) and I suspect in a couple of months week be able to say the same for all international 332 routes.

 

[Christopher Campbell]

I assume VH-QPG after refurb inBrisbane will head to Singapore for a repaint? Will QPJ take two months?. Could QPJ enter Brisbane once QPG for refurb etc once has left Bris and is in Singapore?

 

[Christopher Campbell]

You mean start end of 2014 finish late 2016

 

[moa999]

Not clear QPH, QPI are unpainted and went straight into service.. I suspect they are just getting the refurbs done and will paint later.

Given its age (more like QPH,QPI) I think QPJ will just be a one month refurb

Edit - yep on dates. Fixed

 

[Christopher Campbell]

Ok, although QPH and QPI only had a refurb not a heavy maintence check. If that's why they diddnt have a repaint.

 

[Christopher Campbell]

So by mid May for a333 all will be completed?

 

[moa999]

So by mid May for a333 all will be completed?

If QPJ goes straight in Yes.. If they do repaint QPG first maybe end May

 

[Borisdog]

Well, me and Mrs Boris are off to London via Singers in J on QF51 on Monday and we appear to have a refurbed 332. The return leg is , so far a 333.

 

[pksw]

Am I correct in my reading here that all international A330s should be upgraded by the time I'm planning on going to Japan in September? From Melbourne to Tokyo I have two options:

1. go via Sydney (then QF25 on a 747 to Haneda)
2. go via Brisbane (then QF62 on a A330 to Narita)

I'm guessing the 747 will have Sky Bed II (unless I can score an old F seat with J service), whereas the A330 could be refurbed, or if unlucky, a non-refurb? What would be the better option?

 

[moa999]

Am I correct in my reading here that all international A330s should be upgraded by the time I'm planning on going to Japan in September?

By September, yes

 

[Mattg]

Am I correct in my reading here that all international A330s should be upgraded by the time I'm planning on going to Japan in September? From Melbourne to Tokyo I have two options:

1. go via Sydney (then QF25 on a 747 to Haneda)
2. go via Brisbane (then QF62 on a A330 to Narita)

I'm guessing the 747 will have Sky Bed II (unless I can score an old F seat with J service), whereas the A330 could be refurbed, or if unlucky, a non-refurb? What would be the better option?

The A330 on BNE-NRT will almost certainly be a refurb. The 747 from SYD-HND is probably about 50/50 in terms of being a refurb'ed or non-refurb'ed 747. I actually think the A330 would be preferable to both 747 versions. Having said that, the 747 will either have Mk II skybeds (perfectly acceptable) or an old F cabin (which is nice too).

I would personally fly up on the A330 from BNE, and return on the 747 to SYD. That way you can try both, and the BNE-NRT has the added advantage of being a daylight flight. (SYD-HND is overnight.)

 

[JohnPhelan]

They also chose a product that is 3yo and as already been rolled out by 10+ airlines whereas QF was the launch customer for the VantageXL so needed to get all the approvals and the like

Suspect the MH facility might be 24/7 and they mightn't be altering toilets (332s), replacing Y seats (333s)

Oh come on - don't inject reality into the debate and ruin the QF-bashing brigade's fun!!

 

[pksw]

The A330 on BNE-NRT will almost certainly be a refurb. The 747 from SYD-HND is probably about 50/50 in terms of being a refurb'ed or non-refurb'ed 747. I actually think the A330 would be preferable to both 747 versions. Having said that, the 747 will either have Mk II skybeds (perfectly acceptable) or an old F cabin (which is nice too).

I would personally fly up on the A330 from BNE, and return on the 747 to SYD. That way you can try both, and the BNE-NRT has the added advantage of being a daylight flight. (SYD-HND is overnight.)

Good idea - I will do that, I do hate the 7am flight out of Melbourne but even if I get a non refurb A330 out of Brisbane, I could put up with it for 9 hours. Plus my hotel room will be ready, rather than having to wait around until checkin. And I'll try to get upstairs on the 747 on the way back.

Edit:
checked on expertflyer for QF62 Sept 17 Haneda-Sydney and it looks like a 4 class 747. All the F seats seem occupied, but some have a X in them indicating they are blocked. Are there any other tools to work out if there are available F seats with J service?

 

[moa999]

Looks like EBM will be operating the PER/AKL rotations this weekend and then will operate QF652 to BNE on Monday night, arriving Tuesday morning. It's likely to then enter BNE maintenance for refurb.

YSSY poster who has access to domestic schedules says EBM is operating until at least 4-Apr

 

[moa999]

Reported that VH-EBV has gone in for maintenance on theqantassource (already been refurbed) so still waiting for the next 332 to go in for refurb.

VH-EBM as been running BNE/MEL-PER loops

 

[Mrmaxwell]

Looking to book MNL-SYD first week of May and all QF19/20 pairs (excl May 1) are showing as non-refurb flights - that's 4 flight days in a row!

Good to see Manila getting all the refurb love right to the end...I swear once all 333 aircraft are updated QF will somehow find a way to put an old bird on this route regardless.

 

[Flyerqf]

Looking to book MNL-SYD first week of May and all QF19/20 pairs (excl May 1) are showing as non-refurb flights - that's 4 flight days in a row!

Good to see Manila getting all the refurb love right to the end...I swear once all 333 aircraft are updated QF will somehow find a way to put an old bird on this route regardless.

Is it a 332 or 333?