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

[whughes3]

I see it a different way. I think The A330 was an incredibly special sweetener deal tacked on to the A380 and I don't remember any fanfare when they brought it in but it allowed the airline a relatively cheap breathing space between the 767 retirement and 787 introduction. Its my impression that the B787 not A330 was to replace the B767. In hindsight I think the airline did not count on the financial difficulties plaguing not only QF but the industry as a whole ( in last few years dating back to the GFC) and the delays with the B787 introduction (whether airline financials or manufacturer delays) has I think made the A330 an astute/lucky acquisition whether by lease or otherwise.

Yes, there is no doubt that the acquisition of the A330's has been a godsend for QF; without them, they would indeed be in serious trouble right now. But that in no way invalidates the fact that the configuration of the 332's has been mishandled, leaving QF with a substandard product on a significant number of routes. Apparently some people are completely mesmerized by the terms "suites" or "flat beds" but from my perspective there is a bit more to it than that!

 

[Quickstatus]

There is no reason why a subset of the 332's could not have been configured in "international" format, as was the case before the refurbs, leaving the majority suitable for domestic routes.

Isn't that segmenting the fleet? Similar to the unrefurb/refurb situation?

 

[wenglock.mok]

There is no reason why a subset of the 332's could not have been configured in "international" format, as was the case before the refurbs, leaving the majority suitable for domestic routes.

Of course, but then these birds would then not be economical to run domestically. One of the objectives of the refurb must have been something along the lines of in case of a slowdown in either market, we can redeploy these birds either way without stumping up for another reconfiguration. That would probably explain the somewhat compromised configuration for the A332s.

 

[whughes3]

Of course, but then these birds would then not be economical to run domestically. One of the objectives of the refurb must have been something along the lines of in case of a slowdown in either market, we can redeploy these birds either way without stumping up for another reconfiguration. That would probably explain the somewhat compromised configuration for the A332s.

Any differences would be fairly marginal; removing 3 rows of Y in the 332's would provide plenty of space for the facilities for a decent international config, a reduction of 24 or round 10%, not a big deal in most circumstances. QF has always used international a/c on domestic routes, going back to the 763's, so it cannot be a huge issue.

 

[whughes3]

Isn't that segmenting the fleet? Similar to the unrefurb/refurb situation?

No different from most airlines do surely?

 

[Quickstatus]

No different from most airlines do surely?

Yes but that's the effect of the unrefurb/refurb fleet. Just a normal occurence based on the economics of refurbing an aircraft which is predicted/planned to only have a short usage.

Any differences would be fairly marginal; removing 3 rows of Y in the 332's would provide plenty of space for the facilities for a decent international config, a reduction of 24 or round 10%, not a big deal in most circumstances. QF has always used international a/c on domestic routes, going back to the 763's, so it cannot be a huge issue.

I think the airline sees the benefits of a refurb on the last 2 A330 will be marginal as well.

 

[Lynne Mangold]

so I booked my singapore flight and finally have a refurnished plane this time. I have noticed under my manage bookings for my HNL flight next month that this is still showing even though i am sure I filled it out. does this banner go away or always stay there.

• Secure Flight and Advance Passenger Information (APIS) - enter additional information.

 

[Quickstatus]

That is quite common LG. it allows modification up till the flight, but it does give the impression of booking incompleteness

 

[eric2011]

so I booked my singapore flight and finally have a refurnished plane this time. I have noticed under my manage bookings for my HNL flight next month that this is still showing even though i am sure I filled it out. does this banner go away or always stay there.

• Secure Flight and Advance Passenger Information (APIS) - enter additional information.

It stays there

 

[Lynne Mangold]

thanks eric2011

 

[Christopher Campbell]

Quote from Gareth Evans QF International CEO

"We’ve almost finished the refurbishment of our A330 fleet at the Brisbane Maintenance Facility". . .

QANTAS UNVEILS NEW BRISBANE INTERNATIONAL LOUNGE - Qantas News Room

 

[Quickstatus]

Quote from Gareth Evans QF International CEO

"We’ve almost finished the refurbishment of our A330 fleet at the Brisbane Maintenance Facility". . .

QANTAS UNVEILS NEW BRISBANE INTERNATIONAL LOUNGE - Qantas News Room

I like the way they enhance cordial by calling it syrups and signature blends.

 

[Flyerqf]

I think the plan was always to refurb all 18 332 aircraft. The HNL route was to change to 333 and all 332 would be refurbed into a domestic/short haul config.
However then Sydney to Beijing opportunity came up and could only be operated by a 332 in international config, so they made the decision to delay the refurb of those aircraft.
I'd say Beijing and HNL will be the first 787 routes and then the last 2 A332 will be refurbed. A year away at least unfortunately.

 

[kermatu]

Quote from Gareth Evans QF International CEO

"We’ve almost finished the refurbishment of our A330 fleet at the Brisbane Maintenance Facility". . .

QANTAS UNVEILS NEW BRISBANE INTERNATIONAL LOUNGE - Qantas News Room

Quite a strange place to mention the refurbs. But well spotted!

 

[moa999]

Hopefully we can read something into the word almost

 

[Lynne Mangold]

was checking which plane EBL or EBG was doing the week-end run to Hawaii and found QF3 cancelled today and yesterday QF4 was cancelled.
I wonder if EBG broke down. EBL was doing the local perth brisbane melbourne flights.

 

[Quickstatus]

QF5/6 A330 refurb service to SIN cancelled as well - see qantas delays and cancel thread
EBL currently on approach into SIN operating QF35 from MEL
EBG currently in HNL after operating QF3 on 22Oct and I think was to operate QF4 but was then cancelled for some reason
Hard to know whether it was a mechanical issue, a sick crew member causing aircraft grounding. (Need minimum cabin /tech crew to operate an aircraft). Or maybe even cancellation due to inadequate passenger numbers?

 

[ajw373]

Isn't that segmenting the fleet? Similar to the unrefurb/refurb situation?

No different to how it operated before the refurb program. Except the segmented fleet was 4 strong not 2.

 

[Gregoire Dumas]

Rumors on a.net that VH-QPJ will have the Dreamliner interior. Coincidently, QPJ is now on its way from VCV to SYD via KOA and should arrive tomorrow morning, just in time for the 787 presentation...

 

[Ewing]

Flew PVG-SYD on the 24th on VH-EBL. After a few great flights on the suites I forgot just how bad the old Skybeds are - and the IFE is just terrible - I used my iPad exclusively and only used the IFE for the flight map.

I really hope QF refurbish those two planes.