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

[ajw373]

Has on a few occasions (including SYD-CGK last two days) but not one of the more common routes. Also gets a mix of -200s and -300s.

The refurbed -200s are being used on domestic East-West services

CGK has been almost exclusively -200's for the last 6 months. It has seen a few -300's (including refurbs) in the last week or so because it is the holiday season and more demand. Also hence why tomorrow (Thursday) QF82 is making a stop on its way to Sydney.

 

[ajw373]

Old domestic 332 operating QF41/42 today, as the intl config is operating for JQ.

At least it has AVOD IFE, so bummer for J pax (though on Wednesdays there are few paying J pax anyway) but down the back an improvement with the newer and better IFE.

 

[maninblack]

That should work well with one toilet in J.

It will be great at wake-up time on SYD-HNL for example!

 

[JohnPhelan]

It will be great at wake-up time on SYD-HNL for example!

Given that SYD-HNL is the longest route the A330 fleet flies, I suspect that HNL will always get the A333 (2 toilets) once the refurbs are completed.

Interestingly, if you look at the website and their public comments, QF is labelling the refurbed 333s as international, and the refurbed 332s as domestic.

But I think they will still need to use one or two of the 332s on international runs - probably CGK, as it is the shortest international run, and then either SIN or MNL.

 

[davec]

Just completed my 3rd return MEL-HKG-MEL since the configuration was launched as 'live'. Still no luck! The outbound last Monday-week was showing as 1-2-1 but that changed sometime after Saturday when I last checked to the old seating being apparent once we boarded.

At what point does the "*on selected services only" condition become meaningless if on 6 flights in 6 months I get nothing? Or is this just a 1st world issue and I'm being precious?

 

[penegal]

Unlucky, but not unexpected.

There are still a lot of A330s yet to be reconfigured. I've had new config go to a Jetstar plane on Perth flights - quite disappointing.

 

[Dmac6345]

Just completed my 3rd return MEL-HKG-MEL since the configuration was launched as 'live'. Still no luck! The outbound last Monday-week was showing as 1-2-1 but that changed sometime after Saturday when I last checked to the old seating being apparent once we boarded.

At what point does the "*on selected services only" condition become meaningless if on 6 flights in 6 months I get nothing? Or is this just a 1st world issue and I'm being precious?

Not at all.
Very frustrating. Until I can confirm a refurb aircraft, I fly through Sydney. Annoying, but much better on the upperdeck.

 

[davec]

I thought I had confirmed a refurb! They changed it the day before!

And I don't mind going via SYD on the way out (and am happy for the extra 40 SC's) but its too annoying on the way home.

I think my main point (that I didn't really specify) is that I don't think QF should have launched / be constantly advertising the new config ex MEL to HKG very specifically if they aren't providing it on at least the majority of services.....

 

[hutch]

I thought I had confirmed a refurb! They changed it the day before!

And I don't mind going via SYD on the way out (and am happy for the extra 40 SC's) but its too annoying on the way home.

I think my main point (that I didn't really specify) is that I don't think QF should have launched / be constantly advertising the new config ex MEL to HKG very specifically if they aren't providing it on at least the majority of services.....

According to the QF source, a refurb'd A330 has operated this route 14 times since 12 June. Agree that QF should do less marketing until they have more refurb'd planes.

 

[esseeeayeenn]

Flew in the new cabin for the first time last night MEL-PER.
Great product, but I was surprised by the lack of storage spaces.
Only one L shaped area on the side table marked "No stowage during taxi, take off or landing".
With a water bottle container in the corner - but no bottle of water!
However I really enjoyed the isolation provided by having no neighbour.

 

[Flying Fox]

Still annoyed that my August SYD-SIN & SIN-BNE flights are old school J.

Hoping for a last minute change.

 

[eminere]

Agree.
No refurb on MEL to HKG in Oct either. Seems as though it's a dogs dinner.
If I find out the day I fly to HKG, they are running a refurb to CGK there will be trouble.

Does anyone know why QF wouldn't prioritise refurbishing the international fleet over the domestic? After all those aircraft fly routes which are in most heavy (quality of the product wise) competition with foreign carriers. Or is one-upping VA domestically that much more important?

 

[moa999]

Does anyone know why QF wouldn't prioritise refurbishing the international fleet over the domestic? After all those aircraft fly routes which are in most heavy (quality of the product wise) competition with foreign carriers. Or is one-upping VA domestically that much more important?

Because Virgin also had a substantially better domestic product (and I suspect in many cases the overall yield on domestic - given the number of trips an aircraft can do in a day, is higher than international)

 

[JohnPhelan]

Does anyone know why QF wouldn't prioritise refurbishing the international fleet over the domestic? After all those aircraft fly routes which are in most heavy (quality of the product wise) competition with foreign carriers. Or is one-upping VA domestically that much more important?

I'm with you on this. If it was my call, I would have put the first refurbs onto international routes, starting with the longest routes first - HNL, PVG, HKG, and so on. Only after all the international routes were covered would I have started doing the domestics. (Though I have to say I think a fully-flat bed for a 5 hour domestic flight - even a red-eye one - is overkill). But I guess it's all brought about by the commercial reality of wanting to beat VA transcon.

 

[ajw373]

Does anyone know why QF wouldn't prioritise refurbishing the international fleet over the domestic? After all those aircraft fly routes which are in most heavy (quality of the product wise) competition with foreign carriers. Or is one-upping VA domestically that much more important?

As Moa said below, but also remember they cannot pull too many a/c off at the same time for refurb. With just 10 A333's, taking two off at a time would mean it is hard to run the schedule.

That said I am surprised that -EBV hasn't been used internationally on a regular basis to the Qantas 332 international destinations, but goes to show the power and importance of Perth.

 

[Dmac6345]

As Moa said below, but also remember they cannot pull too many a/c off at the same time for refurb. With just 10 A333's, taking two off at a time would mean it is hard to run the schedule.

That said I am surprised that -EBV hasn't been used internationally on a regular basis to the Qantas 332 international destinations, but goes to show the power and importance of Perth.

Which is why they put a 738 on PER-SIN. They should have 5 reconfigured A333's by the end of July or is it August?

 

[ajw373]

Which is why they put a 738 on PER-SIN. They should have 5 reconfigured A333's by the end of July or is it August?

Nah they put a 738 on because it is the right aircraft for the job.

 

[moa999]

Which is why they put a 738 on PER-SIN. They should have 5 reconfigured A333's by the end of July or is it August?

More likely end-September as the fifth plane only went in at the beginning of July (unless of course the plane is not getting a C check)

 

[Ansett]

Hi

Have 24J and K available on A330-300 on a reconfig back from Singapore in September are they any good as far as seats go I am concerned re legroom due to bulkhead.

Many thanks

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I'm with you on this. If it was my call, I would have put the first refurbs onto international routes, starting with the longest routes first - HNL, PVG, HKG, and so on. Only after all the international routes were covered would I have started doing the domestics. (Though I have to say I think a fully-flat bed for a 5 hour domestic flight - even a red-eye one - is overkill). But I guess it's all brought about by the commercial reality of wanting to beat VA transcon.

i think full flats for red eyes are great... I guess given the cost of a return transcon is about the same price as SYD-PVG, they're making a lot more money out of the transcon. Maybe those pax (as well as the Virgin competition issue) deserve a better product?