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

[moa999]

Do you mean VH-EBI? QPI I believe is a refurbed A330-300...

Yep. Late night thumbs

 

[2tall4Y]

Thanks moa999.

I'm flying SYD-HNL-SYD in June, and the seat-map in MMB currently shows an A330-200 with SkyBed, hence my interest in EBI (and EBG & EBL).

 

[maninblack]

Thanks moa999.

I'm flying SYD-HNL-SYD in June, and the seat-map in MMB currently shows an A330-200 with SkyBed, hence my interest in EBI (and EBG & EBL).

That's 9 months away. I suggest to you that all flights to HNL still show an A332 with older seating configuration. (Skybed) Some are speculating it will change to A333 twin J toilet aircraft, I'm not so confident.

 

[ajw373]

On this basis how will you categorise 789's as they may be used for medium, long and ultra?

Depends how they are fitted out doesn't it? That was my point. The Qantas A330's are fitted out and used on regional (Asian) routes.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Depends how they are fitted out doesn't it? That was my point. The Qantas A330's are fitted out and used on regional (Asian) routes.

Yes - but Qantas doesn't make the distinction between 'regional international' and 'international'.

QF outlines their travel classes as international, domestic, trans-tasman and regional - with the latter being QantasLink domestic 'economy class only' within Australia.

I think with 'international' travel some people (me included) have a certain expectation. The whole 'regional' thingy was defined by Asian carriers for their short haul international. Qantas doesn't really distinguish that as a separate product offering (save for the *~~~## in tiny print mentioning MK2 is not available on A330s)

 

[ajw373]

Yes - but Qantas doesn't make the distinction between 'regional international' and 'international'.

Ahh no they do and have done so for years. The fact we are talking about differences in the A330 fleet V's the long haul fleet is evidence of that. And it goes back years when the main stay of the international fleet was the 747 and 767.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Ahh no they do and have done so for years. The fact we are talking about differences in the A330 fleet V's the long haul fleet is evidence of that. And it goes back years when the main stay of the international fleet was the 747 and 767.

Where is the marketing to show QF distinguishes between 'regional' and 'standard' international service offering? Initially the 747s and 767s shared a common product - in First, business and economy. They also shared the dreamtime seat when the 767s went to two class.

Later the 747s and A330s shared the same Mk1. No distinction, except the 767s weren't upgraded.

And now they are upgrading A330s to meet standards offered on the 747 and A380. So again I'd argue that QF doesn't distinguish between regional and true international... just they were saving money (and maximising revenue) by having angled beds on their A330s for so long.

 

[ajw373]

Of course they don't market it differently. Just like they don't makret trans Tasman and East coast to Perth differently either, but everyone knows there are differences. But anyone who has flown long haul and to Asia (except of course flights operated by the long haul fleet en-route to Europe) anytime within the past 20 years will tell you the product was different and suited the medium haul routes the aircraft were flying.

And as for the Skybeds staying so long, this has been discussed many many many times before, you cannot replace your seats everything someone brings out something new and different. No airline does it. And the A330 Skybed MKI (which is different from the 747 Skybed MKI, refer to point above) is still better than what many airlines in our region fly on similar length routes. And the time for a refit was now, not 5 years ago.

 

[2tall4Y]

That's 9 months away. I suggest to you that all flights to HNL still show an A332 with older seating configuration. (Skybed) Some are speculating it will change to A333 twin J toilet aircraft, I'm not so confident.

I realise it's 9 months away, but there are now only two A332s with SkyBeds left in the fleet (EBG and EBL) and I am specifically interested in what aircraft Qantas will allocate to future HNL flights once the SkyBeds are no longer. Naturally, I'm hoping it's refurbed A333s.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Of course they don't market it differently. Just like they don't makret trans Tasman and East coast to Perth differently either, but everyone knows there are differences. But anyone who has flown long haul and to Asia (except of course flights operated by the long haul fleet en-route to Europe) anytime within the past 20 years will tell you the product was different and suited the medium haul routes the aircraft were flying.

And as for the Skybeds staying so long, this has been discussed many many many times before, you cannot replace your seats everything someone brings out something new and different. No airline does it. And the A330 Skybed MKI (which is different from the 747 Skybed MKI, refer to point above) is still better than what many airlines in our region fly on similar length routes. And the time for a refit was now, not 5 years ago.

QF markets trans-tasman differently: Travel Classes | Qantas

Qantas flew 747s to Hong Kong with full international product (not en-route to Europe).

I'd say all international travel was the same - just they didn't update some aircraft when new seating came out. Some people will then apply the 'regional' label to the reduced hard product, but I'm not sure that was QF's intention to distinguish.

The issue of replacing seats more frequently is a bit of a moot point. Aside from the fact that CX actually does replace seats quite frequently (coffins->herringbone), the main issue is that the QF product was not market leading at the time of its introduction - BA/VS/CX and even KQ were all ahead of the game. If MK1 had been temporary due to availability of other seats, that might have been understandable. But they have been with us 10+ years.

 

[ajw373]

QF markets trans-tasman differently: Travel Classes | Qantas

Qantas flew 747s to Hong Kong with full international product (not en-route to Europe).

Fleet utilisation, capacity, trying to compete with CX, not unusual and as mentioned even other airlines that fly regional config a/c to Aus fly long haul on some routes for similar reasons.

The issue of replacing seats more frequently is a bit of a moot point. Aside from the fact that CX actually does replace seats quite frequently (coffins->herringbone), the main issue is that the QF product was not market leading at the time of its introduction - BA/VS/CX and even KQ were all ahead of the game. If MK1 had been temporary due to availability of other seats, that might have been understandable. But they have been with us 10+ years.

CX only did that because the coffins and fixed shell Y's were so poorly received.

 

[ajw373]

I realise it's 9 months away, but there are now only two A332s with SkyBeds left in the fleet (EBG and EBL) and I am specifically interested in what aircraft Qantas will allocate to future HNL flights once the SkyBeds are no longer. Naturally, I'm hoping it's refurbed A333s.

The newer A332's (the ones with fixed seat IFE in Y) will be used internationally. EBV and EBS have already appeared on routes to CGK and SIN in the past few months.

The two international A330's will have their Y screens covered and J replaced and will become just like the earlier A330's and only used domestically. Though no doubt we will occasionally see them international if operational needs demand it. Eg last minute swap due to U/S a/c etc.

 

[JohnPhelan]

And now they are upgrading A330s to meet standards offered on the 747 and A380.

Actually, the J suite on the A330s is a considerable upgrade on the Skybed product on the B747/A380.

 

[under the radar]

loving the 'popcorn'/'bee on their bonnet' posts on this thread at the moment... my response is more simple... taken from the iconic Kath & Kim .... 'Give it a bone'

 

[dairyfloss]

I was on a refitted 332 (VH-EBS) for Saturday's QF82 from SIN-SYD... it was my 3rd flight in the J suite, but my first on the 332, with the leather upholstery on the seat.

I really like the J suite product, but for me, having the leather under me (even with the mattress added) for 7+ hours made for a quite interrupted and uncomfortable sleep. I woke up a few times after getting too hot, and needed to get up and walk around a little to 'air out' when I did. Keeping hydrated (in both the right and wrong ways), I took the opportunity whenever I got up to visit the rest room, and it was also quite obvious that a single bathroom for 28 J pax was not enough. There was almost always a wait to go in, and/or a queue when I came out. Thankfully I didn't need to use them around departure or approach, as the usual pyjama party would have taken an age. I do hope QF try and limit the use of the 332 for their longer eligible sectors after all the 333s are finished, as it was not a nice experience. From a sleep perspective, I almost would have preferred the MK1 skybed and my then beloved 'cradle' position! :shock: Of course, most else about the new seat is better.

The other thing which I've noticed now with the three flights I've been on (and all in different seats in the cabin), and from observing others around me, is that the seat recline and adjustments appear to be quite temperamental. Holding down a seat position or command button, the seat will begin to move into that position, but then stop after a few inches, and then start again only after you release and press it again. On occasion it wouldn't want to move at all until I got out of the chair and pressed the button without me in the seat. Others around me were playing with their seats in the same manner... and perhaps just playing... but it looked more like they were failing to complete a specific objective, to me.

Given the seat sometimes seems to work better when I wasn't in it... I wonder if perhaps the motor is not strong enough to move the frame through all positions with weight on it? Anyone else had any similar experiences with this? I'm a big guy... but more rugby, than sumo! On Saturday's QF82, EF told me that seat 4K had become available, and preferring to be by the window, I enquired at the lounge about being changed to that seat... I was told it would not recline / was faulty. Is this the start of something common with the much lauded J suites??

Cheers,
Matt.

 

[Ansett]

Based on my recent trip and chat to the crew it seems that the controls are very temperamental and are having issues already.

I agree re the performance issue fond the same on my flight in both 4A and 1K

 

[dougieboy]

Is is true that 2 of the current QF A330s are nearing their 'end of lease' contract and will find new lives as A330 tankers for the Australian airforce. I read this somewhere but i forget, or it may be for another thread post. That's 2 aircraft out of action and with new destinations being announced hither and thither it seems all a bit wafer thin and heaven forbid an airplane going tech.

 

[moa999]

Is is true that 2 of the current QF A330s are nearing their 'end of lease' contract and will find new lives as A330 tankers for the Australian airforce. I read this somewhere but i forget, or it may be for another thread post. That's 2 aircraft out of action and with new destinations being announced hither and thither it seems all a bit wafer thin and heaven forbid an airplane going tech.

They are already gone - VH-EBH some time ago and VH-EBI this week.

They have been replaced by aircraft coming back from JQ as JQ gets its 787-8s

 

[Melburnian1]

dairyfloss and Ansett, if the new seats/ beds are not performing to passenger (and presumably QF's) expectations in 'responsiveness to commands', surely the seats/beds would still be under warranty from the manufacturer?

They are complex pieces of equipment, but presumably were tested numerous times without and with light, medium size and heavy individuals of both sexes pretending to use them.

 

[Sukina]

I flew on VH-QPC SIN-MEL on Tuesday 15 September, seat 1E in the new configuration. Flight was completely full due to the cancellation of the previous days flight. This was my first flight in the new J configuration, and after 4 previous sectors on the A380 in J with MKII Skybed, I am overwhelmingly in favour of this new suite. (not to mention my awful experience HKG-MEL in J in March on a Skybed MK1)
It is a relatively short flight, made shorter in this instance due to favourable winds. I (mostly) didn't take advantage of the meal service, and had my bed made up for boarding. I was changed into my pyjamas and fully reclined before we levelled out, making full use of sleeping on this short flight time. I found the seat comfortable as a bed and as a seat, and had a much better sleep than I'd had in Skybed (I and 2). Lighting controller was a little bit fiddly in the dark. Screen was a great size and in a much easier position than Skybed. Had I utilised the meal service the screen is well out of the way, allowing easy access to the meal table, and the (very large) side table (for the all-important pre take off bubbles). The console next to the seat was really handy for stashing my toiletries bag, phone, headphones and other bits and pieces. No dramas for me with the seat controls.
Two bathrooms were still really not enough, especially upon arrival when it seems passengers changing back into street clothes take about 10 minutes each and have no awareness that others may be waiting!!

My crew lead by CSM Sam were absolutely outstanding. They'd had an extra overnight away due to the cancellation and could be forgiven for being a little grumpy, but were just fabulous.

Downside is that being on the SIN-MEL sector rather than DXB-MEL I was not entitled to chauffeur drive upon arrival - which would have been handy given the 4.45am arrival.

Overall a much-improved experience flying QF in Asia.