First Qantas A220 revealed

[Ade]

That’s a great shot with that sky!

Thank you. I thought so too when I shot it just didn’t wanna sing me own praises

 

[RSVKanga]

If you see the Qantas A220 seat map and look at the regos in the top right corner you’d notice it only says VH-X4A, X4B, X4C, X4D and X4E, but the remaining 24 aircraft they have on firm order aren’t listed.

Does this mean VH-X4F onwards could potentially go to mainline Qantas and have international grade cabins (IFE, long haul business class etc)? I’ve heard rumours that QF want to launch routes like CNS-SIN, DRW-SIN, CBR-AKL and HBA-DPS with the A220 within the next 4-5 years so I’m wondering if VH-X4F and onwards going to Qantas mainline makes sense.

 

[Forg]

Looking at that map, do Y seats A & C in rows 4-9 have extra legroom?

On the topic of this thread though; agreed, I too have read about an intention to use the A220’s on 7hr+ flights. I guess if they’re intending to compete with LCC’s on those flights then a domestic setup may be usable … but it’d be more in line with their more recent A330 offerings if they had real international J, and Y+ as well.

QF used to run a less Euro Business style cabin in 737’s to NZ, didn’t they?

 

[oz_mark]

Anything is possible, but it may be that is all that they have reserved registration numbers for. By mid-2025, they should have seven delivered.

 

[Mwenenzi]

Would expect seat maps are for those aircraft with a firm delivery date in the near future. And others will be added when they get delivered.
Having 2 distinctive seating plans makes scheduling harder.

QF used to run a less Euro Business style cabin in 737’s to NZ, didn’t they?

I have QF NZ registered QF737 seat maps from 2016. 7 aircraft. They were moved to Au VH rego.
NZ B737 were 12J 162Y. So the same as AU registered aircraft B737 of the same date (08-09-2016)

 

[HS-TQE]

Can't see QF moving away from the "one aircraft, one config" rule they've applied on the newer aircraft (e.g 787s) onwards.

 

[Forg]

Can't see QF moving away from the "one aircraft, one config" rule they've applied on the newer aircraft (e.g 787s) onwards.

Have they bought anything since then that they’ve used for multiple roles, though?
Those 787’s for example are only used international medium to long haul?

I have QF NZ registered QF737 seat maps from 2016. 7 aircraft. They were moved to Au VH rego.
NZ B737 were 12J 162Y. So the same as AU registered aircraft B737 of the same date (08-09-2016)

It would’ve been before that, if it was a Thing … would’ve been late noughties or earlier I guess.
I can’t recall who I was talking to, whether it was a real in-person person or someone on this site, but I’m … let’s say about 60% sure they were talking about some 737’s being less for-the-lose than others BUT that the 767 alternative was a better one … how long ago does QF 767’s put it?

 

[DC3]

Patience Grasshopper(s)

 

[Saab34]

So what’s the cabin like? Was there any indication on what Y and J inside this aircraft is like? Amazed a photo has not surfaced yet.

 

[RSVKanga]

Can't see QF moving away from the "one aircraft, one config" rule they've applied on the newer aircraft (e.g 787s) onwards.

It’s likely that the next tranche of 787s for Qantas (delivery starting 2027) will have the same business, premium economy and economy class as the one on their A350-1000s. It would be a very uncompetitive choice to install the existing 787 seats on new 787s in 2027.

 

[RichardMEL]

No 220's will be operated by QF Mainline (it's a bone of contention with at least some 737 tech crew I've spoken with) and I rate as <1% chance any difference in config will occur with the next batch of aicraft and even less of changed J seating etc for international. Remember, QF are content to fly the 737 (and soon to be 321) on a route like MEL/SYD-DPS, so even if they deployed the 220 to a route like this, it's not going to see any big difference. I suspect the most international the 220 may do, like the E190, would be trans tasman most likely.

and as noted above - having differing subfleets becomes a nightmare for so many reasons. Heck, look at the pain points with the all Y 717's vs the 2 class ones, and there's a sub..... as one example.

 

[elanshin]

No 220's will be operated by QF Mainline (it's a bone of contention with at least some 737 tech crew I've spoken with) and I rate as <1% chance any difference in config will occur with the next batch of aicraft and even less of changed J seating etc for international. Remember, QF are content to fly the 737 (and soon to be 321) on a route like MEL/SYD-DPS, so even if they deployed the 220 to a route like this, it's not going to see any big difference. I suspect the most international the 220 may do, like the E190, would be trans tasman most likely.

and as noted above - having differing subfleets becomes a nightmare for so many reasons. Heck, look at the pain points with the all Y 717's vs the 2 class ones, and there's a sub..... as one example.

I would suspect the same configuration, but couldn't it do something like DRW <> SIN or CNS <> SIN?

 

[pauly7]

Looking at that map, do Y seats A & C in rows 4-9 have extra legroom?

I’m pretty sure that’s been asked and answered way up thread - yes it appears some seats will have extra leg room.

 

[Aurorasky]

Quite boring TBH. No IFE, standard J seating. They'll come out soon enough though.

Honestly why bother upgrading the fleet to have a longer range at all. IFE and good J seating are what people fly premium airlines for, people can already get cheaper flights without either on other airlines to CNS PER DRW DPS NAN AKL.

 

[elanshin]

Honestly why bother upgrading the fleet to have a longer range at all. IFE and good J seating are what people fly premium airlines for, people can already get cheaper flights without either on other airlines to CNS PER DRW DPS NAN AKL.

The a220 wasn't about the longer range. Its a new design clean sheet aircraft for regional market. It just so happens to also be able to do bigger distances that was not possible previously in this size aircraft. It just allows for future planning and flexibility.

If all its doing is hopping around regional cities in Australia replacing the 717s, that alone is saving lots in fuel economy and a much better passenger experience. Bigger overhead bins, "roomier" cabin, big windows, wifi enabled planes to name some benefits.

 

[samh004]

Haven't read every page of this thread, any word on when they expect to start flying them commercially? I suspect my flights next week will be too soon, but wondering when I can expect to board the new aircraft.

 

[RSVKanga]

Haven't read every page of this thread, any word on when they expect to start flying them commercially? I suspect my flights next week will be too soon, but wondering when I can expect to board the new aircraft.

Definitely not next week, probably in February.

 

[RSVKanga]

Quite boring TBH. No IFE, standard J seating. They'll come out soon enough though

Quite surprised QF has managed to keep the A220 cabin under complete secrecy from the public for weeks now and that no leaked images have emerged. Does the A220 have overhead info screens like what most non-IFE A220s have?

Also, Executive Traveller stated the contrary to your comment; “Qantas is expected to fit seatback video screens tip to tail”

 

[Bundy Bear]

I heard the A220 taking off from Brisbane airport this afternoon wasn’t quiet fast enough with cloud around to take a photo of it quieter than a 737-800.

I have a flight credit to book by 24 Feb and hoping I can score a flight on the A220.
Likely to be CBR to BNE, MEL or SYD.

 

[TheInsider]

Also, Executive Traveller stated the contrary to your comment; “Qantas is expected to fit seatback video screens tip to tail”

Completely wrong. 100% no IFE.