Jetconnect Fleet News

[markis10]

Thanks to the the Qantas Source we have an update on trans tasman equipment:

5th January 2011 - JetConnect Fleet Plans.
The next three JetConnect Boeing 737-800s, ZK-ZQD, ZK-ZQE and ZK- ZQF are all scheduled for delivery in February. Boeing 737-400 ZK-JTS will leave the fleet in late January and return to QANTAS mainline service as VH-TJZ after maintenance and configuration change. There is no word on the Business Class seating for the new 737-800s which could feature the same seats as the existing JetConnect 737-800s or the seating found on mainline A330-300s VH-EBO and VH-EBP.

The QANTAS Source - the independent, impartial guide to all things QANTAS.

The changes in J seating are of concern if they spread beyond the A332s.

 

[docjames]

Whilst "confirming" the new arrivals, there's not really enough here to know the true config.

Guess we'll have to wait until someone from AFF gets onboard.

Interesting the 734 comes back to QF mainline in Aus, rather than being retired.

 

[pauly7]

This is pretty old news (apart from the note about the 734 coming back to mainline - interesting).

After Jetconnect takes their deliveries about 17-18 next gen 73H's more will follow in 2011 - delivered straight to Qantas mainline.

Melbourne and Brisbane TT travellers will be happy as the new next gen Jetconnect 73H's will take over the routes currently serviced by the 734... Sydney gets the next gen 73H pretty much 99% of the time already!

 

[oz_mark]

Interesting the 734 comes back to QF mainline in Aus, rather than being retired.

I suspect that JTS is a bit more youthful than some of the other -400's.

 

[markis10]

Interesting the 734 comes back to QF mainline in Aus, rather than being retired.

TJZ is a spring chicken compared to the rest of the fleet being delivered new to QF rather than being inherited from the merger, its 5 years younger than most of the others who are hitting 20.

 

[docjames]

I suspect that JTS is a bit more youthful than some of the other -400's.

TJZ is a spring chicken compared to the rest of the fleet being delivered new to QF rather than being inherited from the merger, its 5 years younger than most of the others who are hitting 20.

I wonder if that means it'll replace one of the older ones....

 

[markis10]

I wonder if that means it'll replace one of the older ones....

Possibly, QF indicated a very low number of aircraft disposals this year (I think 9 or so) so most of the 734s will be with us for a little while, I suspect the 744s and 767s may be a priority.

 

[oz_mark]

JTR has been listed for sale, and available from March (IIRC) if you want to buy one.

Qantas have indicated that they will be selling up to 21 734's from March, but I don't know what the timeframe for those disposals is. I would imagine that it will match new 738's coming into the fleet.

 

[markis10]

This is pretty old news (apart from the note about the 734 coming back to mainline - interesting).

After Jetconnect takes their deliveries about 17-18 next gen 73H's more will follow in 2011 - delivered straight to Qantas mainline.

Melbourne and Brisbane TT travellers will be happy as the new next gen Jetconnect 73H's will take over the routes currently serviced by the 734... Sydney gets the next gen 73H pretty much 99% of the time already!

The timings and disposals were the news updates, not the fact 738s were coming

JTR has been listed for sale, and available from March (IIRC) if you want to buy one.

Qantas have indicated that they will be selling up to 21 734's from March, but I don't know what the timeframe for those disposals is. I would imagine that it will match new 738's coming into the fleet.

There are only another 3 due for the year with the domestic 738s due next year, I don't see them being in too much of a hurry.

 

[oz_mark]

The changes in J seating are of concern if they spread beyond the A332s.

What area of concern do you have?

 

[markis10]

What area of concern do you have?

I would prefer Silverwing over the Recaro option.

 

[oz_mark]

I would prefer Silverwing over the Recaro option.

Given the issues DJ had with different manufacturers of seats, wouldn't QF have similar problems in having different J (Sicma) and Y (Weber) seat suppliers?

 

[samh004]

I would prefer Silverwing over the Recaro option.

I can’t find a photo comparison between a Recaro seat and a Silverwing seat, but the descriptions I see on The Qantas Source seem to give the same specs on each, and I doubt they’ll find a way to add a middle seat on a 738

So can someone enlighten me on what the other main difference and drawback is?

 

[oz_mark]

I can’t find a photo comparison between a Recaro seat and a Silverwing seat, but the descriptions I see on The Qantas Source seem to give the same specs on each, and I doubt they’ll find a way to add a middle seat on a 738

I can just imagine the look on peoples faces if they went with a 3-2 config :shock::mrgreen:

 

[pauly7]

The timings and disposals were the news updates, not the fact 738s were coming

Timings on arrivals were announced a few months back, by QF... but yes the disposals are news.

There are only another 3 due for the year with the domestic 738s due next year, I don't see them being in too much of a hurry.

Where are you getting that from? QF announced they'll be taking receipt of circa 20 73H's - this year. Has this changed recently?

 

[docjames]

Timings on arrivals were announced a few months back, by QF... but yes the disposals are news.



Where are you getting that from? QF announced they'll be taking receipt of circa 20 73H's - this year. Has this changed recently?

I think there may be some confusion here between total on order, and number arriving this year.....

 

[pauly7]

I think there may be some confusion here between total on order, and number arriving this year.....

OK I called my little friend at Qantas.

Total of 31 firm order new next gen 73H's (3 already in service with Jetconnect).
Next 3 going directly to Jetconnect.

Remaining 25 going to mainline (Im sure they have options to replace the entire fleet though). Some are still scheduled to arrive late this year but they have pushed the timings around a bit for 'competitive reasons' READ: We want to see what Virgin are going to do before we commit!

Apparently there is some internal confusion though - as AJ keeps on telling the press they will be bringing in 20 into QF in 2011..... So who knows!

EDIT: And interestingly to cover themselves for a change from the Jetconnect International Next Gen 73H and the Qantas mainline Next Gen 73H, Qantas have badged the current next gen fleet as 'Tasman business' and 'Tasman economy'........ that gives them room to tweak the domestic offering once they see what the people in the Virgin Village do.

Check it here: New generation 737-800 across the Tasman

 

[markis10]

OK I called my little friend at Qantas.

Total of 31 firm order new next gen 73H's (3 already in service with Jetconnect).
Next 3 going directly to Jetconnect.

Remaining 25 going to mainline (Im sure they have options to replace the entire fleet though). Some are still scheduled to arrive late this year but they have pushed the timings around a bit for 'competitive reasons' READ: We want to see what Virgin are going to do before we commit!

Apparently there is some internal confusion though - as AJ keeps on telling the press they will be bringing in 20 into QF in 2011..... So who knows!

I find the fleet developments page alleviates the need to phone a friend since its part of the disclosure obligations . I must of missed the timings announcement for the other 3 as well as these three, when are the rest coming in terms of what month?

Since September 2009 the first three of a new fleet of 31 x 737-800 aircraft configured with 12 Business and 156 Economy commenced flying. The first 6 aircraft will operate on selected routes between Australia and New Zealand and subsequent deliveries will support the existing domestic 737-800 fleet from 2012.
The aircraft features a new seating design styled by Marc Newson and state-of-the-art, on-demand inflight entertainment from Panasonic. Business Customers will enjoy Qantas' exclusive wide seatback design with a 37" seat pitch and 22" width between arms. Seats have a 10.6" in-arm Inflight Entertainment touch-screen, extendable leg rest with fold-out footrest, PC power and USB port, coughtail table and ergonomic cushions. Economy customers will have a 9" seat-back Inflight Entertainment touch-screen, individual USB port, four-way adjustable headrest and ergonomic cushions.
Inflight Entertainment in both cabins has more than 300 entertainment options: movies, TV shows, CDs, library, games, audio books, Q radio channels, children's section and seat-to-seat "chat" messaging, It also includes Qantas ' exclusive interactive Lonely Planet Guides as featured on the A380.

 

[docjames]

OK I called my little friend at Qantas.

Total of 31 firm order new next gen 73H's (3 already in service with Jetconnect).
Next 3 going directly to Jetconnect.

Remaining 25 going to mainline (Im sure they have options to replace the entire fleet though). Some are still scheduled to arrive late this year but they have pushed the timings around a bit for 'competitive reasons' READ: We want to see what Virgin are going to do before we commit!

Apparently there is some internal confusion though - as AJ keeps on telling the press they will be bringing in 20 into QF in 2011..... So who knows!

EDIT: And interestingly to cover themselves for a change from the Jetconnect International Next Gen 73H and the Qantas mainline Next Gen 73H, Qantas have badged the current next gen fleet as 'Tasman business' and 'Tasman economy'........ that gives them room to tweak the domestic offering once they see what the people in the Virgin Village do.

Check it here: New generation 737-800 across the Tasman

That sounds like my understanding. As you imply / as I suspect, the delay relates to (choice of) interior fitout rather than deciding about the need for the aircraft (which is a given - they will need them, if for nothing else than eventually to replace the 734s.....).

 

[pauly7]

I must of missed the timings announcement for the other 3 as well as these three, when are the rest coming in terms of what month?

Must have even

As per previous post nothing concrete as they seem to be holding out until Virgin finally reveals it's hand (that's the loaded inference).

However, if you take AJ's public statement about 20 coming in 2011 as gospel, then one would have to assume at the latest second half / fourth quarter...??

I don't know much about the process of assimilating new birds into the fleet but I'm guessing you can't have one rocking up every day right up till Xmas eve... They'd need some time between deliveries..?