New DOM QF A330-200

[oz_mark]

Well this is a complete furphy. No AVOD on QF575 despite the layout described above.

I just went and re-read the posts and I think you had things the wrong way around

EBJ = rows 23/24 all the way across = bad
EBM/EBN = no rows 23/24 in the middle = good.

 

[mannej]

I just went and re-read the posts and I think you had things the wrong way around

EBJ = rows 23/24 all the way across = bad
EBM/EBN = no rows 23/24 in the middle = good.

That is correct, so no lies or deceit.

Thanks oz_mark for simplifying it superbly

 

[jakob]

Hi,

Just flew on EBO tonight QF583 (first day in service I believe). Expertflyer/Seatmaps need re-interpretation now. All week was confused as no middles of row 23-4 but then 2-3-2 in J. So I thought I was on Margaret river and had the worst J cabin.

As a v brief review. Its a very 'tight' cabin with 42J seats squeezed in. Its a slight modification of the new J domestic seat. Narrower but the TV is in the seatback infront so you can watch gate-gate movies in J now. The narrow aisles make it hard for the cabin crew too. The pitch seemed OK, better than 738 across the ditch earlier in the day. I'm going to say that i find the millenium seat more comfortable and adjustable though, but the AVOD makes the newer cabins still the pick for me.

Was nice 'new plane' smell though...

So now need to look for this config when checking the seat maps...

jakob.

 

[Sprucegoose]

We were on QF802 (24A & B) on Sunday last which was either EBM and EBN though I did not see which.

Quite comfortable and the AVOD worked well. I went for a walk to the tail and found the rear seating area quite noisy from about half way back. Has anyone else noticed this :?:

Tail is nosier on the A380 as well. Stay forward of wings for noise

 

[oz_mark]

So they have tweaked things a bit. The gate to gate IFE with the seatback screens is an improvement. The extra seats - not so much of an improvement.

I guess EBP will arrive in the same config.

 

[Red Roo]

Its a slight modification of the new J domestic seat. Narrower but the TV is in the seatback infront so you can watch gate-gate movies in J now.

Just to clarify, our newest domestic A330 has been delivered with a new Recaro seat in the Business cabin - EBM/EBN have Sicma seats, whilst EBO has new Recaro seating that utilises technology and functionality developed with our International Premium Economy product. Can confirm that EBP will have this seating as well and it should arrive next month.

In regards to the location of the IFE screen, aside from the gate to gate advantages you've noted, moving the screen from an in-arm to a seatback location frees up space for additional seat width. The inside side panels of the armrests are also scalloped to create additional room. The architecture of the seat also improves leg/knee/shin room.

Another point of note is that the aisle seats in the centre bank have movable armrests to assist customers with reduced mobility.

 

[ejb]

Just to clarify, our newest domestic A330 has been delivered with a new Recaro seat in the Business cabin - EBM/EBN have Sicma seats, whilst EBO has new Recaro seating that utilises technology and functionality developed with our International Premium Economy product. Can confirm that EBP will have this seating as well and it should arrive next month.

In regards to the location of the IFE screen, aside from the gate to gate advantages you've noted, moving the screen from an in-arm to a seatback location frees up space for additional seat width. The inside side panels of the armrests are also scalloped to create additional room. The architecture of the seat also improves leg/knee/shin room.

Another point of note is that the aisle seats in the centre bank have movable armrests to assist customers with reduced mobility.

Sounds good but for $1700+ each way I shall not be happy with a middle seat in J.

I hope with the extra 6 seats you are adding an additional FA.

The gate to gate IFE is a step forward though.

ejb

 

[jakob]

Red roo; Ah, it did seem a bit like the PE seat now that you mention it (especially the footrest design).

ejb; definately agree with that sentiment. Very glad that as SG being stuck in the middle would be unlikely, but it really looked pretty hard for people in the middle to get out of the row (its not like on the 747 downstairs with the much greater pitch). As regards FA numbers, i guess with the CSM's now helping in business it might be better, but it wasn't exactly quick dinner service (not a complaint, just an observation).

jakob

 

[serfty]

Just to clarify, our newest domestic A330 has been delivered with a new Recaro seat in the Business cabin - EBM/EBN have Sicma seats, whilst EBO has new Recaro seating that utilises technology and functionality developed with our International Premium Economy product. Can confirm that EBP will have this seating as well and it should arrive next month. ...

Photo posted on FT: New domestic A330-200 EBO - FlyerTalk Forums

Hopefully these new seats don't have the same problem as those on the T-T 73H's and more recent domestic 332's in that they are short and quite uncomfortable on the back for anyone over 5'8".

 

[Ewing]

So now need to look for this config when checking the seat maps...

Easiest way to tell that it's EBO is the full 2-3-2 in J, and row 58 being a full row rather than just being the middle seats as on the others.

For those who are curious, here's a seat map for what I believe is EBO:
Qantas VH-EBO A330-200 seat map... in posted pics

42J, 272Y

 

[dk4]

Well, just when I thought Qantas couldn't piss me off any more (ala Anytime Access removal), my A330 skybed to Perth has turned into this monstrosity

Thanks for the heads up and pic links...
yuck:evil:

 

[pauly7]

Photo posted on FT: New domestic A330-200 EBO - FlyerTalk Forums

Hopefully these new seats don't have the same problem as those on the T-T 73H's and more recent domestic 332's in that they are short and quite uncomfortable on the back for anyone over 5'8".

Bit of a sweeping statement! I don't get that at all from the next gen 73H's.... I'm over 6"1 and am plenty comfortable. Flying them pretty much weekly.

Just my opinion

 

[NM]

I'd still rather be in J than Y :!:

 

[Princess Fiona]

Well, just when I thought Qantas couldn't piss me off any more (ala Anytime Access removal), my A330 skybed to Perth has turned into this monstrosity

Thanks for the heads up and pic links...
yuck:evil:

Dear oh dear, what on earth were QF thinking! I was going to use a points upgrade on my next SYD-PER but I think I'll save them for a rainy day, those PE seats are horrible :-(

 

[serfty]

Bit of a sweeping statement! I don't get that at all from the next gen 73H's.... I'm over 6"1 and am plenty comfortable. Flying them pretty much weekly.

Just my opinion

Fair enough - I generalised.

I'm 183cm and find the shorter back has a lot more verticle movement for the head rest. I like the head rest fully up. Unfortunately this removes back support from around 4 cm below my shoulders. As a result the top of the back padding digs in when I try to recline.

YMMV

 

[ejb]

Hi all,

This morning I travelled on an A332 with the (now old) new config of 36J.

These new 42J 332's are going to be tight. I tried to see how they would save space and I can only think with the removal of PTV's from the armrest they will gain maybe 2 inches which will total 12 inches, then reduce the seat width by 1inch and they gain another 6 totalling 18 inches but they need to add a seat and an armrest with "coughtail" table. It will be interesting to see this in action.

ejb

 

[dk4]

Dear oh dear, what on earth were QF thinking! I was going to use a points upgrade on my next SYD-PER but I think I'll save them for a rainy day, those PE seats are horrible :-(

IMO, if they put the fully spec'd P.E. seats in, and called them P.E. & charged ($ or points) for them as P.E., I probably wouldn't have a problem. I don't mind premium economy.

But comparing -

International P.E.

Image at http://www.nla.gov.au/

with the image provided on Flyertalk / photobucket, by screech_2009...

Domestic Business

image at http://s677.photobucket.com/albums/vv131/screech_2009/

...they look like a very dumbed down version of it.

 

[tuapekastar]

I flew J MEL-PER-MEL a few years ago on what I recall was the first (or one of the first) domestic configured 332, at 2-2-2 and it was just fine. Whilst we cannot see 'into' the rows from the pic in this thread it does not look good.

Still, until I actually see it, guess I'll reserve judgement (Am flying JQ *class in January, imagine that might be similar/same)?.

Edited to add: The 2-2-2 configured 332 had very wide aisles IIRC.

 

[serfty]

More scathing comment and rehash of pictures posted on FT:

• Qantas to launch new domestic business class next week - Page 2 - FlyerTalk Forums

Yesterday I happened to be on their new A330.. I am a Platinum FF, and was placed in the middle seat in business. It was no different from being in economy. I am so disgusted with QF for introducing a middle seat in J/C on their domestic A330. Why pay the price? The service was slow (obvioulsy not enough attendants), the seats are SO narrow. Climbing over people to get to the loo. I may as well have been in economy. I couldn't give a toss about their inflight movies, or their 'Neil Perry' cuisine. All I wanted to do was work, but there was not enough arm-room for me to even work on my laptop.

For the first time ever, I really hope Virgin gets up with a good business class product, as my Platinum status means nothing to Qantas. And as such I will be happy to take my business elsewhere.

Even if I had've had an aisle seat, they are the same width as economy.

This airline is now just a running joke.

 

[Sprucegoose]

I'd still rather be in J than Y :!:

one of the posters commented on what you got for the price by saying a middle was not worth 1.7k