Qantas 737 Refurbishment tracker

[Christopher Campbell]

Oh yeah so it is.

 

[moa999]

Does anyone know if or when Jetconnect may be updating their trans-tasman 737s? Getting a bit tired.

Nothing announced for the 8 Jetconnect aircraft. The aircraft themselves are only 4-6 years old.
I suspect that with current catering (which includes full hot dishes for Y) unlikely they could remove the rear galleys and add an extra row like they are doing for domestic routes.

 

[Shamrock55]

Thanks. Wow they feel a lot older then that!

 

[kermatu]

Thanks. Wow they feel a lot older then that!

Agreed! I really like the Jetconnect service, but given the number of problems with seats and IFE, I too thought they were much older.

 

[Ansett]

The Jetconnect aircraft are upto 6.8 years old as per below.

 

[kermatu]

Still a young fleet. I have half a dozen Jetconnect flight in the next few weeks. Disappointing they are already pretty rundown.

 

[moa999]

VH-VZZ out 26/5 making refurb #36, but only #3 with seat back IFE
VH-XZE out 27/5 making refurb #37 and #1 of the BSI aircraft

The three non-SIFE aircraft (VXM,VXN,VYC) are all still operating today.

Summary of refurb
37 of 67 55%-- Seatcount increased - VXB-VXE,VXG-VXL,VXO-VXU,VYA,VYB,VYD-VYL,VZA-VZE,VZX-VZZ,XZE
62 of 67 93% -- With SIFE/ Q-Streaming
29 of 29 100% - Seatback IFE - VZL-VZZ,XZA-XZP
33 of 38 87% - Q-Streaming - VXB-VXE,VXG-VXL,VXO-VXU,VYA,VYB,VYD-VYL,VZA-VZE

Under refurb, check or paint
VH-VXA SYD - In 22/5/16 Exp 3/6
VH-VXF BNE - In 19/5/16 Exp 7/6

 

[RickyT84]

Looking at the age and timing of the most recent VZ* series (and XZE) refurb. It looks like these aircraft were due for a major check around the same time (VZZ was delivered to QF in late April 2012 and XZE was delivered to QF in late April 2013).

Perhaps the next few aircrafts maybe in the XZ* series or the non-BSI AVOD VZ* series?

 

[moa999]

Equally the remaining non-SIFE aircraft VXM,VXN,VYC may be due for a major check in the coming months so they will wait till then

 

[jaybeedee]

Agreed! I really like the Jetconnect service, but given the number of problems with seats and IFE, I too thought they were much older.

Much much older. We went AKL-MEL and MEL-AKL a couple of weeks ago, and quite frankly I would consciously avoid the 737 if possible. Mrs Jaybeedee walked through the J cabin and said ""is that business class?". I thought the IFE was barely fit for purpose in 2016.

Actually we will be have 4 sectors on these in J in the next fortnight. After our Melbourne trip I got home and looked up our flights desperately hoping we were on a different aircraft but every sector is a 737. Oh well let's see how J goes.

 

[Mattg]

Agreed! I really like the Jetconnect service, but given the number of problems with seats and IFE, I too thought they were much older.

+1.

Is it just me, or has the Jetconnect fleet aged quite badly? I remember flying on them when they were brand new and they were pretty nice back then. What's happened to them to make them age so quickly?!

It's a shame that they aren't being refurbished these aircraft in some way. I agree that reducing the size of the galleys may be problematic, so I understand why they wouldn't install another row of seats. But perhaps some new seat covers and a general interior refresh wouldn't go astray. Would Q-Streaming work over the Tasman Sea?

If this is what the 737s look like after 6-7 years, how will they look in 5-10 years from now? I wonder what QF's long term plan for Trans-Tasman flights is, because I can't see them being able to compete effectively across the Tasman 10 years from now if they are still using the same 737s.

 

[jimmylikesitwet]

+1.

Is it just me, or has the Jetconnect fleet aged quite badly? I remember flying on them when they were brand new and they were pretty nice back then. What's happened to them to make them age so quickly?!

It's a shame that they aren't being refurbished these aircraft in some way. I agree that reducing the size of the galleys may be problematic, so I understand why they wouldn't install another row of seats. But perhaps some new seat covers and a general interior refresh wouldn't go astray. Would Q-Streaming work over the Tasman Sea?

If this is what the 737s look like after 6-7 years, how will they look in 5-10 years from now? I wonder what QF's long term plan for Trans-Tasman flights is, because I can't see them being able to compete effectively across the Tasman 10 years from now if they are still using the same 737s.

I'm almost certain the Jetconnect fleet will get refurbished seats in Y, it makes sense from a product consistency point of view. The extra row is unlikely though.

Of course Q Streaming would be possible. It's a local server and wifi network. However I don't have any problems with the existing IFE, although some more content wouldn't go astray.

 

[medhead]

Why would anyone suggest q streaming over the current in seat ife? It's the same ife as on some domestic 737s. Except the range of content is greater on the ZK aircraft. In fact, in terms of content the order from least content to greatest would be Qstreaming<domestic SIFE<trans Tasman IFE<747/A380

I also don't get the criticism of the trans Tasman 737 appearance either. They are certainly a step up from the domestic 737 that still have to be refurbed. They'd match the standard of the newest domestic 737s

 

[moa999]

Having flown on a JC aircraft last week I didn't notice they looked particularly old.

Yes it's not a BSI - was delivered just before that, and Yes that get fabric wasnt the best choice but it still looks OK.

Apart from some US transcontinental aircraft and Qatar's A320s there is not much better in a narrowbody... just look at what passes for premium seats in Europe.

(Review of Qatar's Regional First
http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/2016/02/09/review-qatar-airways-a320-first-class/. )

 

[kermatu]

I flew Mel-AKL on the weekend, the 737 was ok. Still had the curtain! And no-one came up to the bathroom that shouldn't have. It still seemed tired (footrests didn't work well) but otherwise was fine. I didn't bother with the IFE as the music selection doesn't vary enough. The refurb A330 IFE has spoilt me.

 

[Christopher Campbell]

VH-VXA has returned to service from refurbishment operating QF512

 

[moa999]

Update.
VZW possible entry to SYD.. Only VXM, VXN and VYC operating without IFE

Summary of refurb
38 of 67 57%-- Seatcount increased - VXA-VXE,VXG-VXL,VXO-VXU,VYA-VYB,VYD-VYL,VZA-VZE,VZX-VZZ,XZE
63 of 67 94% -- With SIFE/ Q-Streaming
29 of 29 100% - Seatback IFE - VZL-VZZ,XZA-XZP
34 of 38 89% - Q-Streaming - VXA-VXE,VXG-VXL,VXO-VXU,VYA,VYB,VYD-VYL,VZA-VZE

Under refurb, check or paint
VH-VXF BNE - In 19/5/16 Exp 7/6
VH-XZL BNE - In 25/5/16 Exp 13/6
? VH-VZW SYD - In 1/6/16 Exp 12/6

 

[moa999]

XZL out this evening making #39 and #5 of the SIFE fleet
VXM a possible entry candidate (one of 3 remaining non-IFE aircraft)
VXF also due out very soon, along with VYB (check only)

Will do a full update once the movements settle

 

[Christopher Campbell]

VH-VZW (40) (6th of the SIFE fleet) out this morning from Sydney operating Sydney - Melbourne QF461
VH-VXM is operating Brisbane - Townsville QF970

 

[moa999]

VH-VXM is operating Brisbane - Townsville QF970

And back to BNE... Indeed all three of VXM, VXN and VYC are currently enroute to BNE.
A waiting game with some guesswork unless the insiders give some insights.