Qantas A330-200 cabin refurbishments

The other result of these refurbs and 332 retirements, is I suspect it means no widebodies on any Australian domestic routes from late 2026 or early 2027.
The odd 787/a350-900 going to PER?
 
The other result of these refurbs and 332 retirements, is I suspect it means no widebodies on any Australian domestic routes from late 2026 or early 2027.

I’m not convinced - the population is growing and the peak time flights are expensive/ always booked out as it is, with the flying time and time change there is a limit to adding many more flights, capacity over frequency makes sense for transcon
 
Might be an occasional reposition flight depending on timings but expect it won't be the norm as today.

Domestic capacity is coming from the much larger 321XLRs - which will replace the early 738s and 332s.

Seatback IFE looks like it will become an international brand standard, whereas domestic will be BYO.
 
Oh please Qantas, they never learn, do they! Just get new aircraft instead.

I already HATE those A330s with a passion on the longer legs to and from Asia and I am talking Business class here. The seat itself might be similar to what is found on the 787 (but highly annoying with the divider if you travel as a couple) but the rest of the airplane clearly show what old rust buckets they are.

Use them as they are on the trans-Tasman or on routes to Perth instead of torturing us with these inadequate 737s. And for the love of gawd, use something a bit more “contemporary” on the longer routes to Asia.
 
Oh please Qantas, they never learn, do they! Just get new aircraft instead.

I already HATE those A330s with a passion on the longer legs to and from Asia and I am talking Business class here. The seat itself might be similar to what is found on the 787 (but highly annoying with the divider if you travel as a couple) but the rest of the airplane clearly show what old rust buckets they are.

Use them as they are on the trans-Tasman or on routes to Perth instead of torturing us with these inadequate 737s. And for the love of gawd, use something a bit more “contemporary” on the longer routes to Asia.
Be careful what you wish for 🤣
 
Oh please Qantas, they never learn, do they! Just get new aircraft instead.

I already HATE those A330s with a passion on the longer legs to and from Asia and I am talking Business class here. The seat itself might be similar to what is found on the 787 (but highly annoying with the divider if you travel as a couple) but the rest of the airplane clearly show what old rust buckets they are.

Use them as they are on the trans-Tasman or on routes to Perth instead of torturing us with these inadequate 737s. And for the love of gawd, use something a bit more “contemporary” on the longer routes to Asia.

Aircraft age in some ways in irrelevant if the airline doesn't spend any money on fixing issues, look at the broken seat issues on the 787 fleet.

QF have spent very little on the A330s and its showing, contrast that to other airlines with similar age or older aircraft....DL and even UA do a much better job of keeping the cabins up to date. DL have just announced another refresh of its entire fleet (the first one will be a 27 yr old 757)
 
DL have just announced another refresh of its entire fleet (the first one will be a 27 yr old 757)
I also recently flew on an AA 737-800 that was 20+ years old and was impressed with the good state of the cabin furniture. I guess they realise that's what passengers actually pay attention to - did their seat work right and have useful features like USB charging ports and upgraded overhead bins with decent capacity. All of my AA flights recently have no seatback IFE anymore - but with a great catalog delivered to your device via high quality, lag-free satellite wifi. The only way I could really tell I was on a older plane was the louder engines which is a bit noticeable down the back.
 
I hope their new seats in the 330 are not the same dimensions as those terrible seats in the 787. I refuse to fly in Y. I did one trip MEL-PER in an all male pax row and we were all rubbing shoulders. Imagine doing the on long haul!
 
After this upgrade I'd think in Y the 332 will be preferred to the 787 - wider seats and better IFE.

New aircraft is something where Qantas haven't gotten there way with the Govt
They've been lobbying for many years on and off to reduce the tax depreciation period on aircraft.
 
Oh please Qantas, they never learn, do they! Just get new aircraft instead.

I already HATE those A330s with a passion on the longer legs to and from Asia and I am talking Business class here. The seat itself might be similar to what is found on the 787 (but highly annoying with the divider if you travel as a couple) but the rest of the airplane clearly show what old rust buckets they are.

Use them as they are on the trans-Tasman or on routes to Perth instead of torturing us with these inadequate 737s. And for the love of gawd, use something a bit more “contemporary” on the longer routes to Asia.
I quite like them, quiet and comfortable in both classes.
 
I hope their new seats in the 330 are not the same dimensions as those terrible seats in the 787. I refuse to fly in Y. I did one trip MEL-PER in an all male pax row and we were all rubbing shoulders. Imagine doing the on long haul!
A330 seats are approx. 18 inches wide, which should continue on the refurbed planes (a 787 has 17.1 inches of seat width). 18 inches is the standard on all Airbus planes (except 9 across A330s and 10 across A350s)
 
Oh please Qantas, they never learn, do they! Just get new aircraft instead.

I already HATE those A330s with a passion on the longer legs to and from Asia and I am talking Business class here. The seat itself might be similar to what is found on the 787 (but highly annoying with the divider if you travel as a couple) but the rest of the airplane clearly show what old rust buckets they are.

Use them as they are on the trans-Tasman or on routes to Perth instead of torturing us with these inadequate 737s. And for the love of gawd, use something a bit more “contemporary” on the longer routes to Asia.

Yet you keep flying QF ?
 
I don't mind the A332's in J, with the only gripe being the single lavatory.
I had one once to Perth where that lavatory was un-serviceable, resulting in a long walk to the back of the plane for the toilet. *horror*.
 
Last edited:
Australia's highest-earning Velocity Frequent Flyer credit card: Offer expires: 21 Jan 2025
- Earn 60,000 bonus Velocity Points
- Get unlimited Virgin Australia Lounge access
- Enjoy a complimentary return Virgin Australia domestic flight each year

AFF Supporters can remove this and all advertisements

Yet you keep flying QF ?
Plenty reasons for this other than he aircraft type. But I try to avoid those longer routes on the A330.

Just had a fabulous QF First flight on the A380. In my eyes in many ways better than the EK First flight on the same aircraft type just a few days before. So Qantas definitely has many sweet spots. The old 737s and A330s are not amongst them.
 
don't mind the A332's in J, with the only gripe being the single lavatory.
Suspect the 10 aircraft left after this config will have dual lavs and 26/27J seats.
The rumoured aircraft to be kept being the 8 newest which are already in that config and EBG and EBL.. but on the flipside suspect they will be relatively rare on domestic routes
 

Become an AFF member!

Join Australian Frequent Flyer (AFF) for free and unlock insider tips, exclusive deals, and global meetups with 65,000+ frequent flyers.

AFF members can also access our Frequent Flyer Training courses, and upgrade to Fast-track your way to expert traveller status and unlock even more exclusive discounts!

AFF forum abbreviations

Wondering about Y, J or any of the other abbreviations used on our forum?

Check out our guide to common AFF acronyms & abbreviations.
Back
Top