Qantas refurbish - any rumors?

[JB expat]

Coincidentally, after recently flying on the A380 to the USA and thinking that the cabin (business and premium econ) looks and not insignificantly FEELS pretty shabby/past its use-by date, I saw an article describing either Delta's or Virgin's new business cabin - it gave it rave reviews. Despite having issues with Qantas in the past, I remain loyal due to status and what it has provided me (not going into details as they aren't relevant, but I have concluded that I do receive benefits as a Gold FF/One World Sapphire that are valuable to me)...and with respect to issues that I've had with Qantas, they actually have always resolved them in a way that leaves me feeling somewhat taken care of. However, articles that show flashy new cabins always make me pause and rethink my obsession with Qantas status - but before I go through my personal analysis of what to do, I'm wondering if there are either rumors (or facts) around Qantas doing a refurb of their long haul plane fleet.

 

[Mattg]

I have heard that Qantas will probably refurbish its A380 fleet with new seats in J and F, after the 787s come into service. So, I believe it's on the cards but probably not for a few years.

 

[yohy?!]

Would expect a minor cosmetic refurb on the oldest birds at 10years of age- they do tend to push the limits though from past cabins...the 330s were vile before the refit started

 

[docjames]

There's a thread somewhere of members being invited to an F cabin review so i'd say F seating at the very least is being considered for refurb.

You'd think while the aircraft are offline for that, the J seating on at least the A380s would be upgraded in line with the new seating on the A330s.

Expect new seating to appear on the 787s, then roll through the fleet after that.

Given the 787s are coming late next year, don't expect much movement before then on the rest of the fleet.

 

[Ansett]

There's a thread somewhere of members being invited to an F cabin review so i'd say F seating at the very least is being considered for refurb.

You'd think while the aircraft are offline for that, the J seating on at least the A380s would be upgraded in line with the new seating on the A330s.

Expect new seating to appear on the 787s, then roll through the fleet after that.

Given the 787s are coming late next year, don't expect much movement before then on the rest of the fleet.

That would be this one

http://www.australianfrequentflyer....rogram/first-cabin-design-workshop-77622.html

 

[travs]

Personally, I'm hoping for an announcement after the A330's are done. Waiting until the 787 starts trickling in is a long time away. First a380 flight was 08. Even if they announced a refurb program this month, we wouldn't see the first planes until next year and that'd be 9 years since launch. that's a LONG time to go w/o switching things up.

You're totally right that VA/Delta and even partner AA have stepped up their game. United has a dreamliner on the LAX MEL route. QF will soon have the shabbiest plane on that market. They need to keep up.

 

[JB expat]

Personally, I'm hoping for an announcement after the A330's are done. Waiting until the 787 starts trickling in is a long time away. First a380 flight was 08. Even if they announced a refurb program this month, we wouldn't see the first planes until next year and that'd be 9 years since launch. that's a LONG time to go w/o switching things up.

Exactly - they have the top of the market in terms of ticket prices but the shabbiest interiors.

You're totally right that VA/Delta and even partner AA have stepped up their game. United has a dreamliner on the LAX MEL route. QF will soon have the shabbiest plane on that market. They need to keep up.

For this reason, when flying into LAX with an onward USA connection I look for an AA flight when that's an option as the planes are so much nicer.

 

[bjm76]

Are the AA planes nicer in whY though or just in J?

 

[bsb]

Exactly - they have the top of the market in terms of ticket prices but the shabbiest interiors.


For this reason, when flying into LAX with an onward USA connection I look for an AA flight when that's an option as the planes are so much nicer.

I think this is my last year flying them to the US for my annual conference. If I hadn't already bought my tix, I'd even skip them this year. I've never liked those seats, but now they are just so sub-par not even WP status will get me on them

 

[Pleb Status]

You'd think while the aircraft are offline for that, the J seating on at least the A380s would be upgraded in line with the new seating on the A330s.

I hope QF do not use the A330 J seat on long haul. It is adequate for PER-BNE/SYD/MEL but would not be competitive against other long haul offerings.

The Skybed II is a better J seat with the big exceptions of lack of privacy and lack of direct aisle access for all seats.

 

[Himeno]

I'm expecting something about an A380 refurb once the A330s are done. But in all likelihood, in order to make any seat changes happen, they'll need to wait until at least 2 787s have arrived to put them on 747 routes thereby allowing 747s to cover A380s taken out of service for refit.
It is something they could do while the aircraft undergoes heavy maintenance checks in MNL, but doing that would take 12-18 months to complete the fleet.

 

[kitkatff]

I hope QF do not use the A330 J seat on long haul. It is adequate for PER-BNE/SYD/MEL but would not be competitive against other long haul offerings.

The Skybed II is a better J seat with the big exceptions of lack of privacy and lack of direct aisle access for all seats.

which 330 J seat are you referring to - the new ones in 1-2-1 configuration? I found them brilliant for space, storage and desk-ish side table, easy storage, privacy and aisle access, and in the right seats you don't get bumped by people walking the aisle. The Skybed II are OK if you just sleep, but if you want to do some work or just leave a few things , get up and move your laptop or food tray, or just some space to leave your stuff without having to put it in the overhead locker, you just can't. Plus you get end to end IFE with the fixed screen rather than having to stow the screen away on take off and landing.
What's so good about the Skybed II, maybe I'm missing something?

 

[travs]

which 330 J seat are you referring to - the new ones in 1-2-1 configuration? I found them brilliant for space, storage and desk-ish side table, easy storage, privacy and aisle access, and in the right seats you don't get bumped by people walking the aisle. The Skybed II are OK if you just sleep, but if you want to do some work or just leave a few things , get up and move your laptop or food tray, or just some space to leave your stuff without having to put it in the overhead locker, you just can't. Plus you get end to end IFE with the fixed screen rather than having to stow the screen away on take off and landing.
What's so good about the Skybed II, maybe I'm missing something?

I agree. I've done the A330 to BKK and it's just fine. I greatly prefer that seat over the Skybed II and would be thrilled if the A380 fleet had that seat.

Also wanted to point out it's a better seat than CX and AA in a few ways, which many love as the standard for business suites:
* IFE screen tilts so that you can get a great viewing angle as you recline & you can watch a movie on take off since you don't need to stow the screen.
* IFE is very quick with a very good touch screen,
* try table can be moved around, including sliding forward (big pet peeve), as well as has a nice curve to it, making it a lot more ergonomical
* you can recline a little as you taveoff/land, so you're sitting totally vertical.
* the outlets are conveniently located (and not hidden behind a panel)
* side table perfect for leaving your laptop/phone/tablet when charging
* great storage
* pleasant design w/ non-garish colors.

All in All, the A330 seat is one of the best J's I've been in. I don't get the hate. It's perfectly fine for a 14 hour flight and I greatly prefer the attention to detail. It's most definitely a better "working" seat than the standard reverse herringbone designs with several quality of life improvements (adjustments) which set it apart.

 

[Pleb Status]

which 330 J seat are you referring to - the new ones in 1-2-1 configuration? I found them brilliant for space, storage and desk-ish side table, easy storage, privacy and aisle access, and in the right seats you don't get bumped by people walking the aisle. The Skybed II are OK if you just sleep, but if you want to do some work or just leave a few things , get up and move your laptop or food tray, or just some space to leave your stuff without having to put it in the overhead locker, you just can't. Plus you get end to end IFE with the fixed screen rather than having to stow the screen away on take off and landing.
What's so good about the Skybed II, maybe I'm missing something?

Yes I was referring to the new A330 J seat.

I personally find the seat uncomfortable in the upright and semi reclined positions (I have not needed to sleep yet). You are forced to offset your feet significantly due to the seat in front. The bulkhead seats are far better however.

From a purely seating comfort point of view, I would rate the seat in the bottom quarter of lie flat J seats I have tried. There are far better J seats out there which QF could use.

 

[pauly7]

Yes I was referring to the new A330 J seat.

I personally find the seat uncomfortable in the upright and semi reclined positions (I have not needed to sleep yet). You are forced to offset your feet significantly due to the seat in front. The bulkhead seats are far better however.

From a purely seating comfort point of view, I would rate the seat in the bottom quarter of lie flat J seats I have tried. There are far better J seats out there which QF could use.

How strange, I find the complete opposite.

Am loving the new Newson Suites on QF. As others have already noted, loads of clever storage space, easy to work in, comfortable to sit and snooze in - I've really enjoyed all of my suite flying and would put it easily in the top quarter of all lie flat seats in currently rotating between!

Each to their own I suppose

 

[JohnPhelan]

I hope QF do not use the A330 J seat on long haul. It is adequate for PER-BNE/SYD/MEL but would not be competitive against other long haul offerings.

The Skybed II is a better J seat with the big exceptions of lack of privacy and lack of direct aisle access for all seats.

The Skybeds' biggest problem is the complete lack of storage within the seat itself. And they are fine if travelling with someone, not so much if travelling solo. The A330 J suites are light years ahead.

 

[esseeeayeenn]

I wonder if they are looking at this.

 

[Pleb Status]

I wonder if they are looking at this.

If the photos are to be believed (big caveat here), it looks like the foot offset problem would be reduced with that seat.

However, if QF are going to spend the money to refit 12 A380, there has to be no doubt that it is a better seat than the existing seat.

CX learnt the hard way with the coffin J seat.

 

[UP4014]

I think with the size of the fleet these things are always happening, if not physically ripping out seats they are working out the next plan to do it.

Matt

 

[OATEK]

Personally, I'm hoping for an announcement after the A330's are done. Waiting until the 787 starts trickling in is a long time away. First a380 flight was 08. Even if they announced a refurb program this month, we wouldn't see the first planes until next year and that'd be 9 years since launch. that's a LONG time to go w/o switching things up.

You're totally right that VA/Delta and even partner AA have stepped up their game. United has a dreamliner on the LAX MEL route. QF will soon have the shabbiest plane on that market. They need to keep up.

The reconfig from 14F/72J/40W/332Y to 14F/64J/35W/371Y would have refreshed some surfaces, and QF might be looking at 10 yrs from then, which would mean 5+ years to go before the next refurb.

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