QF A330 long haul in whY

[Blackadder]

Hi all, have my first long haul with QF not in a A380.
On the likely probability my upgrade bid doesn’t get accepted , what can I expect in terms of seat comfort in whY?

 

[Ade]

A380

A380 or A330? The thread title says "A330".

 

[AIRwin]

A380 or A330?

"Not in a" A380

 

[AIRwin]

I just read this post on another thread which may be relevant:

Qantas brand badly tarnished

AJ said Qantas is heading towards a record profit this year. Fares remain high. The reality is thay any brand damage is obviously not scaring away the majority of passengers. Stockholm syndrome perhaps?

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

 

[Blackadder]

A380 or A330? The thread title says "A330".

First long haul not in A380 (of the current QF fleet)

 

[Ade]

"Not in a" A380

First long haul not in A380 (of the current QF fleet)

Ah, did not read properly! My bad.

I have been on numerous Y trips on A380/30 - can say that they are not bad. I usually only fly as 95% of my travel is self-funded, with the exception of an occasional points upgrade on the A330 QF68 and the PE on A380 (pre-CoVID).

I'm fairly big person, 165cm, the seats are fine for me. I have enough leg room in any seat. Every now and then I get the bulkhead and I enjoy the additional leg room, however, I don't need as much leg room as someone around the 170 or 180 cm. I was able to recline during night flights. I carry an eye mask that helps with sleep.

I tend to walk around the cabin twice in a 8 hour flight - just so to relax the legs and flex a bit.

Another point to note - the seat neighbour. Most of the times, my WP shadow stuck so no need to share the hand rest or someone waking me up to go to the loo. I always choose the aisle seat. However, on my recent flight, I had a neighbour who did not want to get up. She only wanted to get out once in the 8 hour overnight flight, so that worked in my favour.

As WP, the CSM usually keeps checking in with me every 2 hours or so in a day flight to see if I need anything. If I need a drink or a snack, the CSM have always brought me.

 

[encryptededdy]

I've done SYD <-> SIN a few times in Y on the Qantas A330. It's... fine. I don't think there's anything that particularly stands out on the product. I have however encountered a few broken seats unfortunately, so if you need it make sure you check the recline and AC power works when you sit down.

 

[Daver6]

Hi all, have my first long haul with QF not in a A380.
On the likely probability my upgrade bid doesn’t get accepted , what can I expect in terms of seat comfort in whY?

It's why. So you can expect to be uncomfortable

More seriously. I've done a heap of long haul A330s in whY of late. There is no foot netting like on the A380. Otherwise, it's jut a standard whY seat. I haven't been on a A380 since BC, but I don't recall the seat being any narrower. I think it's the same pitch.

 

[encryptededdy]

A little bit off topic but personally I think the vast majority of full-service carrier economy products fall into the "mediocre" category, including QF.

There's a few carriers such as CX, JL, NH, AF, and CI who I would say have unusually good food (at least from their home ports), and there's a very small number of carriers who offer above-average seat width (>18") or seat pitch (>32"). JAL is the only one I know of that offers both, with 18.9" width and 33" pitch on the 787. NH offers 34" pitch but quite poor 17.3" width, and KE has 33" pitch with ok width (18" on 777).

Other than food and seat configuration though, there's not much else about a full-service carrier's economy hard product that would really draw me to them.

Oh, and Wi-Fi I suppose. QF still doesn't have that.

 

[Mattg]

I’ve flown the Qantas A330 many times. It’s fine - not special but also not particularly uncomfortable. You’ll be OK.

 

[justinbrett]

I flew the A330 to HNL just a few weeks ago. I think it’s really good. Much more room than a 737.

 

[bertflyer]

I’ve flown the A330 recently in J and Y (MEL-DEL-MEL) on what I think is the longest flight QF does with these? Of course J was great (points upgrade), the return in Y I had the bulkhead seat 23A which I always try to grab on these planes to avoid the front seat recline and the feeling of a little bit more space around me. I’m 179cm tall but I understand that bulkhead is no good for taller people

 

[SYD]

I’ve flown the A330 recently in J and Y (MEL-DEL-MEL) on what I think is the longest flight QF does with these? Of course J was great (points upgrade), the return in Y I had the bulkhead seat 23A which I always try to grab on these planes to avoid the front seat recline and the feeling of a little bit more space around me. I’m 179cm talk but I understand that bulkhead is no good for taller people

I’d hate to go back to o/n redeyes in whY (any airline/aircraft) but ditto on the bulkhead row for a “premium” whY feel .

I’ve done SYD-SIN J many times (several airlines) but last year I did QF81 in whY (CR) and the thing that struct me the most was time standing still. I’d watched a film or three and still hours to run. Sitting one row forward and that ability to recline, relax etc is soooo much different.

 

[lifeofhaz98]

I've found the 2-4-2 seating in economy to be quite comfortable if you're seated in the window or aisle 2.

 

[NSun]

I’ve flown the A330 recently in J and Y (MEL-DEL-MEL) on what I think is the longest flight QF does with these? Of course J was great (points upgrade), the return in Y I had the bulkhead seat 23A which I always try to grab on these planes to avoid the front seat recline and the feeling of a little bit more space around me. I’m 179cm tall but I understand that bulkhead is no good for taller people

I did the same round trip but the flight to DEL in Y and got upgraded to J on the way back. I nabbed the bulkhead seat 23K and had no one next to me. Food was OK and got up once every couple of hours or so.

But was a tough flight because of a lack of in flight entertainment - as long as you have that you should be fine.

 

[Blackadder]

I've found the 2-4-2 seating in economy to be quite comfortable if you're seated in the window or aisle 2.

Window and at this stage the aisle seat isn't taken , so touch wood it remains that way.

 

[JohnK]

The selling point of the QF A330 is the 2-4-2 config. Much better than other airlines with 3-3-3 config.

When I was flying a lot my QF/EK preferences in economy were 747->A380-EK 777->A330. And the 789s have been added to the end of the list.

Since the pandemic I've been flying a lot of SQ economy. The A350s are awful and comfort well below any of the above.

 

[Quickstatus]

The selling point of the QF A330 is the 2-4-2 config

Yes it is still one of the widest Y around. But not as wide as the A350 or the A220
I was also thinking about the upright position. when I was sitting in the SQ J A350, i agree they do have a slight recline

 

[Skyring]

I recently flew SYD-BKK-SYD on a QF 333. I wouldn't say it was a great experience but not super uncomfortable.

The 2-4-2 config in Y is good. Only one away from the aisle so getting out for a leak or a stretch isn't such a big deal.

Entertainment screens are a decent size and have powered outlets, plus an AC socket below (shared between two seats). I was able to use my AirFly to pump put Bluetooth to my wireless headphones. Wired headphones are provided.

Good choice of movies and videos. No audio, apart from a few audiobooks.

You get a pillow and blanket for night flights. With a window seat, the pillow can be wedged against the window. The blanket I found most useful for cushioning my feat. There is no feet net as in the A380 seat.

Food is reasonably awful or okay. You won't starve. Unhealthy snacks are handed out at intervals between meals.

Individual plastic wine bottles are served. You can try for a suggested pairing but don't expect too much. It's not bad but you probably won't be hitting up Dan Murphy's for a crate of it on return home.

Get a good playlist on your device, some eyeshades, painkillers, wireless headphones, you'll be okay.

 

[jrfsp]

Which route? Series?
The economy seat is very different on the 300 series vs the 200 series and makes a big difference in my opinion to the comfort and experience