QF Domestic Fleet Renewal: Airbus 320neo/220 Preferred

[jase05]

I think we will see some decent J seating appear and keen to see what QF can produce

 

[Mattg]

I think we will see some decent J seating appear and keen to see what QF can produce

I predict a “mini first class” product

 

[TomVexille]

I predict a “mini first class” product

What about a "micro first class"?

 

[Quickstatus]

asked Boeing who they considered the most loyal and dependable customers

from whom they thought they could extract a premium.

the Airbus A320s etc. feel more spacious

when in Y an inch or so is a huge difference.

 

[ayebee]

For the longer routes maybe QF will look at something like the American A321XLR "flagship" transcons (eg LAX-JFK).
Two thirds of the cabin was premium (5 rows of 1:1 first, 5 rows of 2:2 business) and just 12 rows of economy, and even then half of that was "Economy Extra".

 

[Captain Halliday]

I predict a “mini first class” product

What about a "micro first class"?

Perhaps they can save us all the hassle and enhance it before it’s revealed.

 

[newbuyer1976]

I'm rather wary about the A321XLR order and Asian routes. Flying narrow bodies in the Intertropical Convergence Zone always makes me a nervous passenger.

Try doing that in a Lion Air MD82 at night. Had to pump up the life insurance and refresh the will that year.

 

[aleks12345]

I think that Qantas going with the a320 family and a220 was the right choice regarding their fleet strategy.

As others have noted in the forum, I expect that Qantas will not exclusively order the a321xlr, though will down the road also mix up their fleet with a320’s also.

Regarding their future business class offering, I’d say that their a220’s will probably have at least x8 J seats. I don’t think these will go to JQ, thought will probably be Qantaslink or Qantas labeled.
For their general domestic short hop fleet, I’d guess that their J seats will remain relatively the same in the 2-2 configuration, with some minimal/modest enhancements to features ect.
For their longer haul a321xlr’s I would really hope that they follow JetBlues J Mint Class, and have 3 seats per row, giving customers a lie flat bed. I really doubt we will see a 1-1 config in J.

Even with the A321xlr being a narrowbody aircraft, I’m really excited to see what future routes this will enable. Wonder if we will see existing routes such as SYD-HNL converted to this aircraft with multiple daily flights.

What I am most interested to see is how (and if) Qantas will differentiate their product between Jetstar and Qantas now that they will be both using the same aircraft.
I would hope to see more plumper seats in both Y and J, nicer toilets, nicer fitout with warm white ambient lighting ect to make the whole cabin feel more exclusive/upper market to that of the JQ cabin.
If they don’t effectively differeniate their aircraft between the 2 airlines I think it will be a lost opportunity.

 

[dvb2000]

Good decision, just when you think you've got no reason to ever fly Qantas again, they come out with this!.

Much better and modern planes than the old noisy Boeings AND more comfort for the passengers.

 

[OATEK]

It could be that QF will establish a significant brand difference with the other domestic airlines that are currently following the B737 path.

 

[Scarlett]

I predict a “mini first class” product

So USA-style ‘first’ then?

With or without a ‘waddyawant?’ and basket of randomly arranged sugar, salt and fat?

 

[RichardMEL]

So USA-style ‘first’ then?

With or without a ‘waddyawant?’ and basket of randomly arranged sugar, salt and fat?

Sorry to digress but that reminds me of flying transpac on UA First (back when they had a internatonal First product) on the 747. It was midflight snack time and in typical UA "style" the offering was a cheeseburger - because you know.. midwest... so anyway I ordered it and was ... surprised to be handed the burger, still in tin foil with a "here ya go, honey" from the FA....

Anyway back on topic

I would suspect the A220 J cabin to wind up akin to the 717 J cabin 2-2 recliners, presumably with proper power and hopefully wifi etc. I can't imagine anything more (or less). DL, for example, has a 2x2 config (the A220 is wider than the 717/E190 so it can handle that).

As for the salty death mix service... you'd hope for something a little better but who knows by the time 2024ish rolls around

 

[Daver6]

So USA-style ‘first’ then?

With or without a ‘waddyawant?’ and basket of randomly arranged sugar, salt and fat?

Don't forget, no lounge access

 

[moa999]

A nice video from SF on these longhaul narrowbodies. Didn't realise the 321LR was already starting to takeover the transatlantic routes.

 

[UP4014]

While I'm Boeing through and through, after the what has come out about how Boeing handled the MAX and the follow up they are very undeserving at present of being rewarded with $B orders. (noting Airbus has had its horror stories as well)

 

[HS-TQE]

A nice video from SF on these longhaul narrowbodies. Didn't realise the 321LR was already starting to takeover the transatlantic routes.

321LRs are increasingly becoming a common occurrence on TransAtlantic those days.

I predict a “mini first class” product

A220s no doubt will be QantasLink (National Jet or possibly even Network), no-more than a recliner with extra leg room at best (maybe 2 or 3 inches) and market that as 'an improvement' on their competitors on the equivalent regional routes.

 

[jakeseven7]

market that as 'an improvement' on their competitors on the equivalent regional routes.

A Rex shuddering Saab? I think I’d agree

 

[HS-TQE]

A Rex shuddering Saab? I think I’d agree

Or the Embraers from Cobham/Alliance (non-QF) on their regional FIFO runs. Only advantages of those are the 1x2 layout.

 

[jb747]

(noting Airbus has had its horror stories as well)

Has it? I cannot recall anything even slightly like the 737 Max, and to a lesser extent, the 787 issues.

 

[ayebee]

another video of what SAS are doing with their A321LR 3 class (business, premium and economy) presumably for transatlantic.