QF Yanking 787s back from JQ

[mannej]

The 333's have 2-2-2 up front?

 

[eastwest101]

Sorry mannej - I am not an expert but the QFi seatmap for the A330-300 seems to have J class as 2-2-2 and Y as 2-4-2. I could be wrong though... It has happened plenty of times before.

 

[mannej]

I wouldn't expect QF to spend the money to change the 333's to 2-3-2 up front.

 

[SteveJohnson]

A lot of excitement over a rumour which when you get down to it is not substantiated in the slightest? Sorry but I expect rumours from 'bloggers' & forums and treat both the same with, massive pinch of salt form Hulk-sized fist. From professional journalists and media I expect reporting of facts or breaking news.

Of course if Ben does turn out to be 'on the money' then this is great news, who wouldn't want to catch a 787 oin the golden triangle routes?

 

[pshepvic]

Yeah, Ben might be the cranky voice of Australian aviation and given to a few too many rants and fanning of rumours IMHO, but FWIW he does know his stuff. One things for sure, anybody on a public tour of Boeing's 787 factory would be able to see the line and spot any 787s with Qantas livery, lets hope someone does that and tweets a photo or whacks it on Facebook!

Not so easy to spot on the production line. They are covered in a green film, and roll off with a white tail. The tail is then painted in a separate facility from manufacture which is not in the tour. They are then flown from Everett to Boeing Field south of Seattle for painting. A friend of mine has a view of the runway at Boeing Field and can see what are known as the "white tails" flying in each day from the factory, still with their green protective film over the fuselage.

The production line does indicate what airline each plane is for, although often says "anonymous buyer". For QF/JQ I'm not sure.

FWIW I did see the first ANA 787 and the first VA 777 on the production line when I was there a few years ago!


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[serfty]

I wouldn't expect QF to spend the money to change the 333's to 2-3-2 up front.

The 333's have never been 2x3x2 up front.

In fact they have only the one configuration.

It's the 332's which vary ...

 

[mannej]

The 333's have never been 2x3x2 up front.

In fact they have only the one configuration.

It's the 332's which vary ...

I am aware of that, I was confused at the inference that QF would go 2-3-2 up front with the 333's

 

[pshepvic]

With the 787, I thought the initial configs were going to be set up to enable an easy swap of a/c between QF domestic and JQ international if required. JQ would use the domestic QF J seat for their international J seat, as they do today. That would point to a 3-3-3 config in Y - doubt JQ would have the luxury of 2-4-2 or 3-3-2 (the latter sounding strange to me anyway).


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[docjames]

Expect 3-3-3 in both red and orange.

There's an opportunity for carriers to do Y at 3-3-3 and then Y+ (think UA/DL/AA etc with extra legroom only) as a 2-4-2 product with only slightly wider seats and marginally increased pitch. Sort-of in between QF Y+ and Y.

 

[Flying Fox]

Not so easy to spot on the production line. They are covered in a green film, and roll off with a white tail. The tail is then painted in a separate facility from manufacture which is not in the tour. They are then flown from Everett to Boeing Field south of Seattle for painting. A friend of mine has a view of the runway at Boeing Field and can see what are known as the "white tails" flying in each day from the factory, still with their green protective film over the fuselage.

I thought that the vertical stabiliser was painted with the airline logo (well as much of it as will fit) prior to assembly. Then you can see the intended aircraft owner once the vertical stabiliser has been attached to the aircraft as it comes down the line.

 

[SteveJohnson]

No word yet on Qantas nicking a few of JQ's 787-8 orders (but please let it be true!), but Jetstar's first 787 flights are now confirmed for August 2013 reports AusBT.

Jetstar's first Boeing 787 Dreamliner to take flight August 2013 - Flights | hotels | frequent flyer | business class - Australian Business Traveller

Sounds like these 787s will be based in Singapore so fingers crossed for a MEL-SIN 787 service for starters!

If JQ can get its first 787 in time for August 2013 I really hope that QF also nabs a few from the JQ order list and can launch SYD-MEL Dreamliners late next year. What a fantastic move that would be!

 

[SteveJohnson]

So much for Ben Sandilands' wild rumour that Qantas already had two 787s on the line at Boeing and would use them for Sydney-Melbourne.

According to The Australian: "QANTAS has moved to quash persistent rumours that its first batch of Boeing 787s will go to the new international mainline operations. Executives said this week that the first 15 deliveries of advanced aircraft, now back in Australia for a series of demonstration flights, would definitely be heading to low-cost subsidiary Jetstar."

Cookies must be enabled. | The Australian

I would trust Steve Creedy at The Australian a lot more than Ben Sandilands, who knows his stuff but this is not the first time I have seen him run off with a rumour rather than stick to the facts.

 

[pshepvic]

I thought that the vertical stabiliser was painted with the airline logo (well as much of it as will fit) prior to assembly. Then you can see the intended aircraft owner once the vertical stabiliser has been attached to the aircraft as it comes down the line.

That's true in some cases - but not sure if the tail of the kangaroo for Qantas is part of that painting or if it's added later. Some will just paint the solid block of colour and add the small detail later. If that was the case for QF it would be hard to tell the difference between them and JAL just on the stabilizer colour. Mind you that's only if the planes remain 'anonymous' on the production line. They usually have the airline displayed on a screen at the end of each production line.

Photo of 787 line: http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/i/MSNBC/C...091214_boeing787-NEW/ss-110926-boeing-005.jpg

Some customers do remain anonymous and only have a white stabilizer, and their name is not displayed in the line, eg: http://www.flightglobal.com/blogs/flightblogger/777line_560.jpg


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[Justchecking]

Well with the 787s confirmed now as going to the low yield cousin, I can't help but wonder about the ramifications of that decision. My prediction is that 787 will be delivered with full international standard J upfront. Can't see any airline relying on bottom bucket fares only when they have a much anticipated, hyped and fashionable toy to sell seats on. Might as well start seeing QF brand as a predominantly domestic product given this move.