QF768 Sat 12 April B737 subbed for A332

[Dmac59]

I'm booked on QF768 PER - MEL 08:10 Sat 12 April, specifically chose flight for A332.
Checked My Bookings yesterday and to my surprise QF has subbed out the A332 for a B737.
No advice received from QF regarding change of aircraft - very disappointing. No chance of Upgrade now

 

[mt4789]

Unlucky, they do seem to be having a lot of issues with those A330s, was I reading on here there are 3 stuck on the ground with no engines and awaiting repairs at the moment? The B737s really are the workhorses, saving the day with the A330s and A220s

 

[Saab34]

Is a photo doing the rounds, one currently engineless in Melbourne.

To think they want to push these to 25-30yrs.

 

[jb747]

Is a photo doing the rounds, one currently engineless in Melbourne.

To think they want to push these to 25-30yrs.

I'll bet the issue comes back to dearest leader closing down the QF engine shop, and outsourcing the engine overhauls.

When you aren't doing it yourself, you have zero priority.

 

[Saab34]

I really think it would be a wise investment for QF and VA both having one heavy mx hanger locally. Reach out to state governments, they will throw cash around to secure the facility. Both are making healthy profits.

Cutting engineering costs and sending offshore is great on paper and all, and great for the manager’s ego who got to present it to the C suite, but there is a upside in having the ability to conduct urgent, last minute and engine work locally. I wouldn’t treat it as an added cost, but an investment. A few cancelled international flights can cost the business millions. None of these potential upsides in having a local facility are factored into account when making these decisions. Simply send it off shore and job done, manager promoted! The last engineer I spoke to said this aircraft over here is referred to as the flying band aid, quite simply it’s all just patch work until it goes to Hong Kong to get the heavy work done. Patch work costs money though!

Many do it will call centres, then later on they bring some departments back locally.

 

[BenP]

That sucks, I've done something similar but for March specifically chose QF767 for the exact same reason. I'm going to keep an eye my booking more for the seat selection

 

[cpatters]

Is a photo doing the rounds, one currently engineless in Melbourne.

To think they want to push these to 25-30yrs.

Think its parked outside the Brisbane Hanger saw it during a live streaming show on youtube!

 

[brett-au]

On the flip side you could have an A330 break on the day of your flight and be given a middle seat down the back. Now you can decide if you want to try for a 787 or change dates.

 

[gtrod]

QF782 (the after work A330) is also swapping to a 737 as of Wednesday.

Can't really blame Qantas, have noticed loads collapsing on their flights between MEL & PER. Economy around 1/3 full on my trip last week. Flying again on Thursday and EF is showing flight only 18% full.

Have been a very frequent traveler on this route for past 12 years. The A330 is far more comfortable than the 737. Very sad to see it disappearing, even though i've had to endure some extended delays due to maintenance with the A330.

The bigger issue is also the diminishing frequency between MEL-PER. Have gone from 10-11 flights daily pre covid. Now we're at 6-7.

Was just looking at booking seats for Easter on 19/4. Qantas only have 5 flights (versus VA with 8).

Qantas might be pricing themselves out of the market with base fare of $389.

 

[jrfsp]

Flying PER-SYD return this coming weekend both A330s flights now 737s . No A330s at all on those days.

Prices through the roof . $1000-1,500 each way for Y. Lack of capacity being offering through the cosy duopoly

 

[Harpoon]

I'm booked on QF768 PER - MEL 08:10 Sat 12 April, specifically chose flight for A332.
Checked My Bookings yesterday and to my surprise QF has subbed out the A332 for a B737.
No advice received from QF regarding change of aircraft - very disappointing. No chance of Upgrade now

This happened to me a week or so ago. Didnt find out til checkin opened and I was no longer in my preferred A330 seat.

On the same flight were one of the NBL teams and seeing the 7 foot guys squeeze into the 737 seats was cringe worthy. At least the A330 economy seat has an extra inch or two.

 

[cambriamarsh]

I really think it would be a wise investment for QF and VA both having one heavy mx hanger locally. Reach out to state governments, they will throw cash around to secure the facility. Both are making healthy profits.

Cutting engineering costs and sending offshore is great on paper and all, and great for the manager’s ego who got to present it to the C suite, but there is a upside in having the ability to conduct urgent, last minute and engine work locally. I wouldn’t treat it as an added cost, but an investment. A few cancelled international flights can cost the business millions. None of these potential upsides in having a local facility are factored into account when making these decisions. Simply send it off shore and job done, manager promoted! The last engineer I spoke to said this aircraft over here is referred to as the flying band aid, quite simply it’s all just patch work until it goes to Hong Kong to get the heavy work done. Patch work costs money though!

Many do it will call centres, then later on they bring some departments back locally.

I think you'll find most / all the pluses and minuses are in the business case

 

[Steve994]

I'm another who is disappointed with the change from A330 to 737 on the PER-MEL late night departure. Looks like the change of aircraft takes effect from early April. Bit the bullet and actually booked business class for the 2 of us mid April to experience the lay flat seats for the first time and now find we are on a 737. Not happy.

 

[jrfsp]

Had a text from QF for my 737 subbed flight tomorrow "We may have more pax than seats" To confirm a seat on another flight click on this link.........which i tried but it errors out.

Seat map is full. Seems like they are moving A330s to protect the intl schedule due to poor A330 reliability, not reduced demand domestically.

 

[moa999]

As the 10 332s get refurbed to upgraded international config and the 322XLRs arrive, expect more, possibly only narrowbodys on the Perth routes.

I had a quick look at 330 activity the other day and could only find three on the ground, which doesn't seem abnormal for 26 aircraft, particularly when inflight internet is being installed
333 QPC in SYD since 15/2 (swapped with QPA)
332 EBD in BNE since 2/2
332 EBR in BNE since 15/11/2024

 

[stm1sydney]

Qantas' record on this route surely now means they can no longer justify a big premium over VA, on the basis that you'll get a wide-body. Surely?

 

[cpatters]

As the 10 332s get refurbed to upgraded international config and the 322XLRs arrive, expect more, possibly only narrowbodys on the Perth routes.

I had a quick look at 330 activity the other day and could only find three on the ground, which doesn't seem abnormal for 26 aircraft, particularly when inflight internet is being installed
333 QPC in SYD since 15/2 (swapped with QPA)
332 EBD in BNE since 2/2
332 EBR in BNE since 15/11/2024

EBK is also in BNE

 

[moa999]

EBK is also in BNE

Missed that one. Since 26/1.
So 3 of 16 332s probably is a bit unusual.

 

[TheInsider]

Qantas' record on this route surely now means they can no longer justify a big premium over VA, on the basis that you'll get a wide-body. Surely?

Qantas don't charge different based on what aircraft you are on,

 

[cpatters]

Missed that one. Since 26/1.
So 3 of 16 332s probably is a bit unusual.

Yep think that’s why we are seeing issues with the A330 schedules