Questions re "refurbed" First Class on Qantas 747

[juddles]

Hi all,

I am a fairly regular traveller between SCL and SYD on the QF 747's, and a few times a year it is one of the older ones with the F seating up front. I know that one of these was recently given a facelift in the F section, and I was wondering if there is any way in advance that I can see which 747 I will be on?

For example, am flying QF27 this Tuesday SYD-SCL and from the seatmap it is one of the old two. I have selected seat 3K. It is the most private IMHO.

But is there any way to see if it is the refurbed cabin?

Thanks in advance for any assistance - I am FULLY aware that in less than 48 hrs I will find out anyway, and as such this is a frivolous thread, but anyway......

 

[Mattg]

There's no difference in the seat map, so no real way to know in advance unfortunately.

FWIW, it's 50-50. Tuesday's QF63 SYD-JNB is also showing as being operated by one of the two 747s with an old F cabin. So either you will get it or the JNB flight will.

 

[moa999]

Much like the 737s with/without IFE the seatmap is the same so no way to tell.

That said the un-refreshed one is expected to leave the fleet very soon

 

[Mattg]

Much like the 737s with/without IFE the seatmap is the same so no way to tell.

That said the un-refreshed one is expected to leave the fleet very soon

VH-OJM seems to have been sitting on the ground in SYD for most of the past few weeks. I see it's only flown a few times this month.

 

[Quickstatus]

It will be VH-OEB. One way to tell is to search by rego number on FR24 or FA and see if that aircraft will be in SYD on the day of travel

It is currently in cruise operating QF27 so should arrive back into SYD at 1740 tomorrow Monday May22. But usually the aircraft that arrives as QF28 then operates the night time QF25 to HND.
So I think you are out of luck to get OEB. However I think you will get a refurb one, assuming OJM is still not operating
http://www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/community/travel-news/vh-oeb-f-cabin-gets-82552.html

 

[Mattg]

It will be VH-OEB. One way to tell is to search by rego number on FR24 or FA and see if that aircraft will be in SYD on the day of travel


http://www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/community/travel-news/vh-oeb-f-cabin-gets-82552.html

As per my post above, both OEB and OJM will be in SYD on Tuesday morning. Or am I missing something?

 

[Quickstatus]

VH-OEB as QF27 is currently in cruise over the south pacific and will turn around as QF28 and arrive into SYD at 1740 Monday May22.

There are several ports where VH-OEB could operate to on Tuesday after overnighting on Monday - one as you say is QF63 to JNB. But usually (though not guaranteed) it then operates Monday's QF25.

Do you know for sure if VH-OEB will overnight in SYD on Monday?

Usually its the airframe operating QF64 JNB-SYD that overnights in SYD

 

[Mattg]

VH-OEB as QF27 is currently in cruise over the south pacific and will turn around as QF28 and arrive into SYD at 1740 Monday May22.

There are several ports where VH-OEB could operate to on Tuesday after overnighting on Monday - one as you say is QF63 to JNB. But usually (though not guaranteed) it then operates Monday's QF25.

Do you know for sure if VH-OEB will overnight in SYD on Monday?

Yes. Monday evening's QF25 will be a refurb 747, so not OEB. Both QF27 and QF63 on Tuesday are currently showing as non-refurb 747s.

 

[juddles]

..... I think you are out of luck to get OEB. However I think you will get a refurb one..

just a general knowledge question, if such an aircraft change occurs (ie an aircraft with different seat layout is substituted) when (if at all) would this change appear in something like expertflyer, or the airlines website?

 

[Quickstatus]

Let us know if themakeover or refresh is more than just skin deep.

 

[Mattg]

just a general knowledge question, if such an aircraft change occurs (ie an aircraft with different seat layout is substituted) when (if at all) would this change appear in something like expertflyer, or the airlines website?

Usually straight away. If you set an Expert Flyer aircraft change alert it should notify you pretty soon after the change.

 

[juddles]

Usually straight away. If you set an Expert Flyer aircraft change alert it should notify you pretty soon after the change.

Had never done that - and now know why - am on the basic paid subscription, which disallows it. All I ever check is seatmaps usually so the basic service has been enough. Will contemplate...

 

[Mattg]

Had never done that - and now know why - am on the basic paid subscription, which disallows it. All I ever check is seatmaps usually so the basic service has been enough. Will contemplate...

Are you able to set a "seat alert" on a basic subscription? You could always set an alert for a seat that does/doesn't exist on each configuration.

 

[juddles]

..... Both QF27 and QF63 on Tuesday are currently showing as non-refurb 747s.....

Surely as a P1 I could just call them and demand that OEB fly the QF27 sector? Should I try this?

 

[juddles]

Are you able to set a "seat alert" on a basic subscription? You could always set an alert for a seat that does/doesn't exist on each configuration.

It won't let me do the change aircraft alert, but will have a play and see if your work-around is viable

 

[Must...Fly!]

Surely as a P1 I could just call them and demand that OEB fly the QF27 sector? Should I try this?

"Hello, DYKWIA line? DYKWIA?!?!"

 

[Happy Trails]

Usually straight away. If you set an Expert Flyer aircraft change alert it should notify you pretty soon after the change.

Don't think that'll work for different seating configurations of the the same aircraft type.

Are you able to set a "seat alert" on a basic subscription? You could always set an alert for a seat that does/doesn't exist on each configuration.

Not possible to create an alert for a non existent seat.
And an alert for an existing seat becoming available won't help.

Having said that, I'm happy to be corrected on both counts.

 

[serfty]

....
Having said that, I'm happy to be corrected on both counts.

I believe you are correct.

I find the annual US$100 (US$85 with AFF discount) well worth the cost.

For one who travels a lot for work it can be tax deductible.

 

[Happy Trails]

I find the annual US$100 (US$85 with AFF discount) well worth the cost.

For one who travels a lot for work it can be tax deductible.

Thanks, i'd never even considered that.
I'll give it a go next time.

 

[kevrosmith]

I believe you are correct.

I find the annual US$100 (US$85 with AFF discount) well worth the cost.

For one who travels a lot for work it can be tax deductible.

Serfty, is the AFF discount available each year, or only the first year?