Queue galley talk

[Deleted member 18152]

For the love of g*d can someone please tell me that they've heard that Qantas is planning to refurbish their 763 workhorses.

I went from A333 to 763 business class and was gobsmacked that you can't even wash your hands properly in the 763 basins.

There are tangible benefits, including hygiene, that could be seen from an improvement. Even if 30% are retired by 2017 that's still 17 airfares working the golden triangle that so many of us are oh too familiar with.

And there's the charm of Qantas as I see it; cabin crew that go beyond the call of duty working with 30 year old resources. See, I would name examples but we wouldn't want any goodwill gestures curtailed would we?

 

[ozmille]

Unfortunately not no...

 

[fbrimfield]

For the love of g*d can someone please tell me that they've heard that Qantas is planning to refurbish their 763 workhorses.

In June of last year the entire 767 fleet was fitted with the latest Automatic Dependant Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) equptment, which is essentially an avionics upgrade. CASA made it mandatory for all airliners without it to have it done by 2013 if they wanted to fly above FL29, which wouldn't be very fuel efficient. This upgrade alone is costing $15mil, and its a big deal, simulators will be modified, pilots and FO's are being retrained, etc.

Basically, they aren't going to retire them, and it probably wouldn't make much sense to refurbish them either, at least not from a cabin perspective. The only option open to Qantas are to fit the new boeing interior, and fit new seats.

Unlikely that they'll install new economy seats, because new seats would probably be the same ones in 737's with IFE, which would make Q-Streaming a bit pointless. And it'd be difficult for Qantas to fit skybeds in 2-2-2 configuration, since the 767 isn't wide enough.

I agree that the 767's are getting on a bit, but its a regional product and Qantas' regional product is no better or worse than any other big airlines regional product. Cathay, Malaysian, Thai, ANA, their regional hard product is very similar to QF's. Maybe its a bit unfair to compare them to the skybeds in the A330's, but that's Qantas' fault for having a bit of a silly mixed fleet, where you can get an international standard product on one flight, and then a older regional product on another.

 

[docjames]

They'll go........ once the full complement of 787s arrive.

I dont think even Boeing truly knows how long that will take (despite Boeing's public comments - major issues still remain).

 

[exRAAF]

In June of last year the entire 767 fleet was fitted with the latest Automatic Dependant Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) equptment, which is essentially an avionics upgrade. CASA made it mandatory for all airliners without it to have it done by 2013 if they wanted to fly above FL29, which wouldn't be very fuel efficient. This upgrade alone is costing $15mil, and its a big deal, simulators will be modified, pilots and FO's are being retrained, etc.

For an airline that has safety as a core value proposition, and with Australia having total ADS-B coverage, I consider this a minimum requirement of Qantas, and it should have been a higher priority to ensure fleetwide compliance. JQ's A320/A330 product has been compliant for some time.

To cross-thread a little, I think QF as a premium full-service airline should be publicised as receiving 787s first, and JQ can inherit QF's older metal.

 

[ChrisCunard]

Agree re: QF getting 787's first!!


Sent from my iPad using AustFreqFly app

 

[Deleted member 18152]

I third that. I do not understand the logic. There's a limited potential having JQ receive the first a/c but a life saving affect for QF.

 

[fbrimfield]

For an airline that has safety as a core value proposition, and with Australia having total ADS-B coverage, I consider this a minimum requirement of Qantas, and it should have been a higher priority to ensure fleetwide compliance. JQ's A320/A330 product has been compliant for some time.

The point is that Qantas were at a point where they could choose to make undertake a huge investment in order to get their entire 767 fleet ADS-B compliant, or they could choose to retire the fleet before 2014 or partially retire the fleet before 2014. The fact that they fitted the entire fleet out with ADS-B is a sign that they plan on keeping the 767's around for a little bit longer, or at the very least in Australia to be converted to 767F's.

 

[I hate Alan]

I like the 767 with the exception of the entertainment system I think they are aging better than the 747? But I must confess Iam a Boeing fan and it takes more than fancy plastic, mood lighting, nicer seats, lower noise levels .............. To win me over to AB.

 

[Noob]

I honestly don't see an issue with the 767-300 fleet, the product is perfect for golden triangle hops SYD-MEL-BNE.

The higher cost base of the 767 wouldn't mesh with Jetstar, a 787 for a low cost carrier makes a lot of sense if the benefits Boeing claims are in fact true.

 

[harvyk]

Since this is going well OT, LCC's typically have the newer planes, as older planes are often more expensive to run and maintain, and a LCC is all about keeping costs right down. Thus I do expect to see the B787 to become a long haul workhorse of the LCC airlines around the world.

As for the B767's I see QF holding onto them for quite some time. I'm not sure there will be any cabin refresh for them however.

 

[GoldenWinger]

still don't mind the 767s - they are old and tired but for a SYD/MEL/BNE they do the job just fine.

 

[Ewing]

I honestly don't see an issue with the 767-300 fleet, the product is perfect for golden triangle hops SYD-MEL-BNE.

Except my carry on doesn't fit in the centre bins (and it's a common problem from what I've observed). I therefore need to make sure I board quickly if I want my bag above me

 

[Cynicor]

I know I complained about them on the 10 hour PER-NRT route, but I would be more than happy to have the horrid things back if I get the route back. Please QF?

My next Japan trip will take around 24 hours on 3 carriers, PER-SIN QF, SIN-(KUL)-NRT on MH in J NRT-CTS on GK (Jetstar Japan, I'm hoping there's more Japan than Jetstar in the airline's service). Leave Perth at 1155 and arrive CTS at 1230 next day. Then onto the bus for a 3 hour trip!

The PER-HKG-CTS flights don't work as 1. I have the tail end of my regular SIN-PER-SIN flights to use and 2. I am staying at Tokyo Disney afterwards.

TL;DR- Happy with the 767 if you give me back PER-NRT direct.

 

[Deleted member 18152]

still don't mind the 767s - they are old and tired but for a SYD/MEL/BNE they do the job just fine.

I was generally of that view myself, however, I've had a patch of flights on their older frames that don't even have individual air vents in business.

 

[mannej]

I was generally of that view myself, however, I've had a patch of flights on their older frames that don't even have individual air vents in business.

The good old ex-BA ZX series!

 

[JohnK]

The 767's, include the ex-Ba birds, are still perfect for SYD-MEL-BNE. I wish they would use them more often instead of the 738's and 734's.

Long haul travel is a different kettle of fish and Qantas should not be using them anymore.

 

[Isochronous]

This is the paradox - how can premium carriers justify their yprice premium if they use older planes than the LCCs? I was on a 767 Cityflyer the other day and it felt like walking back into the 1980s. Give me a 737-8 anyday!

 

[straitman]

Give me a 737-8 anyday!

You are joking of course. :shock: