SYD to MEL 737 or A330 in J?

[CaptainCurtis]

I haven't flown domestically in quite some time (although I guess most of us haven't ). I see Qantas are running both the 737 and A330 - is one generally recommended over the other in J, or should I try them both?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I guess I must be alone in hating the 330 business class suite.

No... but this is a comparison of a premium economy seat (business class on the 737) vs a spacious seat with plenty of legroom and generous recline, IFE, twin aisles, and extra WCs (business on A330)

 

[jb747]

No... but this is a comparison of a premium economy seat (business class on the 737) vs a spacious seat with plenty of legroom and generous recline, IFE, twin aisles, and extra WCs (business on A330)

For an hour long flight...I'd still take the 737. As long as it isn't a MAX.

 

[Matt_01]

Very very rare for QF to bring their 330 into Adelaide these days

When I was doing my regular commute ADL-MEL, IIRC there was normally an 330 flight into and out of SA around the time when the cycle race was on. It seemed to be an annual thing.

 

[sudoer]

One key difference with the A330 is that not all have wifi, whereas virtually all of the 737s do ... or at least ~97-98% of them last I checked

If you do take the widebody make sure you're seated as far forward as possible (T-80 is your friend) otherwise you may have a very rushed meal service.

 

[CaptainCurtis]

One key difference with the A330 is that not all have wifi, whereas virtually all of the 737s do ... or at least ~97-98% of them last I checked

If you do take the widebody make sure you're seated as far forward as possible (T-80 is your friend) otherwise you may have a very rushed meal service.

I've got a 4E on the way down to Melb on the wide-body. Rows 1-3 are showing as unavailable.

 

[sudoer]

I've got a 4E on the way down to Melb on the wide-body. Rows 1-3 are showing as unavailable.

Sounds like the seat selection a gold FF would see.

Rows 1-3 will likely open at 80 hours prior to departure... set yourself a calendar reminder or EF alert - their seat alert service is free.

You can also compare occupied v blocked seats on ExpertFlyer.

 

[RichardMEL]

For an hour long flight...I'd still take the 737. As long as it isn't a MAX.

this is so off topic to this thread now but gee I'd love to explore this view with you on the MAX. As a professional, even if on the much larger birds, your opinion counts for much to the MAX issues as opposed to armchair "experts" such as myself and many others with biased views on the subject. I know a few pilots, 737 and otherwise, who have both flown the MAX and not with a variety of views. It's interesting after all of the groundings, changes made and frankly attention paid to the aircraft systems that there's still such debate out there. My own personal view as a nobody is that I reckon the max now is probably the safest aircraft in the skies these days after such intense scrutiny from multiple agencies, tests and all the rest. I would not be worried to be a passenger on one. However my job is not in the front office. Anyway all an aside and obviously a very contentious topic. It's amazing to see on social media an article, for example recently about the new J seats on the SQ 7M7's, and the hate, derision and well fear to go near one is right up there with some of the Aanti vax stuff one sees out there (I guess polarising topics bring out similar views in the extreme).

It's funny because I wonder how many some of the "anti-maxxers" remember the 787 battery issues, the A380 issues, the A320 in its infancy and the crashes in France, some with pax and all the other aircraft that have issues in service (going back to the very sad case of the Comet).

But I digress

back on topic.. again for an hour or two the 330 is nicer of course, but more for a bigger cabin, and no seatmate if in the window side and more space.. but a 73H is just as fine.

I would not want want to fly one(or a 321XLR for that matter, depending on hardware) on a longer mission such as to DPS.

 

[dk4]

No... but this is a comparison of a premium economy seat (business class on the 737) vs a spacious seat with plenty of legroom and generous recline, IFE, twin aisles, and extra WCs (business on A330)

I would rate easy access to overhead storage space for my rolling kitchen-sink, during boarding and disembarkation, as a key data point as well.

 

[BD1959]

I used to fly regularly (until about 4 yrs ago) between MEL and SYD and would often have the 330 v 737 choice for the evening return SYD-MEL, different times and different circumstances but 2 things made me choose the 737 over the 330.

1. Cost. QF used to put a premium on the on-the-hour flights SYD-MEL evening peaks (which the 330s would be scheduled to fly) whereas the xx:15 and xx:45 used to be less frequented, less cost

2. Reliability of arrival time. Used to be that the 330s would arrive in SYD on a trans-continental, usually late. They were slow to turnaround and would very often arrive into MEL later than the 737s scheduled for 15min later. Then there's the delay of disembarking behind a 330 J cabin as opposed to a 737 J cabin. Might not be relevant to yourself, but after a couple of days away, I just wanted to get home.

The other has already been covered: pretty hit-and-miss as to whether you'd get wifi whereas it was pretty much guaranteed you would on the 737s.

Regards,

BD

 

[Mattg]

"anti-maxxers"

I've learnt a new word today

 

[RichardMEL]

I've learnt a new word today

honestly I just made it up while I was writing.

However it's impossible this hasn't been thought of already and used elsewhere so I won't take any credit.

 

[wannabeinvestmentbanker]

For an hour long flight...I'd still take the 737. As long as it isn't a MAX.

100% agree - during Covid our policy is J and 330 service is just too slow and timeliness of departure is a big factor too.

I guess it then comes down to what you are seeking from the flight - are you flying J for the hard product (330 and 787 have edge) or to get there and also more wine in which case 737 wins!

 

[MEL_Traveller]

100% agree - during Covid our policy is J and 330 service is just too slow and timeliness of departure is a big factor too.

I guess it then comes down to what you are seeking from the flight - are you flying J for the hard product (330 and 787 have edge) or to get there and also more wine in which case 737 wins!

Hmmm… try being non status on the 737… the crew can’t even get to your seat to serve a meal before the top of descent Not only no choice of grub, but barely a top up or cup of tea.

 

[wannabeinvestmentbanker]

Hmmm… try being non status on the 737… the crew can’t even get to your seat to serve a meal before the top of descent Not only no choice of grub, but barely a top up or cup of tea.

Then I am surprised you've had to sit in row 3 so often. The information on this forum, particularly all seat selection opening up at T-80 should help avoid that where possible...but I do understand it can be tough if travelling as a couple

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Then I am surprised you've had to sit in row 3 so often. The information on this forum, particularly all seat selection opening up at T-80 should help avoid that where possible...but I do understand it can be tough if travelling as a couple

Not for lack of trying all the tricks… guess it’s just my flight patterns… either connecting to international in SYD, or ‘rolled forward’ after arriving international. Not much choice. (Of course the main issue is that service should never be that slow.)

 

[RichardMEL]

If it makes you feel better I deliberately (!) selected 3A on an upcoming 737 flight SYD-MEL. I do not intend to eat and am happy with a glass of vino or two if lucky. Prefer it to row 1 with no easy storage.

 

[jb747]

this is so off topic to this thread now but gee I'd love to explore this view with you on the MAX.……

I’ll copy your quote to the pilot thread, and have look at it there.

 

[kpro]

The last two times I've flown J between SYD and MEL on the A330, I've found that the seat appeared to be locked in terms of it's recline. As in, both times the seat wouldn't recline beyond a minimal amount, a long way before what would be considered 'flat'.

Has anyone else had this experience? Would be a bit strange if both of the times I had a broken seat. Was different aircrafts and seat numbers.

 

[UP4014]

I'd go the 737, fewer people more bar service, also quicker to exit considering such a short flight.

 

[Guvner]

From the Qantas website:

Inflight services - Australian domestic flights​

Exit row seats and extra legroom seats are temporarily unavailable on our Boeing 787 and Airbus A330 aircraft.

Has this been in effect for a while? The website was updated today.

https://www.qantas.com/au/en/coronavirus/inflight-and-airport-services.html#inflight