Virgin Blue achieves record 93.8% on time performance in Oct.

[NM]

Dave, I agree that the 2x3x2 seating in the 767 is my favourite for a long domestic flight. The 743 is attractive to me only because it has a large number of quality J seats and hence a good chance for an upgrade. But I think I would prefer a 767 over the 743 in economy, even though the 743 has personal IFE. I can live without personal IFE on a 4 hour flight (but not on a 14 hour flight!).

The boarding and disembarkation process for a 767 is not a problem for me as I am normally seated in the forward section of the economy cabin. Same for 743. But it would not be any fun for a non-status passenger that ends up in row 98. At least there is no immigration queue for domestic arrival into PER (yet), so it just means less time waiting at the baggage claim belt.

737 is last on my list and I will only select flights operated by 737 if there is no alternative that meets my schedule requirements. 737 is fine for a 1 hour hop such as BNE-SYD.

So my order of preference for trans-continental would be:
1). 743 with requested upgrade to J (pre-booked if available, otherwise ODU)
2) 763 (again I would request upgrade, but less chance to get it)
3) A330
4) 737
5) Indian Pacific
9) A320 (just because it would mean I was on a JQ flight!)

 

[oz_mark]

what is it about the 330 that appeals? I hate the middle block of 4 seats unless low loads.

Bearing in mind that I am platinum so I generally get a reasonable seat (forward aisle). Basically, I find the flight on a 330 to be much more confortable and quiet than on the other aircraft.

The four seats does not really bother me that much (5 seats on some 777's does though!). Sitting in the middle of 4 seats versus sitting in the middle of 3 seats doesn't have much in it for me.

 

[oz_mark]

So my order of preference for trans-continental would be:
1). 743 with requested upgrade to J (pre-booked if available, otherwise ODU)
2) 763 (again I would request upgrade, but less chance to get it)
3) A330
4) 737
5) Indian Pacific
9) A320 (just because it would mean I was on a JQ flight!)

Can I assume the NM bus fits between 5 and 9?

 

[NM]

Can I assume the NM bus fits between 5 and 9?

Nah, I have no intentions of driving the bus to PER. When I go to PER, the bus stay at home.

I am not sure what fits between 5 and 9, but I am sure some options will come to mind over time .

 

[serfty]

The A330's are newer and certainly have better OverHead SB capacity. You can fit a 105cm wheelaboard, wheels in, while the 767's require them to be placed lengthwise.

The 763's are getting quite tired, especially the old EX BA ZX's.

 

[Yada Yada]

Dave,

If we are talking about fully loaded planes on transcontinental routes, my choice would be as follows:

1. A330
   My favourite QF plane. It is the quietest aircraft they have, and while I've never measured the economy seat pitch, it seems to be the best in the domestic fleet. The seats also seem a little wider but perhaps that is my imagination? Obviously the pairs of seats on each side are preferable to the larger middle row.
   
2. B767
   Again provided that I can sit on either of the side rows of 2 and provided that that the cabin is in good condition. I'd avoid flying on QF's 763's at present because they are so old and shabby. I was on a few JL 763's last year - they put QF's cabins to shame.
   
3. B737
   Fully loaded 737's for a long flight can be a bit taxing. I find the lack of elbow room to be the main issue.
   
   However, if we are not talking about fully loaded planes, then my opinion is different. On my last SYD-PER trip, I flew over on Virgin Blue and back on QF because the footy finals stopped me from purchasing a return ticket with DJ. I flew in Blue Zone and the middle seat was empty so the comfort level was fantastic, the service was great, the food was great. Coming back, I scored an upgrade to business class on QF (on an A330) but the food was not that good and the service was a bit snooty. I'd actually rate the Virgin Blue flight over as better.

You make a good point about the unloading delays on the bigger planes. I'm flying SYD-MEL weekly and I do care about the speed of unloading. I love the speed at which I can get on and get off Virgin Blue planes when both doors are being used. When I flew QF last week I found the extended delay getting off the 767 very annoying, with pax at the front struggling to get their massive carry-on bags out of the o/h lockers holding everyone up. I guess on longer flights it doesn't seem as much of an issue to wait. But on the short hops, load/unload speed is important for me.

 

[StevePER]

what is it about the 330 that appeals? I hate the middle block of 4 seats unless low loads.

I would go A330, 747, 767, 737. Don't know about the A320 as I haven't flown on them much. As Yada Yada said, the A330 is nice and quiet and has a bit more space. I'm always in an aisle seat so the four in the middle doesn't bother me. Size is a factor with the 743s but I still think they're preferable to QF's old 763s. My last QF flight to SYD was on a 734 which wasn't much fun.

Steve

 

[N860CR]

I'd say the A330 and 767 are my top choices for the simple reason that (in Y) regardless of where you're sitting, you're only ever at the most one seat away from the aisle (I believe this is one of Airbus' favourite selling points for the A330/A340). I do also find the Airbus' (both A330 and A320) to have wider seats, however on the JQ A320's you so certainly pay for it with the reduced seat pitch.

Those points aside I find the 737's are certainly more than comfortable to travel on. Service is always fairly quick and DJ's aircraft have good legroom. Only complaint would be getting trapped in the window seat, although it's the same on A320's and 747's.

 

[DJ737]

Hi there

737's for me, if i am paying, or whaever is operating the flight if it is a FF award, Currently trying to put together a RTW 737 itin on LCC's, but the odd 320 keeps getting in the way .

I don't really like airline supplied food and rarely eat it, i'd rather choose from a selection of paid items than have a "free" tray of crud plonked in front of me when the airline wants me to eat.

Cheers
DJ737

 

[Evan]

737's for me, if i am paying, or whaever is operating the flight if it is a FF award, Currently trying to put together a RTW 737 itin on LCC's, but the odd 320 keeps getting in the way .

Some may label you insane ! Interesting idea though.
Enjoy

Evan

 

[Yada Yada]

I don't really like airline supplied food and rarely eat it, i'd rather choose from a selection of paid items than have a "free" tray of crud plonked in front of me when the airline wants me to eat.

Yes, I agree completely.

 

[Love2Fly]

I would go A330, 747, 767, 737. Don't know about the A320 as I haven't flown on them much. As Yada Yada said, the A330 is nice and quiet and has a bit more space. I'm always in an aisle seat so the four in the middle doesn't bother me. Size is a factor with the 743s but I still think they're preferable to QF's old 763s. My last QF flight to SYD was on a 734 which wasn't much fun.

My preference is 747 (like the IFE), A330(v quiet), 767, 737 = A320.
Although having stated that preference, I prefer 737 vs than Qantas' older rattling 767's.

 

[pauly7]

The wings are standard on our new delivery aircraft, but not on aircraft delivered more than (I think) about 2 years ago. The live2air is a retrofit to existing seats - not a replacement.

CrazyDave98

Thanks for the info crazydave/yada yada, but its a real shame you aren't fitting the wings at the same time as the tvs, I almost broke my neck trying to sleep on a non-wing installed DJ flight! Might have to try and compile a list of DJ craft without them and try to avoid them!

Cheers

 

[oz_mark]

My preference is 747 (like the IFE), A330(v quiet), 767, 737 = A320.
Although having stated that preference, I prefer 737 vs than Qantas' older rattling 767's.

But where would you rank the 747 if it did not have the personal units?

 

[Love2Fly]

But where would you rank the 747 if it did not have the personal units?

Don't know what it is about 747's but the general the size of the beast makes me feel quite comfy. If it didn't have personal units, I'd rate it probably even btwn it & the 330. I might also add that my overall favorite (not domestic AUS of course) is the 777.

 

[oz_mark]

Don't know what it is about 747's but the general the size of the beast makes me feel quite comfy. If it didn't have personal units, I'd rate it probably even btwn it & the 330. I might also add that my overall favorite (not domestic AUS of course) is the 777.

I prefer the 330 to th 777. Maybe its the 8 versus 9 seats abreast thing. I have flown it in the 3x3x3 (SQ) and the 2x5x2 (MH) config, and wasn't fond of either. So still preferred the 330.

 

[NM]

Thanks for the info crazydave/yada yada, but its a real shame you aren't fitting the wings at the same time as the tvs, I almost broke my neck trying to sleep on a non-wing installed DJ flight! Might have to try and compile a list of DJ craft without them and try to avoid them!

Cheers

I certainly do recommend you avoid the aircraft without wings fitted. They tend to be far less aerodynamic. The ones with wings fly so much better .

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

Hi there

737's for me, if i am paying, or whaever is operating the flight if it is a FF award, Currently trying to put together a RTW 737 itin on LCC's, but the odd 320 keeps getting in the way .

How are you getting across the pacific?

 

[DJ737]

Hi there

Looks like i may have to do DQ NAN-HNL then on to Westjet thru Canada.

Cheers
DJ737

 

[clifford]

How are you getting across the pacific?

Air New Zeraland, of course.

Isn't that an LCC these days? (No airpoints).

Might as well fly Virgin (it's a bit cheaper).

Personally I wouldn't pay for a flight on either.