VA: A330 or B738 in Y

[xt_20]

I plan to fly PER - MEL in Y. I could go PER-SYD-MEL using their A330 or direct using their B738. What are the pros and cons of both?
Not much difference in price.

For A330:
- Free PTV
- More comfortable plane
- 2x3x2 seating

For B738:
- Direct (saves me 2 hrs)


Was there anything else? I tried to do a search but all I could find is comparisons for Business class!

Thanks!

 

[samh004]

What sort of status do you have with Velocity, any?

An extra 2 hours with lounges and the chance of an upgrade might be worth it, but if you're busy and need to be in PER for a set time, direct will always be more sensible.

You might also be able to use the lounge with your QFF membership.

 

[xt_20]

No status with Velocity, so no lounge. Also not in a big hurry.

 

[samh004]

No status with Velocity, so no lounge. Also not in a big hurry.

What's your status with QFF, there is an offer right now that allows Qantas status members access to The Lounge, so you can check out the other side, and there's no better way of doing that than visiting two lounges, surely.

So if you're considering switching to Virgin, then seeing more of what they offer could be useful, if not, direct option might make more sense.

 

[xt_20]

No status with QFF either -- just Bronze.

 

[Justchecking]

For me, I would take the a330 over a 737 anyway. A wide body aircraft is infinitely more comfortable for a long haul flight than a 737. On flights over 2hrs people end to get up and move about the cabin. If there's only one aisle then things get pretty crowded and unpleasant quickly. You also have seats designed to be sat in for a long period of time as opposed to the old 737 seats on DJ. The chances of being able to get an exit row are also enhanced when you have more exits. Since time is not precious to you, I would fly the a330 to PER.

 

[xt_20]

For me, I would take the a330 over a 737 anyway. A wide body aircraft is infinitely more comfortable for a long haul flight than a 737. On flights over 2hrs people end to get up and move about the cabin. If there's only one aisle then things get pretty crowded and unpleasant quickly. You also have seats designed to be sat in for a long period of time as opposed to the old 737 seats on DJ. The chances of being able to get an exit row are also enhanced when you have more exits. Since time is not precious to you, I would fly the a330 to PER.

'tis the reason on the indirect flight. I haven't flown on a narrow body for more than 1 hr until my recent trip SIN - PER on 3K. It wasn't pleasant, and the ride wasn't smooth. (turbulence, but IMHO wide bodies are better at turbulence than narrow bodies, or possibly it's just me or budget airlines are just uncomfortable).

I really should consolidate my flights to one carrier to achieve something...

This year:
PER-KUL (D7)
KUL-SIN-KUL-SIN (AK)
SIN-PER (QF)
PER-MEL (DJ)
MEL-PER (QF)
PER-KUL (D7)
KUL-SIN-PER (3K)
PER-KUL (MH)
KUL-SIN (unknown)
SIN-KUL-PER (MH)

 

[mannej]

A330 is 2-4-2 except for the last few rows at the back.
If they are using a re-badged version of the EK IFE, it is the same as what the QF743's had. Personal looped based TV's.
Having been on the EK A330 they are not that great.

If I was chasing status, I would do it, however you will still have to do the 737 between SYD and MEL.

I find it noteworthy that all the talk of the A330 has been regarding the J class section, yet questions about the back of the bus went unanswered.

 

[Justchecking]

That's because the back of the bus is just like the back if any bus. It's Y which we all know itsnt fabulous, but if I'm only choosing between wide body Y and narrow body Y for 4hrs I'll take the wide body in preference. 737s are fine for 1hr hops, people stay put generally with the odd toilet user, but on long flights it's better not to be sitting in an aisle with 4 Y pax standing on top if you because their seat doesn't recline or their kids are seated 2 rows behind etc. While I'm not pretending the 330 is anything like J, in Y. The sheer size if the cabin is less confining and families can be easily accommodated in the middle of 4 mostly. Plus, as a solo traveller you can choose the window sections and only have 1 seat mate instead if two. 737s are godawful for 4hr stretches.

 

[Justchecking]

Truth be told my absolute preference would be e-jet to PER. 2 abreast seating and more comfortable recline negates the lack of IFE. but you'd have to fly MEL-ADL-PER to get that which isn't what the OP was asking about.

 

[xt_20]

Truth be told my absolute preference would be e-jet to PER. 2 abreast seating and more comfortable recline negates the lack of IFE. but you'd have to fly MEL-ADL-PER to get that which isn't what the OP was asking about.

Flying with my wife, so that makes it 2 of us, hence my preference 2-4-2 vs 3-3.

Have never taken an e-jet before, that might be an option!

 

[Justchecking]

Should probably mention though that those who are turbulence averse will likely not enjoy e-jet. It doesnt bother me but they don't ride it as well as larger jets. They are 100 seat aircraft.

 

[xt_20]

Should probably mention though that those who are turbulence averse will likely not enjoy e-jet. It doesnt bother me but they don't ride it as well as larger jets. They are 100 seat aircraft.

I think there shouldn't be much turbulence across Australia, unlike over northern WA?

 

[Mogul]

As a regular SYD Perth flyer there can actually be a surprising amount of turbulence at times.

 

[lovestotravel]

Flying on an old A330 is nothing special. It's still an old A330 and EK is getting rid of them for a reason.. They are old...

 

[Noob]

Flying on an old A330 is nothing special. It's still an old A330 and EK is getting rid of them for a reason.. They are old...

They are old (10.7 years), but not as old as the 747-400s (16.5 years) Qantas have put on the route as their flagship coast to coast.

They are only temporary from what I have heard, because they have brand new A330s coming from Airbus thus the reason the seats are not new only reupholstered.

 

[mannej]

They are old (10.7 years), but not as old as the 747-400s (16.5 years) Qantas have put on the route as their flagship coast to coast.

They are only temporary from what I have heard, because they have brand new A330s coming from Airbus thus the reason the seats are not new only reupholstered.

The Current A330 product that VA have is comparable to the product of a QF 743


Sent from my iPhone using Aust Freq Fly app

 

[pauly7]

The Current A330 product that VA have is comparable to the product of a QF 743

Which have been retired of course

 

[xt_20]

Flying on an old A330 is nothing special. It's still an old A330 and EK is getting rid of them for a reason.. They are old...

IMHO: Old DJ 330 > DJ 738

Even Old DJ 330 > QF 763!

 

[Ansettaddict123]

Flying on an old A330 is nothing special. It's still an old A330 and EK is getting rid of them for a reason.. They are old...

10 odd years for an aircraft is still relatively young, I think by old you mean QF's decrepit 20+ year old 763s

IMHO: Old DJ 330 > DJ 738

Even Old DJ 330 > QF 763!

seconded!