First refurbished 767 enters service end of the month [Oct '12]

[samh004]

OGQ entered service on the 23rd with the new cabin refurb, they are being done at BNE .

So there's effectively two Q Streaming planes now. Hope the refurbs roll along at a quick pace


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[spentan]

anyone got pics??

I'll be flying on one of these (QF581) in late nov SYD-PER, so i'll do a TR if no-one else has.

 

[ashleyn]

anyone got pics??

I'll be flying on one of these (QF581) in late nov SYD-PER, so i'll do a TR if no-one else has.

I'm on QF571 on Thursday and the seat layout looks very different, could this be one of the refurbs ?

 

[mannej]

I'm on QF571 on Thursday and the seat layout looks very different, could this be one of the refurbs ?

Can you take a screen shot of the set layout, I am sure one of the experts will be able to pick up on the layout

 

[simongr]

Is there going to be any way to tell if you have the refurb? Thinking if I get one MEL-SYD I will look to upgrade.

 

[markis10]

I'm on QF571 on Thursday and the seat layout looks very different, could this be one of the refurbs ?

Your on an international config.

 

[Mal Ware]

I am sure the refurb will be an improvement, but I still think that it is very el-cheapo to be handing out ipads for IFE ala Jetstar.

Surely in this day and age they could put freaking screens in the back of the seats.

If they are too tight cough to buy new planes, buy some new seats at least.

Not looking forward to having to shuffler around with a table on my lap for the whole flight and also not be able to watch anything during the meal.

All part of the Joyce effect on Qantas....

 

[moa999]

Actually all part of Boeing delivering the 787s 4-5 yrs late.
If they had been delivered on schedule, the 767s would be all gone and A330s flying around Australia.

Too expensive to put new seats (and more importantly all the new wiring and IFE systems) for an aircraft that wont be around for much longer.

 

[QFflyermelbourne]

Not to mention Mal Ware that TVs in seats are history. They weight of those systems in an entire aircraft is immense and the technology coughbersome and problematic when break downs occur. The ipad solution is not just el cheapo LCC but many legacy airlines are looking at these approaches and within a few years this will be the norm everywhere.

I read somewhere that the fuel savings alone just from ripping out the IFE and replacing with tablets on a single aircraft over the course of one year was significant.

 

[mannej]

I am sure the refurb will be an improvement, but I still think that it is very el-cheapo to be handing out ipads for IFE ala Jetstar.

Surely in this day and age they could put freaking screens in the back of the seats.

If they are too tight cough to buy new planes, buy some new seats at least.

Not looking forward to having to shuffler around with a table on my lap for the whole flight and also not be able to watch anything during the meal.

All part of the Joyce effect on Qantas....

Is it really that easy?

 

[Mal Ware]

Not to mention Mal Ware that TVs in seats are history. They weight of those systems in an entire aircraft is immense and the technology coughbersome and problematic when break downs occur. The ipad solution is not just el cheapo LCC but many legacy airlines are looking at these approaches and within a few years this will be the norm everywhere.

I read somewhere that the fuel savings alone just from ripping out the IFE and replacing with tablets on a single aircraft over the course of one year was significant.

How is a led touch screen stuffed into a hole in the seat heavier than an Ipad?

Is it really that easy?

If you mean easier as in easier to throw a few Ipads at people rather than spend money and purchase seats with touch screens then yes it is easier, but is it what you expect from a full service carrier?

Even though it will be a step up from the wall mounted screens many of the 767 have now it is still just a cheap cough way of providing entertainment.

Will J class still have screens in the seats or do they get a silver Ipad?

 

[mannej]

Only a handful of the 767's have personal screens in J.

Without either of us being experts in the area, I would imagine the weight saving comes from the fact there is less infrastructure required on board to support the iPad system.

Considering the life left in the 767 fleet, I'd imagine this would be the most cost and time effective measure to introduce personal IFE, probably makes more sense then ripping the whole plane out and putting new seats in.

 

[QFflyermelbourne]

How is a led touch screen stuffed into a hole in the seat heavier than an Ipad?

It's probably not that much lighter but that isn't where the weight saving is. It's the massive data storage racks on the aircraft containing all the content, notice the heavy metal IFE boxed in the middle of each row through the cabin, not to mention the enormous amount of cabling through the whole aircraft to sync the system when required (for safety videos etc).

See the following article regarding Scoot (an LCC I know but it makes no difference...) and how taking out IFE for ipads saved two tonnes per plane. Imagine the difference that makes to fuel use year after year.

How is a led touch screen stuffed into a hole in the seat heavier than an Ipad?

It's probably not that much lighter but that isn't where the weight saving is. It's the massive data storage racks on the aircraft containing all the content, notice the heavy metal IFE boxed in the middle of each row through the cabin, not to mention the enormous amount of cabling through the whole aircraft to sync the system when required (for safety videos etc).

See the following article (from bloomberg) regarding Scoot (an LCC I know but it makes no difference...) and how taking out IFE for ipads saved two tonnes per plane. Imagine the difference that makes to fuel use year after year.

Scoot Pte is offering Apple iPads to budget long-haul travelers after ripping out aircraft entertainment systems weighing more than two tons to save fuel.
The tablets helped the carrier cut 7 percent off the weight of planes obtained from parent Singapore Airlines even after a 40 percent increase in seating, Chief Executive Officer Campbell Wilson said. The savings will help Scoot, which makes its maiden flight today, cope with fuel prices that have jumped about 36 percent in two years.

Fuel is “the number one worry” for any airline, as it usually accounts for at least 40 percent of costs, Wilson said in a June 1 interview in Singapore. Scoot will charge economy passengers S$22 ($17) a trip to rent the tablets, which are loaded with movies, music, games and television shows.
Cutting costs and finding new sources of revenue will be key for Singapore-based Scoot as it seeks to make a profit flying older planes than other low-cost carriers and selling tickets as cheap as S$158 one-way to Sydney, a flight of more than seven hours. Singapore Air formed Scoot after budget operators led by Jetstar and AirAsia Bhd. won 26 percent of the city’s air-travel market.
The iPads are “a very smart move,” said Corrine Png, JPMorgan Chase & Co.’s Singapore-based head of regional transportation research. “If they can make the aircraft lighter, it does help improve fuel efficiency.”

 

[Mal Ware]

Sorry but I find it very hard to believe that IFE accounts for 2 tonnes in an aeroplane.

Even if it did, so what, it has worked before why should the full fare paying passenger have to settle for a LCC entertainment so QF can save a few dollars?

Apart from the carrier saving money, how is it of any benefit to the passengers compared to the seat back IFE?

 

[markis10]

Sorry but I find it very hard to believe that IFE accounts for 2 tonnes in an aeroplane.

Even if it did, so what, it has worked before why should the full fare paying passenger have to settle for a LCC entertainment so QF can save a few dollars?

Apart from the carrier saving money, how is it of any benefit to the passengers compared to the seat back IFE?

Believe it or not, common sense suggests 2 tonne would be right, after all that's 400 odd wiring looms running up to 500 metres. QF have upgraded their IFE so be thank full for that, given its only 16 aircraft in total and they are meant to be in a boneyard, it's not a bad thing. Doing a full seat back upgrade would have taken a lot longer and involve recertification, which could take over a year, as the e190 refit has shown, no point. As for saving money, we are talking up to $20M per please when downtime is taking into consideration, hardly small $$$.

 

[Ansett]

Sorry but I find it very hard to believe that IFE accounts for 2 tonnes in an aeroplane.

Even if it did, so what, it has worked before why should the full fare paying passenger have to settle for a LCC entertainment so QF can save a few dollars?

Apart from the carrier saving money, how is it of any benefit to the passengers compared to the seat back IFE?

With all due respect may I sugest you try flying domestically or even intraeurope on the likes of BA where as a full fare passenger and even when one is in club class their is NO ife of any kind offered so be greatful for what we have here with Qantas and the fact that they are atleast trying to upgrade the experience as best as they can.

 

[Mal Ware]

With all due respect may I sugest you try flying domestically or even intraeurope on the likes of BA where as a full fare passenger and even when one is in club class their is NO ife of any kind offered so be greatful for what we have here with Qantas and the fact that they are atleast trying to upgrade the experience as best as they can.

LOL I won't be "greateful" at all, I am a paying customer, they should be "greatful" that they are getting my business.

As for Europe, that is irrelevant.

Many Virgin flights offer seat back ife so I don't see why Australia's cough premium airline cannot either.

 

[Ansett]

LOL I won't be "greateful" at all, I am a paying customer, they should be "greatful" that they are getting my business.

As for Europe, that is irrelevant.

Many Virgin flights offer seat back ife so I don't see why Australia's cough premium airline cannot either.

Again with respect the answer is simple DONT fly Qantas if you are unhappy with the offering. I note you coment MANY Virgin Flights and not all so really dont understand your issue with Qantas not doing the same and trying to make things a little better with Tablets on offer or would you rather just have the old large screens or drop down TV that was common place not so long ago.

 

[Blackbird]

The weight issue must be WiFi v wired.
Cannot see why it is not possible to install WiFi LED screens v wired.
No need to collect an recharge every night.

Maybe not for a refit but in new planes someone must be considering this.

 

[spentan]

The weight issue must be WiFi v wired.
Cannot see why it is not possible to install WiFi LED screens v wired.
No need to collect an recharge every night.

Maybe not for a refit but in new planes someone must be considering this.

You still need a lot of power wiring, not to mention the setup and ongoing updates and maintenance required for IFE systems.

Personally I like to know and plan what I want to watch, so the only time I use the IFE is when I'm eating, otherwise I'm on my iPad or Retina Macbook Pro watching my own content in 720 or 1080p