A330 fleet expansion

[markis10]

EBQ will soon be undergoing maintenance for QF service, but i don't think EBE is.

EBE is on her way to NRT and EBQ came in from HNL to MEL overnight.

 

[docjames]

I was always under the understanding that -QPD onwards differed to the other 3, I remember -QPD arrived possibly after E as it was undergoing additional testing with Airbus but I vaguely recall it was brake related.

Also other forums are reporting -EBE and -EBQ are in BNE being prepared for transfer to QF I have my doubts, can anyone confirm?

Supposedly -A -B -C have floors that cannot take the skybed seating (due to the skybed's higher floor loading). That's what QF have said in the past.

Some believe it, others see it as convenient for using Y+ style seating instead of J. Which would limit them to domestic ops (mostly).

 

[Tom/PER]

Supposedly -A -B -C have floors that cannot take the skybed seating (due to the skybed's higher floor loading). That's what QF have said in the past.

Some believe it, others see it as convenient for using Y+ style seating instead of J. Which would limit them to domestic ops (mostly).

Don't -QPA to C have Skybeds? I guarantee they do.

if your referring to the first 4 x A330's QF received -EBA to D this is just a myth and nothing more Airbus never offered a lighter weight floor option. They're only 10yrs old, CX has some that are 21yrs old and still going strong. The A330/340 is a magnificent family of aircraft.

I'm sure when QF gets around to refurbishing them inside and out you won't be able to tell the difference inside.

 

[madrooster]

The A330-300's have different engine options where the A330-303's were certified much later (2004) than the original A330-301's (of which QPA/B/C are). QPD used to be a -301 as well but had its engines changed and so is now a -303.

The QF A330-200's are all the -202 variant I believe.

 

[mannej]

Supposedly -A -B -C have floors that cannot take the skybed seating (due to the skybed's higher floor loading). That's what QF have said in the past.

Some believe it, others see it as convenient for using Y+ style seating instead of J. Which would limit them to domestic ops (mostly).

That is incorrect, all the 330-300's have the same internal configuration.

The 330-200's are the ones you are thinking of with the earlier birds (all at JQ now) without the skybeds upfront

 

[ajw373]

Don't -QPA to C have Skybeds? I guarantee they do.

Yep, but the discussion is about the -200's, so A, B, C he is referring to EBA, EBB, EBC.

 

[Bugalugz]

So QF hasn't changed this aircraft that has re entered their fleet to a 2 x 2 x2 J class config and still with the 2 x 1-1 x 2 config?

Great so we can continue to play the lotto for a cough product! Refitting should have been accelerated, this is beyond a joke. Oh but wait we get "International" standard food without a menu.

Piss poor form QF, could have premiered the new product on this aircraft but nope, still stuck with the "workspace". This has been going on since 2010.

It pisses me off because I pay for the wider seat and the comfort then to see this it should be sold as premium economy as thats what it is not $1200 for business class. When you do get lucky with the skybed or normal seat it's good because it's a true J product.

 

[Tom/PER]

According to local sources -EBS never left PER yesterday, did it go tech or is it parked here for a few nights?

 

[mannej]

Piss poor form QF, could have premiered the new product on this aircraft but nope, still stuck with the "workspace". This has been going on since 2010.

I have no arguments on the quality of the J product on the latest batch of the 332's.

There was never going to be a complete refit of the product considering the turn over time between leaving JQ and entering service for QF.

It is blatantly obvious that QF do need to accelerate the 330 update as the international product lags behind other airlines that it competes against, but the inconsistency domestically is a big killer. 2014 can't come quick enough

 

[Bugalugz]

I have no arguments on the quality of the J product on the latest batch of the 332's.

There was never going to be a complete refit of the product considering the turn over time between leaving JQ and entering service for QF.

It is blatantly obvious that QF do need to accelerate the 330 update as the international product lags behind other airlines that it competes against, but the inconsistency domestically is a big killer. 2014 can't come quick enough

I haven't flown Virgin for quite a while but I thought I'd give them a go in Economy and Business. Both flights were an example of great customer service and what flying to me is about. Business service and catering was excellent compared to some of the stuff you get on QF.

Their product is leaps and bounds ahead of QF.

Personally I would like QF to upgrade all their 737's to a consistent standard as well, it's playing a lotto with that too. Though I must admit I am loving the leather J seats! Very nice, been lucky to get that a couple of times.

I love Qantas but I don't know how much longer I can keep handing over my hard earnt money for a substandard hard product, lets face it none of us fly J for the food or lounge access (most of us have it via FF Membership or other means) we fly due to the hard product which on Qantas is cough. Sure it's a first world problem but I find a 5hr flight or almost 5.5hrs accross the country a medium haul. From Perth 5hrs gets you to Asia which is apparently good enough to get international hard product, well Singapore now since they scrapped everything else.

Red Roo, if Qantas is all about the customer at the moment like the PR material says, why is the hard product not recieving any attention until next year? I thought this would have been a priority especially if Virgin upgrade their other A330's. In that case I can't see many paying J class people hanging around to fly a substandard hard product.

The soft product on Qantas is generally good, but let down by the actual thing we fork out for......the seat!!!!!! The other thing should be that they offer the 2x3x2 as a premium economy product because it's not a business class seat in any way shape and form. The 737/767 seats are far more comfortable and thats saying thing. The only saving grace with them is the AVOD screen is in the seatback, I do like that but I don't like it 2 inches from my face beacuse I am so close to my 'friend' in front.

Sorry I rant on, but it's very frustrating not knowing when or what the changes will be. All we keep getting told is 2014 a new and enhanced product will be revealed. God help us all!!!

 

[mannej]

The J product on the 737/domestic 767's have a similar amount of seat pitch meaning they get affected by the seat recliners just as much. The only real difference is that they have the width much more than the recaro seats on the newer 330's

 

[simongr]

I wonder if part of the delays to hard product improvement is a lack of aircraft to cover whilst they have a major refurb?

 

[markis10]

I wonder if part of the delays to hard product improvement is a lack of aircraft to cover whilst they have a major refurb?

It has more to do with the late decision to do a change, it was only announced when the last new A330 arrived two months ago, given issues with certification etc these things take time just like Virgin have found with the E190s. As for a lack of aircraft, we have had more a330s added and it was not an issue while the B767s where being done, although there is more competition on offer now.

 

[samh004]

I would hope the new hard product is going to be on more than just the A330's and thus they're trying to get the design right before they show it off and start fitting it, plus certification. It's been about the length of time for a mark 3 upgrade has it not? Especially if they want to stay with the competition

I recall CX tested out new hard product with top-tier FF's, maybe QF might do the same if they have any sense.

 

[oz_mark]

I wonder if part of the delays to hard product improvement is a lack of aircraft to cover whilst they have a major refurb?

These projects have long lead times, and one would think the downtime plays a part in working out a schedule.

 

[simongr]

I realise that - I am just wondering whether even when factoring in downtime, do they have sufficient aircraft to cover the downtime.

 

[markis10]

I realise that - I am just wondering whether even when factoring in downtime, do they have sufficient aircraft to cover the downtime.

The downtime is often part of schedule maintenance anyway (read C&D checks), they have spare A330s as they are using them to cover the 744 routes at present with the captians choice tours etc.

 

[simongr]

Does anyone know yet who is designing the seat even?

 

[Bugalugz]

Does anyone know yet who is designing the seat even?

I am sure we can all rest assured it will be "Enhanced" and "Inspired" by someone