Refurbished 767s - bin 'em!

[BD1959]

Anyone know why the refurbished 767s stopped at seats and wi-fi? To my mind, the biggest issue with these birds - which are used extensively on the "Golden Triangle" - is their overhead bin space. A bag approaching maximum dimensions will only fit sideways in the outside bins. FAs the othernight were great in filling up the "crew locker" at the front of the Y cabin, but is there any reason (other than cost) why the 738 bins - which beautifully swallow a max-size bag length-ways (and therefore service more seats) could not have been fitted at the same time as the refurb?

Was on a refurbed bird last night and the same old story.

Regards,

BD

 

[ChrisFlyer]

New bins would basically require a new (internal) roof, and given that there are only two seats near the windows, chances are that the 737 bins would also be too wide, and could possibly require additional certification.

You said 'other than cost' - but you've hit the nail on the head there. The birds only have a few years of service life left with QF, so they chose to refit many of them in order to make them tolerable until they are eventually replaced.

There's no point in doing major refits, only to offload the aircraft soon after.

I do agree with your comments though - I always try to get on early if it's a 767, as I don't want my rollaboard at my feet!!

 

[moa999]

Cost.
simple, and a lot of extra time out of service.

 

[Boogs]

If I find myself on a 763 I'll either;

check in my bag so I don't have to stress about locker space,
get to the gate early to snag a locker (and loose lounge time:evil
or change to a 738!!

problem solved!!

 

[BD1959]

If I find myself on a 763 I'll either;

check in my bag so I don't have to stress about locker space,

- Sort of defeats the object of the exercise: carry legal cabin baggage, check-in online, get to the airport as late as possible

get to the gate early to snag a locker (and loose lounge time:evil

- Yes, this appears to be the ONLY option

or change to a 738!!

Doesn't always work the way QF "rationalise" their peak services. Case in point: the 7:30pm AND 7:45pm MEL-SYD were cancelled Weds night with the vast majority rammed onto the 7:00pm 767 service.

Would certification of a reworked interior really be such an issue? Surely someone, sonmewhere, has already been through this exercise? AA?

Regards,

BD

 

[lovestotravel]

Cost.
simple, and a lot of extra time out of service.

Cost Yes but only because the 767's are due to be retired in less than 2 years

 

[simongr]

Also what has a better marketing spin:

"We have implemented new state of the art wifi based IFE on iPads" [that blows VA out of the water]

"We have spent more money on bigger overhead lockers" [which means more carp on board]

 

[k3nnis]

I'm doing SYD-MEL-SYD in J and Y respectively. I won't be bringing a huge bag, just a laptop bag. Should I go for the 763 or 738 on either of these flights? And wonder if it will be a refurbished aircraft on either legs.

 

[nlagalle]

I've never had an issue with overhead space on the 767's. in fact I will actively book one over a 737.

 

[BD1959]

I'm doing SYD-MEL-SYD in J and Y respectively. I won't be bringing a huge bag, just a laptop bag. Should I go for the 763 or 738 on either of these flights? And wonder if it will be a refurbished aircraft on either legs.

Laptop bags aren't an issue on any of the aircraft, unless you're still using one of these:



Regards,

BD

 

[codash1099]

I'm doing SYD-MEL-SYD in J and Y respectively. I won't be bringing a huge bag, just a laptop bag. Should I go for the 763 or 738 on either of these flights? And wonder if it will be a refurbished aircraft on either legs.

There is NEVER any reason to book a 737 of any ilk instead of a 767 of any ilk.

 

[Happy Trails]

There is NEVER any reason to book a 737 of any ilk instead of a 767 of any ilk.

Personal air vents on the 737s would be one.

 

[k3nnis]

Thanks. Are the J seats on the 767 much better than the 738?

 

[serfty]

Personal air vents on the 737s would be one.

It's only the ex BA ZX's that don't have the direction air-vents. (They have no row 25).

Obviously the British did not require them.

 

[reductionist]

I'm quite happy with the new 767 fitout, but I have issues with the bins in the middle of the aircraft too. The outer bins are fine.

My bag is cabin "legal" too (Victorinox NXT 5.0 Mobilizer 20 - external dimensions are definitely within the 53/36/23 range).

I understand this isn't a trivial problem to fix, just adding another data point.

 

[RickyT84]

I'm doing SYD-MEL-SYD in J and Y respectively. I won't be bringing a huge bag, just a laptop bag. Should I go for the 763 or 738 on either of these flights? And wonder if it will be a refurbished aircraft on either legs.

15 out of the 20 763s are refurbished (except the 4 ex-BA birds and OGP which will be retired soon) so your chances are pretty good.

 

[JohnK]

Cost Yes but only because the 767's are due to be retired in less than 2 years

And that will be a sad moment.

So we are stuck with 737's only on short haul domestic? Sad indeed....

 

[Isochronous]

Space is not the only issue. The old 767 bins have a habit of opening themselves randomly - this seems to be particularly the case when everyone is seated with belts on and we are preparing for takeoff, and everyone looks around at each other before someone 'naughtily' unbuckles themselves to close it.

 

[Awesom Andy]

Referring back to the OP's problem, you'll also find that more modern machinery, such as some of the CX A330, can also only fit a normal legal sized carry-on sideways.

 

[pauly7]

Give me a 767 over any single aisle aircraft any day!