“new” QF B737-800s

[moa999]

And 9V-MGN is now VH-XZT.. still in SIN.

(When it arrives will be 15 narrowbody aircraft moved from Singapore to Aus in the last 6 months 11 320s 3K to JQ, and 4 737s SQ to QF)

 

[moa999]

Fourth ex-SQ aircraft VH-XZT landed in ASP on 5-Feb.
Still no movement on any of the others.

Some posts on YSSY suggesting that we are back to Plan A with the four aircraft to operate BNE to MEL, CNS, TSV, MKY, ISA in the Ex-SQ config for some time before being refitted. Begs the question why they've been sitting up to 4-5 months untouched.

On 737 retirements also noted the 8th oldest VH-VXH as positioned to TSV for possible paint . Which wouldn't suggest retirement anytime soon.

 

[Saab34]

It’s strange, I mean, 2-3 months perhaps while they undergo crew differences training, get CASA to tick off etc.

Perhaps they just don’t have the ability to roll out these 737s with resources tied up with the A321 rollout.

Seems like they just wanted to get hold of these aircraft over anything else (ie before Virgin got them), and deal with the introduction later on.

 

[TheInsider]

It’s strange, I mean, 2-3 months perhaps while they undergo crew differences training, get CASA to tick off etc.

Not needed, same aircraft and same engine type. Cabin crew maybe though just for cabin familiarisations.

 

[vhojm]

Qantas have now updated the 737 information page and a second configuration is now available to be downloaded for VH-XZQ/R/S/T.

 

[moa999]

Ref here - https://www.qantas.com/en-au/onboard/fleet/737
See config 2, described as 737-8SA, as distinct from 737-800 (SA is the Silk Air code)

No Economy Plus seats, just Forward.
So seemingly back to plan A of flying these on select routes out of BNE.

Also on that page

When travelling between Brisbane and Cairns, Darwin, Mackay, Melbourne, Mount Isa, and Townsville, a small number of 737 aircraft don't currently offer seat-back screens, Wi-Fi, or access to the Qantas Entertainment App.

 

[moa999]

VH-XZR positioned ASP-BNE yesterday.
VH-XZQ scheduled for a BNE-BNE test flight today

 

[Harrison_133]

VH-XZQ entering service this morning on QF708 BNE-CNS.

Still all white.

 

[Andy72]

I might have missed it but do they have wifi. and entertainment. Rare to get wifi on that longer route given mostly e190's

 

[Harrison_133]

I might have missed it but do they have wifi. and entertainment. Rare to get wifi on that longer route given mostly e190's

No wifi and no entertainment.

 

[Rangalad]

Ref here - https://www.qantas.com/en-au/onboard/fleet/737
See config 2, described as 737-8SA, as distinct from 737-800 (SA is the Silk Air code)

No Economy Plus seats, just Forward.
So seemingly back to plan A of flying these on select routes out of BNE.

Also on that page

Ref here - https://www.qantas.com/en-au/onboard/fleet/737
See config 2, described as 737-8SA, as distinct from 737-800 (SA is the Silk Air code)

No Economy Plus seats, just Forward.
So seemingly back to plan A of flying these on select routes out of BNE.

Also on that page

Is that an internal Qantas code?
Silk Air’s IATA code was MI.
Their aircraft were registered 9V-MG*

 

[TheInsider]

Is that an internal Qantas code?
Silk Air’s IATA code was MI.
Their aircraft were registered 9V-MG*

Nothing to do with IATA codes. It's just a version of the aircraft so internally they know what config it is.

 

[Chrizztofa]

Is that an internal Qantas code?
Silk Air’s IATA code was MI.
Their aircraft were registered 9V-MG*

"SA" is the Boeing Customer Code for Silkair, who initially acquired the aircraft before they merged into Singapore Airlines. The Boeing Customer Code was used by Boeing to designate the airline who first ordered the aircraft and the code stays with the airframe even if it is later operated by other airlines.

Similarly, Qantas' customer code was "38" so any Boeing aircraft initially purchased by Qantas had that designation (e.g. B737-838, B747-438). When Qantas merged with TAA/Australian Airlines in the 1990s, they inherited some TAA aircraft with their Boeing Customer Code "76" (e.g. B737-376).

Qantas have used the B737-8SA code to distinguish these second-hand frames from their earlier B737-838 aircraft.

A full list is here: List of Boeing customer codes - Wikipedia

Boeing scrapped the system a few years ago so any new airframes no longer carry these designations.

For completeness, Airbus use a different system based on the aircraft's engine manufacturer. For example, A330-303 is an Airbus A330-300 with the 0 (in 303) being the manufacturer code for General Electric and the second 3 (in 303) representing the engine type (or thrust rating). That way two different airlines may have the same "aircraft code" if they selected the same engines.