737 Business, domestic and trans Tasman, is the hard product getting upgraded?

[clod]

Hi AFFers,

I think I heard somewhere that the seats etc. on the 737s were being upgraded to bring them up to standard with LAN and EK offerings. Is this true and if so has it started yet? I'm only asking because I just jumped on a SC run SYD -BNE -CHC rtn today.

Ta muchly.

 

[mannej]

I have a feeling you are incorrect, as it is VA who have stated that they may upgrading a portion of their 737 fleet, not QF.

 

[sudoer]

I think I heard somewhere that the seats etc. on the 737s were being upgraded to bring them up to standard with LAN and EK offerings. Is this true and if so has it started yet? I'm only asking because I just jumped on a SC run SYD -BNE -CHC rtn today.

Perhaps you are getting confused with QF putting the A330 on SYD-AKL? This obviously isn't an upgrade to the 737, but would bring QF closer in line with the EK and LAN TT offerings.

 

[Sdtravel]

I have a similar trip next month so would be interested to hear how you went and if the flights you are on have seatback or ipad entertainment.

 

[sudoer]

I have a similar trip next month so would be interested to hear how you went and if the flights you are on have seatback or ipad entertainment.

I did SYD-BNE-CHC rt in J earlier this month. A few notes..

• SYD-BNE-SYD were both operated by 738 with no iPads, seatback screens or power sockets - streaming via app was available.
• BNE-CHC-BNE were both operated by JetConnect 738 with seatback screens, but their resolution was quite poor. Seats did have universal power and USB sockets for charging.
• Meals were overall decent but some minor complaints on the way back (mentioned in the Trans-Tasman J thread, along with photos.)
• Priority bag tags worked well on all flights.
• Both new international & domestic Brisbane lounges were quite nice I thought, although international was very busy.
• No amenity kit on the way there, got an amenity kit and Express Path card on way back.

Happy to answer any more questions you might have!

 

[Sdtravel]

Thanks sbor90
Ive been on Dom J 737 before but only the ones with no entertainment. (Got really bored).
What seat do you recommend on jetconnect in J? At the moment i got 2A on the way down & 1A on the way back.

Off topic but how did you get to and from the airport at CHC? Thinking about public transport but the BNE to CHC flight is really early so was thinking about a prearranged transfer.

 

[sudoer]

What seat do you recommend on jetconnect in J? At the moment i got 2A on the way down & 1A on the way back.

If you want to make full use of the IFE, go for row 2 or 3 as you can use it from the moment you get on the plane. Row 1's IFE is in the arm rest so can't be used until seat belt signs are off. You get a bit of extra room to stretch your legs out too under the seat in front also.

Off topic but how did you get to and from the airport at CHC? Thinking about public transport but the BNE to CHC flight is really early so was thinking about a prearranged transfer.

I had a rental car for my whole stay in NZ so drove myself to/from the airport. How long are you there for? Car hire was quite cheap, a quick process to pick the car up, and Australian licences can be used as is (no IDP required) so if you feel comfortable driving I'd probably go for that. Having a car to get around Christchurch was quite convenient and there is untimed street parking overnight in the city or NZ$1/hour during the day. Returning the car before the rental place opened (had a 6am flight) wasn't an issue, they had an after-hours key return box.

 

[Sdtravel]

Thanks. My run is over the long weekend Friday night to Monday morning. Actually going SYD - MEL - CHC - BNE - SYD so i can leave Friday night.
Sounds like i should opt for row 2 on both routes given timing. May use IFE but depends on how awake i am.

Still havent worked out what im doing while im there yet though.
Recommendations welcome. Staying at the Hilton on the park.

 

[sudoer]

Recommendations welcome. Staying at the Hilton on the park.

If it's the DoubleTree I'm thinking of, it's a bit outside the CBD so having your own transport would be recommended. Riccarton Rd nearby has lots of options for food, the only one I tried was Hello Vietnam which was great.

For casual dining, Little High Eatery on High St is excellent. It's a collective of cafes/restaurants who share a space.. it sounds like a food court but I promise you it's got a much nicer vibe! (and all the food we tried was terrific)

C1 Espresso does decent coffee & brunch although it's a little expensive.

Lastly Pedro's House of Lamb is a must-try. They do terrific lamb shoulder, also worth reading about their story..

 

[kermatu]

I too would recommend hiring a car, anywhere in NZ to be honest. So much more freedom.

If not, I have always found the Supershuttle shared rides to be perfect - decent price, right outside terminal doors, never late. You can be unlucky to be first one picked up or last one dropped off, but not such a big deal in Christchurch. Most Aussie providers are rubbish (Sunbus in Melb; Connexion in Brisbane) so I rarely use, except in NZ.

Agree with sbor90's assessment of seats if the extra 30 minutes or thereabouts of IFE is important. If so take 2A or C (these usually get served before D and F - so more chance you'll get your preferred meal). My preferred seat is 1C as you get much more legroom (right leg only!) and no chance of anyone reclining on you (which is not such a problem in J, but still can be inconvenient).

Qantas now flies a few A330s with the individual J suites between Auckland and Sydney each day. Far superior, though does somewhat lack the nice and more personal Jetconnect service.

 

[Sdtravel]

Doubletree Hilton Chateau on the Park, Christchurch i where im staying. Google Maps put it i thought close to things.

IM not too fussed about the extra 30 min of IFE. Im used to Y+ & J having to put it away. Probably with timing might not watch too much anyway.

 

[sudoer]

Google Maps put it i thought close to things.

It's located on the edge of suburbia and 20-30 min walk to the CBD. Nothing wrong with that though, it'd be a nice walk through the Botanic Gardens when the sun is out, just expect to need a cab if it's cold/wet.

 

[2infinity]

I've just come back from a trip to Auckland and found the Jetconnect offering better than domestic J. BNE - AKL 738. IFE provided (seatback) versus BYO device (apple & android only). Alcoholic welcome drink versus water/juice. Far more attentive service. Think there were 3 flight attendants for Business. Was in 3D. My meal choice was no longer available. Best to be in 1 or 2 for guarantee. Attendant was super apologetic though and went above and beyond to try and accommodate me. Other than IFE, seats were basically the same as domestic though.

Returned AKL - SYD on the A330. Was meant to be Emirates A380 (insert expletive). Anyway lie flat seats/beds (not that you need it for the 1640 flight). Was meant to be 3.5 hours but somehow we managed it in 2.5. IFE (seat back). Service was better than domestic but didn't feel as good as the 738 service. I haven't used domestic A330, so can't make any comparisons. Was 3 of us flying so booked 5E, F & K. Because of the way it is set out though, I should have gotten 5E, F & 4K to be across from each other.

Have to say the Auckland business lounge has nothing on the LAX One world lounge. Poor range of spirits, really notable was the Jim Beam (white) as the bourbon. Usually it's at least Jack Daniels elsewhere I've been. There is also a distinct lack of charging ports or power-sockets and you can't see any planes.

 

[moa999]

Other than IFE, seats were basically the same as domestic though..

Just under half (30 of 68) of the Domestic (and shorthaul to Asia) 737s have proper IFE

 

[kermatu]

I've just come back from a trip to Auckland and found the Jetconnect offering better than domestic J. BNE - AKL 738. IFE provided (seatback) versus BYO device (apple & android only). Alcoholic welcome drink versus water/juice. Far more attentive service. Think there were 3 flight attendants for Business. Was in 3D. My meal choice was no longer available. Best to be in 1 or 2 for guarantee. Attendant was super apologetic though and went above and beyond to try and accommodate me. Other than IFE, seats were basically the same as domestic though.

Returned AKL - SYD on the A330. Was meant to be Emirates A380 (insert expletive). Anyway lie flat seats/beds (not that you need it for the 1640 flight). Was meant to be 3.5 hours but somehow we managed it in 2.5. IFE (seat back). Service was better than domestic but didn't feel as good as the 738 service. I haven't used domestic A330, so can't make any comparisons. Was 3 of us flying so booked 5E, F & K. Because of the way it is set out though, I should have gotten 5E, F & 4K to be across from each other.

Have to say the Auckland business lounge has nothing on the LAX One world lounge. Poor range of spirits, really notable was the Jim Beam (white) as the bourbon. Usually it's at least Jack Daniels elsewhere I've been. There is also a distinct lack of charging ports or power-sockets and you can't see any planes.

The Emirates lounge in Auckland would have been available to you. It is much, much better.

I've long been a fan of the Jetconnect service in J (and Y for that matter). But unless timing renders it impossible, I will always choose the A330s as the hard product (seat, IFE etc) is so much better than the 737s.

The A330s are not crewed by Jetconnect staff as far as I'm aware. They are QF mainline aircraft, but retain the same menus and meals and drink service as the 737 trans-Tasman flights.

If you do a similar trip again check out a few threads such as this one: Trans-Tasman J