A330 Reliability Issues

[Saab34]

I’ve noticed lately that performance has been getting a bit average. In the last month I’ve been burnt three times by 2x 2hr delays and a cancellation. All engineering related.

I note some parked in BNE being used as parts in the interm, and most weeks seems like we have a return back for engineering reasons, another again this afternoon.

I recall these aircraft still have another 5-7 years left. Reliability will no doubt get a bit patchy as they approach end of life. It wouldn’t surprise me if they scrap one for parts in the coming years.

 

[cove]

The A330-200 is the plane I prefer to fly on compared with the 737-800 as it has the sleeper seats compared with the Recaro seats in business class. Being based in Perth we are not typically flying 90 minutes between cities on the east coast.
I am troubled by the A321 new model that lacks sleeper seats and lacks toilets. Qantas really should be trying to do some aspirational stuff instead of flying old cough planes.

 

[tomlee1986]

I’ve noticed lately that performance has been getting a bit average. In the last month I’ve been burnt three times by 2x 2hr delays and a cancellation. All engineering related.

I note some parked in BNE being used as parts in the interm, and most weeks seems like we have a return back for engineering reasons, another again this afternoon.

I recall these aircraft still have another 5-7 years left. Reliability will no doubt get a bit patchy as they approach end of life. It wouldn’t surprise me if they scrap one for parts in the coming years.

A332 would be a bit better but the A333 fleet is already 19-21 years old already and extensively used... therefore the reliability could be an issue - just today there was a A333 technical return to Melbourne shortly after take off on VH-QPH (19 Yr old A333) on QF 29 to HKG from MEL

T

Post in thread 'Qantas Delays/Cancellations'

Yesterday at 12:27 PM

QF 29 on QPJ MEL to HKG, departed 1 hr late at 1147 instead of 1020, BUT the flight returned to Melbourne at 1227!!

Photos taken just now

@Melburnian1

• tomlee1986

• 

 

[gtrod]

Yeah I've noticed a lot of the A330 flights between PER and MEL have been subbed for a 737 this week.

I'm hoping that whatever A330 that has been subbed out can be fixed soon, not much fun when you end up on a crowded 737.

The other problem with substituting big planes like A330 for small 737s is that it also takes out availability on surrounding flights. I was looking at flying on Friday afternoon. PER-MEL With the 1:10pm flight changing to 737 it has now zeroed out economy on the 10:50am and 4:55pm flights too.

So if I want to fly Qantas economy on Friday I can now choose between 8:10am or 7:25pm. Or just fly one of Virgins 8 flights throughout the day...

 

[markis10]

Qantas run their A330s hard but I don’t think reliability is that bad, and as an airline they are not in the habit of parting out retirees with the exception of the A380s. Even the recent retirement of the last 767 saw it go to a new home, and the A330s could well become freight dogs or MRTTs, heck with only oneMRTT in VIP configuration, a few might join their sisters in Albos Air Force .

 

[TeaKozy]

The A330-200 is the plane I prefer to fly on compared with the 737-800 as it has the sleeper seats compared with the Recaro seats in business class. Being based in Perth we are not typically flying 90 minutes between cities on the east coast.
I am troubled by the A321 new model that lacks sleeper seats and lacks toilets. Qantas really should be trying to do some aspirational stuff instead of flying old cough planes.

Perhaps fly MEL/SYD via SIN? (That was very much tongue in cheek)

My understanding was that running 330's from Perth to the east coast with lie-flats was to stave off the VA threat. Since they've largely regressed to a LCC+ carrier there's no need to invest in a premium transcon product - which sucks, but given they're short of frames for SEA is probably just the commercial reality. Hell of a lot harder selling Recaro on 6+ hour sectors (although they do fly 737's from MEL-DPS...).

 

[AuSammy]

Yeah I've noticed a lot of the A330 flights between PER and MEL have been subbed for a 737 this week.

I'm hoping that whatever A330 that has been subbed out can be fixed soon, not much fun when you end up on a crowded 737.

The other problem with substituting big planes like A330 for small 737s is that it also takes out availability on surrounding flights. I was looking at flying on Friday afternoon. PER-MEL With the 1:10pm flight changing to 737 it has now zeroed out economy on the 10:50am and 4:55pm flights too.

So if I want to fly Qantas economy on Friday I can now choose between 8:10am or 7:25pm. Or just fly one of Virgins 8 flights throughout the day...

Ok. Not familiar with that route, not flown it for more than a decade.

Do I infer from your post that there are heaps of availability on VA to choose from across the day and with a single cancellation QF is basically sold out.

If that is indeed the case, zero incentive for QF to improve their offering.

 

[cove]

We flew on VA to ADL from PER last Thursday and it was really full. Both QF and VA run 737s so Virgin win on price.

 

[moa999]

VH-EBD (one of the older 332s) has been in BNE for 6+ months and has reportedly been without engines at times, as there are some shortages of engines.

Of the fleet.
4 332s are the oldest at 22-23 yrs
Then the 10 333s at 19-22yrs
Then remaining 12 332s at 12-17yrs

Qantas have announced 10 332s will get a large refurb in the coming years, so probably around for another 10yrs, whereas the remaining 332s and 333s will likely retire as is (replaced by 321XLRs and the 787/350 (non-Sunrise) order)

 

[elanshin]

VH-EBD (one of the older 332s) has been in BNE for 6+ months and has reportedly been without engines at times, as there are some shortages of engines.

Of the fleet.
4 332s are the oldest at 22-23 yrs
Then the 10 333s at 19-22yrs
Then remaining 12 332s at 12-17yrs

Qantas have announced 10 332s will get a large refurb in the coming years, so probably around for another 10yrs, whereas the remaining 332s and 333s will likely retire as is (replaced by 321XLRs and the 787/350 (non-Sunrise) order

Speaking of refurbishment, shouldn't those be starting soon. They were delayed but last I checked they were still supposed to start toward the end of 2025.

 

[LionKing]

The A330 service to/from Hong Kong on QF29/128 today is cancelled again due to engineering issues.
QF29 was forced to return to Tullamarine after take off.

 

[gtrod]

Ok. Not familiar with that route, not flown it for more than a decade.

PER-MEL is one of the highest revenue routes in the world (10th). Qantas currently charge $5,577 for a return business fare. Obviously there is a massive difference in comfort between lie flat business (A330) and recliner (B737), however Qantas price them the same.

Do I infer from your post that there are heaps of availability on VA to choose from across the day and with a single cancellation QF is basically sold out.

VA have more flights, QF have the better (bigger) planes. QF are balancing the larger number of seats on the A330 with fewer flights, which works well until there's a cancellation or substitution with a 737.

If that is indeed the case, zero incentive for QF to improve their offering.

I'd think that having no seats to sell on one of the highest revenue routes wouldn't be optimal.

But yes, QF might feel like they don't need to improve their offering. At the moment there are regular fliers like myself who choose QF simply because they run A330s. Lie flat business, and comfortable 2-4-2 economy.

Once you take that away there's really no reason to pay a premium for QF over VA/JQ.

 

[AuSammy]

Qantas currently charge $5,577 for a return business fare

Jeez. I only paid $3,200 for BKK-ZUR rtn in QR J

 

[Saab34]

Speaking of refurbishment, shouldn't those be starting soon. They were delayed but last I checked they were still supposed to start toward the end of 2025.

According to the media release, work to start ‘mid 2025’ and first completed by ‘end calendar year 2025’. Program to be done by end of 2026, so well in 16 months the whole fleet planned should be done.

The first lot of non sunrise 787s and A350s are due from July next year, remains to be seen which part of the FY27 that falls in though.