A330 - XFA/B - Refit?

[Noob]

Sent feedback regarding a sub and got this in the response

"As a result of this feedback, not only from yourself, but many of our loyal guests, we have commenced a total re-fit of our fleet to ensure we exceed your expectations."

Is this anything new or just fluff? I wasn't aware if any intention to refit apart from the botched J seat trials last year

If that's what the email said, I think it's almost certain - VA under JB has been very conservative with their product announcements, tending to only advertise/mention a benefit when it's definitely going to happen.

E.g. Not mentioning Wireless Entertainment as a benefit until the majority of the 737 fleet was installed. (Or calling an inflight cookie a snack and not a meal )

 

[maninblack]

Total re-fit means just that and of course the 737's are the backbone of their fleet. Wonder if the refit will include new IFE or will they stay with the wireless? Certain to mean new J for the 737's. Surely this warrants a new thread!

 

[webslave]

I received a contrary message from customer service on the plans for the aircraft no more than a week ago.

 

[bass_ke]

I received a contrary message from customer service on the plans for the aircraft no more than a week ago.

Bizarre!

I've attached a screenshot of the relevant part of the email for forensics analysis



Title in her signature was guest relations coordinator

 

[markis10]

VA led the way with the improved product on the trans con routes, it would be a no brainer that they will respond to the Qantas moves in kind, as many have pointed out, especially as they were given so much notice. We know a refit is in the works because a few of our members were invited to a seat shootout that did not occur (at least not publicly).

 

[Must...Fly!]

I've heard that a re-fit of XFA/B will be done around September but nothing to substantiate this beyond a short discussion with a couple of crew on a flight a little while ago (galley gossip )

 

[erkpod]

If Awful & Broken become Awesome & Beautiful, an AFF trip on their first flights ex refit is surely in order. It'll be a totally different way of flying altogether.

 

[TomVexille]

If Awful & Broken become Awesome & Beautiful, an AFF trip on their first flights ex refit is surely in order. It'll be a totally different way of flying altogether.

Awesome & Beautiful, I like it.

 

[markis10]

Awesome & Beautiful, I like it.

Thats the stuff of dreams at present.

 

[TomVexille]

Thats the stuff of dreams at present.

And we'll be dreaming for at least another 6 months?

 

[Fruitcake]

And we'll be dreaming for at least another 6 months?

Very roughly the same length that remains of the 18-month dream of better business class on QF's A330s - and that's probably not a coincidence.

 

[drewbles]

I was led to believe that VA were already developing a new J seat when QF announced their new seats, so perhaps they'll re-fit the entire fleet with the new seats (and remove the current J seats from the other 330's).

I'm still befuddled as to why QF made a huge song and dance about the seat, and gave VA the opportunity to better it; it's not like QF said 'starting Monday we're rolling this out', morelike 'starting in a year or three, we will be rolling this out'. For such a competitive market, it's stupid IMHO (of course, great for JB and VA).

 

[TomVexille]

I was led to believe that VA were already developing a new J seat when QF announced their new seats, so perhaps they'll re-fit the entire fleet with the new seats (and remove the current J seats from the other 330's).

I'm still befuddled as to why QF made a huge song and dance about the seat, and gave VA the opportunity to better it; it's not like QF said 'starting Monday we're rolling this out', morelike 'starting in a year or three, we will be rolling this out'. For such a competitive market, it's stupid IMHO (of course, great for JB and VA).

I can only think QF would do so to try and keep passengers from trying out VA with the "promise" that it will be better "soon"

 

[drewbles]

I can only think QF would do so to try and keep passengers from trying out VA with the "promise" that it will be better "soon"

Sounds like Marketing is the neck of QF and the Management the head, and the neck turns the head.

18 months in Aviation is an eternity. Still silly IMHO

 

[TomVexille]

Sounds like Marketing is the neck of QF and the Management the head, and the neck turns the head.

18 months in Aviation is an eternity. Still silly IMHO

Obviously different marketing strategies between the two. Totally agree that 18 months is an eternity. Mind you, how long were AA marketing their A321 Trans-con product before it was actually delivered?

 

[drewbles]

Obviously different marketing strategies between the two. Totally agree that 18 months is an eternity. Mind you, how long were AA marketing their A321 Trans-con product before it was actually delivered?

Agreed. I guess the US airline world moves a lot slower due to the rapid consolidation and subsequent massive fleet size and integration issues. By the time they've rolled out a new product fleet wide, it's almost time for a new product =)

 

[notzac]

It'll be a totally different way of flying altogether.

"The romance is back" (currently it's off having an affair elsewhere)

 

[erkpod]

(shamelessly stolen from a certain metal cruise)

 

[maninblack]

I was led to believe that VA were already developing a new J seat when QF announced their new seats, so perhaps they'll re-fit the entire fleet with the new seats (and remove the current J seats from the other 330's).

I would be very surprised if VA developed their own seat product. They will most likely be using an off the shelf product or buy someone's. They have a (small) bunch of 777's that are in need of a new J and PE seat too. The Weber Cirrus used by CX and others is one of the best J seats out there and it's variants can be used 1-2-1 in both A330's and 777's. The 737's will obviously get something else!

 

[TomVexille]

Agreed. I guess the US airline world moves a lot slower due to the rapid consolidation and subsequent massive fleet size and integration issues. By the time they've rolled out a new product fleet wide, it's almost time for a new product =)

The product inconsistency over there is ridiculous, but as you say, due to the massive fleet sizes of the majors. It's a little different when you only have 7 of an type. However that also makes it more difficult to pull one out of service for an extended period for a refurb without affecting operations in a significant way.