A330s out of life

[bjm76]

I heard on the grapevine that PE to BKK hasn't been selling well.

Thats curious - I have flown on the AY QF295/296 flights a few times through 2024 and early 2025 (probably 4 return trips) and the planes have been full - I have booked PE and there have been very few seats available to choose on the seatmap close to departure (so I assume the cabin is fairly well sold, but could be award redemptions I guess). I have also tried to upgrade to J several times and not been successful - so I have thought that the flights as a whole must have been selling well.

J is expensive on this route too - similar pricing for Singapore flights - and always seems full - even when I was WP it was so hard to get an upgrade. I would love to know how profitable this route is for QF.

I hope they keep the Finnair planes on this route as I really welcome PE, especially for the overnight flight back to SYD.

 

[SYD]

Thats curious - I have flown on the AY QF295/296 flights a few times through 2024 and early 2025 (probably 4 return trips) and the planes have been full - I have booked PE and there have been very few seats available to choose on the seatmap close to departure (so I assume the cabin is fairly well sold, but could be award redemptions I guess). I have also tried to upgrade to J several times and not been successful - so I have thought that the flights as a whole must have been selling well.

J is expensive on this route too - similar pricing for Singapore flights - and always seems full - even when I was WP it was so hard to get an upgrade. I would love to know how profitable this route is for QF.

I hope they keep the Finnair planes on this route as I really welcome PE, especially for the overnight flight back to SYD.

Virtually impossible to get J/PE CR seats on SYD-BKK, so I’m assuming they’re selling well?

 

[bjm76]

Virtually impossible to get J/PE CR seats on SYD-BKK, so I’m assuming they’re selling well?

Thats my thought process too... maybe the yield isnt good though? J is expensive on that sector too and rarely goes on ssle at a good discount

 

[Saab34]

Some photos popped up on one of the Facebook pages with VH-EBD minus both engines and other parts as it’s being used for spare parts.

Apparently back in service late Aug, has not flown since early Feb.

 

[jrfsp]

The A330s are seemingly scheduled with far too little slack, currently on QF648 3 hours late leaving PER will miss my connection in SYD. Check in staff rolled their eyes when the aircraft “late inbound from SYD” and the pilot was pretty blunt in his welcome and apologies “another poor show from Qantas today, slow turnarounds in SYD and another slow turn here in PER - average performance all round”

 

[Saab34]

I’ve noticed lately why are the turns so slow? I got caught out with an inbound arrival only 30 mins late, crew boarded then we just sat for another hour before finally leaving 1.5hrs late. A330 again. Another one the week, just seemed like no urgency to get away and we left 45 mins late.

I avoid all A330s on domestic these days.

I just find JQ and VA much better in fast turns when push comes to shove.

 

[SYD]

I avoid all A330s on domestic these days.

That wouldn’t be difficult….so few wide body dom flights at the mo.

 

[moa999]

330 turns are naturally slower but they are generally timetabled as such.

In J, why would you pick a 737 at a similar price, but with what appears to be the fleet refurb plan I think widebodies are gone from domestic other than a handful of mostly PER tags

 

[jrfsp]

I’ve noticed lately why are the turns so slow? I got caught out with an inbound arrival only 30 mins late, crew boarded then we just sat for another hour before finally leaving 1.5hrs late. A330 again. Another one the week, just seemed like no urgency to get away and we left 45 mins late.

I avoid all A330s on domestic these days.

I just find JQ and VA much better in fast turns when push comes to shove.

I’m sure the turns were quicker before ground staff were outsourced, maybe there’s less ground staff now too available to do fast turnarounds

 

[Saab34]

They overdid the outsourcing. At least Virgin kept ground crew in house in most major ports much to my surprise.

 

[Scarlett]

They overdid the outsourcing. At least Virgin kept ground crew in house in most major ports much to my surprise.

I thought VA had outsourced to Swissport at most places? Will have to take more notice. CBR is Swissport contractors based on the clothing they all wear.

 

[markis10]

I’m sure the turns were quicker before ground staff were outsourced, maybe there’s less ground staff now too available to do fast turnarounds

They overdid the outsourcing. At least Virgin kept ground crew in house in most major ports much to my surprise.

Nothing to do with staff, A330s have had turnaround issues from the day they were introduced with Qantas on the CityFlyer legs due to refuelling times.