ALL QF's 330's to get lay flat Business seating - Including Domestic

[RichardMEL]

Here's a link (which I did not add yesterday, apologies) to the excellent, and indepth review of the setup on the 332 from AusBT:

Airline Review: Qantas Business Suite business class (Airbus A330-200) - Airlines | flights | hotels | travel tech | style | apps - Australian Business Traveller

 

[pythonisman]

I'm keeping my fingers crossed that my QF82 J flight in late Feb gets a refurbed jet!
(Not holding out much hope for QF5 at the end of this month though, and not too fussed as I won't need to be sleeping on that flight)

 

[moa999]

Some interesting wording on the QF website.
Qantas A330
"If you're travelling in Economy on our international A330, you'll soon experience our next-generation model of the award-winning Recaro seat - currently enjoyed by customers on the A380 and refurbished B747 aircraft. Economy seats on the A330-200s for Qantas Domestic will also be refreshed."
Maybe I am reading too much into this, but is QF keeping its options open by perhaps dedicating a portion of the 332 fleet to International operation?
Otherwise, why not refer to the aircraft as international A330-300 (and not A330) and A330-200s for Qantas Domestic?

Tend to agree that they will need some 'international' A332s.
Are there some with earlier versions/no IFE in Y -- that would need replacing?

AusBT editor also posted some Y pics on FB of the new Y cabin (copied for those who missed it)



Note that these seats are quite different to the "proposed" A330 International seats.
See
http://www.ausbt.com.au/qantas-upgr...airbus-a330-for-domestic-international-routes

Based on some googling, there does appear to be a subfleet of A332s with the smaller Rockwell Collins IFE (like the A333s) (4 of these) - eg this Flickr photo (source - https://www.flickr.com/photos/aviationphotos/4597676335/). Note the seat material is different to the wavey blue on the A333s... And then based on QantasSource there are 6 with no IFE (plus 2 more back from JQ)

 

[mannej]

Tend to agree that they will need some 'international' A332s.
Are there some with earlier versions/no IFE in Y -- that would need replacing?

AusBT editor also posted some Y pics on FB of the new Y cabin (copied for those who missed it)
View attachment 40108View attachment 40109View attachment 40110View attachment 40111

The 332's coming back from JQ have no inseat IFE. They were like this when they started off with QF.

IMO, it is a mistake not putting the inseat IFE into these 332's.

I am sure that QF could probably get a rebate from apple for the return of the iPad's from the 767 fleet!

 

[moa999]

The 332's coming back from JQ have no inseat IFE. They were like this when they started off with QF.

IMO, it is a mistake not putting the inseat IFE into these 332's.

I am sure that QF could probably get a rebate from apple for the return of the iPad's from the 767 fleet!

FWIW Some JQ330s did have IFE but those left don't

I think Qantas Source now lists the final 18 A330-200s
Qantas Airbus A330-200 Fleet
(this is assuming the newer EBJ/EBK come back from JQ but the older EBE/EBF are returned to lessee)

So basically we have three different types of Y IFE (amongst the A332 seat)
- 8 with Panasonic 9" widescreen (like VH-EBV that will just get a new seat covering)
- 4 with the tiny Rockwell Collins square screens (unknown what happens to these - would not surprise if they just cover them with the new seatback and use iPads, though suspect they will remove the screens and annoyingly large underseat boxes)
- 6 with nothing (seemingly just to get QStreaming iPads from prior announcements)

And then the 10 A330-300s (which currently have Rockwell Collins, but will be replaced with 11" Panasonic exLite)

 

[mannej]

FWIW Some JQ330s did have IFE but those left don't

The 332 fleet is a bit of rabbit warren - everything prior to F and J/K never had the IFE when with JQ. The the JQ 332's from Q onwards had IFE factory fresh but spent very little time in the JQ fleet.

One product would have been nice, but it's not to be it would seem.

 

[moa999]

So slow, and why didn't they start 9 months ago?!?

And to give you an indication of how long it take per aircraft (obviously the first refurb will be the longest as they work out the tricks and kinks)
(notes courtesy of theqantassource.com )

A330-200s
Nov 16 2014 - QANTAS A330-200 VH-EBV entered the Brisbane maintenance facility this evening after arriving as QF548 Sydney.
Dec 31 2014 - QANTAS A330-200 VH-EBV, which has been under maintenance at Brisbane since November 16th, positioned Brisbane – Sydney as QF6111 this afternoon and returned to service as QF571 Sydney – Perth
So 1.5 months for the J seat refurb and covers on the Y seats

A330-300s
Nov 3 2014 - QANTAS A330-300 VH-QPA entered the Brisbane maintenance facility this evening after arriving as QF598 from Perth.
MidJan 2015 - First A330-300 shown with new config on booking systems (currently 15-Jan)
So 2.5 months for every J and Y seat to be replaced.

I suspect they are also doing other maintenance/ checks at the same time.

VH-EBP went into maintenance Dec-12 so would expect it out end January

 

[Platinum A332]

FWIW Some JQ330s did have IFE but those left don't

I think Qantas Source now lists the final 18 A330-200s
Qantas Airbus A330-200 Fleet
(this is assuming the newer EBJ/EBK come back from JQ but the older EBE/EBF are returned to lessee)

So basically we have three different types of Y IFE (amongst the A332 seat)
- 8 with Panasonic 9" widescreen (like VH-EBV that will just get a new seat covering)
- 4 with the tiny Rockwell Collins square screens (unknown what happens to these - would not surprise if they just cover them with the new seatback and use iPads, though suspect they will remove the screens and annoyingly large underseat boxes)
- 6 with nothing (seemingly just to get QStreaming iPads from prior announcements)

And then the 10 A330-300s (which currently have Rockwell Collins, but will be replaced with 11" Panasonic exLite)

Are 12x332 enough for QF Domestic? Or does QF need the full compliment of 18x332 for Domestic?

Compared with the current international 332, the domestic 332 seems a bit short on things such as galley space and bathrooms (in Business).

It would be great if 4 or 5 International 332 would be dedicated to International service, say with a configuration of around 32J/21W/168Y. IMHO, would be ideal for routes such as SYD-HKG where replacing 1x744 with 2x333 would create a surplus of Y capacity whilst removing W and creating a shortage of J class seats.

 

[jimmylikesitwet]

(this is assuming the newer EBJ/EBK come back from JQ but the older EBE/EBF are returned to lessee.)

Opposite of this is happening. EBJ/K are being returned.

 

[moa999]

Opposite of this is happening. EBJ/K are being returned.

Good to know. List above doesn't change as they still have no IFE.

 

[ajw373]

FWIW Some JQ330s did have IFE but those left don't

I think Qantas Source now lists the final 18 A330-200s
Qantas Airbus A330-200 Fleet
(this is assuming the newer EBJ/EBK come back from JQ but the older EBE/EBF are returned to lessee)

So basically we have three different types of Y IFE (amongst the A332 seat)
- 8 with Panasonic 9" widescreen (like VH-EBV that will just get a new seat covering)
- 4 with the tiny Rockwell Collins square screens (unknown what happens to these - would not surprise if they just cover them with the new seatback and use iPads, though suspect they will remove the screens and annoyingly large underseat boxes)
- 6 with nothing (seemingly just to get QStreaming iPads from prior announcements)

And then the 10 A330-300s (which currently have Rockwell Collins, but will be replaced with 11" Panasonic exLite)

Whilst again the orginal Qantas release was very vague to the point of being incorrect (stating the 332's for example were domestic), I would assume that the 4 332's that are already in international config will have the same treatment as the 333's and remain as international A/C. Time will tell of course.

 

[Bugalugz]

It makes my blood boil if Qantas does plan on doing away with installing a full suite IFE for iPads. Had them on the stupid ExQF/JQ A332 PER-BNE what pieces of cough. They were okay when first introduced into service on the 767 but they need new ones every now and then. The covers were so ratty they were falling apart, half the iPads in Business had to be replaced with backups and then they ran out of backups and asked pax who weren't using them to steal them to give to peoples who weren't working or just stopped working.

The F/A's were very apologetic saying these are an interim solution and they aren't a reliable system.

Besides that the content is absolute cough anyways. So overall an absolute cough system to replace an IFE system.

How frigin hard can it be to have one product and stick it in across a fleet of A/C.

Atleast flying Virgin at the moment it's a consistent product and once their new J is in, half way in the year (Yes Qantas not a 2 year roll out!!!!! + however long it blows out by)

The JQ A/C should have been refurbed/painted as they came into service with QF not this coughfight fare paying passengers have to put up with at the moment.

 

[mannej]

Atleast flying Virgin at the moment it's a consistent product and once their new J is in, half way in the year (Yes Qantas not a 2 year roll out!!!!! + however long it blows out by)

To be fair they are refreshing 2/5's of the aircraft QF are refreshing, so a shorter turn around time is logical.

 

[RickyT84]

It makes my blood boil if Qantas does plan on doing away with installing a full suite IFE for iPads. Had them on the stupid ExQF/JQ A332 PER-BNE what pieces of cough. They were okay when first introduced into service on the 767 but they need new ones every now and then. The covers were so ratty they were falling apart, half the iPads in Business had to be replaced with backups and then they ran out of backups and asked pax who weren't using them to steal them to give to peoples who weren't working or just stopped working.

The F/A's were very apologetic saying these are an interim solution and they aren't a reliable system.

Besides that the content is absolute cough anyways. So overall an absolute cough system to replace an IFE system.

How frigin hard can it be to have one product and stick it in across a fleet of A/C.

Atleast flying Virgin at the moment it's a consistent product and once their new J is in, half way in the year (Yes Qantas not a 2 year roll out!!!!! + however long it blows out by)

The JQ A/C should have been refurbed/painted as they came into service with QF not this coughfight fare paying passengers have to put up with at the moment.

My understanding is that the iPads were an interim stop gap measure for the 767 fleet given that they were going to be retired. However, I agree that the system was getting unstable towards the end with many iPads not working. Thankfully, QFd has decided it is going to be either BYO device IFE (for the refurbished 73H fleet) or seat back AVOD (for the newer 73Hs and 332).

Its quite difficult to expect a consistent product when you are in the process of upgrading your fleet. VA had this problem a while back with Live2air, wireless IFE and no IFE all featured on the 737 fleet at one time.

 

[moa999]

And any mature airline will be constantly upgrading its fleet and by default there will be inconsistencies - just plan for the worst and hope for something better

 

[mannej]

Thankfully, QFd has decided it is going to be either BYO device IFE (for the refurbished 73H fleet) or seat back AVOD (for the newer 73Hs and 332).

If you read the press releases, the 332 will have the economy seats refreshed, with Q-Streaming installed. That will mean a number of the 332's won't have seat back IFE in Y if the releases are to be taken at face value.

 

[jimmylikesitwet]

This article seems to answer many of the questions are cloth vs leather, rollout schedule and economy product. Qantas plans rapid roll-out for A330 Business Suite - Australian Business Traveller

 

[ajw373]

This article seems to answer many of the questions are cloth vs leather, rollout schedule and economy product. Qantas plans rapid roll-out for A330 Business Suite - Australian Business Traveller

The only question that has remained unanswered is if there will still be a subfleet of -200's used for international and what will happen to their economy product. Nothing that Qantas has said thus far would confirm nor deny if the seats will be replaced on the 4 current international configured -200's. They just keep talking domestic, which we all know not all -200's are used on domestic and with current network some need to remain on international services.

 

[RichardMEL]

Think the QF 330 situation is bad.. consider much larger (fleet wise) airlines like the US majors, specially those that have merged lots (eg: DL, UA, AA).. I think I read recently that Delta, for example, had like 5 or 6 variants of 757's running around. and similar issues at AA and UA.

I'd also suppose that the whole JQ 330 issue was really forced upon QF/JQ in some respects because of the delays with the 787, which in turn kept the 767's in QF service for longer because 330's were transitioned to JQ, and so on. I'm not trying to defend the product issues because I absolutely agree that you want, wherever possible, a consistent product across networks, and absolutely fleet types, but also have be aware that there's many factors that go into these kinds of decisions that include short, medium and longer term planning goals, costs and so on.


just some random thoughts

 

[baggyred]

Rather than start a new thread I thought I'd ask here.

I'm on expert flyer and see business seats on the a330 with E&F. Is there a way to tell whether this is the "premium economy" version or the Skybed version?