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

[texter]

Travelling QF36 on 28/3 - still shows old config.
Am I out of luck? Or will it change again now that second aircraft is in service??

 

[Flyerqf]

Travelling QF36 on 28/3 - still shows old config.
Am I out of luck? Or will it change again now that second aircraft is in service??

Looks like there has been some changes to the schedule - QF51/52 are getting the reconfig aircraft for Mon-Wed this week, so perhaps there will be still be regular days where 35 & 81 get the old config. Looks like you may be out of luck.

 

[Steady]

I've just landed from my second transcontinental flight on a reconfigured A330 in J and while it is new and nice and has direct Isle access etc I don't think the seat is as comfortable as a Mk1 Sky bed or very sad to say a W style recliner (for a 4 hour day flight) I am sure I would have liked it more on an overnight flight back from Asia where sleeping on a flat bed is involved. The seat felt to me like I was sitting on it as opposed to being comfortably "in" it. Like sitting on a dining chair
I loved the size of the IFE screen. The first flight had the Aspar products - tonight's had the regular soap.

 

[ALH]

I have not read this thread so excuse me if I'm repeating what others have posted. Just wanted to report my thoughts while its fresh in my mind;

 

[under the radar]

I have not read this thread so excuse me if I'm repeating what others have posted. Just wanted to report my thoughts while its fresh in my mind;

'crickets'

 

[ALH]

My apologies. I accidentally hit save before I'd finished.

 

[ALH]

I have not read most of this thread yet so excuse me if I'm repeating what others have posted. Just wanted to report my thoughts while its still fresh in my mind and I'm trying to catch up at work as well.

Just arrived back on QF52 this morning. Surprise for crew and myself with new configuration. They hadn't had a chance to find out how anything worked and admitted they were short of pillows, blankets and amenities packs. J only had 1 spare seat for them to practice on.

Limited edition amenities pack looks quite nice, but I haven't used anything from it. I had a careful peek and the PJ's are XXL (must have really let myself go).

I really love the screen size and clarity of the IFE, but all the features haven't yet gone fully operational. Crew kept asking if I had managed to extend the length of the seat past my calves without being in fully flat mode. Answer is No. They couldn't do it either. I found it very uncomfortable to sit up watching a movie and have the lower part of my legs hanging out in mid air (and I am very short). I really couldn't get comfortable in fully flat mode either and ended up trying to get a bit of sleep on my stomach. This was definitely the only comfortable position for me.

The tray table is a great size and sturdy. Smart design. Can have as much or as little protruding as you like. There is also good storage space and power points, and easy to access/use controls.

The seat belt and sash is pain in the a...se. With the mattress still on I couldn't access the sash for landing so took my own mattress off and rolled it up before we landed. The seat belt buckle kept falling down between the seat and the console, and with difficulty I was able to retrieve with my small hands.

There is huge potential for items to slip over the edge and down the gap between the wall of the plane and the console. I strained to look down there to make sure nothing of mine had fallen over the edge during the night and saw empty chip packets from a previous flight.

The even numbers on both sides of the plane have the console between the seat and the aisle. I thought this looked more protected and private and chose 2K, but was asked last minute to change to 3A so a couple could sit near each other. Therefore I had the seat in the aisle. Every time someone walked past the seat while I was in fully flat mode, I was knocked and disturbed. Mostly from the quilt hanging over the edge being brushed by legs walking past, sometimes by fatties who can't walk straight. I did keep trying to tuck the quilt under me. I would say no to moving next time unless it's to the more private outer (even numbered) console seat.

I had 2 adult friends in Y. Their final report was great IFE size and clarity, but the seats reclined a really long way, which meant their screens were inches from their noses, so they in turn had to recline. Result was more kicking and thumping and pulling on their seats from behind. They also said the food was only slightly better than the inedible garbage they were served on QF51 three weeks earlier. No amenities packs in Y on either flight. I did go back to see how they were going and it looked very uncomfortable.

Sorry if you've heard it all before, but I've only got a few minutes to get this down. It might help someone else choose their seats wisely.

 

[almelb]

Hi wenglock.mok

Is QF29/30 on March 24 the first time Hong Kong is getting a reconfigured aircraft?

If so, that is quite exciting.

The rotation is slightly different the next two days with the reconfigured aircraft appearing on --

QF52/51 SIN-BNE-SIN (22/23 March)
QF29/30 MEL-HKG-MEL (24 March)

 

[muppet]

.....
The even numbers on both sides of the plane have the console between the seat and the aisle. I thought this looked more protected and private and chose 2K, but was asked last minute to change to 3A so a couple could sit near each other. Therefore I had the seat in the aisle. ....

I cannot for the life of me fathom how putting someone in 2K would make them closer to anyone??
The whole premise of the business suites are they are completely private.
Also - it's a night flight, why do they need to be seated together??

EDIT: Sorry OT - obviously got a bit of pent up frustration from my last "move for a couple"

 

[serfty]

... Sorry if you've heard it all before, but I've only got a few minutes to get this down. It might help someone else choose their seats wisely.

Thanks for the review - and the heads up about the even numbered rows over those odd numbered.

I noted in early May a MEL-SYD connect is showing the new config - I am in 1A but for such a short flight I won't worry about being knocked ... besides, I doubt it will hold.

 

[ALH]

I cannot for the life of me fathom how putting someone in 2K would make them closer to anyone??
The whole premise of the business suites are they are completely private.
Also - it's a night flight, why do they need to be seated together??

EDIT: Sorry OT - obviously got a bit of pent up frustration from my last "move for a couple"

It was a couple in 1K and 2K with a very young baby and they appeared to be up and down every time I looked over. I think it would have been very convenient for them both in that situation.

 

[ALH]

Thanks for the review - and the heads up about the even numbered rows over those odd numbered.

I noted in early May a MEL-SYD connect is showing the new config - I am in 1A but for such a short flight I won't worry about being knocked ... besides, I doubt it will hold.

I think if I had been tired the bumping would have been really irritating, but I had rested up at the pool and airport hotel until 7pm so I was in pretty good condition for flying such a short leg.

OT: It was still better than QF51 6th March, in 2E. The large ignoramus next to me wrenched our armrest every time he got up and down to his briefcase, which he dropped onto his seat more than a dozen times. It seemed to weigh a lot and really knocked the seat around each time. Good thing I was happily watching movies and not trying to sleep. If only he had kept his farts contained and refrained from blowing his nose into the hot hand towel and checking the contents. The poor guy in front of him also copped the seat wrenching many many times as well. Rant over

 

[Awesom Andy]

I don't remember being bumped when I was in 5A, but it's definitely good to hear from others on their perspectives.

 

[Spizz]

Do you think QF3/QF4 to HNL will be upgraded by March next year? Is the current Business config the MK-1 Skybeds?

 

[ajw373]

Do you think QF3/QF4 to HNL will be upgraded by March next year? Is the current Business config the MK-1 Skybeds?

As the rollout goes on, you will find they will have core routes where they will try to put the reconfigrued aircraft and the rest will be luck of draw. I would put HNL (and CGK) into the luck of draw catagory, especially seeing both are primarily operated by A332's.

Also seeing as there are currently 4 international A332's and unlike the A333's the economy section is not going to have seats replaced, I reckon these will be some of the last aircraft converted. Also stand to be corrected but think the 2 that are to leave the fleet will be 2 of these.

 

[moa999]

Do you think QF3/QF4 to HNL will be upgraded by March next year? Is the current Business config the MK-1 Skybeds?

Way too early too tell. Would expect HNL to be one of the last upgraded (was last with 767s) as there is limited quality competition.

Recently has been mostly 332s and for last 3-days VH-EBL which is SkyBed1 configured and with Panasonic IFE.

 

[Spizz]

Thanks for the replies. So probably mid to late 2016. I guess the positive if I get the current config A330-200 with the MK1 skybeds is that at least it has 2 toilets (less queues) unlike the new config which only leaves one.

 

[mannej]

Way too early too tell. Would expect HNL to be one of the last upgraded (was last with 767s) as there is limited quality competition.

Recently has been mostly 332s and for last 3-days VH-EBL which is SkyBed1 configured and with Panasonic IFE.

Isn't it Rockwell Collins instead? I thought the Panasonic is the newer system.

 

[ajw373]

Isn't it Rockwell Collins instead? I thought the Panasonic is the newer system.

It is. None of the 4 international 332's have Panasonic.

 

[moa999]

I think your right only EBM onwards with Panasonic.

Incorrect ref on this page
www.theqantassource.com/seatmaps/a3...ntassource.com/seatmaps/a330-200/36j199y.html