Bye Bye QF734s and its 3 x 763 to go

[Slats7]

No News is using a picture of 737-800 for this story on 737-400.

Well done No News!!

Emergency alert issued on all Boeing 737s | News.com.au

 

[Berlin]

Clap clap, that was about time!

I know that many of you here seem to be thinking differently but for me, regardless the seat configuration, I prefer a newer plane anytime and also rather go for an Airbus than a Boeing model. I might just mention that the A380 had a few teething problems while the overpromised "Dreamliner" is still not even flying with passengers on board.

Anyway- maybe it's because I grew up in Europe, but those dodgy old planes on QF just give me the creeps (apart from being an environmental nightmare, pretty much like those monster cars on Australian roads). The US of course, is even worse, each time I am getting night mares stepping foot into one of those flying coffins from the 70ies but some of the old QF 737s and 767s are almost as bad. Always struck me that the by far nicest new short haul aircraft that Qantas uses are the Airbusses on Jetstar which, yes I agree, are also to be avoided where possible because. Well, it's Jetstar.

Just my view on this which seems to be an exeption on here

 

[oz_mark]

There isn't really much news in this - it's not like they're selling all 21 734s now. All that seems to be noteworthy is that they may sell them directly as the 73Hs arrive, without holding onto as many (any?) to grow the fleet.

It's not news at all -it has been part of the fleet plan for some time that the 734's would be leaving the fleet. It's all unrelated to the recent events.

 

[JohnPhelan]

Clap clap, that was about time!

Anyway- maybe it's because I grew up in Europe, but those dodgy old planes on QF just give me the creeps (apart from being an environmental nightmare, pretty much like those monster cars on Australian roads).

Of course, the difference is that Boeing aircraft actually last long enough to be classified as "old"......

 

[munitalP]

...(apart from being an environmental nightmare, pretty much like those monster cars on Australian roads). ...

Please explain how a 767 vs an A330 is an environmental nightmare? This I'm interested in...

 

[harvyk]

each time I am getting night mares stepping foot into one of those flying coffins from the 70ies but some of the old QF 737s and 767s are almost as bad.

QF don't have any planes from the 70's... 767's didn't exist back then, nor did 737-400's. Infact, short of flying Sash air or someother airline of such vintage, it's unlikely you'd ever step onto something so old, and provided your flying from a country with half decent regulations, even if you where to find something that old, it wouldn't be unsafe.

Just my view on this which seems to be an exeption on here

Yes it's certainly an exception here (although no one says you have to conform)

 

[jb747]

And likewise, what is the reason for preferring a ratty old 767 over an Airbus A330?

Well, when I do my commuting, I search out flights that have rattly old 767s. I would much rather be on a 767 than a 330. You can still buy new ones...pity they didn't.

 

[KitKat]

Well, when I do my commuting, I search out flights that have rattly old 767s. I would much rather be on a 767 than a 330. You can still buy new ones...pity they didn't.

Why is that jb747? (not being rude, just curious)

 

[jb747]

Why is that jb747? (not being rude, just curious)

Well, mostly the bits that you're referring to as 'rattly' as just bits of cabin trim. The aircraft itself is very tough. Even as they age, they are still tremendous performers.

Bit like an old american car. Never very flash, but will run forever...compared with a new Citroen, which is lovely for the first year, and then just falls apart.

 

[Justinf]

763s have the most uncomfortable seats in the sky. It's like resting your head on a weatherboard plank.

 

[jb747]

763s have the most uncomfortable seats in the sky. It's like resting your head on a weatherboard plank.

Yes, but the seats aren't the aeroplane.

I hate the business class seats in the 6 abreast aircraft (I think they are the same ones in some of the A330s). Never had a problem with the 5 abreast (Dreamtime?) seats.

Actually, if you want an uncomfortable seat, take a new Nissan Patrol for a drive. It's a mobile version of the rack.

 

[Justinf]

Yes, but the seats aren't the aeroplane.

I hate the business class seats in the 6 abreast aircraft (I think they are the same ones in some of the A330s). Never had a problem with the 5 abreast (Dreamtime?) seats.

Actually, if you want an uncomfortable seat, take a new Nissan Patrol for a drive. It's a mobile version of the rack.

True. I should have said that the QF 763 I was on, on Saturday morning had the most uncomfortable seat ever.

 

[mannej]

Well, mostly the bits that you're referring to as 'rattly' as just bits of cabin trim. The aircraft itself is very tough. Even as they age, they are still tremendous performers.

Bit like an old american car. Never very flash, but will run forever...compared with a new Citroen, which is lovely for the first year, and then just falls apart.

Are there any differences between the performance of the RR 767's and the GE 767's?

 

[anat0l]

Yes, but the seats aren't the aeroplane.

If only we could see it through the eyes of a pilot.

Most people take it for granted that the plane is fine (otherwise, it wouldn't be allowed to fly, right?). So all they care about is the seat (and the service). Unfortunate, but there you go.

I hate the business class seats in the 6 abreast aircraft (I think they are the same ones in some of the A330s). Never had a problem with the 5 abreast (Dreamtime?) seats.

The internationally configured 763s have the 5 abreast Dreamtime seats, of course the A seat is most coveted. I don't mind them, but I also don't mind the 6 abreast Millennium seating. I'm a little glad they are getting rid of the 7 abreast Sicma seating, since it looks a bit more squashed indeed (though it does beg me to think how did JQ fit 7 abreast Millennium in their A330s? Squishy aisles?)

I don't mind the 763s at all, but the insides really needs to be brushed up quite a bit. In fact, I really don't mind older planes at all, except that the insides really show their age. I know it's not a case of, "how about a new coat of paint here, some new wallpaper there", but it still doesn't project a great image for the airline. In any case, QF is probably hands-tied on this one, since all they can do is wait for new deliveries of aircraft. We can all rue about how QF should've done this or that, but hindsight is really, really a wonderful thing....

 

[serfty]

...(though it does beg me to think how did JQ fit 7 abreast Millennium in their A330s? Squishy aisles?)
...

Actually, the original JQi 332's flew under Qantas livery for the first years of their life. So Qantas did have 7 across in Business class originally for their domestic 332's.

The seats in Starclass on those are basically the original "Millenium", recovered in leather rather than cloth.

See here: QF 332 Seatmap

 

[ozmille]

The internationally configured 763s have the 5 abreast Dreamtime seats, of course the A seat is most coveted. I don't mind them, but I also don't mind the 6 abreast Millennium seating.

Just had a check in my April bookings and my 3 international configured 767's are now changed to 6 abreast and 1 has changed tot 734

 

[jb747]

Are there any differences between the performance of the RR 767's and the GE 767's?

Very similar power, but the delivery is somewhat different. Quite different flare technique because of the way the engine behaves when idle is selected (in the GE you just snap the power levels closed when you're finished with them...do that in an RR, and it will thump into the ground...in them a gentle closure works best). GE uses less fuel, though not dramatically. It's a long time since I've flown the 767, so I've forgotten the numbers. I think it's fair to say that the GE is the pilots' preference.

 

[jb747]

If only we could see it through the eyes of a pilot.

Most people take it for granted that the plane is fine (otherwise, it wouldn't be allowed to fly, right?).

Well, assuming they're equally serviceable (or new), some machines and types are still nicer than others.

 

[pauly7]

763s have the most uncomfortable seats in the sky. It's like resting your head on a weatherboard plank.

Totally disagree. Sorry

The new DJ 737 seats are like concrete, but I know they aren't permanent and are waiting for the relaunch so I'm being patient...