New QF 737-800 Trip Report - Excellent New Plane!

[Undercover Brother]

Hey guys,

Forgive me if this has been spoken about elsewhere (couldn't find it if it has), but I just caught the new QF 737-800 series VH-VZL from BNE to MEL this evening.

It has seat back IFE entertainment, similar to the A380 (only QF I can compare it to). IFE has PLENTY of content, more than needed for domestic travel, as well as the usual games, chat, real time route screens etc. The screen is large, very crisp and touch screen very responsive. Updated hand controls on the armrest as well.
Seats may be updated, or they just look new and nice.

This plane has only been in service 1 week, and boy can you tell. Everything is so shiny and new, it's great to look out onto the wing and see it all sparlking clean, very nice!

Had a chat to the crew and they were very pleased, all of their ovens, kettles etc are all modern and work well. They tell me up to 8 of the new planes are in service, or will be very soon. They were in a great mood and provided excellent service in the Y cabin, it's how the QF service used to be! Add to the fact most passengers were impressed with the new toys it was a great mood in the cabin, lots of laughs from the lady behind me watching the Big Bang Theory.

All in all I was very impressed with the experience, it was such a great surprise compared to the normal 737 experience we get (and had prepared myself for another average flight). I can't help but think if QF roll more of this setup out, and the new DJ product we are finally going to be spoled when flying. The way it should be! And quite frankly the way I would've always imagined it being. Might get me having a crack at QF Gold instead of DJ now (although I am sure it will still be some time before the whole QF 737 fleet is this way)

Big win; my 3.5mm headphones being plugged into the usual 2 prong socket, and getting stereo sound out, instead of me listening to the news in mono. Big win.

Big lose, the volume of the announcments in the cabin and through the headphones was way to loud. Ouch.
Also the flight route following on the IFE is great, but seemed to lag and update infrequently.

I will be letting QF know about my trip. Hopefully you guys get to experience it soon!

Enough ramble, sleep time.
Edit: Have a few snaps from the camera phone, I will update tomorrow morning if anyone is interested.

UB.

 

[tuapekastar]

Hey guys,

Forgive me if this has been spoken about elsewhere (couldn't find it if it has), but I just caught the new QF 737-800 series VH-VZL from BNE to MEL this evening.

It has seat back IFE entertainment, similar to the A380 (only QF I can compare it to). IFE has PLENTY of content, more than needed for domestic travel, as well as the usual games, chat, real time route screens etc. The screen is large, very crisp and touch screen very responsive. Updated hand controls on the armrest as well.
Seats may be updated, or they just look new and nice.

This plane has only been in service 1 week, and boy can you tell. Everything is so shiny and new, it's great to look out onto the wing and see it all sparlking clean, very nice!

Had a chat to the crew and they were very pleased, all of their ovens, kettles etc are all modern and work well. They tell me up to 8 of the new planes are in service, or will be very soon. They were in a great mood and provided excellent service in the Y cabin, it's how the QF service used to be! Add to the fact most passengers were impressed with the new toys it was a great mood in the cabin, lots of laughs from the lady behind me watching the Big Bang Theory.

All in all I was very impressed with the experience, it was such a great surprise compared to the normal 737 experience we get (and had prepared myself for another average flight). I can't help but think if QF roll more of this setup out, and the new DJ product we are finally going to be spoled when flying. The way it should be! And quite frankly the way I would've always imagined it being. Might get me having a crack at QF Gold instead of DJ now (although I am sure it will still be some time before the whole QF 737 fleet is this way)

Big win; my 3.5mm headphones being plugged into the usual 2 prong socket, and getting stereo sound out, instead of me listening to the news in mono. Big win.

Big lose, the volume of the announcments in the cabin and through the headphones was way to loud. Ouch.
Also the flight route following on the IFE is great, but seemed to lag and update infrequently.

I will be letting QF know about my trip. Hopefully you guys get to experience it soon!

Enough ramble, sleep time.
Edit: Have a few snaps from the camera phone, I will update tomorrow morning if anyone is interested.

UB.

Nice to hear Undercover Brother!

I'm guessing these are the same (or very similar to) as the Jetconnect 738s operating Trans-Tasman. They're great value and hope QF continues to implement them on Oz domestic routes.

Couldn't raise a laugh at Big Bang Theory though...:shock:

 

[djfuzz]

Cool! Am flying MEL-BNE-MEL this week, hope I manage to luck out like you did and get the new 738 on at least one leg!

Have allocated exit rows and recall our last trip in an exit row on a Jetconnect 738 exit row felt almost as comfortable as their J seat.

 

[pauly7]

Nice to hear Undercover Brother!

I'm guessing these are the same (or very similar to) as the Jetconnect 738s operating Trans-Tasman. They're great value and hope QF continues to implement them on Oz domestic routes.

That is what is happening and yes I agree the new next gen QF 73H fleet is fantastic. QF have accelerated the roll out of this format, love a bit of competition!!

I love the USB connectivity and the size of the screen in Y is really generous.

I hope the pics of the new DJ next gen 73H Y screens are just mock ups as they are quite small given they have to hold an old school style remote as well

 

[LiamR]

Fantastic! Sounds like a great new aircraft, would love to see some photos when you get a chance. Hopefully I'll score one sometime soon.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't the new aircraft fitted with the Boeing Sky Interior?

It always amazes me how QF can shine when they want to, this is one of those times.

 

[V1213]

I love the USB connectivity and the size of the screen in Y is really generous.

I hope the pics of the new DJ next gen 73H Y screens are just mock ups as they are quite small given they have to hold an old school style remote as well

I'm assuming that the new domestic 738s are the same as the JetConnect 738s, which have the same seats and systems as the domestic 332s, which is all I have experience with. I really enjoy the generous touch screens with a good selection of content, although not as much as the international aircraft, which could be an issue with multiple transcons in one month.
However, my benchmark for an entertainment system is that one can listen to an on-demand music playlist or at least a pre-programmed music channel whilst browsing the flight map and this system passes that test. It's handy to have some good, self-selected music to listen to during periods when electronic devices must be off. Only query with the in flight map is that it seems to only show stats, without scrolling to the map, during early stages of the flight and the last stages of descent.

Virgin recycling Emirates' old entertainment system and seats on its 332s is disappointing. 4:3 aspect ratios and what looks to not be on demand is hardly a new product. Those Y seats look ancient and uncomfortable too. Let's also not forget that Virgin's new 738s don't appear to have entertainment at all! Shame they didn't take a leaf out of the Virgin America book on that one.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't the new aircraft fitted with the Boeing Sky Interior

I believe VZL and the next few have the standard interiors, with the Sky Interior to come on the last few deliveries this year.
Either way, it's great to see Qantas moving with the times (thanks to Virgin for some competition!), although it'll make those 763 flights all the harder to handle now.

Cool! Am flying MEL-BNE-MEL this week, hope I manage to luck out like you did and get the new 738 on at least one leg!

According to the Qantas Source Jet Tracker, VZL has been sticking to the east coast and in particular MEL-BNE these past few days.
Sadly, it hasn't come out west yet, but here's to hoping I'm lucky on my PER-MEL-PER flights next month...

 

[pauly7]

4:3 aspect ratios and what looks to not be on demand is hardly a new product. Those Y seats look ancient and uncomfortable too. Let's also not forget that Virgin's new 738s don't appear to have entertainment at all! Shame they didn't take a leaf out of the Virgin America book on that one.

I may be confused but I thought DJ had confirmed AVOD for Y in their new 73H's...

 

[777]

IVirgin recycling Emirates' old entertainment system and seats on its 332s is disappointing. 4:3 aspect ratios and what looks to not be on demand is hardly a new product. Those Y seats look ancient and uncomfortable too. Let's also not forget that Virgin's new 738s don't appear to have entertainment at all! Shame they didn't take a leaf out of the Virgin America book on that one.

Probably not a very clear comparison as Virgin actually haven't announced or installed their new in flight entertainment product yet. They have made it very clear that a major fleet wide change is coming to be announced in the not too distant future. Wouldn't be surprised in they do take a leaf out of Virgin America's book.

 

[V1213]

Probably not a very clear comparison as Virgin actually haven't announced or installed their new in flight entertainment product yet. They have made it very clear that a major fleet wide change is coming to be announced in the not too distant future. Wouldn't be surprised in they do take a leaf out of Virgin America's book.

True, I was just working off the photos going around of the new 73H interior, which appear to have no entertainment product. After doing a bit of reading, the press seem to be saying that they will be getting seat backs (AVOD?) installed.
When they go back and install the new entertainment product, let's hope that they do take a leaf out of Virgin America's book.

 

[Undercover Brother]

They may well be exactly the same as the Jetconnect 738's, I wouldn't know but it sounds like it. (and here I was thinking I had the scoop! Wrong :-| )

I forgot to mention the USB input, seems like a fantastic idea and will make a big difference once consistent throughout the fleet. Its good to see technology finally getting up to speed.

I too had the exit row and was very impressed with the leg room, comfort of the seat and new tray table design.

Pictures attached below. Again apologies if this duplicates the JetConnect thread. Camera is a bit average (camera phone)

 

[V1213]

They may well be exactly the same as the Jetconnect 738's, I wouldn't know but it sounds like it. (and here I was thinking I had the scoop! Wrong :-|

Yes, they're the same as the domestic 332s at least. It's a great product. I wonder if QF have plans to retrofit older aircraft?

Don't worry, Undercover Brother, this is a scoop in that it's new for a domestic, Australian-registered 73H. You got to fly a plane that's only been in service for a couple of days and you reported it here, so thank you!

 

[tuapekastar]

Don't worry, Undercover Brother, this is a scoop in that it's new for a domestic, Australian-registered 73H. You got to fly a plane that's only been in service for a couple of days and you reported it here, so thank you!

Ditto from me. It's all good stuff!

 

[pauly7]

Don't worry, Undercover Brother, this is a scoop in that it's new for a domestic, Australian-registered 73H. You got to fly a plane that's only been in service for a couple of days and you reported it here, so thank you!

Plus one from me! Thanks for the pics too

They slipped her into service without much fanfare... Guess it was Virgins news week! Funny, whilst Virgin 'talk', Qantas 'do'

Can't wait to fly the new next gen 73H domestically.

 

[LiamR]

Thanks for the pictures! Looks like a really nice aircraft.

Hope the rostering gods will at least let me fly sometime soon...

 

[serfty]

I hope they've updated those extremely uncomfortable seat backs that afflict those on the T-T 73H's.

 

[Nigelinoz]

The next new 738,VH-VZM has undergone it's first flight test at Puget Sound in the past week so it shouldn't be too far away from our skies either.
Cheers
N'oz

 

[pauly7]

I hope they've updated those extremely uncomfortable seat backs that afflict those on the T-T 73H's.

Was wondering when you would surface serfty!

Afflict you I think you meant to say

I think they are just fine, find them comfy and love the slide forward mechanism.

 

[pauly7]

Thanks for the pictures! Looks like a really nice aircraft.

Hope the rostering gods will at least let me fly sometime soon...

It makes sense they are keeping it on the MEL BNE mostly I guess, golden triangle, loads of business flyers and a bit longer than the SYD golden triangle routes.

 

[moa999]

From the first shot does NOT appear to be a sky interior plane.

Why... the bins open from bottom up,
The sky interior has a swivel design where the bins rotate downwards.

I wonder if Qantas will get any sky interior planes.

View attachment 2138

 

[oz_mark]

From the first shot does NOT appear to be a sky interior plane.

Why... the bins open from bottom up,
The sky interior has a swivel design where the bins rotate downwards.

I wonder if Qantas will get any sky interior planes.

It's not the sky interior - that is coming later this year. As they previously announced:

Qantas' first domestic B737-800 with this new offering will be delivered in April, and the first to also feature new Boeing Sky Interiors, including mood lighting and improved overhead luggage space, will arrive later this year.

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