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

[pauly7]

Maybe they are more comfortable further back?

Dare you to try 21B

Hear it is *the* seat...

 

[Red Roo]

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!

Thanks for the feedback, glad to hear you enjoyed the newest member of our domestic fleet.

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.

Just to advise, we are aware of the PA volume issue and looking to resolve this. We've passed on your feedback on the inflight map to our IFE engineering team. Thanks.

 

[medhead]

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.

Just to advise, we are aware of the PA volume issue and looking to resolve this. We've passed on your feedback on the inflight map to our IFE engineering team. Thanks.

Interesting. I used to use my own headphones as well, with variable results in getting stereo sound on the old 737s. However, I read somewhere Qantas advice that this must not be done. I can't remember the reason but it was something about interfering with the system or something.

Sorry to be vague, I'll have to try to remember where I read this advice.

 

[djfuzz]

Missed out on VZL yesterday, hoping for better luck tomorrow.

I know these rollouts take some time, but it's amazing how far apart the inflight experience can be based on what aircraft you luck out with - ours had a malfunctioning oven, so we missed the meal service (and the flight was perfectly timed to miss the meal services at the MEL and BNE J lounges).

 

[Nigelinoz]

There's another new 738 on it's way,VH-VZM is currently on it's delivery flight from Boeing,

VH-VZM B737-838 Qantas Delivered

L/N 3644 C/N 34192 B737-838 VH-VZM QANTAS
Dep BFI 13:37 PDT ETA HNL 16:05 HST
Call Sign QFA6024 Hex Code 7C6DE0 Sel-Cal AG-PS

Cheers
N'oz

 

[pauly7]

There's another new 738 on it's way,VH-VZM is currently on it's delivery flight from Boeing,

Cheers
N'oz

Awesome.... wonder if they'll continue focussing on the MEL-BNE routes.....??

 

[V1213]

Awesome.... wonder if they'll continue focussing on the MEL-BNE routes.....??

Not sure about the new bird yet, but good to see that VZL finally made it out west for the first time yesterday! Even operated up to PHE according to The QANTAS Source - the independent, impartial guide to all things QANTAS.

 

[schomers87]

Found my boarding pass had 4F after checking in at the lounge in SYD.

Walked through and noticed firstly that there was one of those electronic touch screens in the galley where the FA's can start the safety demo, lighting etc. Thought that was strange.

Started walking through J and saw IFE on the back of the seats in front.

Got to my seat and realised there was a stow away unit.

Watched a whole movie from SYD-ADL and must say was one of the quickest flights I have ever taken.

More of these new planes coming through the system please!!!

 

[Sprucegoose]

they sound like a very welcome addition. How many are on order and how do you know if they are operating a certain flight?

 

[markis10]

they sound like a very welcome addition. How many are on order and how do you know if they are operating a certain flight?

Qantas publish their fleet developments, however I believe the pause button has been pushed on 6 of the new aircraft:

By June 2013, Qantas will be operating 34 Next Generation Boeing 737-800 aircraft configured with 12 Business and 156 Economy. These aircraft will operate both Tasman and domestic services and will support the existing Boeing 737-800 fleet.

Fleet Developments

 

[richie9x]

I had one these new 737s last Sunday flying BNE-MEL. Was pretty good except the flight was delayed pushing back by 40 minutes because of fault in one air conditioning unit. The good thing was the IFE could be used on the ground. Except I was in 4f and row 4 can't use it until after takeoff even in a situation like that.

It was great to have a choice of programs rather than watching the same old repeated episodes of man vs wild, mythbusters or those music quiz programs that they have on the old planes.

 

[jakeseven7]

I scored one of QF's new babies the other week on BNE-MEL as well - must be the route they are focusing on.

Its a lot better than the new gen DJ 737 - though I know they are still fixing interiors and their offering.

 

[Nigelinoz]

I scored one of QF's new babies the other week on BNE-MEL as well - must be the route they are focusing on.

Its a lot better than the new gen DJ 737 - though I know they are still fixing interiors and their offering.

Just out of interest QF will have another new 738 in the next few days,VH-VZO is on it's way as I type having left Boeing field overnight
on it's delivery flight as QF6024.
Cheers
N'oz

 

[Oneworldplus2]

From the QF page;
About Qantas - Our Company - Fleet Developments - Boeing787

[h=1]Flying into the Future[/h]
Qantas has selected the Boeing 787 as the cornerstone of its domestic and international fleet renewal program. Under the fleet plan, the Qantas Group will acquire up to 100 Boeing 787 aircraft. The first 50 Boeing 787 Dreamliners are expected to be delivered in mid-2012.

How many will be going to JQ and how many will be staying at QF?

 

[oz_mark]

From the QF page;
About Qantas - Our Company - Fleet Developments - Boeing787



How many will be going to JQ and how many will be staying at QF?

Out of the first 50, a presentation Qantas gave in May says that the first 15 will be going to Jetstar. (See page 17 of http://www.qantas.com.au/infodetail/about/investors/macquarie-conference-presentation-2011.pdf). It does say that the other 35 will be allocated based on returns, but looking at the figures for 2018, one would hope that something other than a a couple of 737's and A330's are replacing the 26 767's that appear to have left by then.

 

[richie9x]

Tonight I few on VH-VZL from BNE-MEL. IFE was just as good as previously, flight passed in no time at all.

One thing I noticed previously was I think the seats in economy seem to lack good lumbar support (when compared to the seats in the older 737-800s). My back curved a bit when I slumped back in the chair. Didn't feel comfortable. I had to sit upright to be comfortable.

Also I was in row 13 there didn't seem to be a power socket. Maybe I didn't notice it. There was definitely a USB socket. Previously I was in row 4 and there was a power socket there with a glowing green light. Maybe I didn't notice it in row 13. Do all rows in Qantas' new 737s have power sockets? I do know AA have some 737s with power in only certain rows in Y.

 

[samh004]

Must have been on VZL on Saturday 30th July with the BNE gang on the way to the F lounge, as it was certainly a new aircraft. Quite liked it, other than when I needed to press the 'Q' button to restart the IFE and it’s really not that easy to work out which button is which when it’s pressed up against your leg in row 4. Not sure if the controls are on top of the armrests in rows that don’t have a tab;e built into them, but in rows that do, it’s not an easy job to control.

Other than that, great experience, map seemed to be working very well.