Perceptions SYD - MEL and v.v. since B767s replaced by A330s and B737s

[Melburnian1]

Granted Friday morning is not the busiest half day of a typical week unless there is a major sporting event such as an AFL grand final on Saturday, but I just had a quick look at QF's offering for tomorrow morning from SYD to MEL.

Of 15 flights shown as having spare seats that depart SYD prior to 12 noon, 14 are B738s while one - the 0830 - is an A330.

Many passengers might not know the difference, but that is not true of many AFFers.

Price, frequency, corporate booking policies if you are having your fare paid by a company, government or not for profit organisation, quality of the checkin and lounge experience and accumulation of QF FF or VA Velocity points may all be factors in the choice of airline domestically.

What however is passenger perception since QF withdrew its B767s and substituted some flights with A330s?

Has there been a noticeable increase in the number of flights operated by QF B738s (as compared to the previous roster with B767s) and is this leading to less noticeable 'difference' between QF and VA given that the latter if I am not mistaken largely flies B738s as well on Australia's busiest air route?

Do you have a preference for the larger Airbus as opposed to the smaller single aisle Boeing or is the relatively short flight length such that nobody cares about that any more and it's all a matter of frequency (such as flights every quarter of an hour at busy times), which FF scheme you prefer and price?

Or did I just pick a sample half day that is not typical (because half days such as Friday afternoon are busier and hence may have more A330s if available.)

Try to leave nostalgia for the B767s out of it, as this is really a question about comfort perceptions.

 

[lovestotravel]

If you don't like it you can always fly the wide bodies that VA fly on the golden triangle...........

Most people don't care less

 

[nonpop]

I prefer a twin aisle A330 QF use vs B737 for peak travel.
Greater chance of aisle seat when booking late, greater chance of shadow / spare seat in 2 seat, seats feel more spacious in the 2 seat vs in a 3 seat where the person in the mid has no choice but to 'expand' into the neighboring seats (more shoulder to shoulder direct contact in 3 seat vs 2 IMHO).

Off-peak I prefer B737 as chances of an exit row (or R4) are higher (without having the stinky toilet in front) plus a shadow.

But having said all that ... when I'm in the lounge hoping for a significant pull-forward I will take anything including a middle seat last row.

 

[Melburnian1]

nonpop, wouldn't the chance of a 'shadow' during the offpeak be greater on an A330 simply because it is a larger conveyance than the B738?

 

[JohnK]

Agreed most people don't care.

My preference is for wide bodies. Not a fan of single aisle planes.

 

[yohy?!]

I used to love the 767s for the size of the cabin and international seats plus the proper 'take offs'.

The 330s aren't a patch really I find the seating just as cramped as a 737 and the time to get everyone on board and settled drags on forever (I always board early to secure space for my rollaboard).

Over the last 6 weeks I've compared wide and narrow bodies with QF and found that it's far more preferable and easier to snag an up front aisle or window seat on the 737 and then use another WPs shadow to secure an empty middle seat - this has worked on 4 out of 5 flights when selecting seats at t-80
(This is a SG travelling Syd-mel weekly)

 

[nonpop]

nonpop, wouldn't the chance of a 'shadow' during the offpeak be greater on an A330 simply because it is a larger conveyance than the B738?

Sorry, meant specific to exit rows that I actually like vs an exit row next to the toilet.

I find off-peak on a B737 exit I have a very high chance on nobody next to me and nobody playing the bum bugle after a big night on the curry and guinness and having to smell the aromas each time the door opens

 

[RichardMEL]

Whatever gives QF schedule and price flexibility is fine by me tbh. Let's face it, QF have far more 737's in the system than 330's.. if a 330 goes U/S then you're in trouble to sub it.. a 737 goes down, they can usually find another pretty easily to operate the service. On a sector like SYD-MEL it's not a big deal for most in terms of the a/c size etc.. Specially in J where having a business suite or bed product of some kind (angled) would be a far bigger issue on a longer transcon flight. On an hours flight.. who cares if you get there OK?

and if it helps QF's bottom line, which it clearly is, then bully for them.

Like everyone else I do prefer the widebody personally, but I totally understand the massive use of 737's

just my 2 cents, and yes I will have an all 737 day coming up on Sat doing MEL-SYD-BNE-MEL

 

[RickyT84]

Like others, my preference is for the A330 given its spacious cabin and better seating layout.

There is a noticeable increasing in the number of flights between SYD and MEL after the retirement of the 767s given the need to retain the same/similar capacity before (168 seats on the 73Hs vs up to 254 seats on the 763s). For example, there are a lot more flights that leave :15 or :45 past the hour outside the traditional peak hour (e.g. 7pm to 8:30pm from SYD on a Friday).

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Few years ago, there were many more 767 flights SYD - MEL vv than now.
And even if it shows a 330, wouldn't be surprised if sub with 737.
As for numbers of planes I think there are more 737s flying now than ever. Lots if 737s replaced the 767s than 330s.

 

[RichardMEL]

The 737 gives some flexibility in schedule to offer, for example, :15 service should they want - which doesn't make a lot of difference I grant you, but it offers that. I've noticed the odd 737 flight cancelled though, presume to load more than anything else, which you normally wouldn't see with a 767 (those were usually mechanicals! kidding)

 

[boomy]

I book the A330 every time I can, it usually flys 9am MEL-SYD and 11.30am SYD-MEL. There is better chance of an op-up on the A330 in the morning and also guaranteed personal IFE, unlike the B737s which some still have the old screens in the middle.

 

[esseeeayeenn]

I was a great fan of the 767s.
I am not a fan of 737s.
Apart from the single aisle and other cabin and seat issues which have been commented on, the galleys are smaller.
This has a particular impact in J where storage space dictates a narrow range of catering options.
Of course I understand if you are only flying MEL<->SYD this won't be a huge concern.
But flying to or from Perth it is annoying to pay the same business fare as on an A330 for much lower standard seats and lower standard catering.
Plus the single J class seats on some 767s were perfect for flying solo!
The 767s used to be used on PER<->BNE and are greatly missed on that route.

 

[Awesom Andy]

For SYD/MEL runs, I think of it more like a bus ride and take whichever schedule fits me best.

 

[RichardMEL]

I was a great fan of the 767s.
I am not a fan of 737s.
Apart from the single aisle and other cabin and seat issues which have been commented on, the galleys are smaller.
This has a particular impact in J where storage space dictates a narrow range of catering options.
Of course I understand if you are only flying MEL<->SYD this won't be a huge concern.
But flying to or from Perth it is annoying to pay the same business fare as on an A330 for much lower standard seats and lower standard catering.
Plus the single J class seats on some 767s were perfect for flying solo!
The 767s used to be used on PER<->BNE and are greatly missed on that route.

You raised a point I hadn't thought of but actually IS important - storage space in J. I'm not talking galley/catering wise, but the overheads. Setting aside the new 330 Business Suite product, the 330's have more and larger (excepting perhaps the Boeing Sky Interior 737's) bins, and in the 73's row 1 is mostly taken with the equipment so bugger all storage for items, and no at feet storage in row 1.

In this respect if I'm connecting or having anything more than a small bag, I'd opt for a widebody if possible just for that ease of storage of my stuff, or pick row 2 in the 737 so I can use some room under seat in front if I have a smaller item with me as carry on so I'm not fighting it out with the others to store stuff up there.

 

[Aussie_flyer]

since the change ive flown mostly A330 on SYD-MEL-SYD, I find there is 4 or 5 flights a day in each direction featuring the A330, so it's not a problem for me to get one of those as long as I am not too time restricted

 

[JessicaTam]

Few years ago, there were many more 767 flights SYD - MEL vv than now.
And even if it shows a 330, wouldn't be surprised if sub with 737.
As for numbers of planes I think there are more 737s flying now than ever. Lots if 737s replaced the 767s than 330s.

That's not surprising seeing a few years ago there were 767s in the QF fleet, and now there are none.

 

[ReLoad]

What I have noticed and I'm not sure if it's related to the downsizing of aircraft, is there is less J available on the MEL/SYD route.
Particularly for tagging the first leg of intl ex AU flights.

The fare changes which heavily penalise non direct flights are also really noticeable.
There used to be some great easy SCs going to places via SYD, not so much anymore.

 

[RichardMEL]

What I have noticed and I'm not sure if it's related to the downsizing of aircraft, is there is less J available on the MEL/SYD route.
Particularly for tagging the first leg of intl ex AU flights.

The fare changes which heavily penalise non direct flights are also really noticeable.
There used to be some great easy SCs going to places via SYD, not so much anymore.

I've noticed this too, tbh.

 

[Coathanger]

On a recent SYD-MEL-SYD work daytrip I selected the A330 operated flights specifically. Believe it was a 8:30AM departure and 7PM return.

Picked the A330 for the 2-3-2 seating as when you travel with a colleague you don't get stuck in a middle seat.