Qantas A330-200 cabin refurbishments

[SYD]

Then that's nothing of the same size as the a330-200s. The a350-1000s will be far too large and premium to be a replacement, and the 787-9s will be very premium heavy and the 787-10s would be far too large.

It’s in QF’s own pressers (replacing all A330s) with the 787/350 mixed order (which are seperate to the Sunrise A350s).

https://www.qantas.com/agencyconnect/hk/en/agency-news/agency-news-august-23/qantas-orders-more-aircraft-for-international-fleet.html

A321XLR is too small and can't reach many a330-200 destinations

It’s wait and see where the sub-order A321XLR with lie flat seats will be deployed but you’d expect some current A330 routes might get switched over plus probably some new routes ex ADL, PER etc (have been speculated).

 

[moa999]

Then that's nothing of the same size as the a330-200s. The

Much the same as the 738s which are being replaced by 321XLRs at one end, and 223 (and possibly 225 in the future) at the other.

 

[Aussie_flyer]

Yeah the A332's can be replaced with that's on order. What route do you think specifically needs something different and what would you say is the replacement aircraft for it Lucas? Nobody is buying A330-800s

 

[elanshin]

Then that's nothing of the same size as the a330-200s. The a350-1000s will be far too large and premium to be a replacement, and the 787-9s will be very premium heavy and the 787-10s would be far too large. A321XLR is too small and can't reach many a330-200 destinations

You're assuming that QF is flying the a330-200 for its size. A lot of the current situation is that its either for the range (BNE - LAX for example) or they just needed a widebody and thats this is all they have on hand.

The fact that all the a330-200d are more or less all pressed into international service basically means they ran out of planes.

So a size upgrade to 787-9/10 or a350 isn't an issue for QF. You have to also remember some of the 330s are flying routes that were 747 or 380 routes precovid.

Itll also restore premium economy to routes that traditionally have it as well (eg MEL-SIN onto LHR).

 

[Mrmaxwell]

Qantas have announced the future of the medium/long haul fleet are the 787s and A350-1000s (both varieties on order)

 

[moa999]

VH-EBS snuck out of BNE maintenance early this morning operating QF501 to SYD, and now off on QF67 to BLR.

Given the lack of QFs usual press releases maybe no refurb..

 

[LionKing]

Qantas have announced the future of the medium/long haul fleet are the 787s and A350-1000s (both varieties on order)

Are they coming in 2026?

 

[SYD]

Are they coming in 2026?

Not those ones but the “Sunrise” A350s are supposed to start arriving later this year. Hopefully some will get a chance to try them out on TT runs.

 

[Berlin]

Qantas is always ten years late with their replacement orders. I avoid those aged A330s on the long haul like a plague. Maybe keep them rattling on the trans Tasman and to Perth but on something like BNE-LAX, they should have long been replaced. Just my opinion.

 

[markis10]

Being late is not always bad, you only need to look across the ditch to see that!

 

[SYD]

I avoid those aged A330s on the long haul like a plague.

Why? Flying up front to me it’s marginal whether I’d prefer a B787 v A332. Proper window shades that I control tilts me to A330!

I recently did MEL-DEL (return) which is the 2nd longest QF A330 route after BNE-LAX and it was fine. Recently flown several SYD-CGK and HKG and all fine. It is basically the same J seat across A380, A330 and B787.

The refurb is also long overdue but some shiny new planes will be a welcome addition.

 

[AuSammy]

Qantas is always ten years late with their replacement orders. I avoid those aged A330s on the long haul like a plague. Maybe keep them rattling on the trans Tasman and to Perth but on something like BNE-LAX, they should have long been replaced. Just my opinion.

I guess you don’t fly LH then?

 

[elanshin]

Qantas is always ten years late with their replacement orders. I avoid those aged A330s on the long haul like a plague. Maybe keep them rattling on the trans Tasman and to Perth but on something like BNE-LAX, they should have long been replaced. Just my opinion.

Its arguable. If you compare QF to SQ then yes they have a much older fleet. But if you compare QF to the US legacy airlines or EU, it's more or less about on par with them give or take a couple of years.

The 330 frame itself is ok. It slots in at about #4 at the moment (especially out back) behind 350/380/787 for me.

In all honesty the cabin is almost always the bigger factor than the actual plane. We'll see once the refurbishment is done if the average pax can even tell they're on an older 330.

 

[elanshin]

Are they coming in 2026?

Sunrise 350-1000ULR will arrive in 2026 barring any issues. I think the first frame is actually quite a fair ways into the build - i remember QF releasing some photos a few months ago.

The 787s i imagine will start rolling in in 2027 and the other 350s will probably follow after maybe 2028 onwards as I have to imagine QF will prioritise sunrise planes first for their 350 slots.

 

[vhojm]

The QF A330 is great in that it has basically the same business seat as the 787 and the A380 and it also the best economy configuration with the 2-4-2..
However, the A330 is just so loud compared with the A380 and the 787 and the A350 when it joins the fleet. Reliability isn't great but none of the Qantas international aircraft are great with on time arrivals.

 

[Aussie_flyer]

I don't find them loud at all

 

[pauly7]

I don't find them loud at all

At the front I don’t notice so much either.

But honestly I like a little engine noise… I find the 787 A380 A350 too quiet! I hate hearing peoples phones beeping all flight, morons who watch videos on their phone without headphones etc…. A bit of engine background noise is very welcome!

 

[LionKing]

I don't find them loud at all

Even they are in front, they are loud on ground but not that loud in the air.

 

[jrfsp]

Its arguable. If you compare QF to SQ then yes they have a much older fleet. But if you compare QF to the US legacy airlines or EU, it's more or less about on par with them give or take a couple of years.

The 330 frame itself is ok. It slots in at about #4 at the moment (especially out back) behind 350/380/787 for me.

In all honesty the cabin is almost always the bigger factor than the actual plane. We'll see once the refurbishment is done if the average pax can even tell they're on an older 330.

Absolutely, QF has neglected the A330-200s especially, but hopefully with a decent refresh will be great, the US carriers do a great job (Delta and United at least) of cabin upgrades on older aircraft. - that’s the price we pay a for an uncompetitive market.