Qantas A330-200 cabin refurbishments

[Tom/PER]

Recently flew on QF71/QF72, up on -EBA and home on -EBG.

Gotta admit I went into these flights with an open mind and was impressed.

I find the hard product on the domestic A332’s to be a reasonable and solid product, they feel like an ex girlfriend…so familiar.

I like the iPad holders as I put my own iPad with my own content. -EBG on the way home had a very interactive flight map, interestingly I don’t recall - EBA having a flight map on the QF iPads. Sat in row 39 on both sectors and found it comfortable. The cabin was bright and airy. -EBA definitely didn’t feel 23yrs old.

We fly a lot to PEN and on a recent trip in January I found the SQ 78X we came home on to have a cramped and claustrophobic feeling to it.

Absolutely no hesitation in booking QF71/72 again on these A332’s. We’ll always take a widebody over a single aisle.

 

[clifford]

I found the SQ 78X we came home on to have a cramped and claustrophobic feeling to it.

Absolutely no hesitation in booking QF71/72 again on these A332’s.

Yes indeed. Y on a 787 is awful.

If I'm travelling Y (which I seriously try and avoid), I'll take the 330 anyday over a 787 or 777.

If you're travelling as a couple, the 330 is fine, with 2-4-2 in economy.

 

[DC3]

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]

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!

Good point about those awful window shades on the 787. I simply always seem to have bad luck on the 330s- disengaged crew, malfunctioning seat, old rundown washrooms…

And yes, they’re also way noisier and the air dryer than on the 787 or a 350. And just feel “old”, I think you can always tell (even on older 777s that Qatar has equipped with Q-Suites- I’d still greatly prefer a newer aircraft tbh!). Not a big issue on the trans-Tasman or over to Perth which would be IDEAL routes to run these planes for a further ten or so years in my opinion. But on a trans-Pacific flight? No way.

 

[elanshin]

Yes indeed. Y on a 787 is awful.

If I'm travelling Y (which I seriously try and avoid), I'll take the 330 anyday over a 787 or 777.

If you're travelling as a couple, the 330 is fine, with 2-4-2 in economy.

Try the 777 with 3-3-3 configuration and 33-35in pitch. That's where its nice again (Korean Air, JAL).

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Try the 777 with 3-3-3 configuration and 33-35in pitch. That's where its nice again (Korean Air, JAL).

And Thai’s 777-200s!

TG’s -300s are also 3-3-3, but not sure of the seat pitch on those?

 

[clifford]

Try the 777 with 3-3-3 configuration and 33-35in pitch. That's where its nice again (Korean Air, JAL).

Not so good if you're travelling as a couple (or even on your own). There'll always be a situation where you're climbing over someone or they are climbing over you. 3x anything is bad from my perspective.

 

[elanshin]

Not so good if you're travelling as a couple (or even on your own). There'll always be a situation where you're climbing over someone or they are climbing over you. 3x anything is bad from my perspective.

Bulk head JAL guarantee you won't be climbing over anyone and free to select for OW Ruby or higher (QF silver). In fact you need to be an actual giant for your feet to be able to naturally reach their bulkhead.

 

[clifford]

Bulk head JAL guarantee you won't be climbing over anyone and free to select for OW Ruby or higher (QF silver). In fact you need to be an actual giant for your feet to be able to naturally reach their bulkhead.

Yeah, that's good to know.

I've sat in the PE bulkhead row on a JAL 787 a couple of times, and it's a nice place to be.

 

[Dvg]

Bulk head JAL guarantee you won't be climbing over anyone and free to select for OW Ruby or higher (QF silver). In fact you need to be an actual giant for your feet to be able to naturally reach their bulkhead.

I find it’s the the same with Cathay P. Excellent bulkhead legroom legroom, downside is can’t watch the screen without my glasses on lol.

 

[Mrmaxwell]

Yeah, that's good to know.

I've sat in the PE bulkhead row on a JAL 787 a couple of times, and it's a nice place to be.

JAL PE bulkhead is very similar to Y bulkhead and the food served is the same. Hence why very hard to get Y bulkhead as all the premium JAL flyers book these seats way in advance as they know the value...spot the difference

 

[Mrmaxwell]

I find the hard product on the domestic A332’s to be a reasonable and solid product, they feel like an ex girlfriend…so familiar.

Don't forget the reason she is your ex

Personally the tech updates alone will be worth the wait: 4K display, USB-C PD charging, Bluetooth are things that make my flight better (and J will miss these upgrades)...add a modern toilet and better lighting it will make Y easier to sit through!

 

[Saab34]

According to the results today, they are purchasing one A330-300.

I assume this is one of the Finnair aircraft.

 

[Mrmaxwell]

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..

I assume last years press release announcing refurbs starting early 2026 is off the table? All 330s are out and active currently?

 

[moa999]

I assume last years press release announcing refurbs starting early 2026 is off the table? All 330s are out and active currently?

The 332 refurb program didn't even get a mention at HY26 results.
Mind you neither did Jetstar's 787 refurbs other than talk about longer routes (and we know that has actually started with VH-VKK approaching 5wks in HKG maintenance.

assume this is one of the Finnair aircraft.

As discussed in the results thread, its talked about as distinct from the two dry leased (VH-QPK/QPL) aircraft..
But I think it might be a Finnair aircraft that was returned to its lessor.

OH-LTN Flight Tracking and History - FlightAware

Track OH-LTN flight from Helsinki-Vantaa to Abu Dhabi

www.flightaware.com

Afaik the two dry leased AY aircraft go back in March.