Pooch you really need to get over this IMHO.
QF dynamically allocates capacity on the key trunk routes often. Nothing is given. Why put a 330 on a flight when it and it's return sector only have 120 booked? It makes no sense whatsoever, specially if you have another service overbooked that could use that 330. That's called smart management.
It's also very good to have the flexibility on a situation where an aircraft goes US for whatever reason and you CAN sub in another aircraft to operate a service hopefully as near to schedule as possible. I think most pax would rather get there on time than wait for a certain plane; most passengers don't even know or care about what they're on. I've heard people get on a 737 and call it a jumbo (!)
Frankly in my view if one wants a specific product or aircraft time you need to book sectors that will only have that type on them (eg: MEL-SIN will never have a 737 operated it, because it can't
).
Remember QF i(or any airline) is under no obligation to provide the scheduled aircraft, requested seat aloocation or anything. You're buying transport from A to B on their service.
Don't get me wrong, I do understand it's frustrating when you've booked something and you expect a nice suite with legroom and wind up in the cramped 737 J. I get it, but if you got what you paid for (a J seat from A to B) then QF has met its obligation.
I will say this though recently I got off OOL-MEL (a 73H) which I noticed turned to QF777 to PER (this was a Sunday). I thought that was unusual, and I did absolutely feel for the pax on that long sector - I call that much more of a downgrade than a 1h MEL-SYD sector.
When I fly on the trunk routes I absolutely never expect a specific flight to be as advertised equipment wise until I'm at the gate. Things happen.
I agree the bigger issue is a lack of communication regarding delays. I do think it's odd for no explanation - certainly I've usually had one on board. Just last week had the weirdest delay I've heard of in awhile - we were delayed because the FO's seat came off its tracks and they had to pull it out and repair that and then put it back in. It lead to much speculation as to what shenanigans could have possibly lead to that situation!!!
(well speculation by me anyway!)
