Qantas BKK SYD now A330 so if you have any F awards better call

[JohnK]

What is the essential difference between the -200 and -300 that would make you not choose the -200?

I have travelled in economy in both and the seat does not quite feel the same the in the -200.

Are they not the same product. To me this highlights that it is a perception issue, considering the 330 and the un-refurbished 747's essentially have the same product in both Y and J.

It is the same with how people are complaining about the 747's being replaced by the 380's.

In my opinion there is a noticeable difference in seats between a 747 and an A330.

Are the same seats because the ones on the A330 feel narrower which is where I needed the most.

Aside for the bigger chance of a bulkhead on the 747 the cabin feels much more spacious.

 

[mannej]

If anything I would be going for the -200 over the -300. The reason being the -200's used internationally I beleive have the newer IFE as found on the A380's. Other than that not much difference from a pax perspective.

I am fairly sure that the domestic 332's have the Panasonic IFE, whilst the international 332's have the same IFE as the 333's

 

[JohnK]

Does the CX single daily flight on SIN-BKK connect with QF flights to SIN? Seems a strange way to do it, is there a fare that offers that option all on one ticket at a good price? Surely it would be more expensive.

The connection is not the best going over but is perfect returning.

The connection I want going over though is more than adequte as it leaves SIN at 01:05am and arrives in HKG early morning.

Sounds to me like your needs would be better met with Thai Airways now on all counts since BKK appears to be your most flown to destination and Thailand is the home of your girlfriend. They fly nice big 777s and 747s to east coast presently. Why persist with QF? They obviously couldn't give a hoot about Thailand. SQ provide a convenient route to BKK from the East Coast on 777's too (not from brisbane though)

You are probably right about *Alliance but sometimes I like to do things differently when it comes to getting to/from a destination.

 

[drron]

We are all different.Personally I no longer like upstairs on the 747.Maybe just because my mobility problems are getting to me.However snagging F seats in the nose or being in the newer seats in the nose of the refurbished 747s is much more private than upstairs.added to which the worst meal services on QF J I have had have been upstairs on the 747s.So to each his own.Personally I like the new timing of the QF SYD-BKK service-get into town at a much more decent hour or able to transfer to AY or RJ without worrying.

 

[ajw373]

I am fairly sure that the domestic 332's have the Panasonic IFE, whilst the international 332's have the same IFE as the 333's

Thinking about it I think you are indeed right. The international -200's came just before or around the same time as the first A380. Guess that means internationally the only difference between a -200 and -300 is the number of seats and the range, neither of which should matter to a passenger.

 

[DC3]

... Personally I like the new timing of the QF SYD-BKK service-get into town at a much more decent hour or able to transfer to AY or RJ without worrying ...

When the change from the B747 to the A330 comes into effect, the A330 will depart SYD at 12.15pm. That's only 15 minutes difference from the current 12.30pm B747 departure. The arrival into BKK remains as 6.50pm from what I can see.

 

[drron]

When the change from the B747 to the A330 comes into effect, the A330 will depart SYD at 12.15pm. That's only 15 minutes difference from the current 12.30pm B747 departure. The arrival into BKK remains as 6.50pm from what I can see.

QF1 which we always used arrived into BKK ~2300.

 

[DC3]

drron, yes, I think I read somewhere where the 2 x B747 flights on QF SYD-BKK are going to 1 x A330.


Edit: Just realised that I had read that in this thread.

 

[ajw373]

QF1 which we always used arrived into BKK ~2300.

Yep, but when they drop BKK-LHR it still remains as a 747 for a short while but changes to a 12:30 departure, this ensures the aircraft arrives in Bangkok at a decent hour and then can turn around back to Sydney for a morning arrival. Personally would have prefered a slightly earlier departure with an arrival into Bangkok closer to 4pm.

Later on it changes to an A330 which is slightly slower than a 747, hence the 15 minute earlier departure time ex-Sydney.

 

[extracta]

You are probably right about *Alliance but sometimes I like to do things differently when it comes to getting to/from a destination.

Agree. After all isn't that what this site is all about.

 

[drron]

drron, yes, I think I read somewhere where the 2 x B747 flights on QF SYD-BKK are going to 1 x A330.


Edit: Just realised that I had read that in this thread.

But 1 was QF and 1 BA which left only marginally earlier.
And I have no travel plans for the short time a 747 is flying to BKK so irrelevant for me.The A330 time into BKK is much better for me than when it was QF and BA.

 

[JohnK]

Agree. After all isn't that what this site is all about.

LOL! If I decide against a VS redemption to HKG in July it will end being a 7 sector trip BNE/SYD-BKK instead. :shock:

 

[equus]

cough. Just noticed by boat has changed from B747 to that junk A330-200.
Had those wonderful upper deck exit rows.
When the system auto re-seated me as the ac changed, it stuck me in the centre. Mmmm thanks but no thanks.

What is so bad with the centre seats in the A330-200 config? Given you had upper deck exit on the B747, they must have been J seats. A330 J layout is 2x2x2, so the middle seats are IMHO the best pick - as they both have aisle access.

 

[maninblack]

What is so bad with the centre seats in the A330-200 config? Given you had upper deck exit on the B747, they must have been J seats. A330 J layout is 2x2x2, so the middle seats are IMHO the best pick - as they both have aisle access.

For me there is a difference. I like the window and my own little storage locker upstairs on the 744.

 

[equus]

For me there is a difference. I like the window and my own little storage locker upstairs on the 744.

Sorry, should have been clearer. The best pick "of the A330 selection". Didn't mean that they were better than an upper deck exit on the B747.

 

[kody]

If your destination/origin is BKK, then perhaps you can try (or insist) on going SYD/MEL-HKG on the QF A380, then connect to the CX HKG-BKK 744 flight with F. Although you'll probably need to overnight in HKG, and I'm not sure how well they'll entertain such an option... but then, they are the one who cancelled you first.

I have a FASA for 2 pax in April I would love to change to go via HKG even if the leg onto BKK was only in J the extra sc's for the BKK legs would tip me over to qualify for Platinum! Is there any way to achieve this without having to pay $10k to change from 2 first saver fares? Can it be done online or is it better to wait until closer to the day and try the ever helpful call centre?

 

[nonpop]

For me there is a difference. I like the window and my own little storage locker upstairs on the 744.

+1 and when travelling as a couple, works well.
And those exit row seats upstairs are very spacious indeed. So much so it is almost too much space, but when in the air there is no such thing

And lets not forget the better toilet to pax ratio when everyone wants to change out of their PJs, brush their pegs and have a last minute 'movement'.

The A330 just doesn't have a romantic-type feeling of the B747. I know that sounds silly, but a little nostalgia is nice sometimes. When in an overseas port and having been on tour for a long period, when that QF B747 pulls up at the gate I always get a nice warm feeling. Stepping on board I then feel settled. Ok call me crazy.

 

[Awesom Andy]

When in an overseas port and having been on tour for a long period, when that QF B747 pulls up at the gate I always get a nice warm feeling. Stepping on board I then feel settled. Ok call me crazy.

You aren't the only one...

 

[Mrmaxwell]

It's been no secret that QF are becoming more SIN-centric and this is just another piece in the puzzle. A shame really but there are plenty of other carriers servicing the route - directly or indirectly.

 

[ajw373]

It's been no secret that QF are becoming more SIN-centric and this is just another piece in the puzzle. A shame really but there are plenty of other carriers servicing the route - directly or indirectly.

Your post really highlights why Qantas cannot win in the eyes of the public no matter what they do. Simple fact is the population in this country is too small to offer a reasonable number of direct flights from all our major centres to places beyond. So Qantas needs an offshore hub, which is Singapore. So Qantas doesn't service Singapore because it is a great destination, they service Singapore because it is a convenient place to converge flights from Australia to places to our north west, hence why it makes sense to base an airline servicing Asia there. Equally Qantas could have choosen a location such as Bangkok or even KL, but at the end of the day choose Singapore for what ever reason.

You may well then argue that other airlines service 'secondary' cities better than Qantas, Cathay or Thai for example, but again the reason is they are taking lots of passengers to places well beyond that first location. If the only traffic was point to point then Qantas would be servicing without a doubt. It is also for this very reason that Qantas chooses not to service Abu Dhabi or Dubai, simple fact is there isn't enough traffic to those places alone to justify it, but if, like Ethihad (and Virgin Australia) and Emirates you have an extensive network beyond then yes it makes sense.