Qantas Boeing 747-400 vs Airbus A330-300

[bazzam]

Hi all,

I will be flying Sydney - Hong Kong in a few weeks for business. Am flying Qantas and have the choice between flying on a 747 or A330. Scheduled times are within a few hours of each other and prices are pretty much the same so I can choose either one.

Does anyone have advice on which plane is better. Economy seat only unfortunately so I'd like to choose whichever flight is going to be a bit more comfortable.

Thanks!

 

[straitman]

Hi all,

I will be flying Sydney - Hong Kong in a few weeks for business. Am flying Qantas and have the choice between flying on a 747 or A330. Scheduled times are within a few hours of each other and prices are pretty much the same so I can choose either one.

Does anyone have advice on which plane is better. Economy seat only unfortunately so I'd like to choose whichever flight is going to be a bit more comfortable.

Thanks!

I would look at seat availability and see where the best opportunity to stretch out is going to be.

 

[NM]

Assuming the QF flights are being considered, I prefer the QF127 744 flight as it gets in earlier than the later A330 flight. Also note that on the last two occasions I have taken QF127 I have been operationally upgraded to premium economy on the 4-class configured aircraft. Apart from that, not much difference at all. If you prefer a window seat, then A330 may be better on only one other person next to you. I always look for a D or G aisle seat so it really does not make much difference to me.

 

[BAM1748]

I'd be going for the 747.

 

[chrizzz14]

744 alllllllllllll the way!

 

[david870mdg]

With the current trend of QF selling Y+ seats to Y customers on this route, the 744 seems favourable.
IME I flew A330 HKG-SYD, it was full, plane copped bad turbulence, put me off this aircraft for a bit. Only advantage is if you're on your own in Y you can have the window and just one pax.
Research your options though as others have suggested.
David.

 

[SQ1]

I think you should have more legroom in the A330 at least you have it with SQ .


Cheers

 

[docjames]

If travelling on your own - 744.

If travelling as 2 - 330

If travelling as 3+ - 744.

$0.02 = mine.

 

[bazzam]

Thanks everyone. Checked seatcounter and both flights seem reasonably empty so will see what seat I can request and just pick based on that.

 

[Flashback]

I think you should have more legroom in the A330 at least you have it with SQ .


Cheers

Welcome to AFF SQ1!

 

[Alanslegal]

I'd go for the 747's purely because they have four engines (and yes I admit I am a bit of a flying chicken)

 

[SQ1]

I'd go for the 747's purely because they have four engines (and yes I admit I am a bit of a flying chicken)

Love it!!!!!!!!!!

 

[ejb]

I would go for the 744 due to the higher chances of an op-up (Y+ seating with Y service)

Also, IMHO, the 744's are a much nicer long haul experience.

ejb

 

[SQ1]

Welcome to AFF SQ1!

Thank you.

 

[dajop]

I would go for the 744 due to the higher chances of an op-up (Y+ seating with Y service)

Depends on the status of the OP, if OP doesn't have status with QF, the chances of an op-up would be close to negligible anyway. Certainly WP's have a chance of snaring a Y+ seat, but NB's and nobodies are much less likely.

I'd go with the time that suits best, it's economy so I'd rate the two birds as very similar ("same same"). If time is not a factor, I'll be the lone dissenter and say I'd go the A330. The cabin is smaller, therefore quieter - from human sources at least - and quicker to disembark if you are towards to the back. Also, with the 2-4-2 config you are guaranteed of being within 1 seat of an aisle (or only have one pax sitting next to you who might want to get out), compared to the 3-4-3 of the 747. (or another thought there's a 40% chance of having to sit between two people on the 747 vs a 25% chance on the 330...)

But if you want the classic long haul "experience" ... that intangible feeling of excitement of stepping onto a jumbo jet , well there's no choice really, a 747 it would have to be.

 

[clifford]

Also, with the 2-4-2 config you are guaranteed of being within 1 seat of an aisle (or only have one pax sitting next to you who might want to get out), compared to the 3-4-3 of the 747.

But if you want the classic long haul "experience" ... that intangible feeling of excitement of stepping onto a jumbo jet , well there's no choice really, a 747 it would have to be.

I agree completely with preferring the 330, particularly if you want a window seat. Only 1 person to climb over, rather than 2.

As for the long haul experience, I started it on a 747 in 1974 on a BA flight LHR-BKK in First class. Very nice experience too...

 

[Sprucegoose]

I think you should have more legroom in the A330 at least you have it with SQ .


Cheers

the question posed was QF not SQ. I would say they are quite similar in actual fact.

 

[notzac]

Add another vote for the A330 - the cabin is quieter than the B747 in economy.

 

[NM]

I'd go for the 747's purely because they have four engines (and yes I admit I am a bit of a flying chicken)

So double the chance of an engine failure

 

[NM]

With the current trend of QF selling Y+ seats to Y customers on this route, the 744 seems favourable.

Umm, what recent trend on this route. As fas as I have seen, QF127, when operated by a 744, has consistently been sold as 4-classes. Some other routes (such as QF29/30 from/to MEL) have been sold as 3-class (no F) and cabins rolled forward as you have described. I have experienced both in recent months. Twice received operational upgrade form Y to Y+ (not just seat upgrade, but cabin was Y+ as well) on SYD-HKG, and also received Y+ seat with Y service on HKG-MEL. So 100% success for me on those routes using 744 aircraft.