Qantas swaps Upcoming Flight A330 for A321XLR

Just realised my CNS-SYD QF flight is on a a330-200. Looks like both SYD and MEL are getting an a330 service. Is this a regular winter service or something new with the addition of a321xlr’s to the fleet?
 
Just realised my CNS-SYD QF flight is on a a330-200. Looks like both SYD and MEL are getting an a330 service. Is this a regular winter service or something new with the addition of a321xlr’s to the fleet?
Normal during peak tourist season
 
Just realised my CNS-SYD QF flight is on a a330-200. Looks like both SYD and MEL are getting an a330 service. Is this a regular winter service or something new with the addition of a321xlr’s to the fleet?
Just covering the CNS Ironman event weekend
 
I get what you mean… but could never understand why pax battled to sit upstairs on a 747? That was only marginally wider than a 737 and no twin aisles. Is there that much of a difference - other than psychologically - with a premium narrow body configuration these days (vs the awful herringbone high-density narrow boys business classes some carriers are starting to adopt).

I remember as a young kid always wanting to fly in "the bubble" on a 747. Why? Just seems cool. Logical? No, but then paying $10,000-20,000 to sit in a coughpy recliner chair for half a day and eat a slightly fancier TV Dinner isn't exactly logical either...
 
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The A330-200 will continue operating BNE-MNL until the end of January 2027.

A321 XLR now scheduled to take over from 1 February 2027.

From 1 February 2027, in J with its 12 lie flat beds in 2-2 configuration, PR's MNL-BNE and return flights offer a superior option to QFi's poor recliners.

Typical of QFi to cut corners even when other airlines have decided to offer what passengers want!
 
Typical of QFi to cut corners even when other airlines have decided to offer what passengers want!

Then again, if your rusted-on flyers preference you anyway, it's not just typical but arguably logical. And many will, and in this case even after PR joins OneWorld, because they'll get more SCs.

I 100% understand the temptation to keep chasing the status. I do it myself to some degree. But I will never understand why people consistently subject themselves to a lesser product just to ensure they get the peripheral benefits. If it even existed in BNE, would a trip to the F lounge really be worth then sitting 8 hours overnight in a recliner?
 
Then again, if your rusted-on flyers preference you anyway, it's not just typical but arguably logical. And many will, and in this case even after PR joins OneWorld, because they'll get more SCs.

I 100% understand the temptation to keep chasing the status. I do it myself to some degree. But I will never understand why people consistently subject themselves to a lesser product just to ensure they get the peripheral benefits. If it even existed in BNE, would a trip to the F lounge really be worth then sitting 8 hours overnight in a recliner?
Of course it’s not!

But I’m guessing it must be fairly weak demand for paid business… or they can get more for the same cabin flying on another route. If it was consistently full, at top dollar, they wouldn’t be taking that cabin away.
 

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