Qantas swaps Upcoming Flight A330 for A321XLR

[DC3]

… pax battled to sit upstairs on a 747? That was only marginally wider than a 737 and no twin aisles …

Ah. Yes. Those were the days.

 

[gaz0303]

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?

 

[markis10]

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

 

[VHOEJ]

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

 

[Laptop Jockey]

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...

 

[Harrison_133]

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.

 

[Melburnian1]

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!

 

[FlyingKangaroo]

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?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

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.

 

[LionKing]

Normal during peak tourist season

I actually hope SYD-CNS can increase frequency over having a larger aircraft.
For example, having a 6.30am departure from SYD-CNS would have helped a lot to connect with Jetstar Japan services without flying Economy Class there.

 

[Christin@]

I’m wondering if anyone else is concerned about Qantas QF98 Manila–Brisbane changing from the A330 to the A321XLR.


We originally purchased three Qantas Business Class tickets in June for travel from Manila to Australia in February 2027. We later changed our itinerary to QF98 Manila–Brisbane and incurred additional costs for the reissue.


I had actually flown QF98 previously when it was operated by an A330. Although I was travelling in Economy at the time, I saw the A330 Business Class cabin. For this family trip, we specifically chose Business Class because we wanted to be comfortable and able to rest on the overnight flight.


I only recently discovered that our February QF98 is scheduled to be operated by the A321XLR, with recliner-style Business Class seats rather than the A330 lie-flat Business Class product.


My concern isn’t the A321XLR aircraft itself. It’s the Business Class product on a nearly 8-hour overnight international flight.


We also have reservations for two additional family members in Business Class that have not yet been ticketed, and I’ve put those purchases on hold while I wait for Qantas Customer Care to respond.


Has anyone else booked QF98 Business Class for 2027 and raised this with Qantas? I’d be interested to know what response or options you were offered.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I’m wondering if anyone else is concerned about Qantas QF98 Manila–Brisbane changing from the A330 to the A321XLR.


We originally purchased three Qantas Business Class tickets in June for travel from Manila to Australia in February 2027. We later changed our itinerary to QF98 Manila–Brisbane and incurred additional costs for the reissue.


I had actually flown QF98 previously when it was operated by an A330. Although I was travelling in Economy at the time, I saw the A330 Business Class cabin. For this family trip, we specifically chose Business Class because we wanted to be comfortable and able to rest on the overnight flight.


I only recently discovered that our February QF98 is scheduled to be operated by the A321XLR, with recliner-style Business Class seats rather than the A330 lie-flat Business Class product.


My concern isn’t the A321XLR aircraft itself. It’s the Business Class product on a nearly 8-hour overnight international flight.


We also have reservations for two additional family members in Business Class that have not yet been ticketed, and I’ve put those purchases on hold while I wait for Qantas Customer Care to respond.


Has anyone else booked QF98 Business Class for 2027 and raised this with Qantas? I’d be interested to know what response or options you were offered.

The whole thread agrees with you you are not alone in being (very) disappointed in this change.

I would say that your rights are pretty firm, this was not the product sold to you, nor is it fit for purpose anymore, and you wouldn’t have purchased this had you known.

That being said, Qantas is usually pretty good with these things. I would ask customer care for a reroute via Sydney. Escalate if necessary.

Failing that I would expect a full refund with little problem. And you could then look to buy Philippine Airlines. (Or indeed you might ask Qantas to ticket you on Phillipines if they baulk at routing you via Sydney).

As for the ticketed ones, nothing much you can do with those. If you purchase them now for that flight you’d be stick with the a321.

Good luck, welcome to AFF, and let us know how it goes!!

 

[Christin@]

The whole thread agrees with you you are not alone in being (very) disappointed in this change.

I would say that your rights are pretty firm, this was not the product sold to you, nor is it fit for purpose anymore, and you wouldn’t have purchased this had you known.

That being said, Qantas is usually pretty good with these things. I would ask customer care for a reroute via Sydney. Escalate if necessary.

Failing that I would expect a full refund with little problem. And you could then look to buy Philippine Airlines. (Or indeed you might ask Qantas to ticket you on Phillipines if they baulk at routing you via Sydney).

As for the ticketed ones, nothing much you can do with those. If you purchase them now for that flight you’d be stick with the a321.

Good luck, welcome to AFF, and let us know how it goes!!

Thank you very much for the helpful advice and the warm welcome to AFF.

I’ve already contacted Qantas Customer Care and explained the situation.

Rerouting via Sydney on an A330 would certainly be an option I would be happy to consider if Qantas can arrange it without additional charges. My main concern is simply having a comparable lie-flat Business Class product for such a long overnight journey.

I’ve also decided not to ticket the additional two Business Class reservations for now until I hear back from Qantas.

I’ll update the thread once Qantas responds. Hopefully they can offer a reasonable solution. Thanks again!

 

[Flyfrequently]

Thank you very much for the helpful advice and the warm welcome to AFF.

I’ve already contacted Qantas Customer Care and explained the situation.

Rerouting via Sydney on an A330 would certainly be an option I would be happy to consider if Qantas can arrange it without additional charges. My main concern is simply having a comparable lie-flat Business Class product for such a long overnight journey.

I’ve also decided not to ticket the additional two Business Class reservations for now until I hear back from Qantas.

I’ll update the thread once Qantas responds. Hopefully they can offer a reasonable solution. Thanks again!

Another welcome to AFF @Christin@
Understand your disappointment and frustration with the change of aircraft.
Hope you get an outcome you are happy with soon, @MEL_Traveller has given you some excellent pointers. Good luck.

 

[Christin@]

Another welcome to AFF @Christin@
Understand your disappointment and frustration with the change of aircraft.
Hope you get an outcome you are happy with soon, @MEL_Traveller has given you some excellent pointers. Good luck.

Thank you so much for all your kind advices.