QF Equipment question

[file51]

Is there any way to see what aircraft is scheduled to fly a particular route more than a few weeks in advance, i.e. SYD-SFO QF73 6th April 2009???

I have been allocated 34A

I think it will be one of the following:

VH-OEB
VH-OEC
VH-OED
VH-OEE
VH-OEF
VH-OEI
VH-OEJ

I am just hoping it isnt B, C or D as if memory serves me correct, Row 34 does not have a window (seatguru also confirms this)

(originally part of another thread, moved as seperate question)

thx

 

[oz_mark]

Too far out to know which aircraft it will be. At best, you might find someone who could find out a couple of days out, but even that would be subject to change.

 

[file51]

Too far out to know which aircraft it will be. At best, you might find someone who could find out a couple of days out, but even that would be subject to change.

I thought that may be the case... had to satisfy my curiousity by asking the question anyway.

I have read on FT that QF73 & 74 seem to have quite light loads as of late, which is promising for a bit of space.

Does anyone know if these flights are ever sub'd out using PE equipped 744's???

I guess there is a chance, but probably slim....

Werent QF going to equip all 744's with PE anyway???

 

[file51]

Forget the last part of the previous question...

Fly - Travel Classes - Premium Economy - Premium Economy Schedule

SydneySan FranciscoQF73, 74Commencement date to be confirmed

 

[prime]

VH-OEB was bought from Asiana in 1999 and OEC and D were bought from Malaysian soon after (hence the seating config).

You won't be able to tell far in advance which plane is scheduled for a route as it changes frequently.

I think from OEE onwards the aircraft came direct from boeing and are in normal QF config.

 

[ozbeachbabe]

My lil bro (FFGD) and 3 mates purchased premium economy tickets on Qantas to fly SYD/LAX about 20 Jan on a 744 which was originally a 4 class configured aircraft but closer to the time of departure changed to a 3 class aircraft.

The end result was all 4 were upgraded to J class which was a nice surprise although they knew a couple of weeks beforehand. Coming back he used points to UPGD from PE to J LAX/SYD on the A380.

He got a glimpse of Miranda Kerr who was on their flight albeit up the pointy end if you can call the nose of the Dugong 'pointy'.

If only there was a way to work out what 4 class a/c were going to change to 3 :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

Actually I think having PE is hurting QF as a lot of corporates who have previously travelled J are now being told to travel PE so a lot a empty seats in P and J cabins hence 2 for 1 type deals right now.

 

[oz_mark]

Actually I think having PE is hurting QF as a lot of corporates who have previously travelled J are now being told to travel PE so a lot a empty seats in P and J cabins hence 2 for 1 type deals right now.

Good chance they would have been travelling in Y if PE wasn't there, so might not be as bad as it seems.

 

[ozbeachbabe]

As they were paying for trip themselves they definitely would've paid for Y if no PE on flight. Not too many of us have a lazy 10K lying around to splash out on J these days.

My point was they were bloody lucky to get what they got. My little bro was born lucky I swear.

If it was me travelling the flight would've been cancelled or something.

 

[NM]

VH-OEB was bought from Asiana in 1999 and OEC and D were bought from Malaysian soon after

Correct

(hence the seating config).

Not quite so correct. The original interiors were different to the rest of the QF 744 fleet and hence they were originally known as the three ugly sisters. However, they underwent full interior refits to the QF standard.

However, one of the reasons QF purchased these particular aircraft with the GE engines rather than seeking more RR powered aircraft, was due to the slightly better efficiency of the GE engines and hence better uplift capacity (read as less weight restrictions) when operating trans-Pacific. So these aircraft were fitted with the 64/66 business class config which was used for aircraft primarily dedicated to the Pacific route, including the 747-400ERs.

So the three GE-engined 747-400s were given similar seating layout to the 747-400ER fleet for use primarily on the Pacific routes. Now these aircraft are progressively getting the PE cabin added to move from 14F 64/66J 265Y into 14F 64/66J 40W 187Y config. The only real variation between all of the GE-engined 747s in the QF fleet is whether or not seats 18J and K exist on the upper deck and hence the size of the upper deck coat locker.

 

[ozbeachbabe]

Which three of the famous VH-OEx are known as the ugly sisters and why?

 

[NM]

Which three of the famous VH-OEx are known as the ugly sisters and why?

VH-OEB, VH-OEC and VH-OED for the reasons posted above. Note that since the cabin interiors were refreshed to the same QF standards as all the other QF 747s, there is nothing ugly about them. their interiors are every bit the same as other QF 747s now, and in fact its hard to tell them apart from the 747-400ER aircraft (both have GE engines, though slightly different models) without looking at the rego or the model number written on the side.

The Ugly Sister term now really only identifies them as being slightly different models to the rest of the 747-438 fleet. Tey are unique in that they are the only GE-engined 747-400 (non-ER) aircraft in the QF fleet.

 

[file51]

My main issue is none of those 3 aircraft have a window at row 34, hence the original question regarding equipment allocation.

 

[NM]

My main issue is none of those 3 aircraft have a window at row 34, hence the original question regarding equipment allocation.

There is no way using publicly available data to know for certain which aircraft is going to operate a specific flight. If you are clever you can anticipate using historic data and try to guess the rotations. But of course things change all the time.

Someone with access to QF's fleet management systems may be able to see a few days out. But that info is not available publicly.

 

[file51]

Thanks NM.

I guess what I am after at this stage is an indication from someone who may have been on one of these flights recently. Aside from going to the airport myself daily and using a pair of binoculars to see the rego from landside.

 

[Evan]

That would be....

VH-OEB 747-48E (Ex Asiana) Phillip Island
VH-OEC 747-4H6 (Ex Malaysian) King Island
VH-OED 747-4H6 (Ex Malaysian) Kangaroo Island

They were simply known as the ugly sisters because they originally had the interiors from Asiana and Malaysian airlines which at the time were not as nice at the Qantas interior. Also they had been reported to have has some maintenance issues, like paint stripping being done incorrectly prior to delivery and as such needed to be fixed when QF received them.

E

 

[NM]

Thanks NM.

I guess what I am after at this stage is an indication from someone who may have been on one of these flights recently. Aside from going to the airport myself daily and using a pair of binoculars to see the rego from landside.

Historic details can be found from ACARS logs that are posted to some web sites. Have a look here for recent QF0093 operations. Looks like a mix of 747-400ER and A380 aircraft with the very rare appearance of a non-ER 744.

 

[file51]

Historic details can be found from ACARS logs that are posted to some web sites. Have a look here for recent QF0093 operations. Looks like a mix of 747-400ER and A380 aircraft with the very rare appearance of a non-ER 744.

Thanks for the link NM... changed the flight to QF0073 (SYD-SFO)

Looks like 2 of the ugly sisters do that leg occasionally... OEB & OED

There is a good mix of ER's in there and if allocation to 34A stays firm, then it may just end up being a PE seat (one of the main reasons behind keeping an eye on things is the thought of changing the outward sector to J if availability pops up, however if it looks like it might be a PE seat, then I will save my points, and re-issue fee)

 

[NM]

Thanks for the link NM... changed the flight to QF0073 (SYD-SFO)

Oops

 

[file51]

Oops

lol, must say when I read your reply and it said the Dugong had done some of these sectors the excitement level went up a few notches... then reality set in and no A380 for QF073.... yet

btw, that link is going to prove very useful, thank you

 

[file51]

Well it looks like there has been a fair bit of activity with the 3 ugly sisters...

VH-OEB 747-48E (Ex Asiana) Phillip Island
VH-OEC 747-4H6 (Ex Malaysian) King Island
VH-OED 747-4H6 (Ex Malaysian) Kangaroo Island

I was wondering why VH-OEB hasn't done any sectors in a while, well the new paint job (OneWorld logo) explains that.

Also VH-OEC went MIA (missing in action, not Miami) for a bit, well she is also back all fitted out with Premium Economy seats...