Regional Roundabout: EJET (DJ) vs TURBOPROP (QF)

[dk4]

A while back, this post - http://www.australianfrequentflyer....estions/launceston-trip-24480.html#post342740 got me thinking about a comparison between the DJ Ejets (Embraer E170 & E190s) and QF Turboprops (Bombardier Dash-8 300 & Q400), so I have done one.

QF vs DJ


I have decided to compare the two aircraft on 4 major criteria –

• Seat
• Storage
• Catering
• Ambience

I am not interested in the aircraft management perspective, (e.g. fuel efficiency, purchase price, etc) purely the experience as a customer, travelling in economy.

So, here goes -

 

[dk4]

The SEAT

QF vs DJ

1. Spaciousness: The first thing that strikes you onboard Virgin Blue’s Ejets, is the amount of personal space available to you. Whereas the Qantas Turboprops fells very much like a “regional seat”, one which has been designed as a definite second class experience. This is simply not the case onboard Virgin Blue, IMO the DJ Ejet seat is THE BEST economy seat, in terms of its spaciousness, out of any of the four major domestic airlines, even across their mainline fleets. (Possibly tied for top spot, with some seats on Qantas Group’s A330s.) The width of these seats is remarkable, which means an incredible amount of elbow room when compared with the cramped seats onboard the Dash 8s (inc Q400s).
2. Comfort: Both QF & DJs’ seats are moulded and padded, but with a greater surface area, DJ’s seats give more support overall.
3. Recline: DJ’s seats recline, QF’s do not recline.
4. Entertainment: Neither airline offers in-seat electronic entertainment. (However, DJ is carrying personal electronic entertainment devices, but only makes these available to guests in Premium Economy on shorter flights.) Qantas also offers a jam-packed QantasLink magazine to read, in addition to the regular Qantas one.
5. Tray Table: The tray table on the DJ planes is vastly larger than the ones on QF’s, when two people are seated side by side on QF, using lap tops becomes extremely difficult, whereas it’s a breeze on DJ. And there is heaps of room on the DJ tray table to spread out any documents that you may need to work with during flight.

QantasLink seat 1B, featuring no bulkhead & in arm tray table.

 

[dk4]

Luggage STORAGE

1. Overhead: Both aircraft have smaller storage lockers than larger jets, but DJ’s are bigger than those on QF, enabling some wheelie bags to fit, and no difference in passenger carry-on luggage weight allowance to their larger jets. On QF, most wheelie bags are not permitted in the cabin.
2. Underseat: There is more room under the seat in front of you on the DJ aircraft than QFs. (Especially at the windows.)
3. Premium Hand Luggage: Qantaslink offers a special service to those travelling with cabin bags, which can’t fit into the space onboard. A special tag is affixed, and the bag is deposited at the bottom of the stairs as passengers board, and collected from a similar location on disembarkation. (i.e. there is no access to it while onboard, but it’s quicker than waiting for it by the luggage carousel on arrival.)

The QF tags


Pick up at CBR is so popular, a vehicle is required

 

[dk4]

food and bevvie CATERING

Virgin Blue: Catering on Virgin Blue is to the same standard as their larger jets. That is V-liscious http://vlicious.realviewtechnologies.com/ items are available for purchase. Interestingly, out of the big 4 domestic airlines, Virgin Blue is now THE ONLY airline to offer both scotch&cola and sparkling wine to their economy customers.


Scotch & Cola, now exclusively in economy on Virgin Blue

QantasLink: Catering on Qantas varies considerably, but there is always some sort of snack offered, and later in the day you can expect complimentary wine or beer on all flights.


The QantasLink box


What’s inside for Brekkie


What’s inside Morning Tea


Afternoon/Morning Tea Time - Snack


An Evening Dip - Snack

 

[dk4]

aircraft AMBIENCE

1. Vibration: The Virgin Blue Ejet is a clear winner over the QantasLink Turboprop. And in inclement weather, the Ejet offers a much more stable ride to the Turboprop (but obviously not as good as a larger jet). The constant vibration onboard Qantas is simply not present on Virgin Blue’s Ejets.
2. Noise: If you sit near the engines on QF, even with good quality noise cancelling headphones you don’t have a hope of outwitting them, whereas on Virgin Blue the experience is a whole lot quieter.
3. Cabin Size: Both airlines seat passengers in a 2x2 configuration, but the larger diameter of the Virgin Blue aircraft gives it a substantially larger cabin, this is most noticeable at the window seats and as you move through the aisle.
4. Toilet: The toilet on the QF aircraft is cramped and difficult to use, whereas on DJ is almost as good as a standard size jet!

 

[dk4]

final IMPRESSION

Overall, the Virgin Blue Ejet is a clear winner over the Qantas Turboprop. It is a pity that DJ managements’ marketing strategy, for their small powerhouse, has not been to fix them to certain routes, and maybe even rename them something like -the Regional Space Jet. Perhaps their intent to deploy them, based on varying loads across their network, rather than locked to specific markets, has mean that people view them as a downgrade from a full size jet, rather than an upgrade from the competitor’s position. Pity.

 

[samh004]

Nice review, though I do think another comparison point, especially on here, is lounge access, QF has way more lounges and regional lounges that make the start of the journey a lot nicer, while Virgin do not. Of course, this isn’t true for all regional routes, but a few of the big ones.

For me I’m only taking a turboprop with QF because I need the SC’s, but the E-Jets do look nice, especially from this review.

 

[Meggsy]

I do a lot of flying between CNS-TSV-MKY and ROK and traditionally it has always been on some variant of the dash-8. Recently I have been on the E-Jet out of TSV a few times and can't believe the difference between the 2 aircraft. I agree with all of your comments about the E-Jet space, comfort, quiet, etc and it has definitely become my preference now, when I have a choice. Very little difference in flight times on short hops but that extra comfort makes all the difference to me.

 

[markis10]

Good comparison, however things are not going to last with DJ selling the E170s and looking for some propjets in the near future. ATR's anyone?

 

[dezza]

I do a lot of flying between CNS-TSV-MKY and ROK and traditionally it has always been on some variant of the dash-8. Recently I have been on the E-Jet out of TSV a few times and can't believe the difference between the 2 aircraft. I agree with all of your comments about the E-Jet space, comfort, quiet, etc and it has definitely become my preference now, when I have a choice. Very little difference in flight times on short hops but that extra comfort makes all the difference to me.

Yes i enjoy the E 170 aircraft down to TSV from CNS as well. With lots of space,comfort and the 2-2 configuration makes a quick trip of a mere 28 Minutes rather pleasant. I must report that the loads have been very good everytime i've flown. Although from TVS to CRB not so good. Interesting to see if they continue with the CNS-TSV service once they get rid of there E 170's or just replace with the E 190's.

 

[dajop]

Good review, and I certainly agree with you. Have had many older Dash 8 flights, but a small number on both the Q400 and DJ's Embraers between MEL & MQL and certainly enjoy the ERJ. The other thing love the thrust on the ERJ as you start down the runway, almost brings a thrill back to flying. Contrasting to the other extreme, the A380 where you can barely tell when the bird's taken off.

 

[anat0l]

A good review, although if you (or anyone!) had concluded that the Q400 beat the E-jet, I would have fallen out of my chair, really.

 

[medhead]

Good review. I did enjoy my only E-jet experience CBR-ADL 2 years ago. Very noice. As a side note it looked like DJ where using an E-jet for the early ADL-SYD flight on Tuesday this week, when they were having all the computer problems. I was on the 6am QF flight and there were 2 E-jets pushed back. I hope one of them wasn't for the 6:05 am Perth flight.....

 

[markis10]

Good review. I did enjoy my only E-jet experience CBR-ADL 2 years ago. Very noice. As a side note it looked like DJ where using an E-jet for the early ADL-SYD flight on Tuesday this week, when they were having all the computer problems. I was on the 6am QF flight and there were 2 E-jets pushed back. I hope one of them wasn't for the 6:05 am Perth flight.....

DJ often use the Ejets BNE-ADL-PER when loads permit.

 

[docjames]

Interesting thread, given that all seem to prefer the EJet, but they're being phased out, presumably due to cost of operation (not cost competitive to the Q400) - presumably people aren't prepared to pay a premium to fly them.

 

[pauly7]

Interesting thread, given that all seem to prefer the EJet, but they're being phased out, presumably due to cost of operation (not cost competitive to the Q400) - presumably people aren't prepared to pay a premium to fly them.

There is a reason why the QF link fleet are known as the flying cash registers in the aviation world QF looked at Ejets too but couldn't get them near the Q400's - and they can charge a premium compared the DJ!

 

[dk4]

Re: food and bevvie CATERING

Virgin Blue: ...Virgin Blue is now THE ONLY airline to offer both scotch&cola and sparkling wine to their economy customers.


Scotch & Cola, now exclusively in economy on Virgin Blue

Well, there you go (or it goes). Famous last words... It would seem that by UNpopular demand, DJ has just dropped the Scotch from the skies. Leaving Qantas Business Class (and the QF lounges) as the only places to find some real whiskey, out of the major domestic four.:evil:

(Even AA carries two types on Scotch (Dewars & Glenlivet) on its domestic services, not just North American Whiskey.)

 

[dajop]

Interesting thread, given that all seem to prefer the EJet, but they're being phased out,

Are all the EJet's being phased out? I had read they are getting rid of the ERJ-170's but what about the 190's?

 

[notzac]

The E190's are hanging around, I think.
Only the E170's have been specifically mentioned in terms of planes being sold off.

 

[BAM1748]

Re: final IMPRESSION

Overall, the Virgin Blue Ejet is a clear winner over the Qantas Turboprop. It is a pity that DJ managements’ marketing strategy, for their small powerhouse, has not been to fix them to certain routes, and maybe even rename them something like -the Regional Space Jet. Perhaps their intent to deploy them, based on varying loads across their network, rather than locked to specific markets, has mean that people view them as a downgrade from a full size jet, rather than an upgrade from the competitor’s position. Pity.

They are a different more expensive aircraft, I would hope they come out better.

But, I can't get one to Dubbo (and some other regional centres) so they may as well not exist for me.

Matt