Superjumbo stalled another year

[NM]

If QF really wanted to they could have the new cabins installed during these checks but they would have lost their impact....but really is not the introduction of the A380 enough of an impact without promoting the new premium cabins?:shock:

Well now SQ are releasing their new cabins as well as CX. Originally planned for the A380 introduction, they are going to roll the new cabins out on their new 777-300ER aircraft due for delivery starting in December this year.

And the new SQ product will make QF sit up and take a good look. 8 F suites in the front of the 777 with 23 inch LCD screens!. Business class gets 1x2x1 across in the 777. All looks very impressive.

So now we have EK, CX and SQ all rolling out new premium cabin products before the A380 is delivered. This will mean the A380 delay is going to hurt QF even more. It appears that SQ is not accelerating he retro-fit of the old fleet, but installing the new product into new aircraft it already has for delivery. QF does not have any new aircraft coming (except for 2 new A330-200s) that they could use for a new cabin product launch before the A380, so would have to do such a launch as a retro-fit to the existing fleet.

A few words come to mind for QF - "between", "place", "rock", "hard"

Check out the new SQ cabins here:
First Class
Business Class
Economy Class

 

[Yada Yada]

A few words come to mind for QF - "between", "place", "rock", "hard"

Wow... Imagine getting off an SQ flight in Asia and then hopping on a connecting flight on one of QF's old 767's.

 

[NM]

Wow... Imagine getting off an SQ flight in Asia and then hopping on a connecting flight on one of QF's old 767's.

Ouch. No thanks.

But would be nearly as bad to have to take an SQ 777 SIN-BNE or CX A330 HKG-BNE where they still use their regional business class products. But the QF 767 flights will be the ones to avoid.

 

[Altair]

Well now SQ are releasing their new cabins as well as CX. Originally planned for the A380 introduction, they are going to roll the new cabins out on their new 777-300ER aircraft due for delivery starting in December this year.

Yeah SQ actually delayed the introduction of the 777-300ER, they already have the non-extended range 777-300 in their fleet, on the introduction of the A380. With the last announced delay until December next year it did not make sense for SQ to delay the new 777's further or to fit them out with the old cabins. For the a380 SQ may add some new unique features, if Airbus allows another change to the cabin configuration
I think QF should follow CX's lead and start the refit of the 747-400 that they will keep during their deep maintenance period. Otherwise will we wait for the QF 787, are they going to the long-haul fleet first, makes more sense, or on the Cityflyer routes? I also have doubts that the 787 will have the same premium cabins as the A380 & 747, but should have the new economy cabins.

 

[garyjohn951]

Maybe some of this these QF people that make decisions need to look at the real world other than their '000 salaries. The 380's are delayed, delayed etc, so what do we hear from QF, "it will be fine mate". What are the other buyers of 380's doing , being positive, making decisions, IN FACT DOING SOMETHING.
QF - not to worry, we are still filling planes, even 767's are filling. No worries mate, it will work out, hey all the good aussie citizens will fly QF, they will stick with us. Hey lets have another beer everything will be fine.............

 

[Altair]

Maybe some of this these QF people that make decisions need to look at the real world other than their '000 salaries. The 380's are delayed, delayed etc, so what do we hear from QF, "it will be fine mate". What are the other buyers of 380's doing , being positive, making decisions, IN FACT DOING SOMETHING.
QF - not to worry, we are still filling planes, even 767's are filling. No worries mate, it will work out, hey all the good aussie citizens will fly QF, they will stick with us. Hey lets have another beer everything will be fine.............

Even ANZ, who have decided not to refit their 767 with their new long haul product seat offering, have at least re-upholstered their seats with new carpets and will change the TV screens to LCD overheads.
I last flew a QF 767 AKL-SYD and it really showed its age, I bet it was one of the ex-BA birds. Have the ex-AO been refitted with new seats?

 

[Flying Fox]

The new seats & cabins look fantastic.

However, progress comes at a price.

According to The Australian, that price is between 10 - 20% extra.

Price to pay for SIA premium comfort | Aviation | The Australian

 

[Wunala Dreaming]

Ex-AO aircraft recently went through a reconfiguration program and were installed with Millennium seats (aircraft involved: OGI, OGJ, OGK, OGL & OGV).

It's my understanding that 5 737-800s are still on order, possibly being fitted with high density fixed J (up to 20 seats perhaps).

Altair, NZ 763s recently had new curtains and seat fabrics installed, to mirror the look on the longhaul 744 and 772 cabin in Y and the A320 in J (that brown leather look - except fabric on the 763).

Regards

 

[simongr]

Singapore's new economy, business class and first class seats, scheduled to debut on the A380's first flights to Sydney next month, will offer spacious premium suites with the widest yet in-flight beds and increased leg-room in economy.

Sydney was still planned as the launch destination for the A380, when it arrives in the third quarter of next year. Other Australian ports are also likely to see the new product as it is introduced more widely in the fleet.

Arent those two statements a little contradictory?

 

[Altair]

Altair, NZ 763s recently had new curtains and seat fabrics installed, to mirror the look on the longhaul 744 and 772 cabin in Y and the A320 in J (that brown leather look - except fabric on the 763).

Wunala Dreaming,
I have been told that the NZ 767 will also get the LCD, like NZ A320, from the end of this year.
But I was also told that the new colour scheme was to be unveiled in May....you cannot have people thinking that you splurged $ on a new colour scheme:shock: and cry poor (we need codeshare and outsourcing) can you?

 

[NM]

Arent those two statements a little contradictory?

Ahh, now there is a difference between "scheduled" and "planned" .

 

[maninblack]

When NZ gets its next 2 777's the 767's will essentially all move to regional routes, Pacific islands, Australia and the 2 leased 767's will be sent back. Remember NZ ordered their 4 787-9's before QF and will in fact be one of the first airlines to have it. They will then start to phase out their remaining 767's altogether. They also have options on 6 more 787's. By 2010 they will have a small but very good modern fleet.

 

[Wunala Dreaming]

Air New Zealand has received all but one 777-200E/R, which interestingly is due for delivery into Auckland tomorrow. The aircraft in question is ZK-OKG.

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

I thought all their 767 asian destinations now converted to 777.

Which just leaves HNL, LAX via islands, islands (not continuing to US) and some australia flights.

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

Air New Zealand has received all but one 777-200E/R, which interestingly is due for delivery into Auckland tomorrow. The aircraft in question is ZK-OKG.

Do you know what time tomorrow?

 

[Wunala Dreaming]

Kiwi Flyer, NZ 772s are flying to KIX.

It will be interesting to see what happens to the 763s. With DCF mentioning the possibility of NZ pulling out of PPT, it does indeed leave only a few flights including PER, CNS + trans-Tasman and some Island flights (HNL?).

I'm not sure what time she is due, but check for a strange flight from either SEA/SFO or the Islands on the AKL arrivals board. I haven't heard any news about this last aircraft, but don't be surprised if it is delayed.

Cheers

 

[Altair]

Do you know what time tomorrow?

Bugger I could have asked my flatmate to check the ANZ maintenace computer as that usually contains new aircraft delivery flights.
From memory, I thought the previous 777s arrived very early in the morning, beofre 6 am.
Oh NZ will be the first airline to launch the 787-9 (ANZ press release 12 May 2006), but they are looking to lease 787-8 as a stop-gap.

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

Kiwi Flyer, NZ 772s are flying to KIX.

It will be interesting to see what happens to the 763s. With DCF mentioning the possibility of NZ pulling out of PPT, it does indeed leave only a few flights including PER, CNS + trans-Tasman and some Island flights (HNL?).

I'm not sure what time she is due, but check for a strange flight from either SEA/SFO or the Islands on the AKL arrivals board. I haven't heard any news about this last aircraft, but don't be surprised if it is delayed.

Cheers

Yeah after I posted I checked KIX and edited my post.

Currently 767 flies to PER, CNS, SYD (sometimes), TBU, APW?, islands + LAX, HNL, PPT.

I did check the arrivals board - as they usually show up. Nothing there to 1300 Thursday.

 

[NM]

Virgin defers A380 by four years

Virgin defers A380 by four years
from BBC NEWS | News Front Page

Virgin Atlantic is to defer its order for the new Airbus A380 by four years.

The airline had ordered six of the new superjumbos for delivery in 2009, but now wants to delay their arrival till 2013.

The project has been dogged by repeated delays, which have cost senior managers their jobs and led to big customers threatening to renegotiate orders.

There had been speculation that Virgin would ditch the A380, but the firm says it still has confidence in the plane.

I guess this opens up a few slots for Airbus to offer earlier deliveries to some customers. I don't think Airbus will be seriously concerned about this deferral.

 

[maninblack]

Re: Virgin defers A380 by four years

I guess this opens up a few slots for Airbus to offer earlier deliveries to some customers. I don't think Airbus will be seriously concerned about this deferral.

Ahh you mean earlier-late deliveries. The real question is, why has Virgin deferred. Perhaps they don't see the growth expected to justify the plane yet and are happy to sit back and watch. Also perhaps to let their fleet age a bit and save the big capex and re-evaluate in a year or two. Not knowing the actual details of contracts signed, but I would guess that since Airbus is so far behind, it's now the airlines calling the shots and Airbus has to wear it.

Upset, perhaps not but deferrals still can't be good, often a contractual euphemism for CANCEL.