Time for the 747s to go

[Fynsie]

So, LAX and back on QF15/16, a week apart. J class paid for with private dollars.

Way over, selected seat 3E had non-functioning Entertainment system. Blank screen and no power to the remote.

Apologised and moved me to 16J upstairs. No seat recline at all. Dead as a dofo. Had to settle for original 3E where I could at least recline and sleep. Lucky I have lots of books on ipad.

Return not so bad, but no power to the USB slots on front of seat. Power points worked so I got my wall charger out and flight otherwise ok. But several cabin lights dead - two no smoking signs which I suppose don’t matter, but also one of the lights in the centre upper cabin on ceiling between the exits.

Crew gave really good personal service, but just shrugged when I asked about those defects.

Clearly the interior is running out of servicable life but they obviously won’t put in anything new or renewed with retirement on the approaching horizon.

Until they put a 787 on that route, I think I will go via Syd on the A380. Should be better than this for a business cabin at business prices.

 

[JohnPhelan]

The 787s are scheduled to take over QF15/16 by this time next year.

 

[JohnK]

We need to be careful what we wish for.

I know you're discussing business class but in economy I would much rather an ageing 747 over a new A330 or 787.

Dreading the day I cannot allocate 43H....

 

[straitman]

We need to be careful what we wish for.

I know you're discussing business class but in economy I would much rather an ageing 747 over a new A330 or 787.

Dreading the day I cannot allocate 43H....

Agreed JohnK.

This is to do with cabin fit out not aircraft type. It seems they certainly need a refresh even to make it through the next 12 months until replacement. Also I'll always prefer the option of the extra engines.

 

[moa999]

And if the 744ERs will be around until mid-late 2020s they really should get upgraded along with the A380s
(Though I just can't see QF doing it)

 

[AIRwin]

Time to give VA a go...

 

[Fynsie]

Time to give VA a go...

Thought about that, seriously after the putward leg, but have worked hard and paid much to maintain Gold for about 10 years. Can’t face the thought of starting from scratch.

 

[UP4014]

Sounds more like a seating IFE problem than a 747 problem.

I flew on an Airbus today with no IFE, based on your rationale I say get rid of all of them.

Guess what, if you don't look after things they break.

 

[UP4014]

And if the 744ERs will be around until mid-late 2020s they really should get upgraded along with the A380s
(Though I just can't see QF doing it)

Wish they would buy a few new 747s, very classy.

 

[Denali]

747 is my one day wish list flight. Never had the privilege but as I pay for J myself, yeah - give VA a try.

 

[dajop]

Thought about that, seriously after the putward leg, but have worked hard and paid much to maintain Gold for about 10 years. Can’t face the thought of starting from scratch.

If you're in J, then it doesn't make much difference whether you're gold or not even a member . Unless you have an extra 16kg of luggage...

(I get it though, the J flight is helping you keep gold for flights when you are not travelling up the front).

 

[justinbrett]

It will be sad to see the B747 retired.

I'm flying YVR-SYD next month in J, will probably be my last B747 flight - certainly my last QF B747 flight.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Perhaps more a case of airlines spending money to maintain their 747s (internally) than let them run down until they dispose of them? Some airlines do a good job of maintaining their 747 cabins, makes for a nice ride.

 

[mviy]

I flew on an Airbus today with no IFE, based on your rationale I say get rid of all of them.

So did I. QF did fly a part over from Sydney to try to fix the A380 used to fly MEL-DXB (scheduled to depart Nov 1, but departed about 1am on Nov 2), but it didn’t resolve the issue so they sent the plane anyway with no IFE for anyone. Got an email (without asking them) saying they’ll give me 10,000 points but I’m yet to receive it.

The plane was sent back from DXB to SYD. I’m guessing the IFE wasn’t working on that flight as well.

 

[Kangol]

Qantas long haul J is certainly nowhere near the standard of other top J carriers, regardless of whether they compete against them in the same markets. The hard product alone (including new A330/787/future A380) doesn't quite compare. Skybed Mk II is dated.
Everyone's perception of soft product differs, however if you are connecting in SYD, have a look at AA J - 777 which will be replaced by a 787. Look at the hard products of the reverse herringbone seats to get an idea of what the long haul J standard should be like.

 

[jb747]

Sadly, amongst 300-500 seats, there will always be some that aren’t working. Some come good after a full power down (which is hard to arrange in flight). It doesn’t matter how old the aircraft is...

 

[mviy]

The QF A380 I was on from MEL-DXB earlier this week had no IFE at all. No passengers could use it. In flight power was working though. I came prepared with my iPad so the inconvenience was minimal for me.

 

[tgh]

Everything worked in 14a/b except the air vents, but the hard product is certainly seriously dated ; I believe that it does not reflect the modern ambience expected by most premium travellers.
Otoh , the aussie spin to the crewing continues to be just wonderful (ImnsHO) and I will take a chirpy bit of repartee any day to stiff box ticking formality.

 

[wingtip626]

So did I. QF did fly a part over from Sydney to try to fix the A380 used to fly MEL-DXB (scheduled to depart Nov 1, but departed about 1am on Nov 2), but it didn’t resolve the issue so they sent the plane anyway with no IFE for anyone. Got an email (without asking them) saying they’ll give me 10,000 points but I’m yet to receive it.

The plane was sent back from DXB to SYD. I’m guessing the IFE wasn’t working on that flight as well.

I recently flew on VH-OQF operating as QF2 DXB-SYD on 2 Nov. The IFE was still unserviceable. The crew provided magazines and newspapers that they sourced from the terminal preflight.

I too received an email (without prompt) offering compensation of 5,000 QFF points.

The aircraft turned around as QF1 on 3 Nov. Hopefully they managed to fix the IFE.

 

[Berlin]

This is precisely why I avoid the 747s like the plague but then again, I've never liked the type even back in the days when it was newish still.
I know that many people on here will disagree but for me, the 747 was always an unfinished job with that hump on the front. Airbus had to come in to set it right with the A380 Now please don't flame and burn me for what is a very personal opinion