VA aircraft update requirements?

[Bagpuss]

You also have to wonder what type of next gen recliner QF may possibly install which potentially will make the new VA seats look second rate in J.

It's pretty well known that QF wont have the A330's for domestic long term.

They aren't going to install flatbed seating into their new domestic airbus fleet.

Hard product wise for the bulk standard domestic Australian runs, I don't think you are going to see much. QF, VA and ZL won't put in the capital expenditure. Especially, whilst VA sticks with a B737 fleet.

 

[elanshin]

It's pretty well known that QF wont have the A330's for domestic long term.

They aren't going to install flatbed seating into their new domestic airbus fleet.

Hard product wise for the bulk standard domestic Australian runs, I don't think you are going to see much. QF, VA and ZL won't put in the capital expenditure. Especially, whilst VA sticks with a B737 fleet.

Perhaps QF returns the Int'l a330s back to dom duty once their new a350/b787 replacements come rolling in. Would be old frame but still better than 737s.

Also not completely out of the question for QF to change layout for some of the new a321xlrs to be "transcon/Int'l" configured. Not a given but a possibility.

 

[lovestotravel]

Agreed. (Although the age of the plane is irrelevant as I am sure all the required maintenance is complete.) The cabin itself is getting a bit shabby but then what else will they do on a 737?

I upgraded with VA on this exact route a couple of months ago. Was in 1F.

From memory the service was ok, A meal on a plate and a couple of average wines to while away the time. I had some podcasts and a book to read so was ok there, however one thing I do enjoy generally when I upgrade is watching a film on the seat back telly. Just a novelty for me as I do not generally watch many films.

But I did also think the exact same thought, that If I was in row 4 or the exit row on QF, I would have been just as well off.

The few VA flights I have taken last year all seem pretty lack lustre. At least on QF every body gets something and if in J and a good crew it can be a really good experience.

Anyone at our work who travels a bit and were previously VA loyalists are swapping if they can.

Yeah those QF 737's MEL-PER are just so much better..................

 

[lovestotravel]

Perhaps QF returns the Int'l a330s back to dom duty once their new a350/b787 replacements come rolling in. Would be old frame but still better than 737s.

Also not completely out of the question for QF to change layout for some of the new a321xlrs to be "transcon/Int'l" configured. Not a given but a possibility.

The A330s will not be returning to domestic

You will get some lovely A320 variant aircraft with cabin crew on rock bottom pay on new contracts and service to match

 

[twinaisle]

Don't be too delusional with QF returning their 330 to domestic. Ever since VA removed the 330 then there is no need for qf to have them doing transcon.

They don't have enough fleet as it is to do international.

 

[ThatMrBlake]

I think the risk will be a next gen recliner like what is getting installed by United and Delta in the states being installed by QF. They both look a step up from the new VA J seat which is also being installed by AA.

 

[justinbrett]

AA A321T used for domestic transcon:


Soon to be replaced by their A321XLR which will retain premium seating (J, but no F):


Who knows what the Australian domestic market will look like in 10 years. Anyone pretending they do must be a sorcerer.

 

[elanshin]

AA A321T used for domestic transcon:
View attachment 367473

Soon to be replaced by their A321XLR which will retain premium seating (J, but no F):
View attachment 367474

Who knows what the Australian domestic market will look like in 10 years. Anyone pretending they do must be a sorcerer.

I think the 321T J are also full flats even though its 2-2. Although its super premium heavy config which i doubt something like SYD - PER can sustain. But running lie flats in long haul narrow bodies isn't out of the question for next gen fleets with Asia reach capabilities.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I think the 321T J are also full flats even though its 2-2. Although its super premium heavy config which i doubt something like SYD - PER can sustain. But running lie flats in long haul narrow bodies isn't out of the question for next gen fleets with Asia reach capabilities.

Not sure why SYD/MEL-PER can’t sustain full flats? Fares are regularly over $3000 return… that’s a third of the business class fare to london, but only a fraction of the time! Should be raking it in on that!

SQ seems to be doing ok with their full flats on all 737s.

 

[elanshin]

Not sure why SYD/MEL-PER can’t sustain full flats? Fares are regularly over $3000 return… that’s a third of the business class fare to london, but only a fraction of the time! Should be raking it in on that!

SQ seems to be doing ok with their full flats on all 737s.

I don't mean not having full flats sorry, I meant premium heavy config that the 321T are running. 102 total seats, 10 F (1-1), 20 J (2-2) both lie flat. 72 Y with half being MCE.

Running full flats are fine.

 

[lovestotravel]

Not sure why SYD/MEL-PER can’t sustain full flats? Fares are regularly over $3000 return… that’s a third of the business class fare to london, but only a fraction of the time! Should be raking it in on that!

SQ seems to be doing ok with their full flats on all 737s.

SQ are a premium airline
QF and VA are not

QF won't do anything innovative or more than needed, as VA is the only real domestic competitor.

The big claim to fame for the next 5-10 years for VA is 737 Max's and "new seating" which is the same J type seat with a leg rest......

 

[Cessna 180]

Yeah those QF 737's MEL-PER are just so much better..................

If you read the entire thread, the point I was making was in agreement with the OP that VA j is not much better the QF economy in an extra leg room row.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

SQ are a premium airline
QF and VA are not

QF won't do anything innovative or more than needed, as VA is the only real domestic competitor.

The big claim to fame for the next 5-10 years for VA is 737 Max's and "new seating" which is the same J type seat with a leg rest......

I thought the big new announcement was the new cabin divider!! Apparently they said they’re going to have an ‘event’ to announce it. sigh.

I don't mean not having full flats sorry, I meant premium heavy config that the 321T are running. 102 total seats, 10 F (1-1), 20 J (2-2) both lie flat. 72 Y with half being MCE.

Running full flats are fine.

Ah, got it! Yes prolly agree on that one. Of course they could always lower fares to fill the cabins!

 

[lovestotravel]

I thought the big new announcement was the new cabin divider!! Apparently they said they’re going to have an ‘event’ to announce it. sigh.

That's still to come hopefully..............

 

[HS-TQE]

That's still to come hopefully..............

Going by VA's recent record of 'announcements', VA are odds on on topping that "Velocity Means Fast" and QF's "Toaster in HBA lounge" announcement which wouldn't surprise me. Ditto if they went over the top with the 'Sky Divider' implementation announcement which is already in use at most 2-class FSCs and VCs around the world.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

That's still to come hopefully..............

Nooooooo.

I wish they would just install it instead of delaying it pending an announcement.

 

[PERLHR]

Nooooooo.

I wish they would just install it instead of delaying it pending an announcement.

Totally agree. They seem to be good at announcing stupid promotions (hated that middle seat nonsense event) and wish they would just get on with it. Another flight, another no USB portal. On it goes ....

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Totally agree. They seem to be good at announcing stupid promotions (hated that middle seat nonsense event) and wish they would just get on with it. Another flight, another no USB portal. On it goes ....

Not to mention the 1 point promo awards.

 

[elanshin]

If there's one thing I don't like about VA's refresh (assuming it'll make the rest of the fleet similar to MAX8s) is that they have gone with USB A ports over USB C.

That seems like a very 2010s decision and not 2020s going forward. While today you could probably argue that most people still have a usb A cable, the shift is happening. I went from having lots of A > C charge cables in 2019 to now just having 2x USB C (with an A adaptor) and the rest of my cables being all high power capable C - C.

 

[lovestotravel]

If there's one thing I don't like about VA's refresh (assuming it'll make the rest of the fleet similar to MAX8s) is that they have gone with USB A ports over USB C.

That seems like a very 2010s decision and not 2020s going forward. While today you could probably argue that most people still have a usb A cable, the shift is happening. I went from having lots of A > C charge cables in 2019 to now just having 2x USB C (with an A adaptor) and the rest of my cables being all high power capable C - C.

Indeed - Given the EU iPhone announcement in Sept 2022 said they were going to USB-C