Which version of the 717 does QF use HBA - MEL, with J or no J, have you seen?

[AustraliaPoochie]

Granted that they can change it, and that QF uses the Dash 8 for LST - MEL...
In the past when you have flown HBA - MEL, on the 717, has there been a J cabin type of 717 they use, or a mixture of no J and with J.
ADL - MEL - HBA (interested more in the HBA lounge, as in HBA - MEL), asking about $970, all I can see MEL - HBA/vv is their B717, so not sure which version/aircraft type.
Seeing we can't fly too far, internationally, apart from NZ (which I am not ready for yet), so thought maybe see HBA's QF J lounge.
Gist of the question, lets say, if I bought a subclass of J, and no J service on that 717 HBA - MEL, only J on MEL - ADL, would I get access to the HBA J lounge?
EDIT: heh
turns out QF in HBA only has their QP...!!!
Still I want to see it...

 

[RooFlyer]

The HBA Q pub is small and usually crowded, as flights tend to be bunched. I’ve frequently abandoned it for the ( coughpy ) concourse seating. Any of my old TRs ( involving flying) usually start with a grumble about it and some pics.

 

[bullerdude]

Anyone know the deal with the 717's out of Newcastle?

I recall the initial reports indicated they would be the Y/J version but so far for the flights I've been on and looking at new booking later in the year I've only seen the Y version.

 

[kookaburra75]

The HBA Q pub is small and usually crowded, as flights tend to be bunched. I’ve frequently abandoned it for the ( coughpy ) concourse seating. Any of my old TRs ( involving flying) usually start with a grumble about it and some pics.

But I like with what they've done with the construction work, and the garlands of barbed wire outside the windows. And I'm sure they have put in a new sandwich grill.

Anyone know the deal with the 717's out of Newcastle?
I recall the initial reports indicated they would be the Y/J version but so far for the flights I've been on and looking at new booking later in the year I've only seen the Y version.

If it's the same as Canberra to Brisbane route, it looks like they've downgraded the aircraft to Y only seating. It was mid Dec last year that I saw J on that run, in either direction. I seem to remember another post about the NTL routes being made Y only as well.

 

[mviy]

When I've flown to HBA they've tended to use aircraft with J from what I can recall, but those trips were pre-covid. I have a trip booked during DSC that is for a plane with J seating.

The lounge in HBA is by far the worst of any capital city in Australia that I have been too. Even some non-capitals like OOL and CNS have much better lounges.

There were plans to have a new lounge in HBA before COVID, but sadly presumably that's been pushed back now.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Ta all.
Maybe just to do it once, ie, have a look see.
And I am aware the blurb on the QF website says the "lounge" is only open an hour before flight departure.
Have been to most of the Aust domestic QPs around, PER/MEL (old version and new version), SYD, ADL of course, CBR and BNE.
Can't stand DRW's humidity, so that one is out, as is CNS.
Might put in a trip to Mt Wellington too, this Jul maybe.
Oh, and I have had a look at the Youtube videos of the HBA QF's facilities, when it clicked, no QF J lounge in HBA.

 

[RooFlyer]

There were plans to have a new lounge in HBA before COVID, but sadly presumably that's been pushed back now.

That gets wrapped up the late lamented HBA 'Master Plan'. The old MP was abandoned in 2019 half way through when they realised they had underestimated passenger growth. Start again, put in wooden benches in the main concourse area, then Covid hit. Oh well, put it all off.

Then NZ international flights announced, and they've scrambled to put in place (what they claim to be) a $20mill "international processing" centre prior to the direct flight from Auckland which arrives 22 April. I haven't been out to the airport, so I checked their web site:



Righto, no news about the re-commencement of international arrivals there. Lets look at their FB page. Nope, nothing there either. Did I mis-hear about the new international flights, I wonder?




ANYWAY ... I think the new international facility is at the end of the terminal where the QP is and if so, that would hem the QP in more, so little chance of expansion, I think.

HBA is a terrible airport. Its main problem for years has been its half ownership by MacBank who squeezed the asset till the pips (passengers) squeaked. Schipol Airports now have majority control, so we were hoping for better management and better planning. Time will tell, but I'm not holding my breath.