Would you fly at a less convenient time to get a nicer plane?

[Gredgy69]

I have a family trip to Fiji booked for next February for 5 in economy. I had the options of 06:00 Fiji Air flight 737 Max 8, 08:35 Qantas flight 737 800 or 13:15 Fiji Air A350 900. I would obviously prefer the A350 but have chosen the Max 8 flight as we get the most Fiji time by taking it. So for me I would say that the nicer plane would be my preference, but scheduling will trump nicer plane in nearly all instances

 

[somebol]

I go out of my way to fly nicer planes with better products, only exception SQ supper flights.. always avoid them

 

[Scarlett]

Well here's a live example.

I had booked a Y trip MEL-CBR for November. It was in an A220. I got notified yesterday of a "change to your flights" and the change is that this flight will now be leaving MEL 10 minutes later, in a Dash-8. To say I am not happy would be to minimise my absolute displeasure at this bait and switch. A Dash-8 (a noisy turbo prop with very cramped and uncomfortable seating that is bad enough between CBR and SYD) is a way, way, way worse aircraft than an A220 (a nice modern jet with comfy seats).

<snip>

Interestingly, I’d be happy about the change. Having taken a couple of flights on the QF A220/C-Series, I find their seats uncomfortable, mostly due to poor legroom. I’m SG so can only select from whatever row back the whY experience really starts.
I’ll take the Dash8 please, even if the seat pitch is similar.

 

[Berlin]

Do it all the time. Avoiding the MaxMurderer is one big reason- I do what I can to not set foot on this plane type. Flying on a wide body plane is another (just look at the difference between a 737 and a 787 on Qantas as an example- it’s like day and night). Likewise, if there’s an A380 option, that’s usually a winner for me.

Of course, only if it is reasonable, I wouldn’t drag myself out of bed for a 6am departure during holidays just for the aircraft.

 

[maverick1]

I'm doing it coming Dec. Flying Qatar but via Mel instead of home airport SYD. The evening flight from Syd is currently on A380 which is sans Qsuite, so instead flying via Mel to experience Qsuite.

 

[Forg]

I'm doing it coming Dec. Flying Qatar but via Mel instead of home airport SYD. The evening flight from Syd is currently on A380 which is sans Qsuite, so instead flying via Mel to experience Qsuite.

Something-something choosing to do anything via Melbourne to access a particular product-or-service sings really high praises for that product-or-service something-something-something!!

 

[Human]

Something-something choosing to do anything via Melbourne to access a particular product-or-service sings really high praises for that product-or-service something-something-something!!

Next time I stroll the 3-minute walk between International and Domestic at MEL, I'll keep in mind what a massive sacrifice I'm making doing it in MEL rather than SYD where the international-to-domestic transfer is so much more convenient!!

 

[Forg]

Next time I stroll the 3-minute walk between International and Domestic at MEL, I'll keep in mind what a massive sacrifice I'm making doing it in MEL rather than SYD where the international-to-domestic transfer is so much more convenient!!

You’re discounting the fact that time is observed differently in hell, and even though your watch might say 3 minutes that time actually travels like 15-odd years of repeatedly listening to Nic Cage doing a solo radio-play production of Sense And Sensibility.

 

[AuSammy]

Something-something choosing to do anything via Melbourne to access a particular product-or-service sings really high praises for that product-or-service something-something-something!!

This must surely be tongue in cheek.

MEL and ADL are great Airports for d-i or i-d. A leisurely walk. No buses, no going outside in inclement weather, no indeterminant delays by others to get from one terminal to another.

SYD terrible and BNE also not that convenient.

I avoid SYD like the plague if my journey requires a terminal transfer

 

[Berlin]

Next time I stroll the 3-minute walk between International and Domestic at MEL, I'll keep in mind what a massive sacrifice I'm making doing it in MEL rather than SYD where the international-to-domestic transfer is so much more convenient!!

I would normally agree. But currently, the International arrival in MEL is a total nightmare due to construction works and basically ZERO attempt to alleviate its effects in the slightest.

I’d even forgo my beloved Qsuite to avoid that mess in the moment and that means something!

 

[Forg]

This must surely be tongue in cheek.

Pretty much.

But when considering Melbourne, don’t forget how the devil makes those deals appear so appealing at the outset …

 

[OATEK]

I go out of my way to fly nicer planes with better products, only exception SQ supper flights.. always avoid them

If just flying say SYD-SIN or SIN-SYD, when Y will do, I will look at day flights. I prefer the older B777 SQ aircraft, even when they leave quite early in the morning, than waiting for the A380, particularly when I can snag a two-seater up the back.

When flying into EU/UK we prefer J, and I would rather arrive in the afternoon than morning, when possible (eg ex-SIN). But sometimes the cost will drive a less convenient timing.

 

[tassie6]

This must surely be tongue in cheek.

MEL and ADL are great Airports for d-i or i-d. A leisurely walk. No buses, no going outside in inclement weather, no indeterminant delays by others to get from one terminal to another.

SYD terrible and BNE also not that convenient.

I avoid SYD like the plague if my journey requires a terminal transfer

100% agree, coming from HBA, if there is a choice between MEL and SYD it is MEL every day of the week.

3 min walk to change terminals is just so much better

 

[elanshin]

Depends

• Work or time sensitive - Timing generally has the highest priority followed by price. Plane/seat type is a nice to have.
• Less time sensitive - Price > Plane/seat > timing. Altough I probably won't get to the airport for a 6am flight unless i really need to. I'll pay that $50 extra to take an 8-9am flight instead.
• Long Haul - Price and plane is both in the mix and in the equation. overall jounrey time, stop over locations, lounge access etc this gets much less clear cut.

I think the biggest plane type choice I made that added to my journey time was in 2019. Flew SFO > MEL > SYD (in J for SFO > MEL) on the QF 787 which were relatively new vs flying the 747 direct from SYD.

I also lost time once doing MEL > SYD when 2 330's went tech and because I had checked in luggage I had to wait for them to officially swap us out instead of just hopping on the next available 737.

 

[Wanderlust_tim]

My best laid plans have been stymied, i was to fly MEL-SYD tomorrow in an A333 but at check in have discovered that the plane has been switched to a B738. I've gone from my lovely bank of two to now being in the back of what is going to be a very full bus.

 

[Human]

My best laid plans have been stymied, i was to fly MEL-SYD tomorrow in an A333 but at check in have discovered that the plane has been switched to a B738. I've gone from my lovely bank of two to now being in the back of what is going to be a very full bus.

Sadly, you can't really consider yourself a frequent flyer if you haven't been bumped from an A330 on the SYD-MEL route at least once!

 

[NZflygirl]

Really depends on how bad the other options are QF 789 PE/Y vs 737 Y comes to mind.
I hate early flights but if that is the best aircraft (and therefore seating) on that route that I can get then I will set several alarms to get out of bed


If it's a short 1hr hop then maybe I'll go for convenience. When the flight time gets longer the dial starts shifting back towards other options. I will fly different carriers just for a comfy seat.
Have questioned myself before sitting on QFs717 looking longingly out the window at VAs 737 and thinking "what AM I doing? I shouldn't make myself uncomfortable for status credits! This is NOT worth it"
Long hauling economy I'll also choose aircraft = better seat options.

 

[Phoenix-1]

I go out of my way to fly nicer planes with better products, only exception SQ supper flights.. always avoid them

Why are the supper flights no good?

For me, I quite dislike the SQ 787 J seats. I'd prefer to fly through MEL or SYD to avoid them. Or just fly Y if it's an ex-ADL day flight.