QF A330 Upgrade Status

VHOGU · Tue Jul 28, 2015 12:07 pm

Hi guys,

Does anybody have any info on the in relation to when all the QF A330 business class refits are scheduled to happen? And which are done already?

Thanks

qf789 · Tue Jul 28, 2015 12:15 pm

Quoting VHOGU (Thread starter):
Does anybody have any info on the in relation to when all the QF A330 business class refits are scheduled to happen? And which are done already?

The following have already been reconfigured

For the A330-300's
VH-QPA, QPB, QPC & QPD

For the A330-200's
VH-EBA, EBB, EBJ, EBS, EBV

QPI has been in BNE maintenance since 7th of July and and EBK has been in BNE for just under a week so I would think those are the next 2 to have the refurbs done.

[Edited 2015-07-28 05:25:31]

VHOGU · Tue Jul 28, 2015 12:39 pm

Thanks qf789. I'm booked on a PER-BNE flight this Friday and it appears to be new config. Looking forward to it!

jetblue1965 · Tue Jul 28, 2015 1:02 pm

Are these doing any regional routes to Asia, or they're 100% deployed domestically on PER-SYD/MEL/BNE type of transcon routes ? Any of them go over to AKL ?

bwwt · Tue Jul 28, 2015 1:21 pm

Quoting jetblue1965 (Reply 3):

Are these doing any regional routes to Asia, or they're 100% deployed domestically on PER-SYD/MEL/BNE type of transcon routes ? Any of them go over to AKL ?

The A333s generally only do international, so they will be used for Asia flying. I know I've read they're on SYD/MEL-SIN (Possibly BNE by now too?) and SYD-HKG with MEL and BNE to follow. AKL has been 737 only territory for a while now from the east coast.

qf002 · Tue Jul 28, 2015 1:30 pm

Quoting VHOGU (Thread starter):
when all the QF A330 business class refits are scheduled to happen?

QF's official line is "late 2016" though it's feasible to think they'll be done by the middle of next year if they keep going at a rate of 2 every 6-8 weeks.

Quoting jetblue1965 (Reply 3):
Are these doing any regional routes to Asia, or they're 100% deployed domestically on PER-SYD/MEL/BNE type of transcon routes ? Any of them go over to AKL ?

The -300s are almost exclusively used to Asia while the -200s go all over the place (mostly domestic but also SYD-SIN, SYD-CGK and SYD-HNL).

AKL will probably see the new seats ex-PER this summer but east cost services are all flown using 738s these days.

jetblue1965 · Tue Jul 28, 2015 1:35 pm

Quoting bwwt (Reply 4):

The A333s generally only do international, so they will be used for Asia flying. I know I've read they're on SYD/MEL-SIN (Possibly BNE by now too?) and SYD-HKG with MEL and BNE to follow. AKL has been 737 only territory for a while now from the east coast.

Quoting qf002 (Reply 5):

The -300s are almost exclusively used to Asia while the -200s go all over the place (mostly domestic but also SYD-SIN, SYD-CGK and SYD-HNL).

Thanks. If these are mostly international, which planes are doing the "premium transcon" to Perth with the flat beds ?

a320fan · Tue Jul 28, 2015 1:52 pm

Quoting jetblue1965 (Reply 6):

Quoting bwwt (Reply 4):

The A333s generally only do international, so they will be used for Asia flying. I know I've read they're on SYD/MEL-SIN (Possibly BNE by now too?) and SYD-HKG with MEL and BNE to follow. AKL has been 737 only territory for a while now from the east coast.
Quoting qf002 (Reply 5):

The -300s are almost exclusively used to Asia while the -200s go all over the place (mostly domestic but also SYD-SIN, SYD-CGK and SYD-HNL).

Thanks. If these are mostly international, which planes are doing the "premium transcon" to Perth with the flat beds ?

The transcon flying is done with the 200s, though I'm sure it has occurred that a 300 gets rotated through at some point.

Thai77w · Tue Jul 28, 2015 2:14 pm

They are quite common on BNE-SIN/HKG. I imagine there's a good chance they will be on the BNE-NRT route starting this week.

qf789 · Wed Jul 29, 2015 6:14 am

Quoting a320fan (Reply 7):
The transcon flying is done with the 200s, though I'm sure it has occurred that a 300 gets rotated through at some point.

QPA flew to PER on the 21st of July, it was then repositioned back to SYD

Sydscott · Wed Jul 29, 2015 7:07 am

Quoting thai77w (Reply 8):
They are quite common on BNE-SIN/HKG. I imagine there's a good chance they will be on the BNE-NRT route starting this week.

Quoting qf789 (Reply 9):
QPA flew to PER on the 21st of July, it was then repositioned back to SYD

The 4 refurbished A333's are generally found rotating between SYD/MEL/BNE to SIN and HKG. However they have done rotations into all of the QF A330 destinations in Asia and it appears now that they're being used more generally into Asia.

Quoting thai77w (Reply 8):
I imagine there's a good chance they will be on the BNE-NRT route starting this week.

They'll probably be on the first rotation. After that it'll be pot luck to see which route out of BNE gets the refurbished A330's.

zkojq · Wed Jul 29, 2015 12:52 pm

Quoting qf789 (Reply 1):
EBK

VH-EBK is being returned from JetStar.

Quoting bwwt (Reply 4):
AKL has been 737 only territory for a while now from the east coast.

Quoting qf002 (Reply 5):
AKL will probably see the new seats ex-PER this summer but east cost services are all flown using 738s these days.

AKL occasionally gets QF A330s from Sydney during summer. They're only once or twice a week though.

View Large View Medium
Click here for bigger photo!

Photo © Jonathan Rankin

Other than that Qantas operates a few PER-AKL-PER services with A330-200s over summer.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/zk-ngj/15878717627/in/pool-nzaa/

EK413 · Wed Jul 29, 2015 12:57 pm

In regards to the use of the reconfigure A330's I've heard the domestic -200's can't be used on International flights greater than 5 hours as they've been fitted out with leather seating? Disappointed they've chosen to with this option, leather on domestic A330's & cloth on the -300's..

EK413

qf789 · Wed Jul 29, 2015 1:04 pm

Quoting EK413 (Reply 12):
In regards to the use of the reconfigure A330's I've heard the domestic -200's can't be used on International flights greater than 5 hours as they've been fitted out with leather seating? Disappointed they've chosen to with this option, leather on domestic A330's & cloth on the -300's..

That seems a bit silly. Are any A332's going to have cloth seats, since there are a couple of routes served by A332 rather than A333.

allrite · Wed Jul 29, 2015 1:13 pm

Quoting EK413 (Reply 12):
In regards to the use of the reconfigure A330's I've heard the domestic -200's can't be used on International flights greater than 5 hours as they've been fitted out with leather seating? Disappointed they've chosen to with this option, leather on domestic A330's & cloth on the -300's..

I know that Qantas believes that leather seating is less suitable for extended flight lengths, but surely won't stop them from using those aircraft on longer flights if they need to. Maybe the leather is a holdover from Jetstar where the A332s certainly flew longer flights than 5 hours.

qf002 · Wed Jul 29, 2015 1:14 pm

Quoting EK413 (Reply 12):
In regards to the use of the reconfigure A330's I've heard the domestic -200's can't be used on International flights greater than 5 hours as they've been fitted out with leather seating?

This might have more to do with the dense Y configuration (and subsequent lack of galley space) -- there are plenty of carriers that use leather seats on their long haul J seats. Maybe the issue is with the fitted mattresses not playing nicely with the smooth surface?

It's a major issue if true -- the -200s are pretty essential to servicing their regional network (especially with BNE-NRT starting this weekend). I'm sure they have something planned, I still think it makes a lot of sense to maintain a small subfleet of international -200s with new Y seats/IFE and the cloth seats in J.

trex8 · Wed Jul 29, 2015 2:52 pm

There are the 2 A332s going back to the lessor and then to the RAAF as tankers eventually, are there other A330s due for retirement from Qantas/Jetstar??

Thai77w · Wed Jul 29, 2015 3:04 pm

No further retirements at this stage.

As for the A332 issue... I think it's just a rumour. They intend to reconfigure them all the same... Since they fly to HNL,BKK,SIN and other 5+ hr flights I doubt there's going to be a problem... There's not enough 333s so they can't fly these routes all the time. If it was going to be a problem surely QF wouldn't have announced a standardised product with the 332/333 being interchangeable to stop issues they have now.

qf789 · Wed Jul 29, 2015 3:05 pm

Quoting trex8 (Reply 16):
There are the 2 A332s going back to the lessor and then to the RAAF as tankers eventually, are there other A330s due for retirement from Qantas/Jetstar??

There are still 2 A332's to be transferred from JQ to QF (EBE & EBF) which should happen in the coming months, JQ still has 1 788 to take delivery of. The 2nd A332 to leave QF's fleet (EBI) will be in November so by the end of the year they will have 28 A330's (10 x A333 & 18 x A332)

EK413 · Thu Jul 30, 2015 3:43 am

Quoting qf789 (Reply 13):
That seems a bit silly. Are any A332's going to have cloth seats, since there are a couple of routes served by A332 rather than A333.

I agree, certainly throws a spanner into the works.

Quoting allrite (Reply 14):
I know that Qantas believes that leather seating is less suitable for extended flight lengths, but surely won't stop them from using those aircraft on longer flights if they need to. Maybe the leather is a holdover from Jetstar where the A332s certainly flew longer flights than 5 hours.

According to what I've heard a swap with a reconfigured -300 & -200 wasn't possible due the aircraft being fitted with leather seating which isn't suitable for +5 hour flights.

Quoting qf002 (Reply 15):
This might have more to do with the dense Y configuration (and subsequent lack of galley space) -- there are plenty of carriers that use leather seats on their long haul J seats. Maybe the issue is with the fitted mattresses not playing nicely with the smooth surface?

It's a major issue if true -- the -200s are pretty essential to servicing their regional network (especially with BNE-NRT starting this weekend). I'm sure they have something planned, I still think it makes a lot of sense to maintain a small subfleet of international -200s with new Y seats/IFE and the cloth seats in J.

Hmm, that's possible. I always thought the galleys didn't differ from -200's to -300's with exception of the seating layout / capacity. Plus there's obviously the International aircraft which have the additional forward galley & serve service bars.

Quoting thai77w (Reply 17):
As for the A332 issue... I think it's just a rumour. They intend to reconfigure them all the same... Since they fly to HNL,BKK,SIN and other 5+ hr flights I doubt there's going to be a problem... There's not enough 333s so they can't fly these routes all the time. If it was going to be a problem surely QF wouldn't have announced a standardised product with the 332/333 being interchangeable to stop issues they have now.

I hope it's a rumour a source indicated a direct swap between both types isn't possible unless desperation rules over comfort.

EK413

qf789 · Thu Jul 30, 2015 3:50 am

From Oct 25th A332 east-west services will reduced to redirect aircraft on BNE-SYD (10 weekly) and for international network changes

http://www.ausbt.com.au/qantas-trims...=flipper&utm_campaign=home-flipper

qfvhoqa · Thu Jul 30, 2015 3:59 am

Quoting allrite (Reply 14):
Maybe the leather is a holdover from Jetstar where the A332s certainly flew longer flights than 5 hours.

Leather seating is easier to keep clean on shorter flights, where the plane is turned around without a clean. Longer flights get cleaned at each turn so there's more time to clean a fabric seat.

Quoting EK413 (Reply 19):
Hmm, that's possible. I always thought the galleys didn't differ from -200's to -300's with exception of the seating layout / capacity. Plus there's obviously the International aircraft which have the additional forward galley & serve service bars.

After the reconfiguration, A332s have less galley space than A333s.
Comparing the former international A332 rear galley to the new A332 rear galley, the toilets have moved behind doors R4/L4. This is roughly the same size as the former domestic A332 configuration.
The mid galley at doors L2/R2 is also smaller on the new A332 config.

Quoting EK413 (Reply 19):
I hope it's a rumour a source indicated a direct swap between both types isn't possible unless desperation rules over comfort.

There's likely an element of truth to the rumour, but "not possible" is probably an exaggeration.

Ditzyboy · Thu Jul 30, 2015 6:02 am

Quoting qf789 (Reply 20):
The mid galley at doors L2/R2 is also smaller on the new A332 config.

There is no mid galley or any galley type stowages at Doors 2 on the new A332 configuration. There is large coat cupboards though.

Quoting EK413 (Reply 12):
In regards to the use of the reconfigure A330's I've heard the domestic -200's can't be used on International flights greater than 5 hours as they've been fitted out with leather seating?

I think 7 hours is closer to the mark (purely speculation on my part), and that would be due to galley equipment and size constraints. The leather/cloth thing is just about recommendations from an ergonomists. Remember, a mattress is supplied to be fitted to the seat on international overnight flights anyway. It seems that the reconfigured -200s will be used to CGK, according to the next long haul FA bid pack.

Quoting qf789 (Reply 13):
Are any A332's going to have cloth seats, since there are a couple of routes served by A332 rather than A333.

Official word is all -200s will be the same in seat layout and configuration. The only difference is the aircraft that didn't have PTVs in Y/C are using refurbished seats from the -300s and airline-supplied iPads.

a320fan · Thu Jul 30, 2015 6:16 am

Quoting Ditzyboy (Reply 22):
Official word is all -200s will be the same in seat layout and configuration. The only difference is the aircraft that didn't have PTVs in Y/C are using refurbished seats from the -300s and airline-supplied iPads.

Sounds like the cheap shortcut way to do it. I always thought the A330 confit was to have the same product across the fleet with all aircraft to be interchangeable between international and domestic. Maybe I had that wrong the whole time?

Anyway, I flew in EBM twice in January 2014 and there was certainly nothing wrong with the economy product. Certainly on par with some of the best long haul Y seats and while not top of range, good IFE. J was a joke even for domestic however.

[Edited 2015-07-29 23:18:09]

Sydscott · Thu Jul 30, 2015 6:30 am

Quoting a320fan (Reply 23):
Sounds like the cheap shortcut way to do it. I always thought the A330 confit was to have the same product across the fleet with all aircraft to be interchangeable between international and domestic. Maybe I had that wrong the whole time?

It was never the intention to have PTV's all throughout the A332 fleet. Personally I always through the A332 was eventually going to be divided into two rotation types:

- Type 1 doing purely domestic routes. These would be the IPAD equipped one's:
- Type 2 doing some International flying along with domestic.

The A332 has been regularly seen to CGK, MNL and on the second daily flight on SYD-SIN. I'd imagine those, along with HNL, will continue to be serviced with the PTV equipped one's in future.

Airbus A3XX · Thu Jul 30, 2015 6:55 am

It is unlikely that the reconfigured A330-200s are going to be deployed as the regular aircraft on the longer international sectors because:

- Reduced galley space and toilets - the reconfiguration removed the mid-galley that is situated at door 2 which significantly reduced the ability for the aircraft to carry catering required for 2 meal flights. Toilets have also been removed so there is only 1 toilet left for Business class which is insufficient for overnight service, especially given that Qantas offers Business customers pyjamas to change into
- Crew rest - currently Internationally configured A330-200s have a couple of dedicated crew rest seats at the rear of Economy. None of the reconfigured A330-200s have these and the union contract would prohibit these aircraft from going on long flights like SYD-HNL
- Customer offering - as most have mentioned, most 332s (except for 2) would have no PTVs in Economy and that would be a major customer downgrade if scheduled as a regular offering on longer Asian flying

Having said that, I understand from sources that while these would not be the regular aircraft type on most Asian/HNL flights, QF have dispensation with internal stakeholders to operate the 332s on SYD-CGK services (short sector time) as necessary. Also with very tight fleet availability it wouldn't surprise anyone if the 332s are substituted in lieu of the 333s in case of breakdowns or supplementary flying.

Note current A330-200s that operates SYD-SIN/CGK are all the proper international configured ones

Sydscott · Thu Jul 30, 2015 7:48 am

Quoting Ditzyboy (Reply 22):
The only difference is the aircraft that didn't have PTVs in Y/C are using refurbished seats from the -300s and airline-supplied iPads.

Quoting Airbus A3XX (Reply 25):
- Customer offering - as most have mentioned, most 332s (except for 2) would have no PTVs in Economy and that would be a major customer downgrade if scheduled as a regular offering on longer Asian flying

With reference to the comment by Ditzyboy, my understanding was that the domestic A332's with the PTV's would keep them while the one's without would have the IPAD's fitted. So by my reckoning there should be at least 8 A332's that retain PTV's while the other 10 have IPAD's.

QF744ER · Thu Jul 30, 2015 8:48 am

The ex JQ A332's are receiving iPads in Y, the 2 remaining Intl ones -EBG and L which have the smaller PTV's will lose their 'International' status and be refitted with iPads in line with the ex JQ ones during refurb.

Why QF couldn't just of had a standard product and operate an interchangeable and identically configured A332's will always bemuse me. It would of made far more sense in the long-run and given far more fleet flexibility.

Instead they'll have 2 different sub fleets of A332's one with PTV's and the other with iPads in Y.

iPads belong in the world of LCC's not top tier legacy carriers.

qf002 · Thu Jul 30, 2015 9:15 am

Quoting Airbus A3XX (Reply 25):
It is unlikely that the reconfigured A330-200s are going to be deployed as the regular aircraft on the longer international sectors because:

All logical points, but operationally they have no other choice but to use A332s for longer international flights unless they cut a significant number of services.

Either that or maintain the two international aircraft as they are until after they have enough 787s to return the A332s back to domestic only. That strikes me as unlikely.

Airbus A3XX · Thu Jul 30, 2015 11:38 am

Quoting QF744ER (Reply 27):
Why QF couldn't just of had a standard product and operate an interchangeable and identically configured A332's will always bemuse me. It would of made far more sense in the long-run and given far more fleet flexibility.

It all comes down to cost

Quoting qf002 (Reply 28):
All logical points, but operationally they have no other choice but to use A332s for longer international flights unless they cut a significant number of services.

You would find that these are not logical arguments but rather actual operational constraints that QF is facing that prevents that from operating any flights over 9 hours with these aircraft

qf002 · Thu Jul 30, 2015 12:10 pm

Quoting Airbus A3XX (Reply 29):
You would find that these are not logical arguments but rather actual operational constraints that QF is facing that prevents that from operating any flights over 9 hours with these aircraft

Whatever you want to call them, the fact remains that QF cannot operate their regional network with just ten aircraft (especially if the final couple of 744 retirements go ahead as planned).

So either these so called "constraints" (which are really just assumptions, though ones that I think are logical and that I agree with) turn out to not be an issue at all (unlikely IMO) or QF has another solution ready and we just don't know about it yet (more likely IMO).

qfvhoqa · Thu Jul 30, 2015 12:13 pm

Quoting Ditzyboy (Reply 22):
There is no mid galley or any galley type stowages at Doors 2 on the new A332 configuration. There is large coat cupboards though.

Even worse for long haul flights then!

Quoting Ditzyboy (Reply 22):
The only difference is the aircraft that didn't have PTVs in Y/C are using refurbished seats from the -300s and airline-supplied iPads.

Why will they use the former -300 seats? Is there something wrong with the former -200 seats?

Quoting Sydscott (Reply 24):
I'd imagine those, along with HNL, will continue to be serviced with the PTV equipped one's in future.

I can see HNL being a -200 route. With the worsening USD:AUD rate, HNL is just going to keep getting more expensive. Demand to HNL will likely continue to soften.

Quoting Airbus A3XX (Reply 25):
- Crew rest - currently Internationally configured A330-200s have a couple of dedicated crew rest seats at the rear of Economy. None of the reconfigured A330-200s have these and the union contract would prohibit these aircraft from going on long flights like SYD-HNL

The QF website hosts 2 versions of seat map for the refurb'ed -200s. One of which has "28J/239Y 4 CABIN CREW REST (LONG RANGE OPERATION)".

Quoting QF744ER (Reply 27):
Why QF couldn't just of had a standard product and operate an interchangeable and identically configured A332's will always bemuse me. It would of made far more sense in the long-run and given far more fleet flexibility.

PTVs are not essential on domestic, even for flights East Coast-PER. So while it would be silly to rip the PTVs out of those -200s that already had them, it's cheaper to provide streaming IFE. The number of -200s that are fitted with PTVs gives enough flexibility to use them for long haul flying.

a320fan · Thu Jul 30, 2015 12:26 pm

If they equip them with iPads they better have the ability to charge and a holder in the seat back so PAX don't have to hold the thing or have the tray table down the whole flight. If they don't offer that then it sounds a pretty average product offering.

bwwt · Thu Jul 30, 2015 1:07 pm

Quoting a320fan (Reply 32):

If they equip them with iPads they better have the ability to charge and a holder in the seat back so PAX don't have to hold the thing or have the tray table down the whole flight. If they don't offer that then it sounds a pretty average product offering.

I imagine it will be very similar to what they did with the 767s at the end of their life. The iPads on them were pretty well received.

qf002 · Thu Jul 30, 2015 2:03 pm

Quoting qfvhoqa (Reply 31):
Why will they use the former -300 seats? Is there something wrong with the former -200 seats?

The seats are the same.

I suspect that the individual seat refurbishments will be quite involved (not just new coverings but new seat backs, armrests, tray tables, removal of cabling etc) so it will be far more productive to use seats from the -300s and have them ready to go rather than having to remove the existing seats, give them each an individual overhaul and then put them back in.

There's also the issue of needing an extra 44 seats per aircraft going from 199Y to 243Y.

Quoting qfvhoqa (Reply 31):
The QF website hosts 2 versions of seat map for the refurb'ed -200s. One of which has "28J/239Y 4 CABIN CREW REST (LONG RANGE OPERATION)".

Good catch. Maybe it's not an issue at all.

The two seat maps are the same from what I can tell (and both list the 239Y configuration) -- I think the only difference is PTV and non-PTV aircraft.

[Edited 2015-07-30 07:15:35]

undertheradar · Thu Jul 30, 2015 10:06 pm

Quoting qf002 (Reply 34):

Correct qf002.
The ex 333 seats have new plastic/moulded seatbacks incorporating a sliding bracket type holder for the QF supplied ipads (which is plugged into 1 USB port),which can be removed, so if desired you can instead slot your own ipad into the bracket.

In addition there is an extra USB port for another device (therefore 2 two USB ports)... so if desired, you can keep the
QF ipad in its holder and still use your own additional device. Or if so desired, remove (unplug) the QF ipad, (place in seat pocket), and use the 2 USB ports for 2 of your devices.

[Edited 2015-07-30 15:08:57]

[Edited 2015-07-30 15:10:26]

undertheradar · Thu Jul 30, 2015 10:28 pm

in addition to my previous post (sorry couldn't seem to edit it),

332s will be utilized for some international sectors... the fixed screen AVOD 332s will be prioritized for these services, BUT will also be used for domestic. The ipad AVOD 332s will be, for all intents and purposes 'domestic only'.

In relation to the 4crew rest seats. These seats are used as crew rest when required under the EBA (work conditions)..If they aren't required for that particular sector/flight, then they can be sold as revenue (pax) seating.
That's it in a nutshell.

And yes, the 2 seat maps on QF.COM that appear to be the same, ONLY reflect that 1 type is ipads in Y/C and 1 type is 'fixed' screen in Y/C

* NOTE. of course a/c can change subject to airline requirements. I don't want people bagging me because they experienced a different a/c on a particular sector. AFTER the whole 330 fleet is reconfigured/refurbed, ANY 333 or 332 can operate domestic/international IF/WHEN required. It is to allow greater flexibility/utilization of the 330

[Edited 2015-07-30 15:44:16]

DeltaB717 · Thu Jul 30, 2015 10:56 pm

Quoting qf002 (Reply 30):
Whatever you want to call them, the fact remains that QF cannot operate their regional network with just ten aircraft (especially if the final couple of 744 retirements go ahead as planned).

So either these so called "constraints" (which are really just assumptions, though ones that I think are logical and that I agree with) turn out to not be an issue at all (unlikely IMO) or QF has another solution ready and we just don't know about it yet (more likely IMO).

They aren't assumptions, they're facts and they're real constraints on the A332 fleet for international ops. In any case, QF is regularly operating EBG, EBI an EBL on international sectors and will continue to do so. As others have already mentioned several times, the fixed screen AVOD equipped aircraft are likely to take almost all of the international deployments (subject to operational requirements, as is everything in aviation), which gives QF a lot more flexibility.

QF744ER · Fri Jul 31, 2015 1:06 am

Quoting DeltaB717 (Reply 37):

-EBG and -EBL are losing their mini fixed screens and having the same Y product fitted as the ex early batch of JQ A332's.

qf002 · Fri Jul 31, 2015 2:26 am

Quoting DeltaB717 (Reply 37):
They aren't assumptions, they're facts and they're real constraints on the A332 fleet for international ops.

As I've said twice now, my issue is not with this list of things (whatever you want to call them), it's was with Airbus A3XX's argument that it is "unlikely that the reconfigured A330-200s are going to be deployed as the regular aircraft on the longer international sectors". Clearly they do intend to use them on international services because the alternative is to make significant cuts.

And in any case, two of Airbus A3XX's points have since been dealt with (the crew rest issue and the PTV issue) while his third is largely a matter of passenger amenity and comfort rather than being an operational constraint.

vhebb · Fri Jul 31, 2015 6:48 am

Any International A332 services in the future will be operated by the fixed screen in seat IFE A332s.

The 8 A332s which will have with fixed screen in seat IFE use the new panasonic system as apposed to the current International A332s which use the old out dated rockwell system.

So from a passenger amenity standpoint I would say its and upgrade.

Upgraded A332s at this stage will only operate some SYD-SIN, all SYD-CGK, and all SYD-HNL services.

A333 will operate all remaining International A330 flights.

ThomasCook · Fri Jul 31, 2015 1:13 pm

Hi,

QPI rolls out today and will enter service on QF61 BNE-NRT tomorrow.

Thanks
ThomasCook

Thai77w · Sat Aug 01, 2015 12:08 am

VH-QPB will be operating today's inaugural QF61.

QF744ER · Sat Aug 01, 2015 10:26 am

Quoting vhebb (Reply 40):

Any idea when this takes effect? The 3 remaining 'International' A332's are currently operating to/from HNL and -EBL QF5.

Ditzyboy · Sat Aug 01, 2015 1:12 pm

Quoting Airbus A3XX (Reply 25):
- Crew rest - currently Internationally configured A330-200s have a couple of dedicated crew rest seats at the rear of Economy. None of the reconfigured A330-200s have these and the union contract would prohibit these aircraft from going on long flights like SYD-HNL

The domestic -200s have cabin crew rest seats that can be activated as required. Currently, they are activated on all East Coast - Perth flights (but not SYD-MEL, for instance). They do not have a pilot rest area, so sectors would be limited to around seven hours (from memory) due to this requirement alone. The former international -200s also had an adhoc rest area that could be installed/activated at seats 1AB for four pilot operations. I am not aware of any setup like this on the reconfigured aircraft - they are limited to two pilot operations it seems.

Quoting qfvhoqa (Reply 31):
Why will they use the former -300 seats? Is there something wrong with the former -200 seats?

Quoting qf002 (Reply 34):
The seats are the same.

The seats from the -300s and former international -200s are of a higher specification comfort-wise than the more basic seats in the early domestic/JQ -200s. Differences are more cushioning, greater recline and the ability to supply USB power internally.

Quoting a320fan (Reply 32):
If they equip them with iPads they better have the ability to charge and a holder in the seat back so PAX don't have to hold the thing or have the tray table down the whole flight.

Both of your concerns were taken care of. I think they did a pretty good job - the cabin looks great!

vhebb · Sun Aug 02, 2015 12:01 am

Have we got any pics of the upgraded A333/A332s yet?

EK413 · Sun Aug 02, 2015 12:54 am

Quoting Ditzyboy (Reply 22):
Quoting EK413 (Reply 12):
In regards to the use of the reconfigure A330's I've heard the domestic -200's can't be used on International flights greater than 5 hours as they've been fitted out with leather seating?

I think 7 hours is closer to the mark (purely speculation on my part), and that would be due to galley equipment and size constraints. The leather/cloth thing is just about recommendations from an ergonomists. Remember, a mattress is supplied to be fitted to the seat on international overnight flights anyway. It seems that the reconfigured -200s will be used to CGK, according to the next long haul FA bid pack.

Your correct, I've checked and from what I've heard the domestic -200's will begin operating International sectors mainly CGK/SIN sectors. I'm not sure about the leather/cloth issues and how they'll overcome it but as already mentioned QF will more than likely operate the aircraft on the shorter International sectors.

Quoting a320fan (Reply 23):

Sounds like the cheap shortcut way to do it. I always thought the A330 confit was to have the same product across the fleet with all aircraft to be interchangeable between international and domestic. Maybe I had that wrong the whole time?

Don't worry I had it wrong too. I was always under the impression the reconfigure program was to provide flexibility.

Quoting Sydscott (Reply 24):
- Type 2 doing some International flying along with domestic.

I believe these are the aircraft which are being deployed on the CGK/SIN sectors.

Quoting a320fan (Reply 32):
If they equip them with iPads they better have the ability to charge and a holder in the seat back so PAX don't have to hold the thing or have the tray table down the whole flight. If they don't offer that then it sounds a pretty average product offering.

As already mentioned there will be iPad holders on the seat back similar to the B767's.

Quoting vhebb (Reply 45):
Have we got any pics of the upgraded A333/A332s yet?

EK413

Thai77w · Sun Aug 02, 2015 8:09 am

So is there an actual breakdown of the 332s? Like I said my impression was all 332 would be the same to increase flexibility. Now there are mentions of sector limits (stupid reasons IMO) and an arbitrary number of "international" birds. Then there's others saying they won't be used at all, which means several route cuts.

vhebb · Sun Aug 02, 2015 8:57 am

Its already in the schedules post OCT 25.

A332s will operate SYD-SIN, SYD-CGK, and SYD-HNL.

EK413 · Sun Aug 02, 2015 9:07 am

Quoting thai77w (Reply 47):

So is there an actual breakdown of the 332s? Like I said my impression was all 332 would be the same to increase flexibility. Now there are mentions of sector limits (stupid reasons IMO) and an arbitrary number of "international" birds. Then there's others saying they won't be used at all, which means several route cuts.

There will be 12 x A332's with the wireless streaming entertainment & 8 x A332's with eX2 which excludes the Rockwell Collins IFE aircraft -EBG, -EBI & -EBL.
Correct me if I'm wrong the 8 x A332's with eX2 will operate SIN, CGK, HNL sectors.

EK413

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