has anyone flown this route lately in Economy or Business Class? i'm seen some feedback to suggest they are running older A332s on this route. Given it's an 11 hour flight want to get some first hand experience on quality of ride.
Flew economy earlier this year. They do use the non-refurbished a332's, apparently because the new a330 configuration can't do the length of the journey as they removed a galley so there's not enough space for two meal service. Could be wrong though.
You'll get the 2-2-2 layout in business and the usual 2-4-2 in economy. The IFE is pretty old and graphics aren't nice to watch so probably bring something for your own entertainment. Service was good both ways, Australian crew, the usual QF experience.
Have a look at Flight Aware. You can see that it is almost exclusively the older A330-200. Occasionally they have an A330-300, but not often recently. My understanding is the A330-300 is weight restricted when it is run
As noted by others, you're probably going to be on an older A332. These are actually quite comfortable, even in Economy—I've flown this configuration on SIN-SYD overnight—but the IFE is a joke.
Its interesting seeing from the seat maps just how much galley and lav space was removed from the A330-200s, considering the amount of international flying these frames fly now, and if there should have been 2 configs in hindsight.
Nothing much was removed, most 332s were delivered without a crew rest. As well as EBG/EBL QF originally had two other international 332s that are now with the RAAF
Just caught up with some friends after their China holiday last week. They were telling me about the older A330 for the SYD-PEK PEK-SYD, unlike the newer plane for MEL-SYD. Therefore it is quite certain it will still be the same.
I've done it twice in the past couple of months. While it's true that the hard product on the older A330 isn't anything on the newer fitout, every time I've been on the flight it's never full in the business cabin which means I got two seats to myself by the window, a mini suite of sorts. And given the low volume of premium passengers the service has been really top notch. Yes, the screens are a bit small and scratchy but it's still pretty comfortable and it is significantly cheaper than, say, SYD-PVG which uses the newer business suite. I think it's comfortable and fine and certainly better than Y!
It will either be one of the two older 332s or a 333 not fully loaded - these are the only aircraft that have the necessary crew rests for a flight of this distance.
I did SYD-PVG and PEK-SYD in August and the leg out of Beijing was on an A330-300 with the new business suite. I had checked this when booking as knew most of them on this route are the A330-200 with Skybed 1 (angled flat bed) and wasn’t willing to pay business class prices for that product. On the afternoon of departure the Qantas app showed that it had been changed to the -200 but when it I got to the gate we were on the -300 thankfully. It’s luck of the draw as they can change the equipment at anytime even if when you book it’s on the -300. It all comes down to load factor and cargo.
This was interesting discussion albeit that I am a little late to the party!! I was wondering if flight would be -200 or -300, I haven't flown PEK to SYD Business Class before, which I will be in October 2018. Seems I will have to keep everything crossed at hope we get to fly -300. One thing about flying Qantas, is like one is home when one get on the plane
hamdcam
hamdcam
Member since 25 Apr 2017
Total posts 4
Hi
Alcoano
Alcoano
Member since 26 Jun 2015
Total posts 4
Flew economy earlier this year. They do use the non-refurbished a332's, apparently because the new a330 configuration can't do the length of the journey as they removed a galley so there's not enough space for two meal service. Could be wrong though.
Grannular
Grannular
Member since 31 Mar 2014
Total posts 283
Have a look at Flight Aware. You can see that it is almost exclusively the older A330-200. Occasionally they have an A330-300, but not often recently. My understanding is the A330-300 is weight restricted when it is run
watson374
watson374
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 17 Aug 2012
Total posts 1,285
As noted by others, you're probably going to be on an older A332. These are actually quite comfortable, even in Economy—I've flown this configuration on SIN-SYD overnight—but the IFE is a joke.
MelbFlyer
MelbFlyer
Air New Zealand - Airpoints
Member since 23 May 2013
Total posts 25
Didn't QF confirm recently that the final two A332s would receive the cabin update?
Chris C.
Chris C.
Member since 24 Apr 2012
Total posts 1,116
Qantas did, but didn't give any hints as to when that upgrade would take place.
jrfsp
jrfsp
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 04 Mar 2014
Total posts 105
Its interesting seeing from the seat maps just how much galley and lav space was removed from the A330-200s, considering the amount of international flying these frames fly now, and if there should have been 2 configs in hindsight.
moa999
moa999
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 02 Jul 2011
Total posts 834
Nothing much was removed, most 332s were delivered without a crew rest. As well as EBG/EBL QF originally had two other international 332s that are now with the RAAF
hamdcam
hamdcam
Member since 25 Apr 2017
Total posts 4
great feedback - thanks everyone.
KinHo
KinHo
Member since 03 Sep 2017
Total posts 26
Just caught up with some friends after their China holiday last week. They were telling me about the older A330 for the SYD-PEK PEK-SYD, unlike the newer plane for MEL-SYD. Therefore it is quite certain it will still be the same.
dlam
dlam
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 21 Dec 2016
Total posts 10
I've done it twice in the past couple of months. While it's true that the hard product on the older A330 isn't anything on the newer fitout, every time I've been on the flight it's never full in the business cabin which means I got two seats to myself by the window, a mini suite of sorts. And given the low volume of premium passengers the service has been really top notch. Yes, the screens are a bit small and scratchy but it's still pretty comfortable and it is significantly cheaper than, say, SYD-PVG which uses the newer business suite. I think it's comfortable and fine and certainly better than Y!
moa999
moa999
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 02 Jul 2011
Total posts 834
It will either be one of the two older 332s or a 333 not fully loaded - these are the only aircraft that have the necessary crew rests for a flight of this distance.
Foo
Foo
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 08 May 2017
Total posts 3
I did SYD-PVG and PEK-SYD in August and the leg out of Beijing was on an A330-300 with the new business suite. I had checked this when booking as knew most of them on this route are the A330-200 with Skybed 1 (angled flat bed) and wasn’t willing to pay business class prices for that product. On the afternoon of departure the Qantas app showed that it had been changed to the -200 but when it I got to the gate we were on the -300 thankfully. It’s luck of the draw as they can change the equipment at anytime even if when you book it’s on the -300. It all comes down to load factor and cargo.
GigiPk
GigiPk
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 17 Mar 2016
Total posts 17
This was interesting discussion albeit that I am a little late to the party!! I was wondering if flight would be -200 or -300, I haven't flown PEK to SYD Business Class before, which I will be in October 2018. Seems I will have to keep everything crossed at hope we get to fly -300. One thing about flying Qantas, is like one is home when one get on the plane
Dap
Dap
Member since 30 Aug 2018
Total posts 1
Just in Beijing awaiting departure now, business class A330 300, fairly full but very nice!