Qantas Frequent Flyer - QF downgrades SYD-DRW to 73H

Noticed on an up coming booking that it appears that QF have downgraded their 763 operated services into DRW down to a 73H. This obviously has a slight knock on effect timetable wise.

The biggest downside is that the redeye flight will be a little noisier due to the single aisle. :(

Edit: Looks like they are now mixing aircraft depending on the day although July is pretty much all 73H for the flights which most years have just been 763 operated.

I was never a fan of 737s anyway but having them on the red eye would be a pain. Quite literally.

I was never a fan of 737s anyway but having them on the red eye would be a pain. Quite literally.

Not looking forward to that flight at all. :(

So, I'm probably breaking some unwritten code by asking - but why does everyone seem to prefer the 763 over the 73H/738? IMHO they're equally uncomfortable in Y, and the only feature of the 763 in J that I prefer in any way is the international config - which can be nice if you get an A seat and are travelling solo.

As a WP I have a clear preference for a 738 due to the ability to normally get Row 4.

There are not as many 'good' seats in the 763 (I don't like most of the 763 bulkhead seats) apart from some of the configs with missing seat

So, I'm probably breaking some unwritten code by asking - but why does everyone seem to prefer the 763 over the 73H/738? IMHO they're equally uncomfortable in Y, and the only feature of the 763 in J that I prefer in any way is the international config - which can be nice if you get an A seat and are travelling solo.

For me it's about the actual 'space' around you, not just the seat. The 763 cabin is just bigger overall, and I don't feel as confined in a 763. It's all in my head I know, but a 738 just feels 'small and cramped' whereas the 763 is equally as bad, but doesn't feel it, if that makes sense. Also i'm still convinced there is a tiny bit better seat pitch on a 763. You know I refuse to fly a 73H wherever a 763 service is available:)

In the DRW QP about to board QF825 to BNE on a 763. QF824 yesterday was lightly laden, about 65%. Substituting SYD-DRW with a 738 may well be due to load factors.

On the 763 v 738...

It does *seem* the 763 has just a touch more pitch than the 738, and yes I prefer the sense of more space in the window rows with only 2 seats and a bigger tube.

Of course YMMV :)

The biggest thing for me in favour of the 763 is having only 2.5/3/3.5 seats per aisle, as opposed to 4 or 6 in the 738; this does indeed reduce the sensation of being hemmed-in.

So, I'm probably breaking some unwritten code by asking - but why does everyone seem to prefer the 763 over the 73H/738? IMHO they're equally uncomfortable in Y, and the only feature of the 763 in J that I prefer in any way is the international config - which can be nice if you get an A seat and are travelling solo.

Indeed. The 73H J seats are the same millenium seats as on a 763 and the economy seats on the 767 seem the same as the 737 ones to me

The benefits of the 763 to me are that , when booking business class, that there is a nice centre block with no-one wanting to get past when leaving their seat and that there is a chance of getting dreamtime seats on a good day

In economy, I see no real difference

Dave

In economy, I see no real difference

If you sit in D or F on a 767, there is more chance of an empty seat next to you - the NB/no-status prefer an AB/JK down the back to an E up front. Whereas on a 737 the aisles and windows fill up quickly so the NB/no-status get allocated the B and E center seats, quite often up the front. Its not an exact science but that has been my anecdotal experience.

Another positive to the 767 is the dual aisles tends to result in quicker boarding and thus better chance of ontime departure. The overhead bins are smaller, but it seems there is more total overhead space, so less fighting to get your bag stowed (another reason boarding takes longer on the 737).

I like the 737 at the moment as I am on a lucky streak of first row of Y and spare seat next to me. That doesnt happen with a window seat on a 767.

Another good thing about a 767 for a redeye is that you don't get people in Y using J loos and bumping past you, whereas in Y (especially in Australia), the J loos at the front are pretty much a free for all.

Noticed on an up coming booking that it appears that QF have downgraded their 763 operated services into DRW down to a 73H.

Oh well, I guess it's a shame that in the process they weren't upgraded to the slightly wider A320's (like MEL-DRW was a few of years ago). That would be much better, wouldn't it? ;)

Oh well, I guess it's a shame that in the process they weren't upgraded to the slightly wider A320's (like MEL-DRW was a few of years ago). That would be much better, wouldn't it? ;) DON'T give them any ideas!

Dave

Actually I prefer A320s to B738s, but not one with orange star painted on the back. :D

Actually I prefer A320s to B738s, but not one with orange star painted on the back. :D

Same. To the QF loyalists - do a TT on NZ, its an eye opener.

Actually I prefer A320s to B738s, but not one with orange star painted on the back. :D So do I - but the only A320's running around in AU at the moment carry JQ or TT flight numbers, so given a choice between a QF 73H or a JQ/TT A320, give me the 73H any day!

Dave

Same. To the QF loyalists - do a TT on NZ, its an eye opener. I can go better, I remember the AN A320's, branded by AN as Skystar's - brilliant they were!

Dave

I like the 737 at the moment as I am on a lucky streak of first row of Y and spare seat next to me. That doesnt happen with a window seat on a 767.

It does for me ;)

Yeah, you also do a few more status credits a year more than me at last count but this year I am running the risk of getting to around 3000 which isn't too bad since the majority of my flights are N,O,Q :-). I should rephrase my 767 statement to say in Y. I have much more luck with the spare seat in row 1 when flying J.

....I am running the risk of getting to around 3000 which isn't too bad since the majority of my flights are N,O,Q :-)

Ouch, that hurts just by reading about it.