Manila Metal
Feb 24, 2004, 2:05 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: ABX
Programs: QF WP, (OW Emerald)
Posts: 107
Manila Metal
heading to Manila Monday week and notice that it's on a 747-300. When there last, (October 03) it was a vintage 767. Am I cynical or do the older of QF's fleet cover this sort of run? will this ac have a build date of 1967?... Work aside, some excitment associated with this trip; my first ever in J! assuming upstairs would be the go? This is a big year of flying for Dashman with at last count 27 int J sectors on the horizon. Note: a few runs on the Dash8 ex ABX too.
[This message has been edited by dashman (edited Feb 24, 2004).]
[This message has been edited by dashman (edited Feb 24, 2004).]
Feb 24, 2004, 2:20 am
#2
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Sydney, AU.
Programs: QF. UA. Avis. AMEX.
Posts: 1,558
Hi,
On the 747-300 I would go lower deck in Zone A, but that's just me. I love the old J seats on the 743s, very comfortable. However, with that said, some 743's have been refitted with dreamtime seats.
Go with a seat with row 1-4 in either A or K. That way if there is a substitution of aircraft to a 3 class 744 you will find yourself sitting in First.
I do SYD-AKL quite a bit and seek out the 743 and twice have found myself in First due to aircraft sub.
On the 747-300 I would go lower deck in Zone A, but that's just me. I love the old J seats on the 743s, very comfortable. However, with that said, some 743's have been refitted with dreamtime seats.
Go with a seat with row 1-4 in either A or K. That way if there is a substitution of aircraft to a 3 class 744 you will find yourself sitting in First.
I do SYD-AKL quite a bit and seek out the 743 and twice have found myself in First due to aircraft sub.
Feb 24, 2004, 3:31 am
#3
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: In Exile
Programs: QFF WP :-0, AC, FlyBuys, Porter's Liquor Store, Mother's Helper
Posts: 2,496
All but 2 of the QF 743 fleet have had a cabin upgrade similar to the 74ER so it will be like flying in a brand new a/c. Sorry, but no bed in J though.
Feb 24, 2004, 4:34 pm
#4
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: Melbourne,Victoria,Australia
Programs: QF Plat (Life Gold)
Posts: 1,072
Actually, it looks as if only one of the 743's is now still unrenovated (EBU); and if the seat maps on ITM are to be relied on, the a/c on QF19/20 in the near future are the renovated ones.
Feb 25, 2004, 8:39 pm
#5
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Sydney, NSW, Australia
Programs: QF QP NB, PC Plat. Amb, SPG Gold
Posts: 1,879
I just got off QF19 (the SYD-BNE leg anyway) and it was definitely an old school 747-300, with the big ol' lounge chairs in business class, and the chunky seats with no IFE in economy (wouldn't want to be the unlucky soul flying all the way to Manila on it!). So seems there's still a chance for the moment anyway of getting one that's not updated (if a small one).
Feb 26, 2004, 2:13 am
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: ABX
Programs: QF WP, (OW Emerald)
Posts: 107
thanks for the comments to date,GibSpmuh has confirmed my fears (perhaps), anyway I'll report on the outcome. at this stage i'm 13A to MAN (March 08) and 4A (March 11)back to SYD. Am doing the trip again two weeks later so this should confirm if QF are using the route to max out some older metal? I wonder if they use a differnt ac for the BNE stoppver which only occurs once a week - any ideas?
Feb 26, 2004, 3:56 am
#7
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: Melbourne,Victoria,Australia
Programs: QF Plat (Life Gold)
Posts: 1,072
It appears that the Saturday flights, which tend to be more heavily booked, always have the renovated a/c (presumably they want to have the extra 28 Y seats available); but the Monday or Thursday flights may still get the unrenovated a/c.
Feb 28, 2004, 12:56 am
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: ABX
Programs: QF WP, (OW Emerald)
Posts: 107
well this question of the unrenovated aircraft interests me, my meeting in Manila has changed so I'll now do SYD-MAN on saturday Mar 06 and return on the monday night of 08 Mar. sounds like it'll be new up there and old back down? best seats i could get were 12K on the way and 4A coming home. My agent reckons the best seats remain blocked for the elite...
Feb 28, 2004, 3:26 pm
#11
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: Melbourne,Victoria,Australia
Programs: QF Plat (Life Gold)
Posts: 1,072
The worst thing about the Monday flight is that it stops in BNE, cutting your rest short; and no, they will NOT NOT NOT let you transfer in BNE, even on a full J fare..you have to go via SYD!