The Standby & Upgrade list for YUL/LHR tonight which is being operated by C-GFAF is showing J27/W21 which is the old configuration.

Seems as though it�s just maintenance in Rockford. Refurbs are I�m guessing only going to be done in QPG. Will be a while before they all get done.

Just surprising that AC sends 4 333 to Chicago in such a short timeframe. I would have considered the need for heavy maintenance on 4 frames within weeks to be an unlikely scenario. Given that C-GFAF spent 6 weeks there, that would be D-Check territory, in terms of length.

Believe only 3 frames went to Rockford. It is also unlikely that a D check would be completed and the old seats put back in (since they are to be refurbished) so I suspect none of them went through a D check.

Nope, its 4 frames, I checked their activity and summed it up in the respective airliners net thread: https://www.airliners.net/forum/view...9159#p22459159
931 C-GFAF MSN 277 - just returned from Chicago after close to 6 weeks there
935 C-GHKR MSN 400 - in RFD since 14-SEP-2020
937 C-GHKX MSN 412 - in RFD since 02-SEP-2020
945 C-GKUH MSN 1156 - just ferried to Chicago 08-OCT-2020

But sure, D-Check without Modification doesn't make a lot of sense, thats why I did ask. So likely they either did actually do the modification or it just sat in RFD for a while and only had a minor check.

Sitting on my first refurbished 333 flight right now. So far, an improvement, although not perfect. Will post some thoughts once I've spent a few hours with it.

aaaaaaand.....?

I'm on one of these tomorrow (AC306). What's the best seat in J?

Sorry for the delay, guys.

Seat is similar to the 777/787 pods, although it's definitely not the same base model, there are lots of subtle differences.

I feel like the footwell is even smaller than on the 777s. Generally, I would say it feels a bit tighter than either the 777 or 787.

Screen definitely feels smaller than the other widebodies.

Nice to see they finally put some bins over the interior seats in J. Disappointing that they didn't replace the outer bins with better ones, but having those bins in the middle should substantially improve the situation.

Overall, it's good that they modernized the cabin as those XM ones were outdated and worn out. But it does feel like a step down (or half a step down) from the experience you get on the 777 or 787.

Nitehawk, as far as best seat in J, I always prefer windows. Now that it's 1-2-1, A or K doesn't matter. I don't know whether there's any additional room in row 1 as I was back in 2 or 3, but I don't actually feel like there's all that much extra room there on the other aircraft either. I generally like to be towards the middle of the cabin to avoid the galley noise. But I don't think there's much of a difference.

any further insight as to when this might be completed? Seems they've only done 3/15?

They have only done 2 - 934 and 942.

And according to the wifi thread only 934 has wifi. Anyone been on 942 lately? I guess the wifi install is done separately from the cabin refresh?

AC notes 5 A330s are now wifi enabled.

I believe 942 is equipped based on AC's information, and knowing which FIN is operating which flight. eg: AC864 for tomorrow is showing that wifi will be available...the flight is being operated by FIN942.

My hypothesis is that FIN 932 and 934 also have wifi. Not sure of the 5th FIN.

FYI, I've been schedule to fly on new dream cabin config of A330 for Oct 29 YVR-YYZ for last 3 days it's shown FIN 934, but the seat map only switched over to the new one at T-5 hours to flight.
(I get it, it's because they don't want to swop back and forth in case they end up using different aircraft... but this might be valuable info for people who want the 2 middle J seats, as I did)

So, Nitehawk, what did you think?

Yeah, when I flew it last week, the seat map at check-in was still the old one. I don't know exactly when it switched over, but it made it a pleasant surprise to get on the plane and see the new cabin.