Qantas has announced plans to update the cabins of some of its Airbus A330s. The changes are more evolutionary than revolutionary, and largely center around economy, but it’s still good to see this investment.
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10 Qantas A330-200s getting cabin investments
Qantas has unveiled plans to invest millions of dollars to upgrade the cabins of 10 Airbus A330-200 aircraft. This represents a portion of the carrier’s A330 fleet, as the airline has a total of 26 A330s, between the -200 and -300 variant.
Specifically, the planes being upgraded are those that primarily operate international flights to Hong Kong, Singapore, and Tokyo. So, what’s changing about Qantas cabins on these A330s?
- The planes will be getting new economy seats, which are identical to the seats that will be found on Qantas’ Project Sunrise flights in the future
- Economy seats will get 13.3″ 4K OLED entertainment screens with the latest generation user interface; these screens are 20% larger than the existing screens
- Economy will get USB-C fast charging and bluetooth audio connectivity, allowing travelers to watch entertainment with their own headphones
Other elements of the A330 cabin upgrade program include new mood lighting and the replacement of all curtains and carpets.
The carrier’s existing business class product will continue to be offered, as the airline claims it received positive feedback from customers on those seats, and they’re the same ones found on A380s and 787s. That’s fair enough, since there aren’t substantially better A330 business class seats out there, given the fuselage width.
What’s interesting is that it sounds like economy might offer bluetooth audio, while business class might not? That has to be a first…
Qantas has also started its international Wi-Fi rollout on the A330 fleet, whereby the airline is offering fast and free Wi-Fi. This is expected to be available for Qantas flights on some routes to Asia as of late 2024.
Here’s how Qantas International CEO Cam Wallace describes these investments:
“We’ve used our fleet renewal program to completely rethink the inflight experience and these cabin upgrades mean we can bring next-generation features and designs to our existing aircraft. Customers can look forward to brand new Economy seats that have been specially created to maximise comfort and provide features that our customers want for international travel. They’re the same seats that will feature on our ultra long haul A350-1000ULR aircraft, so it will be a preview of the Project Sunrise flying experience.”
When will Qantas reconfigure Airbus A330s?
Qantas’ plan is to start reconfiguring Airbus A330-200s around the middle of 2025, in the oneworld carrier’s maintenance facility in Brisbane. The expectation is that the first refurbished aircraft will enter service before the end of 2025, and then all 10 A330s should be reconfigured by the end of 2026 (it’s normal for the first jet to take longer to be reconfigured than subsequent ones).
Qantas’ plan is to keep these refurbished A330s in the fleet until the end of the carrier’s current fleet replacement program. For context, in addition to the Project Sunrise Airbus A350s, the airline has an additional 12 Airbus A350s and 12 Boeing 787s on order, which will be delivered starting in 2027, and well into the 2030s. So that means you can expect these refurbished A330s to be flying well in 2030 and beyond.
Bottom line
Qantas has announced plans to invest in its Airbus A330 fleet, as the airline will be introducing new interiors on 10 of these jets. Specifically, the airline will be introducing all-new economy seats, including new entertainment monitors. These are expected to be used for the carrier’s most premium routes to Asia, and will allow them to be flown until Qantas’ fleet renewal process is complete.
What do you make of Qantas’ plans to retrofit A330s?
Wait so will Qantas not have universal AC outlet plugs in their new economy class seats? Do they have them currently? It would really suck if they didn’t. I feel like every long haul airline has universal plugs in economy these days.
On top of their ancient fleet you can’t get a seat in buinwss or first on points
I dumped their program
Not what they used to be sadly
wow, i guess with delays in getting more 787s they have decided to refurbish the tired 330s. Oh well they have 321 that will replace a lot of the 330s.
Lipstick on a pig. Their competitors are flying to Australia with 787s and A350s, while Qantas is still rattling around in geriatric A330s that pre-date the iPhone. The legacy of Alan Joyce, and Geoff Dixon before him, is one of ruthless cost-cutting and poor fleet planning that has greatly damaged the customer experience and the airline's reputation. It'll take a lot more than Project Sunrise and new economy seats in their flying jalopies to make amends.
If these Y seats (Recaro CL3710) are exactly the same seats that will be in A35K Sunrise, it means that one who wants to take Sunrise flight in Y should have titanium back. All the Recaro Y seats are awful and have nothing to do with comfort.
Good to see another carrier not forgetting about their A330s as there are plenty out there that can certainly use a refresh.
It is disappointing though that business will be left as is. They could've at least refreshed the cushions, covers and trim to match Project Sunrise if they won't upgrade its tech. I believe it would be a minimal expense that more carriers should do.
In regards to premium economy not being added, my...
Good to see another carrier not forgetting about their A330s as there are plenty out there that can certainly use a refresh.
It is disappointing though that business will be left as is. They could've at least refreshed the cushions, covers and trim to match Project Sunrise if they won't upgrade its tech. I believe it would be a minimal expense that more carriers should do.
In regards to premium economy not being added, my guess is that it's just doesn't sell on routes where they use their A332s the same way CX uses their A333s. For routes that justify premium economy, they have the 787s for that.
I wouldn't be so sure. I am based in Sydney and travel across Asia for work, which allows us to book Premium Economy but not Business. I routinely have to book away from Qantas if I want PY, even when QF has the nonstops: Hong Kong, Tokyo, Seoul, Manila, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Bangalore. A few of those markets may not support PY, but QF is definitely leaving money on the table not offering PY to really anywhere in Asia except Singapore.
A good move on Qantas- when I flew them last month in J on one of these birds from SIN to MEL the seat would wobble back and forth like a rocking chair. Lack of wi-fi was also a bit disappointing. A great bed and pajamas, though, so they emphasize sleeping.
Oh yes, because when the pax are asleep they aren’t bothering the crew. Husband did PER-CDG in biz a couple of weeks ago, and there were two meal services and one “extra” drinks-round in seventeen hours. When he woke feeling parched he rang the call bell, which went unanswered for ten minutes before he visited the galley to find the flight attendants having a gossip behind the curtain. That is not premium service. The crew...
Oh yes, because when the pax are asleep they aren’t bothering the crew. Husband did PER-CDG in biz a couple of weeks ago, and there were two meal services and one “extra” drinks-round in seventeen hours. When he woke feeling parched he rang the call bell, which went unanswered for ten minutes before he visited the galley to find the flight attendants having a gossip behind the curtain. That is not premium service. The crew couldn’t have been more detached and obviously disinterested.
Disappointed that Qantas is not putting premia economy seats in their A330. PE offers a good option in many of the Asian routes such as HK, Japan and Indonesia but is not offered by Qantas which is largely using 20 years old A330 in those routes.
Despite their age if I have to fly longhaul in economy I will generally seek out an A330 over a 787, A350 etc. Why? Because they are one of the last aircraft types to have a 2x4x2 configuration. I usually travel with my partner when I do, so it is nice to just have a block of two seats together.
These interiors look great, with moisture wicking fabric covers instead of those uncomfortable sticky plastic "pleater" ones US airlines downgraded to.