Qantas orders Seven More Q400s

Oliver Gigacz · #1 21st July 2010, 09:20 PM

Qantas has ordered seven more Q400s. More to come...

Peter JB · #2 21st July 2010, 10:48 PM

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/bom...k=MW_news_stmp

I like Alan Joyce's comment "These new aircraft are next-generation Q400 aircraft with upgraded cabin interiors and larger overhead compartments."

Good move as I find the existing overhead compartments are quite annoying because I can't stow my mini-case in them very easily - takes a fair bit of grunt to get them to go in.

Kelvin R · #3 22nd July 2010, 01:45 PM

As a frequent customer of the Q400 all I can say is that you can put lipstick on a pig but it's still a pig. I would love to know which customers QF are asking about these aircraft as personally I think they are no better than the Q200 or Q300 in terms of comfort and no where near the comfort of the E-Jets.

Specifically, you have to sit sideways if in the window seat due to the fuselage. The seats are not high enough or wide enough, have no recline and no wrap headrest. There are no window shades. There is no entertainment apart from watching the FA try and do cabin service on a short CBR-SYD flight in bumpy weather, often due to low loads the first 8 rows are blocked forcing PAX to squeeze in down the back, when the plane is full there is 1 bathroom which makes BNE to MKY an interesting flight and finally due to the galley size you cannot get a decent meal.

How is that an improvement in PAX comfort over a 737 which the Q400 more often than not has been replacing?

Gareth U · #4 22nd July 2010, 07:16 PM

Qantas chooses not to order all the above amenity, Kelvin. The only one I believe is not available is adjustable headrests. Wet galley and ovens are available, as are window shades and better seats with recline.

Mick F · #5 22nd July 2010, 08:20 PM

I don't care what anyone says, it's still a Dash 8. Give me a jet anyday.

Mick

Max C · #6 23rd July 2010, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kelvin R

As a frequent customer of the Q400 all I can say is that you can put lipstick on a pig but it's still a pig.

They tried that... it's called -QOH!

Ash W · #7 23rd July 2010, 02:06 PM

True Gareth, but they are still foul aircraft to fly in, for all the reasons Kelvin mentioned. Like him I wonder who Qantas consulted to come up with the conclusion that they are well like by customers?

Max C · #8 23rd July 2010, 02:39 PM

They're an Accountant's dream, so sadly nothing else matters.

Zac M · #9 23rd July 2010, 10:47 PM

I have to disagree with most of you. If you ask me, the Dash 8 Q400 is an awesome aircraft. I find it to be very comfortable, there is plenty of leg room (I am over 6ft tall) and I find the seat wide enough. The angle of climb is comfortable, and it tends to handle turbulence very well.

For flights like CBR-SYD it is an ideal aircraft, it can operate at lower altitudes and can have a quicker turn around time.

Maikha Ly · #10 23rd July 2010, 11:19 PM

I like the Q400s as well, and can't see or experience what's so bad about them.

However, at the end of the day.... I'll fly in whatever gets given on the flight. I'm not really concerned to be picky over what aircraft I'd fly on if it wasn't the Canberra Airport Open day.