After another wonderful stay in Cairns, the city that feels like my second home, it was time to head back to Sydney. For this flight I chose Qantas Airways for three key reasons: first, the chance to fly on a widebody Airbus A330-200; second, I grabbed a seat with points (or miles) that was quite rare, (likely thanks to the aircraft’s size); and third, the added bonus of access to the Qantas Club lounge—something Virgin Australia doesn’t offer in Cairns – as I had a lounge pass.
This post may contain affiliate links, to read more click here.
The Aircraft
The aircraft we are flying on today is registered VH-EBP, named Ningaloo Reef, delivered in late 2010. This makes the aircraft just on 15 years old at the time of writing. The aircraft is used for both domestic and medium-haul international sectors such as Sydney to Singapore or Denpasar, Bali. Of course I was super excited be be flying this on a domestic run from Cairns to Sydney.
The Seat
The seating layout is 2-4-2, with just eight seats across the cabin. This provides noticeably more space and comfort compared to airlines using a 3-3-3 configuration, which squeezes in nine seats across.
The Qantas Airbus A330-200 Economy features 224 Weber 5700 series with each seat offering 17.2″ width, 32″ pitch, and 6″ recline with adjustable headrests.
This includes an 8″ pivoting HD touchscreen, a small storage pocket beneath the screen, a personal USB-A port, and a shared universal AC socket.
The Food
Simmone Logue Fine Food Company has long partnered with Qantas, supplying handmade gourmet items such as artisanal beef sausage rolls and pies. Her Aussie products feature in domestic menus, reflecting Qantas’s commitment to quality Australian ingredients and enhancing passengers’ in-flight dining experience. We are all served a Simmone Logue good old Aussie Beef and Onion meat pie with a portion of tomato sauce (I didn’t hear if there was a vegetarian option…) There was a choice of drinks and I went for an Andrew Murphy Block Chardonnay from Victoria.
No utensils are provided with the pie… yes, I’m one of those people who prefers eating a pie with a knife and fork! I just can’t handle hot filling dripping down my chin. The pastry is flaky and crisp, though I find the filling a little too tomato heavy for my taste.
Though the crew make several passes through the cabin, I stick to just one Chardonnay. After time in the lounge and a full weekend away, I simply settle in for the three hour journey home.
The Entertainment
The Airbus A330-200 features seatback TVs with the Panasonic eX2 in-flight entertainment system, offering hundreds of hours of content. I settle in with an episode of The Inspired Unemployed: The List, which has me laughing out loud. Other options include new releases like Mission Impossible and popular box sets such as The Gilded Age and 1923.
Of course, if nothing on the screen takes your fancy, there’s always the QANTAS Magazine, filled with engaging articles and features to keep you entertained.
…and what I particularly love is the route map! It not only highlights the routes QANTAS operates but also showcases connections available through their OneWorld partners, including Emirates and American Airlines.
Conclusion
Overall, the Qantas A330-200 offers a comfortable and enjoyable way to fly domestically, with spacious seating, quality in-flight entertainment, and a touch of widebody luxury that makes the journey feel special when flying domestically.
Matty Somewhere 
Yum! I love the idea of a meat pie on a flight. It’s so nice to get something a bit more substantial and hot.
Quintessentially Australian!