Compare 787 Dreamliner and Airbus A330 ?

[Sandy Freckle]

Usually I fly into Swampy from Perth on Thai's Boing Dreamliner..., but now Thai Airways has swapped the Dreamliner for the Airbus A330. 
Who's flown both and can you give me an appraising comparison ? I'm a wide shouldered, taller guy and so any extra room would be most welcome. 
Also..., can someone recommend a seat ? On the 787 I preferred a window seat down the back but not too close to the crapper. Any recommendations and why ? 

[WayWokeWhiteGuy]

I love the 787, the 330 not so much. The only Airbus (in my opinion) nicer than the 787 is the 380.

 

Can't really recommend a seat, but you could try Seat Guru

[KhunBENQ]

11 hours ago, WayWokeWhiteGuy said:

Can't really recommend a seat, but you could try Seat Guru

https://www.seatguru.com/airlines/Thai_Airways/Thai_Airways_Airbus_A330-300_V2.php

 

https://www.seatguru.com/airlines/Thai_Airways/Thai_Airways_Boeing_787-8.php

 

The bare numbers 787-800 to A330-300 are identical, but the actual space available depends on the seats too which I can't tell about the difference.

What I like better with the A330 is the 2-4-2 layout if you want a window seat.

And a lot more seats in the A330 marked as inferior. No good idea to sit in the back.

Edited June 3, 2019 by KhunBENQ

[KittenKong]

I've flown on both planes though always in J. In all classes the amount of space available will depend greatly on which airline you are flying with as they decide the seat pitch and - to a lesser extent - the layout. In J the type of seat makes a huge difference too, though much less so in economy.

 

As far as I know Thai are one of the least generous when it comes to seat pitch in economy.

 

Sites like Seatguru can help you select seats, as mentioned, though you cant always be sure that you will actually get the plane or layout that you think you will be getting as they do sometimes change them for "operational reasons". Also airlines often have multiple versions of the same basic plane type, and the seating on each can vary a lot too.

[Farma]

I've flown numerous times on both aircraft. 787 on Scoot to Japan and Gulfair to Bahrain. A330 to Bahrain and other destinations. For economy I prefer the 330.

 

787 economy seats give me lower back problems which i don't suffer from on the 330. I find the 787 seats hard and don't hold me in position. I tend to slide forward in the seat. I thought it was just me but a number of my work colleagues have had back problems too.

 

I prefer 787 business class seating over the 330. Both are comfortable with the 787 providing a bit more privacy.

[KhunBENQ]

2 hours ago, KittenKong said:

As far as I know Thai are one of the least generous when it comes to seat pitch in economy.

The published numbers are 32 inch pitch and 18 inch width.

Nothing great but quite common for economy.

[buick]

i recently read a thread on flyertalk.com related to the retrofit (new interior) of a few of TG's A330's.  in that thread, the routes for the newer version were narita and perth (TG481/482).  so you may get a newer interior plane. saw it on post #61 in the thread below

 

https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/thai-airways-royal-orchid-plus/1917020-first-a330-300-retrofitted-full-flat-seat-5.html

 

i do like the 2-4-2 layout in econ on the 330.  the semi benefit of the 787 is the pressurization of the cabin, i believe it is the equivalent of being at 6,000ft of elevation versus 8,000ft in the 330.  supposedly, that makes a big difference on your body.

 

i've flown the 787 long haul (japan to USA) and not sure i felt a difference from the other planes i've been on.  but can google about elevation if further info is needed.

[sandrabbit]

Just flew to the UK with Qatar airways, the first part on a 330 and the 2nd part on a 787. I have to agree with someone who has posted above that the 787 seats are uncomfortable, I'm not big so pitch and width doesn't matter but the 787 seat feels hard and my arse was aching after about half the journey and I couldn't get comfortable again.

[Pedrogaz]

Well, one is a Boeing, so you are taking your life in your hands every time you fly....might be a software glitch requiring a patch and new sensor....or maybe the wing is about to drop off. You know that it is backed by the FAA which barely provides any oversight and lets Boeing regulate itself....and Boeing is naturally extremely tough on itself. You also have the advantage of knowing that Boeing's PR firm is ruthless in protecting the company and smears the unlucky pilots of the faulty aircraft that drop out of the skies to escape Boeing actually having to fix their planes...they are perfectly prepared to let you fly on an aircraft the know is faulty.

The other plane, the Airbus 330 is made by a reputable manufacturer. That's the main difference.

[jirathama]

Sure you meant the A330? Thai Airways swapt to the newer A350. And this is, in my opinion, a nicer flight then on the Dreamliner. I flew both from Vietnam to Europe.

[jaiyen]

I regularly fly to BKK from Perth and have loved the 787 we had before. Last trip was on the A330 and it was crap !  It is so noisy in comparison and the seats are not as comfortable. Do not get a window seat. We always sit around row 50 at the back but their is plenty of engine noise. However it is convenient for the toilet and galley.  Food has gone right downhill and so has the service. Will look at flying Scoot via Singapore in future. To book your ticket always use AM Holiday Travel. They are the cheapest and the best. Run by Thai people.

[myjawe]

one is made to crash and one is made to fly ❤️

 

[newnative]

     Have only flown once on the Dreamliner and hated it--I was in Economy and even though I am a small guy, it felt so cramped.  I had a good comparison with the 777 because I flew the 787 on the first leg and then immediately got on the 777.  What a difference--much more room and better seat configuration on the 777. Same airline for both flights.  I would choose any other double aisle over the 787, including the A330, which I have also flown.  My favorite plane is the A380 but also like the 777.

[hugh2121]

Airbus build spec and materials superior to Boeing.

[Captain 776]

787 hands down........especially in Business class

[Ireland32]

6 hours ago, Pedrogaz said:

Well, one is a Boeing, so you are taking your life in your hands every time you fly....might be a software glitch requiring a patch and new sensor....or maybe the wing is about to drop off. You know that it is backed by the FAA which barely provides any oversight and lets Boeing regulate itself....and Boeing is naturally extremely tough on itself. You also have the advantage of knowing that Boeing's PR firm is ruthless in protecting the company and smears the unlucky pilots of the faulty aircraft that drop out of the skies to escape Boeing actually having to fix their planes...they are perfectly prepared to let you fly on an aircraft the know is faulty.

The other plane, the Airbus 330 is made by a reputable manufacturer. That's the main difference.

You sell Airbus!!! Ridiculous 

[Ireland32]

2 hours ago, hugh2121 said:

Airbus build spec and materials superior to Boeing.

Boeing Bashers in 1.2.3.

[impulse]

Depends on which plane shows up at the gate that day.  

 

Any plane can be a cattle car if they pack in enough seats, don't "freshen up" the interior for years and years and cheap out the entertainment system.

 

I'm old enough to remember when the selling point of a trip on the 747 was a piano bar in the top level, most flights were less than half full, and you could rock up to a Continental counter with yesterday's Delta ticket and be welcomed onboard and drink free beer -even in the cheap seats.  Then, they deregulated ticket prices.

 

Edited June 5, 2019 by impulse

[bubba]

Some other things to consider:

 

The B787 has a lower pressurisation altitude with higher cabin humidity. This really does make a difference on longer flights.

 

The B787 cabin is quieter than the A330. 

 

Overhead storage is larger on the B787. You can store carry-on rolling luggage lengthwise rather than widthwise, as is the case with the A330.

 

If you are a window seat gazer, the windows are larger in the 787. One drawback about the B787 windows: the electronic polarising system does not go all the way black, so some light still comes through which is not welcome on long haul flights.

 

In economy, TG's A330 seats 263 passengers with six lavatories while their B787 seats 240 passengers with seven lavatories. I like the 787's motion detection flush system as opposed to having to press a handle. 

 

The B787 has an automated vertical gust control system that reduces turbulence.

 

Cruise speed for the B787 is 903 km/h while the A330 cruise speed is 871 km/h so you will spend a little less time sitting in the airplane. 

 

I have spent a lot of time on both aircraft and would choose the 787 hands down.

 

 

[bubba]

On 6/3/2019 at 4:00 PM, Farma said:

I've flown numerous times on both aircraft. 787 on Scoot to Japan and Gulfair to Bahrain. A330 to Bahrain and other destinations. For economy I prefer the 330.

 

787 economy seats give me lower back problems which i don't suffer from on the 330. I find the 787 seats hard and don't hold me in position. I tend to slide forward in the seat. I thought it was just me but a number of my work colleagues have had back problems too.

 

I prefer 787 business class seating over the 330. Both are comfortable with the 787 providing a bit more privacy.

Seats are not made by Boeing or Airbus. Airlines contract specialist seat manufacturers for those. Some cost more than others and some are more comfortable than others.

[Elkski]

Pitch is very important to me as well as the seat padding in the front if seat. I'm 183 cm but must have long femur's.  If my knees touch the seat in front I'm in for a bad flight.  I wish as consumers this information was required to be listed prior to booking.    I try to get the e exit rows but then if plane is near empty you can't raise the handrests to lay down.  

I just recently had a trip to Thailand and back to America and I did have an Airbus leg and 777 or 787 flight. I wish I'd kept track down the exact numbers.  I flew on China airlines but I normally fly on Korean airlines through Delta and those are nice planes that seem to have pretty stewardesses as well as comfortable seats. I wished I could fly in those bigger seats up front it's actually disgusting that we all don't have the exact same seats.  It basically flaunts the rich right in front of our noses I guess my mistake was not being able to afford $5,000 airfare. 

[stevenl]

12 hours ago, Ireland32 said:

You sell Airbus!!! Ridiculous 

 

12 hours ago, Ireland32 said:

Boeing Bashers in 1.2.3.

Thanks for some very constructive posts.

 

In my experience the 777 is quieter than the A330. See Bubba's post, IMO a good post, I just think that due to seat quality the Airbus has my preference.

[Oliver Holzerfilled]

7 hours ago, Elkski said:

I wished I could fly in those bigger seats up front it's actually disgusting that we all don't have the exact same seats.  It basically flaunts the rich right in front of our noses I guess my mistake was not being able to afford $5,000 airfare. 

Your mistake is being an envious bum.  Save it for the bar stools.

[dundas]

I've flown economy on the Thai 787 (when they were being used on BKK - KIX flights) and even though I had a front exit row seat both ways it wasn't comfortable – it's 9 across in a plane designed for eight across. So the shoulder room is equivalent to a 737, which is acceptable for short haul maybe, but definitely uncomfortable for most people on long haul flights. Average shoulder width is great than the width of the 787 seats if that gives you an idea. 

 

It's a while since I've flown on a Thai 330 but like other posters, I like the 2-4-2 arrangement and the seat pitch is the same as the 787  (32" and noticeably better than a lot of other carriers who seem to think 30" or 31" is OK). It's an older design than the 787 so maybe it's a bit noisier but most A330s I've been on have been very quiet and nowhere near as noisy as some older 777s, and even 747s. If I had a choice, I'd try for a seat up the front of the economy cabin on the A330. 

Edited June 6, 2019 by dundas

[Skeptic7]

In economy, they are very similar. Economy sux regardless, especially if full...but have only been in A330 Business Class, which is quite nice. Suppose Business Class on Dreamliner is dreamy too, but haven't yet had the pleasure. 

 

 

[lagavulin1]

You might want to check why Thai has changed. 

A number of 787's have been grounded in US because of potential issues with the undercarriage. 

We've just flown A330 from DMK to Narita and back with Air Asia X and the pitch & comfort were good. (and the wheels worked). 

Cheers. 

[ThaiBunny]

18 minutes ago, lagavulin1 said:

You might want to check why Thai has changed. 

A number of 787's have been grounded in US because of potential issues with the undercarriage. 

We've just flown A330 from DMK to Narita and back with Air Asia X and the pitch & comfort were good. (and the wheels worked). 

Problems with (I think) Rolls Royce engines on the 787 have been widely reported by a number of airlines but I haven't heard about undercarriage issues. Do you have a link?

[hugh2121]

Lion Air Boeing

[Sandy Freckle]

I'll be finding out just how comfortable the seats on the A330 are for myself soon enough..., previously while travelling on the 787 I did think that aircraft were very quiet and less prone to feel turbulence. I'm sort of wondering why Thai changed from the 787 to the 330 on that particular route.  

[Elfin]

I will be flying on a TG A350 next month BJ to BKK economy and returning on a TG B777. I am looking forward to my 1st flight on an A350 as I am 193cms tall so I wonder if it will be more comfortable. I was lucky enough to work at the Airbus factory in Tianjin a couple of years ago, so I may be a little biased!