Unfortunately a domestic economy 3-3 config with no space to move is a miserable experience for a 7 hour+ flight. It might be fuel efficient for Qantas, but it's not comfort efficient for passengers. That's a real downgrade form the A330. The only positives here are for Qantas, not the passengers.

...or planning and planning and being ready to jump in at 330-350 days in advance, as per this article. It might not be ideal, but it does work.

Just did AY shorthaul Euro Biz, AY HEL-MAD (Op by Iberia, A321 if I remember) and LHR-HEL (A320), up front you get the same seats as Econ but spaced out with a free seat between pax (B/E seats empty), and full hot meal and lots of booze. No IFE screens or anything like that.

Just flew SIN-HEL-SIN in the new A350 business class product in the last month on long flights that avoid Russian airspace (over 12 hours each way). The seat is great, got loads of deep sleep, and really nice. This is not an inferior product by any means. They use Asian based cabin crews for thes...

I understand your sentiment. Will see how those election results go...