Narrow seats on QF B789

[Melburnian1]

I see from the Airline ratings website that the QF B787-900 economy class seats will be very narrow.

QF has apparently justified this by suggesting that passengers prefer an extra 2.5 centimetres of pitch to the seat being wider.

Given that Australians and citizens of many other nations are steadily having bigger girths, I doubt that many will want to be forced into 'rubbing shoulders' should they draw the short straw and not have a 'shadow' next to them.

Some whizz-bang 'industrial designer' (no doubt after being paid megabucks) has come up with this.

Yes, we enjoy air travel at far less in real terms that it cost in 1960, 1970, 1980 or probably 1990.

However QF typically does not price 'at the bottom' of the market, yet it is going to offer a substandard product if passengers actually 'enjoy' a centimetre of two of unused space between them and their seated neighbour.

Bad move, QF despite the hype of some event party for a few celebs tonight if I recall. Big deal about the party - it's the squishy seating about which we should be concerned.

 

[TheInsider]

Simply, Qantas would've never put in 8 across for economy. That's all there is to it.

Qantas width: 17.4
United: 17.3
Air Canada: 17.3
BA: 17.5
ANA: 17.3
LATAM: 17.3
Virgin Atlantic: 17.5
Air NZ: 17.2
KLM: 17.5
Etihad: 17.2
AA: 17
JL: 18.9

 

[Mattg]

I do think it's a bit cheeky of Qantas to tout the fact that there's an extra inch of legroom over the A380, while conveniently ignoring the fact that the seats are also about an inch narrower.

While not unexpected, I do find the narrow economy seats to be a disappointment. The Boeing 787 was designed to be 8-abreast, while providing a 9-abreast option for low-cost airlines. For Qantas, a premium carrier which is going to use the aircraft on ultra long-haul routes, to take the low-cost carrier 9-abreast configuration is poor to say the least.

FWIW, I've flown on both 8-abreast and 9-abreast configurations of the 787 in economy. There is a very noticeable difference in comfort and I personally will be avoiding the 9-abreast 787s in the future.

 

[MickC32]

So how does a LCC like Scoot go 9 abreast with seat width of 18.9 to 19.7 inches (according to Seat Guru)?

 

[Mattg]

So how does a LCC like Scoot go 9 abreast with seat width of 18.9 to 19.7 inches (according to Seat Guru)?

I would suggest that Seatguru is wrong.

 

[levelnine]

FWIW, I've flown on both 8-abreast and 9-abreast configurations of the 787 in economy. There is a very noticeable difference in comfort and I personally will be avoiding the 9-abreast 787s in the future.

Yes, unfortunately savvy/frequent flyers will need to treat Qantas as a two-tiered airline in economy -- prioritise getting a seat on the A330s and A380; avoid getting a seat on the 787s. Similar to the situation with Emirates -- prioritise getting a seat on the A380s; avoid getting a seat on the 777s.

I wonder if economy prices will reflect this differentiation (eg cheaper to the US on the 787 via Dallas than on the A380 via LAX). On Emirates, economy on the 777s is often cheaper than on the A380s.

 

[TheInsider]

So how does a LCC like Scoot go 9 abreast with seat width of 18.9 to 19.7 inches (according to Seat Guru)?

According to this they are 43cm!

http://www.traveller.com.au/flight-test-scoot-214ca

 

[MickC32]

I would suggest that Seatguru is wrong.

That's what I figured. Just looking at a few others now, nothing really near Scoot on Seat Guru.

 

[fairbasa]

I wonder if economy prices will reflect this differentiation (eg cheaper to the US on the 787 via Dallas than on the A380 via LAX). On Emirates, economy on the 777s is often cheaper than on the A380s.

I wouldn't be holding my breath.

 

[serfty]

Nothing about any 787 configuration in economy has pleased me - on any airline.

Even the 'dimmable' windows are a PITA!

 

[levelnine]

I wouldn't be holding my breath.

Nor would I, but it will be interesting to see if consumer preferences do force Qantas in this direction. I remember there being claims in the opposition direction that, in the early days after the A380 was released, Qantas could command a premium price for economy on transpac flights due to the high customer satisfaction with the A380.

 

[fairbasa]

Nor would I, but it will be interesting to see if consumer preferences do force Qantas in this direction. I remember there being claims in the opposition direction that, in the early days after the A380 was released, Qantas could command a premium price for economy on transpac flights due to the high customer satisfaction with the A380.

Yea, I can see it going the other way such as in the case you mention...but not down. Maybe that's just the eternal cynic in me

 

[Mattg]

Nothing about any 787 configuration in economy has pleased me - on any airline.

Even the 'dimmable' windows are a PITA!

Have you tried the 8-abreast configuration on Japan Airlines?

 

[MickC32]

According to this they are 43cm!

Flight Test | Scoot

Looks like the 777 on that link, not the 787-9.

 

[serfty]

Have you tried the 8-abreast configuration on Japan Airlines?

No ... I guess I generalised a bit

But seriously, there is very little about the 787 fit-outs that are done to benefit PAX.

I certainly won't go out of my way to fly on one ...

 

[TheInsider]

Looks like the 777 on that link, not the 787-9.

Sorry, didn't see that, nor the date!

 

[Cool Cat Phil]

Nothing about any 787 configuration in economy has pleased me - on any airline.

Even the 'dimmable' windows are a PITA!

The A350 economy is nothing special either .

 

[yohy?!]

the problem with QF's seat width is they are lauding this aircraft for ULR routes which most other 787 carriers wouldn't be operating.

ie 14+ hours in a seat that will for the majority of australian adults will induce pain and suffering, this may be another disaster in fleet planning in the making

 

[nlagalle]

Was at the launch today and while I didn't get to sit in the Y seat those that did didn't feel like it was squashed..

 

[nlagalle]

Here is a pic from this morning