ALL QF's 330's to get lay flat Business seating - Including Domestic

[Mr_Orange]

Where did you read about the 33% extra floor space? It seemed to me that along the length of the plane, they would take up no more and possibly slightly less due to the location of the foot box, leaving the new 1-2-1 configuration to account for less seats, but they may be able to put an extra row in without compromising the Y cabin too much.

That said, I'd go 4 rows of J (instead of 5 currently), 2 rows of PE and the rest Y.

 

[sydstar]

Cheaper, yes, but not better. It is widely accepted that QF's PE product is the top of the pile. They should be exploiting that. Idiots!!

Of course QF are going to see little demand when the product is hardly offered - NRT and some HKG/SIN services are where the only supply is!

It seems that QF is constantly in the top 2 when it comes to Y+ ratings (with the NZ 773 seat rating highly as well). They have a good hard product and a soft product that is IMO just below business. The 330s are going to be used on flights that run for 10 hours (NRT/HNL) with overnight sectors, which is still a long time to be stuck in Y. Surely a cabin of 2 or 3 rows of 2-2-2 in the international 333s would have a market

If the price point is right, and markerting promote the product, people will use it. IF QF want people to stop using other carriers, then they need to be prepared to provide the products that customers want. Case in point - my last 2 flights on QF128 have had full Y+ cabins.

NZ see fit to run a 3 class product on their new 789s which are going to be on similiar missions to the QF 330s (Asia, HNL, and PER). Which airline has the better planning and strategy record over the past 5 years I wonder

 

[Mr_Orange]

Agreed, except that you would get 2-3-2 in PE in an A330, at least that's what CX have. A 14 seat mini-cabin makes sense to me.

 

[docjames]

Agreed, except that you would get 2-3-2 in PE in an A330, at least that's what CX have. A 14 seat mini-cabin makes sense to me.

QF already have this layout in the A330 - it's Jetstar J or QF domestic J.

There's little difference in the seat component of 744/380 Y+ and the domestic J / Jetstar J.

 

[Mr_Orange]

QF already have this layout in the A330 - it's Jetstar J or QF domestic J.

There's little difference in the seat component of 744/380 Y+ and the domestic J / Jetstar J.

Indeed, I'm well aware of the similarities having flown all 3.

 

[Awesom Andy]

I suspect no droop as I believe the bed will extend into and be supported by the footbox.
One of the pix from this websites shows the footbox

The Vantage XL | factorydesign

Looks like I'm going to lose out big time with the preivously mentioned competiton.

 

[dk4]

QF already have this layout in the A330 - it's Jetstar J or QF domestic J.

There's little difference in the seat component of 744/380 Y+ and the domestic J / Jetstar J.

In which case, they could market a 3 class A330 on domestic routes as -

• domestic economy
• domestic business
• domestic first

...because the International Premium Economy style seat, is already marketed as Domestic Business. But would that be confusing? (Note: AA markets its International Business seats as Domestic First seats on transcon single aisle flights, which can become confusing, as their other Domestic First seats are comparable to International Premium Economy, so this makes their Domestic Business seats on 3 class single aisle aircraft, substantially better than, their Domestic First seats on two class single aisle aircraft :shock: . And it becomes even more confusing, because on occasion AA operates 3 class widebody aircraft domestically, so International First Class seats are sold as Domestic First Class.)

If QF kept the product marketing names the same across the three classes, for domestic and international, then they would end up with domestic business customers on a B737 on a similar seat to domestic premium economy customers on an A330....now QF still flies a mix of A330s and B737s domestically into/out of PER, so there could be mass confusion that way too.

They could rename Domestic Business to Premium Economy across the whole fleet, but that sounds like a downgrade!

Alternatively, QF could market domestic flying A330s as two class (with 3 seat types), and place higher level frequent fliers and full fare customers in the better seat. And there are two ways to look at that, neither of which would be appealing to them I think.

confused?!!!

So :arrow: Rock - Qantas A330 P.E. - Hard Place.

 

[TomVexille]

In which case, they could market a 3 class A330 on domestic routes as -

• domestic economy
• domestic business
• domestic first

I like it. One configuration for both International and Domestic (which is happening anyway).

 

[Mr_Orange]

In which case, they could market a 3 class A330 on domestic routes as -

• domestic economy
• domestic business
• domestic first

...

I like it. One configuration for both International and Domestic (which is happening anyway).

The marketing of Domestic 'First' would be interesting as it would differentiate from the competition but price-wise it would need to remain at Domestic J levels otherwise everyone will just fly VA transcon.

 

[TomVexille]

The marketing of Domestic 'First' would be interesting as it would differentiate from the competition but price-wise it would need to remain at Domestic J levels otherwise everyone will just fly VA transcon.

I think it's too complex for QF to make it work though

 

[dk4]

... it would differentiate from the competition but price-wise it would need to remain at Domestic J levels otherwise everyone will just fly VA transcon.

Not so sure on that one?...as some crazy punters are still paying a price premium to fly QF Domestic Business (A330 P.E. style seat, 37" pitch) to/from PER over VA's Domestic Business (A330 angle flat seat, 60" pitch)

But what it would allow QF to do, is top and tail VA's J pricing, in a similar way to what it does in Y pricing using its two brand (QF+JQ) strategy. But with a new VA A330 J possibly on the way, there is risk in that strategy.

 

[Mr_Orange]

I think it's too complex for QF to make it work though

You're probably right given that just coming up with a good business strategy is too complex for QF at the moment!

 

[baggyred]

Anyone seen any further updates on this upgrade? Last I saw it was "Nov/Dec" and likely to be Per->Syd

I know it isn't exactly scientific - but I have had a look at various Perth to Melbourne/Sydney flights in Dec/Jan/Feb and all still showing varieties of 2x2x2

 

[cmon0005]

Anyone seen any further updates on this upgrade? Last I saw it was "Nov/Dec" and likely to be Per->Syd

I know it isn't exactly scientific - but I have had a look at various Perth to Melbourne/Sydney flights in Dec/Jan/Feb and all still showing varieties of 2x2x2

I would suggest we will know more after this Thursday 28th August, when the QF results are announced (and other such enhancements). I am interested to know as well, would love to try out the new Business suite by year end.

 

[ketsuzei]

I'd imagine NRT-SYD would be a priority for the upgraded seating so they can free up a 747...

 

[Himeno]

Is QF21/22 the only flight into Asia still using a 747?

 

[Aussie_flyer]

Is QF21/22 the only flight into Asia still using a 747?

Hong Kong.

 

[Pleb Status]

If this upgrade is like every other that QF have done, I would say it will be late 2016 before you have a 'good' chance of getting the new J seat.

 

[baggyred]

Other than retiring two birds - I didn't see anything on the upgrade roll-out in any of the announcements?

Have I missed it? Or was it simply not covered?

Even the Fleet update didn't mention anything

 

[Mr_Orange]

Nothing I saw mentioned anything to do with A330 upgrades. Only the 738 upgrades were mentioned. Safe to assume it is happening to the original (daft) time line.