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

[wenglock.mok]

Re: Airbus A330 flights expected to include the introduction of lie-flat seats in bus

For one please loose the attitutde.

As for the A330 fleet some (the last couple) of the domestic A330-200's have seat back IFE some don't. Additionally most (but I don't think all, but don't quote me) of the A330's in Jetstar don't have seat back IFE these will be coming back to Qantas domestic.

So the bulk are without seat back IFE in domestic.

I think you should check your facts...

ALL of the A330s currently in domestic service do have seat back IFEs.

It is the eight (EBA-F and EBJ-K) that are currently with JQ, which are slated to be returned to QF that do not. The news release makes no mention of those.

 

[yohy?!]

Re: Airbus A330 flights expected to include the introduction of lie-flat seats in bus

Wow they look fantastic.....

Only problem is that I want them now now now!!!

Me too - It's a QF weakness to announce everything long before the work even starts Contrast to CX who I think don't announce things until there's at least 1 plane in getting the first refurb in XMN

 

[eastwest101]

Re: Airbus A330 flights expected to include the introduction of lie-flat seats in bus

Looks like an excellent seat but its about 2-3 years too late to the market.

 

[docjames]

Re: Airbus A330 flights expected to include the introduction of lie-flat seats in bus

A few thoughts.

Bouquets
- a great J product and decent Y product (the Y IFE screens look huge compared to current).
- miles ahead of current J product

Anomalies
- in this thread so far we seem to have assumed that "reclined" for takeoff/landing means "fully reclined". Perhaps it doesn't? Also, "reclined" doesn't = rest if there's lots of cabin noise etc post takeoff / pre landing, taking too long for meals etc (see recent reports especially of the ex_HKG overnight flights QF30/QF128) so this aspect of "service" needs to be sorted out in any event.
- No seatbelt shown in the pictures - critical to the comfort given it's a "Qantas requirement that seatbelts remained fastened when not moving around the cabin" (as we hear on every flight!)

Lemons
- not fitted until late 2014 onwards (? tied to JQ/QF 788/789 deliveries and ability to have 330s offline for refitting).
- would have been potentially world leading in 2010 - now it's "keeping up" / late

Overall - positive, but with caveats / hesitation until actual implementation.

 

[wenglock.mok]

Re: Airbus A330 flights expected to include the introduction of lie-flat seats in bus

The release does skirt around the issue, however why wouldn't they update the JQ birds to the new product considering that the international 330's are getting the refit.

With QF, you'll never know.

I take the refresh is referring to the newer 330's that already have the similar product installed already.

Hopefully that's what they mean...

Presumably if the refresh refers to the newer birds (EBM onwards), this means that the older domestic birds (pre-EBK) will get a refit in Y with the same Weber 5751 seats and the 9" eX2 screens in Y (one can hope...).

 

[rocketboy]

Re: Airbus A330 flights expected to include the introduction of lie-flat seats in bus

Great looking seat in Business. But I agree that by the time it arrives, it is barely keeping up and others in the market will have moved further forward. Is it just me or do the seat pads on the back of the economy seat look wafer thin?

 

[Happy Trails]

Re: Airbus A330 flights expected to include the introduction of lie-flat seats in bus

Is it just me or do the seat pads on the back of the economy seat look wafer thin?

I suspect that is where the increased legroom comes from.

 

[MH_fan]

Re: Airbus A330 flights expected to include the introduction of lie-flat seats in bus

That J sear should remain relevant for quite some time. J seats have come a long way. How much more advanced can they become? All the new J seats already look like F seats!!

 

[mannej]

Re: Airbus A330 flights expected to include the introduction of lie-flat seats in bus

The same question could be applied to the A330's in domestic already without seat back IFE.

There are none without seatback IFE - they are all at JQ currently...

 

[Joshua]

Re: Airbus A330 flights expected to include the introduction of lie-flat seats in bus

There are none without seatback IFE - they are all at JQ currently...

So having lost count of which are where.. let us assume all the JQ ones returning are going to QFi? If you're putting in IFE in Y, why replace the old IFE when the JQ planes have none at all. Can't see them putting any planes out without any IFE in Y, SYD-MEL and definitely not coast to coast.

 

[mannej]

Re: Airbus A330 flights expected to include the introduction of lie-flat seats in bus

For one please loose the attitutde.

As for the A330 fleet some (the last couple) of the domestic A330-200's have seat back IFE some don't. Additionally most (but I don't think all, but don't quote me) of the A330's in Jetstar don't have seat back IFE these will be coming back to Qantas domestic.

So the bulk are without seat back IFE in domestic.

I am using facts to make my comments.

All of the 330's at QF have seatback IFE.

Most of JQ's do not, but the newest ones do

 

[ReLoad]

Re: Airbus A330 flights expected to include the introduction of lie-flat seats in bus

Dec 2014!!!!!

Ill have become and lost P1 by then!

 

[ajw373]

Re: Airbus A330 flights expected to include the introduction of lie-flat seats in bus

So having lost count of which are where.. let us assume all the JQ ones returning are going to QFi? If you're putting in IFE in Y, why replace the old IFE when the JQ planes have none at all. Can't see them putting any planes out without any IFE in Y, SYD-MEL and definitely not coast to coast.

They are not returning to QFi, it has been announced several times by Qantas they will be going to QF domestic to replace the 767's (along with new build 738's).

PS agree the current Qantas domestic a/c have seat back IFE down the back, I was getting mixed up between the latter ones that have the Panasonic system, as fitted to the QF A380's and the earlier system.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Re: Airbus A330 flights expected to include the introduction of lie-flat seats in bus

I'm confused by the wording in the press release which says the qantas seat is unique in being able to recline for take off and landing. and that this sets qantas apart from other carriers flying to Asia.

virgin Atlantic offers a seat that can be reclined for take and landing. and they fly Australia to Asia.

 

[anat0l]

Re: Airbus A330 flights expected to include the introduction of lie-flat seats in bus

I'm confused by the wording in the press release which says the qantas seat is unique in being able to recline for take off and landing. and that this sets qantas apart from other carriers flying to Asia.

virgin Atlantic offers a seat that can be reclined for take and landing. and they fly Australia to Asia.

Sure, but VS only fly to one destination in Asia from Australia.

But, who am I to argue against the strict definition. Go throw your rotten tomatoes at the marketing department in Coward Street...

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Re: Airbus A330 flights expected to include the introduction of lie-flat seats in bus

Sure, but VS only fly to one destination in Asia from Australia.

But, who am I to argue against the strict definition. Go throw your rotten tomatoes at the marketing department in Coward Street...

it's unfortunate. the seat is not unique in its recline, and not the only one flying to Asia. qf are the ones who decided to explicitly use the word 'unique'. presumably without anyone actually asking if that was true.

obviously no sanctions at this stage because it is not advertising and it's not material. but they won't be able to use that come end 2014.

 

[anat0l]

Re: Airbus A330 flights expected to include the introduction of lie-flat seats in bus

it's unfortunate. the seat is not unique in its recline, and not the only one flying to Asia. qf are the ones who decided to explicitly use the word 'unique'. presumably without anyone actually asking if that was true.

obviously no sanctions at this stage because it is not advertising and it's not material. but they won't be able to use that come end 2014.

And you'll be right there ready to file the ACCC lawsuit.

Well this one goes into the same pile as Virgin Velocity marketing that they were the first airline in Australia (or ever?) to award status credits for flights redeemed using points (or award flights, or something like that). We all know that's not true, but it gave Velocity great air time.

Apart from that, Virgin Atlantic don't exactly make a good song and dance about that particular feature of their seats. They only tell you onboard really.

Funny enough, though, Cathay Pacific had herringbone seats on all their A330s serving Australia, and then they also have an all direct aisle access config on their new setup. I wonder if you can recline at any time with these too. That would surely then blow Qantas' claim out of the water.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Re: Airbus A330 flights expected to include the introduction of lie-flat seats in bus

And you'll be right there ready to file the ACCC lawsuit.

...

Apart from that, Virgin Atlantic don't exactly make a good song and dance about that particular feature of their seats. They only tell you onboard really.

Funny enough, though, Cathay Pacific had herringbone seats on all their A330s serving Australia, and then they also have an all direct aisle access config on their new setup. I wonder if you can recline at any time with these too. That would surely then blow Qantas' claim out of the water.

the CX coffin seats had to be in the full upright position for take off and landing. I'm not entirely sure but I think it might have something to do with the type of airbag in use in the seat? the 747s had no airbag but had a shoulder harness. the a330s had an airbag. maybe the design of the seat itself is a factor (closest surface to bang your head on!)

on a serious note, reading the QF release I actually went and googled whether or not Virgin Atlantic was still flying to sydney. I thought for a minute maybe they had pulled out of the market.

so the press release can be damaging in that respect. if I had been at a dinner party for example and the topic had come up (and without using an iPhone at the table) it is entirely possible people might reach the conclusion that virgin atlantic must have stopped flying to sydney, or else how could you make the claim you were they only airline to offer such a seat?

 

[markis10]

Re: Airbus A330 flights expected to include the introduction of lie-flat seats in bus

on a serious note, reading the QF release I actually went and googled whether or not Virgin Atlantic was still flying to sydney. I thought for a minute maybe they had pulled out of the market.

Yikes, be quite a few AFF members that would not welcome that at all!

 

[markis10]

Re: Airbus A330 flights expected to include the introduction of lie-flat seats in bus

Hopefully that's what they mean...

Presumably if the refresh refers to the newer birds (EBM onwards), this means that the older domestic birds (pre-EBK) will get a refit in Y with the same Weber 5751 seats and the 9" eX2 screens in Y (one can hope...).

I read it as streaming being added, nothing else.

In addition to Panasonic inflight entertainment systems, all A330s will be fitted with Qantas’ Q-Streaming technology, which gives customers access to an extensive entertainment library streamed to devices like iPads.