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

[dk4]

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

For comparison, CX use the 2-3-2 layout in PE on their A330s and I can testify that it is spacious and comfortable.

For additional comparison, QF already use that 7 abreast layout in PE on their A330s, but they just call it Jetstar Business Class or Domestic Business Class (and block the middle seat) hence my "". So QF know the numbers: and being arguably one of the best numbers people in the game, the Group CEO probably already knows what is going to fit into the mix and turn a bit of coin, and what isn't.

The key here is - if they are going to go to market with a 3 class A330, is it in their interests to telegraph it to their competitors too far in advance of availability? I say no.

Whereas, conversely, in regards to their new business class seat, IMO it's in their interest to get word out ASAP, as this may stop some domestic (and even international) customer churn over the next two (or more) years, during which time their competitor has a better product.

 

[yohy?!]

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

For comparison, CX use the 2-3-2 layout in PE on their A330s and I can testify that it is spacious and comfortable.

hard product is good in PE on CX however the cabin placement is not ideal in that they service it from Y (not much crew presence or attentiveness from the rear galley on the 330)

 

[danny09]

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

This is a awesome upgrade to the A330 fleet. As others have said, well done Qantas, look forward to trying one out.

 

[markis10]

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

According to the SMH, JB apparently appreciates the heads up!

'I was almost going to send Alan a thank-you note for showing me with lots of lead time what he's going to do with the product,'' Borghetti said. Qantas last week unveiled new business-class seats for the A330 planes that fly between the east and west coasts.

Read more: Airline finally goes to the dogs
​

 

[Ben174]

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

I am curious how this lie before you fly works ? Are you allowed a slight recline or full flat even before take off ? How come a seat like this allows it but other similar airlines do not ? Has anyone experienced this on virigjn Atlantic or airnz?

 

[ajw373]

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

I am curious how this lie before you fly works ? Are you allowed a slight recline or full flat even before take off ? How come a seat like this allows it but other similar airlines do not ? Has anyone experienced this on virigjn Atlantic or airnz?

The reason it is allowed is because every seat has isle access you don't impeed the exit of others.

 

[Nizar]

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

The reason it is allowed is because every seat has isle access you don't impeed the exit of others.

So in that case it is allowed on every airline with a 1-2-1 config ?

 

[moa999]

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

The reason it is allowed is because every seat has isle access you don't impeed the exit of others.

But then you should be able to recline on takeoff in the QF A380 First
unless the revolving seat impacts.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

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

I am curious how this lie before you fly works ? Are you allowed a slight recline or full flat even before take off ? How come a seat like this allows it but other similar airlines do not ? Has anyone experienced this on virigjn Atlantic or airnz?

virgin Atlantic and air New Zealand allow a partial recline... somewhere between 35-45 degrees I'm guessing. the seat-belt is air bag equipped. it kind of takes a bit of getting used to 'cause we are so conditioned to be fully upright for take-off and landing that somehow it doesn't feel 'quite right' to be reclined!

why can't you partially recline on the CX coffin seats for example? I don't know. seats must meet relevant safety standards so maybe the design of the seat doesn't allow the occupant maximum safety in the reclined position? or maybe it alters the structural forces on the seat? or it could just be the airline has made a decision that they want people 'awake' enough in the event of an evacuation?

as for the potential for full recline... I can't see it as an issue for landing. I can't see a cabin full of 32 passengers sleeping until they turn off the runway and then there's a mad scramble to change out of your jammies once you reach the terminal. I would imagine everyone will be awake, changed and wanting to disembark as quickly as possible.

so that would leave take-off. lets suppose they were to come up with a seat belt design that could restrain you in a full flat position*... would any airline want 32 passengers sound asleep if an emergency evacuation was required? I'm probably guessing not... although how many full blown evacuations have there been while an aircraft is in the process of taking off?


* Philippine Airlines was the first (and only?) airline to introduce full flat beds certified for take-off and landing for first class passengers on the upper deck of their 747s. these were advertised as having the benefit of allowing you to sleep through the transit stop on the way from LAX to MNL. but that was back in the days of the 747-200 in 1980 and I don't know whether the same safety requirements were in force 30 years ago as they are now.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

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

The reason it is allowed is because every seat has isle access you don't impeed the exit of others.

that is undoubtedly one part of it. however... it's not the only part.

airlines have a responsibility for your safety. any seat which is capable of being reclined during take-off or landing must offer the same safety and protection as a seat in the upright position. otherwise if you sustained injuries arising out of that recline an airline would be subject to claims arising out of negligence.

 

[ajw373]

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

that is undoubtedly one part of it. however... it's not the only part.

airlines have a responsibility for your safety. any seat which is capable of being reclined during take-off or landing must offer the same safety and protection as a seat in the upright position. otherwise if you sustained injuries arising out of that recline an airline would be subject to claims arising out of negligence.

I stated the reason why it was allowed, there are of course many reasons why it isn't allowed despite meeting that basic criteria.

 

[docjames]

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

Is there also an element of crash testing involved?

ISTR that the rearward seats (on some airlines) cant be reclined for takeoff due to not conforming to crash standard in an accident??

 

[MEL_Traveller]

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

just received the latest account summary... there's a link to the new a330 product fact sheet. while the term 'unique' is still there... the additional 'setting qantas apart from any other airline to Asia' now seems to have been removed!

 

[Globetrotter]

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

just received the latest account summary... there's a link to the new a330 product fact sheet. while the term 'unique' is still there... the additional 'setting qantas apart from any other airline to Asia' now seems to have been removed!

Does it confirm when the roll-out commences?

 

[moa999]

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

Was previously stated as end 2014 for commencement, which IMHO is way too late

 

[cmon0005]

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

Was previously stated as end 2014 for commencement, which IMHO is way too late

My feeling is that this will be a case of under promise over deliver, ie I think we'll see this done well before end of next year, just my opinion...

 

[anat0l]

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

My feeling is that this will be a case of under promise over deliver, ie I think we'll see this done well before end of next year, just my opinion...

I'm not sure I (or others) share your optimism, unless QF gets a significant financial windfall or something lights a burning fire under them.

I'm not also sharing the huge opinion that this is, "too little, too late", as if to say no matter what QF does in this respect, it is going down. I'd say it is better done than not at all. Of course we would've all liked it done a lot sooner, and of course we can all very well ascertain (with the benefit of conjecture and hindsight) how much better QF would be doing had this been done between 1-3 years ago. Unless people are implying there is a step-change J product which QF should've considered instead of this proposed option...

 

[cmon0005]

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

I'm not sure I (or others) share your optimism, unless QF gets a significant financial windfall or something lights a burning fire under them.

My thought is that the fire is well and truly lit, with their excess capacity to Asia and other competitors with superior products to Asia (CX to HKG, MH to KUL, SQ to SIN.etc) I would have thought the quicker they upgrade their A330's the more full their flights to Asia will be and more people choosing it for flying business (higher yields).

Maybe this is just a way to defer funding closer to the end date of the International turnaround plan?

 

[samh004]

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

My feeling is that this will be a case of under promise over deliver, ie I think we'll see this done well before end of next year, just my opinion...

I hope that's the case, and considering their [-]mockups[/-] artist impressions you'd think they were ready, but perhaps it's just that, and there's still a lot of testing and certification?

 

[marki]

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

I heard that the new seats will be certified for takeoff when reclined.