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

[mannej]

So is it definite that VH-EBB has the new product?
Or just a new paintjob?

I don't think it's been disclosed yet. I'd like to be surprised but I am saying paint job only to be realistic.

 

[wenglock.mok]

Judging from the seatmap, I'd say it's the same product as it had when it was with Jetstar, just with the middle seat in business class replaced by a workstation table.

 

[Awesom Andy]

Judging from the seatmap, I'd say it's the same product as it had when it was with Jetstar, just with the middle seat in business class replaced by a workstation table.

And no workspace for the first row as it's missing the D seat.

 

[Mr_Orange]

Qantas sees little demand for premium economy to Asia - Flights | hotels | frequent flyer | business class - Australian Business Traveller - once again QF thinks they have made the right decision wrt aircraft choice and fit out. You would think they would learn!!

 

[tyrolean]

Qantas sees little demand for premium economy to Asia - Flights | hotels | frequent flyer | business class - Australian Business Traveller - once again QF thinks they have made the right decision wrt aircraft choice and fit out. You would think they would learn!!

Read: Qantas sees little demand to Asia (on QF planes, because others are cheaper and better).

 

[Mr_Orange]

Read: Qantas sees little demand to Asia (on QF planes, because others are cheaper and better).

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!!

 

[tyrolean]

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!!

I like the QF Premium Eco, but if you find Business Class fares for the same price...

 

[PaulST]

Qantas sees little demand for premium economy to Asia - Flights | hotels | frequent flyer | business class - Australian Business Traveller - once again QF thinks they have made the right decision wrt aircraft choice and fit out. You would think they would learn!!

Interesting as I was recently looking at PE seats on QF128 in Jan 2015 and some days were almost already sold out. Interestingly (although possibly not surprisingly) the A380 days were full while the 747 days were not. Alas I had to pick a 747 day.

 

[Mr_Orange]

Interesting as I was recently looking at PE seats on QF128 in Jan 2015 and some days were almost already sold out. Interestingly (although possibly not surprisingly) the A380 days were full while the 747 days were not. Alas I had to pick a 747 day.

747 vs 380 shouldn't matter as it's the same PE product.

 

[PaulST]

747 vs 380 shouldn't matter as it's the same PE product.

The refurbished 747s have the same chairs although I was under the impression that the A380 is superior from the perspective of noise, humidity and air pressure.

 

[Awesom Andy]

Read: Qantas sees little demand to Asia (on QF planes, because others are cheaper and better).

Guess I'm the odd one out then. I've been enjoying Y+ between SIN-SYD, especially with the lower pricing after the JSA ended. Now BA gets my money if the schedule suits my needs (7:20pm departure from SIN is a bit too early for me in terms of getting to the airport most days).

 

[Mr_Orange]

Guess I'm the odd one out then. I've been enjoying Y+ between SIN-SYD, especially with the lower pricing after the JSA ended. Now BA gets my money if the schedule suits my needs (7:20pm departure from SIN is a bit too early for me in terms of getting to the airport most days).

No, you're not the odd one out. That's the point that QF have completely missed!

 

[ajw373]

The refurbished 747s have the same chairs although I was under the impression that the A380 is superior from the perspective of noise, humidity and air pressure.

Though in the A380 the seats are down the back where the ride isn't anywhere near as good as the tail whips around a bit so feel every single bump.

 

[moa999]

AusBT article seemingly confirming December (2014) launch.
A few insights into the amount of customisation and testing required for this new product.

Qantas on track for launch of all-new business class seat - Flights | hotels | frequent flyer | business class - Australian Business Traveller

 

[Awesom Andy]

AusBT article seemingly confirming December (2014) launch.
A few insights into the amount of customisation and testing required for this new product.

Allow me to put on my pessimistic hat for now... it looks like a very hard and flat slab that won't be comfortable. The slide-out table looks a little tacky, hopefully it won't break off. May be it's just the AusBT photo, but my first impression is that it look really cheap, especially when I'm expecting something that would at least be equal to the Cirrus seat used by CX. However, I much prefer the colour scheme used by SAS so it's probably a YMMY issue. But it also looks like the sitting/sleeping position will have you right next to the aisle with very little separation so expect very little privacy, lots of noise, and hope they provide good ear plugs as part of the amenities kit.

And I'm running a betting competition - how long will the seat last before it starts becoming droopy in its lie-flat position?

 

[Mr_Orange]

Allow me to put on my pessimistic hat for now... it looks like a very hard and flat slab that won't be comfortable.

Hopefully, QF will continue to use their sleep service with the additional mattress.

But it also looks like the sitting/sleeping position will have you right next to the aisle with very little separation so expect very little privacy, lots of noise, and hope they provide good ear plugs as part of the amenities kit.

Only alternate seats will be next to the aisle as the layout reverses from row to row to allow 'your' feet to be under the desk of the seat in front.

And I'm running a betting competition - how long will the seat last before it starts becoming droopy in its lie-flat position?

You would have thought that the droop of the MK II skybed would have been one of their key design criteria. Certainly the ottoman plus smaller cantilever of the CX seat is probably a more reliable solution. The proof will be in the day to day use I guess. I think it is unfair to slam its likely performance now.

 

[mannej]

You would have thought that the droop of the MK II skybed would have been one of their key design criteria. Certainly the ottoman plus smaller cantilever of the CX seat is probably a more reliable solution. The proof will be in the day to day use I guess. I think it is unfair to slam its likely performance now.

I think the criticism is more indicative of the level of cynicism being aired at QF these days.

 

[moa999]

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

 

[Mr_Orange]

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

Good find. I guess there is a possibility that QF's customisation has removed this as the renderings shown thus far seem to indicate a full length cantilever. Hopefully it is as you suggest though and droop will not be an issue.

 

[smit0847]

While I agree the new seats will be a vast improvement over the current MK1 seats, Im still confused as to the economics of how they will make money for QF. I understand these new seats take up 33% more floor space than the current MK1s. Therefore, I believe QF would have to charge 33% more to make the the same return on these seats as they do now. There is also a large transformation cost of customising, testing, purchasing and installing these seats.

While I don't doubt these seats will be far easier for QF to market and sell to the general public than MK1s, so rev J pax loads are likely to be higher than they currently are with the MK1 seats, I doubt pax will be willing to pay much more than they do now. QF are already amongst the most expensive airlines between Australia and Asia and are you really telling me that if they are significantly more expensive than their two main compeditors on these routes (CX and SQ) that pax will pay a premium for what is a different, but probably not that much better seat than CX and SQ are running?

I agree the upgrade is long overdue, Im just not sure of the economics of the seat given QF's current pricing, the compeditors pricing and product, and the increased floor space over the current product.