am I getting to fat for my seatbelt [Shorter belts in J on VA 737s?]

[Intra]

Some might say the catering department is also trying to help!

Amen to that one...

Glad its not just me though that thinks those seatbelts are abit shorter than the norm... It doesn't concern me, but I did note it on my most recent J flights.

 

[DSFlyer]

Have to agree as well, but got me going to the gym which is not a bad thing!

 

[JohnK]

If your waist is over 100cm you're considered overweight and you're a great risk of developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure and some cancers

I have had the first 2. I do not want any of the last 3.

 

[pauly7]

It's obviously an initiative to reduce costs if this tweet just done by the ABC in Brisbane is anything to go by:

@612brisbane: CEO of @VirginAustralia John Borghetti says the average weight of passengers is going up, a big issue for airlines.

Hahaha classic! VA trying to weed the fatties off their planes subtly

 

[Deleted member 29185]

So, I'm wondering if the suggestion is that JB may be subliminally sending out messages?

Perhaps we need to non-subliminally send one back..........give us some decent food on-board and we wouldn't have to race off to Maccas or Kentucky Duck upon landing!

Let's face it, everyone bigger than a pygmy probably seems huge to JB.......he himself is not exactly what one might call, umm, large!

FTR, I haven't noticed belt size problems! Must mean I'm a fit, strapping young lad........or not!

 

[suze2000]

It's not your imagination. I'm a larger lass and my weight has been pretty stable for the last few years. Recently I was on VA in Y and my seatbelt, once I managed to do it up (quite a feat), was uncomfortably tight. I thought "cough, I'm putting on weight again", but said nothing to hubby and just put up with it (short flight SYD-MEL, so no biggie). When we landed and he got up to get the luggage down I pulled up his belt and mine to compare - mine was a good two inches shorter! Must be a new cost-cutting measure - that extra two inches of webbing would add up over a fleet of planes. Plus, as pointed out above, a lot of us are only motivated to lose weight when made uncomfortable by it. Tighter seatbelts could save VA a lot in fuel if it caused us all to lose even a few kilos each.

ETA this was a 737-800 with no IFE, so a recent fitout. Also worth noting is that I flew the following week on a VA E190 and a different 737-800 and the seatbelts on those were fine.

 

[lukenet]

I do find it a little random at times in VA J cabin.. I have noticed in J that some of the seats belts are quite snug when done up. Others are better, but none are like QF J which have heaps of spare to play with.. Some Y are just as bad, but I do normally find I have much more room to play with in a Y seat on VA.

 

[erkpod]

I needed the extender on Thursday night (old config) flying to OOL while in J. I shudder to think what Y was like.

Yet when I flew ADL - MEL - SYD in J (old config - new config) at the end of May, I didn't need it.

 

[erkpod]

I was 2 inches too short on that flight from OOL. I showed the FA how close I was to getting it to fit. She assured me not to worry as some of the belts are different sizes.

 

[Milboo]

It is like a game of roulette with VA seatbelts - never know what size it is going to be! They tend to be smaller on average when the armrest is fixed.

Worst difference I had was on EasyJet from CDG to MXP. Was in aisle in row 6 and seat belt fitted with ease. Moved to window row 5 as there was virtually no one on the flight. Could not get the belt done up!

 

[Velocity Frequent Flyer]

Hi guys,
We first noticed this issue in the final review stages of the 737 BSI aircraft, and we have been working with manufacturers to change to longer belts since then.
The good news is all new aircraft since Nov’12 have the longer seat belt fitted, (6 in service by end August 2013).
We are in the final stages of the technical/regulatory change and plan to rollout the longer belts from mid August to the remaining 58 x 737-700/800 aircraft.
All E190’s had the longer belt fitted during the Business Class refit.

 

[Mak404matt]

Good info, thanks for sharing!

 

[Aussie_flyer]

longer belts required, dieting not necessary. Just keep making them an inch longer every year

 

[Pilbaracommuter]

I am a bit generously proportioned, but fit into Y seat OK. On 738 tray table just clears. Flying both QF and VA on WA regional flights, I have found (in Y seats)
QF 738, usually a few inches to spare, less in the newer planes with personal entertainment screens
QF 717, loads to spare
VA 738, sometimes very tight - down to about an inch extra
VA 190, plenty to spare

One would think there should be a standard all aircraft could work to.

 

[erkpod]

New name - sexy.

New FA uniforms - sexy.

New planes - sexy.

New lounges - sexy.

New seat belts? Um....

I for one welcome our new seat belt overlords!

 

[Deleted member 29185]

On 738 tray table just clears.

Now that's a benefit I wouldn't crow too loudly about or you'll be charged extra as a perk!

No way your dinner can land in your lap as your perfectly proportioned midriff prevents it. Dare I say you were born to fly?

 

[vantage03]

This is so interesting, just the other day I was asking a very frequent traveler why they didn't fly Virgin now that they have Business Class, and the response was that they couldn't fit in Virgin's Business Class seatbelts without getting an extender, but they could on Qantas! I thought it didn't sound right but there you go..!!

 

[erkpod]

How long would it take to changeover all the seat belts on a plane?


Memo to the person/s installing the seat belts - please make sure they are all the same length!

 

[Deleted member 29185]

just the other day I was asking a very frequent traveler why they didn't fly Virgin now that they have Business Class, and the response was that they couldn't fit in Virgin's Business Class seatbelts without getting an extender, but they could on Qantas!

Which highlights how seemingly minor issues can lose a business money. Given you were talking J, I'd be guessing perhaps substantial, "money for jam". VA have steadfastly pushed the "high yield" barrow for some months now, but the very people they really want are being put off by what VA probably describes as "acceptable" irritants........seatbelts, lack of consistancy, poor food options, annoyingly useless website, no ife, forgetting to offer your kids a meal once paid for, OTP, no J lounges etc.

 

[Ben170292]

I have experienced this in Y, i flew MEL-OOL on VA and needed an extension, but on the return flight i had quite a bit to spare.

Ben