DJ introduces leg room for Biz Pax

[markis10]

Virgin are changing the leg room options for business passengers, no value in giving to leisure travellers! Seems to be a bit like the QF 717s , extra pitch in the rows ahead of the exit rows and less aft!

Virgin cuts business price and leg room | The Australian

VIRGIN Blue is introducing an economy section for business people "who don't want to put their hands in the pockets" but will cut the amount of leg room available to passengers in the cheap seats.
Virgin, which has moved away from its low-cost roots to become what it calls a new world airline, says it is not getting any value from the extra leg room it gives budget travellers, the Australian reports.

 

[gilby08]

I think i'm a little confused?

 

[markis10]

Less seat pitch down back for the VFR traffic, more up front for the suits :shock:

 

[SeaWolf]

But are we talking about extra cram than we have now down the back? Or less cram than we have now up the front?
I think I'll wait for the official announcement from DJ before I judge what's going on here.

 

[markis10]

But are we talking about extra cram than we have now down the back? Or less cram than we have now up the front?
I think I'll wait for the official announcement from DJ before I judge what's going on here.

Both, reduce seat pitch aft of exit rows while increasing seat pitch forward of the exit rows, like I stated it will probably be similar to the 717's, which have 32 inchs at front, 31 inch's at rear, DJ will go 32 front, 30 rear I suspect, currently 30-31.

 

[codash1099]

Both, reduce seat pitch aft of exit rows while increasing seat pitch forward of the exit rows, like I stated it will probably be similar to the 717's, which have 32 inchs at front, 31 inch's at rear, DJ will go 32 front, 30 rear I suspect, currently 30-31.

So 3 classes now?

 

[samh004]

What caught my eye in that article was they were making a mobile app, but with extra functions for BB users. I’d have thought there’d be more iPhone users on DJ, or at least a significantly high number of them

And it is poised to launch a mobile phone application that allows flight bookings, changes and check-in, and gives Blackberry users extra functions.

Perhaps by giving extra functions to BB users they think they’ll lure more biz pax over.

So 3 classes now?

I don’t think a few seats in the middle of the a/c with an extra inch of legroom are a new class

 

[Mal]

Both, reduce seat pitch aft of exit rows while increasing seat pitch forward of the exit rows, like I stated it will probably be similar to the 717's, which have 32 inchs at front, 31 inch's at rear, DJ will go 32 front, 30 rear I suspect, currently 30-31.

With the fixed location of exit rows on a 737, do they really have much room to play with? Perhaps one additional row behind the exit and one less in front of the exit?

 

[haydensydney]

Not sure about this - does this mean that the seats forward of the exits will stay as is, and the seats behind will have reduced legroom? If so - poo. I wouldn't take anything less than the current pitch. But the good thing is, there will be a choice.

I am interested in knowing what the price difference is.... but I think it's overkill redoing Y - why not overhaul their sh!tty Y+ product instead?

 

[notzac]

This appears to be something akin to NZ's Space+ or UA's E+ seating, non?

I still think it's a little ridiculous to have three different types of seating in a B737...

 

[dajop]

I still think it's a little ridiculous to have three different types of seating in a B737...

You mention UA, they have three different types of seating in their regional jets, certainly did on a 70 seater that I took. If it works on a 70 seater why so ridiculous on a 156 or 174 seat plane? Wonder if it will also be rolled out on DJ's ERJ's?

The point it is not a different type of seating, just the same seat with a little extra legroom, so you allocate to people buying flex or corporate fares, and probably allocate to elites if there are any left over.

 

[Must...Fly!]

I'll just add it to the reasons not to fly DJ...

Dam, got a MEL-PER booked on the 29th...defeated already!

Beyond that though I doubt I'm going to be jumping on a DJ flight anytime soon.

Being 194cm allows for little flexibility in the leg room area

 

[dajop]

Being 194cm allows for little flexibility in the leg room area

Any luck with a blue zone seat? Few extra $$, but at your height may be worth it.

 

[Must...Fly!]

Any luck with a blue zone seat? Few extra $$, but at your height may be worth it.

Yes, coming back to PER from MEL I usually grab a blue zone seat.

But that just adds another $45 onto the cost...which usually makes QF look like fine value considering i get my SC's and points (I doubt i will ever get enough in one year to get SG/WP unless I ever get to the USA and go running about in AA First, but every SC counts towards LTS )

I did 4 sectors in Jan on DJ because schedule meant I had little choice.

 

[notzac]

You mention UA, they have three different types of seating in their regional jets, certainly did on a 70 seater that I took. If it works on a 70 seater why so ridiculous on a 156 or 174 seat plane? Wonder if it will also be rolled out on DJ's ERJ's?

TBH, I'd suggest that three different zones of seating on a 70 seat plane is even more ridiculous than it is on a 150-ish seat plane.

If DJ's Premium Economy product was a different seat (none of this converta rubbish), it would make more sense to me ... that way you've got two distinct classes with slightly better seats up the back for those who have status or cough up the cash.

 

[StevePER]

I'm really not sure about this. More legroom is good if you're one of the lucky ones up the front... but if you're the sucker traveling for work on a cheap fare in your own time on a Sunday afternoon, it just makes the whole thing even more painful.

 

[docjames]

Shouldn't this be:

"DJ reduces leg room for all the tight-wads"?


Frankly, another reason NOT to fly DJ.

Prior to this I was quite open about flying DJ (depsite my hate for the "fun" safety announcements, lack of food/drinks etc) but there's no way I'm going there now that leg room is being reduced.

May as well fly JQ.....

 

[Must...Fly!]

May as well fly JQ.....

I actually don't mind JQ. Every flight I have had with them (5 or 6?) has been very pleasent and on time.

I just don't like Virgin Blue much because in my experiences they are inconsistent with service. Some sectors are great, some I wish I had walked...

And then there is the ground crew

 

[notzac]

I just don't like Virgin Blue much because in my experiences they are inconsistent with service. Some sectors are great, some I wish I had walked...

And then there is the ground crew

So just like QF then

Actually in saying that - the last two QF sectors I flew had really v pleasant staff who were polite and friendly. Here's hoping that continues...

 

[Must...Fly!]

So just like QF then

Actually in saying that - the last two QF sectors I flew had really v pleasant staff who were polite and friendly. Here's hoping that continues...

Well I've never had cause to interact with ground crew much at QF but I have always been served promptly and with a smile when asking for seat changes or anything else even as a lifetime NB.

Unlike at DJ where I was at the desk at the gate to enquire about a seat change and then ignored while the attendant turned around, walked away to be in view of the aircraft (this was in ADL) and make obscene sexual gestures to the baggage crew down below...that experience has put me off ever booking another DJ flight.

Pity i already have one booked...we even got shafted to a service 4 hours before original booking without even an email to notify us of the change...then came the associated fight with the call centre to allow us to change to the late flight out of MEL to PER without being charged change fees + fare difference...