DJs new 737s, pretty impressive.

[Noob]

Re: Look pretty clinical to me

I agree with you re IFE
However, re the seats, most, if not ALL LCC have "Leather" seats intalled. The reason being durability. May cost a small amount extra to install, however, the ongoing costs of cleaning/wear in minimal.. ie: a drunk footy play spews all over 3 seats, then they get wiped down and go off again in 2 minutes. If that happens with fabric, well, its a different story.
They are in most cases not full cowhide leather, they are in fact a synthetic leather. In the vehicles I use, they call it "Unnatural Leather" which is as durable as leather, has been manufactured to have similar properties, however, its half the price. Also note that usually the main contact areas are of this material, most backs/sides are actually a vinyl type blend.
Not being gross, but next time you are on a reaonably new one, sniff the seat(The upper part, because I may have been in it before you got there and that would not be nice), it wont have the strong leather smell, of say a nice italian leather lounge, also check out the structure and firmness of the "Leather"
Not taking a shot at the seats, because I actually quite like them, except those 738s with the coughpy old blue seats, they look really sad. That being said, they are 8 or so years old now, and original covers, so that tells you how long they last, even if they look cough.

Good points, I think that leather seats are a better business move because of their durability and would be arguably more hygienic.
Yeah the older blue seats are looking sad, but after eight years all seats start to look sad after all those passengers.

I think I read somewhere about the quality of the leather used in the new seats, a comment from Hulsbosch or something...anyone else have the link to it?

 

[Noob]

Install your new AVOD system now!!! Why are you guys giving QF a free kick? Do that and you will have planes of awesomeness....

 

[mannej]

That is all. Do that and you will have planes of awesomeness.

Will a 737 ever be awesome? That is the question...

 

[Noob]

Will a 737 ever be awesome? That is the question...

Anything with BSI is pretty close! But nothing beats a 777-300ER <3

 

[mannej]

Anything with BSI is pretty close! But nothing beats a 777-300ER <3

To me a 737 is still a 737

 

[ric_melb]

Personally I like the open look in a narrow body jet such as the 737.
So I liked the look of the new divider on Virgin. I would not extend the purple part, nor would I add curtains. To me curtains would compromise the clean design. No need for a sign, I think most people know.

 

[Noob]

(This part of my post is discussing the thread's topic)

I am starting to think that the red velvet rope, or retractable barrier (like they use at check in) might actually work well. I personally don't think it would look tacky, quite the opposite, I think it would look 'exclusive' and modern.

Because there is not a face on shot of Virgin Australia's new 737BSI cabin yet, here is one of Virgin America with the barrier, which would have a 'quick release' magnet holding it together in the centre in the case of emergencies.

The other option is a curtain, which I think detracts from the whole feel of the cabin, and the flowing Sky Interior design to achieve the same results. And in a aircraft like a 737 you don't want it to feel any more compact.

 

[pauly7]

I agree with you re IFE
However, re the seats, most, if not ALL LCC have "Leather" seats intalled. The reason being durability. May cost a small amount extra to install, however, the ongoing costs of cleaning/wear in minimal.. .

Yes leather is definitely a trademark of LCC and I was actually really surprised VA decided to keep it given their strategic objective to move upmarket.

Clearly the beancounters won that argument!

Hopefully they don't win the argument on AVOD....

 

[pshepvic]

I agree with Liam, that the problem with J on small jets is the traffic through the J cabin. It's intrusive and when you've paid 4 times the price of anyone else on the aircraft you do expect to enjoy your flight without a toddler making the seat next to you a playground or other pax stretching in your personal space. Why do they need to walk all the way to the front of the aircraft to stretch? Can't they stretch in the aisle next to their own seat? The last thing I want on my flight is a couple of people standing over my seat waiting for the toilet and putting their cough in my face. Personally I don't see anything wrong with blocking off the front toilet, not all 170 people will need to use the toilet in the flight. If they don't block off the front toilet, it won't matter how nice the seats are up front if they don't also come with peace and privacy.

On a 1 or 2 hour flight, why do they need to stretch at all? If you want to stretch out, buy a business class seat!! And stop bothering everyone else!

 

[Noob]

Yes leather is definitely a trademark of LCC and I was actually really surprised VA decided to keep it given their strategic objective to move upmarket.

Clearly the beancounters won that argument!

Hopefully they don't win the argument on AVOD....

I honestly think you are misinterpreting the leather seats, and personally do not understand the connection between LCC and leather seating? Nor the relation of material seating which becomes worn and tacky to premium carriers. This is simply not the case: Tiger Australia's lowest LCC had material seating primarily because it was cheap to put in? Seat companies regard leather seating as a premium upgrade? Airlines such as Singapore Airlines, Virgin Atlantic, Air New Zealand, Lufthansa, Emirates all use Leather seating in their Business Class cabins, Etihad uses leather in all cabins?

I did as you said on my last flight, smelt like leather mate!

 

[pauly7]

I honestly think you are misinterpreting the leather seats, and personally do not understand the connection between LCC and leather seating? Nor the relation of material seating which becomes worn and tacky to premium carriers. This is simply not the case: Tiger Australia's lowest LCC had material seating primarily because it was cheap to put in? Seat companies regard leather seating as a premium upgrade? Airlines such as Singapore Airlines, Virgin Atlantic, Air New Zealand, Lufthansa, Emirates all use Leather seating in their Business Class cabins, Etihad uses leather in all cabins?

I did as you said on my last flight, smelt like leather mate!

I honestly think your are directing your opinion and result on the smelling the leather seat test (um that is pretty gross why would you do that!) to the wrong person?!?

Regarding leather being a trademark of LCC it has already been explained in another post on here so I'm not going to repeat that apart from to add that it is even more so in Australia given the history of who has used it dominantly.

I know you defend everything Virgin do for some reason, but please don't post that people are misunderstanding their own opinions and posts because it is slightly condescending.

More than happy for you to disagree with people though

 

[oz_mark]

Airlines such as Singapore Airlines, Virgin Atlantic, Air New Zealand, Lufthansa, Emirates all use Leather seating in their Business Class cabins, Etihad uses leather in all cabins?

Not all leather is created equal.

 

[serfty]

Leather Seats are definitely a LCC thing.

I find leather seats worse than cloth for travelling; especially if trying to sleep. Perspiration is a huge issue.

See this post from a TR I did on JQi's leather seats:

• http://www.australianfrequentflyer....r-star-class-impressions-8472.html#post108450

 

[Jack Melon]

Re: Look pretty clinical to me

Good points, I think that leather seats are a better business move because of their durability and would be arguably more hygienic.
Yeah the older blue seats are looking sad, but after eight years all seats start to look sad after all those passengers.

I think I read somewhere about the quality of the leather used in the new seats, a comment from Hulsbosch or something...anyone else have the link to it?

Hey, Hulsbosch commenting on the seats and economy class here: ‪Sir Richard Branson discusses Virgin Blue's rebrand to Virgin Australia with Thumbrella‬&rlm; - YouTube

 

[lovestotravel]

Back to AVOD again.... Given that none of the seats have any space for screens in them, it seems unlikely that they will go with a seat-back solution.. I have heard several rumours that it will be a portable IFE device such as an iPad... If they do that, it's an EPIC FAIL. A portable IFE device is a LCC solution.....

 

[Noob]

Back to AVOD again.... Given that none of the seats have any space for screens in them, it seems unlikely that they will go with a seat-back solution.. I have heard several rumours that it will be a portable IFE device such as an iPad... If they do that, it's an EPIC FAIL. A portable IFE device is a LCC solution.....

I agree and it would not be really promoting the united brand which Virgin management speak of with Virgin Australia International having 'RED' seat back AVOD, and Virgin Australia Domestic & Medium haul International having iPads.

Unless every seat comes standard complimentary iPad on a special seat back mount so it can be either viewed and used like a standard AVOD screen or taken off for game play etc. - That would be pretty good. The good things about an iPad for AVOD is their flexibility, resolution, responsive touch, and a wider screen than most economy class AVOD at 9.7 inches wide. The other benefit would be the lack of technical problems which could be fixed by a quick replacement (they would have to keep spares on board) whilst the other is sent to IT for repair.

I honestly doubt VA will put a system in place like Jet Star's new IFE option (A set of iPads which can be rented for $), it would be a shocking move for the business.

 

[Jack Melon]

I really hope they get red, but a much bigger screen, more up to date, more options etc, and i really doubt they will go for a portable system.

 

[Noob]

I really hope they get red, but a much bigger screen, more up to date, more options etc, and i really doubt they will go for a portable system.

Fingers crossed! 10.6 inch screen with RED!

 

[Jack Melon]

Ok, just released, virgin will not have inflight 3G Internet But, good news, Ipads will not be the IFE solution, so more hope for red or a seat back option!!

More info here: Virgin Aus: no plans for in-flight 3G, iPads - Stay Connected

 

[LiamR]

Ok, just released, virgin will not have inflight 3G Internet But, good news, Ipads will not be the IFE solution, so more hope for red or a seat back option!!

More info here: Virgin Aus: no plans for in-flight 3G, iPads - Stay Connected

I think we need to think outside the box. It dosen't have to be a seat-back system or a portable system. Maybe there is something else, something new, something we haven't heard of before?

That's my guess.