Economy X [Domestic free for Platinum] - May 2017

[ozstamps]

Rows 4 and 5 (generally) now have 10cm more pitch than all non-exit rows further back. I have seen comment that Row 3 has somewhat less pitch then it used to.

Serfty, so what is this Row 3 observation based on? :?:

Others seem to feel nothing has changed.

 

[pauly7]

Now that I'm Plat this whole Economy X business has been great up front. Nearly always a middle seat free in rows 3-5 on my usual CBR-BNE route.

I'm getting access to economy X at check in for free (gold)... I again ask the question - are they opening it up to gold when they aren't selling a certain percentage or something?

 

[Muppet501st]

Serfty, so what is this Row 3 observation based on? :?:

Others seem to feel nothing has changed.

the old 737-800 I flew BNE-TSV on Sunday night, row3 had certainly lost a little room.

 

[JohnK]

The top photos are from 18 May, and the second photo of Row 3 is from 3 Apr. On all the flights I've been on in the last 3 months, I really don't think Row 3 has lost anything, so I'm not sure where they stole the room for row 4 and 5, but knowing the Exit rows are fixed, my reckoning is that it is from rows 6-12.

Interesting observation. I was not comfortable in row 7 on Friday night. It felt like there was less space around me but I wrote that off to not feeling well. And the head rest was driving me nuts as it was pushing into the back of my neck.

 

[serfty]

I suspect they have generally taken ~3cm of pitch for each row 6-11 and given that to rows 4 & 5.

 

[basso]

the old 737-800 I flew BNE-TSV on Sunday night, row3 had certainly lost a little room.

I read somewhere that Row 3 had moved forward a little, but so had the Perspex divider behind row 2. That made up for most of the additional space.

 

[kevrosmith]

I read somewhere that Row 3 had moved forward a little, but so had the Perspex divider behind row 2. That made up for most of the additional space.

I'd read that too, but my observations on 2 flights each week for the last 3 months have not been able to confirm this. As far as I can tell and sense, the divider hasn't moved (comparing against the windows) and I really don't believe row 3 has moved. My weekly routine of closing all three windows each Monday morning has not changed at all (third window is accessed after reclining).

 

[Lord_Lenny]

I just did a Row 3 SYD-BNE yesterday, now granted I usually plump for Row 4, but it did feel slightly closer to the divider, based on where my feet were when stretched out.

I'd agree with the general consensus though that it's hard to tell for sure. Row 4 is certainly much more comfortable for me now though, so I'm happy with the change

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

I do like Row 3, and now will pay Aud$39 extra for an Aust dom fare (as a VA NR) if the option comes up.
Stretch leg forward under divider.
Seeing my success of having a shadow with QF now seems less, so maybe, just maybe its time to halve my flights with with QF and go over to VA.

 

[BenAlexander]

Quick Question...

If I am flying CBR-xSYD-DRW, which leg(s) need to be YX to get access to the lounges?
eg, if I upgrade the xSYD-DRW leg, will I get lounge access in CBR?
What if I just upgraded CBR-xSYD, will I get lounge access to SYD on my layover?

And can someone explain the seat arguement? Basically which row would you pick in YX?

 

[andyhui01]

And can someone explain the seat arguement? Basically which row would you pick in YX?

My observations

Row 3 in theory gets you the most legroom but I think Row 3 just gets a footrest under the divider, I feel legroom is the same across all rows. Downside is a narrower seat, cough tray table and no room for bags

I feel Row 4,5 gets just as much legroom (if you didn't have a bag under the seat) and if the person in front does not recline, the seat is far enough that it does not bother you. You also get a wider seat, movable armrest and a proper tray table.

I've picked 4/5 every time as it means I don't have to hold my phone up when watching my movie on the phone and I like having access to my bag.

 

[Lemon_Party]

In my opinion, if you have a shadow next to you, I would prefer row 4/5 aisle.

If the front 3 rows are full I would still prefer row 3. Still feels to me like it is a little roomier - but not by much.

 

[Lord_Lenny]

Quick Question...

If I am flying CBR-xSYD-DRW, which leg(s) need to be YX to get access to the lounges?
eg, if I upgrade the xSYD-DRW leg, will I get lounge access in CBR?
What if I just upgraded CBR-xSYD, will I get lounge access to SYD on my layover?

From what I read Economy X itself doesn't come with lounge access, you would need to be either Gold/Platinum or a Lounge Member in order to access the lounge - in which case it wouldn't matter if you were Economy X, you would have lounge access anyway.

https://www.velocityfrequentflyer.com/content/ProgramBenefits/LatestNews/economy-x/

No mention of Lounge Access in the benefits outlined here sadly.

 

[andyhui01]

From what I read Economy X itself doesn't come with lounge access, you would need to be either Gold/Platinum or a Lounge Member in order to access the lounge - in which case it wouldn't matter if you were Economy X, you would have lounge access anyway.

https://www.velocityfrequentflyer.com/content/ProgramBenefits/LatestNews/economy-x/

No mention of Lounge Access in the benefits outlined here sadly.

I think he is referring to the current promo where QF SG/WP get access to VA Lounge if they upgrade to YX

 

[Lord_Lenny]

Oh cough, of course, completely forgot about that offer!!

In which case BenAlexander assuming you meet the QF status requirements or Club membership you'd be safer to upgrade the CBD-SYD and SYD-DRW to ensure you have maximum lounge access, as VA would only allow access prior to the departing Economy X leg. So you would be unlikely to get lounge access in SYD if you only upgraded for CBR-SYD.

 

[BenAlexander]

Sorry, should have mentioned I was asking in regard to the try economyX promo.

I'm QFF WP thinking about making the switch (but VA make it so hard! I just want the 'explore gold' option so I don't have to start from scratch)

 

[Cryptarcadian]

What have your experiences been about people trying to moving into Economy X seats after take-off?

Between my partner and I, we've counted one flight with announcements telling people not to move into rows "1-5 or 13-14" and two without, but at least one case where cabin crew quietly told pax not to when they tried.

 

[Muppet501st]

What have your experiences been about people trying to moving into Economy X seats after take-off?

Between my partner and I, we've counted one flight with announcements telling people not to move into rows "1-5 or 13-14" and two without, but at least one case where cabin crew quietly told pax not to when they tried.

I haven't heard any announcements. I was in 3F on Sunday night and 2 shadows. I put up my shadow blocker ( food tray ) and then it got me thinking, would the FA's stop people moving into 3D. The rest of the cabin was full.
I believe YX should be treated like Y+ or C+ and hopefully it'll be enforced.

 

[kevrosmith]

What have your experiences been about people trying to moving into Economy X seats after take-off?

Between my partner and I, we've counted one flight with announcements telling people not to move into rows "1-5 or 13-14" and two without, but at least one case where cabin crew quietly told pax not to when they tried.

I haven't heard any announcements. I was in 3F on Sunday night and 2 shadows. I put up my shadow blocker ( food tray ) and then it got me thinking, would the FA's stop people moving into 3D. The rest of the cabin was full.
I believe YX should be treated like Y+ or C+ and hopefully it'll be enforced.

On many of my flights with empty rows in YX, especially with row 6 full, people have moved and FAs have said nothing. If I had paid for the seats, rather than having access by virtue of being Platinum, I'd probably be inclined to say something to the FAs.

 

[andyhui01]

On many of my flights with empty rows in YX, especially with row 6 full, people have moved and FAs have said nothing. If I had paid for the seats, rather than having access by virtue of being Platinum, I'd probably be inclined to say something to the FAs.

Yup. Happened to me once in Row 5. Had the row to myself, sat in 5A. Someone came up and sat in 5C. Thought it wasn't worth the confrontation but was expecting the FA to say something. She did know about it considering she was the one who said I could sit in A as this row is empty.

There is also a post on AFF FB about some guy who is SG who managed to talk himself into Y+ once at check in. Failed the 2nd time and had a rant... . Anyone seen it? I tried looking for it but I think it got deleted.