First Cabin design workshop

[legroom]

I miss seeing a fresh copy of the Sydney Morning Herald or Australian upon boarding.

Used to see it even in J, now not available in F

Apart from the 'G'day' and 'no worries', that's another piece that brings Australia back after your time away from home.

Online news is one thing but perusing little news columns from real papers is another experience altogether.

The bean counters thought otherwise obviously.

It's a low-priority act I'd happily admit.

 

[CaptJCool]

As one yet to experience on-board first class, but fortunate to have enjoyed Sydney First lounge on many occasions before QF81 run ceased, these are observations from the outside looking in;


What value I expect from First

Design the experience but leave room for the unexpected unanticipated special touches (it's the value of the Vibe)

Feels like home to me
Safe and welcoming
Laconic iconic Australian


Now, tHere are only 14 suites on each aircraft type A380 and 747 so what's so hard about providing for luxury for the $14,000 price tag


Exclusiveness
The Discerning
Spaciousness
Less is more

Free-flowing
Discreet opulence
personalised unique touches
The unexpected
Positive surprises - every flight could come with a unique treat...
And Did I mention endless free-flowing champagne


Integrity that you give what you said you would give - no exceptions for wriggle-room

Theres plenty I can write but I will do separate posts for other points


Know your PAX demographics
Regular First PAX know the ropes - they fly a lot on the "business dime" (and I'm sure Princess Fiona can represent those interests eloquently) - surprise them with something new and unusual. Special touches - uniqueness captures the imagination and keeps it fresh.

Savvy frequent flyers who are first-timers. Don't leave them disappointed. Their needs are different, often self-funded points accumulators


Continual success
The experience is meant to a high-value and discerning and glorious - think caviar, lobster and amazing champagne and great Australian wine. Oh, throw in some decent luxury Freebies as souvenirs of the wonderful experience.



Every 1st PAX (all 14 of them) Ought leave the flight raving about how outstanding the experience was with all high prince and princess expectations met.

 

[Reeldeel]

As one yet to experience on-board first class, but fortunate to have enjoyed Sydney First lounge on many occasions before QF81 run ceased, these are observations from the outside looking in;


What value I expect from First

Design the experience but leave room for the unexpected unanticipated special touches (it's the value of the Vibe)

Feels like home to me
Safe and welcoming
Laconic iconic Australian


Now, tHere are only 14 suites on each aircraft type A380 and 747 so what's so hard about providing for luxury for the $14,000 price tag


Exclusiveness
The Discerning
Spaciousness
Less is more

Free-flowing
Discreet opulence
personalised unique touches
The unexpected
Positive surprises - every flight could come with a unique treat...
And Did I mention endless free-flowing champagne


Integrity that you give what you said you would give - no exceptions for wriggle-room

Theres plenty I can write but I will do separate posts for other points


Know your PAX demographics
Regular First PAX know the ropes - they fly a lot on the "business dime" (and I'm sure Princess Fiona can represent those interests eloquently) - surprise them with something new and unusual. Special touches - uniqueness captures the imagination and keeps it fresh.

Savvy frequent flyers who are first-timers. Don't leave them disappointed. Their needs are different, often self-funded points accumulators


Continual success
The experience is meant to a high-value and discerning and glorious - think caviar, lobster and amazing champagne and great Australian wine. Oh, throw in some decent luxury Freebies as souvenirs of the wonderful experience.



Every 1st PAX (all 14 of them) Ought leave the flight raving about how outstanding the experience was with all high prince and princess expectations met.

Got it one CaptJCool. Its all about the experience and nothing but the experience. Even if Qantas dont make a dime from F, it has the attraction for a few more frequent flyers to travel in style every now and then.

 

[Kangol]

The redesign of the seat needs some ergonomic input. ie easy access to storage cubbies, shelves whilst in seat or bed mode is one - not having to get up, lean over, etc. To have the power point exposed by the feet really needs to change. That small "shelf" under the IFE controller also doesn't seem all that secure; I've had things fall down enough times (one) to not use it now. A majority of competitors do this well on their F, why can't QF?
Also the swivel - what was the reason (advantage) for that again?
I know there is a balance between the artistic side of designers vs the practical, intelligent, scientific side of say engineers, but it should appear like someone has actually thought about it.

I've done maybe 10 segments in F, so take it as you may. Many here have probably done 5-10x that amount, even more.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Also the swivel - what was the reason (advantage) for that again?

Space I think? There's only a certain amount of room (cabin length), herringbone allows you to get an extra row in.

 

[Kangol]

Space I think? There's only a certain amount of room (cabin length), herringbone allows you to get an extra row in.

But why not have it (always) facing the side, not straight ahead, like many other carriers?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

But why not have it (always) facing the side, not straight ahead, like many other carriers?

Aside from CX I can't think of another carrier with herringbone in F, although on CX its very slight.

 

[blackcat20]

But why not have it (always) facing the side, not straight ahead, like many other carriers?

I assume its a safety requirement for take off and landing.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I assume its a safety requirement for take off and landing.

Maybe there is something peculiar to the QF suite which requires it to be forward for takeoff, or maybe its passenger preference. In theory you can be on quite an angle for take-off or landing provided you have an airbag given some current herringbone arrangements.

 

[Kangol]

Aside from CX I can't think of another carrier with herringbone in F, although on CX its very slight.

BA.

Although the reverse herringbone Cirrus seat which is used in many J products was marketed as a first seat.

 

[boomy]

Also the swivel - what was the reason (advantage) for that again?
I know there is a balance between the artistic side of designers vs the practical, intelligent, scientific side of say engineers, but it should appear like someone has actually thought about it.

The swivel has one major disadvantage - restrictive legroom during takeoff and landing, especially for tall people and that's not ok in F, even if just for an hour.

When QF going to refurbish F I hope the designer will adopt a more practical yet luxurious style, even if it means decreasing the number of seats in the cabin.

 

[eminere]

Aside from CX I can't think of another carrier with herringbone in F, although on CX its very slight.

BA F is essentially reverse herringbone too.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

BA.

Although the reverse herringbone Cirrus seat which is used in many J products was marketed as a first seat.

BA F is essentially reverse herringbone too.

Oh yes, true. I didn't even consider the BA F seat to be an F seat! :shock: Same for the KA F seat - it's a business seat used for the F cabin.

 

[CaptJCool]

So to the Bat channel Website
International First Class | Qantas
Gosh how out-dated. A picture tells a thousand words. Not the other way around.

By defining specific points, no room is left for the imagination. People then expect exactly what each dot point says they will do. It leaves no wriggle room

The check-in picture doesn't even show the kerbside service nor the actual checkin.
A staged pic of the limo and the kerbside greeting would go better.
A staged pic of champagne being poured - that there's always more

open plan open air seat suites reminds me of the egalitarian workplace not of a classy luxury decadent offering...

Less is more
The website Luxury Amenity photos are tacky because they include in the photo Colgate toothpaste and rexona underarm and Gillette shaving cream since when do all men use a razor these days ???? - are they really a contemporary luxury offering?


Pre-flight concierge service confirming times for chauffeur, check-in and boarding preferences to ensure your choices need to be honoured. Some people like to board first, others like to linger longer while others like a late boarding. Rather than corral everyone at the same time, personalised boarding timing is achievable. In fact one could arrange concierge boarding service


Discreet Check-in - I did use the first check-in at Sydney, was discreet and warm the staff were welcoming (yea they could in fact escort you to the immigration door....)

 

[eminere]

Oh yes, true. I didn't even consider the BA F seat to be an F seat! :shock:

Little wonder why people say the BA F seat is the world's best J seat.

 

[JessicaTam]

So to the Bat channel Website
International First Class | Qantas
Gosh how out-dated. A picture tells a thousand words. Not the other way around.

<snip>

Interesting to see them refer to F suites in the 747. :shock:

 

[TonyHancock]

Oh yes, true. I didn't even consider the BA F seat to be an F seat! :shock: Same for the KA F seat - it's a business seat used for the F cabin.

Little wonder why people say the BA F seat is the world's best J seat.

Utter nonsense, from someone with 40 QF F sectors and 15 BA sectors under his belt in the last five years. BA F and QF F are pretty much comparable. Both are better than any J product I have flown, and that includes CX, UL, QF, MH, EY, EK, VA, BA and KA F which is the CX J seat.

If QF wants to stay ahead of the game it needs to look at EY F, and then not have to worry about making a profit. :shock:

This post brought to you from EY F which is nothing short of astonishing.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Utter nonsense

Each to their own I guess. I like BA's F service, but I'm not necessarily a fan of ultra-high density herringbone seating for the F cabin.

 

[drivatruk]

I just flew EY F and found the bed narrow and hard. I also prefer a seat that reclines about 45-60 degrees to watch the media screen. With Etihad its either flat in bed or a bout 30 degrees recline. My first choice of F now will be JAL. I guess I'm saying is you will never please everyone .

I was lucky enough on the AUH-MEL leg to have the cabin next to me empty, so we dropped the wall and the seat in the next compartment and i was able to spread my arms out and enjoyed an 11 hour nap.

 

[blackcat20]

I just flew EY F and found the bed narrow and hard. I also prefer a seat that reclines about 45-60 degrees to watch the media screen. With Etihad its either flat in bed or a bout 30 degrees recline. My first choice of F now will be JAL. I guess I'm saying is you will never please everyone .

I was lucky enough on the AUH-MEL leg to have the cabin next to me empty, so we dropped the wall and the seat in the next compartment and i was able to spread my arms out and enjoyed an 11 hour nap.

Thats a problem with a lot of the new F seats, especially those that flip over to become the bed. You can get the nice relaxed lazy boy position that I really enjoy.