Japan - VA or QF, or JQ

[stm1sydney]

thanks for the other suggestions. I'll check them out.

Yeah, both CI and BR fly out of BNE with good connections via TPE to NRT, and great value in J class. They are both quality airlines.

 

[Vic]

China airlines and Eva air have good pricing. Return in business for the cost of qantas business one way.
Negatives - 6 to 19 hour transits, and looks like an airport change in some cases. I skipped reading the entry rules for Taiwan.
I'll keep those on hold. thanks for the suggestions. Watching some videos on Utube now.

The JQ front cabin seat is far more comfortable than the Virgin Australia business class seat. The Jetstar seat is much better padded has a leg rest and is designed for long haul travel. It also comes with significant recline and amenities such as a pillow and blanket.

Totally respect that's your experience. Personally, I rarely use the leg rest on these seats, i find the Jetstar seat to be the same as qantas domestic business. I'm not in a position to comment on the soft product on VA, I'd be surprised if they did not include a pillow and blanket. But don't know.

Yeah the consensus is that if you live in or are prepared to transit in SYD there are numerous widebody choices and competition to fly to Japan (ANA, JAL, Qantas + others 1 stops via Asia) but if you live North of Sydney and/or don't like backtracking then the options rapidly disappear and become uncompetative/expensive and unappealing (JQ flight lottery and VA via CNS).

It's just that I have a work thing on the gold coast the week before with a friday and saturday to get to Tokyo, and family/friends in Brisbane. Certainly have the time to go back to Sydney but it just seems a bit of a waste.

My brother made the last train (23:00 skyliner) with 5 mins to spare after landing at 19:00 yesterday. It took almost 4 hours to get through immigration. If he missed it, it would've been an expensive $300 taxi ride from NRT.

Oh, that's shocking. The work thing in Toyko is 20 minutes from Haneda... hmm I guess my options are narrowing down.

 

[Mattg]

Did I miss the VA on board product launch for Japan? But anyway, the seat alone would not be worth any premium.

No, you didn’t miss anything. They haven’t yet announced any real details about the 737 MAX interior.

In fact, it’s also quite possible that the MAX launch gets delayed and VA launches its CNS-HND route using 737-700s.

Row 2 seats suffer from very limited legroom.

I prefer row 2 on the VA 737 because you can fully stretch your legs out under the seat in front (and recline with nobody directly behind you). Not sure what you mean by “very limited legroom”.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I prefer row 2 on the VA 737 because you can fully stretch your legs out under the seat in front (and recline with nobody directly behind you). Not sure what you mean by “very limited legroom”.

The seats are really close together! 37 inch pitch is not really enough for anyone 6 foot or more I can’t even properly stretch out under the seat in front.

And as you say, row 2 has the advantage of being able to recline with nobody behind… meaning it ‘is’ actual,y a problem if you are sitting in row 1, reclining onto someone behind… even if that person is quite short

If they increased the pitch to 40 inches, perhaps by removing a couple of rows of economy X it would be a much better product all round!

 

[MooTime]

.........removing a couple of rows of economy X it would be a much better product all round!

Removing couple economy X rows.... Blasphemy!
To the naughty corner sir.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Removing couple economy X rows.... Blasphemy!
To the naughty corner sir.

That. would still leave row 3, and the two exit rows. Still room for 18 plats to get good seating! But ditching rows 4 and 5 would allow 40 inch pitch in the front cabin.

 

[Vic]

That. would still leave row 3, and the two exit rows. Still room for 18 plats to get good seating! But ditching rows 4 and 5 would allow 40 inch pitch in the front cabin.

Row 3 has noticeably more legroom than rows 4 or 5. I reckon they could almost take 2 inches (maybe 3) from row 3 without having to change much at all.
That's not the full 6 inches required for your suggestion, acknowledged

I guess the limitation is the guide things where the seats are attached that have regularly spaced holes. I've always assumed the holes are the attachment points and hence show possible spacing. Therefore, I assume there are discretion spacing options, not continuous spacing.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Row 3 has noticeably more legroom than rows 4 or 5. I reckon they could almost take 2 inches (maybe 3) from row 3 without having to change much at all.
That's not the full 6 inches required for your suggestion, acknowledged

I guess the limitation is the guide things where the seats are attached that have regularly spaced holes. I've always assumed the holes are the attachment points and hence show possible spacing. Therefore, I assume there are discretion spacing options, not continuous spacing.

I always thought the tracks were slotted at one inch increments! They have a cover which then goes over the slots not used.

Edited it seems that’s the case? Half-inch seat fitting promises seat pitch flexibility; what of #PaxEx? - Runway Girl

I’ve flown row three on Rex… i think the legroom’s just right for a premium experience (paid or for top tier).

Then there’s the exits too.

Perhaps if VA restricted row 3 + exits in totality… not opening them up at 24 hours prior to departure, it would give enough seats for plats?

 

[HS-TQE]

No, you didn’t miss anything. They haven’t yet announced any real details about the 737 MAX interior.

In fact, it’s also quite possible that the MAX launch gets delayed and VA launches its CNS-HND route using 737-700s.

It'll be either VH-VBY or VH-VBZ (The legacy 2-class 700s) on standby.
Does anyone know whether those 2 specific -700s are equipped for over water flying? If not, I would assume it would be funded by Boeing if the MAX8s aren't delivered in time for VA.

 

[CaptJCool]

This looked like a cracker of a fare
Extra rocking and reclining on the MAX8