Madness: Last QF9 A380, First QF10 B787

[Archphoto]

Jessica's review hit every concern I have with this route right on the button.

I too had the survey from QF re the new route and Dreamliner and made it abundantly clear that if the comfort of their seat configuration meant it was going to be uncomfortable, there was a snowball's chance in hell I would *ever* fly it.

All too often the reviews are based on PE or J, with those for Y passengers never being given a passing glance - and no wonder! Seriously, being crammed into an uncomfortable seat for 17 hours would drive me crazy (wish I could afford PE or J). Not only do you pay more for this "non-stop flight incredible experience", you're also expected to deal with a lack of comfort not apparent on their other routes.

Sure Y is uncomfortable at the best of times, but proclaiming how fantastic it's going to be whilst ignoring a simple feature such as adequate chair width rather defeats the purpose.

I'll happily do a stop-over thanks, at least (for now) my choice of airline seat is wide enough to not be accused of some weird form of sexual harassment ("shoulder passes" anyone?) with the person sitting next to me, and I will be somewhat compos mentis and able to stand upon landing.

I applaud your willingness to take one for the Y team, @JessicaTam - certainly made for interesting, unbiased reading that (sadly) confirmed my fears regarding the seating choice made by QF. Here's hoping the Uni study provides woeful results on passenger experience and QF rethink their seating strategy.

Actually, I think I have a better chance of seeing the Easter Bunny, the Tooth Fairy and Santa out partying together this weekend . . .

 

[zig]

I got a QF Customer Advisory Panel survey this week asking if I would fly on the direct PER LHR flight. I declined

I also got the survey, and stated clearly that I wouldn't fly this route in any class. Hopefully QF is getting the message.

Thanks for the report JT. The average QF Y passenger wouldn't get your WP treatment and would find the flight even more tiresome and difficult I imagine.

 

[Franky]

I got a QF Customer Advisory Panel survey this week asking if I would fly on the direct PER LHR flight. I declined

Which - the flight or the survey?

 

[Pushka]

But what can Qantas do about it now?

 

[Ansett]

But what can Qantas do about it now?

A rapid refurbish would be a good idea and change any further aircraft to a 2-4-2 lay out for Y and provide more legroom in Y+ so maybe lose a row in Y+.

 

[Libertyscott]

Air NZ retrofitted its first two 777-300ERs when it first installed the PE Spaceseats because the pitch was too tight within 1 month, and there were ample complaints. A row was removed, the pitch became generous and the economics of the Spaceseats were made ever more dubious. So something CAN be done, but given all but JAL have gone 3-3-3 on Y in 787s (even ANA has abandoned 2-4-2 on its ones), the odds QF will do anything have to be low. Even SQ has done it, albeit on 787s for regional flights. Most airlines with 777s are doing exactly the same moving from 9 to 10 abreast.

Bigger chance the PE pitch would be increased, premium passengers are fussier, most long haul Y passengers are price driven first, and occasional flyers who are mostly informed by their friends and family, and previous experience.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Bigger chance the PE pitch would be increased, premium passengers are fussier, most long haul Y passengers are price driven first, and occasional flyers who are mostly informed by their friends and family, and previous experience.

If passengers are driven by price, I can't see how the QF product is going to sell. A sample pricing for 2-15 July shows EK MEL-LON for $2394, 23hrs45mins. Qantas via PER is $3045 in 22hrs50mins. A $700 premium for what exactly?

Premium economy (via PER) on the QF website for the same dates is $8336. Which is ridiculous.

 

[kpc]

If passengers are driven by price, I can't see how the QF product is going to sell. A sample pricing for 2-15 July shows EK MEL-LON for $2394, 23hrs45mins. Qantas via PER is $3045 in 22hrs50mins. A $700 premium for what exactly?

Premium economy (via PER) on the QF website for the same dates is $8336. Which is ridiculous.

AJ will find out the hard way when no one one flies his planes. Qf overprices its airfares eg I have a work trip to Chicago in July. Ex Sydney it is $5600 on AA in J but a whopping $9600 on QF in J...no prices for guessing which airline I'm flying on!

 

[Mattg]

If passengers are driven by price, I can't see how the QF product is going to sell. A sample pricing for 2-15 July shows EK MEL-LON for $2394, 23hrs45mins. Qantas via PER is $3045 in 22hrs50mins. A $700 premium for what exactly?

Premium economy (via PER) on the QF website for the same dates is $8336. Which is ridiculous.

Exactly what I was thinking. Price-driven customers won't fly Qantas on this route as they're not the cheapest anyway. And customers prepared to pay a little more for a decent economy seat won't fly the route either.

Qantas should be targeting those willing to pay a small premium for comfort and convenience. People will be prepared to pay a little more if the product is right. In this case it is not.

 

[cove]

AA in J worked fine for us a while back kpc.
Have not been convinced that the 787 to London is for us. We have been stopping in Singapore overnight then flying to London the next morning using SQ.

 

[Anna]

I said yes, but only in J (free text section).

I wouldn't even do it in J, because QF via PER not even the quickest route for me ex ADL. SQ is much cheaper for a J fare too.

 

[Mrmaxwell]

The irony of the Dreamliner Y setup is those at QF who signed off on this will never fly the 17hrs in Y themselves.

 

[Strategic Aviation]

The irony of the Dreamliner Y setup is those at QF who signed off on this will never fly the 17hrs in Y themselves.

Can see the point you're trying to make but there's no irony there

The converse would actually be ironic - if the decision-makers approved the Y setup despite knowing they'd have to fly in it.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

There must be a company memo out asking all staff to promote the seat. When I told the CSM that the seats were narrow, the answer was to promote the extra leg room. The captain (Andrew) came past for a chat and I said the same thing when asked how I was enjoying the flight. The response was the same - 'but there is extra leg room'.

Two options here - neither particularly good. Either the CSM and Captain genuinely believe the hype, or they are really out of touch with how the majority of their passengers travel.

 

[JessicaTam]

Two options here - neither particularly good. Either the CSM and Captain genuinely believe the hype, or they are really out of touch with how the majority of their passengers travel.

Or option three, they are towing toeing the company line.

Edit: been around too many boats!

 

[cove]

A pretty chunky chap who might not be allowed on Thai due to his girth is flying to London in economy on the Perth Qantas 787. I will find out how that goes in a bit over 2 months.

 

[Princess Fiona]

Yeah. I get the feeling bookings might not be so strong?

There is only one unallocated seat in the J cabin for QF9 in a couple of weeks. I know because I’m on it.
Either that flight is an anomaly or bookings are good.

 

[NoName]

Does the average Y flyer really care and take as much notice of these things as people on this forum? My gut feel says no they don’t. IMO it would be the extra cost rather than the narrower seat that will make people think twice.

 

[cove]

Chunky chap said $1500 including a side trip to Rome so it was price,price,price.

 

[cove]

He is a similar shape to a chap who could not lower the meal tray a few years ago. That fellow had a spare seat next to him so he used the meal tray from that seat.