New DOM QF A330-200

[chrisb]

QF777 MEL-PER today on VH-EBO, Business completely full including all of the centre seats. From some people watching, it seemed to be a 50/50 split between one half of a couple being in the centre E seat and solo travelers.

 

[serfty]

Hmmm ... I'm thinking that QF held off allocating these seats for a period pending the introduction of DJ's transcon configuration.

Now they know it's 2-3-2 they have recommenced use of the middle seats.

 

[markis10]

I wonder if that is temporary or have they decided to leave the config as it is.

 

[NM]

Hmmm ... I'm thinking that QF held off allocating these seats for a period pending the introduction of DJ's transcon configuration.

Now they know it's 2-3-2 they have recommenced use of the middle seats.

but there is a bit of a difference being in a middle seat when the seat pitch is something like 69" (i.e. DJ A330) and something closer to 38". Some may even argue that a middle seat at 69" is better than an aisle/window seat at 38" pitch, especially traveling with a companion in the adjacent seat.

Note that on DJ A330 there are only 3 middle seats - being 11% of the cabin inventory, while there are 16 aisle seats (59% of the inventory) and 8 window seats (being 30% of the inventory). Seems reasonable compared with QF's domestic A330 with 7 abreast config.

 

[oz_mark]

but there is a bit of a difference being in a middle seat when the seat pitch is something like 69" (i.e. DJ A330) and something closer to 38". Some may even argue that a middle seat at 69" is better than an aisle/window seat at 38" pitch, especially traveling with a companion in the adjacent seat.

It is a distinction that seems completely lost on people who have just decided to be against a middle seat in J.

 

[DC3]

Why would anyone select a middle seat over a window or aisle seat? I can't see any advantage in this, unless it was a group of 3 passengers travelling together and who wanted to sit together.

For a lone passenger, or for 2 travelling together, what would be the advantage of selecting the middle seat?

 

[NM]

Why would anyone select a middle seat over a window or aisle seat? I can't see any advantage in this, unless it was a group of 3 passengers travelling together and who wanted to sit together.

For a lone passenger, or for 2 travelling together, what would be the advantage of selecting the middle seat?

For two people traveling together, and booking or checking-in late, they may find there are no Aisle/Window pairs remaining remaining. So if they want to sit together, they need to take an aisle and middle (i.e. D+E or E+F). If the seat pitch was 69", I would not be overly concerned with this scenario. But if it was 38" pitch I would be much less impressed.

 

[dk4]

Definitely an interesting discussion, particularly when comparing the upcoming Virgin seat with Qantas'.

Personally I would suggest, for a trip less than 5 hours (and one most often completed during daytime), that while leg room is important, the most important criteria for me is elbow room.

So if one airline is operating 6 rows of tighter pitch at 2x2x2 and the other operating a mere 4 rows (giving it a 50% pitch advantage), but at 2x3x2 (excluding the front row at 2x2x2)... AND the former airline (with 36 seats in zone A) is able use this configuration for a price advantage over the latter (with 27 seats in zone A), then I don't need a 60" pitch on these flights (as I'm not likely to sleep), but some elbow room is a high priority.

I think it is also worth pointing out, that unlike Qantas, Virgin probably isn't in a position to have two sub-fleets of A330s (i.e. domestic & international variants). So their A330 product is presumably a hybrid-compromise, designed to be appealing for longer distance & overnight flights to/from Asia at some stage. (But in this scenario, it will be up against QF's 2x2x2 Skybeds, and with 2x3x2 Virgin may opt to take a price advantage.)

 

[chrisb]

Personally I would suggest, for a trip less than 5 hours (and one most often completed during daytime), that while leg room is important, the most important criteria for me is elbow room.

I disagree. Even at 2x3x2 in an A332, I think the seat and armrest width is fine. My annoyance at window & middle seats is not being able to get out without hassling someone. It limits beer consumption

(Speaking of beer, no Crown Lager on board yesterday!)

 

[pauly7]

I wonder if that is temporary or have they decided to leave the config as it is.

AJ stated again that they are moving to 2-2-2.... But maybe they have started selling again until that happens.

 

[dizperliz]

New seats enroute, doesn't happen overnight.

 

[nlagalle]

(Speaking of beer, no Crown Lager on board yesterday!)

Well no crown lager on board is really no great loss!! Personally I think that is an improvement!

 

[pauly7]

Well no crown lager on board is really no great loss!! Personally I think that is an improvement!

Plus 1 crown is for.... actually I won't go there!

 

[Red Roo]

Just an update.

As you are aware, we introduced two new A330-200s to the Qantas Domestic fleet with a 2-3-2 configuration in Business late last year, which predominantly operate on MEL/SYD-PER v.v.

Following customer feedback, we are currently reviewing the Business cabin configuration. This weekend, we are introducing a workspace, which will be fitted in the middle seat. In effect, this creates a 2-2-2 seating configuration, with the benefit of a working space for documents/laptops in the centre seating section and ensures that the middle seat is not used as customer seating.

Supporting this solution, work continues in relation to the development of the future configuration for this aircraft.

 

[serfty]

Just an update.
...

That is indeed good news. Thankyou for the heads-up.

 

[Red Roo]

That is indeed good news. Thankyou for the heads-up.

Glad to bring some cheer for the weekend

 

[reductionist]

This weekend, we are introducing a workspace, which will be fitted in the middle seat. In effect, this creates a 2-2-2 seating configuration, with the benefit of a working space for documents/laptops in the centre seating section and ensures that the middle seat is not used as customer seating.

Thumbs up. Well done.

 

[cosi]

Sorry Red Roo but its long overdue and should have NEVER happen in the first place.

The inconsistency of the product is my single biggest complaint about QF.

I do appreciate the confirmation that the seat will be permanently block until QF bites the bullet and replaces the seating.

 

[oz_mark]

I do appreciate the confirmation that the seat will be permanently block until QF bites the bullet and replaces the seating.

What makes you think they'll be replacing the seating?

 

[moa999]

Flew VH-EBP today MEL-SYD (in Y)

Saw the new 'middle' seats on exiting the plane.
Basically a grey plastic insert that sits roughly in line with the arm rests and takes up the whole middle seat.
What looked like two cutouts an each or two deep providing a little bit of extra storage for pax on either aisle (probably large enough to fit the meal tray when done)