New fitout - less room ?

[Bucko]

I flew MEL-SYD in mid December and was surprised to see a newly fitted out plane. However, when I sat down I felt like I had less room width wise across the 3 seats. My partner also felt the same way, however it may have been because we normally fly the not so popular flights and have a spare seat next to us. Or maybe the lady in the window seat was a bit bigger than usual or hogging the arm rest.

We had an older plane on the return flight with 3 people across and felt like we had more room.

So, do the new fitouts have less room width wise and a slightly wider aisle ? Or are we just imagining things...

 

[MarkD]

if in row 3, then, yes, seat is narrower, due to the tray tables in the armrest, and fixed armrest. Not much though I wouldnt think

 

[Bucko]

We were up the back, certainly not in row 3.

So only row 3 is narrower ?

 

[MarkD]

As far as I know, yes, most still have the same seats down the back, recovered. all seats except row 3 are the same as far as I know.

 

[notzac]

I wonder if there is a plan to eventually replace those seats? The padding in some of those is pretty atrocious, if I remember it right..

 

[MarkD]

I doubt it, massive expense for aircraft they will no doubt part with over the next few years. They dont seem to keep them that long. Honestly though, I think they would have repadded them when retrimmed wouldn't they???? I havnt been down the back since becoming gold, with the exception of an emergency row, and that was a total new fitout. Wouldnt think they would whack a new cover on when the padding (The cheap bit) was stuffed? stranger things have happened I guess.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

I think they would have repadded them when retrimmed wouldn't they????

They're no where near as comfortable as the new rear seats in the BSIs. Whether that's old padding, or seat shape/type, or couldn't say.....but the difference is noticable.

 

[Fruitcake]

I travelled on a "semi refit" (ie J class + new row 3, remainder unchanged) aircraft and a completely refitted aircraft in quick succession last week and noticed no difference in seat width. The only problem I noticed was that for the first time in my memory I ended up in a window seat, where the lack of shoulder room is a killer (being a "larger gentleman" I'm paranoid about impinging on my neighbours, so I prefer to hang out into the aisle and take bumps on the shoulder from passers by). But that's independent of any seat width issues.

I didn't have a real preference on seat comfort between the old and the new.

 

[Jack Melon]

Yes, there is less leg room in the standard economy seat by like half an inch?

 

[serfty]

Yes, there is less leg room in the standard economy seat by like half an inch?

Actually, it's more line 5cm, which is more than 10% of the available space between the leading edge of the seat base and the back of the seat in front at the same height.

 

[Jack Melon]

Actaully, it's more line 5cm, which is more than 10% of the available space between the leading edge of the seat base and the back of the seat in front at the same height.

oh dear...

 

[nlagalle]

Actually, it's more line 5cm, which is more than 10% of the available space between the leading edge of the seat base and the back of the seat in front at the same height.

That's quite a bit....

 

[Justchecking]

That's quite a bit....

Yep, its the difference between 31" pitch and 29". Seat pitch is a differentiator for me and I wouldnt choose a 29" pitch seat if I can avoid it.

 

[Fruitcake]

I guess what's really needed is for someone to come up with a 'refit' seating map to update this old analysis:
http://www.australianfrequentflyer....velocity/seat-diagrams-side-by-side-7313.html

Seems to me that if 5cm/2" has been chopped off seat pitch in most cases you'd be reducing it back to where QF is. Note however that the DJ website states 31-33in pitch for economy in a 737-800 with J cabin:
Seat Maps | Virgin Australia
No mention of any 29" seat pitch.

QF website proudly states 30" pitch for 737s:
Qantas Next Generation Boeing 737-800

Pretty much completely off-topic given OP is asking about seat *width*, not pitch, but as far as pitch is related to 'less room' it seems that pitch does go down by an inch in a refit DJ 737-800, but you're still generally expected to be better off in any given Y seat than you are on QF.

So competition can go both ways - it can cause QF to start offering discount domestic J and 'flexi-saver fares', but it can also allow DJ to start ratcheting down 737 legroom to match the competition!

 

[MarkD]

I guess all that legroom in row 3 has to be taken from somewhere