New J Seats Not Being Fitted Into A380

[maninblack]

Given that the Skybed 2 is an average product, the overhead bins upstairs on the A380 are too small and the toilets are also too small (and there should be one at the front of the cabin) QF falls further behind in a race where it looks like it can never catch up. Their decision making processes at the senior level again looking dodgy.

 

[Melburnian1]

maninblack, haven't you hit upon why QFi is unlikely to ever again be profitable (when all costs such as airport depreciation are taken into account).

Higher costs than its competitors and an unwillingness or inability to keep up with other airlines?

 

[mannej]

maninblack, haven't you hit upon why QFi is unlikely to ever again be profitable (when all costs such as airport depreciation are taken into account).

Higher costs than its competitors and an unwillingness or inability to keep up with other airlines?

It's funny you mention costs. Would upgrading the 747/380 fleet to the new J product not be a cost itself?

 

[maninblack]

maninblack, haven't you hit upon why QFi is unlikely to ever again be profitable (when all costs such as airport depreciation are taken into account).

Higher costs than its competitors and an unwillingness or inability to keep up with other airlines?

I don't know if I've hit upon it but QF cannot possibly survive another decade under its current structure and management.

 

[drivatruk]

I love the J cabin on the QF a380. It feels so open. I alway sleep like a baby on those flights. I did CX J few months back and while its nice, its feels a little closed in. I think it comes down to personal choice between space and features. I don't think either cabin will send either airline into oblivion.

 

[Quickstatus]

I agree with trukdriva.

In my opinion:

The A380 J cabin feel open and spacious compared with EK J which feels cluttered.
SBMKII only suffers from no direct aisle access from window seats and the dreaded droop.

 

[redslert]

I like the closed in cabins so I can scratch my balls without thinking someone is watching

 

[JohnM]

Having flown The NEW CX J MEL-HKG recently I have to say I was not that impressed. The tray table was disappointing in that it was small and could not pushed away or brought back towards you, only adjustment was in or out. The Skybed MK11 is far more adjustable than the CX product. The CX suite was definitely more private then the QF. Seat comfort IMHO is better on QF. I felt some what trapped when laying on my side with a slight bend at the knees.

Food on CX was OK but not that special. the rough paper towels in the J Toilet was a surprise.

Over all I would prefer to fly QF on a Skybed MK1 or MK11, each of us are different and require different things from the seat.

I would like to try the new business suites before declaring them better than the current as each seat has different unique features that may or may not be important to each individual.

I agree about the 'new' CX (ie. the seats that face the window, not the old 'coffins' that faced the aisle). While they are individual and private, they are still a bit narrow and coffin-like. As a long, but not wide person, I find getting out while the seat is laid flat a bit difficult because getting the legs out around the curve of the seat in front requires contortions.

Also, if the person behind has a tendency to slam shut the video screen or kick around, the vibrations/noise get transmitted through the seat back surround which is a bit flimsy.

The 'macro' version in the B777s is better than the 'mini' version in the A330s. Overall, the CX offering is good but I don't rate it as yet being the perfect solution.

 

[samh004]

Not surprising as a 1-2-1 layout would reduce the number of seats available by a huge amount.

I do hope that they're actively looking at an update they can roll out when they finally take delivery of the rest of the A380's they have an order though... you know, updated First to better compete with competitors, more J seats with a better design that doesn't require crawling over someone to get to the aisle, probably the same Y+/Y though. I wouldn't expect this until they start receiving new planes again.

 

[maninblack]

The 'macro' version in the B777s is better than the 'mini' version in the A330s. Overall, the CX offering is good but I don't rate it as yet being the perfect solution.

The only perfect solution is to stay home.

 

[Princess Fiona]

Not surprising as a 1-2-1 layout would reduce the number of seats available by a huge amount.

I do hope that they're actively looking at an update they can roll out when they finally take delivery of the rest of the A380's they have an order though... you know, updated First to better compete with competitors, more J seats with a better design that doesn't require crawling over someone to get to the aisle, probably the same Y+/Y though. I wouldn't expect this until they start receiving new planes again.

I actually really like the F seats on the A380. I think they did a really good job on designing those but had ran out of ideas when it came to the J cabin.

 

[samh004]

I actually really like the F seats on the A380. I think they did a really good job on designing those but had ran out of ideas when it came to the J cabin.

I haven't tried them and am not saying they're not great, but at some point you need to do an update, even if it's just a small one. An example could be upgrading the F toilets to something a bit roomier, as I've heard praise from other operators toilets. Might be small, but lifts the whole experience.

 

[eosphoros]

Not surprising as a 1-2-1 layout would reduce the number of seats available by a huge amount.

I do hope that they're actively looking at an update they can roll out when they finally take delivery of the rest of the A380's they have an order though... you know, updated First to better compete with competitors, more J seats with a better design that doesn't require crawling over someone to get to the aisle, probably the same Y+/Y though. I wouldn't expect this until they start receiving new planes again.

I don't think 1-2-1 necessary results in there being in a reduction in a huge number of seats. The 1-2-1 rows are staggered and not as far apart as the current 2-2-2 config.

As for First, I really think that it is fine the way it is. Whilst I have only flown First on EK, QF, BA and CX, I would have to say that out of those, QF is my favourite (and I can't say the same for J).

On the topic of seats not being fitted into aircraft, I feel that it is a real shame that these A330 are not being fitted with Y+.

 

[moa999]

I haven't tried them and am not saying they're not great, but at some point you need to do an update, even if it's just a small one. An example could be upgrading the F toilets to something a bit roomier, as I've heard praise from other operators toilets. Might be small, but lifts the whole experience.

Might add that something like that is a major upgrade - as it would involve moving structural components (eg. walls).
The QF switch out of J seats for PE/Y would have been much simpler in comparison.

Personally I think QF F is very good, and a great execution of the open yet private design. Perfect for couples, families or colleagues and still provides enough privacy for singles, and creates a cabin with a real sense of space.

Yes its a very different ethos to the SQ Suites or EY Diamond First which are uber-private, but less usable for groups, and have a tendancy to feel a bit closed in.

--

I also suspect that these new Business seats work very well (design wise) in an A330 (which is 5.28m cabin width) but are probably very space inefficient in the much wider A380 upper deck (5.80m) or lower deck (6.54m), where other designs might work better.
That said they probably also work well in a B787 (5.49m width)
(** All Widths from Wikipedia)

The reality is the game in all of those seats is to get the highest passenger comfort (and stats such as bed length and width) while still jamming in as many seats as possible in a given space.

 

[trippin_the_rift]

I don't think 1-2-1 necessary results in there being in a reduction in a huge number of seats. The 1-2-1 rows are staggered and not as far apart as the current 2-2-2 config.

Reverse herringbone are the best biz class seats in the sky right now I think.
Also sometimes it's not about competing with other airlines as it is competing with value within your own customer base.
If QF went 1-2-1 with semi-private suites it may take some shine away from the First Class product - so to make First look good they need to butcher the biz product a bit.

As for First, I really think that it is fine the way it is. Whilst I have only flown First on EK, QF, BA and CX, I would have to say that out of those, QF is my favourite (and I can't say the same for J).

Agree QF does First very well.

On the topic of seats not being fitted into aircraft, I feel that it is a real shame that these A330 are not being fitted with Y+.

+1

 

[MelUser]

I'm still upset about the reduction of number of business class seats on the A380. Reduction of number of toilets in business. Reduction of size of business and first class galleys and the crazy decision to put 3 rows of economy upstairs!

 

[Brettmcg]

I'm still upset about the reduction of number of business class seats on the A380. Reduction of number of toilets in business. Reduction of size of business and first class galleys and the crazy decision to put 3 rows of economy upstairs!

Probably about time you got over that...

 

[MelUser]

I think you're right!

Probably about time you got over that...

 

[samh004]

As for First, I really think that it is fine the way it is. Whilst I have only flown First on EK, QF, BA and CX, I would have to say that out of those, QF is my favourite (and I can't say the same for J).

Is the reluctance for a touch-up update then that you don't want them to over-do it and bugger up a good product

Might add that something like that is a major upgrade - as it would involve moving structural components (eg. walls).
The QF switch out of J seats for PE/Y would have been much simpler in comparison.

Didn't they remove a toilet and change some galley space though? I'd have thought that was structural. So yes, updating their existing fleet would be structural, but the fleet still to come gets it from the start so there's no changes.

Personally I think QF F is very good, and a great execution of the open yet private design. Perfect for couples, families or colleagues and still provides enough privacy for singles, and creates a cabin with a real sense of space.

Yes its a very different ethos to the SQ Suites or EY Diamond First which are uber-private, but less usable for groups, and have a tendancy to feel a bit closed in.

I'm not saying they should scrap the design, but even colour schemes can seem dated over time, small modifications can be made to improve the space. I understand the fear is that they could take a good product and 'enhance' it, but they will update it eventually

 

[mannej]

...and the crazy decision to put 3 rows of economy upstairs!

It may be crazy for some, but the 2-4-2 layout works for others (myself included).