Qantas 787 reviews J - Y+ and Y

[Archipelago]

Oh I got the context of your post, and got a giggle from it too, am just trying to take the opportunity to correct notions of 'sponsorship' and influence.

David I am glad to see you posted in this thread. I follow the reviews on AusBT along with other aviation & business travel sites and was disappointed with Pleb Status assertion of any review from someone who 'travelled as a guest of xx_' is effectively an advertisement paid for by xx_." A lot of back pedaling followed, for me this was uncalled for.

Reviews from travel media professionals are appreciated, as are reviews by our peers and fellow forum members. We are not idiots, and we should all have the ability and common sense to take each opinion as it is given - an opinion.

Looking forward to further reviews on this type across all classes.

Good topic, thanks Ansett for starting it.

 

[PaulST]

View attachment 113435
The recline never seemed quite right - you couldn’t get your feet high enough, without the back being too reclined. Mr FM had the same problem.

Actually, this was very true and I forgot to comment on it. I ended up sliding forward and putting my feet into the footwell and proped my head up with my arms. It's hard to explain...!

I didn't find the leg room too much of an issue as I was in 10K and 1A which both have wider leg recesses as they're bulkhead seats. I didn't find the cabin claustrophobic and I wonder if people have just been used to the QF spacious Skybed for so long? JAL's sky suite 2 and BA's CW (window seat) are more claustrophobic IMO.

*I flew MEL-LAX on VH ZNA and returned to MEL on VH ZNB

 

[Flying mermaid]

Actually, this was very true and I forgot to comment on it. I ended up sliding forward and putting my feet into the footwell and proped my head up with my arms. It's hard to explain...!

I didn't find the leg room too much of an issue as I was in 10K and 1A which both have wider leg recesses as they're bulkhead seats. I didn't find the cabin claustrophobic and I wonder if people have just been used to the QF spacious Skybed for so long? JAL's sky suite 2 and BA's CW (window seat) are more claustrophobic IMO.

*I flew MEL-LAX on VH ZNA and returned to MEL on VH ZNB

i fiddled around with my pillow until the recline worked for me, but it was annoying,

I guess claustrophobia is terribly subjective . I think the new F suites in EK and SQ are more what I need

 

[RichardMEL]

Remember the CX "Coffin" J seats? I find the QF J Suites to be far less like that. I do understand when reclined you're closed in a bit there, but in way it is good because it can also cut you off from the rest of the cabin in a way, specially when in the more private window side suites. As in I could block out pretty much everything and have some decent sleep but I can see how some could feel claustrophobic a bit there.

 

[TomVexille]

The recline never seemed quite right - you couldn’t get your feet high enough, without the back being too reclined. Mr FM had the same problem.

That is exactly my experience with the a330 version of the same seat. I always feel like I'm sitting ON the seat instead of in it.

 

[Flying mermaid]

That is exactly my experience with the a330 version of the same seat. I always feel like I'm sinning ON the seat instead of in it.

well it’s good to hear we are not alone - I wondered whether I was just incompetent with the controls!

 

[Andyzx]

Wondered if someone could take a photo of 5A/K and 6 or 7 A/K for me (and others).
Row 5 has only one window and this was identified as an "issue" from other reviews I am booked on the 17 hour LONG haul and the seat selection at this time is row 5 back, I have taken 7K as being private. I am not sure if one window vs one and a bit windows makes any difference. Anyone's reviews of row 5 vs other rows would also be appreciated.
For those that have flown MEL-LAX-MEL, from the reviews food service started in rows 1 and 6, was this the case on your flights?
Thanks and happy con-trails and safe travelling. A>

 

[Flying mermaid]

Definitely Row 1 on our flight (Lax-Mel)

 

[Kceips]

Our family recently flew on 787 (Great Southern Land) from Melbourne to Lax. Mr SP and myself were in Y+ and our 3 teenage children in Y. Our review of seats in these classes follow.

Y+ - we had seats 21 J and K - 2nd row of Y+ with window and aisle seat. First impression as we walked on the plane was positive - due to seats having a fixed shell at first glance they look a little like business seats -cabin is attractive and because its a small cabin you immediately feel it is a bit special. As we settled in we were impressed with the little shelf below the entertainment screen for stowing mobile phone, glasses etc. The little recess between armrest and seat is also hand for small toiletries bag/book etc. There is also a little storage area for a water bottle which is also handy (pity I had to ask for bottle of water to put in it 90 minutes into our flight - would have thought waters would be handed out much earlier in the fight!). Once we sat in out seats the passenger infront of me immediately reclined his seat to test it - thats when we realised the AUBT reviews were correct!! Once the seat in front is reclined there is serious loss of leg space and space in general is very tight. We felt hemmed and uncomfortable immediately. Note that all front seats have extra leg room and are given a comfy looking ottoman from overhead locker so front row seats look clearly superior. Drinks and meal service was very slow - our meals were dried out and unappetising (staff suggested this was because they were mostly A380 crew and they were not familiar with the much hotter ovens on this plane). Sleep quality was not great. Although there is good recline the seat angle is not ideal - needed my memory foam pillow and a bit of rolling of blankets to find a comfy position. Foot net was awkward and not really a comfort addition. I definitely got more sleep than in economy but certainly not a comfortable rest. With ear plugs in I did not find cabin noise a big issue. Note that the amenity kit did not have earplugs in it so had to use my own. Socks, eye mask and toothbrush were provided. Tended to walk forward to use the rear J toilets but noticed that some passengers walked back to the economy toilets. Toilet queues were not troublesome. Would I seek out 787 Y+ again ..... probably not unless price was very good or I could guarantee front row seat. I have also flown long haul on QF A380 in this cabin and Y+ in CX 777. I would rank CX seat as most comfortable followed by QF A380 , and then rank QF 787 last. For us CX service in premium economy is a bit more business like whereas service in QF is closer to economy.

Our kids aged 13, 17 and 18 (who are well travelled) sat in economy seats 41 H J and K. They also liked storage and charging stations for their phones. They liked the small intimate forward economy cabin. As far as seat comfort they seemed to think seats were the usual long haul economy seats - in relatively recent times they have flown JAL and CX and SQ - certainly didn't feel that Qantas was particularly superior in the economy cabin on this plane. On our return journey they sat in front row of upper deck economy on an A380 - this economy zone was preferred by them.

So all in all as far as Y and Y+ are concerned there is nothing particularly special about the QF Dreamliner. Living in Adelaide we rarely fly QF metal on international travel and this trip has reaffirmed our previous belief that there is no real advantage in chasing QF metal when we have other options which are more cost effective and more convenient.

 

[RooFlyer]

Our family recently flew on 787 (Great Southern Land) from Melbourne to Lax. Mr SP and myself were in Y+ and our 3 teenage children in Y. Our review of seats in these classes follow.

Nice review ; any photos? I've added it (also RichardMEL's) here Airline Trip Report Index

 

[Kceips]

Nice review ; any photos? I've added it (also RichardMEL's) here Airline Trip Report Index[/QUOTE

A few photos (Y+) attached - apologise for quality (or lack thereof) as I wasn't really thinking about posting them when I took them!

 

[ellen10]

Thanks for your review. Helps with the trip planning.

 

[cmon0005]

SBTE = still better than econony

 

[eastwest101]

SBTE = still better than econony

Yes but that's only because the 9 abreast B787 Y cabin is among the worst long haul Y configurations for personal space and width in the market.

 

[Daver6]

Can anyone comment what the legroom is like in the first row of Y (row 40). How much extra is the extra legroom? Any better than row 23 on the A330 or row 32 upstairs on the A380?

For the flight to London stuck in Y, is it a poor choice due to not being able to straighten ones legs?

Also I imagine it doesn't have the netting/foot rest bit that other seats would have. Is that correct?

 

[pjm99au]

Can anyone comment what the legroom is like in the first row of Y (row 40). How much extra is the extra legroom? Any better than row 23 on the A330 or row 32 upstairs on the A380?

For the flight to London stuck in Y, is it a poor choice due to not being able to straighten ones legs?

Also I imagine it doesn't have the netting/foot rest bit that other seats would have. Is that correct?

This is my photo of the front row of economy from my review in the chasing the qantas 787 thread

Better legroom than the A330 and reasonably comfortable for my 5’10 frame. No netting

 

[Denali]

Im expecting a bit more leg room for PE.

 

[Sdtravel]

Ive booked the 787 as part of my impulse DSC flights. Going SYD to JFK with BNE trek on the way back in Sept.
At the moment i have 1A & 10K on the dreamliners. From PaulST's review they seem the best. Anyone disagree ore recommend alternatives?

Any WP's have experience or insight into what seats are available to them?
Called up to get my QF11 LAX to JFK due to the change of aircraft they cant be done online. Was told by QF Premium line i can only select from row 5 down. EF shows im the only one with a seat allocation at the moment.

On the return QF12 i have got 1A. So the exact same reverse leg i cant get anything forward of row 5 seems untrue. Expert flyer shows same first 4 rows blocked as my QF11 but i can get row 1 on this flight.
Case of hang up and try again? or is QF really that inconsistent with what seats are open to WP's.

Couple of reviews suggest there is no overhead space in row 1 & 2 due to the crew rest area. Is that on all sides or only the middle pair?
Only ever bring a roller but its good to know what to expect anyway.

Is the Y+ ottoman standard for all row 20 seats or only a certain few? I assume its a permanent thing and not something that got enhanced already?
If all the seats had them it sounds like a trip hazard for those climbing out.

Any update on the bathroom situation? Y+ pax still directed to use the Y loos?

 

[PaulST]

Ive booked the 787 as part of my impulse DSC flights. Going SYD to JFK with BNE trek on the way back in Sept.
At the moment i have 1A & 10K on the dreamliners. From PaulST's review they seem the best. Anyone disagree ore recommend alternatives?

Any WP's have experience or insight into what seats are available to them?
Called up to get my QF11 LAX to JFK due to the change of aircraft they cant be done online. Was told by QF Premium line i can only select from row 5 down. EF shows im the only one with a seat allocation at the moment.

On the return QF12 i have got 1A. So the exact same reverse leg i cant get anything forward of row 5 seems untrue. Expert flyer shows same first 4 rows blocked as my QF11 but i can get row 1 on this flight.
Case of hang up and try again? or is QF really that inconsistent with what seats are open to WP's.

Couple of reviews suggest there is no overhead space in row 1 & 2 due to the crew rest area. Is that on all sides or only the middle pair?
Only ever bring a roller but its good to know what to expect anyway.

Is the Y+ ottoman standard for all row 20 seats or only a certain few? I assume its a permanent thing and not something that got enhanced already?
If all the seats had them it sounds like a trip hazard for those climbing out.

Any update on the bathroom situation? Y+ pax still directed to use the Y loos?

1A definitely has an overhead locker. It's just the middle two seats that lack them (first two rows I think).
According to the CSM I spoke too (who I might add, also called it a 787-900...), the Y+ ottomans are only there until they get approval to use a better integrated leg rest which hadn't been approved by the time they launched the new product. He didn't give a timeframe, though, for any changes.

On QF95 and QF96 back in December, PE pax were being directed to use the Y toilets.

 

[Flying mermaid]

Ive booked the 787 as part of my impulse DSC flights.
Couple of reviews suggest there is no overhead space in row 1 & 2 due to the crew rest area. Is that on all sides or only the middle pair?
Only ever bring a roller but its good to know what to expect anyway.

It is only the middle pairs. We were in row 2 in the middle and were able to use the bins directly opposite.