Qantas in talks on seating shake-up

[JohnK]

Initially one would have thought that the refurbishments were due to the global financial crisis but the recent announcement suggests that demand for premium cabins has genuinely fallen and is not expected to increase.

- the upstairs of the A380 has a very private feel to it with no economy passengers allowed upstairs.

Why not have at least a cabin of each class on the lower deck and upper deck. It then gives people a choice of downstairs or upstairs.

I enjoyed on the upper deck of the SQ A380 with the mini economy cabin. It was not too bad and the size of the cabin made it feel quieter than usual.

 

[samh004]

Why not have at least a cabin of each class on the lower deck and upper deck. It then gives people a choice of downstairs or upstairs.

I hear the back of the plane "shakes” more, so having some economy seats on the upper deck at the back means that Y+ and above passengers do have premium seats.

 

[JohnK]

I hear the back of the plane "shakes” more, so having some economy seats on the upper deck at the back means that Y+ and above passengers do have premium seats.

I don't notice any movement, or "shakes", on the SQ A380 upper deck in economy. I have definitely noticed the movement at the back of an A330, B767 and to a lesser extent on a B747.

Off course you would still have the premium cabins at the front anyway.

 

[AnonymousCoward]

I hear the back of the plane "shakes” more, so having some economy seats on the upper deck at the back means that Y+ and above passengers do have premium seats.

I've only flown a couple of times on A380 PE, but didn't notice any shaking.

What worries me is what QF will do when an A380 goes tech or needs maintenance. 12 F-equipped A380s isn't going to leave much margin (at all, if I'm calculating correctly). Maybe a couple of extra F-equipped A380s might be prudent?

Removing the F cabin from B747 might give some room for A380 style J seats (fully flat)

I'm also suprised that there is no addition to Y+ mooted. Y+ has largely had very high loads on SYD-SIN-LHR from what I've seen.

 

[samh004]

Of course you would still have the premium cabins at the front anyway.

I’m simply referring to how Y+ on Qf is at the back of the upper deck now. It could be moved closer to the middle instead.

I’ve read about the movement, not flown on an A380 yet. And can’t honestly recall what I felt the last time I was at the back of a 747, 767, or A330.

 

[jaffa]

So now the question being,

Which other carriers will up or change their product offerings in the pointy end to pick up what QF is now droping

I wonder if SQ will add more F hardware metal to the SYD/MEL routes in response. They just changed a lot of flight hardware down, so they might see an opening here

Or maybe even CP might make some changes for an overall OW advantage.

I don't like this proposed decision at all.:evil:

As an F regular for international, this may actually see me move carriers once and for all.

QF has always been my primary choice, and l feel a reasonable loss at the prospect.
I know their F product is not the best on offer, but it was always "My Fav" and l was always very happy.

It seems to me QF is becoming more like J* everyday.

Plus, with the vastly reduced F, anyone lower than QG can kiss goodbye any possible chance of award seats in those few remaining f seats. In fact it may become pot luck for even a QG to achieve.

Maybe l am just being cynical, but after all these years of loyalty QF is not giving me much to feel good about lately.

Most QF F loads i've experienced over the past 18 months have been pretty good. Mind you, l don't know about the revenue stream for those seats.
All l know is l am a paying customer, so l assume there must be others as well.

QF has always been tight with award redemptions in F. And l can't be the only one who is paying.

The problem is l don't want to change carriers. But l will if l have to.

Rant Over!

 

[dajop]

So now the question being,

Which other carriers will up or change their product offerings in the pointy end to pick up what QF is now droping

I don't think it's the end of the world yet.

On FT, suggestion is that QF could operate 3xLAX services and 2 LHR services with 12 A380's (11/12, 93/94, 107/108, 9/10, 31/32 ... but that leaves a question mark about 1/2?). But knowing QF, I'm sure they'll find a way they can utitilise the F equipped A380's without needing put them on a MEL originating service.

Basically it will mean no F to HKG, SFO, EZE, JNB and possible BKK compared to now.

 

[Flying Fox]

Not sure that the timing is good with the reduction of premium services. With the economy starting to recover, removing F would reduce the option for increased profits in the future.

 

[Dee Thom]

Basically it will mean no F to HKG, SFO, EZE, JNB and possible BKK compared to now.

Can't see any problem with that, A388 style J seats on these routes should be more than ample, to me F is overkill for a 10, or 12 hour trip. Like driving in a R/R compared to a BMW BNE/SYD, the costs just don't add up.
Be interested to know how many AFFs actually PAY for F travel.............

Cheers Dee

 

[Flying Fox]

Can't see any problem with that, A388 style J seats on these routes should be more than ample, to me F is overkill for a 10, or 12 hour trip.

Isn't SYD-JNB 14hrs?

 

[Alanslegal]

Once QF gets upgrades all of their SkySlopes to Skybed Mark II's then that would be good news

 

[Dee Thom]

Isn't SYD-JNB 14hrs?

What's a few hours here and there in J with a Skybed lie flat, at $8K cheaper ?

Cheers Dee.

 

[Scrimo]

Qantas to dump long haul first class except on A380

Hi All,

Not sure if this thread has been started but the news story that has been leaked is that Qantas will dump First from its fleet of 747-400's

Will they replace this with the A380 business seat??

 

[drewbles]

Isn't SYD-JNB 14hrs?

Isn't the longest flight QF do ~14 hours?

10-12 hours is *exactly* where you need F. 12 hours in a pressurised relatively-dry metal tube is not a a particularly nice experience, and where the cash-heavy people are prepared to cough-up for F, IMHO.

 

[samh004]

Re: Qantas to dump long haul first class except on A380

Hi All,

Not sure if this thread has been started…

Yup, look here.

 

[dajop]

10-12 hours is *exactly* where you need F. 12 hours in a pressurised relatively-dry metal tube is not a a particularly nice experience, and where the cash-heavy people are prepared to cough-up for F, IMHO.

But obviously not between SYD & JNB (13:55) or EZE & SYD (14:35).

I thought F was all about exclusivity and status (as in status in society - not airline status), and that's why people pay big $$$ extra to fly it. And that's why LHR (old money) and LAX (new aka celebrity money) can support F services and other destinations can't.

Functionally, apart from slightly better food & bev and extra attention from staff, I wouldn't see the current 744 F product easing the burden of a 14 hour flight very much more than a lie flat J product. Certainly not for extra premium being charged.

 

[serfty]

Isn't the longest flight QF do ~14 hours? ...

QF94 is currently scheduled for 15:25 ...

 

[Bang4Buck]

QF F a thing of the past?

I trust this source as much as ACA, but here's the link anyway:

First class to become a thing of the past | News.com.au

 

[MelUser]

Re: QF F a thing of the past?

The Age is saying First Class will be removed from all B747s and remain only in 12 A380s (14 F seats per plane)

 

[Dee Thom]

QF94 is currently scheduled for 15:25 ...

The longest modern day non stop flight I did was BKK to LAX with TG on an A345, from memory it was 17.5hrs, thank god I was in J.................

Cheers Dee