Qantas reveals A321XLR cabins

[SYD]

Hopefully the analysis underway referred to in this article does conclude that they need a sub-fleet with a decent J seat for it to work on medium haul routes.

Eight contenders for Qantas’ flatbed A321XLR business class

These single-aisle suites are on the radar for Qantas’ international A321XLR fleet.

www.executivetraveller.com

 

[evanb]

Hopefully the analysis underway referred to in this article does conclude that they need a sub-fleet with a decent J seat for it to work on medium haul routes.

Eight contenders for Qantas’ flatbed A321XLR business class

These single-aisle suites are on the radar for Qantas’ international A321XLR fleet.

www.executivetraveller.com

It's kinda a moot point. One of the few things Qantas have done well in recent years is ensure consistency of the premium seat across the fleet. While there are some aircraft specific idiosyncrasies and some slight variation based on the exact timing of the installations, they use the Thompson Aero Vantage XL in business on all A330s, and the B789s and A380s (excluding the wet leased A330s of course).

The Project Sunrise A350s will be delivered with a new business class product and seat (Safran Unity). Presumably they'll have the same seat on the B787-10 and additional A350s (albeit a different configuration), and the B787-9 will get these during their first D-checks around 2030 (or maybe before). The A380s and most of the A330s will be exiting around that time so will probably never get it.

They've gone to great lengths to ensure this consistency. There's no reason to believe it would be any different on the XLR if and when they install a lie flat product and they'll get the Safran Unity (or specialised variation of it).

 

[moa999]

I do like the Saffran Vue product.
But think these days you can get a consistent look across different manufacturers via palette and materials customisation - which I assume is where David Cain is involved.

The actual sea might come down more to availability, price, and space efficiency on the aircraft

 

[elanshin]

They've gone to great lengths to ensure this consistency. There's no reason to believe it would be any different on the XLR if and when they install a lie flat product and they'll get the Safran Unity (or specialised variation of it).

Would you call Safron Unity in the 350 similar to Safron Vue? Going from forward facing to reverse herringbone. I don't think there will be a single non av-geek that gets on board and would thinks it's a similar seat.

 

[evanb]

Would you call Safron Unity in the 350 similar to Safron Vue? Going from forward facing to reverse herringbone. I don't think there will be a single non av-geek that gets on board and would thinks it's a similar seat.

Not quite sure what point you're making? The Safron Unity and Vue have the same seat but applied in different units and patterns. This is the same Thompson Vantage. Thompson Vantage could be applied in front facing and reverse herringbone. Single aisle can do both but if need reserve herringbone to allow all aisle access. SQ have the Thompson Vantage on their B737-8 in the forward facing, while JetBlue have it in reserve herringbone.

I'm not sure the goal is whether non-avgeeks can spot the difference but rather to have as much product consistency as possible. Some airlines don't seek this like SQ who have three distinctly different seats, or Emirates with two. When you consider it in that context then yes, regular customers will notice a broadly similar seat across the fleet even if in a different pattern to adapt to aircraft specific ideosyncracies.