Qantas Unveils A380 Seat Details

[Standby]

This probdeserves its own Post but QF have now announced 450 seats on its A380 in a 4 cabin layout. I pick up a UK based mag Airliner World which quotes EK's A380 on the Aust run either 490 or 514 seats and AF at 538 seats. seat pitch and marketing hype excluded it appears there is going to be more space for QF punters of all classes to move around..ie standup bar areas (although I doubt the responsible service of grof reqmnts will mean much more than softdrink in the Y bars...hopefully to be proven wrong).
Even allowing for the extra space need for prem Y ,EK seem at a bit of a disadvantage to start. I havent seen anything from SQ but given the lead times to change configs they also may be closer to the EK number than QF announced this week. Have QF set the A380 benchmark..if anyone else can shed light theat would be good.
It will also make the initial A380 VAust777/UA upgrades an interesting proposition given the QFA380 starts on LAX services in Oct next year prior to V Aust launch...finally the average punter looks the winner

 

[dot]

I was, they also operate these to Newark and some selected flights to Jakarta, the seat has a seat pitch of 37 inches and a width of 20 inches as well as a 150 degree seat recline. There is a 9 inch screen for inflight entertainment and in-seat power supply at selected seats.

Applologies markis10, I did not know SQ had these five A340-500s with "Executive Economy" seating. I was referring to the B777-300ER as it has their new interior - which was supposed to debut with their A380, but due to delivery delays, they decided to launch the interior with their new B777-300ERs.

 

[NM]

This probdeserves its own Post but QF have now announced 450 seats on its A380 in a 4 cabin layout. I pick up a UK based mag Airliner World which quotes EK's A380 on the Aust run either 490 or 514 seats and AF at 538 seats. seat pitch and marketing hype excluded it appears there is going to be more space for QF punters of all classes to move around..ie standup bar areas (although I doubt the responsible service of grof reqmnts will mean much more than softdrink in the Y bars...hopefully to be proven wrong).

The question remains regarding how long QF retains the 450 seating config. I wonder of the bars and lounges will go he same way as the original 747 piano bars?

It will also make the initial A380 VAust777/UA upgrades an interesting proposition given the QFA380 starts on LAX services in Oct next year prior to V Aust launch...finally the average punter looks the winner

I would suggest not a great benefit for the average punter, unless the average punter is able to get into premium economy or business/first class. The benefits for the average punter in economy is likely to be more around lower fares (due to more efficient aircraft and greater competition) more than great improvements in on-board comfort/luxury. Yes, there are some benefits for the economy traveller with the QF A380 product announcements (better IFE, new seat, stand-up bars), but nowhere near as significant as those in the other cabins.

 

[Shano]

... I wonder of the bars and lounges will go he same way as the original 747 piano bars?...

I suspect the longevity of some of these "frills" on the QF aircraft will be dependent on how the competition fitout theirs. If QF are the only airline offering such features, I can quickly see them disappearing to make way for more seats.

 

[NM]

I suspect the longevity of some of these "frills" on the QF aircraft will be dependent on how the competition fitout theirs. If QF are the only airline offering such features, I can quickly see them disappearing to make way for more seats.

Yep. So far no bowling alleys, gymnasiums or showers that I have seen in any of the announcements.

 

[Flying Fox]

OK so here is a question about the stand-up bars.

In my recent trips to the USA, they always announce that passengers are NOT to congregate together during the flight due to TSA or some US Agency rules.

Therefore, by putting in bars that would be natural congregation areas on their A380s that they will use for the USA, how will all this work?

Or have the rules changed recently?

 

[Evan]

I don't think it is intended as a meeting place, simple the chance to go to the bar and select your snack or drink and take it back to your same as old size whY seat.
E

 

[ozmerish]

I'm pretty sure the bar will be as described above.

Would be nice to see a return of a CO style pub that used to be on the DC-10's that I used to travel on when doing the oz run... Of course I would get there early and try and stay there as long as possible Was trying to find a photo of one online and not having any luck. IIRC there was a bar with two barstools and a 3 seat sofa style thing. Met some interesting folk there!

Never had the chance to see (or use) the QF piano lounge

 

[Standby]

I'm pretty sure the bar will be as described above.

Would be nice to see a return of a CO style pub that used to be on the DC-10's that I used to travel on when doing the oz run... Of course I would get there early and try and stay there as long as possible Was trying to find a photo of one online and not having any luck. IIRC there was a bar with two barstools and a 3 seat sofa style thing. Met some interesting folk there!

Never had the chance to see (or use) the QF piano lounge

I do miss the Old CO pubs as well .Cans of beer in a stainless steel tub filled with ICE..honey salted nuts and by standing for a couple of hours less impact from jetlag and when travelling with friends more fun chatting about the upcoming adventures than the 1 movie on the main screen...also missed out on the Captains lounge on QF 747s..I didnt start flying Int til after they departed...although I have to admit there is a similarity between the first business class seats/product QF had when stacked up against the new prem Y

 

[pauly7]

The Great Class Divide

Interesting that Emirates are packing 600+ pax onto their Asian/Indian flights, whilst London gets circa 500 and NY <500.....

Running to catch flight the link is on news.com.au somewhere no doubt someone will find it!

Cheers

 

[oz_mark]

Interesting that Emirates are packing 600+ pax onto their Asian/Indian flights, whilst London gets circa 500 and NY <500.....

A similar article had this:A touch of class on the menu as Emirates gets set for new A380s - Times Online

Emirates will seat 644 people on its flights from Dubai to Asia and the Indian sub-continent in a two-class configuration. There will be a small business class and then row after row of economy seats on both decks of the plane.

However, on routes to London and New York, there will be far fewer passengers and plenty of room for premium-class passengers to move around.

Emirates’ flights to Heathrow will seat 514, which will give the airline slightly more capacity than on the New York flights. This is considered important because the space squeeze at Heathrow means that the airline cannot increase flight frequency to soak up demand.

The Dubai to New York route will seat 489, effectively allowing business-class passengers to take over an entire deck of the plane. Emirates’ cabin lay-out remains a closely guarded secret, but mock-ups are believed to exist in a hangar at the Toulouse headquarters of Airbus, which is building the A380.

 

[swissbignose]

I don't think it is surprising at all that EK might have a different configuration for the different markets that they serve. I can see this happening for a couple of reasons - one, the market requirements from the sub-continent is different to that from the U.S. or Australia.

It's all about economics. If EK can fill planes with 600 seats to/from India because the market will pay only so much, then it works better for them. It make less sense to have first class to a developing market, when it's likely that the seats won't be filled.

 

[serfty]

It's for similar market related reasons Qantas have different 3 class 744 configurations for each of the "Kangroo Route" and "Pacific Route" flights.

 

[simongr]

Me too - I'm planning on being on the first couple of flights, want to check out all the new metal and upgrades!

Note - maybe someone should organise some sort of comp around this?

Just bumping this thread a little. Has anyone seen the new product at the airports as promised. I think it was meant to be at SYD T3 - has anyone seen it?

 

[Blue Peter]

So what are my chances of a ride on a 380 when I fly from LHR to MEL/SYD at Easter in 2009? Anyone care to speculate?

 

[NM]

So what are my chances of a ride on a 380 when I fly from LHR to MEL/SYD at Easter in 2009? Anyone care to speculate?

If you book with SQ, probably pretty good.

 

[littl_flier]

Unfortunately details as to when QF will put the A380 onto the LHR route are a little sketchy. It depends on them receiving the aircraft on time and then implementing the required services on SYD and MEL to LAX. Unfortunately we will just have to wait and see.

I'm a little unsure at the rate at which QF are getting the aircraft but if they receive 6-8 aircraft before Easter, then you may be in luck. If an A380 means a lot to you, I suggest booking with SQ.

 

[pauly7]

Just bumping this thread a little. Has anyone seen the new product at the airports as promised. I think it was meant to be at SYD T3 - has anyone seen it?

I was told it is on show @ T3 in the Muesum, which is FOC to visit. I forgot to go and have a look the other day!

 

[Blue Peter]

If you book with SQ, probably pretty good.

Good point. QF may well win the day as the 380 experience isn't the only concern (timings, same aircraft all the way count for more), though will have to see nearer the time. I imagine they will not know when seats first go on sale whether, for certain, they will have a 380 on the route. I would think the "extra" seats will only be available for sale fairly late in the day. It would seem unwise to take the risk of booking a 380 load and only have a 747 to operate the flight with!

 

[JohnK]

Most people appear to be in favour of the A380 and what it will offer.

For those that primarily travel WHY and are not interested in the new sardine can I wonder if QF will leave a viable alternative to get from SYD-SIN/BKK/HKG or even SYD-LHR/LAX or would we have to look to another carrier, possibly a LCC, to provide this service.

I know the B787 is on the horizon as well but this appears to be initially for JQ and I don't think anyone knows which routes QF mainline would operate once they get this aircraft in service.