QF Skybed and F class seat vs BA Club World seat

[Blue Peter]

Flat beds!

It's a bit off topic, I know, but this definition of flat is pretty important. Personally, to sleep well I need my head, my bottom and my feet to all be in the same horizontal plane. Tip me up slightly and I just don't sleep as well.

There are a number of low cost business-only airlines springing-up on the London - New York route. I flew Silverjet from LTN (yup, that's right Luton) to EWR on a 767 fitted out with 100 "flat bed" seats. In truth flat means inclined at 8 degress so your toes can poke under the seat in front. Means more seats and so lower fares, and believe me these fares are incredible value for the space, comfort and service you get. You just need to be sure you understand what "flat" means when you book. Generally, the airlines that give you the full horizontal experience, are at pains to point this out.

 

[simongr]

The thing - when is flat actually flat. Don't aircraft fly at a slight upward angle so a full horizontal bed reative to teh floor of the aircraft is in fact tilting you back a little?

 

[serfty]

While an aircraft seat/bed may fold out to be parallel with the cabin floor, it is unlikely to be horizontal to the ground at cruise altitude; in fact one's feet would be resting higher than the head (unless in a Rear Facing BA seat).

This is due to the aircraft being designed to cruise with the fuselage pointing upwards slightly. (Termed the "Angle of incidence").

 

[NM]

The term used fairly consistently in the airline industry for 180 degree recline but not horizontal is "lie-flat bed". When you see that term, think in line with Qantas Skybed, CX long-haul business class, AA's new business class etc.

As has been pointed out, those with horizontal flat beds, such as BA Club World or many of the First Class products including Qantas, will normally describe them as "flat bed" or "horizontal bed".

Its very subtle use of terms, I know.

 

[mhindle]

FYI, on the A380 (due for Qantas in Aug 2008 on the SYD - LAX route first), Qantas J class seat will be much the same design as it currently is, but will actually lay flat rather than have the sight slope. See all the details here regarding the A380 and Qantas: About Qantas - Our Company - Fleet Developments - Qantas A380

 

[simongr]

You could also check out this thread that has over 100 replies

 

[straitman]

While an aircraft seat/bed may fold out to be parallel with the cabin floor, it is unlikely to be horizontal to the ground at cruise altitude; in fact one's feet would be resting higher than the head (unless in a Rear Facing BA seat).

This is due to the aircraft being designed to cruise with the fuselage pointing upwards slightly. (Termed the "Angle of incidence").

serfty,

Close but no Banana :!:

In aviation, angle of incidence is the angle between the wing's chord and the longitudinal axis of an aircraft (a fixed value). The figure to the right shows a side view of part of an aeroplane. The wing (dotted blue line) makes an angle a with the longitudinal axis (roll axis) of the aircraft (solid blue line). The wings are typically mounted at a small positive angle of incidence, to allow the fuselage to be "flat" to the airflow in normal cruising flight. Angles of incidence of about 6° are common on most general aviation designs.
Another term for angle of incidence in this context is rigging angle. It should not be confused with the angle of attack, which is the angle the wing chord presents to the airflow in flight. Note that some ambiguity in this terminology exists, as some engineering texts that focus solely on the study of airfoils and their medium may use either term when referring to angle of attack. The use of the term "angle of incidence" to refer to the angle of attack occurs chiefly in British usage.

 

[Reggie]

serfty,

Close but no Banana :!:

In aviation, angle of incidence is the angle between the wing's chord and the longitudinal axis of an aircraft (a fixed value). The figure to the right shows a side view of part of an aeroplane. The wing (dotted blue line) makes an angle a with the longitudinal axis (roll axis) of the aircraft (solid blue line). The wings are typically mounted at a small positive angle of incidence, to allow the fuselage to be "flat" to the airflow in normal cruising flight. Angles of incidence of about 6° are common on most general aviation designs.
Another term for angle of incidence in this context is rigging angle. It should not be confused with the angle of attack, which is the angle the wing chord presents to the airflow in flight. Note that some ambiguity in this terminology exists, as some engineering texts that focus solely on the study of airfoils and their medium may use either term when referring to angle of attack. The use of the term "angle of incidence" to refer to the angle of attack occurs chiefly in British usage.

So there serfty:shock: . When you understand it please translate it into english for us people from WA, really simple english for the dockers supporters.

 

[serfty]

... Close but no Banana :!: ...

Strangely enough I fully understand, having built and flown model aircraft made from Balsa and Tissue paper from an early age.

'm sick of bananas anyway.

I still contend that (aside from ascent/descent) and even though most of the angle may be generated by the wing incidence "to allow the fuselage to be "flat" to the airflow in normal cruising flight." that pilots of Jet aircraft still endeavour to cruise with a small 'nose' up attitude.

 

[straitman]

Strangely enough I fully understand, having built and flown model aircraft made from Balsa and Tissue paper from an early age.

'm sick of bananas anyway.

I still contend that (aside from ascent/descent) and even though most of the angle may be generated by the wing incidence "to allow the fuselage to be "flat" to the airflow in normal cruising flight." that pilots of Jet aircraft still endeavour to cruise with a small 'nose' up attitude.

That part we do agree on :!: