Speculation:QF to go 1/2/1 in J for A330 in new Asian push

[markis10]

Along with upping frequencies into Asia, Qantas is also in the early planning stages for an improved business class product to be unveiled in the A330 aircraft in the second half of calendar 2013. The airline has faced criticism over the product divide between its older aircraft and the more contemporary offering on its latest planes, and in particular the widening gap with some competitor airlines.

To speed up a process that can take well over a year from concept to delivery, it is believed the airline’s management is mulling whether to put aside past preferences for developing new cabin interior product in-house.
The airline is considering, but has not decided on, opting to purchase an existing business class layout and product for the new international aircraft that could see it move to the configuration made popular by rivals including Singapore and Cathay.
Rather than the current international business configuration, where rows of six seats are separated with an aisle in between every two, Qantas could move to the increasingly standard one-two-one seat configuration.

Joyce’s Plan B: another Asian push

 

[simongr]

As much as I enjoy the QF A380 J seat the CX new J just blows it away. It is better than the old F on QF and CX.

 

[BensAdventures]

As much as I enjoy the QF A380 J seat the CX new J just blows it away. It is better than the old F on QF and CX.

Couldn't agree more!! The CX J seats are fantastic. Maybe one day QF will catch up!

 

[yohy?!]

interesting, so it would seem that the 330s returning from JQ may get a refurb before being put on HKG and SIN routes.

going to be very difficult to compete on that level against SQs 380 product and network and CXs network though.

 

[brett-au]

Isn't there a weight restriction on the floor in the A330-300 that prevents the current A380 business seat being installed (I assume in a 2-2-2 config).

 

[N860CR]

There's a weight issue on the JQ 330s that prevent the Skybed being installed without some mods, but I'm not sure about the existing QF birds.

After trying CX new J last month, ill never go back to anything else (especially given CX award availability is better than QF!)

 

[yohy?!]

flipped through the 330 JQ fleet today on JQ source, some of those birds are getting long in the tooth (for an lcc fleet anyway), if they send the oldest ones back first those will be around 10 years old

 

[Sprucegoose]

There's a weight issue on the JQ 330s that prevent the Skybed being installed without some mods, but I'm not sure about the existing QF birds.

After trying CX new J last month, ill never go back to anything else (especially given CX award availability is better than QF!)

Agree the new hard CX product is worth patronizing

 

[Sprucegoose]

If QF are in the fixing mode they need to look at the lounges in both those cities which are sub par

 

[docjames]

flipped through the 330 JQ fleet today on JQ source, some of those birds are getting long in the tooth (for an lcc fleet anyway), if they send the oldest ones back first those will be around 10 years old

/AJ on/

They'll be perfect for Qantas then.....

 

[samh004]

Would have to agree with the J product needing a revamp. Skybeds were great last decade, but hopping over someone to get to the loo isn't premium. The other business classes I've seen look far better. Oh and I've never done a Skybed only QF old F so just reiterating views I see and what I can see in pictures.

 

[docjames]

The refit of the 330s to me will be a good indicator of how QF is moving forward.

Refurbed JQ seats and persisting with skybed1 suggests to me QFi particularly has had it.

Installing a 2012+ intl J product (as opposed to a c2002 product) would be a good start to an improved future. I'd like to think there's also a role for a Y+ cabin too.

We'll see what they go for.

 

[mannej]

The refit of the 330s to me will be a good indicator of how QF is moving forward.

Refurbed JQ seats and persisting with skybed1 suggests to me QFi particularly has had it.

Installing a 2012+ intl J product (as opposed to a c2002 product) would be a good start to an improved future. I'd like to think there's also a role for a Y+ cabin too.

We'll see what they go for.

Unless they mod the older JQ 332's, you won't be getting a Skybed on them. (I believe up to EBJ would need this work).

It'll be interesting to see if AJ does go through with his words on the updated 330 seats

 

[simongr]

Doesn't really depend on what the market is? If it is say a push into premium asian markets with say a 3 - 5 hour flight time - does it need a SKII? I think a new seat might be a good move but not necessarily lie flat. Look at the regional product CX are going with - in terms of size and shape it is way behind the SKI but it of course has better electronics (which mirror their long haul product).

Looking at the QF fleet I dont think it is as doom and gloom as some make out.

By the end of next year you will have refurb'd the 767 fleet and gotten rid of the junkers, SKII on 744s, 734s gone, great product on the 380 and more new 738s. The only hole in the DOM fleet I think is the A330s with the silly blocked out centre seat in J.

 

[Isochronous]

CX 1-2-1 J config is great. But how is QF going to match or, preferably, beat what's already on the market?

 

[amaroo]

CX 1-2-1 J config is great. But how is QF going to match or, preferably, beat what's already on the market?

They need to do what CX has/is doing. Admit mistakes & just RIP the skybed MK I & II out of the birds........they are too big, dominate the cabin, don't lie (MKI) flat & the new ones (MKII) seem to be suffering from brewers droop.

The guy can design a great lounge however, his J seats are an abject failure IMO.

 

[Awesom Andy]

I was on one of JQ's older A332s a month ago, and the whole interior would need some work. While the planes are a little old, it's the perfect opportunity to rip out all the seats and refit with something that will last another 7 - 10 years, when these birds are due for retirement.

 

[richie9x]

The Financial Review seems to usually have good information on Qantas. There have been a few cases where the FR has reported things and they have eventuated in a few months now the track. They appear to have a good source