SQ PER-SIN going all A359R/B78K from October 2019

[Pleb Status]

From 01 October 2019, all SQ PER-SIN services will either be on a regional A359 or B78K, equipped with the latest regional J product and the latest entertainments systems etc in all classes.

The last service to change will be SQ225/224, from A333 to B78K. Unfortunately I am in J on the A333 a few days before the swap. The new J is far better that the older regional J product (but not as nice as long haul J obviously).

So PER will have two A359R and two 78K services in the near future. It would be nice to get rid of the Screamliner and go all A359 if possible SQ...

 

[Cruiser Elite]

New Regional J is a fantastic product but it is a bit cramped - it's def designed for Asian bodies.

 

[Saab34]

Great for Perth. Next up hopefully the removal of the 772 for Melbourne

 

[Comoman]

Hooray - very pleased. I currently specifically avoid the A330 flight as it is the poorer cousin to the other 3 daily flights.

 

[cove]

Yes we are on the A359 in just over a week. Looking forward to trying it out.

 

[dajop]

Great for Perth. Next up hopefully the removal of the 772 for Melbourne

It will probably be one of the last routes to lose the 772 (at least for SQ 247/8), as I understand due to the runway restrictions at WLG.

In any event, the upside of the 772 into MEL, is that SQ still do occasionally offer this flight up for awards to non-preferred star alliance carriers who normally can't access business class inventory to MEL or SYD, or now ADL or BNE either.

 

[whughes3]

New Regional J is a fantastic product but it is a bit cramped - it's def designed for Asian bodies.

Agreed: if you are a bit broad shouldered as I am, it feels a little claustrophobic.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Can’t wait for cove to report back next week

 

[Pleb Status]

I have recently completed four PER-SIN sectors in the new regional J seat (on both the A359R and B78K) and actually found it pretty good for the generally inferior staggered J layout.

On my last trip, I flew this seat 'back to back' with the QF A330 J seat and preferred the new SQ regional J seat when in the seated and semi reclined positions. I have not needed to try to sleep in the new regional J seat so cannot comment on the comfort in that position. I have always found the QF A330/B789 J seat quite uncomfortable in the seated and semi reclined positions due to the way the seats have been offset and when the tray table is in use and you are not seated completely upright. The design of the new SQ regional J seat does not have these problems.

The 'confinement' issue is inherent with a staggered J seat arrangement, unless go for the bespoke long haul SQ seat design or a forward/rearward seat design like used by EY and QR. I prefer the reverse herringbone J seat designs as used by VA and CX etc as they are generally more open on one side.

It is a little disappointing however that the new regional J seats have not been better tailored to the aircraft they have been fitted into. The amount of empty space between window seat and the wall is very large (>150mm) on the A359R and could be utilised better on the narrower B78K (see photo below). It would appear that the seat module has been made to fit into an A330 and that will then fit unmodified into any aircraft that is wider.

 

[SponsorSFC]

Yes we are on the A359 in just over a week. Looking forward to trying it out.

We are as well