Possibility of Qantas changing B787-9 seating layout in the future?

[Forg]

AFAIK the aisles and wall trims are the same

So either JQ are lying or QF are lying ... or the JQ seats have half-inch-thicker armrests (which is doubtful)!

 

[Quickstatus]

I d

So either JQ are lying or QF are lying ... or the JQ seats have half-inch-thicker armrests (which is doubtful)!

I don’t believe the accuracy of seat width and pitch as “measured” by the various outlets.

The most interesting aspect of the reports and stories that arose from the 787 inaugural invites was that I don’t believe any invited journalist actually measured the seat width and pitch of the various classes.

 

[Strategic Aviation]

AeroMexico to NRT, ANA and JAL to US East coast, NZ to IAH/ORD, UA to SIN, UA and AA to AU/NZ, El Al to SFO, EY to eastern AU and western US, QF PER-LHR...

Hmm, that list is longer than I was expecting!

JAL announced it will launch a LCC operating from NRT to Asia, Europe and the Americas, starting in 2020 with two 787-8. Presumably those will be 3-3-3 rather than 2-4-2.

Japan Airlines to set up low-cost carrier, targeting Asian demand - Reuters

 

[andyhui01]

I just noticed when doing some seat research for an upcoming flight SQ 787-10s have a seat width of 19 and pitch of 32 (Same as the 773 an A388). Has anyone flown this and compared it to QF's 787-9? Considering they both run a 3-3-3 layout, I am just wondering how SQ manages to get a wider seat in the same plane.

If someone who has flown SQ 787-10 and compared it against 773/A388 please let me know if they feel the same.

 

[Quickstatus]

Rubbery measurements. But a 3-3-3 in an SQ787 is a 3-3-3 any 787

 

[Himeno]

I just noticed when doing some seat research for an upcoming flight SQ 787-10s have a seat width of 19 and pitch of 32 (Same as the 773 an A388). Has anyone flown this and compared it to QF's 787-9? Considering they both run a 3-3-3 layout, I am just wondering how SQ manages to get a wider seat in the same plane.

If someone who has flown SQ 787-10 and compared it against 773/A388 please let me know if they feel the same.

Did they measure from the inside of the arm rests or the outside?

 

[andyhui01]

Did they measure from the inside of the arm rests or the outside?

Just taking Seat guru's measurements.

Considering how wide SQ 777 and A380 seats are. If the 787 seats are really like QF, it would definitely be noticeable. A relative recently did SIN-MEL-PER-SIN within a week but when I asked, they said it was about the same. But they aren't really FFs or AvGeeks so I'm not sure how true it was.

 

[moa999]

Seat Guru is not exactly known for accuracy,
And in any event there is a big difference between 16.5 and 17.4, both round to 17"

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Seat Guru is not exactly known for accuracy,
And in any event there is a big difference between 16.5 and 17.4, both round to 17"

16.5 v 17 (or 18) inches isn't much by itself, but when you add them coughulatively it gives you an extra 2-3 inches of shoulder room between two passengers. That can make a significant difference to comfort.

I am convinced someone sat in a regional jet seat one day and thought - 'why don't we use the same seat for wide-bodies and get an extra one in?'

 

[michaele]

Why would QFA give more seat room in Economy at the expense of shareholder return?

Certain shareholders may have different priorities, but let’s assume many look for long term value and returns.

Adding an extra row (eg what QF did on the 787) added 7 seats, at the expense of about 2” per Y row.

That short term return (which is only found when on a fully loaded cabin) is lost whenever the load is less than about 95% full. Qantas (traditionally) has had a full service bundled fare, with a price to match. The most price sensitive are already often not flying QF (and flying BFOD).

That leaves those who are willing to pay more, but for better than a basic seat on a LCC. You’re competing with airlines all touting how good their economy is. Better meals, better IFE, better more comfortable seats. These people fly once, and may try something else next time. Long term repeat business for the shareholders? Not likely.

Qantas could have sacrificed a row of Y that is only generating revenue when loads are 1. Maybe their revenue management believe they have the ability to achieve that. I believe the long term play of giving Y the extra room and aggressively marketing it as the “best/most spacious economy in the world” alongside their push of the “longest direct flights in the world” would have been far more beneficial to the long term perception of QF Y, and QF as a premium airline. It would have spilt over to all QFi, even when not on the 787. Those who prefer comfort and are happy to pay a small premium would - giving increased yields.

Maybe QF think they can maximise their revenue and loads to have completely full planes all the time. The advertised Y sale prices to LHR at their lowest levels I can remember ($1300 MEL-LHR-MEL for flights in 2 months time) suggest otherwise.

A reminder to the bean counters that a simplistic view of more seats = guaranteed more revenue doesn’t hold true.

 

[michaele]

Also - given the above talk of the cabin width - the 787-8 and -9 having the same cabin width and both being 3x3x3 suggests repositioning the QF "premium" product as the same as JQ Y would be a fairer assessment. Makes it harder to swallow paying a premium for that.

 

[Forg]

I think part of QF being "premium" compared to JQ at the same fare class is that QF don't give the "50% late guarantee"?