Lack of curtains separating Business and Economy on 737

[Pushka]

Simple solution don’t sit in row 4.select a seat further down the plane in economy or pay the premium and sit in row 3. Otherwise IMHO there is no issue. You get what you pay for pure and simple.

I’ve already posted that we don’t sit there anymore. For this very reason However Qantas has a habit of putting us there after we have selected other seats as it thinks we want it, and being WP gives us priority so our seats often change. But we change them back as soon as we find out.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I never said anything about priority to disembark.

A crew member rushes to close a curtain and the people standing there are in the dark as to what's going on. The people in economy are still people and deserve better.

P.S. I've not seen this practice on any other airline. It is demeaning. At least airlines such as Qantas treat economy passengers like people and you'll find that economy passengers patiently wait for those in front. Why would it matter to a business class passenger if curtain is open or closed when disembarking? Curtain was open for descent.

The curtain must be open for taxi, tak-off and landing. In the event of an emergency you need an unimpeded view of the cabin and an unimpeded path for egress.

There are a few airlines that have this practice - mostly Asia-based. Cathay, some of the Chinese carriers for example. And I can't remember Japanese Airlines or Korean ones. This usually only works on twin-aisle aircraft where you will have a crew member 'in position' on arrival (ie where the doors and cabins line up). It's a bit harder on single aisle aircraft as the cabin crew can't always get there in time.

SQ will continue to get negative marks as long as this stupid practice continues.

It provides privacy for premium pax, and gives them time to leave in comfort without being bowled over by passengers trying to get out. Also, in many cases passengers will make their way forward and fill up the aisles when there's no reason to do so... the jet-bridge still has to be put in to position. I appreciate the relaxed environment when travelling with my mother or father... they can collect their things and make their way to the exit without fear of being pressured.

The wait for business and economy class really is minimal. A few seconds at most. And if airlines don't have curtains they will often just have a crew member standing in the aisle to block passengers anyway (Thai Airways for example does this with crew positioned at the aisle and bottom of the stairs from the upper deck)

Anyone behind a curtain with a particular urgent need - a short connection for example - should make this known to the crew so they can have their exit expedited.

 

[PJF]

I never said anything about priority to disembark.

A crew member rushes to close a curtain and the people standing there are in the dark as to what's going on. The people in economy are still people and deserve better.

P.S. I've not seen this practice on any other airline. It is demeaning. At least airlines such as Qantas treat economy passengers like people and you'll find that economy passengers patiently wait for those in front. Why would it matter to a business class passenger if curtain is open or closed when disembarking? Curtain was open for descent.

Sorry I don’t think I said you had priority. I was pointing out that an airline in this case ? SQ close the curtains so the passengers above Y and above can disembark first. I don’t see the problem. People who travel SQ on a regular basis probably know this. I guess If that’s SQ practice then thats that and we all just have to deal with it whether we like it or not.

 

[BAM1748]

The curtain must be open for taxi, tak-off and landing. In the event of an emergency you need an unimpeded view of the cabin and an unimpeded path for egress.

There are a few airlines that have this practice - mostly Asia-based. Cathay, some of the Chinese carriers for example. And I can't remember Japanese Airlines or Korean ones. This usually only works on twin-aisle aircraft where you will have a crew member 'in position' on arrival (ie where the doors and cabins line up). It's a bit harder on single aisle aircraft as the cabin crew can't always get there in time.



It provides privacy for premium pax, and gives them time to leave in comfort without being bowled over by passengers trying to get out. Also, in many cases passengers will make their way forward and fill up the aisles when there's no reason to do so... the jet-bridge still has to be put in to position. I appreciate the relaxed environment when travelling with my mother or father... they can collect their things and make their way to the exit without fear of being pressured.

The wait for business and economy class really is minimal. A few seconds at most. And if airlines don't have curtains they will often just have a crew member standing in the aisle to block passengers anyway (Thai Airways for example does this with crew positioned at the aisle and bottom of the stairs from the upper deck)

Anyone behind a curtain with a particular urgent need - a short connection for example - should make this known to the crew so they can have their exit expedited.

The curtain must be open rule, have you ever flown in South America.

 

[PJF]

I’ve already posted that we don’t sit there anymore. For this very reason However Qantas has a habit of putting us there after we have selected other seats as it thinks we want it, and being WP gives us priority so our seats often change. But we change them back as soon as we find out.

Was going to be in row 4 on recent flight (me WP also) asked for row further back. Answer no problem and told me I could of selected further back online if I choose to do so. ???????

 

[PJF]

The curtain must be open rule, have you ever flown in South America.

Yes I guess airlines world wide have their practices whether we like it or not we just have to accept them

 

[BAM1748]

Does it really matter. Whatever the airline or wherever you are you in the world you have to accept their practices whether you agree with it or not really is irelavent IMO

A bit like needing to accept the practice of walking forward to the WC. It is a practice that happens often.

 

[PJF]

A bit like needing to accept the practice of walking forward to the WC. It is a practice that happens often.

Hmmm yes it does happen to often for no obvious reason. It’ must be difficult for some to understand and follow the instructions from the CSM. “There are two toilets at the rear of the cabin for Economy class passengers and one at the front for Business Class passengers. However there can be legimate reasons to use the front amenities

 

[dk4]

...where you will have a crew member 'in position' on arrival (ie where the doors and cabins line up). It's a bit harder on single aisle aircraft as the cabin crew can't always get there in time.

Virgin Australia does this on every B737 flight, all day, every day (except if there are no guests in business class).

On landing, once the front doors are disarmed and cross-checked, the second FA seated at the front (i.e. not the CS) will move to position themselves between the economy and business cabins, giving business class passengers the opportunity to get up and off the aircraft easily once the seat belt sign is turned off. (I believe they may also do this for weight and balance management relating to back door disembarkation as well, to ensure an even flow of economy passengers in both exit directions - so the aeroplane doesn't tip up.)

 

[Pushka]

Just travelled Brisbane to Sydney. Had me in row 4 (me WP also) asked for row further back row 7. Answer no problem and told me I could of selected further back online if I choose to do so. ???????

It totally depends on cabin load. Sometimes you can switch back. One experience does not make a pattern.

 

[PJF]

It totally depends on cabin load. Sometimes you can switch back. One experience does not make a pattern.

just pointing out todays experience. Customer service was pointing out it is easy to go online and change your seat if you prefer no problem prior to travel. Got the feeling they were trying to say it’s pretty basic stuff for the so called experienced traveller. IMHO if that’s the case they are right

 

[JohnK]

The wait for business and economy class really is minimal. A few seconds at most. And if airlines don't have curtains they will often just have a crew member standing in the aisle to block passengers anyway (Thai Airways for example does this with crew positioned at the aisle and bottom of the stairs from the upper deck)

The wait is not minimal which is why I nentioned it. The few times I noticed this practice the business class passengers were nowhere to be seen in the aerobridge and well into the terminal. Must have been 2-3 minutes. Totally unacceptable.

Also there is no reason to close the curtain on the ground. As you said the FA standing there blocking the exit is just as effective.

 

[PJF]

The wait is not minimal which is why I nentioned it. The few times I noticed this practice the business class passengers were nowhere to be seen in the aerobridge and well into the terminal. Must have been 2-3 minutes. Totally unacceptable.

Also there is no reason to close the curtain on the ground. As you said the FA standing there blocking the exit is just as effective.

Sorry but there appears to me a simple solution not happy with the performance fly a different airline. At the end of the day it’s all about choice. 2-3 mins in the whole scheme of things is it really that important or just flying J will get you out quicker

 

[MEL_Traveller]

The wait is not minimal which is why I nentioned it. The few times I noticed this practice the business class passengers were nowhere to be seen in the aerobridge and well into the terminal. Must have been 2-3 minutes. Totally unacceptable.

Also there is no reason to close the curtain on the ground. As you said the FA standing there blocking the exit is just as effective.

My experience differs from your in that case. Normally as soon as the forward cabin is away they allow other cabins to exit as well. There's absolutely no reason for crew to hold you back for no reason.

Perhaps part of the reason for the curtain, rather than just a crew member, is that waiting folks get impatient? If they only see one or two stragglers in business class they may decide they want to go and pressure the crew member to stand aside. Maybe the rest of the business cabin is well inside the jet-bridge, but a business class passenger needed time to transfer to a wheelchair?

Going back to your earlier post - 'leaving economy passengers in the 'dark' when standing behind the curtain - I guess the airline figures passengers will know what's going on? That is, that the forward cabins are being cleared. What else do passengers think it could be? As I said, there's zero motive to be vindictive to waiting passengers. There's a reason why passengers would be kept waiting for a few seconds. But not just for the fun it.

 

[Pushka]

I never said it was one experience I was just pointing out todays experience. Customer service was pointing out it is easy to go online and change your seat further back if you prefer no problem prior to travel. Got the feeling they were trying to say it’s pretty basic stuff for the so called experienced traveller. IMHO if that’s the case they are right

We were in the lounge with BP showing correct seats when a travel app alerted me to change in seats. I could not change online. I had to get F lounge people to do it. It is not basic stuff at all.

My experience differs from your in that case. Normally as soon as the forward cabin is away they allow other cabins to exit as well. There's absolutely no reason for crew to hold you back for no reason.

Perhaps part of the reason for the curtain, rather than just a crew member, is that waiting folks get impatient? If they only see one or two stragglers in business class they may decide they want to go and pressure the crew member to stand aside. Maybe the rest of the business cabin is well inside the jet-bridge, but a business class passenger needed time to transfer to a wheelchair?

Going back to your earlier post - 'leaving economy passengers in the 'dark' when standing behind the curtain - I guess the airline figures passengers will know what's going on? That is, that the forward cabins are being cleared. What else do passengers think it could be? As I said, there's zero motive to be vindictive to waiting passengers. There's a reason why passengers would be kept waiting for a few seconds. But not just for the fun it.

I think most airlines do this. QR certainly did last flight. Curtains between J and F were drawn while F pax departed. Then opened for us. EK did the same thing on flight Mel - Sin.

 

[PJF]

We were in the lounge with BP showing correct seats when a travel app alerted me to change in seats. I could not change online. I had to get F lounge people to do it. It is not basic stuff at all.



I think most airlines do this. QR certainly did last flight. Curtains between J and F were drawn while F pax departed. Then opened for us. EK did the same thing on flight Mel - Sin.

Like I

We were in the lounge with BP showing correct seats when a travel app alerted me to change in seats. I could not change online. I had to get F lounge people to do it. It is not basic stuff at all.



I think most airlines do this. QR certainly did last flight. Curtains between J and F were drawn while F pax departed. Then opened for us. EK did the same thing on flight Mel - Sin.

We were in the lounge with BP showing correct seats when a travel app alerted me to change in seats. I could not change online. I had to get F lounge people to do it. It is not basic stuff at all.



I think most airlines do this. QR certainly did last flight. Curtains between J and F were drawn while F pax departed. Then opened for us. EK did the same thing on flight Mel - Sin.

I concur it is not just basic stuff. I said I got the feeling they were saying this is basic stuff

 

[Pushka]

Like I


I concur it is not just basic stuff. I said I got the feeling they were saying this is basic stuff

Gotcha!

I actually meant to say “ah, gotcha, I understand now” but it came across as completely the opposite. Blame the Champagne I’m currently drinking at 11 am in the alliance lounge in CDG.

 

[PJF]

Gotcha!

I will say it again. I got the ‘feeling” they were trying to tell me it was basic stuff for the experienced traveller. I said IMHO if that’s the case they are right. It’s only an opinion. Love the gotcha that’s original. Lol nothing better then good debate. Next.......

 

[Pushka]

I will say it again. I got the ‘feeling” they were trying to tell me it was basic stuff for the experienced traveller. I said IMHO if that’s the case they are right. It’s only an opinion. Love the gotcha that’s original. Lol nothing better then good debate. Next.......

Debate is great. Learn lots.

Oh oh oh. I meant to say “ah gotcha” as in “I understand now” but I think my post reads something completely different. I’ve changed it now. My apologies for sounding like a right jackass.

 

[Pushka]

Re Overhead bins. On Swiss Air right now. No curtains but they do have this: