717 refurb - goodbye to Row 1 being one of the best Y seats in QF

[markis10]

More capacity, less legroom

QantasLink will upgrade and reconfigure the interiors of its B717 fleet and build additional capacity to provide an enhanced customer experience. New ergonomically-designed seats will provide customers with increased levels of comfort featuring: A top-mounted magazine box to maximise legroom; An additional seat pocket ideal for the storage of personal electronic devices; An adjustable headrest; and A sliding tray table. The installation of the new seats, combined with a reconfiguration of storage space, has enabled QantasLink to increase capacity on board the B717s and provide at the same time, an enhanced customer experience. The refresh will also see the cabin furnishings replaced with an interior colour scheme consistent with Qantas’ contemporary styling onboard Qantas mainline B738 aircraft. The first refurbished B717 is expected to enter service in late November 2012.QantasLink looks forward to sharing further details on the route allocation of the B717 in the near future.

 

[MarkD]

Atr style seats by the sound of it


I'm too poor to own a signature

 

[eastwest101]

Accountants "enhancement". Just like the 2-3-2 J class on some of the A330's. I always did like the current seats and pitch on the 717's.

But if QF already have 115 seats on board and the stated Max configuration is 117 seats then I assume that one more row of seats on the left hand side of the aircraft? IIRC the port side is the set of 2 seats with starboard side rows of 3? Is it all really worth the bother for 2 extra revenue seats?

Further questions to QF - with this enhanced product - then where is the J class cabin? Where is the IFE? Are your enhanced galleys smaller? Sliding traytable into what space?

This also now makes it a toss up between the front of the F100 or anywhere on an E190 as the best regional/long-thin jets for Y Pax comfort.....

 

[gbh]

"Enhanced"! There's that word again.

You'd figure that QF PR would realise that as soon as they use that word, their customers assume that they're about to get screwed!

Let's just pause and enjoy that sentence in all its Orwellian glory: "build additional capacity to provide an enhanced customer experience".

Truly, they think we're idiots.

 

[yohy?!]

"Top mounted magazine box" sounds suspiciously like a certain slimline seat design on a certain "orange" budget carriers A320s...

 

[Must...Fly!]

Or Lufthansa's airbus Y seats which I class as quite comfortable!

 

[freepyjamas]

"Enhanced"! There's that word again.

You'd figure that QF PR would realise that as soon as they use that word, their customers assume that they're about to get screwed!

Let's just pause and enjoy that sentence in all its Orwellian glory: "build additional capacity to provide an enhanced customer experience".

Truly, they think we're idiots.

It's evil genius, this enhancement business. You can put anything with it, and it sounds like you're getting a great deal.

"We will be significantly enhancing access to the aisles and restrooms onboard our aircraft, via a phasing out of catering and drinks services".

"Via the introduction of an exciting new 3-3-3 seating format, our business class customers will find their ability to network with other executives whilst in-flight, greatly enhanced."

"At-Gate replacement of QF aircraft with JQ aircraft will allow us to greatly enhance our ability to avoid cancellations and deliver an on-time departure for our customers."

 

[under the radar]

"Top mounted magazine box" sounds suspiciously like a certain slimline seat design on a certain "orange" budget carriers A320s...

i've sat in the JQ ones and i find them comfy with a noticeable increase (1-2inches) in knee room due to reposition of seat pocket to above the table..i'm 5'10"..it's a good seat for airlines/aircraft that dont have seatback IFE..including Lufthansa short/medium europe services!! and i'm sure others outside of Oz use them...

 

[Aussie_flyer]

i've sat in the JQ ones and i find them comfy with a noticeable increase (1-2inches) in knee room due to reposition of seat pocket to above the table..i'm 5'10"..it's a good seat for airlines/aircraft that dont have seatback IFE..including Lufthansa short/medium europe services!! and i'm sure others outside of Oz use them...

agreed, the magazine/safety card/menu being stored at the top part of the seat really helps the knee room. thumbs up

 

[samh004]

Further questions to QF - with this enhanced product - then where is the J class cabin? Where is the IFE? Are your enhanced galleys smaller? Sliding traytable into what space?

You’re thinking of Mainline, this is QantasLink, where there’s no such thing as J class, IFE etc. I’m not sure there’s a market for it, but then I don’t know anything about the numbers. Sometimes a flight is packed, other times it’s so empty I have 6 empty seats around me, and everyone else, of which there aren’t many. Though not on the 717’s admittedly.

i've sat in the JQ ones and i find them comfy with a noticeable increase (1-2inches) in knee room due to reposition of seat pocket to above the table..i'm 5'10"..it's a good seat for airlines/aircraft that dont have seatback IFE..including Lufthansa short/medium europe services!! and i'm sure others outside of Oz use them...

Haven’t tried these new seats, clearly I haven’t been on JQ in too long, but from what I remember of my last flight on domestic aircraft, the knee room was appalling.

Luckily I have a flight in October, so look forward to a new experience, and hopefully a good experience.

agreed, the magazine/safety card/menu being stored at the top part of the seat really helps the knee room. thumbs up

My last flight with such a seat was an ATR and I couldn’t fit my iPad in sufficiently well, so I hope the second storage space fits iPad’s.

 

[dodgeyhack]

agreed, the magazine/safety card/menu being stored at the top part of the seat really helps the knee room. thumbs up

It's also a really good place to hook in the lid of the case of my galaxy tab to create seat back IFE.

Double thumbs up.

 

[Stealth]

A number of 737 flights have been downgraded recently to QF-Stink 717s in WA. Its a comedown to fly a new 737-800 with full IFE one day and get a 717 with stuff all on the next flight. They don't seem to charge less for the lesser service either...... (plus the increased chance of off-pier parking)

 

[straitman]

A number of 737 flights have been downgraded recently to QF-Stink 717s in WA. Its a comedown to fly a new 737-800 with full IFE one day and get a 717 with stuff all on the next flight. They don't seem to charge less for the lesser service either...... (plus the increased chance of off-pier parking)

Treat the 717 as the norm and then the 737-800 with full IFE is a pleasant surprise package.

 

[markis10]

Treat the 717 as the norm and then the 737-800 with full IFE is a pleasant surprise package.

You could say that for any Qantas flight, expect an oldie, get a newie = score!

 

[straitman]

You could say that for any Qantas flight, expect an oldie, get a newie = score!

.... or any flight with any airline for that matter :!:

 

[under the radar]

.... or any flight with any airline for that matter :!:

you took the words right out of my mouth!! you PAY to get from A to B..anything else is a bonus!!!

 

[markis10]

Accountants "enhancement". Just like the 2-3-2 J class on some of the A330's. I always did like the current seats and pitch on the 717's.

But if QF already have 115 seats on board and the stated Max configuration is 117 seats then I assume that one more row of seats on the left hand side of the aircraft? IIRC the port side is the set of 2 seats with starboard side rows of 3? Is it all really worth the bother for 2 extra revenue seats?

Further questions to QF - with this enhanced product - then where is the J class cabin? Where is the IFE? Are your enhanced galleys smaller? Sliding traytable into what space?

This also now makes it a toss up between the front of the F100 or anywhere on an E190 as the best regional/long-thin jets for Y Pax comfort.....

They are adding two rows, to take it to 125 seats in total.

 

[docjames]

I thought it was certified only to 117.....

 

[eastwest101]

Thanks for the clarification markis10 - at least its not enhanced to the high density 155+ seat layout that Air Trans uses! (and thats with 12 J class seats)

In current config the QF link with 115 seats has a seat pitch of 32-31 inches, I guess with 125 seats we would be talking 30" or even 29" seat pitch in the future?

A true "enhancement"!

 

[markis10]

Thanks for the clarification markis10 - at least its not enhanced to the high density 155+ seat layout that Air Trans uses! (and thats with 12 J class seats)
!

Air Tran has 117, not 155+