Airline to unveil seating revamp

[Pvcmenace]

"Skycouch", huh? Wow... What a revolution!
And how tall is that man in the photo in the NZ Herald? 5'3?

Could be an escaped Hobbit

 

[lovestotravel]

"Skycouch", huh? Wow... What a revolution!
And how tall is that man in the photo in the NZ Herald? 5'3?

It is Economy... What did you really expect? That being said assuming the seats are 18inches wide that is 54inches, + arm rest width 8 inches + free space next to the windows 4 inches. A total of 66inches OR 168cms!!! So feet overhang will be 0-15cms into the Aisle.

Watch those carts!!!!


Y+ looks GREAT in those photos! Much like business class really and FINALLY 2-2-2 seating!!!!! :mrgreen::mrgreen:

J - Not much to change really hopefully a little bit wider and

Configuration
44 Business
50 Premium Economy
246 Economy - With 66 seats allowing "Sky Couch" which is 22 sets of 3 seats. Hopefully these are in the one area as feet over the end of the seats into aisles are annoying!!!!

Refitting the 777-200's from mid 2011 :mrgreen:

 

[markis10]

246 Economy - With 66 seats allowing "Sky Couch" which is 22 sets of 3 seats. Hopefully these are in the one area as feet over the end of the seats into aisles are annoying!!!!

Refitting the 777-200's from mid 2011 :mrgreen:

from the NZ hearld article:

"Twenty-two sets of the Skycouch seats will be available in the plane, found in the first 11 window rows of the economy class cabin"

 

[lovestotravel]

from the NZ hearld article:

"Twenty-two sets of the Skycouch seats will be available in the plane, found in the first 11 window rows of the economy class cabin"

Would hate to be on the aisle seats in the middle, you get feet smell right next to you!

 

[haydensydney]

Premium economy looks amazing!

http://img.scoop.co.nz/stories/images/1001/dinner.in.premium.ec.jpeg

I wasn't expecting the new economy to be shockingly amazing - but they have come up with a novel solution to make economy more comfortable for those who cannot afford Y+ or J.

Overall im impressed.

 

[drewbles]

Premium economy looks amazing!

http://img.scoop.co.nz/stories/images/1001/dinner.in.premium.ec.jpeg

I wasn't expecting the new economy to be shockingly amazing - but they have come up with a novel solution to make economy more comfortable for those who cannot afford Y+ or J.

Overall im impressed.

Y+ does look a little strange IMHO. Is that a mockup only as I don't seem to be able to see where the foot-rest would go (I'd assume they'd have one in this cabin).

Very under-whelmed with the skysofa concept. If you're taller than a hobbit it's not going to be very practical, and the only way to make it financially viable would be to travel with someone else, and that's still not going to give you much room to lie down. Considering the middle seat will sell for 'half price' (Half of which fare though is anyones guess), it's still not brilliant.

Ahh memories of when I was a kid flying on a CX 747 and being able to grab empty rows of middle seats to sleep on. If only yields were less on a/c today like they were back then

 

[Alanslegal]

For me, its not the length thats an issue (as I'm a shorty'ish guy) but more about the width of my body. The footrests now tilting up horizontal to the same level as the seat thigh cushion it becomes extra wide space for me to lie down (assuming I get lucky and have a row to myself).

 

[samh004]

Very under-whelmed with the skysofa concept. Considering the middle seat will sell for 'half price' (Half of which fare though is anyones guess), it's still not brilliant.

Maybe they’ll add the 2 fares together, get an average, and half-price that.

Overall I am impressed with the economy concept, it looks good. One question though… seat belts?

Not much use buying a bed if the seatbelt sign comes on for a bumpy ride and the cabin crew has you sit upright with the belt on for most of the journey!

I’m also thinking there’s going to be many more inductees into the mile high club from the end of the year!

Also, after watching the video, the new cabin service from the touch of your screen looks good (lady selected a can of coke and the cabin crew delivered a glass). That’s much better than calling them to your seat, them going back to the galley, and coming back to deliver it. Though I guess that means self service bars haven’t worked out?

Did J have a herringbone layout before, because it certainly looks so now?

 

[lovestotravel]

“However, we’ve broken the mould here too, and in an industry first we’ve created our own suite of interactive products to help deliver the experience we’re looking for,” says Mr Sims.


“This includes the ability for passengers to order food and beverage items when they want outside of main meal times.”
To deliver the new food experience, new oven technology will be installed in the five galleys throughout the aircraft.


“It means we will be able to offer previously unheard of meal options inflight – real crispy bacon and eggs or a steak cooked anyway you like it in Business Premier, a pizza or tapas to share with your companion in Premium Economy or even a classic Kiwi toasted sandwich!”


I am liking the sounds of the new food options! :mrgreen:

 

[trooper]

Reckon it's about the best you can do with the space available....

The idea is that you can - with three seats - produce a flat-ish surface that two people can share... very closely which is no surprise... and the information released so far has made it perfectly clear that with 170 odd cm's of space you will NOT be able to lie full length.. one article emphasised one would have to lie with "knees bent"... Better than sitting up IMO!

Again... can't see much option in the space available.. and of course noone is forcing you to buy the product! It is only 66 of 246 seats anyway....
Anyone who can come up with something better is of course welcome to try... I'm just glad SOME innovation is happening...

One of the more interesting photos so far was of the Mum and two kids "camping out" on the "Skycouch"...

The new Y+ certainly looks interesting... I'm not a fan of white seats but that is after all.. a detail.

No footrests in Y+... Instead each pax will be given a bean bag style thing (called "Otto".. Hmmmm...) to position as they wish. I think THAT is a great idea.. as the fitted footrests never seem to "fit" many people.....certainly never been any use to me....:mrgreen:

Interesting service changes too..... will reserve judgement till after I've flown it though!

Overall... I'm impressed too... VERY happy with the 2x2x2 in Y+

Also quite happy that the basic nature of BP has been retained...If as they claim it will be somewhat softer as a bed then I'll be ecstatic.

Samh004.. Yes, Business Premier has always been that herringbone layout...

 

[markis10]

Also, after watching the video, the new cabin service from the touch of your screen looks good (lady selected a can of coke and the cabin crew delivered a glass). That’s much better than calling them to your seat, them going back to the galley, and coming back to deliver it. Though I guess that means self service bars haven’t worked out?

The just took the idea from Virgin America.

 

[samh004]

The just took the idea from Virgin America.

Ahh. Still a cool idea.

 

[whoistheg]

heres the video

Future Taking Flight - Air New Zealand

 

[notzac]

Did J have a herringbone layout before, because it certainly looks so now?

IIRC, NZ was the first carrier to license the herringbone seat from VS (who invented it).

 

[dajop]

Overall... I'm impressed too... VERY happy with the 2x2x2 in Y+

2x2x2 is good, but what will it do with pricing of Y+?

Don't get me wrong this all very impressive, but will it cannibalise Business Premier sales? Really what we're looking at compared to 15 years ago is a Business Class that it better than the old First, a premium economy that is as good as Business used to be (after all on take SQ and CX 777's, they still have 2-3-2 config in their regional J layouts), and well economy, is still economy, but with some enhancements.

 

[cosi]

Overall I am impressed with the economy concept, it looks good. One question though… seat belts?

Good point Sam

I am sure their is a solution!

 

[samh004]

2x2x2 is good, but what will it do with pricing of Y+?

Don't get me wrong this all very impressive, but will it cannibalise Business Premier sales? Really what we're looking at compared to 15 years ago is a Business Class that it better than the old First, a premium economy that is as good as Business used to be (after all on take SQ and CX 777's, they still have 2-3-2 config in their regional J layouts), and well economy, is still economy, but with some enhancements.

Y+ certainly has advanced somewhat, but all it offers is added comfort and more space. If you want fine wine and champagne and incredible food, you’ll still need to head to J or F. I think that’s a big differentiator.

 

[MelUser]

Premium Y - if you are into good alcohol QF's premium economy has same alcohol - ie champagne, wines, spirits as QF Business class.

 

[dajop]

If you want fine wine and champagne and incredible food, you’ll still need to head to J or F. I think that’s a big differentiator.

On many airlines this is the case. However, NZ a couple of years ago upgraded their inflight food & beverage to almost match J class, a differentiator from other airlines. On NZ the PE menu is almost the same as that in Business Premier (obviously J gets first go at choosing though). My partner and I flew HKG-LHR-HKG last year on NZ PE and I was upgraded using a complimentary upgrade to J, we compared menus and the only difference was the dessert. I can't recall if the wines were the same, but coming back (when I was back in Y+) the wines were certainly very good.

I'd certainly recommend NZ's PE as it is, and although I don't have first hand comparison with QF, my partner has and said although the current (777) seats are slightly narrower than QF's seats (and NZ's 747 seats) service and food on NZ was much better (and you get to use the J snack bar and the J toilets).

 

[samh004]

Premium Y - if you are into good alcohol QF's premium economy has same alcohol - ie champagne, wines, spirits as QF Business class.

Good to know, still costs too much