Economy Plus for Australia?

[Warks]

Just flew UA in a 757 (never heard of it either) from SFO to LAX and was seated in the last row of Economy 'Plus'. First is all to the left of the door as you enter but on the right up to row 16 (Emergency Exit) is all Economy Plus. It's all Exit Row style with an extra "5 inches of leg room". I guess you pay more (I didn't - I'm flying on points) but do you know if there's any plan for this sort of thing in Australia? I guess they would need this aircraft. It was fairly new. Nice to have the legroom but I wonder what the premium is.

 

[Dave Noble]

Can anyone say Ozjet ? ... 40" pitch, wider seats for an economy fare ( from AUD 200 on SYD-MEL )

UAs Y+ is only pre-selectable by those with at least Premier status ( or I presume Star Alliance equivalent ) or on a full fare ticket

Dave

 

[infoworks]

The UA 757 and that configuration has been around for quite a while. The 757 (to me) is just a larger 737, and I don't like that F has to struggle with the back of the plane to get out the door.

QF tried a version of premium economy way back, called it business class, when they had a first class. was bad and didn't last long!

 

[shillard]

Aye! For a second there I was afraid that some tubby train-spoter was about to hijack the forum and spend the next 25 years telling us all how QF sucks, and how everyone should fly United.

Coz the United programme is the best in the world, and as a *A elite you will get a nob polishing every 2 hours by a gorgeous hostie regardless of your class of travel - just because United is that damn good. Nothing but Grange or 15yo Hunter Semillon served with your Wagyu fillet or Atlantic Salmon (fresh that day) on United.

Did I mention that United are so cool they PAY YOU to fly with them? Seriously, they're that cool. The only airline that comes close is KLM - they only lose out to United because they offer blonde hosties only - if you like a brunette doing the polishing, you'll be disappointed.

Seriously, it's true. Just search "united" on the QF forum @ Flyertalk - you'll all soon see that I'm serious, and you QF fools don't know what you're missing out on.

You can get a *A RTW ticket in F for just 50 points if you're a United elite.


But I digress.....


I doubt you'll see "premium economy" in QF anytime soon - except perhaps in the new big Scarebus - plenty of room in that bastard for a 4th cabin class.

I suspect that if they get a 777 ETOPS (Engines Turn Or Pax Swim) to do SYD-LHR non-stop that it will be J/F only. You'd have to restrict the Pax numbers to keep the weight down, and if you start cramming sardines down the back you would have to fly with half the seats empty.

Certainly enough demand on that route to run such an aircraft in an all-premium configuration.

As for "premium economy" on domestic - forget it.

 

[NM]

QF tried a version of premium economy way back, called it business class, when they had a first class. was bad and didn't last long!

I think you may be referring to Australian Airlines (the original TN carrier, not the current AO carrier). For a short time they offered a 2x2 seating (by blocking the middle seat) on 737 aircraft in a block behind the front cabin. At that time they called the front two rows Business Class and the next section was called Club Class and sold as the full Y fare. Discounted economy received standard 3x3 seating.

I can't remember all the details, but suspect Club also included free alcohol while economy did not.

This was done back in the early 90s in response to decline in paid F travel on domestic routes. Many corporations changed the travel policies to per restrict the use of First Class or Business Class fares. So by changing the front section name to Business Class, those who were not allowed to buy First Class tickets but were allowed business class were able to purchase the nice seats. And those who were not allowed to buy business class were often able to slip in a "Club" fare at the full Y price.

I believe this cycle is what are seeing now in international travel. The business class cabin is now as good as the first class cabin of 10-15 years ago, and there is a big gap between economy and business class. I expect we will see more and more 3-class cabins changed to Business Class (with flat beds), premium economy (large seat pitch and good recline) and standard economy. In that way corporate travel policies that do not permit business class fares may be able to use premium economy. Its just a matter to starting the cycle again.

I don't think we will see premium economy on Qantas domestic service. I would not be surprised to see more of it on other carriers (DJ already has Blue Zone seating). But I do expect we will see it on QF international services before too much longer - maybe the A380 will be the catalyst.

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

UAs Y+ is only pre-selectable by those with at least Premier status ( or I presume Star Alliance equivalent ) or on a full fare ticket

Yup *Golds get Y+ when available. Not the only difference from regular economy is the seat, unlike Air NZ's premium economy (which also has better food & drink than economy but not lounge access or extra baggage allowance).

 

[clifford]

Aye! For a second there I was afraid that some tubby train-spoter was about to hijack the forum and spend the next 25 years telling us all how QF sucks, and how everyone should fly United.

Coz the United programme is the best in the world, and as a *A elite you will get a nob polishing every 2 hours by a gorgeous hostie regardless of your class of travel - just because United is that damn good. Nothing but Grange or 15yo Hunter Semillon served with your Wagyu fillet or Atlantic Salmon (fresh that day) on United.

Did I mention that United are so cool they PAY YOU to fly with them? Seriously, they're that cool. The only airline that comes close is KLM - they only lose out to United because they offer blonde hosties only - if you like a brunette doing the polishing, you'll be disappointed.

Seriously, it's true. Just search "united" on the QF forum @ Flyertalk - you'll all soon see that I'm serious, and you QF fools don't know what you're missing out on.

You can get a *A RTW ticket in F for just 50 points if you're a United elite.


But I digress.....


I doubt you'll see "premium economy" in QF anytime soon - except perhaps in the new big Scarebus - plenty of room in that bastard for a 4th cabin class.

I suspect that if they get a 777 ETOPS (Engines Turn Or Pax Swim) to do SYD-LHR non-stop that it will be J/F only. You'd have to restrict the Pax numbers to keep the weight down, and if you start cramming sardines down the back you would have to fly with half the seats empty.

Certainly enough demand on that route to run such an aircraft in an all-premium configuration.

As for "premium economy" on domestic - forget it.

Hey Shillard,

Remember Hadrian's wall and the Blaydon Races. Why aye man, of course you do! And so do I.

But you do digress. Quite simply, Mileage Plus is the best FF program in the world. No if's or but's, if you don't like it please butt out of it (and don't prattle on).

Thanks, Cliffie.

 

[shillard]

Dude,

Asking me not to "prattle on" is a bit like asking Bono to say something sensible, or the tide to stop coming in, or Andrew Denton to justify an opinion - it just ain't going to happen.

 

[NM]

I suspect that if they get a 777 ETOPS (Engines Turn Or Pax Swim) to do SYD-LHR non-stop that it will be J/F only.

Note that ETOPS is not required for twin engine operations on any realistic flight path between SYD and LHR. There are plenty of alternate airports all the way along the route.

 

[clifford]

Dude,
Asking me not to "prattle on" is a bit like asking Bono to say something sensible, or the tide to stop coming in, or Andrew Denton to justify an opinion - it just ain't going to happen.

Well, have a nice may anyway.

 

[shillard]

I suspect that if they get a 777 ETOPS (Engines Turn Or Pax Swim) to do SYD-LHR non-stop that it will be J/F only.

Note that ETOPS is not required for twin engine operations on any realistic flight path between SYD and LHR. There are plenty of alternate airports all the way along the route.

Sure, but I was itching to use that old ETOPS joke.

 

[NM]

Sure, but I was itching to use that old ETOPS joke.

Fair enough. And oldie and still a goodie .

 

[shillard]

Sure, but I was itching to use that old ETOPS joke.

Fair enough. And oldie and still a goodie .

Yup, especially @ the gate when some scared twonk asks their husband/ wife/ main squeeze "what does ETOPS stand for?" :twisted:

 

[JohnK]

Surely first, business and cattle class are more than enough.

Do we really need an extra 5 inches extra leg room :?: Do we really an extra class. :?: :?

 

[Dave Noble]

Surely first, business and cattle class are more than enough.

Do we really need an extra 5 inches extra leg room :?: Do we really an extra class. :?: :?

I'm sure that BA wouldn't agree with you given the popularity of WT+. In answer to you question, on long flights, yes there is a market for it... need is different, there is no *need* for business class not a *need* for 1st class, just a market for it

On my ATW ticket I am currently on, the UK-SIN I went with BA specifically because it has WT+ with its much nicer cabin; the slightly wider seats, the decent sized armrests , the extra space; well worth it

Dave

 

[infoworks]

Put my son in WT+ on FF ticket - certainly worth the extra points ($10,500 from memory) AND, on return (SIN-SYD) they upgraded him to J (yes - on a FF ticket). Never seen that before or after - My son said it was because he is G__!

 

[serfty]

... QF tried a version of premium economy way back, called it business class, when they had a first class. was bad and didn't last long!

Actually, IMO the Business class service of the mid 90's was better than the Business class service offered in the last year or so!

It will be interesting to see what results from the OzJet competition.

Around the turn of the century QF & Ansett combined the front of plane classes went to somthing called "Business First", later the " First" part was quietly dropped.

I recall the setup of the three class domestic aircraft:

The front two rows of the aircraft had the White Linen covered head rests for First, the next few rows would have the dark blue J ones. B767/A300's would in the front cabin 2 rows of F and 3 rows of J; same type of seat. The 737's would have the first two rows 2x2 with "First Class Seats" and the next five rows would have convertable 2x2/3x3 J/Y seats.

I remember fondly of a Saturday night on a 737 where I & a collegue had upgraded using certificates to J, only to find no Business class on the flight that night.. Rows 1&2 F; rows 3 and back were whY. Quite a nice trip in 1D/F with First service :twisted: .

 

[Yada Yada]

Aye! For a second there I was afraid that some tubby train-spoter was about to hijack the forum and spend the next 25 years telling us all how QF sucks, and how everyone should fly United.

Isn't that true?

:wink:

 

[JohnK]

I'm sure that BA wouldn't agree with you given the popularity of WT+. In answer to you question, on long flights, yes there is a market for it... need is different, there is no *need* for business class not a *need* for 1st class, just a market for it

Sorry Dave I was referring more specifically to the domestic market as the thread title was "economy plus for Australia". Also the OP was referring to economy plus for SFO-LAX on United.

For long haul I think 3 class flights are more than enough and in most cases they are only 2 class anyway.

 

[aus_flyer]

I am flying J with BA in a few weeks time and I intend to go for a wander and have a good inspection of WTP. If it is as good as I hear, I think I will skip J and fly WTP when possible.

Some of the specials to the UK in WTP that are on offer at the moment are terrific. There are also some RTW in WTP deals - but between the US and Australia travel is in Y. Maybe QF can introduce a premium economy to fill the gap.

Would be good.