Ever boycott a plane due to seating configurations in Y when travelling in C or F?

[SighMN]

I'm just wondering if I'm the only person that does this, but I try to refuse to fly on 777's with the high density economy layout of 10 across even if I'm travelling in business or first. I just hate the idea of people being inhumanely squashed in the back part of the plane and it disturbs me. One of my favourite airlines Air New Zealand has done this recently with their new 777 transpacific service to LAX/LHR, and unfortunately I did travel in business on the plane but I actually didn't realise until I was on the plane that it was 10 across seating in economy. I was really shocked Air New Zealand would do this considering it used to have one of the best economy products in terms of personal space in the market. (34 inch seat pitch was standard in economy).

Etihad also has 10 across seating on their 777's and their arrogant CEO basically said the seats were the same width as before it just is the aisles are narrower. Well even if they are the same width passengers still have relatively less personal space as there are 40 more people in the same cabin than if it was 9 across seating. Plus the aisles are so narrow, people sitting in the aisle not only get bumped more, but lines to the toilets are more bothersome.

I know Emirates has been sporting 10 across seating in their 777's since they had them delivered back in late 90's early 2000's, its one of the reasons I never really fly with them. Long haul flights require minimum standards and premium airlines shouldn't be doing charter high density layouts for their passengers!

I just can't wait till airlines start introducing high density seating to 787's or even A350's. One of the huge positives of the 777 was that it offered one of the widest seats in economy on any airplane.

/rant off

 

[Moopere]

Re: Ever boycott a plane due to seating configurations in Y when travelling in C or F

Thanks for bringing it up. I never even realised these 777's were 10 across.

So, nipped off to SeatGuru for a looksee. Goodness me. First thought that popped into my head was 'steerage' passengers in Economy. In stark comparison, the middle of the plane (NZ 777-300) has a PE section that looks a lot like a good J arrangement and a so-called "Business Premier" area at the front that looks exactly like a standard First arrangement.

However, aside from having a **boggle** moment, I don't know how you can boycott the flight? Do you mean just being careful not to book such an aircraft or are you meaning that if you accidently get one then you refuse to fly?

If the former, just being careful, then yes, I agree. I book and use different companies and their products based partly upon price, but mostly upon service and product level. If said 777's start flying about with empty or nearly empty economy sections then this will send a clear mesage upwards ... however, don't hold you breath. My guess is that these seats will be significantly cheaper than those in the much more luxuriously spaced forward seats and will doubtless be popular.

 

[tuppaware]

Re: Ever boycott a plane due to seating configurations in Y when travelling in C or F

Give me 2-3-2 of a 763 or 2-4-2 of a A330/A340 any day!

 

[SighMN]

Re: Ever boycott a plane due to seating configurations in Y when travelling in C or F

Thanks for bringing it up. I never even realised these 777's were 10 across.


However, aside from having a **boggle** moment, I don't know how you can boycott the flight? Do you mean just being careful not to book such an aircraft or are you meaning that if you accidently get one then you refuse to fly?

I just know which segments fly 777's with the 10 across seating and if at all possible I try to fly on a different aircraft with the same carrier. If i can't then I'll switch carriers. For instance I refuse to fly on Etihad's AUH-ORD route because they use 777's with 10 across seating even if I'm flying in business class. I'll usually take the 340-500 to JFK and fly domestically for the rest.

BTW SeatGuru once it was taken over by trip advisor is really obsolete. I emailed seat guru about 3 times about the Etihad change to its 777 but they have never bothered updating it. Its about 3-4 years old now, and there have been very few updates since. Its a real shame as the founder of seat guru would go to any lengths to keep it updated. The only way to really see seat layouts is to use something like Expertflyer or KVS availability tool to look the seat maps.

 

[milehighclub]

Re: Ever boycott a plane due to seating configurations in Y when travelling in C or F

Give me 2-3-2 of a 763 or 2-4-2 of a A330/A340 any day!

I think the A330/A340 is the only aircraft that is safe!

The 767 can be configured in a 2-4-2 layout

 

[clifford]

Re: Ever boycott a plane due to seating configurations in Y when travelling in C or F

Give me 2-3-2 of a 763 or 2-4-2 of a A330/A340 any day!

I'm with you completely. The 3-4-3 on EK 777's is really quite disgusting. Just goes to show what they think of Y class PAX.

I have just booked a Y class FF ticket HNL-LAX-YYZ-LHR and 2 flights are on 763's and one on a 333. Can't beat the 2-x-2 format if you're a single traveller.

Perhaps I should also say that UA and AC are quite decent about their layouts on 767's and 330's (only 2-3-2). Not rapacious money grabbers like some Middle Eastern airlines.

 

[mannej]

I think the A330/A340 is the only aircraft that is safe!

The 767 can be configured in a 2-4-2 layout

D7 has 9 across on the 330

 

[SighMN]

Re: Ever boycott a plane due to seating configurations in Y when travelling in C or F

I think the A330/A340 is the only aircraft that is safe!

The 767 can be configured in a 2-4-2 layout

I've never seen it(edit above poster reports AirAsia X has it on its 330's), but on the Airbus website they say a 3-3-3 high density arrangement is possible for A330/A340. The seat width is a disgusting 16.7 inches.


I've noticed that while premium cabins are getting less dense, the economy cabins tend to be doing the reverse. Not only are the seats more uncomfortable for passengers, but things like toilets/galleys/boarding/disembarking all take a dive in quality when its higher density.

I remember one time when I was little my parents decided to take a charter airline to Norway/Sweden from Australia on a DC-10. The seating was 10 across and the seats didn't recline and there were no movies or overhead projectors. The food was all cold, and we had to stop and refuel in Singapore, and Bahrain and this was in the time of 747-400's in the early 1990's. When I was an adult I asked my mom how much we saved by using the charter airlines and she said "not nearly enough." She never would admit previously what a horrible experience it was for our family!

 

[harvyk]

Re: Ever boycott a plane due to seating configurations in Y when travelling in C or F

To be honest I only really care about 1 seat on a plane, and that's the one that my rear end is parked in (ok 2, the one next to me either needs to be empty or have eye candy sitting in it) beyond that I don't really care how other classes are travelling (I admit I usually try not to think about it as I'm usually in Y).

 

[mannej]

Re: Ever boycott a plane due to seating configurations in Y when travelling in C or F

I have done EK in Y, and TBH with you, its not that much more worse than 3-3-3 or 2-5-2 in Y on a 777.

If it was the most convenient option, would I boycott it due to the seating config, not likely.

It is interesting the point you make about the change in seating configs. The QF handbook that has found its way on here shows how business class 20 years ago is around 38 inches, first about 50 and economy 32-34 inches. Funny how the premium cabins have changed compared to cattle class!

 

[ozmille]

Re: Ever boycott a plane due to seating configurations in Y when travelling in C or F

To be honest no, when at the front I rarely think about the back unless I wander there after too many reds and then just quickly run to my seat for another red.

Saying that I have done a couple of AF 777 flights at the back but I can't remember the config at all.

 

[Mollycram]

Re: Ever boycott a plane due to seating configurations in Y when travelling in C or F

Having sat in an aisle seat in one of the 10 across rows on Emirates I can vouch for the non stop bumping - in particular by the flight attendants! I had wondered whether I just had a especially bad crew but this thread has made me realize it was the 10 across.... Will keep an eye out in future as it was really annoying - particularly when trying to sleep.

 

[serfty]

Never travelled long haul economy on the NZ 773's - I always make sure R class is available when I book my deep discount flights and upgrade directly to Business Premium upon booking (as a Gold Elite). e.g. I just did this with a US$1500 return LAX-MEL fare (LAX/AKL segments).

The PE area is very innovative, but ordinary - NZ stuffed up here and have tried to fix by removing a row from the cabin. See this comparison between old and new from an experienced antipodean flyer:

777-300 ER mini-reviews - Page 17 - FlyerTalk Forums

 

[trippin_the_rift]

Re: Ever boycott a plane due to seating configurations in Y when travelling in C or F

You mean there are other configurations apart from 1-1-1

 

[SighMN]

Re: Ever boycott a plane due to seating configurations in Y when travelling in C or F

Never travelled long haul economy on the NZ 773's - I always make sure R class is available when I book my deep discount flights and upgrade directly to Business Premium upon booking (as a Gold Elite). e.g. I just did this with a US$1500 return LAX-MEL fare (LAX/AKL segments).

The PE area is very innovative, but ordinary - NZ stuffed up here and have tried to fix by removing a row from the cabin. See this comparison between old and new from an experienced antipodean flyer:

777-300 ER mini-reviews - Page 17 - FlyerTalk Forums

I remember reading about this. I love Air New Zealand, but you have to wonder what they are thinking. Even if those PE seats were meant for 787 it doesn't take a genius to realise that even though the seats don't recline back and just slide, the seat pitch was just too small. Its such a pity their flagship product is in some ways a failure, but I kind of think it karma for them putting in the 10 across in economy. I flew on their new business product, and even though I liked the look of the seats and the overall cabin, the seats were quite stiff and uncomfortable to sit on. They made ok beds though.

 

[richie9x]

Re: Ever boycott a plane due to seating configurations in Y when travelling in C or F

When I fly up the front I am not thinking much about the pax behind.

I have flown in Y on an Emirates 777. Personally it didn't seem too bad. I have quite broad shoulders and generally find most Y airline seats a bit narrow. So I always go for a window seat to avoid being bumped by traffic on the aisle. Despite being 10 across, from a purely numbers (pitch and width) perspective seat in Y on an Emirates 777 are the same or slightly better than long haul Y on Qantas. Although there are narrower aisles on the 777, that doesn't really concern me. Emirates have a greater seat pitch which would win over aisle width any day.

I avoid Air NZ because of some bad service I had from one of their gate agents. Coincidentally that flight was on a 777.

I have also flown on D7 HGH-KUL on an A330 with 3-3-3 configuration. Luckily the flight was lightly loaded. And I had three seats to myself. But on a long and full flight it would not be nice. Although having said that a lot of D7's passengers are typically smaller.

 

[moa999]

Re: Ever boycott a plane due to seating configurations in Y when travelling in C or F

According gto Boeing, most popular config on the 787 is 2x5x2 in 31-32" mode...

 

[Moopere]

Re: Ever boycott a plane due to seating configurations in Y when travelling in C or F

According gto Boeing, most popular config on the 787 is 2x5x2 in 31-32" mode...

Popular with whom though? One wonders, their airline customers or the flying public?

 

[drewbles]

Re: Ever boycott a plane due to seating configurations in Y when travelling in C or F

Having flown whY on a QR 777 in a 3-3-3 config, I am actually quite happy in whY for the flight (providing I have an empty seat next to me). The leg room on QR is actually pretty damn good!