Lack of curtains separating Business and Economy on 737

[MEL_Traveller]

Sitting in 4C/D regularly the curtain was annoying on takeoff and when you wanted to use the seatpockets.

I also think the screens look a lot better than a curtain.

But even with this, the greater issue is QF doesn't use a rope or enforce the announced restriction (they didn't when it was the curtain either)

But isn't there often a trade-off when travelling? Row four is a prime seat with extra leg-room, but you get the curtain for 10 minutes hanging towards you during take-off. Perhaps a small inconvenience for being able to sit in row 4 compared to something farther back?

As for the visuals... the people in business class can't see it

 

[PJF]

Sitting in 4C/D regularly the curtain was annoying on takeoff and when you wanted to use the seatpockets.

I also think the screens look a lot better than a curtain.

But even with this, the greater issue is QF doesn't use a rope or enforce the announced restriction (they didn't when it was the curtain either)

IMHO and experience as a J and Y passenger a lot over the past 8 years I have observed a steady increase in incursions/disruptions through the J cabin since the curtain has disappeared. It has gotten out of hand and not policed appropriately on a consistent basis. Yes the screens do look a lot better but there needs to be a barrier of some sort IMO. Just a note I have read that when they build.stadiums in England they factor in about one sit down toilet for every 142 people. Wonder if they do the same in Aus. On those numbers 2 for 150 doesn't sound to bad. 1 for 12 even better.

 

[PJF]

But isn't there often a trade-off when travelling? Row four is a prime seat with extra leg-room, but you get the curtain for 10 minutes hanging towards you during take-off. Perhaps a small inconvenience for being able to sit in row 4 compared to something farther back?

As for the visuals... the people in business class can't see it

I agree that's the trade off with the curtain. I must ask though if you want to have the extra leg room and didn't want to have the curtain flapping on you for 10 mins then on the 738 why not just sit in row 13 or 14 exit rows. Problem solved.

 

[pauly7]

Someone here could start a change.org petition and submit it formally to QF....

 

[PJF]

Maybe something like this designed in a square shaped container with enough length to be attached to the front of the divider but behind the J row 3 seat (out of view of the row 4 patrons who might object) and then extend across the cabin at appropriate height. You could even add after the QF symbol Business Class Passengers Only Beyond This Point.

 

[Punky]

As a regular 4C/D occupant the curtain was never a bother. Now did I see anyone one else appearing frustrated. Cost cutting for the refurb, pure and simple.

It annoyed me, and only my opinion matters.

 

[JohnK]

Agree. Those seats had the curtains flapping around them. But that didn’t seem to happen on the flights this week. Different structure maybe. But in row 3 I had the window side of the curtain somehow hanging around my head on Swiss.

The old QF curtains were a nuisance especially when they flapped all over the place. I lost count of the number of times I had to tuck the curtain into the seat pocket.

 

[Pushka]

So really a few in row 4 were bothered by curtains. Made us go to row 6-8 where shadow usually stuck as opposed to ‘last minutes’ grabbing row 4.

 

[JohnK]

So really a few in row 4 were bothered by curtains. Made us go to row 6-8 where shadow usually stuck as opposed to ‘last minutes’ grabbing row 4.

There must be another reason why curtains were removed.

For me the overhead IFE screens on the 737s were in the wrong spot. They are almost above the window seat. I cannot see the screen screen from row 4 and from rows 5-6 I need to turn sideways which is not comfortable. The logical screen to view were the ones above the business bulkhead which were blocked with curtain.

That aside why was the curtain on the economy side. Why can't the curtain be hanging on the business side? And why a curtain? Why not some glass or perspex as I have seen on some VA aircraft?

 

[PJF]

There must be another reason why curtains were removed.

For me the overhead IFE screens on the 737s were in the wrong spot. They are almost above the window seat. I cannot see the screen screen from row 4 and from rows 5-6 I need to turn sideways which is not comfortable. The logical screen to view were the ones above the business bulkhead which were blocked with curtain.

That aside why was the curtain on the economy side. Why can't the curtain be hanging on the business side? And why a curtain? Why not some glass or perspex as I have seen on some VA aircraft?

Yes It appears not a lot of thought has gone into it when AFF patrons can come up with ideas to solve it.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

That aside why was the curtain on the economy side. Why can't the curtain be hanging on the business side? And why a curtain? Why not some glass or perspex as I have seen on some VA aircraft?

It’s not particularly common to have a fixed bulkhead on a narrow body aircraft when curtains are used between seat rows. The curtain has to go behind business (or first) class, therefore must be between the back of the premium cabin and the front of the economic cabin. When you have a fixed bulkhead the curtain can be in the middle, but the nose up attitude of the aircraft will usually mean the curtain is slightly into the cabin behind.

glass or perspex is also rare, VA and VX use it, but i haven’t seen it on any majors aside from those two?

 

[PJF]

There must be another reason why curtains were removed.

For me the overhead IFE screens on the 737s were in the wrong spot. They are almost above the window seat. I cannot see the screen screen from row 4 and from rows 5-6 I need to turn sideways which is not comfortable. The logical screen to view were the ones above the business bulkhead which were blocked with curtain.

That aside why was the curtain on the economy side. Why can't the curtain be hanging on the business side? And why a curtain? Why not some glass or perspex as I have seen on some VA aircraft?

The overhead screens are on the older 738s. I find an easy fix is just select a seat further back on flights.

 

[dk4]

Single aisle cabin class delineation, with curtain secured away from front row of Y.

image source Italy's ABC International takes cabin branding to the next level - Runway Girl

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Yes, possible with a fixed bulkhead - but outside of the USA they're not all that common. (Perhaps also Asia I guess, particularly domestic, but many popular routes there are wide-bodies.) Many airlines have gone using curtains only as dividers (with the very short curtains over the seat back in the last row of the premium cabin).

 

[PJF]

Single aisle cabin class delineation, with curtain secured away from front row of Y.

image source Italy's ABC International takes cabin branding to the next level - Runway Girl

Looks good then I guess no flapping curtain on row 4

 

[JohnK]

Yes, possible with a fixed bulkhead - but outside of the USA they're not all that common. (Perhaps also Asia I guess, particularly domestic, but many popular routes there are wide-bodies.) Many airlines have gone using curtains only as dividers (with the very short curtains over the seat back in the last row of the premium cabin).

What does MH do on 737's? I'll be flying them again in 3 weeks time.

Looks good then I guess no flapping curtain on the important row 4 but I suppose the divider will be a problem and might be claustrophobic.

I wouldn't think the divider is an issue as it's already there on the 2 aisle aircraft.

Off topic slightly but I hate travelling in SQ economy and I'm seated near the premium cabins. When we're about disembark the FA runs over and closes the curtain so you can't see what is happening in front. Some of the time they don't open the curtain until the last person is well gone. It makes me feel like a lamb waiting at the abbatoirs. SQ will continue to get negative marks as long as this stupid practice continues.

 

[PJF]

What does MH do on 737's? I'll be flying them again in 3 weeks time.


I wouldn't think the divider is an issue as it's already there on the 2 aisle aircraft.

Off topic slightly but I hate travelling in SQ economy and I'm seated near the premium cabins. When we're about disembark the FA runs over and closes the curtain so you can't see what is happening in front. Some of the time they don't open the curtain until the last person is well gone. It makes me feel like a lamb waiting at the abbatoirs. SQ will continue to get negative marks as long as this stupid practice continues.

Look IMHO if you know this is going to be an issue then don’t sit there get a seat further back. “Sorry but curtain doesn’t open till last person has gone” sounds like a class of cabin issue” these patrons have paid more then economy for their seat and should get priority to disembark. If you don’t like it then pay more for a higher level/class cabin experience. Also do you really think that SQ are concerned with any compliants about this. They are providing a service to the level paid for nothing more. IMHO if you want better then pay more really it’s that simple. Pity QF don’t do the same.

 

[Pushka]

Looks good then I guess no flapping curtain on the important row 4 but I suppose the divider will be a problem and might be claustrophobic.

I would hate that permanent divider in Row 4.

 

[PJF]

I would hate that permanent divider in Row 4.

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.

 

[JohnK]

“Sorry but curtain doesn’t open till last person has gone” sounds like a class of cabin issue” these patrons have paid more then economy for their seat and should get priority to disembark

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.