Possibility of Qantas changing B787-9 seating layout in the future?

[travellerqff]

I’m starting this thread because I flew on the inaugural QF9 PER LHR and heard comments exchanged between Qantas executives and some journalists on the possibility of seating layouts changing on new delivery’s. But since the new Dreamliner orders have been announced, no update on a new seating layout seems to have been announced.

I’ve done some calculations on the seat count / layout of Qantas’ Boeing 787’s.

Currently 42 J, 28 W, 166 Y (236). Qantas could easily increase the premium cabins with adding 8 F suites OR 12 J suites and 24 W seats, and remove the forward economy section of 42 seats. This would only decrease the current seat count for 6 seats if:

54 J, 52 W, 124 Y (Total 230 seats).

So, let me hear your thoughts and opinions.

 

[oz_mark]

I’m starting this thread because I flew on the inaugural QF9 PER LHR and heard comments exchanged between Qantas executives and some journalists on the possibility of seating layouts changing on new delivery’s. But since the new Dreamliner orders have been announced, no update on a new seating layout seems to have been announced.

They did say they were sticking with the same configuration - so that was the update on the layout!

 

[juddles]

Qantas is, IMHO, heading towards a model of point to point, ultra long haul. international travel. And specifically targeting premium pax. I agree with their model.

 

[Pleb Status]

The only change you could expect in the future is the reduction of the Y seat pitch from the 'generous' 32in to the 'standard' 30/31in if they could get another row of Y in...

 

[Quickstatus]

Qantas is always giving journalists “off the record” information

They know that journalists - at least a few that are travel writers exhibit the same behaviour as Pavlov’s dogs.

Give an J seat flight along with some news - journalist salivate. Then later only give some news and the journalist salivate.

 

[moa999]

Apart from the very few all-J aircraft, it's one of the most premium config aircraft anywhere.

I don't see it going more premium, and I certainly don't see F.

It's also economic conditions. Remember that QF A380 started more premium with only J/PE upstairs, then added Y over GFC, and now seems likely to revert with the 2019/20 refurbs.

 

[Boca68]

I’m starting this thread because I flew on the inaugural QF9 PER LHR and heard comments exchanged between Qantas executives and some journalists on the possibility of seating layouts changing on new delivery’s. But since the new Dreamliner orders have been announced, no update on a new seating layout seems to have been announced.

I’ve done some calculations on the seat count / layout of Qantas’ Boeing 787’s.

Currently 42 J, 28 W, 166 Y (236). Qantas could easily increase the premium cabins with adding 8 F suites OR 12 J suites and 24 W seats, and remove the forward economy section of 42 seats. This would only decrease the current seat count for 6 seats if:

54 J, 52 W, 124 Y (Total 230 seats).

So, let me hear your thoughts and opinions.

54 J is certainly not ever going to happen. I could see the possibility of tweaking the J/W config slightly. And 124 Y, again not going to happen. If anything, the tweaking of the J/W config would be only to increase the Y capacity. More likely to end up with something like 24J. 14W and however many Y you can fit in? 220?

 

[Quickstatus]

I am impressed by the insight into the future

I know what’s going to happen!!
ZND is going to be 42/28/166

Btw can someone tell me the coming week’s powerball numbers?

 

[Boca68]

I am impressed by the insight into the future

I know what’s going to happen!!
ZND is going to be 42/28/166

Btw can someone tell me the coming week’s powerball numbers?

I can seeeeee.... wait for it!
6 numbers. I see a 1 and 2. oh! and a 3 Uffff! my crystal ball just crashed. Darn!

 

[Himeno]

I am impressed by the insight into the future

I know what’s going to happen!!
ZND is going to be 42/28/166

Btw can someone tell me the coming week’s powerball numbers?

Good future insight there considering that ZND was delivered on Feb 28 ;P

ZNE current has parts arriving at Paine Field. It is due for delivery 12 July.
ZNF is due to be delivered on 24 August.
ZNG and ZNH are due in November (13th and 26th).

 

[bsb]

The only change you could expect in the future is the reduction of the Y seat pitch from the 'generous' 32in to the 'standard' 30/31in if they could get another row of Y in...

Why would you say this? What is your evidence?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I’m starting this thread because I flew on the inaugural QF9 PER LHR and heard comments exchanged between Qantas executives and some journalists on the possibility of seating layouts changing on new delivery’s. But since the new Dreamliner orders have been announced, no update on a new seating layout seems to have been announced.

I’ve done some calculations on the seat count / layout of Qantas’ Boeing 787’s.

Currently 42 J, 28 W, 166 Y (236). Qantas could easily increase the premium cabins with adding 8 F suites OR 12 J suites and 24 W seats, and remove the forward economy section of 42 seats. This would only decrease the current seat count for 6 seats if:

54 J, 52 W, 124 Y (Total 230 seats).

So, let me hear your thoughts and opinions.

I'm not sure the math work on those calculations? The forward cabin of 42 seats would be 5 rows @ 32 inches = 160 inches. An extra 12 business class seats (3 rows @ 46 inch pitch) and 24 W (3 rows @ 38 inches) takes up a lot more space than that?

JAL has a version with 52J, 35W and 116Y: SeatGuru Seat Map Japan Airlines Boeing 787-9 (789) V2 - still short of 52W

They also have a 788 with just 88 Y seats (would be 99 on a QF version with 3-3-3). So tiny economy cabins can work. SeatGuru Seat Map Japan Airlines Boeing 787-8 (788) V2

 

[Quickstatus]

Good future insight there considering that ZND was delivered on Feb 28 ;P

Haha you noticed!!

 

[pauly7]

Why would you say this? What is your evidence?

There is none, like most of what has been posted in this thread it’s a work of fiction

 

[JohnK]

Would be nice if Qantas saw the error of their ways and configured economy as it should be at 2-4-2.

Oh that would be nice and would make losing the 747s a little more bearable.

 

[TheInsider]

Would be nice if Qantas saw the error of their ways and configured economy as it should be at 2-4-2..

Only carrier with that config is JAL.

 

[Mattg]

Only carrier with that config is JAL.

And it's so much more comfortable!!

 

[JohnK]

Only carrier with that config is JAL.

So Qantas can be the second carrier.

Don't forget that Qantas has the A330's configured 2-4-2 while others have 3-3-3.

 

[Mattg]

So Qantas can be the second carrier.

Don't forget that Qantas has the A330's configured 2-4-2 while others have 3-3-3.

Well, "others" being a small number of ultra-low-cost carriers. 3-3-3 is certainly not the norm for A330s. But I take your point.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Well, "others" being a small number of ultra-low-cost carriers. 3-3-3 is certainly not the norm for A330s. But I take your point.

Air Asia, Cebu Pacific. Can't think of any others off the top of my head, but maybe one of the new European ULCCs.