Qantas Reveals new A321XLR and 787 Business Class Seats (new 787 frames only)

[tassie6]

Media release this morning:

https://www.qantasnewsroom.com.au/media-releases/qantas-reveals-next-evolution-of-business-seats-for-its-future-fleet

Reveals the lie flat seats for the A321XLR and new seats for new 787 frames

787:


A321XLR:


Edit: image titles

 

[Melburnian1]

The A321XLR is a narrowbody so some design compromises may be required for a 1-1 layout, but I really dislike business class seats (and beds) that angle away from the window.

Didn't NZ abandon unpopular angled herringbone seats?

It's unclear from the representation whether every B789 'window seat' is next to the aisle, but again, the best seats are flush (or almost flush) with the window, with some sort of a barrier between the passenger and the possibility of being bumped by passing attendants or other passengers.

While QFi will argue a privacy door obviates this, I don't overly want to travel in a super enclosed small space that offers less room than a sleeping berth compartment on a train.

Small half-height airline doors won't block the noise of a crying baby or clanking of cutlery.

 

[mbe1510]

Like the look of the new 787 business class seats and couples flying in the middle seats will be able to talk to one another again.

Shame they won't upgrade the entire fleet given the seat is essentially the A330 seat that debuted almost 15 years ago. Not a fan of the A321 being herringbone, but I suppose there is no other way when you're trying to put a widebody product on a narrow body.

 

[leesionn]

Makes sense, sticking to what they know with the 787s but adding a door gives some semblance of consistency.

With the XLRs probably the best choice to avoid certification issues, reverse herringbones really seem to cause problems on the narrow bodies

 

[levelnine]

Aren't these the same A321 seats that AA uses and that have been almost universally panned?

 

[tassie6]

The A321XLR is a narrowbody so some design compromises may be required for a 1-1 layout, but I really dislike business class seats (and beds) that angle away from the window.

It's unclear from the representation whether every B789 'window seat' is next to the aisle, but again, the best seats are flush (or almost flush) with the window, with some sort of a barrier between the passenger and the possibility of being bumped by passing attendants or other passengers. Do these B789 seats have a door?

They do have a door, more images here:

Dropbox

www.dropbox.com

Standard staggered layout:

 

[RooFlyer]

Aren't these the same A321 seats that AA uses and that have been almost universally panned?

American A321XLR Business Class: I've Never Seen Passengers So Unhappy

I flew American's brand new A321XLR Flagship Suite business class, and unfortunately most passengers probably won't like this experience.

onemileatatime.com

 

[elanshin]

The 787s seem to be just the newer Thomson Vantage XL+ seat. Basically an evolution of the existing J seat.

Which I think is a shame, they could've taken on the safron unity from the 350-1000ULR and did a better adaptation for the 787s than Riyadh air did and it would be one a slight improvement.

 

[moa999]

Interestingly this is stated as just for the 4 787-9s.
So we might try have another different product for the 8 787-10s.

 

[tassie6]

Interestingly this is stated as just for the 4 787-9s.
So we might try have another different product for the 8 787-10s.

Good catch, also they stated '42 suites on each aircraft' which matches the current 787-9s, so I would expect the exact same config on these 4 new frames, which arrive in FY28 according to announcements today.

787-10s not until FY31, so I guess no need to lock themselves into anything yet on that front

 

[jrfsp]

Like the look of the new 787 business class seats and couples flying in the middle seats will be able to talk to one another again.

Shame they won't upgrade the entire fleet given the seat is essentially the A330 seat that debuted almost 15 years ago. Not a fan of the A321 being herringbone, but I suppose there is no other way when you're trying to put a widebody product on a narrow body.

Etihad and ITA have the best reviewed 321 reverse herringbone product

Good catch, also they stated '42 suites on each aircraft' which matches the current 787-9s, so I would expect the exact same config on these 4 new frames, which arrive in FY28 according to announcements today.

787-10s not until FY31, so I guess no need to lock themselves into anything yet on that front

Which keeps fleet planning easy especially if the existing ones won’t be refurbished

 

[MelbFlyer]

Why are the seats on the A321 facing the aisle though? 100% a fail.

 

[elanshin]

Why are the seats on the A321 facing the aisle though? 100% a fail.

Because thats what the majority of the market has gone for. Honestly wouldn't sell it short. JetBlue's has been seen very positively by people.

 

[SeatBackForward]

A curtain, YES!