Qatar announces Economy enhancements

[Antoallison]

I have just watched the press conference in Berlin where Qatar have announced their enhancements to economy travel. the retro fitting and roll out starts next month

Given that the majority of passengers travel in economy, I think it is a sensible move - although that new seat design still looks a bit uncomfortable. The publicity blurb says the seat is already semi-reclined, but I am confused as to how that could be manageable long haul ?

One of the features is that it will protect your space, by preventing the passenger in front from reclining into it. Now that does appeal !

Better and larger portions of food with more choices and faster wifi were also mentioned, but for me any airline that makes my economy travel more comfortable gets my vote.

 

[docjames]

Two concerns for me.

“Enhanced leg room” - if they’ve used the Qantas definition of enhanced that’s a problem.

The fixed shell-type Y recliner (protecting leg room) went so badly on CX they removed them - horribly uncomfortable. Let’s hope the type has improved since then (mid 00’s).

 

[Must...Fly!]

13.3 inch seems almost too big...I struggle at the moment when someone reclines as it feels like the screen is in my face...

 

[Spongbob]

The fixed shell-type Y recliner (protecting leg room) went so badly on CX they removed them - horribly uncomfortable. Let’s hope the type has improved since then (mid 00’s).

I liked the CX shell seat.

 

[Daver6]

19" recline system? This can only mean the bottom slides forward like the old CX shells which were horribly uncomfortable. Hopefully improved. Otherwise 19" is significantly more than the recline in most Y+ if I'm not mistaken.

 

[dajop]

“Enhanced leg room” - if they’ve used the Qantas definition of enhanced that’s a problem.

In 2019, this usually means we are moving to a 1" thinner seat, so we're actually going to fit another row in, but we're only going to move the seats 0.5" closer together, so you'll still get an extra 0.5" from the back of your waist to the back of the seat in front of you.

 

[tdimdad]

The fixed shell-type Y recliner (protecting leg room) went so badly on CX they removed them - horribly uncomfortable. Let’s hope the type has improved since then (mid 00’s).

I really liked them, and had the best sleep on them. But seat ergonomics seem to be really tricky so no wonder if there were an equal number of non-likers. And those usually make more noise than the ones liking something.

 

[trippin_the_rift]

Qatar economy class is already the best in the world. I'd rate it higher than premium economy on some airlines.

Given the high-quality profile of the rest of the airline - let's be frank - it's more likely the new seat is a positive step.

 

[Antoallison]

Well the time frame for the retro fitting of the ‘enhanced’ seating is over the next 5 to 8 years, so unless I travel on a newly ordered A321Neo - I won’t get to experience it anytime soon.

The phrase that piqued my interest was when Mr Al-Baker said “ passengers feel pissed off when the person in front reclines” ... This CEO has a way with words !

 

[MEL_Traveller]

19" recline system? This can only mean the bottom slides forward like the old CX shells which were horribly uncomfortable. Hopefully improved. Otherwise 19" is significantly more than the recline in most Y+ if I'm not mistaken.

I think it is 19 degrees, not 19 inches!

 

[fifo]

Qatar economy class is already the best in the world. I'd rate it higher than premium economy on some airlines.

Given the high-quality profile of the rest of the airline - let's be frank - it's more likely the new seat is a positive step.

Having lived in Doha and flown QR in almost every class and every plane type they own, I disagree completely. I'd far prefer to fly UL or RJ in Y than QR! And do when I can/destinations permits.

They sport some of the worst legroom on many planes, the new 3-4-3 across econ on the 777s has reduced seat width, about the only plane that is decent of theirs to fly is the a380 and they have signaled removal of those in the coming years. Once I leave Doha this year, I will actively be avoiding QR flights.

This move by QR is denseifcation dressed up as a win.

As a side note, QR since the blockade started, have been terrible to the residents of Doha, far increasing prices ex DOH and focusing on the through market only. Constant 'sales' that produce no actual savings and the cherry on the top, a terrible lounge experience if you are a oneworld partner flyer (sure its in the rules of OW, but it's still a screw).

 

[Daver6]

I think it is 19 degrees, not 19 inches!

Ooops. My bad

 

[Antoallison]

Having lived in Doha and flown QR in almost every class and every plane type they own, I disagree completely. I'd far prefer to fly UL or RJ in Y than QR! And do when I can/destinations permits.

They sport some of the worst legroom on many planes, the new 3-4-3 across econ on the 777s has reduced seat width, about the only plane that is decent of theirs to fly is the a380 and they have signaled removal of those in the coming years. Once I leave Doha this year, I will actively be avoiding QR flights.

This move by QR is denseifcation dressed up as a win.

As a side note, QR since the blockade started, have been terrible to the residents of Doha, far increasing prices ex DOH and focusing on the through market only. Constant 'sales' that produce no actual savings and the cherry on the top, a terrible lounge experience if you are a oneworld partner flyer (sure its in the rules of OW, but it's still a screw).

That’s interesting to hear the viewpoint of someone on the ground in Doha, as Mr Al Baker was certainly talking up the airline, as one would expect at a launch. He was also making comments about withdrawing from One World sooner rather than later.

I am afraid he lost me when after mentioning their efforts to overcome the problems caused by the illegal blockade, he mentioned the other side ‘cutting people in pieces” and the fact that “God is on the Qatari side”.

I guess politics and airlines are a potent mix.

 

[fifo]

Unless you are on friends and family discount, or rely on QR for your livelihood, most expats here have a very very dim view of QR.

Also, how could anyone except for someone under 4.5 foot, see this seat as a good thing. If the bottom pad moves forward your choice is now no recline plus mediocre leg room (I heard pitches of 30" and below in an article on the new seats). Or recline and terrible legroom.

 

[Antoallison]

Unless you are on friends and family discount, or rely on QR for your livelihood, most expats here have a very very dim view of QR.

Also, how could anyone except for someone under 4.5 foot, see this seat as a good thing. If the bottom pad moves forward your choice is now no recline plus mediocre leg room (I heard pitches of 30" and below in an article on the new seats). Or recline and terrible legroom.

Maybe the CEO was the model for the new seats ?

 

[trippin_the_rift]

Having lived in Doha and flown QR in almost every class and every plane type they own, I disagree completely. I'd far prefer to fly UL or RJ in Y than QR! And do when I can/destinations permits.

They sport some of the worst legroom on many planes, the new 3-4-3 across econ on the 777s has reduced seat width, about the only plane that is decent of theirs to fly is the a380 and they have signaled removal of those in the coming years. Once I leave Doha this year, I will actively be avoiding QR flights.

Valid points around the pitch, but that number doesn't take into account seat design, where supports under the seat are located, IFE to eye level angles, catering and how much crew adhere to SOP for onboard service in economy. QR is light years ahead of the airlines most Australians fly with.

As a side note, QR since the blockade started, have been terrible to the residents of Doha, far increasing prices ex DOH and focusing on the through market only. Constant 'sales' that produce no actual savings and the cherry on the top, a terrible lounge experience if you are a oneworld partner flyer (sure its in the rules of OW, but it's still a screw).

i) Every airline charges a premium to their home market customers.
ii) QR *IS* a connector airline, so it makes business sense to focus on network pairing and connectivity.
iii) Every airline has sales every other day of the week. Sadly, it's discounts that drive business in the airline game.
iv) From my perspective, QR doesn't need OW. OW needs QR. Yeah the OW lounges aren't amazing in DOH, but they are a connector airline and the airport is reasonable for a 2-3 hour layover without lounge access.
v) It could be argued the OW billable rates (which are standardized throughout OW carriers) are too low for QR to justify a negative recovery, and hence the commercial decision to split into cabin + OW lounges.

 

[fifo]

Valid points around the pitch, but that number doesn't take into account seat design, where supports under the seat are located, IFE to eye level angles, catering and how much crew adhere to SOP for onboard service in economy. QR is light years ahead of the airlines most Australians fly with.

No, they really arent. How many flights in Y on QR have you done?
You can throw as much coughpy food at people, and have a redesigned seat, if you reduce their pitch and leg room NOTHING ever makes up for it. At least 5 versions of QR planes feature std pitch of 31" in Y. If you translate this into the new seat, with a slide forward of 2", we are now at 29". Great, sounds super comfy!!!

i) Every airline charges a premium to their home market customers.
ii) QR *IS* a connector airline, so it makes business sense to focus on network pairing and connectivity.
iii) Every airline has sales every other day of the week. Sadly, it's discounts that drive business in the airline game.
iv) From my perspective, QR doesn't need OW. OW needs QR. Yeah the OW lounges aren't amazing in DOH, but they are a connector airline and the airport is reasonable for a 2-3 hour layover without lounge access.
v) It could be argued the OW billable rates (which are standardized throughout OW carriers) are too low for QR to justify a negative recovery, and hence the commercial decision to split into cabin + OW lounges.

They charged a premium before they blockade, now its just ridiculous.
Sales I mentioned are not real, they just say there are 'sales' and discount only a couple of fares ex DOH.

 

[Dalescott]

Didn't Al-Baker say that QR doesn't need to introduce PE, because it's Economy is just as good. Tell hime his dreaming, and I wait and see with the new seats.