SQ 777-300 "Refitted"?

[Thudd]

Hello all,

I was booked on economy SQ228 (Mel-Sin) early april on an A380. It turns out that the aircraft has been changed to a "Refitted 777-300". Does anyone know what the refit entails, and would I be better off trying to change to SQ238 for a better economy experience?

Luckily on the return flight I managed to score the magic 48D seat on the 380 so I'm crossing my fingers they don't change that one at the last minute on me!

 

[joeymelb]

Hello all,

I was booked on economy SQ228 (Mel-Sin) early april on an A380. It turns out that the aircraft has been changed to a "Refitted 777-300". Does anyone know what the refit entails, and would I be better off trying to change to SQ238 for a better economy experience?

Luckily on the return flight I managed to score the magic 48D seat on the 380 so I'm crossing my fingers they don't change that one at the last minute on me!

If it is 77A, then it will be the new First Class Seats, new Regional Business Class in 2-2-2 layout. In Y, it will be refitted with the new Y seats.

You can see the seatmap from seatguru HERE.

 

[auriga]

I was under the impression that economy class did not get new seats-- only new seat covers or something.

 

[joeymelb]

I was under the impression that economy class did not get new seats-- only new seat covers or something.

Hmm.... good question, from my previous flight those Y seats look new... I am going on SQ flights this weekend, I will ask around for answer.

 

[wenglock.mok]

In Y, it will be refitted with the new Y seats.

The B777-300A does not have new Y seats, only the older ones with new seat covers (in the colours of the A380/A333/B77W). It also has the older AVOD entertainment system (with the small-ish screen) only with a new UI.

I'd suggest if you want the best possible economy experience, you're better off on SQ238 (the A380) or SQ218 (the B77W).

 

[straitman]

I did not realise that SQ actually kept any aircraft long enough for them to need a refit.

 

[markis10]

Dropping 40 seats in Y would have to have a positive effect on seat pitch, even if the seats have not changed.

 

[wenglock.mok]

Dropping 40 seats in Y would have to have a positive effect on seat pitch, even if the seats have not changed.

There is no increase in pitch - the decrease in the number of Y seats is due to having a section of Y (previously ahead of 3L) being dedicated to the J cabin now. The new regional J seats are bigger and take up more space.

 

[markis10]

Bugger, sounds like the emphasis is on premium when others are going in the other direction.

 

[JohnK]

I'd suggest if you want the best possible economy experience, you're better off on SQ238 (the A380) or SQ218 (the B77W).

I flew SIN-SYD on the 77W earlier this year and it did not feel any different to the SQ A380 SYD-SIN a couple of weeks earlier. I am not a fan of SQ economy as the seats appear to be smaller or more importantly narrower.

Have another flight coming up in June on the SQ A330 and luckily it is a red eye

Luckily on the return flight I managed to score the magic 48D seat on the 380 so I'm crossing my fingers they don't change that one at the last minute on me!

In which way is it magic? Is it an exit row? How is it different to other economy seats on the A380?

 

[wenglock.mok]

I flew SIN-SYD on the 77W earlier this year and it did not feel any different to the SQ A380 SYD-SIN a couple of weeks earlier. I am not a fan of SQ economy as the seats appear to be smaller or more importantly narrower.

Hi John,

I don't believe the SQ economy seats are any narrower than the industry standard. In fact, if anything, the seats seem to be wider on the B77W and A380 (NOT the B773, which has the older Y seats). The B77W seats ARE the same as the A380 seats, which are newer than the ones on the older B777s (B772/B773), which probably explains why you didn't feel any discernible difference between the two.

The A330 presumably has the same seat, but might be slightly narrower than the ones on the B77W and A380 due to its cabin width.

Cheers,
Wenglock.

 

[markis10]

Hi John,

I don't believe the SQ economy seats are any narrower than the industry standard. In fact, if anything, the seats seem to be wider on the B77W and A380 (NOT the B773, which has the older Y seats). The B77W seats ARE the same as the A380 seats, which are newer than the ones on the older B777s (B772/B773), which probably explains why you didn't feel any discernible difference between the two.

The A330 presumably has the same seat, but might be slightly narrower than the ones on the B77W and A380 due to its cabin width.

Cheers,
Wenglock.

There is a bit of a difference


http://www.smarttravelasia.com/economy.htm

 

[wenglock.mok]

There is a bit of a difference
View attachment 700

markis10, you probably misunderstood my statement... I meant to say the A380 and B77W seats are the same, which MAY be the same seat used in the A330s (but evidently not according to your table - the A330 ones are 1" narrower).

Wenglock.

 

[JohnK]

Ok there is something definitely wrong here. That site lists the QF 747 and A330 as having a seat width of 17.5" and the SQ 77W and A380 with a seat width of 19". I have not yet flown the SQ A330 or the QF A-380.

So can anyone explain why I felt more cramped on the 4 SQ flights (I also flew 2 regional 777's SIN-BKK-SIN)? Recline was not an issue (except for half an hour at the most on the A380) on either flight. Is it just my imagination or is there some other measurements we are not taking into consideration? Seat design? All statistics mention pitch and width but hardly any mention depth. In my situation due to shape and size depth would be just as important as width.

Keep in mind I had no problems with seat width exit row (with fixed armrest) on QF A330 and bulkhead on BA 747 when I was on the RTW in August/September 2009 and I was heavier (and obviously wider) then.

 

[penegal]

To answer the OP's question: MEL is not currently on the 773 re-fit list. I would be very surprised if you got a 77A, unless there was some operational reason for it.

However the last few times I have had to fly ex-MEL on 773s they have been the newer 773 birds. A very subtle difference, but the newer couple of SQ 773s have AVOD, instead of channel-based PTVs... However, this isn't a hard and fast rule, as I've heard that some of the older stock are still in the rotation.

 

[dajop]

To answer the OP's question: MEL is not currently on the 773 re-fit list. I would be very surprised if you got a 77A, unless there was some operational reason for it.

Actually, since SQ switched the timetable (which is effective Mar 29) to the A380 to operating the morning departure to SIN (SQ 238) rather than the afternoon departure (SQ228), the 773 has become a 77A. Looking at EF it is certainly a 773 with a 2-2-2 config (77A) rather than 2-3-2 config in C class. It would be suicide for F and C travellers if they didn't do this, SQ228 operated by an aircraft with only regional (old) C class, would not stand up well against QF9 which is increasingly operated by an A380, or for that matter EK flights either.

 

[deluxeflyer]

SQ currently only has one retro-fitted 773 (73A) in operation. The delivery of the remainder of these birds has been held up by the Koito seats fiasco.

The retrofit features the new First Class seat, the new Regional Business Seat, but the same old Y seat with new seat covers. All same old AVOD, but with a different GUI.

Until recently, this one and only 73A has been in a captive rotation SIN-SYD.
This same bird, 9V-SYF IIRC, will be plying the MEL-SIN route as discussed.
Come end June 2010, the 73A will be back on the SIN-SYD route, but whether this will be the same lone bird or the next tranche of held up Koito deliveries remains to be seen.

 

[penegal]

Interesting development.

I am on 237 in J in a few weeks, will be nice to try the new regional product if it's 77A, rather than 773.

 

[deluxeflyer]

In which way is it magic? Is it an exit row? How is it different to other economy seats on the A380?

It's not an exit row.
48D on an SQ A380 is the seat behind the access hatch in the floor.
Therefore there is no corresponding seat in the row in front, resulting in a LOT of legroom.
And the PTV is in the armrest, which some prefer to seatback, being more adjustable.

 

[JohnK]

Thanks. Interesting information. Not worried about the leg toom as much as avoiding chronic recliners.

Must keep that in mind next time I travel on the SQ A380....