Toilets on reconfigured aircraft really aren't a problem!

[QFPlatinumAddict]

Greetings fellow travellers! I have recently had the opportunity to enjoy Business class on the reconfigured 747s on QF21/22 to/from Narita and on the reconfigured A380 on QF128 from Hong Kong. Needless to say the skybed II is fantastic for sleeping on, and the new sleeper service was a delight on QF22 a week ago! Having read posts both here and on ausbt.com.au I approached my flights dreading the long lines waiting for the toilets. Despite all three flights being short (at least compared to LHR/LAX) I never once waited for a bathroom. I used the toilets at least three times each flight (to change in/out of PJs etc.) and only waited for a minute on one occasion. I also went for a few walks down to the back of the plane, and even on the A380 there was only one person waiting for the toilet shared with PE.

I realise this is purely anecdotal evidence, but from what I have seen Qantas may actually have know what they were doing when they adjusted the seat/toilet ratio. Especially on the 747s its my belief that all of the benefits of the reconfiguration far outweigh any minor toilet inconvenience.

I am travelling SYD/LAX on QF11 and QF 108 in a few months (alas in economy!) and I am keen to see how that compares.

In the mean time has anyone truly experienced an actual wait of more than a minute or so in the J cabins of the reconfigured aircraft?

 

[redslert]

I waited 10 minutes sitting at exit row of PE so I have a very good view and wait times at the toilets right in front of me.

Worst is right after PE breakfast, which in turn is the time which business class people are woken up.
I like to take my dump and brush my teeth after breakfast and feels like everyone else is the same... may just the teeth brushing

Problem is made worst by the fact that people sitting in Y at the back only have one toilet and they would just to the PE/J toilets as well.
Never an issue with 2 PE toilets on the old A380.

 

[Robert K]

It all depends if you're on a flight with people full of cough.

 

[RooFlyer]

<snip>

In the mean time has anyone truly experienced an actual wait of more than a minute or so in the J cabins of the reconfigured aircraft?

Certainly! In J, upper deck, always at pre-breakfast. Many pax changing out of PJs and doing their morning stuff prior to breakfast service.

And it needn't be an actual queue. You wait for a loo that is free, but many with the same idea and are closer to it!

 

[asdf]

I disagree with the OP, my experience over the last month has been long waits and frustrated passengers around the breakfast ingest/egress time...

 

[BAM1748]

Hmm, poses the pc incorrect question; do aircraft flying away from India have extra toilets fitted?

 

[tt7]

Hmm, poses the pc incorrect question; do aircraft flying away from India have extra toilets fitted?

Why would they?

I am not Indian and have no particular views about India one way or another .... but even I find your post offensive and totally unnecessary.

As far as the topic at hand is concerned, I haven't had a major issue with the (PE) toilets on the reconfigured 380s but the changes to PE clearly were a retrograde step and did not improve the PE experience.

 

[BAM1748]

Why would they?

I am not Indian and have no particular views about India one way or another .... but even I find your post offensive and totally unnecessary.

.

Deli Belly, even Indian friends I know get sick (the gastro) when there for their yearly family visits back home. They are the biggest jokers about it as well.

PM with your reason for being offended, so I don't tongue in cheek offend in future.

cheers

matt

 

[mannej]

Hmm, poses the pc incorrect question; do aircraft flying away from India have extra toilets fitted?

You could say the same for Bali an Bali Belly couldn't you;-)

 

[Mal Ware]

Why would they?

I am not Indian and have no particular views about India one way or another .... but even I find your post offensive and totally unnecessary.

As far as the topic at hand is concerned, I haven't had a major issue with the (PE) toilets on the reconfigured 380s but the changes to PE clearly were a retrograde step and did not improve the PE experience.

You need to get out more if that harmless comment offends you. LOL

 

[lovestotravel]

What was the load like on QF128 though ?

It's always going to be the morning "rush" that is the worst for the toilet/s, which can be avoiding if you get up while other people are just thinking about waking up.

As a few others have mentioned the morning period is the worst, with people changing, cleaning their teeth, doing makeup/hair and of course actually using the toilet

It's normal for people to spend 10 minutes each doing this......

 

[mannej]

What was the load like on QF128 though ?

It's always going to be the morning "rush" that is the worst for the toilet/s, which can be avoiding if you get up while other people are just thinking about waking up.

As a few others have mentioned the morning period is the worst, with people changing, cleaning their teeth, doing makeup/hair and of course actually using the toilet

It's normal for people to spend 10 minutes each doing this......

Of course it's normal.

The way people are making things out to be is that there are queues for the majority of the flight.

Most definitely wasn't the case having experienced both. Honestly found the waiting times longer on the old config.

 

[lovestotravel]

Most definitely wasn't the case having experienced both. Honestly found the waiting times longer on the old config.

How is that possible ?

WAS 4 toilets for 72 people
NOW 4 toilets for 99 people

 

[mannej]

How is that possible ?

WAS 4 toilets for 72 people
NOW 4 toilets for 99 people

Wasn't flying at the pointy end

Point is it depends on when exactly visit the toilet, as there are times more popular than others...

 

[lovestotravel]

Wasn't flying at the pointy end

Point is it depends on when exactly visit the toilet, as there are times more popular than others...

Explains it...

Exactly, on any airline I have flown in J even with a better toilet/seat ratio than the old A380 config... On a long-haul flight, if you wait til the lights come on for breakfast and wait another 10 minutes for people to actually wake up.. You are going to be waiting for the toilet no matter what

 

[trippin_the_rift]

I've only had 1 experience with the new config on upstairs J and the wait times were definitely longer than I'm used to!

 

[AVC]

Why would they?

I am not Indian and have no particular views about India one way or another .... but even I find your post offensive and totally unnecessary.
.

C'mon, I just put that down to a curry remark

 

[ozmuzz]

Qantas just doesn't get the whole passenger experience thing - which is why they are losing market share. The reconfigured A380 is a disaster and will turn people off selecting QF - BC on Virgin to the USA 1 toilet for 12 pax, Qantas 1 for 25...

 

[Stoopidsteve]

Qantas just doesn't get the whole passenger experience thing - which is why they are losing market share. The reconfigured A380 is a disaster and will turn people off selecting QF - BC on Virgin to the USA 1 toilet for 12 pax, Qantas 1 for 25...

"What factors influence choice of airline?"
I'm not convinced: if you ask a majority of passengers (ie not the highly intelligent and informed readership of AFF) "ratio of toilets to passengers" is probably NOT in the top 10 reasons.

It all depends if you're on a flight with people full of cough.

Ah, that well informed readership of AFF again....

 

[under the radar]

The reconfigured A380 is a disaster and will turn people off selecting QF - BC on Virgin to the USA 1 toilet for 12 pax, Qantas 1 for 25...[/QUOTE]

an aircraft crashing is a 'DISASTER'..a wait for a loo is a minor inconvenience