World's longest flight in a narrow-body aircraft?

[Mattg]

I know the new A321neo LR aircraft has a rather good range and is capable of flying trans-Atlantic. But surely a non-stop flight of 12 hours and 20 minutes in a single-aisle A321 is just too long?

Air Transit has scheduled a non-stop YUL-ATH flight later this month on a A321neo LR. The outbound flight time is 9 hours, 5 minutes and the return leg is 12 hours, 20 minutes. The flight is scheduled as non-stop.

Air Transat schedules nonstop A321neo LR Montreal – Athens service in Oct 2020

Air Transat in late-October 2020 schedules one-time service to Greece, based on GDS schedules and the airline’s website. On 25/26OCT20, the airline’s Airbus A321neo LR aircraft will operate Toronto...

www.routesonline.com

 

[jb747]

Is that really any different to a 12 hour flight in a 777 or 787? I suspect that a 6 abreast configuration would give you more room than either of the larger aircraft.

 

[dajop]

Is that really any different to a 12 hour flight in a 777 or 787? I suspect that a 6 abreast configuration would give you more room than either of the larger aircraft.

Surely it all depends on the seat pitch and seat configuration. And there's narrow bodies, and then there are narrow bodies, isn't the A32x cabin slightly wider than the 737 cabin - not huge difference, but it is discernible as a passenger.

Generally, seat pitch being equal I don't think it would feel that much different on a 10 across 777, 9 across 787 or 6 across A321neo, at least for most passengers. But I think the 9 across 777 is better than any of these.

I guess the main advantage for me personally for the wide bodies is that as I always try to allocate an aisle seat in the centre bank, there's a good chance (on the 9 across configurations) that you won't have anyone wanting to get out over you (particularly if seated next to a couple).

 

[MEL_Traveller]

But surely a non-stop flight of 12 hours and 20 minutes in a single-aisle A321 is just too long?

Folk seem to have no problem doing 14+ hours on the upper deck of a 747

 

[RooFlyer]

I guess the main advantage for me personally for the wide bodies is that as I always try to allocate an aisle seat in the centre bank, there's a good chance (on the 9 across configurations) that you won't have anyone wanting to get out over you (particularly if seated next to a couple).

I'm the same. Plus with a twin aisle there is usually some room to get up and wander, or stand for a chat somewhere (particularly in J ) I'd say with a single aisle, with other pax and crew/carts, I'd say you'd be stuck in your seat almost the whole time.

 

[Mattg]

Is that really any different to a 12 hour flight in a 777 or 787? I suspect that a 6 abreast configuration would give you more room than either of the larger aircraft.

For me, having only one aisle makes a difference. Once the meal service starts, etc., there's no way to really move around the cabin/get to the bathroom. It's also just more cramped in general. On a wide body, there are areas where you can stand up and stretch for a little bit, e.g. by the exit rows/toilets.

FWIW, I have flown ~11 hours in a 737 (BNE-DPS-KUL on Malindo Air - wasn't allowed to leave the plane in DPS) and it was too long. I was even in an exit row, so seat pitch wasn't the problem.

Folk seem to have no problem doing 14+ hours on the upper deck of a 747

True, but there's only ~18 seats. Much more comfortable

 

[MEL_Traveller]

For me, having only one aisle makes a difference. Once the meal service starts, etc., there's no way to really move around the cabin/get to the bathroom. It's also just more cramped in general. On a wide body, there are areas where you can stand up and stretch for a little bit, e.g. by the exit rows/toilets.

Once the meal service starts in a wide body people are locked in their seats anyway! Not like you can get up from a window seat while everyone else has their trays down eating.

The A321 has wider seats than most 777s, and may also have door exits, which will provide a bit more of the space people are used to in the wider aircraft?

True, but there's only ~18 seats. Much more comfortable

There were some carries with economy class on the upper deck too! If we’re talking business class, then it’s the same on the a321... there are options for full flat seats, what’s the difference between the upper deck? (ok ok, apart from the snob value )

All of that said, i prolly wouldn’t be signing up for 12 hours in economy on a narrow body!

 

[Hvr]

All of that said, i prolly wouldn’t be signing up for 12 hours in economy on a narrow body!

I agree, especially since I no longer have a narrow body.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

First look: Business class in Air Astana’s Airbus A321LR – Business Traveller

Business Traveller Asia-Pacific was invited to explore the Almaty-based airline’s latest Airbus plane in Kazakhstan’s capital…

www.businesstraveller.com

Business class looks ‘ok’ in the photos, but there’s a youtube video where it looks pretty cramped Even worse in economy as they haven’t provided any break-out areas for pax to congregate...

 

[Mattg]

First look: Business class in Air Astana’s Airbus A321LR – Business Traveller

Business Traveller Asia-Pacific was invited to explore the Almaty-based airline’s latest Airbus plane in Kazakhstan’s capital…

www.businesstraveller.com

Business class looks ‘ok’ in the photos, but there’s a youtube video where it looks pretty cramped Even worse in economy as they haven’t provided any break-out areas for pax to congregate...

I agree that Air Astana's A321 J cabin looks pretty good, and the product looks suitable for the length of flight that these aircraft will operate (~6 hours maximum, travelling from Kazakhstan to Europe and east Asia). You could say the same about airlines such as Aer Lingus or TAP Portugal who've installed lie-flat J seats on their A321LRs to be used on shorter trans-Atlantic flights. I'd be happy enough with that.

That's not the product Air Transat uses on their A321s. They just have recliner seats:

Airbus A321LR | Air Transat

The Air Transat fleet includes the Airbus A321LR. Learn about it today.

www.airtransat.com

 

[jakeseven7]

I can't even handle a PER - Eastern seaboard 737 flight so this makes me shudder with horror

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Oh... that’s embarrassing... wrong airline!! (although to be fair... Air Transat and Air Astana are almost the same right?!)

 

[jb747]

I agree, especially since I no longer have a narrow body.

What a great business opporunity.

Rent a narrow body for the weekend.

 

[NM]

True, but there's only ~18 seats. Much more comfortable

Once upon a time, the upper deck of 747s was filled with several rows of 3+3 economy seating, and that was with the non-extended upper deck that came with the -300 and -400. The spiral staircase made for an interesting climb with anything more than a small carry-on bag; not that there was much overhead locker space up there either.

https://flic.kr/p/fiAo7C

They went from upper deck luxury lounge to upper deck economy cabin when the economists took control of the seating plans. I expect it is more comfortable in a modern A321neoLR cabin than times long ago.

 

[dajop]

Once upon a time, the upper deck of 747s was filled with several rows of 3+3 economy seating, and that was with the non-extended upper deck that came with the -300 and -400. The spiral staircase made for an interesting climb with anything more than a small carry-on bag; not that there was much overhead locker space up there either.

My first flight overseas was on BA in 1992, MEL-PER-SIN-LHR, all upstairs on a 747 in economy. It was much more comfortable than the return trip on the same aircraft type, downstairs. Also nice having the window storage bins.

 

[BNEFlyer]

I know the new A321neo LR aircraft has a rather good range and is capable of flying trans-Atlantic. But surely a non-stop flight of 12 hours and 20 minutes in a single-aisle A321 is just too long?

Air Transit has scheduled a non-stop YUL-ATH flight later this month on a A321neo LR. The outbound flight time is 9 hours, 5 minutes and the return leg is 12 hours, 20 minutes. The flight is scheduled as non-stop.

Air Transat schedules nonstop A321neo LR Montreal – Athens service in Oct 2020

Air Transat in late-October 2020 schedules one-time service to Greece, based on GDS schedules and the airline’s website. On 25/26OCT20, the airline’s Airbus A321neo LR aircraft will operate Toronto...

www.routesonline.com

Given the 3 hour difference in time going westbound, even accounting for winds, there will have to be a stop en-route.

And for me, 9 hours is far too long in a narrowbody.

 

[Mattg]

Given the 3 hour difference in time going westbound, even accounting for winds, there will have to be a stop en-route.

And for me, 9 hours is far too long in a narrowbody.

Even if there is an en-route stop, I doubt passengers will be allowed to leave the plane.

 

[BNEFlyer]

Even if there is an en-route stop, I doubt passengers will be allowed to leave the plane.

Depends where it is, some countries require passengers to disembark and clear security again. The obvious options would be SNN, YYT or YQX.

 

[HS-TQE]

Prior to COVId, PR was operating MNL-BNE in a standard A321neo with over 7 hours travel time (with extra fuel tanks fitted).

 

[Scarlett]

No one specified RPT...

RAAF E7-A Wedgetail sets record in the Middle East | Defence News

news.defence.gov.au

Try 17.1 hours in a 737 (variant) .