serfty

I'm 6' and need to move the headrest up some inches for best comfort (otherwise my shoulders keep hitting it).

In the home page 'photo she must be really down in the seat.

(Note the difference betwixt head position relative to the headrest in the two images.)

HW

and

Is that you with the bowl of fruit?

LTN Phobia

I agree, she looks like she's slid down the seat quite a bit. But then, she must have fairly short legs to have space for her legs.

JohnK

Not all overweight people take up all the armrest! Some of us are very considerate.

piperlance

Just off QF128 overnight, in Y, and I was amazed at how uncomfortable the experience was. I am no stranger to Y, having just made a trip to north Asia on three separate airlines, then finishing with the QF flight last night.

My question is, has standard Y declined with the introduction of PY? I am sure the Fter's will have discussed this, but as I sat in my seat last night awaiting departure I had a few moments of sickening panic as the sense of claustrophobia ebbed and flowed. The pitch seemed very tight in row 47, and a recliner in front of me decreased my space even more. No way could I even open a laptop - yet on the Asian carrier I used for the northbound trip I was able to use a laptop OK. Similarly my seat mate and I were in contact all night, and neither of us were big - just average. I am 6ft, 77kg, very average (in so many ways).

I understand that perceptions are not always reality - I wished I had a tape measure last night to gather some hard data.

Interestingly, as WP, my advance upgrade request to PY was declined, no acknowledgement on board (yet there was on previous CX flight), and pax next to me was handed an express card on arrival in Sydney, and he said it must have been because he was a gold FF (can't remember the right acronym).

All in all, one of the most uncomfortable flights I have had, and I reckon that an inch in seat pitch can have a huge effect. It's not the only thing of course, but significant for us who fly Y. I am wondering about taking my business elsewhere.

If only I could be as comfortable as the lady in the picture appears...

justin_krusty

Any idea what the loads were like?

Perhaps the card was meant for you and they gave it to the wrong person?

Night flights in Y are never much fun.

piperlance

For what it's worth, my perceptions were accurate. Just checked seat pitches on Skytrax, and they matched exactly with what I experienced. I presume they're up to date.

Asiana at 34" was excellent, China Southern at 33" was good, Cathay at 32" was getting tight, but the flight was only 3 hours, but then to have QF at a measly 31" for 9 hours was painful, and claustrophobic.

An inch or two (in seat pitch) makes a huge difference to us Y flyers.

So my question is: has QF standard economy changed with the introduction of premium economy? and a follow up - what's the best Y seat for flights from Oz to the US?

harryhv

UA has "economy-plus" where you get a 34" seat instead of 31".

However, NZ economy seats are mostly 34" pitch, and cleaner, with better service.

Despite the stop in AKL the schedule is friendlier in both directions, allowing you to sleep in your perceived night-time.

serfty

I believe NZ now tends to vary between 35" in Space+ to 31" 'down the back'.

Certainly, Space+ is cool.

On Qantas TT 737's I bust a gut to get the first row of Economy for the nominal 38" of space. On NZ - meh! Just get any of the first few rows - preferably not a bulkhead so I can utilize the "Gate to Gate" personal IFE.

astonmartinv8

Follow the yellow brick road.

DownUnderFlyer

Very foolish of you.

After an OZ flight most other airlines look unpleasant not so much in terms of seat usually but in terms of service.

Kiwi Flyer

harryhv is referring to NZ's longhaul flights to USA. NZ 747 has 34" pitch, and 777 32". There is no space+ on these a/c.

piperlance

Sheepish grin... Yes, on reflection I should have stuck with OZ for the trip home. Oh well, you live and learn. It's been a vivid reminder that there are big differences between airlines in cattle class, and I cannot see myself in J or F in the foreseeable future.

Thanks to everyone for their thoughts - I will need to think carefully when selecting a carrier for future US trips - loyalty to QF notwithstanding!