Originally Posted by
Cathay Boy
I would imagine they will toy with the 777-ER Y-seat configuration from 3-3-3 to 2-3-2 and call that "Y+", so seat a little bigger, a little bit better food and drink selection, and that's it. EVA airline did this crap as well and from what I have heard their Y+ demand is decent enough for them to favor it over J.
It benefits the Y buyers and MPC GR and SL people. For MPC DM and GO that gets decent amount of op-ups to J this is not good news.
It is nothing to do with 'feel premium' but rather being feel valued. People buy Y+ general tend to be the group of people like to shopping around for value.
Y+ is a product fill the gap of top Leisure market and lower Business market. It has nothing to do if they are rich or not, but about what is their value about travel. Not every traveller choose Y+ because of the potential upgrade, undoubtly some FTs would choose Y+ for the potential of upgrade, when they are travel for leisure.
Frankly speaking, this product does not benefit anybody rather than make the Long Haul journey a little bit more enjoyable. You will have a serious attitude problem if you are flying for benefits.
For many GR and SL members (not green nor silver people please!), life still go on like usual. If you are upgraded, it is your luck.
The concept of the Y+ is to give more travel options to all members, all travellers and being more competitive in the market. You have to notice in London-Hong Kong route, all CX's competitors BA, QF and VS all have Y+ product. Now KLM, AF, ANA and even EVA as you mentioned have Y+ as well for transit passenger. It is wise for CX to take this step.
By the way, Emirates can put 3-4-3 in B777 economy class.
I am sure CX can find the space to put 4 rows of Y+ in. I guess on B777, the business class seats will be reduced to put the Y+. On A330 and A340, some Y seats will be removed with the option of remove one Business class row. And on B747, the first 5 rows of Y seats might be changed to Y+.