Originally Posted by
intuition
As for the shorthaul fleet it seems clear AY is currently aiming for better yields by high density and thus we will not see any improvements in hard product for a long time if ever. Perhaps they are having a hard time to decide weather or not the shorthaul fleet is indeed a separate operation and thus competing with DY (no J) and SK (ludicrous J) or if it is an integral part of the longhaul business.
I'm guessing they are not selling many EU O/D standalone J tickets. The response should IMHO not be to make EU J crappier but instead focus on the SH as a part of LH operations.
Real J seats to the connecting people! 
Why not lease some of the AB narrow body birds including the crews?
They offer much better seats up front than any current AY short haul alternative and the crew service attitude is also superior to most AY European ones plus they can interact better with Austrian/German/Swiss passengers.
I really miss those old "designated biz seat" AY 319 DUS/FRA/TXL - HEL J runs with the superb pursers and delicious Nordic food and the two mostly excellent red/white wine options.
CX is somewhat impersonal compared to that but it became my airline of choice due to constantly offering a hard product standard for frequent flyers where comfort is assured.