Originally Posted by
Symmetre
Last year I wrote that I dislike the Max so much I couldn't even imagine flying a TATL in it. Having now completed my first YHZ-LHR trip on this airplane, I totally stand by that comment.
Pros: A 7-hour direct hop does beat flying west to YYZ or YUL to make a connection, which with reasonable layover effectively doubles the total trip time. Hearing the "cabin fully boarded" announcement on a TATL flight only 20 minutes after they started is also pretty nice.
Cons: The longer you're onboard the narrower and more cramped it feels. And with a 7 hour flight, the washroom trip can no longer be avoided. Next time I'll remember to pack a shower cap.
Take-away: PY definitely not worth the extra money. I flew eastbound in PY as it was the same price as Flex, but refused to pay double for the return leg and sat in an exit row instead. In all honesty, there wasn't much difference between them. Neither were especially comfortable after the fourth hour or so. In every respect, the Max is just a smaller version of the utterly horrid 777HD, and that becomes more apparent with every passing hour onboard.
I do like the shorter travel time though, and will just have to hope YHZ-LHR becomes one of the first routes for the 321XL. With lie flats and even a minimally wider hull, it will represent a night-to-day improvement over this flying sardine can.
I did LHR-YHZ in July and 100pc concur with your sentiments.
Would have made a significant difference to the service and ambience if they treated PY and Dom J on the 738 for TATL. Close the darn curtain and Dom J F&B service.
I was on the 738 the following day for YHZ-YVR. Same aircraft type, same seat, but branded as Dom J as opposed to PY, what a difference.
And yes, it is TFBP (The Flying Park Bench)
The Zoned Boarding discussion covers why we like to pre-board and specifically bin space.
These days sees me on on the 738 far more often than I would like, usually in J.
My preference is to board as close to last as possible, but fear not having space in bin above my seat for carry on and laptop bag so I board with my Zone.
What are 738 J pax experiences and personal protocols when it comes to bin space?
Is there enough room most of the time?
Do Y pax or FA's stuff the empty space above your seat becomes it was empty at the time?
Do you pull those bags out having checked they are not your neighbours?
As a side note, some quick basic tetris often creates some room.
The FA bin announcement about placing the carry on bags vertically needs to chance to placing them on their edge/side.
The safety demo on the 738 shows carry ons being placed on their back in the overhead bins. Monkey see monkey do.