Opinions on The New Lie-Flat Crave?
Oct 2, 2006, 8:56 am
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Programs: OWEmerald; STARGold; BonvoyPlat; IHGPlat/Amb; HiltonGold; A|ClubPat; AirMilesPlat
Posts: 38,186
Do you really "crave" these things? You sound a bit down and negative about these new seats and this whole approach to the front cabin.
I think what is clear to the airlines is that J/C overseas passengers want privacy more than anything else, and that the overwhelming majority of those buying seats up front are traveling alone, thus a seatmate is an intrusion upon their person -- especially in the sleep portion of the journey (great VIRGIN ATLANTIC TV spot about this. Maybe WhyFly will post a link to it).
The original experience of BA and SQ with their "pods" in First Class demonstrated this was a viable concept to bring to Business Class...and a way to capture the solo flyer. Obviously we'll have to wait to pass judgement on AC's new offering -- unless we've flown NZ or VIRGIN -- and determine for ourselves how claustrophobic the new capsules might be. I know I've found the BA, SQ and CX First Class pods a very pleasant way to pass 12-/13-hours in the air...
I think what is clear to the airlines is that J/C overseas passengers want privacy more than anything else, and that the overwhelming majority of those buying seats up front are traveling alone, thus a seatmate is an intrusion upon their person -- especially in the sleep portion of the journey (great VIRGIN ATLANTIC TV spot about this. Maybe WhyFly will post a link to it).
The original experience of BA and SQ with their "pods" in First Class demonstrated this was a viable concept to bring to Business Class...and a way to capture the solo flyer. Obviously we'll have to wait to pass judgement on AC's new offering -- unless we've flown NZ or VIRGIN -- and determine for ourselves how claustrophobic the new capsules might be. I know I've found the BA, SQ and CX First Class pods a very pleasant way to pass 12-/13-hours in the air...
Oct 2, 2006, 9:31 am
#3
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Toronto YYZ UA-1K 1MM,QFgold
Programs: Royal Ambassador/ SPG Platinum 75/Marriott gold
Posts: 14,283
SH No I dont have the link anymore... 
Also I must say..... I prefer UA row 15 in 744 over a first pod... I am lucky and most of my long haul flights I dont travel alone.... so I might just miss the old Business seats.
Also I must say..... I prefer UA row 15 in 744 over a first pod... I am lucky and most of my long haul flights I dont travel alone.... so I might just miss the old Business seats.
Oct 2, 2006, 10:59 am
#5
Join Date: Oct 2001
Posts: 1,987
Originally Posted by Shareholder
I think what is clear to the airlines is that J/C overseas passengers want privacy more than anything else, and that the overwhelming majority of those buying seats up front are traveling alone, thus a seatmate is an intrusion upon their person -- especially in the sleep portion of the journey (great VIRGIN ATLANTIC TV spot about this. Maybe WhyFly will post a link to it).
Oct 2, 2006, 3:47 pm
#6
Join Date: Mar 2005
Programs: fwp blood diamond, dykwia uranium
Posts: 7,252
1) Lie flats cater to the lone business traveller; they're private and do not promote interaction amongst other travellers. If you're with your woman/man and you need to be touching them at every moment during the flight, it's not for you. If you're a more rational and less insecure couple, or you're a business traveller who 
DREADS travel, it's gold.
2) Lie flats are not as comfortable as the old J recliners unless they're in the 180 position and you're passed out
DREADS travel, it's gold.2) Lie flats are not as comfortable as the old J recliners unless they're in the 180 position and you're passed out
Oct 2, 2006, 3:51 pm
#7
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Iqaluit
Programs: Programs? I don't need no stinking programs
Posts: 1,194
I am not wild about the Borg cubbyholes either. Individual pods are all right in F where there are only 12-14 of them at the most, but I don't think anyone has yet found a really elegant, non-claustrophobic solution to fitting 20-30 lie-flat seats into a J cabin. They're ok for sleeping in but awful for being awake in, especially the ones that are angled away from the window so you can't look out.
Oct 2, 2006, 5:00 pm
#8
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Toronto, ON, CA
Programs: AC*E; pick a number between 25 and 50K
Posts: 252
Originally Posted by why fly
SH No I dont have the link anymore...
Also I must say..... I prefer UA row 15 in 744 over a first pod... I am lucky and most of my long haul flights I dont travel alone.... so I might just miss the old Business seats.
Also I must say..... I prefer UA row 15 in 744 over a first pod... I am lucky and most of my long haul flights I dont travel alone.... so I might just miss the old Business seats.
. . . and don't miss the patch o' drool
on the shoulder at the end.ROTFLMAO!
MMD
Oct 2, 2006, 11:02 pm
#10
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Toronto
Programs: AC SE MM, Marriott Lifetime Titanium, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 2,101
I did a r/t to SYD last month and flying the new ANZ lie-flat from SFO to AKL and onto SYD was wonderful. The seats are not awkward at all, someone was behind me with his wife across the aisle and really enjoyed it. Travelling alone it was nice privacy, a comfortable seat for takeoff and landing (you are allowed to recline during both) and sweet dreams for 8+ hours of sleep on each of the AKL/SYD segments.
The foot stool had a seatbelt and two people joined their spouse or partner for dinner across from eachother.
The foot stool had a seatbelt and two people joined their spouse or partner for dinner across from eachother.