Mar 12, 18, 2:46 pm
Last edit by: N515CR
This wikipost presents an updated summary of AF plans for retrofitting the long-haul fleet with new J (and W) seats. For more details, please refer to the thread below
Last update on 9 NOV 2023
B772
21 planes. All B772 are already retrofitted with the BEST cabins (Zodiac Cirrus seat). A refit programme is underway to standardise the 772 fleet with a 28J 32W 268M configuration, with refits expected to be complete before summer 2024.
B77W
Version with P (19 planes out of 43 77W): 19/19 completed (F-GSQA, F-GSQB, F-GSQC, F-GSQF, F-GSQG, F-GSQH, F-GSQI, F-GSQJ, F-GSQK, F-GSQL, F-GSQM, F-GSQU, F-GSQV, F-GSQY, F-GZNA, F-GZNB, F-GZNC, F-GZND, F-GZNE)Last update on 9 NOV 2023
B772
21 planes. All B772 are already retrofitted with the BEST cabins (Zodiac Cirrus seat). A refit programme is underway to standardise the 772 fleet with a 28J 32W 268M configuration, with refits expected to be complete before summer 2024.
B77W
- They are already all retrofitted with the BEST cabins (Zodiac Cirrus seat).
- Seating config: F4C58W28Y206
COI version (14J) (12 planes out of 43 B77W): all retrofitted (F-GSQO, F-GSQP, F-GSQT, F-GSQX, F-GZNG. F-GSQS, F-GZNF, F-GSQR, F-GSQN, F-GZNO, F-GZNL and F-GZNN).
- The J seat is Zodiac Optima (same as chosen for the A350), similar to the UA Polaris seat. The config is 1-2-1 and total 14J.
- The W seat is the same as in the B789.
- Seating config: C14W32Y422
Remaining 77W (the 12 planes in NEV4 "loisirs" config (42J)): 10/12 completed
- The new seat will be a slightly improved version of the BEST seat, with a door for privacy.
- Retrofits started in March 2022 and are projected to finish by the end of 2023 per AF and other sources.
- Retrofit completed : F-GZNK, F-GZNP, F-GZNQ, F-GZNS, F-GZNT, F-GZNI, F-GZNR, F-GZNU, F-GZNJ, F-GZNH
- Aircraft in retrofit: none
- Aircraft yet to be converted: F-GSQD, F-GSQE
- Seating config: C48W48Y273
B789
- Direct deliveries with BEST cabins (Zodiac Cirrus seat, slightly smaller than the 777 one, due to fuselage width limitation).
- Ten planes have been delivered to AF (F-HRBA to F-HRBJ).
- AF initially ordered 15 B789, with the remaining to go to KL.
A332
- 15 planes. Retrofitted in 2-2-2 with the Stelia Equinoxe seat. A similar seat can be seen in the UX B787. Also, the W seats are the same as the B789.
A343
Remaining 77W (the 12 planes in NEV4 "loisirs" config (42J)): 10/12 completed
- The new seat will be a slightly improved version of the BEST seat, with a door for privacy.
- Retrofits started in March 2022 and are projected to finish by the end of 2023 per AF and other sources.
- Retrofit completed : F-GZNK, F-GZNP, F-GZNQ, F-GZNS, F-GZNT, F-GZNI, F-GZNR, F-GZNU, F-GZNJ, F-GZNH
- Aircraft in retrofit: none
- Aircraft yet to be converted: F-GSQD, F-GSQE
- Seating config: C48W48Y273
B789
- Direct deliveries with BEST cabins (Zodiac Cirrus seat, slightly smaller than the 777 one, due to fuselage width limitation).
- Ten planes have been delivered to AF (F-HRBA to F-HRBJ).
- AF initially ordered 15 B789, with the remaining to go to KL.
A332
- 15 planes. Retrofitted in 2-2-2 with the Stelia Equinoxe seat. A similar seat can be seen in the UX B787. Also, the W seats are the same as the B789.
- More info on A332 retrofit can be found in this thread: https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/air-...-retrofit.html
- Since October 2020, all aircraft have the new cabin.All retired per ch-aviation.
A359
- Overall, AF will have 38 A359. 22 planes have been delivered as of 22/09/2023:
First batch (20): F-HTYA/B/C/D/E/F/G/H/I/J/K/L/M/N/O/P/Q/R/S/T
- Direct delivery with Zodiac Optima, similar to UA Polaris seat (see above B777 COI). Config 1-2-1.
- The W seat is a Recaro recliner seat.
- All the A359 ordered for both AF & KL are finally going to AF (while KL will receive all the B789 remaining to be delivered on the AF sub-order).
- As per an information post by frausflyer , the 20th A350 (likely F-HTYT) to be delivered to AF will have a P cabin. https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/33283076-post467.html. However, this eventually did not happen, and F-HTYT has the same cabin as the 19 aircraft that preceded it.
Second batch (5/18): F-HUVA/B/C/D/E
- The 21st A359 (F-HUVA) has the new 48J cabin with small differences compared to the B77W one. According to Aerolopa, it and 17 A350s to follow will not have P. The configuration will be C48W32Y212 (vs. C34W24Y266 for previously delivered A350s)
All A380 will leave the fleet by 2022 and so, will not be retrofitted with new seats. F-HPJB is the 1st to leave the fleet : it has been returned to the lessor in January 2020.
All retired June 26 2020 due to COVID-19.
updated information about new J seats deployments and other information
Nov 30, 19, 1:31 pm
#181
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 968
Hi,
Anyone knows if AF operates a BEST cabin aircraft to Mauritius? (MRU - AF470). Operating aircraft for this route is a 77W. I have checked the wiki and I am guessing this would be part of the 77W COI version (14J) reconfiguration (Zodiac Optima) but I don't know if AF has even begun to reconfigure these aircraft. Thanks
Anyone knows if AF operates a BEST cabin aircraft to Mauritius? (MRU - AF470). Operating aircraft for this route is a 77W. I have checked the wiki and I am guessing this would be part of the 77W COI version (14J) reconfiguration (Zodiac Optima) but I don't know if AF has even begun to reconfigure these aircraft. Thanks
I do the max to avoid these birds at all costs : try to opt for MK operated planes as they fly A359 with full flat seats.
Retrofit of first AF COI has started with the F-GSQT
Nov 30, 19, 5:21 pm
#182
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Join Date: Aug 2009
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Nov 30, 19, 6:04 pm
#183
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2004
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Programs: DL SM, UA MP.
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Hmm, that Wiki update today is interesting.
This thread is over 2 years old now.
Seems like they're not in a hurry to retrofit older planes. How do they compete for J fares on routes without BEST?
This thread is over 2 years old now.
Seems like they're not in a hurry to retrofit older planes. How do they compete for J fares on routes without BEST?
Dec 1, 19, 2:02 am
#184
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: PVG
Programs: BA Gold, TK E+, ex AA EXP
Posts: 510
We will have to wait a few more years to have a good product from AF on the route it seems!
Dec 1, 19, 7:33 am
#185
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Fares are not lower with the old cabins vs new. But there is confounding factor : some planes with old cabins have more J seats, so you have a larger inventory in the lower fare buckets. So, on a route like JFK will all plane types and all seat types, it is not uncommon to have lower J fares on the A380 because of the higher number of seats and because many J pax avoid it and book the B777 with BEST seats.
Dec 1, 19, 3:01 pm
#186
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They put one to replace the A380 next summer to PVG, when I first saw they retired the A380 from the route I thought to myself that I'll finally be able to fly AF again on their night flight to PVG, and no...
We will have to wait a few more years to have a good product from AF on the route it seems!
We will have to wait a few more years to have a good product from AF on the route it seems!
Dec 8, 19, 11:58 pm
#188
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 968
Dec 23, 19, 1:19 am
#192
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 968
Lets hope this first aircraft to be retrofitted is experiencing as well other major checks and not only a pure change of seats.
If each single change takes so much time, the entire retrofit will take years ....
Last edited by Bullspread; Dec 23, 19 at 4:38 am
Dec 24, 19, 2:44 pm
#195
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