Routemaster1

Sorry if this duplicates earlier thread(s), and if it's a dumb question...

What - if any - downsides can I expect on my Oct.2017 LHR-LAX-LHR roundtrip in 'new PE' compared with my very favourable previous experience of 'old PE'?

Cheers, RM1

sbiddle

That question can really be answered with one point - 2-4-2 rather than 2-2-2 meaning there are no longer any seats where you won't have people climbing over you to get out.

As to whether the new Zodiac seat is a downside or an upside depends entirely on whether you're in the 50% like me who think the Spaceseat was the best seat in the world, or in the 50% who will be celebrating because they found it so terrible.

Bub001

The real question is how you will find the new PE compared with the original PE...and the answer will be a very poor cousin. I was lucky enough to fly in the 747 PE in the bubble and in the first generation in the 777-200. Quality of service, amenities, space and food was outstanding. And the price differential both to J and Y was competitive.

sbiddle

Current PE whether it be Zodiac or Spaceseat is miles ahead of the 744 or early 77E days for the hard and soft product.

cavemanzk

Agreed, the old 77E PE was merely the same width as the Y seats just with an add leg rest and a few inches more legroom.

AndrewAndDebbie

The 'new PE' adds 10 seats. 44 old / 54 refurbished. I think this will impact on service. It might improve the changes of getting an upgrade or one-up.


With the space seats gone, We will be shopping the competition for LON <--> LAX.

NZ are now 41-42 pitch 20 wide (2-4-2)

VS are 38 pitch 21 width (2-3-2)

DY are 46 pitch 19 wide (2-3-2) in Premium Class with lounge access.

BA are BA.

Not sure if any others have true PE for direct flights to Los Angeles.

Routemaster1

LAX-LHR, well there's UA, but....

AndrewAndDebbie

Looking....

UA 935 / 923 is a 787-9 configured two class with Economy Plus.

Economy Plus 35 pitch 17.3 width 3-3-3

Y - 32 Pitch 17.3 width 3-3-3


If I'm flying in the back of the bus, I'll stick with NZ.

jdavido

Another thing to consider is the food: in PE, you don t get the choice of entree and desert, but they are both a BP option, and your mains meals are the same as the BP (except the burger).
Wine is the same as Y and bubble are Sparkling wine and not Champagne (I still find it very good).

Not too sure about the food options on other airlines in Y+

Safe travels

Routemaster1

Thanks JD...THAT's what I was looking for...! RM1

AndrewAndDebbie

On DL it is the same food as Y.


On NZ there is a big difference in the vegetarian meals between PE and Y.

The Westbound dinner entree is mediocre but the rest of the dinner meal is very good.. The salad wraps they serve Westbound just before landing are terrible. I don't think we had them last flight. Either that or I slept thorough it.

Eastbound the PE food has always been good. I actually look forward to the meals. I decline the hot part of the breakfast. Not hungry enough. Crew usually offer me parts of the standard meals too. I'm worried little extras like that will go away.

Wondering if they are going to change the meals. -- More seats -- same galley space -- same crew.

I've posted photos on here before.

sbiddle

I'm pretty sure PE wine is still different to Economy, but not significantly. They were serving Deutz in PE earlier in the year but when I flew a few weeks ago it was back to Dulcet again which is the same as Economy and the lounges.

It's not a bad drop when ice cold but tastes terrible in the plastic cup as the first drink.

FlappyKiwi

(Edited)

sbiddle

30D/G would have been the perfect space to leave 2 spaceseats in the refit. People such as me would have happily paid extra to sit there despite being located next to the toilet.

brenrox

What is that top picture? It looks terrible, as if it would just curdle in your stomach.